Abstract
Drag torque reduction in a wet clutch pack is a key aspect of the design process of the dual clutch transmission (DCT) system. In order to reduce the drag torque caused by lubricant shear resistance, recently developed wet clutch pack systems of DCT, as well as automatic transmission and other four-wheel drive (4WD) couplings, frequently utilize wavy wet clutch pads. Therefore, wavy shape of friction pad are made on the groove patterns like waffle pattern for the reduction of drag torque. Additionally, the groove patterns are designed with larger channels at several locations on the friction pad to facilitate faster outflow of lubricant. However, channel performance is a function of the waviness of the friction pad at the location of the particular channel. This is because the discharge sectional area varies according to the waviness amplitude at the location of the particular channel. The higher location of the additional channel on the friction pad results in a larger cross-sectional area, which allows for a larger flow discharge rate. This results in reduction of the drag torque caused by the shear resistance of DCTF, because of marginal volume fraction of fluid (VOF) in the space between the friction pad and separator. This study computes the VOF in the space between the friction pad and separator, the hydrodynamic pressure developed, and the shear resistance of friction torque, by using CFD software (FLUENT). In addition, the study investigates the dependence of these parameters on the location and waviness amplitude of the channel pattern on the friction pad. The paper presents design guidelines on the proper location of high waviness amplitude on wavy friction pads.