KR100919347B1 - Device for coupling a lever to a shift cylinder piston - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a rigid rod 50 that is movable in translational and / or rotational motion, one end of which penetrates into the hollow portion 30b of the piston 30 and is swiveled in the hollow portion of the piston. The rigid rod 50 and the rod 30 relative to the piston 30 are fixed to 30b directly or via an insert 60, which is mounted inside the hollow part 30b of the piston 30. 50) or an apparatus 10 comprising means 70 for axially locking the insert 60. In the present invention, the locking means 70 is a contact portion 32 supported by the piston 30 and an insert 60 or rod to provide an axial lock along a direction corresponding to the mounting direction of the rod in the piston. A washer 72 carried by 50, the washer 72 being deformed to lock the insert or rod in the opposite direction, thereby pressing against the inner wall of the hollow part 30b of the piston 30; It is characterized by including an outer edge pin 76 that can elastically deform in the direction.

Description

Coupling Device and Hydraulic Clutch Cylinder {DEVICE FOR COUPLING A LEVER TO A SHIFT CYLINDER PISTON}             

The present invention relates to an apparatus for coupling a lever to a piston of a control cylinder.

The invention is particularly applicable to hydraulic clutch cylinders in which a rod mounted on a ball element and capable of translational movement must be able to displace the piston in one direction and then alternately in another direction without axially separating the piston, All are sealed inside.

Swiss patent CH 404,318, already known in the art, discloses a coupling between a straight rod and a piston. For this purpose, the end of the rod is provided with a ball element that overlaps the insert mounted to the hollow of the piston. This ball element provides a coupling between the rod and the insert. In opposition to these knuckle joints, the lugs of the inserts are spaced apart by seaming using a suitable tool, which lugs the piston (e.g. a part of the insert and rod is located therein). A hollow chamber containing a significant amount of oil from the preformed chamber). Thus, these lugs provide a bond between the insert and the piston. Thus, an alternating linear motion of the rod is transmitted to the piston through the insert secured to both the piston and the rod.

At present, in this conventional technique, the bonding is not very satisfactory because an excellent seal must be secured to the transverse wall so that no oil leakage occurs. The seaming operation and the use of lugs that are engaged against the inclined surface of the transverse wall once the lugs are bent back do not provide such a seal.

In addition, the seaming operation adds an additional step to the assembly process, and with time the accuracy is gradually reduced (thus causing the problem of sealing as described above). Seaming operations damage the weak transverse walls of the piston.

Finally, it is necessary to avoid processing or work involving mechanical deformation (bending or seaming) of the piston, especially if the piston is surface treated (eg anodized aluminum), which may damage the formed layer. Because there is. Thus, of course, no coupling of the screw type, or the formation of any internal grooves for mounting the sleeve, which blocks the linear movement of the rod with respect to the piston, is impossible.

Summary of the Invention

Accordingly, the present invention proposes to address at least some of these drawbacks.

The following devices proposed to achieve this purpose are:                 

Moveable in a straight and / or rotational direction, having one end penetrating the interior of the hollow of the piston and fixed directly to the hollow of the piston by means of a knuckle joint or through an interposed insert, the insert of the piston A rigid rod mounted inside the hollow part,

Fastening means for axially securing the insert or rod relative to the piston,

The fastening means includes a contact portion supported by the piston and a washer supported by the insert or rod to ensure axial fixation in the direction in which the rod is fitted to the piston, the washer holding the insert or rod in the direction. It has a peripheral lug supported on the inner wall of the hollow part of the piston and elastically deformable in the radial direction to ensure fixing in the opposite direction. Here, the straight line and / or the rotation direction refers to the straight line and the rotation direction, the straight direction, or the rotation direction.

Preferably, the contact portion consists of a solid transverse bulkhead, wherein an insert or rod is supported and fitted to the transverse bulkhead, the transverse bulkhead separating the hollow portion of the piston from a chamber capable of containing hydraulic fluid. The lug of the washer is formed conical and extends radially from the central crown of the opposite conical portion, and the washer will be disposed in the hollow of the piston so that the conical portion of the lug prevents the retraction of the rod.

According to other features of this device,

The insert comprises at least one rigid sleeve which, on one side, will be secured to the ball element of the rod, and it will be possible to have means for receiving the washer and holding it in place.

