JP4055199B2 - Clutch release bearing device - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a clutch release bearing device having a more compact configuration.
[0002]
[Prior art]
When operating a clutch that is a power interrupting device mounted on a vehicle or the like using a friction plate, the release fork that is an input member presses the diaphragm spring of the clutch cover that is a rotating member in the axial direction, thereby The urging force is released from the friction plate to disconnect the power transmission.
[0003]
By the way, the release fork is usually arranged on the fixed side of the vehicle body or the like, but the clutch cover is attached to a flywheel or the like of the engine and rotates integrally therewith. Therefore, when the release fork directly presses the diaphragm spring of the clutch cover, wear of the contact portion is caused. Therefore, a clutch release bearing including a rotating wheel that abuts on the diaphragm spring and rotates integrally, and a non-rotating bearing holding member configured to hold the bearing in a predetermined state and receive an input from the release fork, A clutch release bearing device is provided between a diaphragm spring and a release fork, as shown in, for example, Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. 56-7124.
[0004]
In the clutch release bearing device disclosed in Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. 56-7124, the front end portion of the outer ring of the bearing faces the diaphragm spring, while the flange portion is the flange of the guide sleeve at the rear end of the inner ring of the bearing. It is provided facing the part. Further, the bearing is attached to the guide sleeve so that the flange portions are sandwiched between the plate springs in the axial direction. When the flange portion of the guide sleeve is pushed from the rear by the tip of the release fork, the entire bearing device can move in the axial direction so that the tip of the outer ring comes into contact with the diaphragm spring.
[0005]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
FIG. 4 shows an axial sectional view of an example of a conventional clutch release bearing device. The conventional clutch release bearing device includes a clutch release bearing 110, a guide sleeve 120, a spring member (not shown in FIG. 4), and a reinforcing member 140. The resin guide sleeve 120 has a pair of extending portions 125 extending in the axial direction (rightward in FIG. 4) from the upper end and the lower end of the flange portion 122, and further extends toward each other at the tip end. It has a columnar restricting portion 125b. The restricting portion 125b engages with the release fork RF assembled on the actual vehicle, and restricts (blocks) its relative axial movement (disconnection).
[0006]
However, since the restricting portion 125b extends outside the release fork RF in the radial direction, the outer diameter of the clutch release bearing device is increased and may interfere with a clutch housing (not shown) formed therearound. is there. In particular, when the guide sleeve is made of resin in order to achieve weight reduction, the thickness of the extending portion must be increased to ensure strength, and the outer diameter of the clutch release bearing device is further expanded. On the other hand, it is conceivable to form the restricting portion by deforming the reinforcing member 140, which is usually made of a steel plate. However, since the reinforcing member 140 is a plate material, when it is elongated, it has sufficient rigidity. Is required to have a considerable thickness, which is expected to increase the cost and increase the weight. It is also conceivable that problems such as warping occur during the heat treatment of the reinforcing member.
[0007]
The present invention has been made in view of the problems of the prior art, and it is an object of the present invention to provide a clutch release bearing device having a more compact configuration despite its low cost.
[0008]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, a clutch release bearing device of the present invention includes an inner ring and an outer ring that are arranged concentrically and rotate relative to each other, one ring is fixed, and the other wheel that rotates is a rotating member of the clutch device. A resin release bearing holding member comprising a clutch release bearing adapted to abut on, a cylindrical portion slidably fitted on the guide shaft, and a flange portion, and the bearing holding member, In a clutch release bearing device comprising a coupling member that holds the one wheel of the clutch release bearing so as to be movable in the radial direction, the relative movement in the axial direction between the input member and the bearing holding member is limited. A limiting member is provided, and the limiting member extends radially inward of the input member from the bearing holding member side to the opposite side across the input member. Protrudes radially outwardly at the opposite side of the extending portion, possess a restriction portion that is engageable to said input member, said extending portion has a width enough to go ahead is narrowed tapered It has a shape .
[0009]
[Action]
The clutch release bearing device of the present invention includes an inner ring and an outer ring that are concentrically arranged and rotate relative to each other, one ring is fixed, and the other wheel that rotates rotates abuts on a rotating member of the clutch device. A clutch release bearing, a cylindrical portion slidably fitted on the guide shaft, and a resin-made bearing holding member, and the one of the clutch release bearings with respect to the bearing holding member A clutch release bearing device comprising: a connecting member that holds the ring of the ring so as to be movable in a radial direction; and a limiting member that restricts relative movement in the axial direction between the input member and the bearing holding member. The restricting member includes an extending portion extending radially inward of the input member from the bearing holding member side to the opposite side of the input member, and the opposite of the extending portion. Projecting radially outward at the side, possess a restriction portion that is engageable to said input member, said extension portion, because it has a tapered width toward ahead is narrowed, the clutch release bearing The maximum outer diameter of the apparatus can be suppressed, and a compact configuration can be achieved. As used herein, “radial direction” refers to the radial direction of the clutch release bearing.
