FR2513337A1 - Motor vehicle clutch thrust bearing - has self aligning ball race and press fit steel support plates - Google Patents

Abstract

The thrust bearing has a cast bush (10) with an enlarged housing for the thrust bearing (17) at one end. The outer race (17) for the bearing has a radial clearance (J) in the housing and is retained axially by a circlip (22) and retaining ring (23) against a spring washer. The operating fork (13) of the clutch acts on the radial arms (25) of the bush. Each radial arm is fitted with a 'T' shaped clip (30) which is pressed into position and is self locking. The operating fork bears on the flat surfaces (29) of the clip. The use of the 'T' clip reduces the machining of the bush to turning operational only.

Description

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  The present invention relates generally

  clutch release bearings, especially for motor vehicles

  the. As is known, a declutching stop comprises, overall, an operating element, for action of a control member, in practice a declutching fork, and a driving element, for action on the device. clutch

of a clutch.

  The present invention relates more particularly to the declutching stops in which the operating element comprises, for the axial support of the control member, at

  at least one radial arm suitable for such support.

  It is even more particularly, but not excluded,

  if the operating element is a part

molded, in cast iron for example.

  In such a case, it is usual, taking into account the material constituting such an operating element, to report transversely on each of the radial arms of the latter,

  for the axial support of the associated control member, a plate

  quette, hereinafter called for convenience, support plate,

  made of a material, treated steel for example, such as to withstand more surely than the previous the inevitable wear force developed in contact with said control member

during the action thereof.

  Most often, such a support plate is present

  te in the form of a pellet, reported by a pawn on

  the radial arm of the operating element to which it is attached

  company, such a pawn then being in practice forcibly engaged in a hole provided for this purpose parallel to the axis of

the assembly in said arm.

  Most often, too, such a pawn is of a single

  holding with the tablet with which it is associated, the whole

  ble thus belonging overall to a T-piece whose pin forms the central leg and the support plate the

  wings, and, for its forceful engagement in drilling

cie it has grooves.

  Bina that such a provision has given and can still

  to give satisfaction, it has a drawback, which

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  is to require, for the implantation of the platelets

  then, the execution of the holes specific to the engagement of

corresponding pawns.

  Indeed, the execution of these holes is relatively expensive. In addition, the formation of grooves on the pins at

  engaging in these holes is itself relatively tricky.

  te and therefore also makes these pawns relatively expensive.

  A general object of the present invention is to provide a provision which makes it possible to avoid these drawbacks, and which also leads to other advantages of a nature to

reduce the cost of the assembly.

  More precisely, the present invention relates to a clutch release bearing of the kind comprising an element

  operating, for action of a control member, in practice

  that a declutching fork, and a driving element, for action on the declutching device of a clutch, the said operating element comprising, for the axial support of

  the control member, at least one arm, which extends radially-

  ment, and on which a plate is transversely reported

  quette, hereinafter called for convenience, support plate, ap-

  starting from a T-piece and suitable for such a support, this declutching stop being generally characterized in that said support plate forms the central jamb

  of the T-piece to which it belongs.

  Thanks to such an arrangement, the support plate can advantageously be subjected to the radial arm to which

  it is associated without drilling thereof.

  Indeed, according to a preferred embodiment, one of the wings of the T-piece to which it belongs has an opening through which it is forcibly engaged

on such an arm.

  In other words, by the frame that forms around its

  opening the wing in question of the T-piece, this one

  tightens the radial arm with which it is associated from the outside, without the need for any drilling of this arm

  for its subjection to it.

  In addition, the T-piece to which according to the invention belongs a support plate, is advantageously, and

  economically formed from a suitable metallic blank

cut and folded.

  It is therefore, by itself, less expensive than that, more massive, which, forming a pellet and a pawn, is

  usually implemented to date, as mentioned above

above.

  Finally, by the other of its wings, that is to say, that op-

  placed at the one with an opening, the T-piece at the

  which according to the invention belongs a support plate, is advantageously capable of constituting by itself an axial guiding facet of the type usually provided on the operating element of a declutching stopper to ensure the axial guiding of the control member, on the one hand, and to lock in rotation thereon the element of

  operation of this clutch release bearing, on the other hand.

  The originality of this arrangement will appear better if we remember that, to date, such an axial facet is usually obtained by machining the corresponding zone of

the operating element.

