GB843528A - Improvements in and relating to a clutch thrust bearing and device equipped with thelatter - Google Patents

Abstract

843,528. Roller bearings. PITNER, A., and ROULEMENTS A ARGUILLES S.A. July 8, 1958 [July 8, 1957; June 16, 1958], No. 21783/58. Class 12 (1). A self-centring thrust bearing, for transmitting an axial thrust to the thrust plate E of a conventional clutch device C, comprises two annular plates 1, 2 forming opposed annular races 3, 4 for rollers 5 accommodated in apertures 7 in a thin annular cage 6, the periphery of the plate 1 carrying an L-section cap 8 which extends axially and radially of the plate 2 with clearances which permit a degree of relative radial movement between the plates 1, 2 while preventing substantial variation in the axial thickness of the bearing. The cage 6 is preferably pressed out to restrict movement of the rollers in at least one axial direction, and the annular cavity formed by the cap 8 contains a lubricant, e.g. a mixed soap of calcium and sodium. During a clutch disengagement thrust, exerted by a fork F pivoting in the direction of an arrow f, the plates 1, 2 assume a coaxial relationship and there is a radial clearance r between the inner face 12 of the cap 8 and the outer face 13 of the plate 2, the friction between these two faces, which contact for short periods at the start and finish of a clutch disengagement, being made as low as possible by undergoing a treatment, e.g. of phosphating, nitriding, or cementing. The plate 2 is fast with a bearing surface 14 adjacent a shoulder 15 on an annular thrust ring G which is coaxial with a driven shaft B and co-operates with the fork F. Sealing rings H<SP>1</SP> and I<SP>1</SP> on either side of the bearing engage respectively in recesses 21, 22, in the thrust ring G. In a modification, Fig. 5, the centring of the bearing during a clutch disengagement is ensured by providing a co-operating conical face 28 on the thrust plate E. The cage 6a has a radial clearance relative to the cap 8a which is of channel section and is formed of two L-section parts. The sealing rings differ from these shown in Fig. 2. Various other minor modifications are described which include the provision of conical or fusiform rollers and different forms of cap members 8.