JP4877491B2 - Clutch release bearing device and assembly method of clutch release bearing device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a clutch release bearing device and a method for assembling the clutch release bearing device.

  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 direction of the axial force. The power transmission is disconnected by releasing the urging force from the friction plate.

  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 contacts 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, For example, as shown in Patent Document 1, a clutch release bearing device is provided between a diaphragm spring and a release fork.

  In the clutch release bearing device disclosed in Patent Document 1, the front end portion of the outer ring of the bearing faces the diaphragm spring, while the flange portion faces the flange portion of the guide sleeve at the rear end of the inner ring of the bearing. Is provided. Further, the bearing is attached to the guide sleeve so that the flange portions are sandwiched between the plate springs in the axial direction. When the flange portion of the guide sleeve is pushed from the rear by the tip of the release fork, the entire bearing device can move in the axial direction so that the tip of the outer ring comes into contact with the diaphragm spring.

  By the way, in the clutch release bearing device disclosed in Patent Document 1, the pair of guide portions extending in the axial direction from the guide sleeve has columnar limiting portions extending toward each other at the distal ends thereof. Such a restricting portion engages with a release fork assembled on an actual vehicle, and restricts (blocks) its relative axial movement (disconnection).

However, there is a high possibility that the release fork and the guide portion rub against each other due to the vibration of the engine or the vibration while the vehicle travels, thereby causing early wear. Particularly in recent years, the guide sleeve is often formed from a resin material from the viewpoint of reducing the weight of the parts. When such a guide sleeve is used, it is possible to prevent the restriction portion early by rubbing with a steel release fork. Wear tends to be more accelerated. When the restricting portion or the like is worn, the play between the release fork and the release fork becomes large, and abnormal noise or the like is likely to occur, which may cause discomfort to the occupant.
Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 56-7124 JP 2003-214458 A

  On the other hand, in Patent Document 2, in the restricting portion that restricts the relative movement of the release fork and the guide sleeve in the axial direction, the contact portion with the release fork is a flat surface or a curved surface (a mixture of flat and curved surfaces) facing the release fork. Therefore, even if the release fork and the restricting part come into contact with each other due to engine vibration or vibration during vehicle travel, the contact part may have a flat or curved surface. The surface pressure is reduced, and the early wear can be effectively suppressed.

  By the way, in Patent Document 2, in view of the fact that the guide sleeve is made of resin, a steel anvil as a reinforcing member is attached to the guide sleeve so as to stably receive input from the release fork over a long period of time. However, since the reinforcing member has a disk shape, even if the limiting portion is provided, it can be attached by sliding it from the outside in the radial direction and inserting it inside the limiting portion, and further inserting it in the axial direction. ing. On the other hand, a strong reinforcing member formed integrally from a cylindrical portion and a flange portion has been developed. However, the reinforcing member provided with the cylindrical portion in this way has a problem that the cylindrical portion interferes with the guide sleeve, and therefore cannot be slid and inserted inside the limiting portion as in Patent Document 1. On the other hand, if the outer diameter of the reinforcing member is reduced, assembly is possible without interfering with the restricting portion, but the contact area with the release fork is reduced, resulting in excessive surface pressure and premature wear. There is a fear.

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems of the prior art, and an object of the present invention is to provide a clutch release bearing device and an assembling method thereof capable of assembling a reinforcing portion without interfering with a restricting portion.

A clutch release bearing device according to a first aspect 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 is in contact with a rotating member of the clutch device. A clutch release bearing, a bearing holding member having a cylindrical portion and a flange portion slidably fitted on the guide shaft, and the one of the clutch release bearings with respect to the bearing holding member. In a clutch release bearing device comprising a connecting member that holds a ring so as to be movable in a radial direction and a reinforcing member that receives a release force from an input member,
The bearing holding member includes a support portion that extends in the axial direction from the flange portion, and a limiting portion that protrudes radially inward from the support portion and is located at a predetermined distance from the axis of the clutch release bearing device. And
The reinforcing member includes a reinforcing cylindrical portion that is rotatably fitted to the cylindrical portion of the bearing holding member, and a flange portion of the bearing holding member that extends beyond the predetermined distance from the axis of the clutch release bearing device. A reinforcing flange portion to be engaged, and an anvil portion that comes into contact with the input member ,
On the outer edge of the reinforcing flange portion, a notch having a shape extending radially inward from the restricting portion and including the restricting portion when viewed in the axial direction is provided at a phase of about 90 degrees with respect to the anvil portion. And
The distance Δ1 from the axis of the clutch release bearing device to the notch is smaller than the distance Δ2 from the coaxial line to the limiting portion (Δ1 <Δ2), and the distance Δ3 from the coaxial line to the outer edge of the reinforcing flange portion is It is larger than the distance Δ2 from the coaxial line to the restriction part (Δ3> Δ2),
After the notch has passed through the restricting part, the reinforcing member is fitted into the cylindrical part of the bearing holding member in a state where the notch is aligned with the position of the restricting part, and the reinforcement It is designed to be easily assembled by rotating the member with respect to the bearing support member,
The notch of the reinforcing member is engaged with a protrusion formed on the flange portion of the bearing holding member after rotation .

