# Wedge Design and Dynamic Characteristics Analysis of Unequal-Length Wedge Slant Support Clutch
## 2 Unequal-Length Wedge Diagonal Brace Clutch Design
### Unequal-Length Wedge Design
#### 2.2.4 Verification of Design Parameters  
It is difficult to calculate the different wedges in a diagonal clutch; it was assumed that a single wedge was used in each diagonal clutch to validate the clutch design parameters. The clutch performance parameters of different types of wedges were obtained using the calculation method in [19], as listed in Table 3. The force on the wedge is displayed in Figure 5, which primarily includes the spring support force \(F_{r}\), contact forces \(F_{i}\) and \(F_{o}\) of \begin{table}
\begin{tabular}{c c c c c c} \hline \hline
**Item** & **Wedge A** & **Wedge B** & **Wedge C** & **Wedge D** & **Wedge E** \\ \hline Wedge difference & & & & & \\ quantity (mm) & +0.005 & +0.010 & +0.015 & +0.020 & +0.025 \\ Length of middle & & & & & \\ segment (mm) & 1.3550 & 1.3600 & 1.3650 & 1.3700 & 1.3750 \\ Center distance (mm) & 0.3233 & 0.3228 & 0.3224 & 0.3221 & 0.3218 \\ Center corner (\({}^{\circ}\)) & 6.50 & 5.62 & 4.74 & 3.85 & 2.96 \\ \hline \hline \end{tabular}
\end{table} 
Table 1: Main design parameters of five different wedges. Figure 4: Schematic of unequal-length wedge arrangement. the inner and outer rings, respectively, and centrifugal force \(F_{c}\). \(O\) and \(O^{\prime}\) are, respectively, the center of the upper and lower arc surfaces of the wedge, and A and B are the contact points between the wedge and the inner and outer ring. The included angle between AB and AO is the external wedge angle \(W\), and the angle between AB and \(O^{\prime}\) is the internal wedge angle \(V\). According to the ISO standard [20], four aspects of the clutch wedge--angle, lift, PCE continuous output, and strength constraints--were verified, and all wedges met the usage requirements. In addition, considering the situation where certain wedges engage first during the engagement process of the \"slow connect\"-type clutch, the primary consideration is the stability of clutch engagement. The calculation of the limit situation for certain wedges during engagement verified that certain wedges could fully transmit torque near the limit angle. After the calculation, the required number of wedges for complete torque transmission under the limit conditions of each modified wedge was as follows: the minimum number of Wedges A, B, and C was four. The minimum number of Wedges D and E was five. It can be observed that during the dynamic engagement process of the \"slow connect\"-type clutch, the initial torque transmission capacity of certain long wedges could possibly not be sufficient, resulting in the clutch exceeding the limit angle, causing the PCE phenomenon and significant wear and impact. Therefore, in subsequent optimization design, the minimum number of wedges in the table above should be ensured. However, under actual working conditions, within an extremely short period of time after certain wedges are engaged, the remaining wedges are fully engaged, and further simulation analysis is required for their specific differential working characteristics. \begin{table}
\begin{tabular}{c c c c c} \hline \hline \multirow{2}{*}{**Model**} & \multicolumn{2}{c}{**B**} & \multicolumn{2}{c}{**D**} \\ \cline{2-5}  & **Number of Wedges** & **Location** & **Number of Wedges** & **Location** \\ \hline
1 & 3 & 1 & 3 & 2 \\
2 & 6 & 1,2 & 3 & 3 \\
3 & 3 & 1 & 6 & 2,3 \\
4 & 6 & 1,3 & 6 & 2,4 \\ \hline \hline \end{tabular}
\end{table} 
Table 2: Design of four kinds of wedge slant support clutch. Figure 5: Schematic diagram of wedge force analysis.