Clutch release bearing and rolling bearing for a clutch release bearing

Abstract

A clutch release bearing for a motor vehicle includes a thrust element having an axial axis, a guide element in the form of a tubular bushing that supports the thrust element, and a self-aligning sleeve including an annular body and a plurality of radial ribs each having a free end. The plurality of ribs extend towards the guide element from the annular body. The free ends of at least a first set of the plurality of radial ribs radially contact the cylindrical external surface of the bushing, and the bushing includes at least one opening in a cylindrical external surface of the bushing that is configured to receive one of the plurality of radial ribs.

Claims

1. A clutch release bearing for a motor vehicle, comprising: a thrust element having an axial axis, a guide element supporting said thrust element, the guide element comprising a tubular bushing having a cylindrical external surface and having an internal surface, and a self-aligning sleeve comprising an annular body and a plurality of radial ribs each having a free end, the plurality of ribs extending towards the guide element from the annular body, wherein the free ends of at least a first set of the plurality of radial ribs radially contact the cylindrical external surface of the bushing, and wherein the bushing comprises at least one opening formed on the cylindrical external surface that is configured to receive one of the plurality of radial ribs.

2. The clutch release bearing according to claim 1, wherein the opening is a blind opening.

3. The clutch release bearing according to claim 1, wherein the bushing is made from a material having a rigidity greater than a rigidity of the radial ribs.

4. The clutch release bearing according to claim 1, wherein the free ends of a second set of the plurality of radial ribs each include a retaining lip projecting from the free end, the retaining lip being configured to cooperate with one of the at least one opening to limit angular rotation of the sleeve relative to the bushing when the second set of the plurality of radial ribs is located in the at least one opening.

5. The clutch release bearing according to claim 4, wherein the clutch release bearing is shiftable from a first configuration in which none of the plurality of radial ribs is located in the at least one opening to a second configuration in which the second set of the plurality of radial ribs is located in the at least one opening.

6. The clutch release bearing according to claim 1, wherein the at least one opening comprises three openings spaced evenly around a circumference of the external surface of the bushing.

7. The clutch release bearing according to claim 1, wherein the at least one opening comprises two openings separated by 120°.

8. The clutch release bearing according to claim 1, wherein the at least one opening comprises at least four openings.

9. The clutch release bearing according to claim 1, wherein each opening of the at least one opening is located angularly between an adjacent pair of the plurality of radial ribs.

10. The clutch release bearing according to claim 1, wherein the thrust element comprises a rolling bearing comprising a non-rotating ring, a rotating ring coaxial to the non-rotating ring, and a row of rolling elements mounted between the rotating ring and the non-rotating ring, the self-aligning sleeve being secured to the non-rotating ring.

11. The clutch release bearing according to claim 1, wherein the guide element is non-rotating.

12. The clutch release bearing according to claim 1, wherein the opening is a blind opening, wherein the bushing is made from a material having a rigidity greater than a rigidity of the radial ribs, wherein the free ends of a second set of the plurality of radial ribs each include a retaining lip projecting from the free end, the retaining lip being configured to cooperate with one of the at least one opening to limit angular rotation of the sleeve relative to the bushing when the second set of the plurality of radial ribs is located in the at least one opening, wherein the clutch release bearing is shiftable from a first configuration in which none of the plurality of radial ribs is located in the at least one opening to a second configuration in which the second set of the plurality of radial ribs is located in the at least one opening, wherein the at least one opening comprises three openings spaced evenly around a circumference of the external surface of the bushing, and wherein each of the at least one opening is located angularly between an adjacent pair of the plurality of radial ribs.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) The present invention will be better understood on studying the detailed description of the embodiments given by way of non-limiting examples and illustrated by the appended drawings, in which:

(2) FIG. 1 is a view in axial section of a clutch release bearing according to one embodiment of the invention.

(3) FIG. 2 is a detail view of FIG. 1.

(4) FIG. 3 is a view in section along the axis III-III of FIG. 1.

(5) FIG. 4 is a detail view of the clutch release bearing of FIG. 2.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(6) In FIG. 1 there is shown, in axial section, a disengagement-engagement clutch release bearing device or disengagement-engagement clutch release bearing 1 comprising a thrust element 10, here a rolling bearing, and a non-rotating operating or guide element 2 supporting the rolling bearing 10.

