Clutch release bearing device

• US 20050265646A1
• Filed: 10/14/2004
• Published: 12/01/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 10/14/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: ABet SKF
• Original Assignee: ABet SKF
• Inventors: Collognat, Jean-Pierre, Arnault, Benoit
• Granted Patent: US 7,878,714 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 384/612
• CPC Class Codes: F16C 19/163 with angular contact
• CPC Class Codes: F16C 2361/43 Clutches, e.g. disengaging bearing in general F16D11/00 - F16D47/00
• CPC Class Codes: F16C 33/783 of the mounting region
• CPC Class Codes: F16C 33/7886 mounted outside the gap between the inner and outer races, e.g. sealing rings mounted to an end face or outer surface of a race
• CPC Class Codes: F16C 33/7889 mounted to an inner race and extending toward the outer race
• CPC Class Codes: F16D 23/142 with a resilient member acting radially between the bearing and its guide means
• CPC Class Codes: F16D 2300/08 Details or arrangements of sealings not provided for in group F16D3/84

Abstract

Clutch release bearing device, including an operating element, a rolling bearing furnished with rolling elements, with a non-rotating ring provided with a radial portion facing inwards and having a central opening, and with a rotating ring, the said rolling bearing being mounted on the operating element with which it may move axially, and a self-alignment sleeve placed between the non-rotating ring and the operating element and provided with a plurality of elastic ribs facing inwards.

Claims

1. Clutch release bearing device, of the type comprising an operating element, a rolling bearing comprising rolling elements, a non-rotating ring and a rotating ring, the non-rotating ring being provided with a radial portion facing inwards and having a central opening, the rolling bearing being mounted on the operating element with which it may move axially, and a self-alignment sleeve placed between the non-rotating ring and the operating element and provided with a plurality of elastic ribs facing inwards, the self-alignment sleeve comprising an axial portion adjusted in the central opening of the radial portion of the non-rotating ring, and a radial portion facing outwards and pressing axially against a part of the inward-facing radial portion of the non-rotating ring, the elastic ribs being placed relative to a plane passing through the center of the rolling elements on the same side as a bearing face of the rotating ring on a diaphragm, and extending axially over at least a part of the space delimited by a radial plane passing through the bearing face of the rotating ring on a diaphragm and by a radial plane passing through the bearing face of the non-rotating ring on the operating element.

2. Device according to claim 1, wherein the self-alignment sleeve comprises a rigid brace and a flexible body, the ribs being made in one piece with the body.

3. Device according to claim 1, wherein the self-alignment sleeve comprises a metal brace provided with a central axial portion and a radial portion.

4. Device according to claim 2, wherein the self-alignment sleeve comprises a metal brace provided with a central axial portion and a radial portion.

5. Device according to claim 3, wherein the central axial portion and the radial portion of the metal brace are in contact with the non-rotating ring.

6. Device according to claim 1, wherein the self-alignment sleeve includes a second axial portion forming a narrow passage with the rotating ring.

7. Device according to claim 6, wherein the second axial portion is formed on the brace.

8. Device according to claim 6, wherein the second axial portion is formed from the body with which it is made in one piece.

9. Device according to claim 1, wherein the self-alignment sleeve comprises a sealing lip interacting with the rotating ring.

10. Device according to claim 9, wherein the sealing lip interacts with a circular axial surface of the rotating ring formed by the bore of a radial portion facing towards the interior of the rotating ring.

11. Device according to claim 9, wherein the sealing lip interacts with a radial surface of the rotating ring formed on a radial portion of the rotating ring facing inwards.

12. Device according to claim 9, wherein the sealing lip is made in one piece with the body of the sleeve.

13. Device according to claim 1, wherein the rotating ring and non-rotating ring have a substantially constant thickness.

14. Clutch release bearing device comprising:

an operating element;

a rolling bearing mounted on the operating element with which it may move axially, the rolling bearing comprising;

rolling elements,

a non-rotating ring being provided with a bearing face on the operating element, and a radial portion facing inwards and having a central opening,

a rotating ring having a bearing face on a diaphragm; and

a self-alignment sleeve placed between the non-rotating ring and the operating element and provided with a plurality of elastic ribs facing inwards, the self-alignment sleeve comprising;

an axial portion adjusted in the central opening of the radial portion of the non-rotating ring, and

a radial portion facing outwards and pressing axially against a part of the inward-facing radial portion of the non-rotating ring, the elastic ribs being placed relative to a plane passing through the center of the rolling elements on the same side as the bearing face of the rotating ring on a diaphragm, and extending axially over at least a part of the space delimited by a radial plane passing through the bearing face of the rotating ring on a diaphragm and by a radial plane passing through the bearing face of the non-rotating ring on the operating element.