Dynamic axial and radial temperature prediction of multi-plate frictional wet clutches in vehicle transmissions with the thermal resistance network method

Under the engaging process, excessive temperature of clutch plates may lead to thermal failure. Existing research has failed to find the hot spot and the radial temperature difference real-timely. They also neglected the influence of dynamic sliding process and hydraulic characteristics. Thus, a multi-domain dynamic model of the whole clutch was proposed, involving the mechanical dynamics, the hydraulic dynamics and thermics. With the thermal resistance network method, the real-time axial and radial temperature prediction of clutch plates was realized. The highest temperature occurs on the friction pairs of axial middle and the maximum value occurs on the radial 5th mass. Compared with the results by FEM, the deviation is about 6.5 %, but the time duration is reduced significantly. Furthermore, the influence of the outer hub vibration (160 Hz, 0.2 Hz) on the dynamic characteristics was discussed. This work was tested to be an effective and good basis for the health prediction of wet clutches.