JPH077620Y2 - Release bearing mechanism for clutch - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Industrial field of application] The present invention relates to a release bearing mechanism of a friction clutch used in an automobile or the like, and particularly to a pull type (pull type).
The release bearing mechanism used for the clutch that adopts the diaphragm spring of.

[Prior Art] As is well known, the diaphragm spring is a component for pushing the pressure plate toward the friction facing of the clutch disc. And in the above pull type,
The clutch is disengaged by pulling the inner peripheral portion of the diaphragm spring in a direction away from the clutch disc (outward in the axial direction) by a release bearing mechanism.

In the release bearing mechanism used for such a pull type clutch, Japanese Patent Application No. 59-197623 and Japanese Patent Application No. 61-
As described in No. 90834, attach a cylindrical connecting member to the inner peripheral part of the diaphragm spring, fit the extension part of the inner race of the release bearing into the inner peripheral part of the connecting part, and connect both via an intermediate member. ing.

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] According to the above structure, the release bearing and the connecting member can be easily disassembled and assembled by attaching or detaching or deforming the intermediate member. However, in the structure of the above-mentioned Japanese Patent Application No. 59-197623, a snap ring-shaped member is used as the intermediate member, and since the member is arranged in a state where it can be elastically deformed in the radial direction, it is The position of the intermediate member is displaced, and when the clutch is operated, a local force is applied to the intermediate member, which may damage the intermediate member.

On the other hand, in the structure of Japanese Patent Application No. 61-90834, a cylindrical member is adopted as the intermediate member, and the member is fitted in close contact with the connecting member and the inner race. it can.

However, in the structure of Japanese Patent Application No. 61-90834, when disassembled,
It is necessary to temporarily move the inner race to the clutch disc side. Therefore, in a normal assembled state, it is necessary to install the inner race at a great distance from the clutch disc, which increases the axial dimension of the entire clutch. Further, the diaphragm spring also needs to be largely tilted with respect to the radial direction in correspondence with the position of the inner race. Decrease.

The present invention aims to provide a structure that solves the above problems.

[Means for Solving the Problems] In order to achieve the above object, in the present invention, a cylindrical extension portion extending inward in the axial direction is provided on an inner race of a release bearing to which an operating force in a clutch disengaging direction is exerted outward in the axial direction. And a cylindrical lever plate is connected to the diaphragm spring of the clutch, and a pair of cylindrical surfaces of the extension portion and the lever plate that engage with each other form first and second cylindrical surfaces. The connecting ring is arranged between the two in a state of being elastically deformed toward the second cylindrical surface side as compared with the free state.

With such a structure, in the present invention, the first ring retracting groove, the generally tapered guide portion formed by one side surface of the groove, and the connecting ring in the axial direction and the radial direction are formed on the first cylindrical surface. The engageable first ring fitting portion and the retainer sliding surface are arranged in this order in the relative pushing direction of the second cylindrical surface with respect to the first cylindrical surface.

A cylindrical retainer is slidably fitted on the retainer sliding surface. The retainer is slidable between an open position that opens the first ring fitting groove and a closed position that closes the first ring fitting portion. A ring holding portion for holding a connecting ring is provided on the surface of the retainer opposite to the sliding surface, and the ring on the first cylindrical surface is scooped up at the end portion of the retainer on the first ring fitting portion side. A ring scooping portion for guiding to the ring holding portion is provided.

On the second cylindrical surface, there are provided a second ring retracting groove and a second ring fitting portion which can be engaged with the connecting ring in the axial direction and the radial direction from the side opposite to the first ring fitting portion. It is provided in a state of being lined up in the normal pushing direction. A first engaging surface that axially engages the connecting ring in the first ring retracting groove is provided on a side surface of the second retracting groove opposite to the second ring fitting portion. The other side surface is provided with a second engaging surface that axially engages with a connecting ring that fits in the retainer.

The depth of the second ring retracting groove is set so that the connecting ring that has entered the inside can move axially with respect to the first cylindrical surface and the retainer. The depth of the first ring retracting groove is set so that the connecting ring that has entered the first ring retracting groove can move with respect to the second cylindrical surface to a position where the connecting ring comes into contact with the first engaging surface.

[Operation] According to the above configuration, in the clutch disengagement operation, the lever mechanism is driven in the same direction via the coupling ring by the operation mechanism moving the release bearing axially outward, and the inner peripheral surface of the diaphragm spring is axially moved. It is moved outward in the direction.