  Now, being a facet extending globally

  parallel to a diametrical plane of the assembly, such a usi-

  swimming is in practice carried out by milling.

  Other areas of the operating element, and in particular

  its axial bore, which must also be machined by turn-

  swims, it follows that, to date, the machining of the element

  to operate the release bearings involved involves ne-

  the application of two phases of

  separate work, one for turning, the other for milling.

  According to the invention, one of the wings of the T-piece used constituting by itself an axial facet,

any milling can be avoided.

  Indeed, and according to a characteristic of the invention, the surface of the operating element against which the wing in question of this T-piece bears radially can without drawback be a cylindrical surface, it being understood, moreover, that the support of this T-piece against such a surface is not strictly necessary, this surface being

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  preferably planned to limit the engagement of this

  T-piece on the radial arm of the operating element

  which it is associated with and firm in position on this radial arm. As a result, no milling is required to

  this element of maneuver in all hypotheses.

  In other words, and according to a characteristic of the in-

  vention, the machined surfaces of said operating element

are all turned surfaces.

  The cost of machining such an operating element is

  advantageously finds it reduced accordingly.

  The characteristics and advantages of the invention stand out

  will derive from the description which follows, for

  example, with reference to the accompanying schematic drawings in which: Figure 1 is an axial sectional view of a clutch release bearing according to the invention, along the line I-I of Figure 2; Figure 2 is an end view, along the arrow II of Figure 1;

  FIG. 3 is a partial view in cross section thereof.

  dirty, along line III-111 of Figure 1; Figure 4 is, on a larger scale, an axial sectional view of one of the T-pieces used in this clutch release bearing; Figure 5 is a plan view of this T-piece, along arrow V of Figure 4; Figure 6 is a scale of Figure 1, a half view in axial section of the operating member of the clutch release bearing according to the invention, shown in isolation; Figure 7 is a half plan view of this element of

  maneuver, according to arrow VII of FIG. 6.

  In general, and as shown in these figures, the clutch release bearing according to the invention comprises,

  overall, in a manner known per se, an operating element

  vre 10, for the action of a control member 11, and an element

  drive 12, for action on the declutching device

of a clutch.

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  In the embodiment shown, the driving element 12 is rotatably mounted relative to the

  maneuver 10 while being axially coupled thereto.

  In practice, the control member 11 is the most common

  in particular a clutch release fork, which has not been shown in detail in the figures, and of which only the fingers

  13 have been shown diagrammatically in broken lines in FIG. 1.

  The clutch disengaging device to be controlled can, jointly, be any; it is for example a

diaphragm, not shown.

  In the embodiment shown, the stopper

  clutch according to the invention is intended to act in trac-

  tion on such a declutching device, according to methods well known in themselves, which, not being part of

  the present invention are not shown in the figures.

  gures and will not be described here.

  In the embodiment shown, the operating element 10 comprises a sleeve 15 suitable for its sliding engagement on any guide member, not

represented.

  At one of its axial ends, this sleeve 15 is pro-

  lanyard, flourishing, by a crown 16, suitable for housing a ball bearing 17 whose inner ring

  forms the attack element 12, FIG. 1.

  By its outer ring 18, and by it only, this rou-

  ball bearing 17 is, for its axial retention, inserted between a transverse shoulder 19 of the operating element 10 provided between the sleeve 15 and the crown 16 thereof, at

  the interior of said crown 16, on the one hand, and a round

  delle 23 supported on a split ring 22 disposed in a

  groove 21 that internally presents for this purpose this neck

  ronne 16 near its end, on the other hand.

  Being a self-centering release bearing,

  that is to say a declutching stopper whose

  that 12 has transversely an omnidirectional capacity-

  displacement relative to the operating element 10 with which it is associated, an annular clearance J is provided between

  the ball bearing 17 to which this attaining element belongs

  plate 12, on the one hand, and the crown 16 of the ma-

work 10, on the other hand, figure 1.

  Being, moreover, a self-centering stopper

  self-centering maintained, elastic means with axial action

  are axially provided between the driving element 12 and the operating element 10. In the embodiment shown, these elastic means with axial action intervene between the ring

  18 of the ball bearing 17 and l Trans-shoulder

  versal 19 of the maneuvering element 10, and it is a

  corrugated elastic washer of the type sold for example-

  ple under the trade name "ONDUFLEX".

  Jointly, the ring; external i C of the ball bearing

  the 17 is anchored and i'pui auú l against the washer 23.