A method for assembling a clutch release bearing device according to a second aspect of the present invention includes an inner ring and an outer ring that are arranged concentrically and rotate relative to each other, one ring is fixed, and the other wheel that rotates is a rotating member of the clutch device. A clutch release bearing adapted to abut on, a bearing holding member having a cylindrical portion and a flange portion slidably fitted on the guide shaft, and the clutch release bearing with respect to the bearing holding member. In the assembling method of the clutch release bearing device, which is composed of a connecting member that holds the one of the wheels so as to be movable in the radial direction and a reinforcing member that receives a release force from the input member ,
The bearing holding member includes a support portion that extends in the axial direction from the flange portion, and a limiting portion that protrudes radially inward from the support portion and is located at a predetermined distance from the axis of the clutch release bearing device. And
The reinforcing member includes a reinforcing cylindrical portion that is rotatably fitted to the cylindrical portion of the bearing holding member, and a flange portion of the bearing holding member that extends beyond the predetermined distance from the axis of the clutch release bearing device. A reinforcing flange portion to be engaged, and an anvil portion that comes into contact with the input member,
On the outer edge of the reinforcing flange portion, a notch having a shape extending radially inward from the restricting portion and including the restricting portion when viewed in the axial direction is provided at a phase of about 90 degrees with respect to the anvil portion. And
The distance Δ1 from the axis of the clutch release bearing device to the notch is smaller than the distance Δ2 from the coaxial line to the limiting portion (Δ1 <Δ2), and the distance Δ3 from the coaxial line to the outer edge of the reinforcing flange portion is It is larger than the distance Δ2 from the coaxial line to the restriction part (Δ3> Δ2),
Fitting the reinforcing cylindrical portion of the reinforcing member to the cylindrical portion of the bearing holding member in a state where the notch is aligned with the position of the restricting portion;
Rotating the reinforcing member relative to the bearing support member after the notch has passed through the limiting portion;
And a step of engaging the notch of the reinforcing member with a protrusion formed on the flange portion of the bearing holding member after rotation .

  According to the clutch release bearing device of the first aspect of the present invention, the reinforcing member is in contact with the cylindrical portion of the bearing holding member rotatably and the flange portion of the bearing holding member. A reinforcing flange extending beyond the predetermined distance from the axis of the release bearing device, and the outer edge of the reinforcing flange extends radially inward from the limiting portion and is viewed in the axial direction. Since the notch including the restricting portion is provided, the restricting portion can be obtained by inserting the reinforcing cylindrical portion into the cylindrical portion of the bearing holding member after matching the phase of the notch and the restricting portion. The cylindrical portion can be fitted into the cylindrical portion while avoiding any interference with the cylindrical portion, and further, the reinforcing flange portion and the flange portion of the bearing holding member are in a fixed position. Against the reinforcement circle Part can be rotated. Thereby, the said reinforcement member can be smoothly attached to the said bearing holding member in which the said restriction | limiting part was provided.

  According to the assembly method of the clutch release bearing device of the second aspect of the present invention, the reinforcing cylindrical portion of the reinforcing member is fitted into the cylindrical portion of the bearing holding member in a state where the notch is aligned with the position of the limiting portion. And the step of rotating the reinforcing member relative to the bearing support member after the notch has passed through the restricting portion, the reinforcing member is attached to the bearing holding member provided with the restricting portion. It can be installed smoothly.

  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.

  2, the clutch release device includes a clutch release bearing 10, a guide sleeve 20 that is a bearing holding member, a spring member 30 that is a connecting member, and a reinforcing member 40. The clutch release bearing 10 includes a substantially circular inner ring 11 having a contact portion 11 a at the right end in FIG. 2, a short circular outer ring 12 concentrically including the inner ring 11, and the inner ring 11 and the outer ring 12. A space defined by a plurality of balls 15 which are arranged so as to be able to roll between them, a cage 16 which holds the poles 15 at predetermined intervals, and an inner ring 11 and an outer ring 12 on both sides in the axial direction of the balls 15 is dust-proof oil. 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 is in contact with a diaphragm spring of a clutch cover (not shown).

  On the other hand, the guide sleeve 20 is made of resin, and includes a main body 21 as a cylindrical cylindrical portion, a flange portion 22 extending in the radial direction from the outer periphery in the vicinity of the center of the main body 21, and a radially outward direction of the flange portion 22. An outer wall portion 23 protruding rightward in the axial direction at the end, a guide portion 25 (FIG. 1) protruding leftward in the axial direction in FIG. 2 at the radially outer end of the flange portion 22, and upper and lower ends of the flange portion 22 2 to a pair of pillar portions (support portions) 26 protruding leftward in the axial direction in FIG. A restricting portion 26 a that protrudes inward in the radial direction is formed at the tip of the column portion 26.