The above mechanism can be disassembled and assembled as follows. In the following description, in order to make the description clear, it is assumed that the first cylindrical surface having the first ring retraction groove and the like is formed by the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical extension portion of the inner race. However, the present invention is not limited to such a structure.

In the assembling work, the connecting ring is put in the first retracting groove of the tubular extension in advance. In this state, the release bearing is moved inward in the axial direction to push the tubular extension portion into the lever plate. When the release bearing is pushed to a certain extent, the connecting ring in the first ring retracting groove engages with the first engaging surface of the lever plate, so that in the subsequent pushing stroke, the connecting ring forms a tubular shape with the first engaging surface. It is pushed axially outward relative to the extension.

By this relative pushing, the connecting ring slides on the guide portion while elastically expanding and reaches the first fitting portion.

Then, the tubular extension is pulled outward in the axial direction. In this behavior,
The coupling ring is engaged with the first fitting portion and moves with respect to the lever plate together with the tubular extension portion and the retainer. By this movement, the connecting ring fits into the second fitting portion of the lever plate, and the assembly is completed.

When disassembling the above mechanism, the release bearing is pushed inward in the axial direction. As a result, the connecting ring is tubular until it engages with the first engaging surface while being fitted to the tubular extension by its own elasticity (and in some cases, engaged with the tip of the retainer). Move with the extension.

When the release bearing is further pushed while the connecting ring is engaged with the first engaging surface, the connecting ring moves up to the connecting ring holding portion while being picked up by the scooping portion of the retainer and elastically deformed, and at the holding portion. It engages there by its own elasticity. In this state, pull the release bearing in the opposite direction. This causes the tubular extension to move axially outward with the connecting ring engaged with the second engaging surface of the lever plate. In this operation, the retainer holding the connecting ring slides on the tubular extension with the connecting ring until the closed position is reached.

Further movement is prevented when the retainer reaches the closed position. Therefore, if you further pull the release bearing,
The connecting ring and the lever plate move with respect to the tubular extension and the retainer, and the connecting ring comes off the retainer and enters the first ring retracting groove of the tubular extension. This allows the tubular extension to be removed from the lever plate.

When the disassembly is completed in this way, the connecting ring is in the first retracting groove. This state is the same as the state at the start of assembly described above. Therefore, it is not necessary to replace the connecting ring prior to the next assembling work (forced elastic deformation of the connecting ring to move it to another place).

[Embodiment] FIG. 2 shows the clutch of the embodiment in a disassembled state. In FIG. 2, by pressing the friction facing 3 on the outer periphery of the clutch disc 2 connected to the clutch output shaft 1 against the flywheel 5 by the pressure plate 4,
The clutch is designed to connect. An annular diaphragm spring 7 is provided on the back side of the pressure plate 4, and the diaphragm spring 7 pushes the pressure plate 4 toward the friction facing 3 side.

The diaphragm spring 7 is connected to the pressure plate 4 at a portion near the outer periphery, and the rear surface of the outer peripheral portion is supported by a fulcrum portion 9 of a clutch cover 8 fixed to the flywheel 5. The diaphragm spring 7 is provided with radial slits 10 in the radial middle portion and the inner peripheral portion, and the inner peripheral portion is connected to the release bearing mechanism 11.

The release bearing mechanism 11 is slidably fitted on the outer circumference of a sleeve 12 provided around the output shaft 1, and the operation mechanism 13
Connected to. The operating mechanism 13 is supported by the clutch housing 14 and is connected to a clutch pedal (not shown). The clutch housing 14 has an end opposite to the flywheel 5 fixed to a transmission housing (not shown).

By depressing the clutch pedal, the operation mechanism 13 moves the entire release bearing mechanism 11 outward in the axial direction as indicated by arrow A, whereby the release bearing mechanism 11 moves the inner peripheral portion of the diaphragm spring 7 in the same direction. The clutch is disengaged by pulling.

The release bearing mechanism 11 includes a bearing 20 (bearing body), a connecting ring 21, a lever plate 22 and the like. In the assembling process, the lever plate 22 is assembled in advance to the diaphragm spring 7, and together with the diaphragm spring 7 and the clutch cover 8 constitute an assembly on the flywheel side. Bearing 20 and connecting ring
21 is assembled to the clutch housing 14 together with the sleeve 12 and the operating mechanism 13, and together with the clutch housing 14 constitutes an assembly on the transmission side. After these assemblies are individually assembled, they are connected in a concentric positional relationship as described later.

