192 clutches and power-stop control – Clutches – Operators
Reexamination Certificate
2001-12-21
2004-02-03
Bonck, Rodney H. (Department: 3681)
192 clutches and power-stop control
Clutches
Operators
C192S11000B
Reexamination Certificate
active
06684996
ABSTRACT:
CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
This application claims the priority of German Patent Application, Serial No. 100 64 833.9, filed Dec. 22, 2000, and German Patent Application, Serial No. 101 25 691.4, filed May 25, 2001, the subject matter of which is incorporated herein by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a release bearing which, when installed in a motor vehicle, is intended for actuation of a separating clutch disposed between the internal combustion engine and a gearbox.
Typically, a release bearing includes a first, non-rotatable bearing ring, a second revolving bearing ring, and rolling elements, received in a cage and guided between the first and second bearing rings. The bearing rings are normally made without material removal through a deep-drawing process and formed with an annular bottom, which is oriented, when installed, at a right angle to a symmetry axis of the release bearing. The annular bottom of the non-rotatable bearing ring is supported, when installed, by an axially shiftable casing which is operatively connected with an actuation device. The annular bottom of the revolving bearing ring is operatively connected with a spring member, in particular arms of a disk spring of the separating clutch.
Operation of the separating clutch is typically implemented by depressing a clutch pedal inside the motor vehicle. Upon depression of the pedal, transmission elements or fluids shift the release bearing against the spring member of the separating clutch, in particular the arms of the disk spring. During operation, a relative movement in radial direction is encountered between the disk spring and the annular bottom of the revolving bearing ring in the contact area of the disk spring and the annular bottom of the bearing ring. Superimposed movements as a result of the axial impact of the disk spring arms and axial oscillations triggered by the internal combustion engine via the separating clutch lead to severe wear in the presence of a purely metallic contact of the disk spring upon the annular flange of the bearing ring. This support further results in an annoying noise and increases the required pedal forces for depression of the clutch pedal, thereby adversely affecting the overall driving comfort.
Various attempts have been undertaken to reduce wear in the contact area. German Pat. No. DE 22 40 383 A1 discloses a release bearing with bearing rings that have been made through a material removal process. The revolving inner bearing ring forms a contact surface which points toward the separating clutch. An attachment ring is supported by this contact surface and is placed between the disk spring of the separating clutch and the release bearing for compensating an axial offset between the rotating components of the separating clutch and the rotating components of the actuating device. When installed, the attachment ring allows a relative axial movement in relation to the radial contact surface of the revolving bearing ring. The contact surface between the frictional components, i.e. the attachment ring and the support surface, is lined with a friction-reducing coating. In order to restrict the radial mobility of the attachment ring, when the separating clutch is engaged, the attachment ring has an outer axial collar on the outside spaced in radial direction to the outer contour of the contact surface of the bearing ring. As a consequence, the collar encircles the contact surface. A sheet metal disk is attached on the free collar end, which points toward the release bearing and radially overlaps the outer contour of the contact surface of the revolving bearing ring to thereby captivate the attachment ring.
This conventional release bearing suffers shortcomings because the floating disposition on the rotating bearing ring does not allow a defined position of the installed attachment ring. A defined state is also not possible because a relative movement between the attachment ring and the disk spring as well as between the attachment ring and the rotating bearing ring cannot be excluded. Moreover, the release bearing requires a relatively large space for installation in axial as well as radial directions as a consequence of the fabrication of the components through a material removing process and the floating disposition of the attachment ring upon the rotating bearing ring.
It would therefore be desirable and advantageous to provide an improved release bearing which obviates prior art shortcomings.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to one aspect of the present invention, a release bearing for a separating clutch installed in a motor vehicle, includes a casing movable in an axial direction and operatively connected to an actuating mechanism; a non-rotatable bearing ring having a ring bottom supported by the casing; a revolving bearing ring having an annular flange; a plurality of rolling elements guided between the bearing rings; an engagement disk made of a low-friction and wear-resistant material and securely fixed to the annular flange; and a spring member operatively connected to the separating clutch and cooperating with the annular flange of the revolving bearing ring, wherein the spring member bears against the engagement disk.
The present invention resolves prior art problems by providing a wear-reducing, frictionally optimized and compact engagement disk which is yet cost-efficient to manufacture and ensures a long service life demanded by the automobile industry.
Through the provision of the engagement disk which is secured in place and yet centered upon the annular flange of the revolving bearing ring, the relative movement between the spring member, the disk spring of the separating clutch and the revolving bearing ring is established solely between the frictional components, engagement disk and disk spring or its spring arms. At the same time, the rigid disposition of the engagement disk on the rotating bearing ring results in a clear definition of the required installation space. The engagement disk can be made compact in axial as well as radial directions. As the engagement disk can be made of wear-reducing material, required actuation forces or pedal forces are decreased, thereby enhancing the operating and driving comfort and produces a damping effect of the engagement disk. This is especially desired in vehicles of high engine power.
Suitably, the engagement disk is secured to the annular flange of the revolving bearing ring through a form-fitting (positive) connection. According to one embodiment of the present invention, the engagement disk may be formed about its circumference with collar segments which engage behind or embrace the annular flange for attachment of the engagement disk to the bearing ring. The collar segments may be formed with holding elements configured as retaining lugs for engagement in radial cutouts or recesses of the annular flange to thereby realize a snap-connection of the engagement disk upon the annular flange.
According to another embodiment of the present invention, the engagement disk may have axially projecting cams or protrusions for engagement in complementary recesses of the annular flange, wherein the cams allow a limited rotation of the engagement disk with respect to the annular flange and thereby secure the engagement disk against rotation in end position with respect to the revolving bearing ring. This type of safeguard against rotation can also be implemented by a bayonet connection and can be so configured that the cams of the engagement disk as well as the recesses in the annular flange of the revolving bearing ring can be integrated in the fabrication process of the component, without increasing the manufacturing costs. The recesses, which permit a limited rotation of the engagement disk in relation to the annular flange, are so arranged that the cams seek the holding position during operation of the internal combustion engine so as to prevent a spontaneous detachment.
According to another feature of the present invention, the engagement disk may be secured to
Dittmer Steffen
Klöpfer Bernhard
Kurzbeck Stefan
Winkelmann Ludwig
Bonck Rodney H.
Feiereisen Henry M.
INA-Schaeffler KG
LandOfFree
Release bearing with improved connection to a separating clutch does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Release bearing with improved connection to a separating clutch, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Release bearing with improved connection to a separating clutch will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-3348764