JPH04312215A - Clutch release bearing unit - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To enable the use of a bearing for a transmission of an engine of a large output by eliminating an externally protruded part, and securing the strength of an anvil. CONSTITUTION:A cover 27 made of a relatively soft metal plate is covered on an anvil 9 made of a hard metal plate. A holding part 30 of the end part of the cover 27 is folded toward the external circumferential edge part of a supporting plate 7. The supporting plate 7 and the anvil 9 are connected to each other through the cover 27.

Description

[Detailed description of the invention]

0001

[Industrial Field of Application] The clutch release bearing unit according to the present invention is used by being incorporated into the clutch mechanism of an automobile equipped with a manual transmission, and is particularly incorporated into a pull type clutch when performing a gear change operation. It is used to pull the center part of the

0002

[Prior Art] A clutch mechanism attached to a manual transmission consists of a flywheel that rotates together with the engine crankshaft, a clutch disc that faces the flywheel, and a pressure plate that presses the clutch disc toward the flywheel. , a diaphragm spring that presses this pressure plate toward the clutch disc, and a diaphragm spring that is movable along a power transmission shaft, and changes the inclination angle of this diaphragm spring as it moves, and presses the flywheel and clutch disc. and a clutch release bearing unit that controls connection/disconnection with the clutch release.

Conventionally, such a clutch mechanism uses a diaphragm to disengage the clutch (separate the flywheel and clutch disc so that the rotational force of the crankshaft is not transmitted to the transmission via the shaft). The so-called push type, which pushes the center of the spring, was widely used.

[0004] This push type clutch mechanism, as shown in FIG. 10, during power transmission (clutch engagement).
The elasticity of the diaphragm spring 1 presses the clutch disc 3 against the flywheel via the pressure plate 2, so that the rotational force of the engine is transmitted to the transmission. If you want to prevent this from happening, use a separately provided clutch release bearing unit to prevent diaphragm spring 1.
10, press the center part of it downward toward the flywheel.

As a result, the inclination angle of the diaphragm spring 1 changes as shown in FIG. 11, and the pressing force on the clutch disc 3 by the pressure plate 2 is released.

For the push-type clutch mechanism configured as described above, the lever ratio of the diaphragm spring 1 is increased, and the deformation of the clutch cover 4 is further reduced to enable greater power transmission. As a structure for
A so-called pull-type clutch mechanism has come to be used in some parts, mainly large vehicles.

When transmitting power, this pull type clutch mechanism uses the elasticity of the diaphragm spring 1 to push the clutch disk 3 through the pressure plate 2, as shown in FIG. The rotational force of the engine is transmitted to the transmission by pressing the diaphragm against the flywheel. However, if you want to prevent the rotational force of the engine from being transmitted to the transmission in order to perform a gearshift operation, the diaphragm spring is pressed against the flywheel. Pull the center part of 1 upward in FIG. 12 in a direction away from the flywheel.

As a result, the inclination angle of the diaphragm spring 1 changes as shown in FIG. 13, and the pressing force on the clutch disc 3 by the pressure plate 2 is released.

As a clutch release bearing unit that is incorporated into such a pull type clutch mechanism and pulls the center portion of the diaphragm spring 1 during a gear change operation, a structure as shown in FIG. 14 has been conventionally used. Are known.

This clutch release bearing unit 5 has a ring-shaped support plate 7 made of a metal plate fixed to the outer peripheral surface of a sleeve 6 that is movable along a guide shaft (front cover) incorporated in the clutch mechanism. An anvil 9 having a short cylindrical holding part 8 is fixed to the outer peripheral edge of this support plate 7, and a release bearing 10 mounted in the holding part 8 of this anvil 9 allows the diaphragm spring 1 (Fig. 12 ~13)
It is constructed by rotatably supporting an operating cylinder 11 for pulling the central part of the cylinder.