  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. Further, the outer ring 12 is formed by cutting JIS standard SUJ2 as a raw material and then quenching, but it may be formed by pressing a plate material.

  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. In FIG. 3, the spring member 30 is formed by punching out a single spring steel plate 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. It consists of a beam portion 33 for applying an elastic force for urging the flange portion 11a. The pressing portion 32 has an inclined portion 32a that is inclined outward to facilitate the assembly of the spring member 30. A notch 37 is formed in the vicinity of the lower end on both sides of the base portion 31, and a rectangular opening 36 is formed in the center of the base portion 31.

  FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the reinforcing member 40. The reinforcing member 40 extends in a radial direction from the reinforcing cylindrical portion 41, a step-shaped anvil portion 42 that protrudes upward and downward in FIG. 4 from substantially the center of the reinforcing cylindrical portion 41, and an end portion of the reinforcing cylindrical portion 41. It consists of a flat disk portion (reinforcing flange portion) 43, and is formed by pressing a relatively thin plate and then quenching. This prevents significant wear from occurring at the contact portion with the release fork RF (illustrated by dotted lines in FIGS. 1 and 2).

  The reinforcing cylindrical portion 41 has a diameter that just fits into the main body 21 that is the cylindrical portion when attached to the guide sleeve 20, whereby the radial positioning of the reinforcing member 40 is achieved. Yes. Further, the reinforcing cylindrical portion 41 is rotatable with respect to the main body 21.

  The disk portion 43 of the reinforcing member 40 is formed with a pair of rectangular cutouts 43a with a 180 degree phase around the circumferential portion thereof, and the cutouts 43a are formed at positions corresponding to the flange portion 22 of the guide sleeve 20. The protrusion 22f (shown by a dotted line in FIG. 4) can be engaged. As shown in FIG. 1, the distance Δ1 from the axis of the clutch release bearing device to the notch 43a is smaller than the distance Δ2 from the coaxial line to the limiting portion 26a (Δ1 <Δ2), and is limited when projected in the axial direction. The portion 26a has a dimensional shape relationship included in the notch 43a. The distance Δ3 from the coaxial line to the outer edge of the anvil portion 42 is larger than the distance Δ2 from the coaxial line to the limiting portion 26a (Δ3> Δ2).

  Further, as shown in FIG. 4, an engagement notch 43b that allows the projection 22c and the stopper 22g (FIG. 1) to pass therethrough at the position where the spring member 30 is attached in the state shown in FIG. And the latching | locking part 43c is formed.

  The engagement notch 43b formed in the disk portion 43 is configured such that the protrusion 22c and the stopper 22g of the guide sleeve 20 pass through. The stopper 22g, which is a rectangular protrusion formed in the vicinity of the protrusion 22c in the flange portion 22, is formed in the rectangular opening 36 of the spring member 30 when the spring member 30 is attached to the guide sleeve 20, as is apparent from FIG. Engage and function to prevent further spring member 30 from being pushed inward.

  Next, the operation of the clutch release bearing device according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described below. In FIG. 2, the release fork RF as an input member has a bifurcated claw portion inserted between the limiting portion 26 a and the anvil portion 42. When the release fork RF pivots, the tip of the claw portion comes into contact with 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 the release fork RF, and abuts the contact 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 rotatable, so that it rotates integrally with the diaphragm spring after contact, and further the bearing device moves in the axial direction, whereby the diaphragm spring is pressed and the clutch is moved. It is supposed to be operated. Since the release fork RF is restricted from being separated from the clutch release bearing device by the restricting portion 26a, the release fork RF is effective against dropping of the clutch release bearing device when the clutch release bearing device is attached to the release fork RF. .

  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.

  Next, a method for assembling the clutch release bearing device will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 5A is a view similar to FIG. 1 showing the state during assembly, and FIG. 5B is a cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 2 showing the state during assembly. When assembling the reinforcing member 40 to the guide sleeve 20, if the anvil portion 42 and the restricting portion 26a are assembled in phase with each other, the anvil portion 42 interferes with the restricting portion 26a and cannot be assembled (Δ3> Δ2). Therefore, as shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B, the reinforcing cylindrical portion 41 is inserted into the main body 21 so that the phase of the notch 43a matches the phase of the limiting portion 26a. At this time, as shown in FIG. 1, when the distance Δ1 from the axis of the clutch release bearing device to the notch 43a is smaller than the distance Δ2 from the coaxial line to the limiting portion 26a (Δ1 <Δ2) and projected in the axial direction. In addition, since the restricting portion 26a has a dimensional shape relationship included in the notch 43a, the disk portion 43 can pass through the restricting portion 26a without interfering with each other.

