DE4118360A1 - CONTROL DEVICE FOR A CLUTCH, ESPECIALLY FOR MOTOR VEHICLES, WHICH IS A UNIT - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a controller device for a clutch, in particular for Motor vehicles, according to the generic term Claim 1.

Such a device generally requires handling a very large number of individual parts le.

It follows on the one hand that one before the Assemble the guide tube, the stop and the Fork must be stored and that on the other hand the assembly times on the assembly line become longer than that Fork a specific position for attachment to must occupy a fixed support point.

There is also a risk that certain parts in the The course of various processes is lost and / or are exchanged for each other, in particular in the case of different sources of supply.

The present invention has the purpose of this Difficulties on simple and economical Way to eliminate and thus the assembly of the Control device as well as their storage facilitate and reduce the risk of confusion gladly, and it also offers other advantages.  

This problem is solved according to the invention by the characterizing part from claim 1 solved.

Thanks to the invention, a captive is created only unit that is portable and manageable, but at the same time easy to manage and store is.

In fact, the fork can be in a vertical position be transported without the risk of Tilting and falling, thanks to the Circumferential fasteners, and the release bearing can lift off the guide tube thanks to the first lift Do not loosen the stop.

It will be understood that the peripheral fastening with tel also attaching the module through a Allow opening in release housing. In combination with the first stop, they determine the slant position of the fork.

In addition, such an execution allows type automatic assembly line assembly, even if for carrying out the assembly of the passage through an opening is required.

With the help of a robot, it is indeed easy e.g. B. to take the release bearing and the Lagermo dul to transport it to the drive shaft to install the transmission of a motor vehicle. At there is no danger of this process occurring the fork turns, because this is arre at the circumference animals.

In the case of an embodiment, the circumference fixation forms Angle locking device for the fork in one position in relation to the guide tube, concerning a later attachment of the fork to the  the point of support and an attachment of the guide tube on the fixed part.

Thanks to this arrangement, it is through during assembly Attaching the bearing module to the drive shaft of the Gearbox after the fork with the appropriate Interaction cooperates, not necessary that Position the guide tube using the robot because this is automatically in the correct Position.

After an important feature, the second type be lifted by shear force.

This second stop can, for. B. a break zone like e.g. B. have a hinge.

With automatic assembly, this second one Stop can thus be automatically canceled.

According to another characteristic is the release fork with guide means for attachment to the relevant provided fixed support point, while the mentioned means connected to the fork holder are.

During the automatic assembly, the Fork over the guide means with the support point come in contact, is then withdrawn until the named point of contact with the associated one Fork mount engaged.

The first stop can be radial Exist towards the elastically deformable ring, the by means of clamping force at the free end of the guide tube intervenes.

It will be understood that this arrangement is special is economical and easy to use.  

It is also easy to adjust the clamping load on the to master the ring mentioned.

According to a second embodiment, the first stop from a stopper, the non-positive sig sits in the inner bore of the guide tube.

Thanks to this arrangement, the plug in the Assembly automatically by the drive shaft of the Gearbox ejected. This also allows Arrangement an axial extension of the bearing module and thus a somewhat stronger inclination of the release gear bel, so that the module mentioned in a smaller radial space can be accommodated and esp especially fits under the clutch housing.

The following description illustrates the Invention with reference to the accompanying Drawings showing:

- Fig. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of a bearing module according to the invention, attached to the housing of the transmission.

- FIGS. 2 to 5 are figures similar to FIG. 1, but for different phases of mounting the bearing module on the vehicle.

- Fig. 6 is a front view according to arrow 6 of Fig. 1, showing the release fork and the second stop according to the invention.

-. Figures 7 to 11 are corresponding to those for example approximately views of Figures 1 to 5 for a second exporting..

- Figure 12 is a view corresponding to Figure 3 for a third embodiment...

- Fig. 13 is a view corresponding to Figure 12 for a fourth embodiment..

Referring to FIG. 1, one sees a Lagermo dul 70, attached to the drive shaft 3 of the transmission of a motor vehicle for operating a clutch.