The support plate 7 and the anvil 9 are
The outer peripheral edge of is folded back into a U-shape, and this folded part 12
A bent edge 13 formed outwardly at one end of the anvil 9
They are connected to each other by pressing down on the outer periphery of the two. Reference numeral 14 denotes a locking portion formed at a position opposite to the anvil 9 in the diametrical direction, and the tip of the release fork constituting the clutch mechanism engages with this locking portion 14, and as the release fork rotates, The release bearing 10 can be pulled to the right in FIG. 14.

Furthermore, the inner circumferential edge of a pull plate (not shown) is engaged with the groove 15 formed on the outer circumferential surface of the tip of the actuating cylinder 11, and the pull plate is opposed to the inner circumferential edge of the diaphragm spring 1. This allows the center portion of the diaphragm spring 1 to be pulled as the actuating tube 11 moves.

However, in the case of the conventional clutch release bearing unit 5 constructed as described above, in order to connect the support plate 7 and the anvil 9, it is necessary to fold the outer peripheral edge of the support plate 7 back into a U-shape. This is done by engaging the formed folded portion 12 with the folded edge 13 formed on the outside of one end of the anvil 9, so that the joining portion is formed on the outer periphery of the anvil 9 (excluding the locking portion 14). It is unavoidable that it protrudes outward from the surface by the dimension h in FIG.

[0014] Inside the clutch mechanism, there are many parts other than the clutch release bearing unit 5, so if the above-mentioned joint protrudes outward, in order to avoid interference between the joint and other parts, Furthermore, other parts must be separated from the clutch release bearing unit 5, which reduces the degree of freedom in designing the clutch mechanism.

Furthermore, since the folded portion 12 formed by folding the outer peripheral edge of the support plate 7 into a U-shape involves folding back the metal plate twice, there is a large residual stress and the folded portion 12 is not durable for a long period of time. Cracks tend to occur with use.

[0016] As a technique for solving such problems,
As shown in FIGS. 15 to 16, Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 2-84021 discloses that the inner circumferential surface of the edge of the anvil 9 is a thin wall portion 16, and the outer circumferential edge of the support plate 7 is fitted inside the thin wall portion 16. At the same time, the support plate 7 and the anvil 9 can be joined together by bending inward the portion of the thin wall portion 16 that protrudes from the side surface of the support plate 7, or as shown in FIG. A cylindrical portion 17 is formed on the outer peripheral edge of the support plate 7, and
The tip edge of this cylindrical portion 17 is brought into contact with the inner surface of the first inwardly bent portion 18 formed at one end edge of the anvil 9, and the portion of the anvil 9 that protrudes beyond the cylindrical portion 17 is pressed against the inner surface of the first inwardly bent portion 18 formed at one end edge of the anvil 9. Fold inward to form a second inward bent portion 19;
A technique is disclosed in which the support plate 7 and the anvil 9 are joined by sandwiching the cylindrical part 17 at the outer peripheral edge of the support plate 7 between the first and second inwardly bent parts 18 and 19.

[0017]

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] However, in all of the techniques described in the above publications, in order to connect the anvil 9 and the support plate 7 by bending a part of the anvil 9, the anvil 9 is bent. The anvil 9 must be made of a processable, relatively soft material (unhardened, raw), and the strength of the anvil 9 tends to be insufficient.

That is, the anvil 9 is provided with a release fork 20 (see FIGS. 5 to 7 described later) when the clutch is disengaged.
As a result, a large force is applied to overcome the elasticity of the diaphragm spring 1 (see FIGS. 12 and 13). For this reason, the anvil 9 must maintain sufficient bending strength, but when the anvil 9 is made of a soft material as described above, it is difficult to maintain the strength. Therefore, it becomes difficult to use it in a vehicle with a large output that incorporates a diaphragm spring with large elasticity.

