Modeling and Experimental Study for Automotive Dry Clutch Sliding Noise

Automotive dry clutches have been found to produce a low frequency sliding noise in many applications,which challenges the ride comfort of vehicles.In order to study this clutch sliding noise,a detailed finite element model including both a pressure plate assembly and a driven plate assembly was developed.Based on this model,a complex eigenvalue analysis is performed in this research.The effect of several major factors on the clutch sliding noise,such as the coefficient of friction,the clamping force,the geometric imperfection of the friction plate,and the thermal deformation of the pressure plate,were investigated numerically.A vehicle road test with clutch sliding noise was conducted for several different conditions.The leading frequencies of the clutch sliding noise in the testing were obtained and compared with the frequencies predicted by the numerical model.The simulation results show the same tendency as the road test.It is found that the clutch sliding noise can be reduced by decreasing the coefficient of friction.With the presence of the surface bumping of the friction plate,the propensity of the clutch sliding noise greatly increases and the corresponding squeal frequencies fall into the range lower than 1 kHz.With the consideration of the thermally introduced deformation of the clutch pressure plate,the possibility of clutch sliding noise is significantly reduced.It is concluded that the model with the incorporation of the thermal deformation of the pressure plate is more effective for the frequency prediction of clutch sliding noise.