The sleeve will be configured to cooperate with the intermediate member to position and hold the washer relative to the insert, opposite the knuckle joint.

Thus, the sleeve has a skirt, on the opposite side of the knuckle joint, provided with a lug that is elastically deformable in a radial direction, the skirt being formed with an outer groove for accommodating a washer, and the skirt at the height of the groove. It can be inserted around the intermediate member or the preform to keep the washers in place radially and axially around the skirt of the insert.

In an alternative arrangement, the sleeve is provided with a hole opposite the knuckle joint, and the projection of the intermediate member or the preform is in radial and axial position between the sleeve and the intermediate member at the height of the outer shoulder of the sleeve. It may cooperate with the hole to hold the washer on.

According to another possible method, the sleeve is provided with an open ended hole opposite the knuckle joint, the intermediate member is provided with a skirt with a lug elastically deformable in the radial direction, and the end of the skirt is provided with a sleeve of the sleeve. Clip-shaped hook means cooperating with the open end hole is provided, thereby holding the washer in position axially between the sleeve and the intermediate member at the height of the outer shoulder of the intermediate member.

According to yet another embodiment, the sleeve has a substantially spherical hollow area on the opposite side of the knuckle joint, which cooperates with the projecting element being substantially spherical and part of the intermediate member, whereby the sleeve is knuckle jointed to the intermediate member. Coupled by means, the washer being interposed between the sleeve and the intermediate member at a height of the shoulder of the intermediate member to block.

The invention also relates to a hydraulic clutch cylinder for a vehicle comprising a device of the kind mentioned above.

The invention will be more clearly understood by the following detailed description given by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which other features and advantages of the invention will become more apparent.

1 is a longitudinal sectional view of a clutch actuated cylinder comprising a device according to the invention,

2 is a perspective view of FIG.

3 shows a simplified and exploded assembly view of FIG. 1 showing the main elements of the device, FIG.

4 is a view similar to FIG. 3 with the elements in a fitted position;

5 is a view showing a modification,

6 is a view showing another modified example,                 

7 is a view showing another modified example,

8 is a view showing another modified example,

9 is a view showing another modified example,

10 is a view showing another modified example,

11 shows another modification.

In the following detailed description, the same or similar elements will be denoted by the same reference numerals.

1 shows an operating cylinder for hydraulic control of a vehicle clutch.

The actuating cylinder includes a cylinder that is axially movable within a cylinder body that defines a variable volume hydraulic chamber. The connection orifice to which the duct of the receiver cylinder (not shown) is connected is opened into the hydraulic chamber.

The actuating cylinder comprises, for example, a piston rod connected to a clutch pedal actuated by a driver, or an actuator actuated according to a predetermined program. The piston of the working cylinder is configured to discharge a fluid such as oil contained in the hydraulic chamber toward the duct connecting the working cylinder to the receiver cylinder.

In the figure the cylinder 10 is shown in the transport (static) position. The cylinder 10 comprises a tubular cylindrical body 12 consisting of two parts, namely the front part 12a and the rear part 12b, all of which are preferably made separately, for example by molding from a plastic material. . The body 12 has an internal bore 13 defining a variable volume hydraulic chamber 14 in front of the cylinder about the axis xx '. The bore 13 and thus the body 12 open to the rear portion 12b.

The piston 30 is sealed axial sliding in the body of the cylinder 10 from the rear front position (shown in FIG. 1) starting in the retracted or clutch released position to the front or clutch engagement position (not shown). It is configured to be. The helical restoring spring 15 abuts the base of the front portion 12a of the body on one side and abuts the front face 32a of the transverse bulkhead of the piston and is located in the hydraulic chamber, which partition piston 30 ) Is divided into two parts, namely the front part 30a and the rear part 30b.

It is essential that the hydraulic chamber 14 is filled with oil so that a complete seal is provided between the chamber and the piston and the cylinder rear portion. For this purpose, two lip seals 42, 44 are arranged between the rear portion 12b of the cylinder and the front portion 30a of the piston. The tube 45 connects the hydraulic chamber to a main supply reservoir (not shown) disposed outside the cylinder 10.