In order to ensure the strength of the anvil 9 while making it possible to bend a part of it, it is conceivable to apply anti-carburization treatment to the part to be bent and then harden the other parts by quenching. The processing work becomes troublesome and the manufacturing cost of the anvil 9 increases.

The clutch release bearing unit of the present invention has been designed to eliminate the above-mentioned disadvantages.

[0021]

[Means for Solving the Problems] The clutch release bearing unit of the present invention, like the conventional clutch release bearing unit described above, has a substantially circular ring shape and is fixed around a sleeve that is movable along an axis. It is composed of a support plate, an anvil having a substantially cylindrical holding part fixed to the outer peripheral edge of the support plate, and a release bearing mounted within the holding part of the anvil.

Furthermore, in the clutch release bearing unit of the present invention, a cover is provided, which comprises a main part that is attached and fixed to the holding part of the anvil, and a restraining part that protrudes from the edge of this main part. , by fitting the outer peripheral edge of the support plate inside the restraining part of the cover and bending inward the part protruding from the side surface of the support plate at the tip of the restraint part, the support plate and anvil can be connected to each other. are connected via a cover.

[0023]

[Operation] The clutch release bearing unit of the present invention configured as described above displaces the center portion of the diaphragm spring, changes the inclination angle of this diaphragm spring, and engages/disengages the clutch. The bearing unit itself is the same as that of the conventional clutch release bearing unit described above.

In particular, in the clutch release bearing unit of the present invention, the joint between the support plate and the anvil does not protrude outward beyond the outer peripheral surface of the anvil, and the clutch release bearing unit and other parts This not only increases the degree of freedom when designing the clutch mechanism, but also allows the use of a completely hardened anvil, which suppresses deformation of the anvil during use and improves output. It can be used on large vehicles.

[0025]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS FIGS. 1 to 4 show a first embodiment of the present invention. Reference numeral 6 denotes a sleeve that is movable along a guide shaft (front cover) incorporated into the clutch mechanism, and is entirely formed in a cylindrical shape from a slippery synthetic resin. 7 is a ring-shaped support plate made of a metal plate, and the inner peripheral edge of this support plate 7 is
It is inserted into the sleeve 6 when the sleeve 6 is molded.

An anvil 9 made of a metal plate and having a substantially short cylindrical holding portion 8 is fixed to the outer peripheral edge of the support plate 7 whose inner peripheral edge is fixed to the sleeve 6 in this manner. . An inwardly bent portion 21 is formed at the tip of the anvil 9 (left end in FIG. 2).
The outer ring 22 of the release bearing 10 is supported between the inner surface of the release bearing 1 and the inner surface of the support plate 7. In addition, the support plate 7
The convex portion 7a formed on the outer peripheral edge of the anvil 9 is located between the side walls 9a formed on the ears of the anvil 9,
Designed to prevent rotation. Reference numeral 23 denotes a self-aligning corrugated plate spring held between the end surface of the outer ring 22 and the support plate 7. Note that as the anvil 9, a steel plate that has been hardened by heat treatment such as carbonitriding treatment is used.

Further, in FIGS. 1, 2, and 4, reference numeral 11 denotes an operating cylinder that also serves as the inner ring of the bearing 10 for pulling the center of the diaphragm spring 1 (see FIGS. 12 and 13).
The inner ring raceway 24 formed on the outer peripheral surface of the base of the outer ring 2
By mounting a plurality of balls 26, 26 between the outer ring raceway 25 formed on the inner peripheral surface of the anvil 9, a release bearing 10, which is a deep groove ball bearing, is constructed. It is rotatably supported inside.

As in the case of the conventional clutch release bearing unit described above, the inner circumferential edge of a pull plate (not shown) is engaged with the groove 15 formed on the outer circumferential surface of the tip of the actuating cylinder 11. The center of the diaphragm spring 1 can be pulled through the pull plate.

Furthermore, in the clutch release bearing unit of the present invention, the anvil 9 is covered with a cover 27, and the anvil 9 and the support plate 7 are connected via the cover 27.

