JPH0728418Y2 - Bearing unit for clutch release - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION (Industrial application field) The bearing unit for clutch release according to the present invention is incorporated in a clutch mechanism of a vehicle with a manual transmission, and when a gear shifting operation is performed, a central portion of a diaphragm spring is pressed. Used to do.

(Prior Art) A clutch mechanism of a vehicle with a manual transmission is, for example, second to third.
Although it is configured as shown in the figure, the second of the figures 2-3
The figure shows a state during power transmission, and FIG. 3 shows a state during power disconnection.

When the transmission of the engine driving force to the transmission side shaft is interrupted in order to perform the gear shifting operation, the clutch pedal 1 is depressed to rotate the lever 11, and the power having one end coupled to the lever 11 is rotated. Pull the cable 2 for transmission. As a result, the other end of the cable 2 pulls one end of the release fork 3, and the release fork 3 is rotated about the pivot 4 in the counterclockwise direction in FIGS. As a result of the rotation of the release fork 3, the other end of the release fork 3 pushes the release bearing unit 6 slidably fitted onto the shaft 5 of the transmission to the left in FIG. The release bearing unit 6 pushes the center portion of the diaphragm spring 7 formed in a mortar shape to the left.

Since the diaphragm spring 7 is pivotally supported by a fixed member (not shown) at a plurality of radial intermediate portions, when the central portion is pushed to the left, the left surface as shown in FIG. What was concave is now concave on the right side as shown in FIG.

When the right side of the diaphragm spring 7 becomes concave and the left side becomes convex in this way, the pressure plate 10 that has pressed the clutch plate 8 against the flywheel 9 fixed to the drive shaft of the engine until then by the elastic force of the diaphragm spring 7. 2 and 3 in the right direction, the force pressing the clutch plate 8 against the flywheel 9 is released, the rotation of the flywheel 9 is not transmitted to the shaft 5 on the transmission side, and the gear switching operation cannot be performed. It becomes

When the operation of switching the gears of the transmission is completed, if the foot is released from the clutch pedal 1, the elastic force of the diaphragm spring 7 and the spring attached to the clutch pedal 1 and the like causes
The cable 2 returns to its original state, and the clutch is engaged as shown in FIG.

2 to 3 show the structure of the clutch device that transmits the movement of the clutch pedal 1 to the release fork 3 by the cable 2, the master cylinder that sends out the pressure oil by depressing the clutch pedal 1 and the pressure oil. A hydraulic clutch device that connects a release cylinder that rotates the release fork 3 with a hydraulic pipe by hydraulic piping is also widely used.

By the way, as shown in FIG. 4, the release bearing unit 6 incorporated in the clutch mechanism configured as described above is
A cylindrical sleeve 12 made of synthetic resin, which is fitted onto the outer peripheral surface of the shaft 5 so as to be freely slidable in the rotational direction and the axial direction (left and right direction in FIG. 4), and fixed to the outer peripheral surface of the sleeve 12. The outward flange portion 13, a release bearing 14 held by a case 15 on one side of the outward flange portion 13, and an anvil 16 fixed to the other surface of the outward flange portion 13. .

In the clutch release bearing unit 6 configured as described above, one end face of the outer ring 17 that constitutes the release bearing 14 using, for example, an angular type ball bearing is brought into contact with one side of the outward flange portion 13 and the outward direction By pressing the anvil 16 fixed to the other side of the flange portion 13 with the tip of the release fork 3 (see FIG. 2), the end surface of the inner ring 18 constituting the release bearing 14 is provided with the central portion of the diaphragm spring 7. Is pressed.

In FIG. 4, reference numeral 19 is a spring that is provided between the case 15 and the end surface of the outer ring 17 for self-alignment and presses the outer ring 19 against the case 15.

By the way, when the release bearing unit 6 is pressed toward the diaphragm spring 7 at the tip of the release fork 3 which rotates about the pivot 4, the release bearing unit 6 and the anvil 16 move in parallel with the release bearing unit 6. ,
It is inevitable that the contact surfaces with the tip of the release fork 3, which makes an arc with the rotation around the pivot 4, contact each other.

When the release fork 3 and the anvil 16 rub against each other in this way, the force required to move the release bearing unit 6 toward the diaphragm spring 7 increases, and the clutch pedal is depressed when the gear shift operation is performed. Not only does this increase the force required for, but the wear of the contact surface between the anvil 16 and the release fork 3 is accelerated.

In order to eliminate such inconvenience, the present applicant has previously described
A bearing unit 6 for clutch release as disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 62-237119 was proposed.

