The strength of driveline components is particularly important for heavy commercial vehicles. The next step in creating more and more resistant powertrains are the solutions presented by LuK: the new lining of the HD30 PLUS clutch discs and the use of self-adjusting pressure plates for trucks.
The innovative changes concern the LuK clutch discs with a diameter of 360 mm, 400 mm and 430 mm. A new material, optimized in terms of mechanical and thermal strength, was used for the friction linings of the clutch disc, marked with the symbol HD 30 PLUS. This change is intended to extend the mileage achieved with the clutch disc and, thanks to the use of ecological materials, to protect the environment.
Linings composed of specially selected components are additionally reinforced with a relatively large amount of fibres. The linings are produced without the use of solvents and the material does not contain cadmium, chromium, lead, asbestos or mercury. The lining material in a conventional disc combines structural strength and friction properties. Which translates into a combination of dimensions, thermal and mechanical strength with the coefficient of friction, wear and comfort of clutch engagement. The new generation of pads is a separation of functionality from the properties of the disc. The assumption is implemented by dividing the cladding into two layers. This involves separating issues related to dimensions, thermal stability, durability from issues related to team comfort, coefficient of friction and pad wear. The bottom layer increases mechanical strength, while the top layer gives good friction properties. All these features of the new linings increase the mileage by about 30%, of course depending on the operating and operating conditions.
Another LuK innovation for heavy commercial vehicles is the design of the clutch pressure plate equipped with a self-adjusting system - TAC. The task of this system is, as in passenger cars, to keep the ends of the disc spring, the so-called lobes at a constant distance from the flywheel throughout the life of the clutch. TAC self-adjustment applies to both push and pull clutches. Currently, it concerns couplings with a diameter of 395 mm, in the future this solution will also be used for other dimensions. The construction of this mechanism is relatively simple. It consists of a pawl, a spindle and a wedge setting ring that replaces the traditional fixed support ring of the central disc spring. When the lining thickness drops below 0.1 mm, the pressure plate moves towards the flywheel and the pawl begins to rotate the spindle gear. The spindle, through the nut, moves the wedge ring and the wear of the linings is compensated, which translates into keeping the ends of the disc spring at a constant level. As a result, the disc spring does not create an ever-increasing so-called cone. This solution results in smaller dimensions of the clutch assembly, i.e. a shorter clutch housing and twice the life of the clutch disc.
LuK's new solution - the HD30 PLUS disc and the TAC type clamp, increase the mobility of vehicles and are an economical solution for their users.
