Optimum design of vehicle clutch diaphgram springs with heuristic methods under stress constraints and load characteristic

Clutch systems are always installed between engine and gear box on vehicle applications. Clutch systems ensure changing of gears while it is interrupted transmitted torque between engine and gear box during reengaging and engaging conditions. Moreover, It transmits engine torque and engine speed to gear box. Clutch system includes Disc assy, Flywheel and Pressure Plate Cover Assy which mainly consists of cover, pressure plate and diaphragm. Diaphgram, which has contact with Cover, pressure plate and release bearing, acts like a spring because of its structure. And besides, it generates required axial load so as to transmit torque transmission and complete engagement mechanism. Disc is compressed as a result of axial load and engagement mechanism occurs. However, Transmission of engine torque and engine speed to gear box is interrupted as a result of applied axial displacement on release bearing contact. At the same time, outer diameter of diaphgram moves on the opposite direction of movement of release bearing. Furthermore, reverse movement of outer diameter of diaphgram causes reduction of clamp load. As a conclusion, clamp load, acting on disc, removes and interrupt torque transmission from engine to gear box. In this thesis, Design of Diaphgram, which meets required clamp load and minimum stress, has been planned with optimization algorithm within short time and desired specifications. Differential evolution algorithm was choosen as optimization method while fea models of diaphgram were used for objective function and constraint functions. In consequence of this thesis, Endurance and load of Diaphgram design was secured.