The bearing 20 is located axially outside (in the direction of arrow A) with respect to the diaphragm spring 7. Inner race 23 of bearing 20 is a cylindrical extension that extends axially inward.
24 is integrally provided, and as shown in FIG. 1, the extension portion 24 is fitted inside the lever plate 22 in the radial direction to form a connecting ring.
Connected by 21. The connecting ring 21 has a circular material cross-sectional shape, has a cut at one place, and is elastically deformed outward in the radial direction compared to the free state, that is, in the radial direction due to its own elasticity. It is interposed between the extension portion 24 and the lever plate 22 in a state of being deformed toward one side.

The lever plate 22 has an outward flange on the inner end in the axial direction.
Equipped with 26. As shown in FIG. 2, the flange 26 is located on the inner side of the diaphragm spring 7 in the axial direction, and is connected to the diaphragm spring 7 by a support plate 27 (bending metal fitting) so as to be immovable in the axial direction.

In FIG. 1, a first ring retraction groove 30 is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the extension portion 24 in the vicinity of the axially inner end portion thereof. First
The side surface of the ring retraction groove 30 on the outer side in the axial direction (on the right side in FIG. 1) has a tapered guide portion 31, and the first fitting portion 32 is formed on the outer side in the axial direction with respect to the guide portion 31. I am doing it. First
The fitting portion 32 is formed by a concave portion (or step portion) having an arcuate cross section, and the bottom surface of the concave portion is extended outward in the axial direction to form a retainer sliding surface 33.

A cylindrical retainer 35 is slidably fitted around the retainer sliding surface 33. The retainer 35 is axially movable between the open position of FIG. 1 and the closed position of FIG. In the closed position of FIG. 6, the retainer 35 has a first axially inner portion
It abuts the fitting portion 32 and covers the first fitting portion 32 from the periphery. The retainer 35 does not move inward in the axial direction from the position shown in FIG. 6, and therefore the first ring retracting groove 30 is not covered by the retainer 35. In the open position of FIG. 1, the other end of the retainer 35 is in contact with the outer peripheral step of the extension portion 24, the retainer 35 does not cover the first fitting portion 32, and the tip of the retainer 35 is the first fitting portion. It is adjacent to junction 32.

A taper surface is formed on the outer periphery of the tip of the retainer 35 so as to increase in diameter toward the rear in the axial direction, and a connecting ring scooping portion 36 is formed by this taper surface. An annular concave portion is provided on the outer periphery of the retainer 35 on the outer side in the axial direction of the scooping portion 36, and the concave portion forms a holding portion 37 to which the inner periphery of the coupling ring 21 is fitted and held, as shown in FIG. Has been done.

The inner peripheral surface of the lever plate 22 forms a second cylindrical surface. A second ring withdrawal groove 40 is formed approximately in the middle of the second cylindrical surface in the axial direction, and a second fitting portion 41 is formed axially outside the second ring withdrawal groove 40. . Both side surfaces of the second ring retracting groove 40 respectively extend in a substantially radial direction to form a first engaging surface 42 and a second engaging surface 43. The second engagement surface 43 on the outer side in the axial direction has a larger inner diameter than the first engagement surface 42.
The second fitting portion 41 is formed by a concave portion (or step portion) having an arcuate cross section, and the bottom surface of the concave portion extends cylindrically inward in the axial direction and continues to the inner periphery of the second engaging surface 43. ing.

The specific shape and dimensions of each of the above parts are set so that each part operates as follows.

In the assembly work, as shown in FIG.
21 is put in the first ring retracting groove 30 of the tubular extension 24.
In this state, the bearing 20 is moved inward in the axial direction to push the extension 24 into the lever plate 22. When the bearing 20 is pushed in to a certain degree, the connecting ring 21 engages with the first engaging surface 42 of the lever plate 22, and in the subsequent pushing stroke, as shown in FIG. Are relatively pushed outward in the axial direction with respect to the tubular extension 24.

As a result, the connecting ring 21 slides on the guide portion 31 while elastically expanding and reaches the first fitting portion 32 as shown in FIG.