This bearing module 70 is part of a control device for a clutch for a motor vehicle with an internal combustion engine and contains a guide tube 10 which can be attached to a fixed part, a release bearing 20 which is slidably attached to the guide tube 10 and on the release device of the (not ) Coupling einwir ken, and a release fork 30 , which can be exposed to the action of control means for the actuation of said stop 20 . Here the fixed part consists of the housing 1 of the transmission, provided with a drive shaft 3 which projects in the axial direction.

The guide tube 10 surrounds the drive shaft 3 and has a fastening and centering with a centering ring 11 , which is suitable for centering penetration into an inner bore 6 of the transmission, and a fastening plate 12 , which extends and is suitable essentially radially to the axis of the unit is to cooperate by means of a mounting surface 4 which surrounds the bore 6 through which the shaft 3 passes. This attachment is done by screwing.

This tube extends axially cantilevered over the fastening end 11 , 12 to a free end 13 . It has an inner bore 14 through which the shaft 3 passes, and a chamfer 7 which connects the centering ring 11 with the fastening supply plate 12 , the chamfer 7 facilitating the installation by inserting the shaft 3 into the guide tube 10 .

The release fork 30 has two fingers 33 ( FIG. 6) which run radially and are separated by a slot which enables the guide tube 10 to pass through.

The release bearing 20 has a drive element 21 , here in the form of a ball bearing, the inner ring of which is rotatable and can act by thrust, for example, on the ends of the fingers of a (not shown) membrane which belongs to the clutch release device.

In a variant, the stop 20 can act by pushing on release levers which belong to the clutch release device, possibly by engaging a ring, the levers being effective against the effect exerted by the coil springs.

The stop also has an operating element 23 , 24 , 25 , which is provided with a sleeve 23 for the sliding movement of an annular flange 24 on the guide tube 10 , which extends transversely to the sleeve 23 and is firmly connected to the latter, while the said Flange 24 has an axial alignment edge 25 on the outer periphery, which surrounds the outer ring of the bearing 21 with a radial play.

The sleeve 23 carries two cantilevers 26 with radial alignment parts which are suitable for axially fastening the stop 20 in relation to the fork 30 . Here are the flange 24 , the boom 26 and the edge 25 in one piece with the sleeve 23 , advantageously made of plastic and cast by pressure.

Further details can be found in FR-A-24 96 800, it being assumed that the fingers 33 of the fork 30 are inserted axially with a clearance between the flange 24 and the radial parts of the cantilevers 26 mentioned.

The sleeve 23 also has guide facets which run parallel to the axis of symmetry of the unit and to the radial part of the arm 26 in order to lock the stop on the circumference in relation to the fork. Such guide facets can be seen in particular in FIG. 2 of FR-A-24 96 800.

The driving element 20 is connected to the operating element 23 , 24 , 25 by an elastic cap 22 , as described in FR-A-24 96 800.

The fork 30 is therefore axially connected to the stop 20 by means of the extension arm 26 .

The cap 22 ( FIG. 12) has a transverse wall in the form of a corrugated spring washer, from which axial brackets 28 extend, which are provided with openings which are suitable for hooking on the pegs 27 with which the edge 25 is provided.

The cap 22 acts on the non-rotating outer ring of the bearing 21 to plate a radial edge, facing the axis of the unit, that the ring has when the flange 24 is in contact.

Thus, the stop 20 is a self-centering design, a ra diales game being present between the edge 25 and the outer ring of the stop.

The fork 30 has a spherical recess 31 here. This recess is suitable to cooperate with a pivot 40 which is screwed into the housing 1 and which has a ball joint at the free end.

The fork 30 thus has a receptacle 31 for the rotatable attachment to at least one support point 40 which is fixedly connected to a fixed part.

In a variant (not shown), the fork 30 can be provided with openings for the passage of an axis which is installed in the housing 1 in a rotating manner.

This fork 30 with a U-shaped cross section consists of deep-drawn sheet metal and has a central part 35 which is laterally bordered by two axial folds 36 , 37 ( FIG. 6).

The fork 30 has at the upper end a recess 39 ( FIG. 1), which faces the housing 1 , for the actuation of a rod for actuating the fork.

In a variant, this recess 39 can receive a spherical end which is connected to an actuating cable which is connected to the release pedal.