The piston 30 consists of a front part and a rear part divided by a transverse bulkhead 32 lying in the radial plane at right angles to the axis xx '. This eliminates any sealing problems between the two parts of the piston. For this purpose, the transverse bulkhead is formed integrally with the body of the piston. In order to produce a thin aluminum piston 30 at a reduced manufacturing cost, the piston is formed by cold impact deep drawing operation. In addition, these known techniques enable low cost mass production of partitioned tubular components with high dimensional accuracy and satisfactory surface conditions. The outer surface is then anodized, in particular, to ensure good surface condition, since the outer surface slides in the plastic body and rubs against the lip seal. For more detailed information, reference may be made to French Patent No. 99 07111 to Applicant.

As shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, the device 10 according to the invention consists of the piston 30 and the rigid rod 50 described above, which rigid rod 50 is for example made of metal and It is connected to the insert 60 which is itself connected to the piston by the fixing means 70. Each of these elements and their variants will now be described.

Thus, in FIGS. 1-4, the rod 50 is a straight line terminated at one end by a male spherical portion 54 inserted into the piston 30 (as part of a straight rod). It can be seen that the section 52 is provided. Such spherical male parts, for example machined integrally, are inserted into the insert 60, in particular the shape of the complementary arm formed in the rear portion 62b of the sleeve 62 of the insert 60 (and therefore it is hollow). . The interaction of the spherical male portion 54 and the spherical female portion 62b provides a knuckle coupling between the rod 50 and the insert 60 when the components fit into the piston 30.

Also in this particular embodiment, the insert 60 is arranged in front of the piston 30, in particular the intermediate member 64 arranged in contact with the rear face 32b of the transverse bulkhead when assembly is complete. It includes. This intermediate member 64 is connected to the sleeve 62 by knuckle joints 62a and 64b similar to the coupling of the rod 50 to the sleeve 62.

In addition, fastening means 70 are provided for axially fastening the insert 60, in particular its intermediate member 64, to the piston. In this embodiment, the fastening means 70 together with the washer 72 take the form of a rear contact 32 which prevents the axial movement of the insert (and rod) in the forward direction relative to the piston. The washer 72 prevents the insert from moving in the opposite direction with respect to the piston.

This washer defines a normal plane perpendicular to the axis xx 'and a conical central crown portion 74 protruding with a peripheral lug 76 oblique to the washer plane, which lugs the crown cone. Define a cone with a small cone angle opposite to the angle (see especially FIG. 3).

The device 10 according to the invention thus comprises a piston 30, a rigid rod 50, an insert 60, and fastening means 70 for axially fastening the assembly formed thereby.

Assembly of such a device is very simple. Although not essential, the piston is considered to fit within its chamber. The washer 72 is disposed around the shoulder 64a of the intermediate member 64. The sleeve 62 is disposed around the ball element 64b of the intermediate member and restrains the washer therebetween (a radially deformable lug 62c is disposed in the sleeve so that the knuckle joint can be assembled accurately). has exist]. The rod is inserted into another part of the sleeve using another knuckle joint (a radially deformable lug 62d will be placed on the rear part of the sleeve (see FIG. 2)). Once this assembly is made, the assembly is inserted into the piston in such a way that the intermediate member is in contact with the rear face 32b of the transverse bulkhead 32 of the piston (see FIG. 1 or FIG. 4).

Of course, this is done in such a way that the washers 72 are arranged in the correct orientation, ie the conical lugs make it impossible to remove the rod from the piston when the washers are fitted. Therefore, when thrust is applied to the rod (clutch release), the rod presses the piston forward in a motion along a complete straight line. During the clutch engagement operation, the spring forces the piston to in turn pressurize the rod. The force generated on the intermediate member by the lateral wall 32 of the piston is transmitted to the washer. The washer tends to deform under stress, thereby stiffening its radially elastically deformable lug (which is facilitated by the inverted cone shape of the central crown), and then the lug exerts a radial centrifugal force on the inner wall of the piston Prevents any axial displacement of the shaft (axial gaps cannot exist). This radial strengthening effect also occurs on smooth surfaces, such as the surface of the piston, which occurs when axial traction is applied to the washer. Similarly, when a pulling force is applied to the rod 50, the same radial reinforcement effect acts in the region of the washer 72 by the washer sandwiched between the sleeve 62 and the intermediate member 64. Thus, it is impossible to remove the intermediate member from the transverse bulkhead of the piston. This engagement makes it impossible to displace the rod axially backwards without displacing the piston.

FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of the device shown in FIG. 1. Figure 2 shows how the solid rigid rod is constrained by its ball element, by the elastic lug 62c in the corresponding "female" portion of the sleeve. It also shows how the engagement between the sleeve and the intermediate member is made and the position of the washer between these two components.

In another embodiment shown in FIG. 5, the engagement between the sleeve 62 and the intermediate member 64 is no longer achieved by knuckle joint means (as in FIGS. 1-4), but is radially elastic. As a skirt 66 having a deformable slender lug, it is achieved by an axial skirt 66 in which an outer groove 67 is formed in which the washer 72 is fitted. Inserting the skirt 66 around the intermediate member has the effect of preventing the radial movement of the skirt lug inwardly, which movement can cause detachment of the washer. Thus, the intermediate member exerts some radial pressure on the washer 72, so that not only the groove 67 of the sleeve 62 but also the washer 72 of the hollow rear portion 30b of the piston 30. It is fixed to the inner wall.

In FIG. 6, a blind hole 68 is formed in the sleeve 62 at this time, and the thin protrusion 65 of the intermediate member 64 is forcibly fitted in the hole, for example, adhesive bonding. Joining in various possible ways, such as screwing, snap-fitting, welding (laser or ultrasonic welding) or other methods. The washer 72 is fitted between the sleeve 62 and the intermediate member 64, around the small shoulder 69 formed at the end of the sleeve and inside the large shoulder 61. Once fitted, the washer is sandwiched between the sleeve 62 and the intermediate member 64.

In FIG. 7, which is a variation of FIG. 6, the projection 65 of the intermediate member 64 is in the form of a skirt 65b having a lug that is elastically deformable in the radial direction, and at the end of the lug a sharp increase in diameter leading to the shoulder and the chamfer. An addition is provided to form the hook or clip 63. This skirt 65b is inserted into the end opening hole 68b of the sleeve 62b so that the washer 72 between the sleeve 62 and the intermediate member 64 at the height of the shoulder 61 of the intermediate member 64. To redeem. This eliminates the need to rely on a joint consisting of the above mentioned welding, pressure fit or adhesive bonding.

In FIG. 8, the sleeve 62 is terminated by a skirt 66 having a lug that is elastically deformable in a radial direction similar to the sleeve in FIG. 5, but further provided with an internal reinforcement portion in the form of an integral core 66b. do. The core 66b has a length slightly longer than the length of the lugs of the skirt 66. In this way, the force from the clutch pedal is transmitted to the piston 30 through the core without passing through the slender lugs of the skirt, thereby avoiding the addition of stress to those parts.

In a complementary way, if the retention of the washer 72 by the groove 67 is not sufficient, it has a thin wall so that it can be inserted between the skirt 66 and the central core 66b of the sleeve 62. An intermediate member 64 is added that includes a projection 65 in the form of a skirt. As a second solution for properly retaining the washer, the washer 72 fits into the groove 67 of the skirt 66 of the sleeve 62, which is radial after the intermediate member 64 has been introduced. And the washer 72 is appropriately retained.

In FIG. 9, which is a variant of FIGS. 5 and 6, the intermediate member is replaced with a preform formed directly (by impact deep drawing) on the transverse bulkhead 32 of the piston 30. This preform 33 cooperates with the sleeve 62 while the sleeve 62 is introduced into the hollow rear portion 30b to hold the skirt of the sleeve spaced apart by the slender lug that is elastically deformable in the radial direction. . The advantage of this solution is that since the insert 60 does not require any component other than the sleeve 62, the number of components can be reduced. In addition, no major modification to the piston is effective, in particular the piston is not processed in a way that reduces its mechanical properties, especially when the piston is made of anodized aluminum as described above. In the case shown, the preform has a conical inlet and maintains a skirt 66 spaced away from the sleeve 62.