Bearing unit 6 for clutch release according to this invention
As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, is in contact with the race surface 21 of the anvil 16 (in the example shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, also used as the outward flange portion 13), Multiple times 20,
By providing rolling elements such as 20 and further providing a race plate 22, the plurality of rollers 20, 20 are connected to the race surface 21 and the race plate.
It's sandwiched between 22 and.

The plurality of rollers 20, 20 are arranged such that the central axes of the rollers 20, 20 and a pivot 4 (see FIGS. 2 to 3) pivotally supporting the release fork 3 are parallel to each other.

As a result, the race plate 22 becomes freely movable with respect to the anvil 16, and the force required to press the release bearing unit 6 with the release fork 3 having its tip abutted against the race plate 22 is reduced. When performing gear shifting operation,
The force required to depress the clutch pedal 1 (see FIGS. 2 to 3) can be reduced.

(Problems to be Solved by the Invention) However, even in the improved clutch release bearing unit 6 configured as described above, the following problems to be solved in long-term use. There is a point.

That is, the sleeve 12 that constitutes the release bearing unit 6
And the release fork 3 that presses the release bearing unit 6 toward the diaphragm spring 7. The release fork 3 is a pair of parallel flat surfaces formed on the inner edges 26, 26 of the release fork 3 and the outer peripheral surface of the sleeve 12. Due to the engagement with 23, 23, the rib 12 and the race plate 22 form a pair of flat surfaces 23,
23 and the straight edge 25 of the through hole 24 formed in the center of the race plate 22,
The sleeve 12 and the release fork 3 are engaged with each other such that they cannot rotate about the shaft 5 (FIGS. 2 and 3) by engagement with the sleeve 12 and the race plate 22.
It is unavoidable that the positional relationship between the sleeve 12 and the race plate 22 gradually shifts as the shift operation is repeated, as compared with the engagement with the.

In this way, the positional relationship between the sleeve 12 and the race plate 22 gradually shifts as the shifting operation is repeated, for the following reason.

That is, when the inner ring 18 of the release bearing 14 is pressed against the central portion of the diaphragm spring 7 to perform the gear shifting operation, the rolling friction acting between the inner ring 18 and the outer ring 17 causes the case 1
5, the force to rotate in the same direction as the diaphragm spring 7 is applied to the sleeve 12 coupled to the outer ring 17 via the outward flange portion 13, and the engagement between the sleeve 12 and the release fork 3 is loose. Although the sleeve 12 slightly rotates in this direction, the race plate 22 that is in strong contact with the tip of the release fork 3 remains in that position, so that the flat surface
23, 23 and straight edges 25, 25 are only in the front part in the rotation direction,
It will come into strong contact.

For example, when the diaphragm spring 7 is rotating in the direction of the arrow in FIG. 5, the flat surfaces 23, 23 and the straight edges 25, 25 strongly abut each other at portions a and a in FIG.

In this way, the release fork 3 is rotated with only a portion of the flat surfaces 23, 23 and the straight edges 25, 25 strongly in contact with each other, and the race plate 22 is moved in the left-right direction of FIG. When it is moved in parallel, the part of the synthetic resin sleeve 12 that is in sliding contact with the metal race plate 22 at the above-mentioned parts a and a gradually wears.

If this wear progresses, the sleeve against the race 22
The position of 12 gradually shifts in the direction of the arrow in FIG. 5, and accordingly the inner peripheral edge of the race plate 22 bites into the outer peripheral surface of the sleeve 12, and this race plate 22 becomes difficult to move with respect to the outward flange portion 13, When the release fork 3 rotates, the tip of the release fork 3 and the race plate 22 rub against each other, reducing the pedal effort required to depress the clutch pedal 1 during a gear shift operation. Can't reach.

A flat surface 23 formed on the outer peripheral surface of the synthetic resin sleeve 12,
By covering 23 with a metal plate, it is possible to eliminate the above-mentioned inconvenience caused by partial wear of the flat surfaces 23, 23, but it is troublesome to cover the flat surfaces 23, 23 with a metal plate, and it is practical. It cannot be said to be an effective solution.

The clutch release bearing unit of the present invention eliminates any of the inconveniences described above.

(Means for Solving the Problems) The clutch release bearing unit of the present invention is fitted onto the outer peripheral surface of the shaft so as to be slidable in the axial direction, similarly to the clutch release bearing unit according to the above-mentioned prior invention. Sleeve made of synthetic resin, an outward flange portion fixed to the outer peripheral surface of the sleeve, a release bearing held on one side of the outward flange portion, and a race provided on the other side of the outward flange portion. And a race plate sandwiching the rolling elements between the race surface and the race surface.

Further, in the clutch release bearing unit of the present invention, both end edges of the metal plate fixed to the race surface are bent to the side provided with the race plate to form a pair of folded wall portions, and both folded sheets are folded. Inner side surfaces of the wall portion are opposed to straight edges formed on both sides of the race plate with a minute gap therebetween, and the inner side surface of the folded wall portion serves as a guide surface of the race plate.