[0010]
Further, the limiting member is a reinforcing member disposed between the input member and the bearing holding member, and the extending portion has a tubular shape at least partially surrounding the cylindrical portion of the bearing holding member. For example, even when the reinforcing member is formed of a steel plate, it is possible to secure a high rigidity without increasing the plate thickness by using a tubular shape, so that the input member and the bearing holding member are axially relative to each other. The function of restricting movement can be effectively exhibited.
[0011]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a view of a clutch release bearing device according to a first embodiment of the present invention as viewed from the release fork side. FIG. 2 is an axial sectional view taken along the line II-II in FIG. 1 and viewed in the direction of the arrow. FIG. 3 is a top view of the anvil of the clutch release bearing device according to the present embodiment.
[0012]
1 and 2, the clutch release bearing device includes a clutch release bearing 10, a guide sleeve 20 that is a bearing holding member, a spring member 30 that is a connecting member, and an anvil 40 that is a reinforcing member and a limiting member. The clutch release bearing 10 includes a substantially circular inner ring (the other ring) 11 having a contact portion 11a at the left end in FIG. 2 and a short circular outer ring (one ring) concentrically including the inner ring 11. 12, a plurality of balls 15 that are rotatably arranged between the inner ring 11 and the outer ring 12, a cage 16 that holds the balls 15 at a predetermined interval, and an inner ring 11 and an outer ring 12 on both sides in the axial direction of the ball 15. And the seals 17 and 18 for tightly sealing the space defined by
[0013]
The inner ring 11 is rotatably supported with respect to the outer ring 12. Further, the contact portion 11a of the inner ring 11 formed by press-molding the quenched steel plate has a shape that is turned outward in the radial direction so as to contact a diaphragm spring of a clutch cover (not shown). It has become. Further, the end of the inner ring 11 opposite to the abutting portion 11a may be left blanked by pressing, and the manufacturing cost may be reduced without performing cutting.
[0014]
The guide sleeve 20 is made of resin and is formed by axial draw molding at a relatively low cost. The guide sleeve 20 has a cylindrical main body (cylindrical portion) 21 and a flange extending in the radial direction from the outer periphery near the center of the main body 21. It consists of the part 22 and the outer wall part 23 which protrudes to the axial direction left side (FIG. 2) in the radial direction outer end of the flange part 22. FIG. A guide shaft (not shown) extends inside the main body 21, and the main body 21 is slidable on the guide shaft. An enlarged diameter portion 24 is provided inside the main body 21. The enlarged diameter portion 24 functions so as not to bite foreign matter when the main body 21 slides on the guide shaft. The outer wall portion 23 is provided outside the clutch release bearing 10 and serves as a radial movement restriction portion. Further, a gap 27 is formed between the outer periphery of the outer ring 12 and the inner periphery of the outer wall 23 so that the clutch release bearing 10 can be moved in the radial direction.
[0015]
As shown in FIG. 1, two spring members 30 having the same shape are formed by bending a steel plate into a substantially U shape, and the flange of the guide sleeve 20 is formed by elastic force generated by elastic deformation during assembly. The outer ring 12 of the clutch release bearing 10 is clamped with respect to the portion 22, and the clutch release bearing 10 is held so as to be movable in the radial direction with respect to the guide sleeve 20.
[0016]
In FIG. 1, an anvil 40 includes a tubular cylindrical portion 41 that includes and positions the main body 21 of the guide sleeve 20, and a substantially disk that extends radially from the left end of the cylindrical portion 41 along the flange 22 in FIG. 2. 2 of the cylindrical part 41, a pair of plate-like guide parts 43 extending in the axial direction from the top and bottom of the right end in FIG. 2, and a restricting part projecting radially outward from the end part of the guide part 43 44. In addition, as shown in FIG. 3, the guide part 43 is made into the taper shape where a width | variety becomes narrow as it goes ahead, so that the fundamental stress may be relieved. The tube portion 41 and the guide portion 43 constitute an extending portion.
[0017]
The flange portion 42 is slightly separated from the flange portion 22 of the guide sleeve 20 only in the contact region 42a with which the release fork RF shown in FIGS. Even if the region 42a is deformed, it is not transmitted to the guide sleeve 20 side. Further, as shown in FIG. 1, the flange portion 42 has a notch 42b formed by notching a part of the outer periphery thereof, and the engaging portion 28 protruding from the flange 22 of the guide sleeve 20 is engaged therewith. In other words, the anvil 40 and the guide sleeve 20 are prevented from moving relative to each other during operation to prevent abnormal noise.
[0018]
Next, the operation of the clutch release bearing device according to the present embodiment will be described below. 1 to 3, the bifurcated release fork RF pivots so that its tip comes into contact with the flange portion 42 of the anvil 40, and a constant load is applied to the left in FIG. As a result, the clutch release bearing device slides in the axial direction on the guide shaft to bring the contact portion 11a of the inner ring 11 into contact with a diaphragm spring of a clutch cover (not shown). Even if the diaphragm spring is rotating, the inner ring 11 is freely rotatable, so that it rotates integrally with the diaphragm spring after contact, and the diaphragm spring is pressed as the bearing device moves in the axial direction, so that the clutch is It is supposed to be operated.
