JP4228595B2 - Clutch release bearing device - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a clutch release bearing device used in a vehicle or the like.
[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 (see, for example, Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. 1-174637).
[0004]
In the clutch release bearing device disclosed in Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. 1-174637, the front end portion of the inner ring of the bearing faces the diaphragm spring, while the rear end of the outer ring of the bearing moves in the radial direction to the flange portion of the guide sleeve. It is attached freely. When the flange portion of the guide sleeve is pushed from behind by the tip of the release fork, the entire bearing device is movable in the axial direction so that the tip of the inner ring abuts against the diaphragm spring.
[0005]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
By the way, in the case of such a clutch release bearing device according to the prior art, the release fork and the flange portion of the guide sleeve are elastically connected using a clip which is a single bent wire member. However, since such a clip is simply hooked on the guide sleeve, the clip is liable to be displaced particularly during assembly, and it may be time-consuming or difficult to assemble the release fork.
[0006]
The present invention has been made in view of such problems of the prior art, and an object thereof is to provide a clutch release bearing device that can be assembled more easily.
[0007]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, the clutch release bearing device of the present invention comprises:
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 slidably fitted to the bearing holding member, and a connecting member for holding the one ring of the clutch release bearing so as to be movable in the radial direction with respect to the bearing holding member. In the clutch release bearing device,
A wire member for connecting the bearing holding member and the input member is provided, and the bearing holding member is engaged with a part or the entire circumference of the outer peripheral surface of the wire member when the wire member is assembled. When the engagement recess has a notch, the opening width of the notch is d, the inner diameter of the engagement recess is φC, and the outer diameter of the wire member is φD, d <φD, φC The above-mentioned engagement recess limits the displacement of the wire member in the direction intersecting the axis thereof.
[0008]
[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 resin bearing holding member slidably fitted on the guide shaft, 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 to hold, a wire member for connecting the bearing holding member and the input member is provided, and the bearing holding member is assembled when the wire member is assembled. has an engaging recess for engaging a portion or the entire circumference of the outer peripheral surface of the wire member, the engaging recess is provided with a notch, the opening width of the notch d, of the engaging recess When the diameter [phi] C, and [phi] D the outer diameter of the wire member, d <[phi] D, and so [phi] C the relationship is satisfied, the engaging recess in the wire member, the direction of displacement intersecting the axis thereof Therefore, the input member can be easily assembled. Further, the engaging recess can be formed relatively easily because the bearing holding member is made of resin.
[0009]
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 an embodiment of the present invention 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 view of the clutch release bearing device of FIG. 1 as viewed in the direction of arrow III. 4A is a view of the clutch release bearing device cut in the axial direction as shown in FIG. 1, and FIG. 4B is an enlarged view of the engagement recess.
[0010]
In FIG. 2, the clutch release device includes a clutch release bearing 10, a guide sleeve 20 as a bearing holding member, and a spring member 30 as a connecting member. The clutch release bearing 10 includes a substantially circular inner ring 11 having an abutting portion 11 a at the left end, a short circular outer ring 12 concentrically including the inner ring 11, and an inner ring 11 and an outer ring 12. A space defined by the plurality of balls 15 movably arranged, the cage 16 that holds the balls 15 at a predetermined interval, and the inner ring 11 and the outer ring 12 on both sides in the axial direction of the balls 15 is in a dustproof and oiltight manner. The seals 17 and 18 are hermetically sealed. The inner ring 11 is rotatably supported with respect to the outer ring 12. The contact portion 11a of the inner ring 11 has a shape that is turned outward in the radial direction, and is in contact with a diaphragm spring of a clutch cover (not shown). Further, the end of the inner ring 11 opposite to the abutting portion 11a is left blanked by a press so that the manufacturing cost is reduced without cutting.
[0011]
On the other hand, the guide sleeve 20 is made of resin, and has a tubular main body 21, a flange portion 22 extending radially from the outer periphery near the center of the main body 21, and an axial direction at the radially outer end of the flange portion 22. The outer wall portion 23 protrudes to the left and the guide portion 25 (FIG. 1) protrudes to the right in the axial direction at the radially outer end of the flange portion 22. 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. The guide portion 25 has a function of a guide when the spring member 30 is assembled, and extends on both sides of the spring member 30 in the axial direction. The outer ring 12 is formed by pressing a plate material. However, the outer ring 12 may be formed by turning JIS standard SUJ2 as a raw material and then quenching.