(7) The rolling bearing 10 is configured to cooperate with a clutch diaphragm 3 shown in FIG. 1 or any member allowing the actuation of a clutch, for example of a motor vehicle. The guide element 2 is configured to move translationally along the axial axis X-X under the action of a control member 4 shown in dotted lines in FIG. 1, such as a clutch release fork or a hydraulic control piston.

(8) The rolling bearing 10, of axis X-X, comprises a non-rotating inner ring 12, a rotating outer ring 14, a row of rolling elements 16, in this case in the form of balls, and mounted between the rings 12, 14 and a cage 18 for maintaining the regular circumferential spacing of the rolling elements.

(9) The inner ring 12, of axis X-X, which may be described as a “thin-wall ring,” can advantageously be produced by stamping a steel sheet or tube. The inner ring 12 comprises a toroidal portion 12a having in cross section a quarter-circle concave internal profile 12b forming a toric raceway for the rolling elements 16. The toroidal portion 12a is delimited radially by the raceway 12b and an annular surface 12c forming the bore of the inner ring 12. The inner ring 12 further comprises an annular axial portion 12d extending from a large-diameter edge of the toroidal portion 12a axially on the opposite side of the outer ring 14. The axial portion 12d is extended radially by an annular radial portion 12e extending radially on the opposite side of the rolling elements 16.

(10) The outer ring 14, of axis X-X, is coaxial to the inner ring 12. The outer ring 14, which may be referred to as a “thin-wall ring,” can advantageously be produced by stamping a steel sheet or tube. The outer ring 14 comprises a toroidal portion 14a having in cross section a quarter-turn concave internal profile 14b forming a toric raceway for the rolling elements 16. The toroidal portion 14a is delimited radially by the raceway 14b and an annular surface 14c forming the outer surface of the outer ring 14. The toroidal portion 14a is extended at each end by an annular axial portion 14d, 14e. The first axial portion 14d extends from a large-diameter edge of the toroidal portion 14a and radially surrounds the toroidal portion 12a of the inner ring 12. The second axial portion 14e extends from a small-diameter edge of the toroidal portion 14a axially on the opposite side of the first axial portion 14d. The outer ring 14 further comprises an annular radial portion 14f extending radially from the second axial portion 14e towards the inner ring 12.

(11) The radial portion 12e of the inner ring 12 is situated axially beyond the end of the first axial portion 14d of the outer ring 14. The radial portion 14f of the outer ring 14 is situated axially beyond the end 12f of the toroidal portion 12a of the inner ring 12, on the opposite side of the radial portion 12e, so as to leave behind an axial space between the internal surface of the radial portion 14f and the end 12f of the toroidal portion 12a.

(12) The cage 18 is mounted axially between the rolling elements 16 and the radial portion 14f of the outer ring 14.

(13) The clutch release bearing 1 further comprises a self-aligning or self-centering sleeve 20 mounted clamped in the bore 12c of the inner ring 12, and an annular sealing member 30 fastened to the outer ring 14, in particular to the first axial portion 14d.

(14) The self-aligning sleeve 20 is advantageously made of synthetic material, for example of elastomer or of natural rubber. The sleeve 20 comprises an annular body 22 mounted in the bore 12c of the inner ring 12 and in radial contact with the bore 12c. As illustrated, the body 22 does not bear axially against the radial portion 12e of the ring 12. As a variant, the body 22 could bear axially against the radial portion 12e of the inner ring 12. The sleeve 20 comprises a plurality of radial ribs 24 or projections which are parallel to the axial axis X-X and extend towards the interior from the bore 22a of the body 22 along a straight line forming an angle α with the bore 22a. As illustrated in FIG. 4, the angle α is substantially equal to 130°. As a variant, the angle α is between 900 and 135°. In a general manner, the ribs 24 extend substantially radially towards the interior, that is to say towards the axis X-X, from the bore 22a of the body 22 of the sleeve 20. As illustrated, the ribs 24 extend axially over the whole length of the bore 22a of the body 22, without extending axially beyond the bore. The free end 24a of each of the ribs 24 is configured to come into contact with the guide element 2 of the clutch release bearing device 1 associated with the rolling bearing 10. The ribs 24 are elastically deformable radially and allow the rolling bearing 10 to move radially with respect to the operating element during a clutch release operation, so as to allow the self-alignment of the rolling bearing with respect to the clutch release diaphragm 3 when the axes of rotation of the rolling bearing 10 and of the diaphragm are not aligned.