Next, the tubular extension 24 is pulled outward in the axial direction. This allows
As shown in FIG. 1, the connecting ring 21 is the second one of the lever plate 22.
It fits into the fitting portion 41, and the assembly is completed. In this assembled state, the first fitting portion 32 is fitted to the connecting ring 21 axially outward and radially outward, and the second fitting portion 41 is fitted axially inward to the connecting ring 21. It is fitted inward in the radial direction.

In the disassembly work, the bearing 20 is pushed inward in the axial direction. As a result, the connecting ring 21 can be
24 (and, in some cases, retainer
The state shown in FIG. 4 is reached by moving together with the tubular extension 24 to a position where it engages with the first engaging surface 42 (while engaging the tip of 35).

When the bearing 20 is further pushed while the connecting link 21 is engaged with the first engaging surface 42, the connecting ring 21 is scooped up by the scooping portion 36 of the retainer 35 and elastically expands as shown in FIG. It moves to the holding portion 37, contracts due to its elasticity in the holding portion 37, and engages with the outer periphery of the holding portion 37. Then, pull the bearing 20 in the opposite direction (outward in the axial direction). In this operation, as shown in FIG. 6, the connecting ring 21 engages with the second engaging surface 43, and in that state, the retainer 35 holds the connecting ring 21 and reaches the closed position with respect to the tubular extension 24. Move relatively.

When the retainer 35 reaches the closed position, it is prevented from moving further. Therefore, if you further pull the bearing 20,
As shown in the figure, the tubular extension 24 and the retainer 35 move with respect to the connecting link 21 and the lever plate 22, the connecting ring 21 is disengaged from the retainer 35, and the tubular extension 24 is moved by its own radially inward elastic force. Sliding on the tapered outer peripheral surface of the guide portion 31 of the first
Enter the ring retraction groove 30. This allows the tubular extension 24
Can be removed from the lever plate 22.

When the disassembly is completed, the connecting ring 21 is in the first ring retracting groove 30. Therefore, it is not necessary to forcibly elastically deform the connecting ring 21 to move it to another place prior to the next assembly work.

In the above structure, in order to assemble the retainer 35 around the retainer sliding surface 33, the retainer 35 needs to have a structure in which one place is separated. Therefore, in the illustrated embodiment, as shown in the developed partial view of FIG.
It is formed by bending a strip material into a cylindrical shape and joining its ends 50 and 51 to each other. Due to its joining, the end 50
Is a strip-shaped protrusion 52 protruding in the longitudinal direction of the strip plate material.
And a circular portion 53 formed at the tip thereof are integrally provided, and a cutout 54 into which the projection 52 and the circular portion 53 are fitted is provided at the end portion 51.
Is provided.

[Advantage of the Invention] As described above, according to the present invention, in the assembled state, the connecting ring 21 is fitted to both the lever plate 22 and the inner race extension 24 in a radially closely contacted state. The position of the ring 21 can be prevented from being misaligned, and the connection strength can be increased as compared with the conventional case where the connection is made by one ring whose radial position is unstable.

Moreover, since the disassembling and assembling can be performed only by moving the bearing 20 and the lever plate 22 relatively in the axial direction, the disassembling and assembling work can be simplified.

Furthermore, in both the assembly work and the disassembly work, it is not necessary to project the inner race 23 to the inner side in the axial direction more than the diaphragm spring 7, and therefore, the inner race 23 between the inner peripheral portion of the diaphragm spring 7 and the clutch disc 2 is prevented. The distance can be set short. Therefore, the axial dimension of the entire clutch can be shortened. Further, the angle θ (FIG. 2) of the inclined portion of the diaphragm spring 7 with respect to the radial direction can be set small, in other words, the axial dimension between the outer peripheral portion and the inner peripheral portion of the diaphragm spring 7 can be set small. It is possible to reduce the bending moment of the diaphragm spring 7 caused by the centrifugal force and effectively prevent the force applied from the diaphragm spring 7 to the pressure plate 4 from being influenced by the bending moment.

Further, in the state where the disassembly is completed, the connecting ring 21 is located at the first ring retracting groove 30, that is, the predetermined position at the time of starting the assembly, so that the next assembling work can be simplified.

[Another embodiment] (1) In order to surely and lightly scoop up the retainer 35, as shown in FIG. 9, the surface of the connecting ring 21 is cut out at a portion adjacent to the tip of the retainer 35 so that the surface is flat. The tapered surface 55 can also be formed.

