Clutch release bearing

• US 20050011717A1
• Filed: 06/17/2004
• Published: 01/20/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 06/18/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: ABet SKF
• Original Assignee: ABet SKF
• Inventors: Arnault, Benoit
• Granted Patent: US 7,222,709 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 192/98
• CPC Class Codes: F16C 19/163 with angular contact
• CPC Class Codes: F16C 2361/43 Clutches, e.g. disengaging bearing
• CPC Class Codes: F16D 23/14 Clutch-actuating sleeves or bearings; Actuating members directly connected to clutch-actuating sleeves or bearings
• CPC Class Codes: F16D 25/083 Actuators therefor F16D25/085 - F16D25/087 take precedence

Abstract

A clutch release bearing device including an operating element, a rolling bearing equipped with a non-rotating race and a rotating race secured axially to the operating element, and an annular fixing ring provided with an axial portion mounted in the operating element and with an axially elastic portion bearing axially against the non-rotating race on the axially opposite side to the operating element, the fixing ring being able to hold the non-rotating race axially secured to the operating element while at the same time allowing radial movement.

Claims

1. A clutch release bearing device comprising an operating element, a rolling bearing equipped with a non-rotating race and a rotating race, the rolling bearing being secured axially to the operating element, and an annular fixing ring provided with an axial annular portion mounted in the operating element and with an axially elastic portion bearing axially against the non-rotating race on the axially opposite side to the operating element, the fixing ring being able to hold the non-rotating race axially secured to the operating element while at the same time allowing radial movement.

2. The device according to claim 1, in which the fixing ring is in direct contact with the operating element.

3. The device according to claim 1, in which the operating element comprises a bore, the axial portion of the fixing ring being mounted in that bore.

4. Device according to claim 1, in which the elastic portion is substantially radial and is inclined towards the radial portion of the non-rotating race.

5. The device according to claim 1, in which the elastic portion has a convex surface on the same side as the non-rotating race.

6. The device according to claim 1, in which a plurality of holes are formed in the elastic portion.

7. The device according to claim 1, in which the elastic portion comprises a plurality of axially elastic tabs.

8. The device according to claim 1, in which the fixing ring is of one piece.

9. The device according to claim 1, in which the axial portion of the fixing ring comprises fixing tabs for fixing to the operating element.

10. The device according to claim 9, in which the free end of the fixing tabs is in contact with a surface secured to the operating element.

11. The device according to claim 10, in which the free end of the fixing tabs is in contact with a substantially radial surface of the operating element.

12. The device according to claim 1, comprising an additional fixing ring secured to the operating element.

13. The device according to claim 12, in which the additional fixing ring comprises an axial portion and a radial portion in contact with the operating element.

14. The device according to claim 13, in which the radial portion of the additional fixing ring is in contact with the non-rotating race.

15. The device according to claim 13, in which the additional fixing ring comprises fixing tabs for fixing to the operating element, the tabs originating from the axial portion.

16. The device according to claim 13, in which the axial portion of the additional fixing ring surrounds a part of the operating element.

17. The device according to claim 12, in which the additional fixing ring comprises a retaining surface for retaining the fixing ring.

18. The device according to claim 1, in which the non-rotating race comprises an inwardly facing radial portion arranged axially between the elastic portion of the fixing ring and a surface secured to the operating element.

19. The device according to claim 1, in which the non-rotating race is in direct contact with the elastic portion of the fixing ring.

20. The device according to claim 1, comprising a sealing element secured to the non-rotating race and in contact with the elastic portion of the fixing ring.

21. The device according to claim 1, in which the operating element is a hydraulic pusher.

22. A clutch release bearing device comprising an operating element, a rolling bearing equipped with a non-rotating race and a rotating race, the rolling bearing being secured axially to the operating element, and an annular ring provided with an axial annular portion mounted in a bore of the operating element and with an axially elastic portion bearing axially against the non-rotating race on the axially opposite side to the operating element, the ring holding the non-rotating race axially secured to the operating element while at the same time allowing radial movement.

23. A clutch control system comprising a clutch release bearing device comprising an operating element, a rolling bearing equipped with a non-rotating race and a rotating race, the rolling bearing being secured axially to the operating element, and an annular fixing ring provided with an axial annular portion mounted in the operating element and with an axially elastic portion bearing axially against the non-rotating race on the axially opposite side to the operating element, the fixing ring being able to hold the non-rotating race axially secured to the operating element while at the same time allowing radial movement.