  As a variant, the axial action means 61 applied could intervene between the outer ring 18 of the ball bearing 17 and the washer 23, said outer ring then being in axial abutment against the shoulder

  transverse 19 of the maneuvering element 10.

  At its axial end c Faced with the crown 16, the element

  maneuvering ment 10 comprises, for the axial support of the organ-

  control 11, at least one arm 25, and, in practice, two arms 25, which, in diametrically opposite positions

  relative to each other, extend radially in direction

  tion opposite the axis of the assembly.

  In the form of realism-c represented, these arms 25

  are worn por overhang by the studs 26 that ribs

  axial res 27 connect to the crown 16.

  On each of the arms 25 is attached transversely a plate 29, called here for convenience support plate, suitable for the axial support of the finger 13-corresponding to the member

11.

  In practice, such a support plate 29 belongs

to a T-piece 30.

  According to the invention, it forms the central jamb.

  The T-piece 30 to which it belongs is present,

  in addition to the central jamb that it forms, two wings 32 and 33.

  The wing 32 has, according to the invention, an opening 34 through which it is forcibly engaged on the arm 25

  corresponding to the operating element 10.

  In the embodiment shown, this open-

  ture 34 has a generally rectangular outline, and the arm of the operating element 10 has in section a complementary outline. Preferably, and as shown, said opening

  34 has at least one boss 35 on its perimeter

  pre when anchoring the T-piece concerned on the arm

  corresponding to the operating element 10, FIG. 5.

  In the embodiment shown, two bosses are provided, each of which is arranged on that of the edges

  of the opening 34 that they affect which is opposed to the

  support quilt 29, and they are each in the shape of a point.

  In addition, in the embodiment shown, this support plate 29 comes in one piece from the opposite edge of the opening 34, said support plate 29 being formed by a tongue, which cut in the wing 32

  of the T-piece 30 through the opening 34 thereof

  this is folded substantially at right angles to this

  wing 32, Figures 4 and 5; in other words, the app brochure

  pui 29 is advantageously taken from the material normally to be removed when cutting the opening 34 at which

it is associated.

  For the axial support of such a support plate 29, each of the radial arms 25 of the operating element 10 forms, transversely, on the side axially turned towards the associated crown 16, a substantially plane shoulder 37 * In the form embodiment shown, the other wing 33 of the T-piece 30 to which a plate belongs

  support 29, is offset transversely with respect to the

  the previous 32, towards the free end of the ladi-

  the support plate 29, and it is separated from the latter by a groove 38, of rounded cross section, resulting from

  the fold 41 of the tongue from which said plate is formed

of support.

  This wing 33, which is intended, on the one hand, for the axial guidance of the finger 13 of the control member 11, and on the other hand for keeping the operating element 10 in rotation

  by this control member 11, extends axially in direction

  tion of the crown 16 thereof, from the arm 25

correspondent of the latter.

  It bears radially on a surface 39 of the operating element 10. According to the invention, this surface 39 is a surface

  cylindrical, formed on the corresponding stud 26 of the element

maneuver 10.

  The wing 33 of a T-piece 30 therefore only carries radially along a generator of such a cylindrical surface 39. In practice the cylindrical surface 39, which thus has a stud 26, is axially separated from the radial arm 25 which carries this stud 26 by a groove 40 suitable for engagement

  of the fold 41 by which the support plate 29 is connected

rope to the associated wing 33.

  In the embodiment shown, this wing 33 has a chamfer 42 on its edge opposite the associated wing 32. As is easy to understand, the operating element 10 can advantageously be constituted by a

  molded part of which all machined surfaces are over-

  turned sides, as shown in gray in Figure 6.

  Indeed this is the case, in particular, both of the

  transverse elements 37 suitable for the axial support of the plates-

  your support 29, that cylindrical surfaces 39 suitable for the radial support of the wings 33 of the T-pieces 30 to which

  these support plates 29 belong.

  As it is also easy to understand, each

  ne of these T 30 parts can advantageously be formed by a simple metal blank suitably cut and

folded, in steel for example.

  Such a blank can advantageously be subjected to a treatment

  which can improve its hardness after it has been put in

form.

  As a variant, this treatment can be applied to it before it. Anyway the realization of the corresponding T-piece, like that of the operating element 10,

is particularly economical.

