Clutch release bearing and method of manufacture

• US 20060011445A1
• Filed: 07/05/2005
• Published: 01/19/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 07/02/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: ABet SKF
• Original Assignee: ABet SKF
• Inventors: Bussit, Sylvain, Caillault, Claude
• Granted Patent: US 7,467,702 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: N/A
• CPC Class Codes: F16D 2250/00 Manufacturing; Assembly
• 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

Hydraulically operated clutch release bearing device of the type including an operating element provided with an annular piston and a seal in contact with the piston, and a rolling-contact bearing axially secured to the operating element, the piston including a rear surface in contact with the said seal, at least one concave region being formed locally in the said rear surface of the piston.

Claims

1. Hydraulically operated clutch release bearing device of the type comprising an operating element provided with an annular piston and a seal in contact with the piston, and a rolling-contact bearing axially secured to the operating element, the piston comprising a rear surface in contact with the said seal, at least one concave region being formed locally in the said rear surface of the piston.

2. Device according to claim 1, wherein the piston comprises a body and at least one pip projecting into the concave region from the said body, the pip being of one piece with the body.

3. Device according to claim 2, wherein a pip is arranged in each concave region.

4. Device according to claim 2, wherein the pip projects axially.

5. Device according to claim 3, wherein the pip projects axially.

6. Device according to claim 2, wherein the pip lies flush with the rear surface of the piston.

7. Device according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of concave regions are formed in the rear surface.

8. Device according to claim 1, wherein the piston comprises an interior cylindrical surface and an exterior cylindrical surface which connect to the rear surface thereby forming a sharp corner.

9. Device according to claim 1, wherein the piston is made of a molded synthetic material.

10. Clutch operating system comprising a cylinder and a device according to claim 1 mounted in the cylinder.

12. Clutch operating system comprising a cylinder and a device according to claim 10 mounted in the cylinder.

11. Clutch release bearing device comprising:

an operating element comprising a piston and a seal in contact with the piston, the piston comprising a rear surface in contact with the said seal, at least one concave region being formed locally in the said rear surface of the piston; and

a rolling-contact bearing axially secured to the operating element.

13. Method of manufacturing an annular clutch release bearing piston, the piston comprising a rear surface in which at least one bowl is locally formed, in which method the piston material is injected into a mold on the rear surface side of the piston.

14. Method according to claim 13, in which the mold comprises molding material injection ducts opening into the said bowl.

15. Method according to claim 13, in which the mold comprises one molding material injection duct per bowl.

16. Method according to claim 13, in which at least one projecting pip is formed of sprue of one piece with the rest of the piston.

17. Method according to claim 14, in which at least one projecting pip is formed of sprue of one piece with the rest of the piston.

18. Method according to claim 15, in which at least one projecting pip is formed of sprue of one piece with the rest of the piston.