[0012]
A clip 50, which is a wire member, is formed from a spring steel wire bent into a substantially U shape as is apparent from FIG. 1, and includes a vertical portion 51 and two extending portions 52 extending horizontally from both ends thereof. A bridge portion 54 extending from the free end of each extension portion 52 toward the release fork RF (shown by a one-dot chain line in FIG. 2), and engaging with the release fork RF radially inward from the bridge portion 54. It consists of a joint part 55. The engaging portion 55 has a protrusion 56 that is inserted into a groove RFg provided in the release fork RF.
[0013]
In FIG. 4A, the flange portion 22 of the guide sleeve 20 has a thin-walled portion by cutting the side where the reinforcing member 40 is disposed to a portion where the extending portion 52 of the clip 50 is disposed horizontally, A raised portion 22j is formed at the stepped portion between the thick portion and the thin portion of the flange portion 22. As shown in FIG. 4B, the raised portion 22j has a tapered surface 22k at the tip and an engaging recess 22m at the root thereof. The fitting recess 22m does not need to be provided over the entire width of the flange portion 22, and only a part thereof is sufficient.
[0014]
The engagement recess 22m is a part of the circumference of about 2/3 of the cross section (preferably 180 degrees or more), but the rest is a notch 22n. The length of the notch 22n in the radial direction (vertical direction in FIG. 4 (b)) is d, the outer diameter of the clip 50 (indicated by the alternate long and short dash line in FIG. 4 (b)) is φC, and the inner diameter of the engagement recess 22m. If φD is φD, the relationship d <φD, φC is established. When the guide sleeve 20 is assembled, the extended portion 52 of the clip 50 is inserted from the outside in the radial direction, and is slid along the tapered surface 22k to be loaded into the engaging recess 22m from the notch 22n. At this time, the flange 22 and the thin portion 22s are separated from each other to allow the clip 50 to enter. A relief may be formed in the flange 22 so as to easily enter. Furthermore, since d <φC, after assembling, the protruding portion 22j is deformed so that the notched portion 22n is opened, and the extension portion 52 is allowed to enter, and the extension portion 52 is engaged with the engagement recess 22m. The protrusion 22j is deformed so that the notch 22n is closed based on the elastic force, so that the extension 52 is prevented from coming out.
[0015]
If φD <φC, the raised portion 22j does not return to the free state after the extended portion 52 is engaged with the engaging recess 22m, and is maintained in a slightly deformed state. The extended portion 52 is maintained in close contact with the engaging recess 22m and the posture of the clip 50 is stabilized. However, when the clip outer diameter φC is too large, the stress of the thinnest portion 22s of the raised portion 22j is increased, There is a risk of breakage. Therefore, in such a case, variation between the clip outer diameter φC and the engagement recess 22m inner diameter φD must be suppressed (φD≈φC), and the cost increases.
[0016]
On the other hand, if φD> φC, a gap is generated between the extension 52 and the engagement recess 22m after the extension 52 is engaged with the engagement recess 22m. The extension portion 52 is somewhat staggered within the engaging recess 22m, but as long as d <φC, displacement beyond the gap in all directions orthogonal to the axis of the extension portion 52 is limited, and the extension portion Since displacement in the axial direction of 52 is arbitrarily allowed, there is an advantage that, for example, the release fork RF can be easily attached. Further, the stress of the thinnest portion 22s of the raised portion 22j is not increased.
[0017]
In the present embodiment, since the engaging recess 22m has the notch 22n, a part of the outer periphery of the extending portion 52 of the clip 50 is engaged with the inner periphery of the engaging recess 22m. However, the notch 22m is eliminated (the engaging recess 22m is a complete through-hole), and the end of the clip 50 is inserted therein, thereby assembling the outer peripheral surface of the extension 52. The inner circumferential surface of the mating recess 22m may be engaged over the entire circumference.
[0018]
As is apparent from FIG. 1, the two spring members 30 having the same shape have a function of attaching the clutch release bearing 10 to the guide sleeve 20. FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the spring member 30. 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. The spring member 30 is provided between the base portion 31 that contacts the flange portion of the guide sleeve 20, the pressing portion 32 that contacts the outer ring 12 of the bearing, and the base portion 31 and the pressing portion 32. And a beam portion 33 for applying an elastic force for urging 12. The pressing portion 32 has an inclined portion 32 a that is inclined outward in the axial direction so as not to contact the seal 17 and to facilitate the assembly of the spring member 30.
[0019]
Further, the spring member 30 has a concave portion 34 that is recessed upward on the central lower surface of the beam portion 33, and a convex portion 22 h (FIG. 2) formed on the flange portion 22 of the guide sleeve 20 is formed in the concave portion 34. It is designed to engage. Further, in the vicinity of the lower end of both side portions 31a of the base portion 31, a notch 37 forming a recess is formed, and a relatively large notch 38 is formed at the center of the lower edge portion 31b. A chamfer 39 is formed at the intersection of the notch 38 and the lower edge 31b.