(15) What is to be understood by “elastically deformable” is any member which, by virtue of its shape or its material, is capable of deforming in a reversible manner and with the action of an external stress exerted on the member and of adopting its initial shape in the absence of external stress.

(16) The sleeve 20 further comprises a sealing member 26 extending axially from a lateral edge 22b of the body 22 of the sleeve, on the opposite side of the radial portion 12e of the inner ring 12, towards the radial portion 14f of the outer ring 14. The sealing member 26 is arranged axially in the free axial space existing between the inner ring 12 and the radial portion 14f of the outer ring 14. As illustrated, the sealing member 26 comprises an annular sealing lip extending along a direction which is substantially inclined or oblique towards the interior with respect to the axial axis X-X, for example by an angle of 45°. The sealing lip 26 extends axially beyond the sleeve 20 in such a way that the sealing lip 26 comes into axial friction contact with the radial portion 14f of the outer ring 14, forming a dynamic seal, in order to prevent the ingress of polluting or contaminating particles between the inner ring 12 and the outer ring 14. The sealing lip 26 is flexible or elastically deformable in the axial direction. The free end of the lip 26 can advantageously have in cross section a triangular or V shape so as to reduce the friction torque with the outer ring 14.

(17) As a variant, the sealing member could comprise two annular sealing lips arranged radially one above the other. The upper sealing lip could extend axially beyond the lower sealing lip with the result that the upper sealing lip comes into axial friction contact with the radial portion 14f of the outer ring 14, forming a dynamic seal, in order to prevent the ingress of polluting particles between the inner 12 and the outer 14 rings. The lower lip would thus make it possible to reduce the quantity of polluting particles directed towards the upper lip.

(18) The retaining cage 18 is arranged radially between the toroidal portion 14a of the outer ring and the sealing lip 26.

(19) The sleeve 20 further comprises a reinforcing member or insert 29 situated in the body 22 of the sleeve and comprising a (non-referenced) radial portion extending towards the rolling elements 16 and in axial contact with the end 12f of the toroidal portion 12a of the inner ring 12 on the opposite side of the radial portion 12e. The insert 29 is, for example, made of a more rigid material than the body 22 of the sleeve, the ribs 24 and the sealing member 26. For example, the assembly formed by the body 22 of the sleeve 20, the ribs 24 and the sealing member 26 can be overmolded around the insert 29. In a variant, the sleeve does not have to include such an insert.

(20) The additional sealing member 30 is arranged axially on the opposite side of the sealing lip 26 of the sleeve 20 with respect to the rolling elements 16. The additional sealing member 30 comprises a reinforcement or flange 32 on which there is arranged an internal seal 34 made of a flexible material, more flexible than the flange 32, and configured to exert a dynamic sealing force on the inner ring 12. What is to be understood by “dynamic sealing” is sealing between two components having a relative movement. The flange is made of a rigid material, for example by stamping, cutting and folding a steel sheet or tube. Alternatively, the flange 32 can be made of a rigid synthetic material, for example of polyamide. The seal 34 is overmolded or vulcanized on a free end of the flange 32. The seal 34 can be made of elastomer, for example of nitrile rubber. The seal 34 comprises an annular radial heel 34a covering the free end of the flange 32 and an annular internal sealing lip 34b extending in a projecting manner from the heel 34a, respectively towards the interior, that is to say towards the rolling elements 16, and towards the exterior of the rolling bearing 10.

(21) The internal lip 34b is oriented towards the interior of the rolling bearing and extends obliquely downwards. The lip 34b is flexible or elastically deformable in the radial direction. The free end of the lip 34b can advantageously have in cross section a triangular shape so as to reduce the friction torque with the inner ring 12.

(22) Other shapes are possible for the free end of the lip 34b, such as, for example, a V shape oriented towards the interior in the direction of the inner ring 12.

(23) The lip 34b comes into radial friction contact with the external surface of the axial portion 12d of the inner ring 12 and performs a dynamic sealing function with the inner ring 12.

