clutch plate, springs

In the sketch below you see a spring. In the clutch of a volvo 24O there are four of them.

This is just for a smooth ride and is not necessary for the function of the clutch.
The driving part (friction plates and steel plate) of the clutch plate pushes to te springs, the springs will be pressed and they push to the driven part (connection whith the primary shaft).
So if there is suddenly a large power-increase the springs will intercept so the car will accelarte smoothly and not in shocks.

This is why race cars don't have springs in the clutch. It causes a very litte decrease in power a a little delay in power trasmitting.