(Operation) The operation itself when the clutch release bearing unit of the present invention configured as described above is pressed by the release fork and the center portion of the diaphragm spring is pressed by the clutch release bearing unit to disengage the clutch, This is exactly the same as in the case of the conventional clutch release bearing unit described above, and when the release fork is pressed, the race plate is moved in parallel with the race surface so that the space between the tip of the release fork and the race plate is increased. It is similar to the case of the clutch release bearing unit of the previous invention described above that the force required for rotating the release fork is reduced without friction.

However, in the case of the clutch release bearing unit of the present invention, it is formed by bending a metal plate fixed to the race surface.
The inner side surfaces of the pair of folded wall parts are opposed to the straight edges formed on both sides of the race plate with a minute gap, and the inner side surface is used as the guide surface of the race plate. The engagement portion for preventing the rotation of the bearing unit is less likely to wear, and the positional relationship between the release bearing unit and the release fork is prevented from being largely deviated over a long period of time.

As a result, the parallel movement of the race plate with respect to the race surface can be performed with a light force for a long period of time.

(Embodiment) Next, the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to the illustrated embodiment.

FIG. 1 is a front view showing an embodiment of a clutch release bearing unit of the present invention.

This clutch release bearing unit 6 is similar to the above-mentioned conventional clutch release bearing unit 6 in that the shaft 5
A sleeve 12 made of synthetic resin which is fitted onto the outer peripheral surface of the sleeve so as to be freely slidable in the rotational direction and the axial direction, and an outward flange portion 13 fixed to the outer peripheral surface of the sleeve 12 (see FIG. 4),
The release bearing 14 is held on one side of the outward flange portion 13 (see FIGS. 4 and 6) and the metal plate 27 is attached to the other side of the outward flange portion 13.

In FIG. 1, reference numerals 28, 28 fix the outer ring 17 of the release bearing 14 to the outward flange portion 13, and connect the outer peripheral edge of the metal plate 27 to the outer peripheral edge of the outward flange portion 13.
It is a bent portion of 15.

As described above, one surface of the metal plate 27 attached to the outward flange portion 13 fixed to the outer peripheral surface of the sleeve 12 (outward flange portion).
The surface opposite to 13) is a race surface 21, and one side of a plurality of rollers 20, 20 rotatably held by a holding plate 29 is brought into contact with this race surface 21.

The other side of the plurality of rollers 20, 20 is in contact with the race plate 22, but a through hole 24 formed in the center of the race plate 22.
Is a length dimension L larger than the height dimension h of the sleeve 12.
(L> h) and a width dimension W (W> w) slightly larger than the width dimension w of the sleeve 12 so that the race plate 22 rolls a plurality of rollers 20, 20. Based on the above, a slight translation is possible only in the longitudinal direction of the through hole 24 (vertical direction in FIG. 1).

Further, both end edges of the metal plate 27 having the race surface 21 are bent to the side on which the race plate 22 is provided (front side in FIG. 1) to be 1
The pair of folding walls 30 and 30 are used. Further, linear edges 31 and 31 parallel to each other are formed on both side edges of the race plate 22, and the linear edges 31 and 31 face the inner side surfaces of the folding wall portions 30 and 30, respectively.

The distance D between the inner surfaces of the pair of folding wall portions 30, 30
Is slightly larger (D> d) than the distance d between the pair of straight edges 31, 31 formed on both sides of the race plate 22 (D> d).
There is a minute gap between 1 and 31 and each folding wall 30, 30 so that the inner surface of each folding wall 30, 30 serves as a guide surface for moving the race plate 22. ing.

As a result, the race plate 22 moves parallel to the metal plate 27 in the vertical direction of FIG.
It will not rotate around the center.

In the example of FIG. 1, by bending the tip of each folding wall portion 30, 30 inward, folding edges 32, 32 are formed, and each folding edge 32, 32 and the metal plate 27 are bent. The tip of the release fork 3 is sandwiched between the main body and the main body. As a result, the release bearing unit 6 moves along with the tip portion of the release fork 3 not only when the tip portion of the release fork 3 moves toward the diaphragm spring 7 but also when the tip portion of the release fork 3 moves away from the diaphragm spring 7, It is prevented that the inner ring 18 of the release bearing 14 and the central portion of the diaphragm spring 7 remain in contact with each other when the clutch is engaged.

Further, in FIG. 1, reference numeral 33 denotes a spring formed by bending a wire having elasticity, which securely connects the race plate 22 and the sleeve 12 and when no external force acts on the race plate 22 (the release fork 3 is When the race plate 22 is not pressed), it has a role of moving the race plate 22 to the neutral position (the position where the race plate 22 can move in the up and down directions in FIG. 1 relative to the race surface 21).

