Mailam Engineering College

Mailam (Po), Villupuram (Dt). Pin: 604 304

(Approved by AICTE, New Delhi, Affiliated to Anna University Chennai
& Accredited by National Board of Accreditation (NBA) New Delhi)

DEPARTMENT OF MECHANICAL ENGINEERING

ME2352 - DESIGN OF TRANSMISSION SYSTEM
UNIT-V
DESIGN OF CAM, CLUTCHES AND BRAKES
Cam Design Types pressure angle and under cutting base circle determination- forces and
stresses. Design of plate clutches - Axial and cone clutches- internal expanding rim clutches internal
and external shoe brakes.
PREPARED BY:

1. P.GOVINDAN
2. P.SARAVANAN
APPROVED BY:

Dr.R.Rajappan.
(HOD/MECH)

Dr.S.Senthil
(Principal, MEC)

1. State the advantage of cam mechanisms.[Apr/May 2008]

Cams are used for transmitting desired motion to a follower by direct contact.Cam mechanisms are used in
the operation of IC engine valves.
2. Define base circle and pitch circle with respect to cam.
(i) Base circle is the smallest circle drawn to cam profile.
(ii)Pitch circle is the circle drawn with its centre as the centre of cam axis and the
radius equal to the distance between cam centre and the pitch point.

3. State the advantage of cam over other reciprocating mechanisms.

(i) It is very easy, accurate and efficient to produce a given motion, velocity and acceleration.

(ii) The rise period, dwell period and the return period can be increased or decreased depending upon the shape of the cam
which cannot be performed by other reciprocating mechanisms.

4. When do we use multiple disk clutches?

When large amount of torque is to be transmitted. In multiple clutch the number of frictional linings and the
metal plates are increased which increases the capacity of the clutch to transmit torque.
5. Name the profile of cam that gives no jerk.
Circle-arc cam gives no jerk. Because the derivative of acceleration of cam is zero .i.e.,
Jerk==d3/dt3=0 where is cam rotation.
6. What is significance of pressure angle in cam design?
The pressure angle in cam design plays a very important role as its maximum value establishes, the cam size,
torque loads, side thrust, wear, acceleration of follower etc.,
7. Name four profiles normally used in cams.
1. Uniform velocity, 2.simple harmonic motion, and 3.uniform acceleration and retardation
and4.cycloidal motion.
8. Name four materials used for lining of friction surfaces in clutches. Write the desirable
properties of lining materials. [AUC-M2005]
Properties of materials commonly used for lining of friction surfaces.

9. How the uniform rate of wear assumption is valid for clutches?

In clutches, the value of normal pressure, axial load for the given clutch is limited by the rate of wear that cam
be tolerated in the brake linings. Moreover, the assumption of uniform wear rate gives a lower calculated clutch
capacity than the assumption of uniform pressure, hence clutches are usually designed on the basis of uniform
wear.
10.What are the effects of temperature rise in clutches?
During operation of a clutch, most of the work done against frictional forces opposing the motion is liberated as
heat at the interface. It has been found that at the actual point of contact, the temperature as high as 1000 0C
is reached for short duration. ((i.e.) for 0.0001sec).Due to this, the temperature of the contact surfaces will
increase and may destroy the clutch.
11.Under what condition of clutch, uniform rate of wear assumption is more valid?

