JP4930786B2 - Clutch release bearing device - Google Patents

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 that is mounted on a vehicle or the like and that uses a friction plate, by pressing a diaphragm spring of a clutch cover that is a rotating member of the clutch device in the axial direction with a release fork that is an input member The power transmission is disconnected by releasing the biasing force of the spring 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, A clutch release bearing device is provided between a diaphragm spring and a release fork (see Patent Document 1).
JP 09-137837 A

  Here, in the clutch release bearing device disclosed in Patent Document 1, a steel anvil member is provided that is disposed between the guide sleeve and the release fork and transmits the release force transmitted from the release fork to the guide sleeve. It has been. However, even when the guide sleeve is made of resin, there is a problem that if the anvil member is large, the entire weight increases, and the weight cannot be reduced. On the other hand, there is a situation that the area of the anvil member with which the release fork abuts is limited to a narrow range. However, when the anvil member is downsized, the problem is how to attach it to the guide sleeve.

  Moreover, in the clutch release bearing device disclosed in Patent Document 1, since the cylindrical portion of the reinforcing member is attached to the guide sleeve by fitting, the disk portion and the cylindrical portion that receive the clutch release force are provided. Since the reinforcing member is formed by integral molding, there are problems that the molding is complicated due to the complicated shape, the yield is low, and the manufacturing cost is increased.

  The present invention has been made in view of the problems of the prior art, and an object of the present invention is to provide a clutch release bearing device capable of further reducing the weight and reducing the cost.

In order to achieve the above object, a clutch release bearing device 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 cylindrical portion slidably fitted on the guide shaft, and a resin bearing holding member including a flange portion, and the bearing holding member, Provided between the connecting member that holds the one ring of the clutch release bearing so as to be movable in the radial direction, and the flange part and an input member that inputs a clutch release force, and from the input member to the flange part In a clutch release bearing device comprising a reinforcing member having an anvil portion for transmitting the clutch release force to
A protrusion is formed on the surface of the flange portion on the input member side, and the protrusion is elastically deformed when the reinforcing member is disposed between the protrusions .
The input member has at least two abutting portions for inputting a clutch release force to the flange portion, and the reinforcing member is separate from the connecting member and has a substantially flat plate shape, The input members are separately arranged so as to abut against at least two abutment portions of the input member .
Further, 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 so that one wheel is fixed and the other wheel that rotates rotates abuts against a rotating member of the clutch device. A clutch release bearing, a cylindrical portion slidably fitted on the guide shaft, and a resin bearing holding member including a flange portion, and the clutch release bearing with respect to the bearing holding member. The clutch release member is provided between a connecting member that holds the one wheel so as to be movable in a radial direction, and the flange member and an input member that inputs a clutch release force, and the clutch release from the input member to the flange portion. In a clutch release bearing device comprising a reinforcing member having an anvil part for transmitting force,
The reinforcing member is separate from the connecting member and has a substantially single flat plate shape,
A projection is formed on the surface of the flange portion on the input member side, and the projection is elastically deformed when the reinforcing member is disposed so as to fit into the cylindrical portion and abut against the projection. It is characterized by becoming.

  According to the clutch release bearing device of the present invention, the protrusion is formed on the surface of the flange portion on the input member side, and the protrusion is elastically deformed when the reinforcing member is disposed between the protrusions. Thus, the reinforcing member can be supported using the elastic deformation force. Therefore, since the reinforcing member can be disposed at an arbitrary place, it is possible to make the input member a minimum size with which the input member comes into contact, and to reduce the weight of the clutch release bearing device. Note that a plurality of protrusions may be provided, or a single protrusion may be formed in a U shape or a square shape. In the latter case, the reinforcing member is disposed inside the protrusion.

  The input member has at least two abutting portions for inputting clutch release force to the flange portion, and the reinforcing member is separated so as to abut against at least two abutting portions of the input member, respectively. Are preferably arranged. Accordingly, it is possible to reduce the size and shape of the reinforcing member. For example, the reinforcing member can be easily manufactured by pressing a plate material, thereby reducing cost and weight.

  When a part of the reinforcing member is disposed between the flange portion and the connecting member, the reinforcing member can be prevented from falling off by attaching the connecting member to the flange portion.

  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 showing the guide sleeve, the spring member, and the reinforcing member in an exploded state.