(24) As a variant, there could be provided an external lip extending from the heel 34a towards the exterior and oriented towards the exterior of the rolling bearing, that is to say on the opposite side of the rolling elements 16, and extending obliquely downwards. The external lip is flexible or elastically deformable in the radial direction. The free end of the lip can advantageously have in cross section a triangular shape so as to reduce the friction torque with the inner ring 12.

(25) As a variant, the seal 34 could also comprise an annular deflecting lip oriented towards the exterior of the rolling bearing 10 on the opposite side of the rolling elements 16. The deflecting lip can extend axially in a projecting manner from a radial external edge of the heel 34a and is situated axially on the opposite side of the internal lip 34b with respect to the heel 34a. The deflecting lip can extend axially beyond the free end of the first axial portion 14d of the outer ring 14. The deflecting lip would make it possible to reduce the quantity of polluting particles directed towards the internal lip 34b of the seal 30. Specifically, when an air flow conveying polluting particles is directed from the exterior obliquely towards the interior in the direction of the inner ring 12, the deflecting lip 34d forms an obstacle that prevents the flow from reaching the internal and external lips 34b, 34c.

(26) The lip 26 of the sleeve 20 and the internal lip 34b of the seal 30 in frictional contact with the outer ring 14 and the inner ring 12, respectively, radially and axially delimit, between the rings, a leak-tight annular space containing the rolling elements 16.

(27) The operating or guide element 2 serves as a support for the rolling bearing 10 by way of the ribs 24 of the sleeve 20. The guide element 2 comprises a tubular part in the form of a bushing 5 delimited radially by an external surface 5a and an internal surface 5b and axially by a radial bearing portion 6 and a free lateral edge 5c on the opposite side of the radial bearing portion 6.

(28) The internal surface 5b or bore of the sleeve 20 is in radial contact, at least in part, with a guide tube 7 of axial axis X-X.

(29) The ribs 24 of the sleeve bear radially on the external surface 5a of the bushing 5.

(30) The radial portion 12e of the inner ring 12 is in axial frictional contact with a first lateral surface 6a of the radial bearing portion 6. The second lateral surface 6b of the radial bearing portion 6 is intended to be in axial contact with a clutch release member 4, such as a clutch release fork in order to command the axial movement of the clutch release bearing 1.

(31) The radial bearing portion 6 and the bushing 5 can be made in one piece, or in two pieces, with, for example, the radial portion 6 being a metal sheet on which the bushing 5 is overmolded.

(32) The bushing 5 is made of a more rigid synthetic material than the sleeve 20, such as, for example, a polymer.

(33) As illustrated in FIG. 3, and in a no way limiting manner, the body of the bushing 5 has through-holes of oblong shape in the circumferential direction. Such holes make it possible to reduce the quantity of material used and the mass of the guide element 2. As a variant, the body of the bushing could be solid and/or to have other material cutouts.

(34) In order to compensate for defects in alignment or centering of the clutch release bearing with respect to the diaphragm, the rolling bearing 10 can move radially with respect to the rigid guide element 2, the radial ribs 24 bending to a greater or lesser degree on the bushing 5 of the guide element 2. The radial movement is, moreover, guided by the frictional contact between the radial portion 12e of the inner ring 12 and the radial bearing portion 6 of the guide element 2.

(35) The free lateral edge 5c of the bushing 5 on the opposite side of the radial bearing portion 6 is provided with an axial retaining member 5d, for example an annular bead, extending radially towards the outside, that is to say towards the rolling bearing 10, from the external surface 5a of the bushing 5. In the mounted state, visible in FIG. 1, the sleeve 20, which is secured to the inner ring 12 of the bearing 10, is retained axially with respect to the guide element 2. Thus, the thrust element formed by the rolling bearing 10 and the sleeve 20 is secured axially to the guide element 2 while being capable of moving radially with respect to the latter.

(36) With the aim of angularly rotationally immobilizing the ribs 24 of the sleeve 20 on the bushing 5 of the guide element 2, the guide element 2 comprises one or more cutouts 8 or axial grooves, advantageously numbering three. In the example of three cutouts 8, it is advantageous to arrange them at 1200 over the circumference of the bushing 5.

(37) As illustrated, the bushing 5 of the guide element 2 comprises four cutouts 8, each arranged at 900 from an adjacent cutout on the circumference of the bushing 5. As a variant, a non-regular arrangement of the cutouts 8 over the circumference of the bushing 5 could be provided.