In clutches, the value of n normal pressure, axial load for the given clutch is limited by the rate of wear that
can be tolerated in the brake linings. Moreover, the assumption of uniform wear rate gives a lower calculated
clutch capacity than the assumption of uniform pressure. Hence clutches are usually designed on the basis of
uniform wear.
12.Why is it necessary to dissipate the heat generated during clutch operation?
When clutch engages, most of the work done will be liberated as heat at the interface. Consequently the
temperature of the rubbing surfaces will increase. This increased temperature may destroy the clutch. So heat
dissipation is necessary in clutches.
13.Name different types of clutch. Why positive clutch is used?
Following are the two main types of clutches commonly used in engineering practice
1. Positive clutches,
2. Friction clutches.
14.What is fading of brakes? [AUC-D2004]
When the brake is applied continuously over a period of time, the brake becomes overheated and the
coefficient of friction drops. This result in sudden fall of efficiency of the brake. This is known as fading of
brake.
15.How does the function of a brake differ from that of a clutch? [Nov/Dec2010]
The break connects a rotating member with a non rotating member but, a clutch connects two rotating
members.
16. What is meant by a self energizing brake? [AUC-D2005]
When the moment of applied force and the moment of frictional force are in the same direction, the frictional
force helps in applying the brake. This type of brake is known as self energizing brake.
17. What is self locking in brake?
When the frictional force alone is sufficient to apply the brake without any external force, then the brake is said
to be self locking.
18.Why in automobiles braking action when travelling in reverse is not as effective as when moving
forward? [AUC-May2008]
When an automobile moves forward the braking force acts in the opposite direction to the direction of motion
of the vehicle. Whereas in reverse travelling the braking force acting the same direction to the direction of
motion of the vehicle. So it requires more braking force to apply brake.
19.

Give the reason for left and right shoes of internal expansion brakes having different
actuating forces. [AUC-May 2007]
Depending upon the direction of the drum rotation, one shoe would be a leading shoe and another shoe is a
trailing shoe. The leading shoe is self energizing whereas the trailing shoe is not. In the leading shoe, the
friction force helps the applied force and hence more actuating force thab the trailing force.
20. List the characteristics of material used for brake lining. [AUC: Dec 2010]
The material used for the brake lining should have the following characteristics:
1. It should have high coefficient of friction with minimum fading. In other words, the coefficient of friction
should remain constant over the entire surface with change in temperature.
2. It should have low wear rate.
3. It should have high heat resistance.
4. It should have high heat dissipation capacity.
5. It should have low coefficient of thermal expansion.

6. It should have adequate mechanical strength.

7. It should not be affected by moisture and oil.

ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS:TWO MARKS

1. What is jerk? Name the profile of the cam that gives no jerk. [AUT-Dec2010]

1. What are the effects of temperatures rise in clutches?

2. What is significance in pressure angle?
3. State the advantages of cam over other reciprocating mechanisms
4. How uniform rate of wear assumption is valid for clutches?
5. Why should the temperature rise be kept with in the permissible range in brakes?
6. Name four materials used for lining of friction surface in clutches.
7. What is meant by self energizing break?
8. What are the Desirable properties of friction materials used in clutches?
9. Why in automobile braking system is effective in reversing?
10.If multi disc clutches ha s8 discs in driving shaft and 9 discs in driven shaft then how many
numbers of contact surfaces it will have?
11.Name the profile of the cam that gives no jerks.
12.Give the reasons for left and right shoes of the internal expansion brakes having different
actuating forces.
13.What is the different between coupling and clutch?
14.Distinguish between wet and dry clutch.
15.Classify clutches based on the coupling methods.
16.What is fade?

16 MARKS
1. A multi disc clutch consists of five steel plates and four bronze plates. The inner and outer
diameters of friction disk are 75 mm and 150mm respectively. The coefficient of friction of 0.1
and the intensity of pressure is limited to 0.3 N/mm 2. Assuming the uniform wear theory,
calculate the required operational force and power transmitting capacity at 750rpm.
2. A cylindrical cam with a central roller follower has a rise of 25 mm in angle of 70 0. Base circle
radius is 80 mm and follower roller radius is 20 mm. Speed of rotation of cam is 5000 rpm.
Mass of the follower is 0.5 kg. Find the maximum value of acceleration of the follower,
corresponding pressure angle, stiffness of spring used with the follower and maximum cam
force. The friction between the follower and maximum cam force. The friction between the
follower guides may be ignored.
3. A Plate clutch with maximum dia 60mm has max liming pressure of 0.35 MPa. The power to
transmit at 400 rpm is 135 kW and =0.3. Find inside dia and spring force required to engage
the clutch. Spring with spring index6 and materials spring steel with safe shear stress 600MPa
are used .find the wire dia if 6 spring are used.