  In addition, the installation of such a T-piece on

  such an operating element 10 is itself particular-

  simple, easy and economical. It suffices to engage it through the opening 34 of its wing 32, on the arm 25 concerned of such an operating element 10, until radial support of its wing 33 against the

  corresponding cylindrical surface 39 thereof.

  This engagement being effected by force, taking account of the bosses 35, it is sufficient by itself for the subsequent holding in place of the T-pieces 30 on the radial arms 25 of the operating element 10, this holding in place being

  moreover confirmed by the control member 11, when the latter

this is in turn in place.

  As is easy to understand, the chamfer 42 presented by the wing 33 of its T-piece 30 is such as to facilitate the positioning of the control member 11, during the axial engagement of the fingers 13 of it on the element

operation 10.

  As is also easy to understand, the particular fold 41 by which the tongue forming the associated support plate 29 is connected to such a wing 33 facilitates, by radially shifting the connection leave

  corresponding, the axial penetration of the fingers 13 of the gold-

  control gane 11 with respect to said support plates

  29, possibly flush with the associated wings 33, without aug-

  mention of the diametrical size of said com- ponent

  mande 11 l Finally, as will be noted, the fingers 13 of the control member 11 bear on the operating element 10 only by the corresponding T-pieces, which is likely to

  advantageously take care of this operating element 10.

  Of course, the present invention is not limited to the embodiment described and shown, but encompasses

any variant.

  Its field of application is not limited either to that of the self-centering declutching stops, nor to that of the declutching acting and pulling stops.

  On the contrary, it may as well extend to that of-

  clutch release thrust bearings, whether

self-centering stops or not.

Claims (8)

  1 clutch release bearing of the kind comprising an operating element (10), for the action of a control member (11),   in practice a clutch release fork, and a   plate (12), for action on the declutching device of a   clutch, said drive element (12) being axially coupled   ment to said operating element (10), and said operating element (10) comprising, for the axial support of the member   control (11), at least one arm (25), which extends radially   Lement, and on which is transversely reported a plate (29), called cie after convenience support plate, belonging to a T-piece (30) and suitable for such support, characterized in that said support plate ( 29) forms the central leg of the T-piece (30) to which it belongs.   2 clutch release bearing according to claim 1,   characterized in that one (32) of the wings of the T-piece   (30) to which the support plate (29) belongs   te an opening (34) through which it is forcibly engaged on the arm (25) of the operating element (10) which is   associated with said support plate (29).   3 clutch release bearing according to claim 2,   characterized in that said opening (34) has on its perimeter at least one boss (35) suitable for anchoring the T-piece (30) on the arm (25) of the operating element (10).   4 clutch release bearing according to claim 2, ca-   characterized in that said boss (35) is in the shape of a point. 5 Release bearing according to any one of   Claims 3, 4, characterized in that said boss (35)   is arranged on that of the edges of the opening (34) which it   affects which is opposite to the support plate (29).   6 Release bearing according to any one of   Claims 3 to 5, characterized in that two bosses   (35) are provided on the edge of said opening (34).   7 Release bearing according to any one of   Claims 2 to 6, characterized in that the plate   support (29) comes in one piece from one of the edges of the opening (34) that has one (32) of the wings of the   T-piece (30) to which it belongs, said plate-   support te (29) being formed by a tongue, which, cut in said wing (32) by means of said opening (34),   is folded substantially at right angles to it.   8 clutch release bearing according to claim 7, characterized in that the other wing (33) of said piece in   T (30) is offset transversely with respect to the first   re, towards the free end of the adapter plate   pui (29), and it is separated from the latter by a groove (38) of rounded cross section resulting from the folding of   the tongue from which said support plate (29) is formed.   -9 Release bearing according to any one of   Claims 7, 8, characterized in that the wing (33) of   the T-piece (30) other than that (32) comprising an or   groove (34) has a chamfer (42) on its opposite edge to this one.   Next release bearing any one of   claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the part is   T (30) to which the support plate (29) belongs is formed by a metal blank suitably cut and folded. 11 Release bearing according to any one of   Claims 1 to 10, characterized in that, by one   (32) of its wings, the T-piece (30) to which the support plate (29) belongs bears radially on a surface   cylindrical (39) of the operating element (10).   12 Release bearing according to any one of   Claims 1 to 11, in which the operating element   vre (10) is a molded part with user-friendly surfaces   born, characterized in that said machined surfaces are all turned surfaces.