The cover 27 is thinner than the steel plate constituting the anvil 9, and is made of a relatively soft steel plate treated by a tuftride method, a tuftonite method, or the like. Then, this cover 27 is attached to the anvil 9.
It is attached and fixed around the holding part 8 of. That is, the cover 27 has a bent edge 29 that abuts the outer surface of the inwardly bent portion 21 of the anvil 9 on the front edge (left edge in FIG. 2) of the cylindrical main portion 28 that can be fitted onto the holding portion 8. , the main part 28
A plurality of restraining portions 30, 30 are formed on the rear edge (right edge in FIG. 2), respectively, and project from the rear edge of the main portion 28.

The cover 27 as described above has the main portion 28 fitted onto the holding portion 8 of the anvil 9 and the inner surface of the bent edge 29 abutting the outer surface of the inwardly bent portion 21 of the anvil 9. Then, it is fixed to the holding part 8. Support plate 7
is the holding part 3 of the cover 27 that covers the anvil 9 in this way.
0,30 to fit inside. And each holding part 30,
The support plate 7 and anvil 9 are coupled via the cover 27 by bending inward the portion protruding from the side surface of the support plate 7 at the tip of the support plate 30.

In the case of the illustrated embodiment, the cover 27
A part of the main part 28 of the anvil 9, and a part of the main part 28 of the anvil 9, respectively.
, 14 and are formed at two positions on opposite sides in the circumferential direction, mutually parallel plane parts 32, 32 are formed. and,
The width dimension W of each plane portion 32, 32 is determined by
The width dimension w of No. 4 is sufficiently larger (W>w).

[0033] Also, the distance d between the two plane parts 32, 32 is as follows:
Arm pieces 33, 3 of the release fork 20 (see Figures 5 to 7)
Slightly smaller than the distance D between the inner surfaces of No. 3 (D>d)
However, the distance L between the inner surfaces of both the locking portions 14, 14 is slightly larger than the distance L between the outer surfaces of the arm pieces 33, 33 (L>l), so that each locking portion 14, The tips of the arm pieces 33, 33 can be freely inserted between the inner surface of the arm 14 and the plane parts 32, 32.

When the clutch release bearing unit of the present invention constructed as described above is incorporated into a clutch mechanism, a pull plate (not shown), which is engaged with the tip of the operating cylinder 11, is attached to the inner peripheral edge of the diaphragm spring 1. The distal ends of the arm pieces 33, 33 of the release fork 20 are engaged between the inner surfaces of the locking parts 14, 14 and the flat parts 32, 32 while facing each other, as shown by chain lines in FIG.

When the release fork 20 is rotated in this assembled state, the pull plate pulls the center of the diaphragm spring 1, and as shown in FIG. 13, the clutch disc 3 and flywheel are separated. Separate the clutch and disengage the clutch.

The operation itself when connecting and disconnecting the clutch is similar to that of the conventional clutch release bearing unit described above.

However, in the case of the clutch release bearing unit of the present invention, the support plate 7 and the anvil 9 are constructed by bending inward the ends of the restraining parts 30, 30 of the cover 27 attached to the anvil 9. Since the connecting part with the anvil 9 does not protrude outward beyond the outer circumferential surface of the anvil 9, interference between the clutch release bearing unit and other parts becomes difficult, and the bearing unit and other parts can be brought closer to each other. This increases the degree of freedom when designing the clutch mechanism.

[0038] Furthermore, since the tips of each of the holding parts 30, 30 are bent inward only once, there is no large residual stress in the joint, increasing the durability of each part. , the reliability of the clutch release bearing unit is improved.

[0039] Furthermore, the cover 27 having the restraining parts 30, 30 is separate from the anvil 9, and there is no need to bend a part of the anvil 9, so the anvil 9 can be made of a sufficiently hard material. Therefore, deformation of the anvil 9 during speed change operation can be reliably prevented. Therefore, even when used in a transmission incorporating a diaphragm spring 1 with high engine output and high elasticity, sufficient durability and reliability can be obtained.

