Finite element analysis of thermal buckling characteristics of automotive 430 dry clutch pressure plate

The thermal buckling characteristics of the automotive dry clutch pressure plate under two typical thermal loads are comprehensively investigated by the finite element method based on the thermal buckling theory, respectively. The influence of the temperature distribution along the pressure plate thickness direction and the boundary constraints on the thermal buckling characteristics of the pressure plate is studied. The analysis results show that: 1) the temperature distribution on the thickness of the pressure plate has a negligible effect on its thermal buckling characteristics; 2) the boundary condition of the pressure plate has a significant effect on its thermal buckling mode; 3) the thermal buckling of the pressure plate is easier to occur in its cooling stage than in the heating stage. Since the critical buckling temperature far exceeds the actual possible temperature, the concave deformation of pressure plate is not induced by the thermal buckling mechanism.