  In FIG. 2, the clutch release bearing 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 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 abutting portion 11a of the inner ring 11 abuts on a diaphragm spring of a clutch cover (not shown).

  On the other hand, the guide sleeve 20 is made of resin, and has a tubular main body (cylindrical portion) 21, a flange portion 22 extending radially from the outer periphery near the center of the main body 21, and a radially outward direction of the flange portion 22. The outer wall portion 23 protrudes leftward in the axial direction at the end. A guide shaft (not shown) extends inside the main body 21, and the main body 21 is slidable on the guide shaft. The outer periphery of the main body 21 has a rectangular overhanging portion 21a at the top and bottom in FIG. Furthermore, holding portions 22f and 22f are formed on the outer edge of the flange portion 22a so as to be opposed to both sides of the rectangular protruding portion 21a and swell in a rectangular plate shape (see FIG. 3).

  As shown in FIG. 3, the disk-like flange portion 22 as a whole forms a rectangular plate-like large protrusion 22c and small protrusions 22g and 22g arranged on both sides thereof in the vicinity of the main body 21. . It is preferable that the upper surfaces of the small protrusions 22g and 22g have a part of a tapered surface that becomes lower toward the outer side of the flange portion 22 in the radial direction. Further, the flange portion 22 forms a pair of guide portions 22d and 22d that are in the form of a pair of rectangular plates on the outer sides in the radial direction of the small protrusions 22g and 22g. An L-shaped groove 22e is formed between the small protrusion 22g on the left side of the flange portion 22 in FIG. 3 and the guide portion 22d.

  As shown in FIG. 2, 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 22d has a guide function when the spring member 30 is assembled. 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. As shown 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. 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.

  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 that protrudes radially outward from the flange portion 22 of the guide sleeve 20 is formed in the concave portion 34. Engagement prevents the dropout (see FIG. 2). Further, in the vicinity of the lower end of both side portions 31 a of the base portion 31, a notch 37 forming a recess is formed, and a relatively large notch 38 is formed in the center of the end portion of the base portion 31.

  As shown in FIG. 1, two reinforcing members 40 having the same shape as each other, each formed by pressing a single metal plate, and having a pair of abutting portions at the forked ends, are input members. Release forks RF (shown by dotted lines) are in contact with each other. More specifically, the reinforcing member 40 has a substantially C-shape, an anvil portion 41 with which the abutment portion of the release fork RF abuts, and a holding portion 42 with a large rectangular notch 42a on the opposite side of the anvil portion 41, And a claw portion 43 that protrudes obliquely from one side of the holding portion 42 and is further shifted in the plate thickness direction.

  The assembly mode of the reinforcing member 40 and the spring member 30 will be described. When the reinforcing member 40 is pushed in from the axial direction toward the assembly position of the flange portion 22 of the guide sleeve 20, the side surface of the anvil portion 41 enters between the holding portions 22f and 22f, and the rectangular notch 42a is formed in the main body 21. Thus, the flange portion 22 and the reinforcing member 40 finally come into contact with each other. At this time, since the width W1 (FIG. 3) of the rectangular cutout 42a is slightly smaller than the width W2 (FIG. 1) of the rectangular overhanging portion 21a, the rectangular overhanging portion 21a is compressed by assembling the reinforcing member 40. And the elastic deformation force prevents the reinforcing member 40 from dropping from the guide sleeve 20. In addition, if the width between the side surfaces of the anvil part 41 is made larger than the distance between the holding parts 22f and 22f to make the dimension of the reinforcing member 40 slightly larger than the space in which the reinforcing member 40 is fitted, the reinforcement member 40 is assembled. Accordingly, the holding portions 22f and 22f and the rectangular overhanging portion 21a are elastically deformed so as to be bent by being pushed from the reinforcing member 40, and the holding force of the reinforcing member 40 can be further increased.

  When the reinforcing member 40 is positioned at the assembly position of the flange portion 22, the claw portion 43 is fitted into the L-shaped groove 22e. Thereafter, with the clutch release bearing 10 in contact with the flange portion 22, when the spring member 30 is approached along the cut portions 22 d and 22 d from the outside in the radial direction of the flange portion 22, the base 31 is moved to the flange portion 22. The abutting portion 32 holds the clutch release bearing 10. At this time, since the claw portion 43 is accommodated in the L-shaped groove 22e, the intrusion of the spring member 30 is not restricted.