In addition, the distance D between the inner side surfaces of the pair of folding wall portions 30, 30.
And the difference (= D−d) between the pair of straight edges 31, 31 formed on both sides of the race plate 22 (= D−d) is determined by design consideration, but the race plate 22 is 10 degrees about the axis 5. It is practically sufficient if the difference is made small enough not to rotate.

The clutch release bearing unit 6 of the present invention configured as described above is pressed by the release fork 3, and further the inner ring 18 of the release bearing 14 (see FIGS. 4 and 6) presses the central portion of the diaphragm spring 7. The operation itself when the clutch is disengaged is exactly the same as in the case of the conventional clutch release bearing unit 6 described above, and further, when the release fork 3 presses the race plate 22 based on the rolling of the rollers 20, 20. Is moved in parallel to the race surface 21 so that the tip of the release fork 3 and the race plate 22 do not rub against each other to reduce the force required to rotate the release fork 3.
This is the same as the case of the clutch release bearing unit 6 of the above-mentioned invention.

However, in the case of the clutch release bearing unit 6 of the present invention shown in FIG. 1, the straight edges 25 formed in the flat surfaces 23, 23 formed on the outer peripheral surface of the synthetic resin sleeve 12 and the through hole 24 of the race plate 22. , 25, as well as straight edges 31, 31 formed on the inner side surface of the pair of folding wall portions 30, 30 formed by bending the metal plate 27 having the race surface 21 and the outer periphery of the race plate 22. Even if the race plate 22 is prevented from rotating with respect to the sleeve 12 even by the engagement of,
Even when a part of the synthetic resin sleeve 12 is worn, a pair of folding wall portions 30 and 30 formed by bending the metal plate 27, which is made of metal and is hard to wear, and the race plate 22. The engagement with the straight edges 31, 31 formed on the outer periphery of the sleeve 12
The positional relationship between the race plate 22 and the race plate 22 will not be greatly deviated.

As a result, the inner peripheral edge of the metal race plate 22 does not largely dig into the outer peripheral surface of the synthetic resin sleeve 12, and the plurality of rollers 20, 20 and the pivot 4 which is the center of rotation of the release fork 3 are eliminated. It is possible to suppress the degree to which and are not parallel (the rollers 20, 20 are skewed) to be small, and the parallel movement of the race plate 22 with respect to the race surface 21 can be performed with a light force for a long period of time.

(Effects of the Invention) Since the clutch release bearing unit of the present invention is configured and operates as described above, the force required to depress the clutch pedal during the gear shifting operation by the manual transmission can be kept small for a long period of time. Is possible, and plays a major role in reducing the fatigue of automobile drivers.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a front view showing an embodiment of a clutch release bearing unit of the present invention, FIGS. 2 to 3 show an example of a clutch mechanism of a manual transmission, and FIG. 2 shows a state during power transmission. FIG. 3 is a schematic side view showing a state during power disengagement, FIG. 4 is a half sectional view showing an example of a conventional clutch release bearing unit, and FIGS. FIG. 5 shows a release bearing unit, FIG. 5 is a front view, and FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken along the line AA in FIG. 1: Clutch pedal, 2: Cable, 3: Release fork,
4: Axis, 5: Axis, 6: Release bearing unit, 7: Diaphragm spring, 8: Clutch plate, 9: Flywheel, 10: Pressure plate, 11: Lever, 12: Sleeve, 13: Outward flange part, 14 : Release bearing, 15: Case, 16: Anvil, 17: Outer ring, 18: Inner ring, 19: Spring, 20: Roller, 21: Race surface, 22: Race plate, 23: Flat surface, 24: Through hole, 25: Straight edge, 2
6: inner edge, 27: metal plate, 28: bent portion, 29: holding plate, 30:
Folded wall part, 31: straight edge, 32: bent edge, 33: spring.

Claims (1)

[Scope of utility model registration request] 1. A sleeve made of synthetic resin which is fitted onto the outer peripheral surface of a shaft so as to be slidable in the axial direction, an outward flange portion fixedly mounted on the outer peripheral surface of the sleeve, and one of the outward flange portion. In a clutch release bearing unit comprising a release bearing held on a side, a race surface provided on the other side of the outward flange portion, and a race plate sandwiching a plurality of rolling elements between the race surface and the race surface. , Both end edges of the metal plate fixed to the race surface are bent to the side on which the race plate is provided to form a pair of folded wall portions, and inner side surfaces of both folded wall portions facing each other are A bearing unit for a clutch release, characterized in that the inner side surface of the folded wall portion serves as a guide surface for a race plate, facing the straight edges formed on both sides with a minute gap.