In any case, the fork 30 is suitable to be exposed to the action of control means.

At the lower end of the fork 30 , this has radial fingers for acting on the flange 24 , the pivot pin 40 being arranged radially between the fingers 33 and the depression 39 .

According to the invention, a control device for a clutch, in particular for a motor vehicle, of the type described above is characterized in that it forms a single unit or a bearing module 70, thanks to a guide tube 10 , 110 , 210 , before the guide tube is attached to the associated fixed part 1 , which on the one hand has a first reversible stop 50 , 150 for fastening the release bearing 20 in a first axial direction, which runs from the fastening end to the free end of the guide tube 10 , 110 , 210 , and on the other hand circumferential fastening means 60 , 160 , 260 for the circumferential locking of the Fork 30 in relation to the guide tube 10 .

In Figs. 1 to 6 the Umfangsbefesti consist restriction means of a second annullable stop 60 which is axially and radially offset relative to the first stop 50 to the radial and to catch even attachment of the fork 30 to cause in such a way that the stop 20 is held axially in the second axial direction opposite to the previous one, indirectly by means of the fork 30 .

It will be noted that since the fork 30 is in contact with the flange 24 of the stop 20 , it is axially indirectly held by the second stop 60 .

The first stop 50 consists of a radially elastically deformable split ring which engages at the free end 13 of the tube 10 .

In one variant, the ring 50 can be continuous and consist of a rubber ring that is elastically deformable in the radial direction. In any case, the ring 50 cooperates with the sleeve 23 in the storage position.

The second stop 60 has at least one collar axis 61 with a fracture zone 62 , here in the form of a local thinning of said axis 61 or the pivot pin.

Here, an axis 61 is connected to each fold 36 , 37 , said axis being provided with a collar and resting on the inner surface of said folds 36 , 37 . The axes 61 , the z. B. may be made of plastic, extend on the one hand transversely through the folds 36 , 37 in the form of openings 63 which are made in these ( FIG. 1) and on the other hand they run through openings 64 ( FIG. 1) through the protuberances 65 ( Fig. 6) are formed, which rest on the mounting plate 12 .

Thus, the fork 30 is held on the circumference in relation to the tube 10 and the same applies to the stop 20 due to the interaction of the fingers 33 with the guide facets of the stop 20 .

This circumferential fastening means 60 thus form angle locking means for the fork in relation to the guide tube 10 in a position which enables the later assembly of the fork at the support point 40 and an attachment of the guide tube 10 to the fixed part.

Here, the plate 12 has two eyelets 113 ( FIG. 6), which are provided with openings for the passage of fastening screws (not shown) on the housing 1 .

According to an important feature, the fork 30 is provided with guide means 32 for attachment to the relevant support point 40 , said means 32 being connected to the receptacle 31 in the form of a spherical cap of the fork 30 .

Here the means 32 consist of a raised channel incorporated in the central part 35 , the said channel being aligned and inclined in the longitudinal direction ( FIG. 2) while it opens into the depression 31 . The elevation is just as opposed to the folds 36 , 37 as the depression 31 .

Thanks to the invention, a captive, manageable and transportable module 70 is created , the module 70 being able to be gripped by the jaws M ( FIG. 2) of a robot in order to handle, transport and install it. In this way, the module can be transported with the fork in a vertical position without the risk of falling.

In detail ( FIG. 2), the fork 30 has an inclination before the attachment to the swivel joint 40 , which is determined by the axial distance that separates the stops 50 and 60 from one another, and by the size of the stop 20 .

In this configuration, the stop 20 is locked in a first axial direction, which runs to the right, according to FIG. 2 by the stop 50 (split ring 51 ).

In a second axial direction, which is opposite to the aforementioned, the stop 20 is axially locked by the fork 30 by cooperation of the flange 24 with the fingers 33 , 34 of the fork 30 , the fork being locked radially and circumferentially by the stop 60 .

This axial locking is due to the fact that from a certain position it is not possible to move the fork back without shearing off the axles 61 .