  Eventually, the end of the spring member 30 passes over the small protrusion 22g formed on the flange portion 22 of the guide sleeve 20, and the notch 37 engages with this, thereby having a function of preventing the spring member 30 from coming off. Further, the large protrusion 22c functions to engage with the notch 38 of the spring member 30 to prevent the spring member 30 from being pushed further inward. Thereby, the assembly of the spring member 30 is completed. In such a state, the claw portion 43 of the reinforcing member 40 is interposed between the flange portion 22 and the base 31, so that even when a strong release force is applied from the release fork RF, the reinforcing member 40 is prevented from falling off. The

  Next, the operation of the clutch release bearing device according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described below. In FIG. 2, when the release fork RF pivots about the pivot extending vertically in the figure, the tip abuts against the anvil portion 41 of the reinforcing member 40, and a constant load is applied to the flange portion 22 through this. To do. The clutch release bearing device that has received the load slides on a guide shaft (not shown) in the axial direction by an input from the release fork RF, and abuts a 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 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.

  According to the present embodiment, the flange portion 22 of the guide sleeve portion 20 is formed with the holding portions 22f and 22f that are projections protruding in the axial direction (the rectangular projecting portion 21a is also a projection) and is reinforced. Since the members 40 are elastically deformed when they are arranged between the protrusions, the reinforcing member 40 can be supported using the elastic deformation force. Therefore, since the reinforcing member 40 can be disposed at an arbitrary place, it is possible to make the minimum size with which the release fork RF abuts, and it is possible to reduce the weight of the clutch release bearing device. Further, since the reinforcing member 40 having the same shape is disposed only around the position where the two abutting portions of the release fork RF can contact each other, the shape of the reinforcing member 40 is simplified, and the plate material can be pressed. It can be formed simply by punching, and since it is punched with a press so that only a necessary part is formed from the base material, there is no need to punch wasteful materials, yield is good, and cost can be reduced.

  FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIG. 1 showing a modification of the present embodiment. The modification shown in FIG. 4 differs from the above-described embodiment in that a reinforcing member 40 ′ in which inner ends of a pair of holding portions 42 are connected by arc-shaped portions 44, 44 is used. About another structure, it is the same as that of embodiment mentioned above. The arc-shaped portions 44 and 44 are thin strips and do not extend over the entire surface of the flange portion 22. The inner edge of the guide sleeve 20 is press-fitted into a cylindrical surface of the main body 21 of the guide sleeve 20 other than the rectangular protruding portion 21a. Thereby, the retaining property of the reinforcing member 40 can be improved while ensuring the weight reduction of the clutch release bearing device.

  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. It is a figure shown in the state which decomposed | disassembled the guide sleeve, the spring member, and the reinforcement member. It is a figure similar to FIG. 1 which shows the modification of this Embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

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

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 including a cylindrical portion slidably fitted to the flange portion, and the one ring of the clutch release bearing can be moved in the radial direction with respect to the bearing holding member. And a reinforcing member having an anvil portion that is provided between the connecting member that holds the flange portion and the input member that inputs the clutch release force, and that transmits the clutch release force from the input member to the flange portion. In a clutch release bearing device comprising:
A protrusion is formed on the surface of the flange portion on the input member side, and the protrusion is elastically deformed when the reinforcing member is disposed between the protrusions .
The input member has at least two abutting portions for inputting a clutch release force to the flange portion, and the reinforcing member is separate from the connecting member and has a substantially flat plate shape, A clutch release bearing device, wherein the clutch release bearing device is disposed so as to be in contact with at least two contact portions of the input member . 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 including a cylindrical portion slidably fitted to the flange portion, and the one ring of the clutch release bearing can be moved in the radial direction with respect to the bearing holding member. And a reinforcing member having an anvil portion that is provided between the connecting member that holds the flange portion and the input member that inputs the clutch release force, and that transmits the clutch release force from the input member to the flange portion. In a clutch release bearing device comprising:
The reinforcing member is separate from the connecting member and has a substantially single flat plate shape,
A projection is formed on the surface of the flange portion on the input member side, and the projection is elastically deformed when the reinforcing member is disposed so as to fit into the cylindrical portion and abut against the projection. A clutch release bearing device characterized by the above .   The clutch release bearing device according to claim 1, wherein a part of the reinforcing member is disposed between the flange portion and the connecting member.