[0020]
FIG. 6 is an enlarged view of the portion cut along the line VI-VI in FIG. A protrusion 22 c is further formed on the flange portion 22 of the guide sleeve 20. The protrusion 22c includes an inclined surface 22d and a base portion 22e, and has a shape that engages with the notch 37 when the spring member 30 is mounted.
[0021]
The flange portion 22 of the guide sleeve 20 is formed with a stopper 22g which is a rectangular protrusion in the vicinity of the protrusion 22c. As apparent from FIG. 1, the stopper 22 g engages with the notch 38 of the spring member 30 when the spring member 30 is attached to the guide sleeve 20, and the spring member 30 is pushed further inward. Is to prevent. The chamfer 39 of the spring member 30 has a function of facilitating the insertion.
[0022]
Next, the operation of the clutch release bearing device according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described below. In FIG. 1, when the release fork RF indicated by the alternate long and short dash line pivots, the tip of the release fork RF abuts against the anvil portion 42 of the reinforcing member 40 to apply a certain load. Since the reinforcing member 40 has a relatively thick plate thickness and sufficient rigidity, it can receive a large load transmitted from the release fork RF. 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 abuts the abutting portion 11a of the inner ring 11 on 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.
[0023]
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 the frictional force acting between the pressing portion 32 and the outer ring 12, the bearing 10 The guide sleeve 20 can be moved in the radial direction. Therefore, when the abutting portion 11a of the inner ring 11 abuts against 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. The outer wall portion 23 of the guide sleeve 20 has a function of restricting the bearing 10 from moving radially outward by a predetermined amount or more. In addition, since there are many types of outer rings of general ball bearings that do not have a flange, if the outer ring is sandwiched between the spring members 30 as in the present embodiment, there is no need to modify the outer ring itself, and the existing one can be used. It can be used and can contribute to cost reduction.
[0024]
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, the cross section of the clip 50 may be circular only in the engaging portion of the engaging recess 22m.
[0025]
【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 resin bearing holding member slidably fitted on the guide shaft, 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 to hold, a wire member for connecting the bearing holding member and the input member is provided, and the bearing holding member is assembled when the wire member is assembled. has an engaging recess for engaging a portion or the entire circumference of the outer peripheral surface of the wire member, the engaging recess is provided with a notch, the opening width of the notch d, of the engaging recess When the diameter [phi] C, and [phi] D the outer diameter of the wire member, d <[phi] D, and so [phi] C the relationship is satisfied, the engaging recess in the wire member, the direction of displacement intersecting the axis thereof Therefore, the input member can be easily assembled. Further, the engaging recess can be formed relatively easily because the bearing holding member is made of resin.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a view of a clutch release bearing device according to an embodiment as viewed from a release fork side.
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 view of the clutch release bearing device of FIG. 1 as viewed in the direction of arrow III.
4A is a view of the clutch release bearing device cut in the axial direction as shown in FIG. 1, and FIG. 4B is an enlarged view of the engaging recess. It is.
5 is a perspective view of a spring member 30. FIG.
6 is an enlarged view of a portion cut along the line VI-VI in FIG. 1 and viewed in the direction of the arrow.
[Explanation of symbols]
10 Clutch release bearing 20 Guide sleeve 22 m Engaging recess 30 Spring member 40 Reinforcing member 50 Clip

Claims (3)

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 slidably fitted to the bearing holding member, and a connecting member for holding the one ring of the clutch release bearing so as to be movable in the radial direction with respect to the bearing holding member. In the clutch release bearing device,
A wire member for connecting the bearing holding member and the input member is provided, and the bearing holding member is engaged with a part or the entire circumference of the outer peripheral surface of the wire member when the wire member is assembled. When the engagement recess has a notch, the opening width of the notch is d, the inner diameter of the engagement recess is φC, and the outer diameter of the wire member is φD, d <φD, φC The clutch release bearing device is characterized in that the engagement recess restricts the displacement of the wire member in the direction intersecting the axis thereof. The engaging recess is formed at the base of a raised portion formed in a stepped portion between a thick portion and a thin portion of the bearing holding member, and when the wire member is assembled to the bearing holding member, the wire member, said as widen the notch, the clutch release bearing device according to claim 1, characterized in that is adapted to engage with the engaging recess.   The clutch release bearing device according to claim 2, wherein the raised portion has a thin portion that is deformed when the notch is opened.

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