[0019]
Here, since the spring member 30 has an appropriate plate thickness and supports the clutch release bearing 10 with respect to the guide sleeve 20 only by frictional force, the clutch release bearing 10 is in the radial direction with respect to the guide sleeve 20. It is possible to move to. Accordingly, when the abutting portion 11a of the inner ring 11 abuts against the diaphragm spring, if there is an eccentricity between the two, an aligning force that tries to position the clutch release bearing 10 concentrically occurs, and thereby the clutch release bearing 10 Will move in the radial direction and self-alignment will be achieved. The spring member 30 holds the position of the clutch release bearing 10 after alignment. The outer wall portion 23 of the guide sleeve 20 has a function of restricting the clutch release bearing 10 from moving outward in the radial direction by a predetermined amount or more.
[0020]
According to the present embodiment, the cylinder portion 41 as the extending portion and the guide portion 43 extend inward in the radial direction of the release fork RF as the input member, and therefore the maximum outer diameter of the clutch release bearing device. For example, as shown in FIG. 4, and interference with the clutch housing or the like can be suppressed. Moreover, although the extension part is a part of the anvil 40 and can be formed from a steel plate, in this embodiment, since about half of the extension part is constituted by the cylinder part 41, its rigidity is maintained high and restricted. The portion 44 can resist the force received when the relative movement between the clutch release bearing device (guide sleeve 20) and the release fork RF is suppressed, and the dimensional accuracy is improved. Further, as shown in FIG. 3, when the surface 44a on the release fork RF side of the restricting portion 44 is a curved surface or a flat surface so as to match the opposing surface of the release fork RF, the release due to the vibration of the engine or the vibration of the vehicle travels. Even when the fork RF and the restricting portion 44 come into contact with each other, the surface pressure is suppressed and the early wear can be suppressed.
[0021]
The present invention has been described above with reference to the embodiments. However, the present invention should not be construed as being limited to the above-described embodiments, and can be modified or improved as appropriate. For example, the limiting portion 44 may extend radially outward from the cylindrical portion 21 of the guide sleeve 20.
[0022]
【The invention's effect】
The clutch release bearing device of the present invention includes an inner ring and an outer ring that are concentrically arranged and rotate relative to each other, one ring is fixed, and the other wheel that rotates rotates abuts on a rotating member of the clutch device. A clutch release bearing, a cylindrical portion slidably fitted on the guide shaft, and a resin-made bearing holding member, and the one of the clutch release bearings with respect to the bearing holding member A clutch release bearing device comprising: a connecting member that holds the ring of the ring so as to be movable in a radial direction; and a limiting member that restricts relative movement in the axial direction between the input member and the bearing holding member. The restricting member includes an extending portion extending radially inward of the input member from the bearing holding member side to the opposite side of the input member, and the opposite of the extending portion. Projecting radially outward at the side, possess a restriction portion that is engageable to said input member, said extension portion, because it has a tapered width toward ahead is narrowed, the clutch release bearing The maximum outer diameter of the apparatus can be suppressed, and a compact configuration can be achieved.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a view of a clutch release bearing device according to a first embodiment as viewed from a release fork side.
2 is a view of the configuration of FIG. 1 taken along the line II-II and viewed in the direction of the arrows.
FIG. 3 is a view of an anvil as viewed from above.
FIG. 4 is an axial sectional view of a conventional clutch release bearing device.
[Explanation of symbols]
10 Clutch release bearing 20 Guide sleeve 30 Spring member 40 Anvil 41 Tube portion 43 Guide portion 44 Limiting portion

Claims (2)

A clutch release bearing that includes an inner ring and an outer ring that are concentrically arranged and rotate relative to each other, one of which is fixed and the other of the rotating rings is in contact with a rotating member of the clutch device; and a guide shaft A resin-made bearing holding member having a cylindrical portion and a flange portion slidably fitted to each other, and the one ring of the clutch release bearing can be moved in the radial direction with respect to the bearing holding member. In a clutch release bearing device comprising a connecting member that holds and
A restricting member for restricting relative movement in the axial direction between the input member and the bearing holding member is provided, and the restricting member is disposed on the radially inner side of the input member from the bearing holding member side with the input member interposed therebetween. an extending portion extending to the other side, and projects radially outwardly at the opposite side of the extending portion, possess a restriction portion that is engageable to said input member,
The extension part is a clutch release bearing device having a tapered shape whose width becomes narrower as going forward .   The restricting member is a reinforcing member disposed between the input member and the bearing holding member, and the extending portion has a tubular shape at least partially surrounding the cylindrical portion of the bearing holding member. Item 2. A clutch release bearing device according to Item 1.

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