In FIG. 10, the washer 72 is mounted directly around the ball element 54 of the rigid rod 50. In particular, the washer 72 may be mounted to the shoulder 55 formed on the lug 62d of the sleeve 62 which is elastically deformable in the radial direction. This solution also eliminates the need to use two separate components to form the insert 60. The sleeve 62 is also simplified in its entirety: the sleeve no longer has two knuckle joints or holes (holes closed or open) or skirts with radially deformable walls, This is because it has only a single spherical cavity 62b for engaging the rod 50. When the sleeve is mounted to the base of the piston against the transverse bulkhead 32, the rod 50 is fixed relative to the piston and the displacement of the rod allows the piston to be displaced without axial play.

In yet another embodiment, the sleeve 62 can be made integrally with the elastic lug 62b for knuckle joint assembly by performing a molding operation with a synthetic material on a washer 72 previously placed in the mold. have. This type of method ensures sufficiently strong axial support while moving the washer 72 toward the partition wall 32 without fitting the washer, which is limited by the outer diameter of the lug 62d, compared to the method described above. .

Since the washer 72 has a lug 76 on its outer edge for the purpose of stopping in the piston 30, it has a certain amount of lug to deform in the axial direction to ensure the axial blocking function. It is necessary to leave axial elasticity. Thus, some material is removed from either side of these tongues along the axis of the component.

It also involves using only two pieces rather than using subtractable or removable pieces in the mold to simplify the mold and lower the cost. In order to obtain the required shape without “counter stripping”, the longitudinal grooves are provided in line with the lugs 76, having the same cross section as the lugs, extending over the entire length of the sleeve 62. The centering of the sleeve in the piston 30 is ensured by the material located between these grooves. In FIG. 11, the rod 50 is connected to the piston 30 via a spherical male portion 54 of the rod and a conical surface formed in the preform 33 of the transverse bulkhead 32 (by cold impact drawing). Is directly coupled to the hollow portion 30b.

The washer 72 is disposed directly around the male portion 54 of the rod before fitting to the hollow portion of the piston 30. The conical surface also acts as an axial contact in the fitting direction of the rod, and the washer prevents the rod from pulling out in the opposite direction.

More precisely, the washer is mounted to the rear of the male part 54, in particular held in place by its conical central crown 74.

The rod and all the elements that achieve the engagement between the rod and the piston (and thus in particular the washer and insert) are both in a static state (during movement of the device for assembly purposes) and in a dynamic state (eg during operation in the clutch). Suitable to withstand traction of at least 30 DaN at. The illustrated solution is thus suitable for the reliable transmission of instantaneous force by rapid use, for example during rapid release of the clutch pedal.

However, it should be understood, of course, that these examples merely illustrate the purpose of the present invention and do not constitute any imitation of this at all.

The present invention can be applied to various fields, in which there are all problems with the engagement of rods mounted on pistons in which alternating linear motion is transmitted. For example, this may be a pull-to-release or push-to-release controlled or other clutch mechanism. It may also be related to the braking device, the distributor for the hydraulic control system and any hydraulic system controlled by the operator or actuator.

Claims (17)