Furthermore, in the illustrated embodiment, the cover 2
The main portion 28 of 7 has a flat portion 3 having the width W as described above.
2, 32, the tips of the arm pieces 33, 33 of the release fork 20 and the locking parts 14, 14 of the anvil 9
This allows for smooth engagement and disengagement work.

That is, the pull type clutch release device is provided with a release fork 20 that has a pair of arm pieces 33 and 33 and swings about a shaft 31, as shown in FIGS. , arm pieces 33, 3 of the release fork 20
3 and the locking parts 14, 14 of the anvil 9, the clutch release bearing unit 5 is moved to the position shown by the solid line in FIG. 6 while swinging the release fork 20. Move it to and from the position indicated by the chain line. The position of the shaft 31 is fixed.

For example, when the distal ends of the arm pieces 33, 33 and the locking parts 14, 14 of the anvil 9 are to be engaged,
After positioning the clutch release bearing unit 5 and the release fork 20 mounted on a shaft (not shown) in the state shown by the solid line in FIG. 6, move the clutch release bearing unit 5 along the shaft to the right in the figure. At the same time as the movement, the release fork 20 is rotated counterclockwise in the same figure.

When each member 5, 20 is moved as described above, first, the inner surfaces 33a, 33a of the tip ends of the arm pieces 33, 33 of the release fork 20 come into contact with the flat parts 32, 32, and both surfaces 33a, 32, the clutch release bearing unit 5 is prevented from rotating around the shaft. Therefore, if the clutch release bearing unit 5 is moved along the shaft to the right in FIG. 6, and at the same time the release fork 20 is rotated counterclockwise in the same figure, as shown by the broken line in FIG. , the distal ends of the arm pieces 33, 33 of the release fork 20 and the locking parts 14, 1 of the anvil 9.
4 engages.

Further, when disengaging the distal ends of the arm pieces 33, 33 from the locking portions 14, 14 of the anvil 9, the procedure shown in FIG.
If the clutch release bearing unit 5 is moved to the left in the same figure and the release fork 20 is simultaneously rotated clockwise in the same figure from the state shown by the chain line in the figure, the result will be as shown by the solid line in the figure. , arm pieces 33 of the release fork 20, 33
The distal end of the anvil 9 is smoothly disengaged from the locking parts 14, 14 of the anvil 9.

That is, in the illustrated embodiment, the cover 2
By forming the plane parts 32, 32 having sufficient width dimension W as described above in the main part 28 of 7, the above-mentioned arm pieces 33, 3
While the tip of 3 is inside the locking parts 14, 14,
The clutch release bearing unit 5 is prevented from rotating around the shaft. As a result, the distal ends of the arm pieces 33, 33 do not engage with the inner surfaces or flat surfaces 32, 32 of the locking parts 14, 14, and as described above, the distal ends of the arm pieces 33, 33 and the locking parts 14 , 14 can be engaged and disengaged smoothly.

In this way, the cover 27, which is separate from the anvil 9, can ensure a sufficient width W of the flat portions 32, 32.
This effect is due to the cover 27 being made of a relatively soft metal plate.

On the other hand, when the flat part is formed directly on the anvil 9 as in the conventional structure, the metal plate constituting the anvil 9 is hard, so that it is difficult to form a flat part with sufficient width. It becomes difficult to do. As a result, as shown in FIG. 7, while the tips of the arm pieces 33, 33 are inside the locking parts 14, 14, the clutch release bearing unit 5 becomes rotatable around the shaft, and the arm pieces The tip portions 33, 33 can easily engage with the inner surfaces of the locking portions 14, 14 (inwardly bent surfaces of the locking portions 14, 14) and the flat portions 32, 32. If they engage, it becomes impossible to smoothly engage and disengage the distal ends of the arm pieces 33, 33 and the locking parts 14, 14.