Thus the fork has a certain inclination and by gripping the edge 25 of the stop with the help of the jaws M it is possible to transport the unit by means of the robot so that it engages in the shaft 3 ( Fig. 3) by the module 70 is shifted in the direction of arrow F.

During this displacement, the pivot pin 40 comes into contact with the guide part 32 .

Continuing the axial engagement movement, the pivot pin 40 slides along the channel 32 such that the fork 30 begins to detach and rotate ( Figs. 3, 4 and 5).

It will be noted that, according to FIG. 4, the axes 61 have been sheared off by the zones 62 when the fork 30 has been detached and that the second stop 60 is thus eliminated.

As the engagement movement continues, the pivot pin 40 engages with the receptacle 31 ( FIG. 5) and, starting from this position, one acts on the plate 12 according to the arrow G from FIG. 5, the stop always being held by the robot becomes.

If the movement is continued, the ring 11 can penetrate into the bore 6 until the plate 12 comes into contact with the surface 4 . The fastening is then carried out using a machine screwdriver.

It will be noted that the guide tube 10 is automatically in a proper position to allow screwing by the deformation of the second stop to angular locking means. This facilitates assembly in particular if the passage must take place through a narrow opening provided in the housing of the coupling 2 .

The ring 51 which can be lifted is then withdrawn in order to reach the configuration according to FIG. 1.

If the stop 60 does not form a locking means, an additional phase must of course be wound to bring the guide tube 10 into the correct position.

In a variant, the circumferential fastening means hen best consist of a positive connection, which can be produced by making an incision 160 in the plate 12 (shown in dashed line in FIG. 6), the fork then being folded through the folds 36 , 37 cooperates with the side edges of the cut 160 .

It will be noted that the guide tube 10 according to these FIGS. 1 to 6 is sufficiently long that the fork 30 fits under the clutch housing 2 ( FIG. 2), which is firmly connected to the housing of the transmission.

Of course, it is possible to artificially extend the guide tube 10 .

For this purpose there is shown in FIGS. 7 to 11, the first stopper 150 of an annular plug with a cross section which has substantially the shape of an inverted L, wherein a vertical portion forming a shoulder for the inner ring of the bearing 21 and a tubular axial alignment part by Force penetrates into the inner bore 14 of the guide tube 110 . The tubular part is provided with a collar in order to cooperate with the ends 13 of the tube 110 .

Of course, the tubular portion can be extended beyond the radial portion of the plug to outside of the tube 110 .

When assembling with the help of the robot, which takes place in the same way as described above, the plug 150 can thus be ejected through the end 5 of the drive shaft 3 ( FIGS. 10 to 11).

It will be understood that thanks to the plug 150 , the guide tube 110 is extended according to the needs, so that the fork 30 can be tilted somewhat more to fit under the housing 2 .

In these figures, the second stop consists of the recess 160 according to FIG. 6.

In a variant ( Fig. 12), the second stop 260 can be formed by a ring 66 which is provided with a fracture zone 68 , said ring positively engaging with a Hohlverfor formation 69 which engages on the folds gene 36 , 37 opposite side in the central part 35 of the fork 230 is mounted radially above the recess 31 .

Said ring 66 can cooperate with radial brackets 67 in the form of a cantilever arm, each of which emanates from the eyes 13 of the plate 12 , with a distance between the holes and the said eyes so as not to disturb the screw connection.

The ring 66 thus holds the fork 230 radially and on the circumference, which engages with the flange 24 by means of the fingers 33 and is thereby axially locked by plugs 150 . This ring also locks the stop 20 in the axial direction in the axial direction that extends from the end 13 to the end 11 , 12 , since the fork cannot be moved back without breaking the ring 66 . It is axially offset from the first stop.

When the guide tube 210 is attached to the shaft 13 , the pivot joint of the pivot pin 40 can interact with the guide means 32 in such a way that the fork 230 moves back and the ring 66 breaks with the aid of the zone 68 , the second stop 260 being released, while the first stop 150 is pushed out through the end 5 of the shaft 3 .

It will be noted that the circumferential position of the fork defined by the stop 260 need not be very precise due to the existing guide means 32 .