delete delete In the coupling device 10, The insert 60, which is movable in a linear or rotary motion, penetrates the interior of the hollow part 30b of the piston 30 and is directly fixed to or interposed with the hollow part 30b of the piston 30 by a knuckle joint. Has an end fixed to the through, the insert is mounted to the inside of the hollow portion 30b of the piston 30, the rigid rod 50, Fastening means 70 for preventing the insert 60 or the rod 50 from moving axially with respect to the piston 30, The fastening means 70 is supported by the contact portion 32 supported by the piston 30 and by the insert 60 or the rod 50 to prevent the rod from axially moving in the direction in which it is fitted to the piston. A washer 72, wherein the washer 72 is supported against the inner wall of the hollow portion 30b of the piston 30 to prevent movement of the insert or rod in a direction opposite to the direction in which the piston is fitted A peripheral lug 76 which is elastically deformable in the direction, The insert 60 comprises at least one rigid sleeve 62 which is fixed at one side to the ball element 54 of the rod 50, which houses the washer 72 and which is washer. Means (55; 66, 67, 69) for holding it in place Coupling device. The method of claim 3, wherein The sleeve 62 cooperates with the intermediate member 64 to position and hold the washer relative to the insert 60, opposite the knuckle joints 54, 62b. Coupling device. The method of claim 3, wherein The sleeve 62 protrudes from the solid transverse bulkhead 32 of the piston 30 to place and hold the washer 72 around the insert, opposite the knuckle joints 54, 62b. In cooperation with the forming section 33, Coupling device. The method of claim 4, wherein The sleeve 62 has a skirt 66 on the opposite side of the knuckle joints 54, 62b, which is provided with a lug that is elastically deformable in a radial direction, the skirt having an outer groove for receiving a washer 72. 67 is formed and the skirt 66 is inserted around the intermediate member 64 to hold the washers in position radially and axially around the skirt of the insert at the height of the groove 67. Characterized by Coupling device. The method of claim 6, The skirt 66 is provided with a reinforcing inner core 66b longer than the length of the skirt, and an intermediate member is inserted between the core 66b and the skirt 66. Coupling device. The method of claim 4, wherein The sleeve 62 is provided with a hole 68 on the opposite side of the knuckle joints 54, 62b, the protrusion 65 of the intermediate member 64 being the height of the outer shoulder 69 of the sleeve 62. Cooperating with the hole 68 to hold the washer in position in the radial and axial direction between the sleeve 62 and the intermediate member 64 at Coupling device. The method of claim 4, wherein The sleeve 62 is provided with an open end hole 68b opposite the knuckle joints 54, 62b, and the intermediate member 64 is provided with a skirt 65b having a lug elastically deformable in the radial direction. At the end of the skirt 65b is provided a clip-shaped hook means 63 which cooperates with the open end hole 68b of the sleeve 62, thereby at the height of the outer shoulder 61 of the intermediate member. Holding the washer in position axially between the sleeve and the intermediate member Coupling device. The method of claim 4, wherein The sleeve 62 has a substantially spherical hollow region 62a opposite the knuckle joints 54, 62b which cooperates with the projecting element 64b which is substantially spherical and part of the intermediate member 64. Thereby coupling the sleeve 62 to the intermediate member by the knuckle joint, wherein the washer 72 is at the height of the shoulder 64a of the intermediate member 64 and the sleeve 62 and the intermediate member 64. Intervening between and blocking Coupling device. delete In the coupling device 10, The insert 60, which is movable in a linear or rotary motion, penetrates the interior of the hollow part 30b of the piston 30 and is directly fixed to or interposed with the hollow part 30b of the piston 30 by a knuckle joint. Has an end fixed to the through, the insert is mounted to the inside of the hollow portion 30b of the piston 30, the rigid rod 50, Fastening means 70 for preventing the insert 60 or the rod 50 from moving axially with respect to the piston 30, The fastening means 70 is supported by the contact portion 32 supported by the piston 30 and by the insert 60 or the rod 50 to prevent the rod from axially moving in the direction in which it is fitted to the piston. A washer 72, wherein the washer 72 is supported against the inner wall of the hollow portion 30b of the piston 30 to prevent movement of the insert or rod in a direction opposite to the direction in which the piston is fitted A peripheral lug 76 which is elastically deformable in the direction, The washer 72 is mounted around an insert coupled to the rod by a knuckle joint Coupling device. The method of claim 3, wherein The insert is a single piece consisting of a sleeve 62, characterized in that the washer 72 is molded on the sleeve. Coupling device. The method of claim 13, The longitudinal groove is provided in the periphery of the sleeve 62 in line with the lug 76 of the washer 72. Coupling device. The method of claim 5, wherein The sleeve 62 has a skirt 66 on the opposite side of the knuckle joints 54, 62b, which is provided with a lug that is elastically deformable in a radial direction, the skirt having an outer groove for receiving a washer 72. 67 is formed and the skirt 66 is inserted around the preform 33 to hold the washers in position radially and axially around the skirt of the insert at the height of the groove 67. Characterized in that Coupling device. The method of claim 15, The skirt 66 is provided with a reinforcing inner core 66b longer than the length of the skirt, and a preform 33 is inserted between the core 66b and the skirt 66. Coupling device. The method of claim 5, wherein The sleeve 62 is provided with a hole 68 on the opposite side of the knuckle joints 54, 62b, and the protrusion 65 of the preform 33 is provided on the outer shoulder 69 of the sleeve 62. Cooperating with the hole 68 to hold the washer in position radially and axially between the sleeve 62 and the preform 33 at a height. Coupling device.

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