Bearings – Rotary bearing – Antifriction bearing
Patent
1996-06-19
1998-07-21
Footland, Lenard A.
Bearings
Rotary bearing
Antifriction bearing
384538, 384539, 384617, F16C 1904, F16C 1910
Patent
active
057825645
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
a) Field of the Invention
The present invention proposes a clutch release bearing, notably designed to act on the clutch release device of the clutch of a motor vehicle. A clutch release bearing comprises in particular a centring element of the ball bearing type, on which a control member bears, usually made of synthetic material such as plastic material, actuated by a control fork, such as a clutch release fork.
b) Description of Related Art
In order to enable the automatic centring of the bearing, the ball bearing can have, in a plane perpendicular to its axis, an omnidirectional latitude of movement in relation to the control member. The radial movement of the bearing is, in a known manner, controlled by friction lock between the ball bearing and the control member.
The friction lock is obtained by a direct contact of metal against synthetic material, for example of the glass-fibre reinforced polyamide type, in order to obtain the desired friction characteristics.
However, the pressure due to the thrust of the control member and the heat emitted by the friction cause the synthetic material to creep. There is thus formed on the thrust surface a buttress of synthetic material which blocks the movement of the ball bearing in relation to the control member. This results in noise and problems with automatic centring.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
To overcome these drawbacks the present invention proposes a clutch release bearing with a control member made of synthetic material, having a thrust surface opposite a fixed raceway of a ball bearing and a thin bearing plate immobilised against the said thrust surface between the said raceway of the ball bearing and the said control member, characterised in that the said bearing plate has at its outer periphery tabs which are flexible enough to bend and lock against the control member.
By virtue of the invention the bearing plate is independent of the ball bearing. It is mounted easily on the control member by force fitting.
The present invention makes it possible notably to use the same control member in the use of devices designed for small or large cubic capacities. This is because, in the case of strong forces, it suffices to prevent the metal/synthetic material contact by fitting the bearing plate proposed by the present invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
Other advantages and characteristics of the present invention will moreover emerge in the description which follows, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
FIG. 1 is a view in half-section of a clutch release bearing provided with a bearing plate, according to an embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 2 is a view in elevation of the bearing plate of FIG. 1.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
A clutch release bearing 1 comprises notably a control member 2 and a ball bearing 3.
The control member 2 is a sleeve of overall cylindrical shape. Guide ribs 5 are provided on its internal surface. A projecting annular flange 6 extends radially from the external surface of the sleeve approximately half way along the said member.
This flange 6 has a thrust surface 7 against which is placed a bearing plate 30. An annular collar 8 extends the annular flange 6 from the external periphery of the latter, in the axial direction, so that the control member 2 shields the major part of the bearing 3 mounted with radial clearance in the cavity delimited by the sleeve of the control member 2, the flange 6 and the collar 8.
The ball bearing 3 for its part has an internal raceway 10, an external raceway 11, a cage, not referenced, and balls 12 inserted between the raceways 10 and 11.
The external raceway 11 constitutes the fixed raceway of the ball bearing 3. It bears, by virtue of a radial edge, not referenced, against the bearing plate 30, itself pressed against the thrust surface 7 of the control member. The internal raceway 10, in this case rotating, is profiled, in a manner known per se, in order to be able to act upon the clutch release devic
REFERENCES:
patent: 4363615 (1982-12-01), Euler
Dequesnes Laurent
Kromwel Jean-Michel
Footland Lenard A.
Valeo
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