In the previous description, it was assumed that the robot grips the edge 25 of the stop 20 , but in one variant ( FIG. 13) it can grip a plate 54 which is inserted axially between the mentioned plug 150 and the inner ring of the bearing 21 is so that the robot pushes the bearing 21 with the help of the annular plate 54 during the installation and after the plug 150 has been ejected, until the ring 11 is inserted into the bore 6 . For this purpose, the plate 54 is higher in the radial direction than the stopper 52 and is open in the middle for engagement with the tubular part of the stopper 150 .

It will be understood that the displacement of the module 70 along the shaft 3 is preferably caused by thrust rather than clamping forces, as in the previous embodiments.

Of course, the present invention is limited not on the described embodiments.  

In particular, the first stop can be lifted attached to the pipe, namely at the free end of the same with the aid of latching, elastically deformable clamps, which, for example, rest on the stop 50 and are suitable for engaging in a groove that bores the bore 14 of the pipe 10 has for this purpose. Of course, you can reverse the structures, the tube then carrying the elastic clamps. In any case, there are elastic locking means between the tube and the first stop.

Assuming that these parentheses are e.g. B. rest on the plug 150 , the first stop during installation can be canceled by the disengagement caused by the shaft 3 .

The stop can be a self-centering design without support, in which case the stop is attached without radial play in relation to the edge 25 .

The cap 22 , 28 can also not be elastically deformed and can be attached, for example, by folding on the flange 24 with the aid of a spring washer between said cap and the bearing 21 .

The outer ring of the bearing 21 can be rotatable.

The fork 30 may, instead of being fastened with the aid of the boom 26 axially against the stop 20 may be attached by clamps on the stop 20 by means of elastically deformable brackets which rest on said stop. In this case, the fork 30 is also locked on the circumference with the clamps mentioned.

The fork can be rotatably mounted with the aid of an axle resting on the housing 1 or, in another variant, the fork mentioned can have two half-shafts on the side, which are suitable for interacting with the additional saddles lying on the housing 1 , the said saddles be partially limited by elastic tongues that are long enough to intercept the half-waves so that the half-waves are installed by snapping into the corresponding saddles.

In this case, the assembly can be carried out fully automatically, and the half-shafts mentioned can snap into the said saddles by deformation (opening and then closing) of the tongues during installation on the shaft 3 .

The ring 66 from FIGS. 12 and 13 can be added to the positive connection according to FIG. 6.

The second stop can be removed by hand; when the fork 30 comes into contact with the support, it is e.g. B. possible to shear off the abovementioned stop manually. As long as this stop is not released, the release bearing remains in the second axial direction.

Of course, the second stop does not necessarily lie on the plate 12 , but can be at a distance from the plate, in particular if the guide tube 10 is sufficiently long. Likewise, the stop 50 according to FIG. 1 can be more or less removed from the free end 13 .

While in the previous examples the release bearing was a thrust version, i.e. should act on the ends of the diaphragm fingers by means of thrust, the release bearing can also be a pull type which acts on the ends of the diaphragm fingers by means of tensile force, the stop 20 thus is designed so that it interacts with the fork 30 . The fork may have two half shafts and be installed as described above.

In this case, it will be noted that the stop 20 can cooperate with a coupling piece resting on the membrane.

A chamfer can be provided at the end of the bore 6 in order to facilitate the installation of the ring 11 .

Finally, the guide tube can be cylindrical Be of a square cross-section, as well as the additional sleeve of the release bearing. In this case it is the pipe itself that the Circumferential fasteners.

In fact, it is enough to keep the fork in proportion to stop in the rotational movement to stop a circumferential fastening of the fork through the pipe cause.

To this end, instead of providing 23 facets in the sleeve, the flange 24 may be provided with axial brackets which are suitable for interacting with the folds, possibly with the aid of springs for axially coupling the fork to the stop.