(2) In the above-described embodiment, the first cylindrical surface having the first ring retracting groove 30 and the like is formed in the inner race extension portion 24, and the second cylindrical surface having the second ring retracting groove 40 is formed in the lever plate 22. Although formed, the first cylindrical surface may be formed on the inner periphery of the lever plate 22 and the second cylindrical surface may be formed on the outer peripheral surface of the extension portion 24. In that case, the groove, the fitting portion, the retainer, and the like are provided in an axially opposite positional relationship to the illustrated case.

(3) Instead of the structure of FIG. 8, as shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, both ends 50, 51 of the retainer 35 have substantially hook-shaped protrusions 60, 61.
It is also possible to provide both to engage with each other.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a sectional view of an embodiment, FIG. 2 is a sectional view of a clutch adopting the embodiment of FIG. 1 in a disassembled state, and FIGS. 3 to 7 show various states in a disassembling / assembling process. Cross section,
FIG. 8 is a developed partial view of the retainer, FIG. 9 is a sectional view of a connecting ring of another embodiment, and FIGS. 10 and 11 are developed partial views of the retainer of another embodiment. 7 …… Diaphragm spring, 11 …… Release bearing mechanism, 20 …… Release bearing, 21 …… Coupling ring, 22 …… Lever plate, 23 …… Inner race, 24
...... Extension part, 30 ...... First ring withdrawal groove, 31 ...... Guide part,
32 …… First fitting section, 33 …… Retainer sliding surface, 35 …… Retainer, 36 …… Scooping up section, 37 …… Holding section, 40 …… Second section
Ring withdrawal groove, 41 ... second fitting portion, 42 ... first engaging surface,
43 …… Second engaging surface

Claims (3)

[Scope of utility model registration request] 1. An inner race of a release bearing, to which an operating force in the clutch disengaging direction is exerted outward in the axial direction, is provided with a cylindrical extension extending inward in the axial direction, and a cylindrical lever plate is connected to a diaphragm spring of the clutch. Forming a first and a second cylindrical surface by a pair of cylindrical surfaces of the extension portion and the lever plate that fit with each other, and connecting a ring between the cylindrical surfaces on the side of the second cylindrical surface as compared with the free state. The first ring retracting groove, the generally tapered guide portion formed by one side surface of the groove, and the connecting ring in the axial direction and the radius. A first ring fitting portion that can be engaged in the direction and a retainer sliding surface are provided in this order in the state of being aligned in the relative pushing direction of the second cylindrical surface with respect to the first cylindrical surface. Cylindrical retainer The retainer is slidably fitted and is configured to be slidable between an open position where the first ring fitting groove is opened and a closed position where the first ring fitting portion is closed. A ring holding portion for holding the connecting ring is provided on the surface opposite to the above, and the ring scooping for picking up the ring on the first cylindrical surface and guiding it to the ring holding portion at the end of the retainer on the side of the first ring fitting portion. Part,
On the second cylindrical surface, the second ring withdrawal groove and the first connecting ring are provided.
The ring fitting portion and a second ring fitting portion that can be engaged in the axial direction and the radial direction from the opposite side are provided in this order in the relative pushing direction, and the second ring fitting portion of the second retracting groove is provided. A first engaging surface that axially engages the connecting ring in the first ring retracting groove is provided on the side surface opposite to the mating portion, and a connecting ring that fits into the retainer is provided on the other side surface of the second retracting groove. A second engaging surface that engages in the axial direction with respect to
It is set so as to be movable in the axial direction with respect to the cylindrical surface and the retainer, and the depth of the first ring retreating groove is set to the second cylindrical surface until the connecting ring that has entered the groove contacts the first engaging surface. A release bearing mechanism for the clutch, which is set so that it can move relative to it. 2. The retainer is formed by a strip plate which is curved in a cylindrical shape and whose both ends are joined to each other, and one of the both ends has a strip-shaped projection projecting in the longitudinal direction of the strip and a protrusion of the projection. The release bearing according to claim 1, further comprising: an overhanging portion provided at a tip end portion; and a notch on the other of the both end portions, into which the band-shaped projection and the overhanging portion fit. 3. The release bearing according to claim 1, wherein the connecting ring has a tapered surface for riding on the scooping portion of the retainer.