Clutch: Description and Operation

Clutch System Description

Dual Mass Flywheel

Function

The dual mass flywheel is designed to reduce the noise and vibration produced by the engine, the clutch, and the transmission during acceleration and cruising.

Construction

The flywheel assembly is actually two flywheels in one, which raises the inertial mass on both the engine and transmission when the clutch is engaged. The inner and outer flywheels are connected by torsion springs. This combination effectively dampers changes in engine speed before they are transmitted to the transmission.
Since there are torsion springs between the flywheels, none are used in the clutch disc, which reduces the inertial mass on the mainshaft when the clutch is disengaged. This reduction of the rotating inertial mass reduces the load on the synchro rings, allowing the transmission to shift smoothly.