JP2006009827A - Clutch-release bearing device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an inexpensive clutch-release bearing device capable of maintaining reliability for a long period. <P>SOLUTION: Since a section between an outer ring 12 and an inner ring 11 on a clutch device side is sealed in a non-contact manner by a flange part 16c of a holder 16, intrusion of foreign matter into a clutch-release bearing 10 through its clearance is suppressed and flowing-out of lubricant to the outside from the inside of the clutch-release bearing 10 is also suppressed. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a clutch release bearing device used in a vehicle or the like.

  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.

By the way, the release fork is normally 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 (see Patent Document 1).
JP 2001-280367 A

  Here, the clutch release bearing device disclosed in Patent Document 1 is a type in which the outer ring is fixed and the inner ring rotates. However, depending on the application, there is also a clutch release bearing device in which the inner ring is fixed and the outer ring rotates. However, in the clutch release bearing device in which the inner ring is fixed and the outer ring rotates, a non-contact type seal such as a labyrinth seal is used as a seal between the outer ring and the inner ring, particularly on the clutch device side. However, since the labyrinth seal is a non-contact type seal, if it is used in a harsh environment in which many foreign matters such as water and dust are scattered, there is a risk of allowing foreign matter to enter. In addition, there is a risk of allowing leakage of the lubricant that lubricates the rolling elements to the outside. To improve the function of the labyrinth seal in order to avoid such problems, it is necessary to reduce the clearance as much as possible. However, for example, when the gap between the outer ring and the inner ring is reduced, the dimensions of both wheels to prevent interference. The accuracy must be increased, but this increases costs.

  The present invention has been made in view of the problems of the prior art, and an object thereof is to provide a clutch release bearing device that is inexpensive and can maintain reliability over a long period of time.

In order to achieve the above object, the clutch release bearing device of the present invention comprises:
The inner ring and the outer ring that are concentrically arranged and relatively rotate, a rolling element that rolls between the two wheels, and a cage that holds the rolling element, the inner ring is fixed, and the rotating outer ring rotates the clutch device. A clutch release bearing adapted to contact the member, a cylindrical portion slidably fitted on the guide shaft, and a resin bearing holding member having a flange portion, and the bearing holding member In the clutch release bearing device comprising a connecting member that holds the inner ring of the clutch release bearing so as to be movable in the radial direction,
The retainer includes a main body that holds the rolling element, and a seal portion that extends from the main body toward a gap between the outer ring and the inner ring and seals the gap in a non-contact manner. .

  According to the clutch release bearing device of the present invention, the retainer extends from the main body toward the gap between the outer ring and the inner ring (for example, the outer ring and the inner ring). And a clearance portion that seals the gap in a non-contact manner, so that the clutch release bearing can be compared with a conventional labyrinth seal. The clearance between the inside and the outside can be further reduced, whereby foreign material intrusion and lubricant leakage can be effectively suppressed, and a highly reliable clutch release bearing device can be provided. Further, if the cage is formed using resin or the like, even if it contacts the inner ring or the outer ring during operation, the wear can be suppressed.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a view of the clutch release bearing device according to the present embodiment as viewed from the release fork side. FIG. 2 is an axial sectional view of the clutch release bearing device of FIG. 1 cut along the line II-II and viewed in the direction of the arrow. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the spring member. FIG. 4 is an enlarged view showing the IV part of the configuration of FIG. FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the cage.

  In FIG. 2, the clutch release bearing device includes a clutch release bearing 10, a guide sleeve 20 that is a bearing holding member, and a spring member 30 that is a connecting member. The clutch release bearing 10 includes an outer ring 12, an inner ring 11 having an inner ring flange portion 11a extending radially inward at the right end in FIG. 2 and concentrically enclosed by the outer ring 12, and the inner ring 11 and the outer ring. A ball 15 that is a plurality of rolling elements arranged so as to be freely rollable between the ball 12, a cage 16 that holds the balls 15 at predetermined intervals, and one side of the ball 15 in the axial direction (right side in FIG. 2). And a seal 17 that exhibits a sealing function in a dustproof and oiltight manner.

  On the other hand, the guide sleeve 20 is made of resin and has a circular tubular main body 21 and a flange portion 22 extending in the radial direction from the outer periphery near the center of the main body 21. 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. As shown in FIG. 1, three openings 20 a are formed at equal intervals so that the inner edge of the flange portion 22 is exposed at the position where the enlarged diameter portion 24 of the main body 21 is formed. Since the guide sleeve 20 is made of resin, the opening 20a can be formed relatively easily.

  As is clear from FIG. 1, the three spring members 30 having the same shape have a function of attaching the clutch release bearing 10 to the guide sleeve 20. The spring member 30 is formed by punching a sheet of spring steel such as SK5 with a press, bending it, and then quenching it. As shown in FIG. 3, the spring member 30 includes a base portion 31 that contacts the flange portion 22 of the guide sleeve 20, a pressing portion 32 that contacts the inner ring flange portion 11 a of the bearing, and the base portion 31 and the pressing portion 32. It is provided with a beam portion 33 that is provided in between and imparts an elastic force for urging the inner ring 11 to the pressing portion 32. The pressing portion 32 has an inclined portion 32a that is inclined outward in the axial direction so that the spring member 30 can be easily assembled.