When the reinforcing member 40 is rotated 90 degrees around the main body 21 after the disk portion 43 (that is, the notch 43a) has passed through the restricting portion 26a, the notch 43a is positioned to face the protrusion 22f of the guide sleeve 20. When the reinforcing member 40 is pushed into the guide sleeve 20 as it is, the disk portion 43 comes into contact with the flange portion 22 and the protrusion 22f engages with the notch 43a. In such a state, relative rotational displacement and shift displacement (rattle) between the guide sleeve 20 and the reinforcing member 40 are effectively suppressed, thereby effectively suppressing the generation of noise during operation of the clutch release bearing device. it can.
Further, since the outer edge of the anvil portion 42 of the reinforcing member 40 can be extended to the vicinity of the column portion 26 of the guide sleeve 20, the surface pressure with the release fork RF can be kept low, and early wear can be avoided. . Thereafter, the clutch release bearing 10 is attached, and the two spring members 30 are inserted from the outside in the radial direction, whereby the clutch release bearing device is completed as shown in FIG.

  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.

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. 3 is a perspective view of a reinforcing member 40. FIG. 5A is a view similar to FIG. 1 showing a state in the middle of assembly, and FIG. 5B is a cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 2 showing a state in the middle of assembly.

Explanation of symbols

10 Clutch release bearing 20 Guide sleeve 30 Spring member 40 Reinforcing member

Claims (2)

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 bearing holding member having a cylindrical portion and a flange portion that are slidably fitted to each other, and holds 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 comprising the connecting member and the reinforcing member that receives the release force from the input member,
The bearing holding member includes a support portion that extends in the axial direction from the flange portion, and a limiting portion that protrudes radially inward from the support portion and is located at a predetermined distance from the axis of the clutch release bearing device. And
The reinforcing member includes a reinforcing cylindrical portion that is rotatably fitted to the cylindrical portion of the bearing holding member, and a flange portion of the bearing holding member that extends beyond the predetermined distance from the axis of the clutch release bearing device. A reinforcing flange portion to be engaged, and an anvil portion that comes into contact with the input member ,
On the outer edge of the reinforcing flange portion, a notch having a shape extending radially inward from the restricting portion and including the restricting portion when viewed in the axial direction is provided at a phase of about 90 degrees with respect to the anvil portion. And
The distance Δ1 from the axis of the clutch release bearing device to the notch is smaller than the distance Δ2 from the coaxial line to the limiting portion (Δ1 <Δ2), and the distance Δ3 from the coaxial line to the outer edge of the reinforcing flange portion is It is larger than the distance Δ2 from the coaxial line to the restriction part (Δ3> Δ2),
After the notch has passed through the restricting part, the reinforcing member is fitted into the cylindrical part of the bearing holding member in a state where the notch is aligned with the position of the restricting part, and the reinforcement It is designed to be easily assembled by rotating the member with respect to the bearing support member,
A clutch release bearing device , wherein the notch of the reinforcing member is engaged with a protrusion formed on a flange portion of the bearing holding member after rotation . 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 bearing holding member having a cylindrical portion and a flange portion that are slidably fitted to each other, and holds 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 assembling method of the clutch release bearing device comprising the connecting member and the reinforcing member that receives the release force from the input member ,
The bearing holding member includes a support portion that extends in the axial direction from the flange portion, and a limiting portion that protrudes radially inward from the support portion and is located at a predetermined distance from the axis of the clutch release bearing device. And
The reinforcing member includes a reinforcing cylindrical portion that is rotatably fitted to the cylindrical portion of the bearing holding member, and a flange portion of the bearing holding member that extends beyond the predetermined distance from the axis of the clutch release bearing device. A reinforcing flange portion to be engaged, and an anvil portion that comes into contact with the input member,
On the outer edge of the reinforcing flange portion, a notch having a shape extending radially inward from the restricting portion and including the restricting portion when viewed in the axial direction is provided at a phase of about 90 degrees with respect to the anvil portion. And
The distance Δ1 from the axis of the clutch release bearing device to the notch is smaller than the distance Δ2 from the coaxial line to the limiting portion (Δ1 <Δ2), and the distance Δ3 from the coaxial line to the outer edge of the reinforcing flange portion is It is larger than the distance Δ2 from the coaxial line to the restriction part (Δ3> Δ2),
Fitting the reinforcing cylindrical portion of the reinforcing member to the cylindrical portion of the bearing holding member in a state where the notch is aligned with the position of the restricting portion;
Rotating the reinforcing member relative to the bearing support member after the notch has passed through the limiting portion;
And a step of engaging the protrusion of the reinforcing member with a protrusion formed on the flange portion of the bearing holding member after rotation .

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