Next, FIGS. 8 and 9 show a second embodiment of the present invention. Whereas in the first embodiment described above, the inner peripheral edge of the support plate 7 was inserted into the synthetic resin sleeve 6 (FIGS. 1 to 3), in the case of this embodiment, the inner peripheral edge of the support plate 7 A cylindrical portion 34 is formed integrally with the support plate 7, and the cylindrical portion 34 is fitted around the shaft in place of the sleeve 6 so as to be slidable.

The other configurations and operations are similar to those of the first embodiment described above, so the same parts are given the same reference numerals and redundant explanations will be omitted.

[0050]

[Effects of the Invention] Since the clutch release bearing unit of the present invention is constructed and operates as described above, it is possible to reduce the outer diameter dimension and prevent interference with other parts constituting the clutch mechanism. This not only increases the degree of freedom when designing the clutch mechanism, but also eliminates the need for excessive bending of each component, increasing the durability of each component and improving the reliability of the clutch mechanism. I can do things.

Furthermore, by ensuring sufficient strength of the anvil,
It can also be used in transmissions with high engine output and built-in diaphragm springs with high elasticity.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a front view showing a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along line AA in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a rear view as well.

FIG. 4 is a plan view as well.

FIG. 5 is a front view for explaining the state of engagement with the release fork.

FIG. 6 is a side view as well.

FIG. 7 is a front view for explaining the state of engagement with the release fork according to the conventional structure.

FIG. 8 is a sectional view similar to FIG. 2, showing a second embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 9 is a rear view as well.

FIG. 10 is a partial cross-sectional view showing the structure of a push-type clutch mechanism in a connected state.

FIG. 11 is a partial sectional view similarly shown in an unconnected state.

FIG. 12 is a partial cross-sectional view showing the structure of a pull-type clutch mechanism in a connected state.

FIG. 13 is a partial cross-sectional view similarly shown in an unconnected state.

FIG. 14 is a partial sectional view showing a first example of a conventional clutch release bearing unit.

FIG. 15 is a partial cross-sectional view showing a second example.

FIG. 16 is an enlarged sectional view of section B in FIG. 15;

FIG. 17 is a partial sectional view showing a third example of a conventional clutch release bearing unit.

[Explanation of sign]

1 Diaphragm spring 2 Pressure plate 3 Clutch disc 4 Clutch cover 5 Clutch release bearing unit 6
Sleeve 7 Support plate 7a Convex portion 8 Holding portion 9 Anvil 9a Side wall 10 Release bearing 11 Actuating cylinder 12 Folded portion 13 Bent edge 14 Locking portion 15 Concave groove 16 Thin portion 17 Cylindrical portion 18 First inward bent portion 19 Second Inwardly bent part 20 Release fork 21 Inwardly bent part 22 Outer ring 23 Corrugated plate spring 24 Inner ring raceway 25 Outer ring raceway 26 Ball 27 Cover 28 Main part 29 Bent edge 30 Retaining part 31 Shaft 32 Plane part 33 Arm piece 33a Tip inner surface 34 Cylindrical part

Claims (1)

[Claims] Claim 1: A support plate having a substantially circular ring shape and fixed around a sleeve movable along an axis, and a substantially cylindrical holding portion, and an anvil fixed to the outer peripheral edge of the support plate. , a clutch release bearing unit consisting of a release bearing mounted in the holding part of the anvil, a main part fixed to the holding part of the anvil, and a restraining part protruding from the edge of the main part. By providing a cover consisting of the support plate, fitting the outer peripheral edge of the support plate inside the restraining part of the cover, and bending inward the part protruding from the side surface of the support plate at the tip of the restraint part. A bearing unit for a clutch release, characterized in that a support plate and an anvil are connected via a cover.