  Further, the spring member 30 is formed with a notch 37 in the vicinity of the upper end of both side portions 31 a of the base portion 31, and a relatively large central notch 38 is formed at the center of the base portion 31.

  5 and 4, a retainer 16 which is a so-called crown-shaped retainer and is made of resin includes a ring-shaped main body 16a, a tapered portion 16b extending from one side surface of the main body 16a, and a tip of the tapered portion 16b. And a flange portion 16c extending in the radial direction. Pockets 16d are formed at equal intervals in the circumferential direction on the side surface of the main body 16a opposite to the tapered portion 16b. The ball 15 is held in the pocket 16d. The taper portion 16b and the flange portion 16c constitute a seal portion.

  In FIG. 4, the outer ring 12 formed by pressing has a flange portion 12a extending in the radial direction. The tapered portion 16b of the retainer 16 extends toward the gap between the flange portion 12a and the end of the inner ring 11 (here, the narrowest gap between the inner ring 11 and the outer ring 12), and the gap Is closed by the flange portion 16c.

  When assembling the clutch release bearing device, the clutch release bearing 10 is disposed around the main body 21 of the guide sleeve 20, and then the three spring members 30 are attached from the radially inner side of the main body 21 through the openings 20a. Insert each one. The spring member 30 climbs over the axial protrusion 22c provided on the flange portion 22 of the guide sleeve 20 while being elastically deformed, the notch 37 engages with the protrusion 22c, and the opening 38 engages with the flange portion 22 of the guide sleeve 20. Assembly is completed by abutting against the provided stopper 22g. At this time, the spring member 30 sandwiches the flange portion 22 and the inner ring flange portion 11a in the axial direction by its elastic force.

  Next, the operation of the clutch release bearing device according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described below. In FIG. 2, a release fork (not shown) pivots, and its tip abuts against the flange portion 22 of the guide sleeve 20 to apply a certain load. The clutch release bearing device slides in the axial direction on a guide shaft (not shown) in response to an input from a release fork, and a flange portion 12a of the outer ring 12 is brought into contact with a diaphragm spring (rotating member of the clutch device) of a clutch cover (not shown). Let Even if the diaphragm spring is rotating, the outer ring 12 is rotatable, so that it rotates together with the diaphragm spring after contact, and the bearing device moves in the axial direction so that the diaphragm spring is pressed and the clutch is moved. It is supposed to be operated.

  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 the frictional force acting between the pressing portion 32 and the inner ring flange portion 11a. 10 is movable in the radial direction with respect to the guide sleeve 20. Therefore, when the outer ring flange portion 12a of the outer ring 12 is in contact with the diaphragm spring, if there is an eccentricity between the two, a known force is generated to place the bearing 10 concentrically, thereby causing the bearing 10 to move in the radial direction. The self-alignment will be achieved.

  According to the present embodiment, the outer ring 12 and the inner ring 11 on the clutch device side are sealed in a non-contact manner by the flange portion 16c of the retainer 16, so that the inside of the clutch release bearing 10 passes through the gap. Intrusion of foreign matter into the clutch can be suppressed, and the outflow of lubricant from the inside of the clutch release bearing 10 to the outside can be suppressed.

  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 changed or improved as appropriate. For example, four or more spring members 30 can be provided. Further, a plate-like reinforcing member may be provided on the flange portion 22 of the guide sleeve 20 so as to receive the input of the release fork.

It is the figure which looked at the clutch release bearing device concerning this embodiment from the release fork side. FIG. 2 is an axial sectional view of the clutch release bearing device of FIG. 1 cut along the line II-II and viewed in the direction of the arrow. 3 is a perspective view of a spring member 30. FIG. FIG. 4 is an enlarged view showing an IV part of the configuration of FIG. 2. It is a perspective view of a holder | retainer.

Explanation of symbols

10 Clutch release bearing 16 Cage 20 Guide sleeve 30 Spring member

Claims (1)

The inner ring and the outer ring, which are arranged concentrically and rotate relative to each other, a rolling element that rolls between the two wheels, and a cage that holds the rolling element, the inner ring is fixed, and the rotating outer ring rotates the clutch device. A clutch release bearing that comes into contact with the member, a cylindrical portion that is slidably fitted onto the guide shaft, and a resin-made bearing holding member that includes a flange portion, and the bearing holding member In the clutch release bearing device comprising a connecting member that holds the inner ring of the clutch release bearing so as to be movable in the radial direction,
The retainer includes a main body that holds the rolling element, and a seal portion that extends from the main body toward a gap between the outer ring and the inner ring and seals the gap in a non-contact manner. Clutch release bearing device.

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