(38) The cutouts 8, visible in detail in FIGS. 3 and 4, are formed on the cylindrical external surface 5a of the bushing 5 of the guide element 2. The cutouts 8 form members for the angular retention of the sleeve 20 in the case of angular sliding or rotation of the sleeve 20 with respect to the guide element 2.

(39) The cutouts 8 are regularly distributed over the circumference of the external surface 5a of the bushing 5. Each cutout 8 is arranged angularly between two adjacent ribs 24 of the sleeve 20.

(40) As a variant, the cutouts 8 may be distributed over the circumference of the external surface 5a of the bushing 5 with an irregular spacing.

(41) In the example illustrated, the cutouts 8 are not through-openings. As a variant, the cutouts could comprise through-openings that extend through to the internal surface 5b of the bushing 5.

(42) The cutouts 8 extend axially, for example, over the whole external surface 5a of the bushing 5.

(43) As illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4, four ribs 24 of the sleeve comprise a free end 24a comprising a retaining lip 24b projecting from the free end 24a towards the body 22 of the sleeve 20.

(44) The retaining lip 24b forms a hook cooperating with the corresponding cutout 8 in the case of sliding of the sleeve 20 with respect to the guide element 2.

(45) The retaining lip 24b extends along an axis forming an angle β with the body of the rib 24. The angle β is here equal to 45°. As a variant, the angle β could be from 5° to 45°, for example equal to 30°.

(46) The number of ribs 24 of the sleeve that comprise a free end 24a provided with a retaining lip 24b projecting from the free end 24a towards the body 22 of the sleeve 20 is optionally similar to the number of cutouts 8.

(47) Each of the cutouts 8 has a parallelepipedal shape, for example a square or rectangular shape in cross section, or else a rounded shape.

(48) Integrating the cutouts 8 into the radial demolding of the bushing 5 is particularly inexpensive.

(49) These cutouts 8 can also be formed after the bushing 5 has been molded, for example by machining, in order to add such a solution to existing guide elements.

(50) The bushing 5 of the guide element 2 is made of a more rigid material than the ribs 24 of the sleeve. For example, the bushing 5 is, for example, made of rigid synthetic material, such as, for example, polymer, an elastomer, or else a metallic material, such as steel, or an alloy of metallic materials.

(51) By virtue of the cutouts 8, in the case of the phenomenon of angular sliding or rotation between the ribs 24 of the sleeve 20 and the bushing 5 of the guide element 2, the ribs 24 will be inserted into the corresponding cutout, generating the angular rotational immobilization of the sleeve 20 with respect to the guide element 2, thereby avoiding premature wear of the ribs 24 that could result in a defect in terms of radial compensation, that is to say the function of self-alignment of the sleeve.

(52) When the sleeve 20 is being assembled to the guide element 2, the ribs 24 provided with a retaining lip 24b are not necessarily situated in a corresponding cutout 8. During the first angular rotation of the sleeve 20 with respect to the guide element 2, the ribs 24 provided with a retaining lip 24b will be inserted into a corresponding cutout 8.

(53) The ribs 24 provided with a retaining lip 24b will not disturb the radial movement of the sleeve 20 with respect to the guide element 2.

(54) Representative, non-limiting examples of the present invention were described above in detail with reference to the attached drawings. This detailed description is merely intended to teach a person of skill in the art further details for practicing preferred aspects of the present teachings and is not intended to limit the scope of the invention. Furthermore, each of the additional features and teachings disclosed above may be utilized separately or in conjunction with other features and teachings to provide improved clutch release bearings.

(55) Moreover, combinations of features and steps disclosed in the above detailed description may not be necessary to practice the invention in the broadest sense, and are instead taught merely to particularly describe representative examples of the invention. Furthermore, various features of the above-described representative examples, as well as the various independent and dependent claims below, may be combined in ways that are not specifically and explicitly enumerated in order to provide additional useful embodiments of the present teachings.

(56) All features disclosed in the description and/or the claims are intended to be disclosed separately and independently from each other for the purpose of original written disclosure, as well as for the purpose of restricting the claimed subject matter, independent of the compositions of the features in the embodiments and/or the claims. In addition, all value ranges or indications of groups of entities are intended to disclose every possible intermediate value or intermediate entity for the purpose of original written disclosure, as well as for the purpose of restricting the claimed subject matter.