Claims (13)

1. Control device for a clutch, in particular for motor vehicles, containing a guide tube ( 10 , 110 , 210 ), which is suitable for attachment to a fixed part, a release bearing ( 20 ), which slides on the guide tube ( 10 , 110 , 210 ) is attached and suitable to act on the release device of the clutch, and a release fork ( 30 , 130 , 230 ) which is suitable to be exposed to the action of control means for actuating said release bearing ( 20 ), the release fork ( 30 , 130 , 230 ) has a receptacle ( 31 ) for attachment to at least one support point ( 40 ) which is fixedly connected to a fixed part, and wherein the guide tube ( 10 , 110 , 210 ) has a fastening end ( 11 , 12 ) provided with fastening means for attachment on the associated fixed part and a free end ( 13 ), characterized in that the control device before the attachment of the guide Tubes on the associated fixed part forms a single unit or a bearing module ( 70 ), whereby thanks to the guide tube ( 10 , 110 , 210 ) on the one hand there is a first reversible stop ( 50 , 150 ) to the release bearing ( 20 ) in a first axial direction, which extends from the fastening end ( 11 , 12 ) to the free end ( 13 ) of the guide tube ( 10 , 110 , 210 ), and on the other hand circumferential fastening means ( 60 , 160 , 260 ) for locking the fork ( 30 , 130 , 230 ) on the circumference in relation to the guide tube ( 10 , 110 , 210 ). 2. Control device according to claim 1, characterized in that the circumferential fastening means ( 60 , 160 , 260 ) Winkelver locking means for the fork ( 30 , 130 , 230 ) in relation to the guide tube ( 10 , 110 , 210 ) form in a position that the later attachment of said fork to the support point ( 40 ) and attachment of the guide tube ( 10 , 110 , 210 ) to the corresponding fixed part ( 1 ) allows. 3. Control device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the release bearing ( 20 ) contains a sleeve ( 23 ) for sliding movement on the guide tube ( 10 ), characterized in that the first stop ( 50 , 150 ) for cooperation with the sleeve ( 23rd ) of the release bearing ( 20 ) is suitable. 4. Control device according to claim 3, characterized in that the first stop ( 50 ) consists of a radially elastically deformable ring which is attached with Klem mung at said free end ( 13 ) of the guide tube ( 10 ). 5. Control device according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the first stop at the free end ( 13 ) of the guide tube engages with the engagement of elastic latching means between this end and the Füh. 6. Control device according to claim 1, 2 or 5, wherein the release bearing ( 20 ) has a drive element ( 21 ), characterized in that the first stop from a plug ( 150 ) with a radial part designed as a shoulder for cooperation with the drive element ( 21 ) of the release bearing ( 20 ) and a tubular part, which engages in the inner bore ( 14 ) of the guide tube ( 10 ). 7. Control device according to claim 6, characterized in that a plate ( 54 ) is inserted axially between said radial part of the plug ( 150 ) and the driving element ( 21 ), said plate having a larger radial dimension than the plug ( 150 ). 8. Control device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the peripheral fastening means ( 60 , 260 ) consist of a second reversible stop ( 60 , 260 ) which is axially offset in relation to the first stop ( 50 , 150 ) to the to cause radial and circumferential fastening of the fork ( 30 , 230 ) in such a way that the release bearing ( 20 ) is held axially in the second axial direction, which is opposite to the previous one, indirectly by the release fork ( 30 , 230 ). 9. Control device according to claim 8, characterized in that the second stop ( 60 , 260 ) has a fracture zone ( 62 , 68 ) for the lifting of the stop by shear force. 10. Control device according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that the second stop ( 60 ) consists of at least one axis of rotation ( 61 ) which rests on the guide tube with the Befestigungsen de ( 11 , 12 ), and that the fork ( 30 ) is provided with holes for cooperation with the axis mentioned. 11. Control device according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that the second stop ( 260 ) is formed by a ring ( 60 ) which is hen with a break zone ( 68 ) verses, said ring having a positive fit with a in the fork ( 230 ) provided Hohlverfor formation is engaged and can interact with radial brackets ( 67 ) in the form of a boom, which start from the fastening end ( 11 , 12 ) of the guide tube ( 210 ). 12. Control device according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that said peripheral fastening means tel ( 160 ) consist of a connection by interacting de forms. 13. Control device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the release fork ( 30 , 130 , 230 ) for the automatic attachment to the relevant fixed support point with guide means ( 32 ) is verse and that the guide means ( 32 ) with the receptacle ( 31 ) said fork ( 30 , 130 , 230 ) are connected.