Self-centring clutch bearing device

• US 6,612,749 B2
• Filed: 01/22/2002
• Issued: 09/02/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 01/23/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: ABet SKF
• Original Assignee: ABet SKF
• Inventors: Arnault, Benoît, Girardin, Hervé
• Primary Examiner(s): Footland, Lenard A
• Application Number:
  US10/051,302
• Publication Number:
  US 20020097940A1
• Time in Patent Office: 588 Days
• Field of Search: 384/607, 384/611, 384/612, 384/615, 384/617
• US Class Current: 384/607
• 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 25/083 with resilient means acting axially on a race ring to preload the bearing
• CPC Class Codes: F16C 27/08 primarily for axial load, e.g. for vertically-arranged shafts
• 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 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 bearing device comprising an actuating element intended to be mounted on an operating element 2. The actuating element comprises a rolling bearing 1 provided with a rotating race 15 and with a non-rotating race 9, the said bearing 1 being able to be displaced radially with respect to the operating element 2 to self-align with the clutch diaphragm, the non-rotating race 9 comprising an inwardly-directed radial portion 13. The device comprises a means of axially securing the actuating element to the operating element 2. The device comprises a self-alignment member 21 centered on the non-rotating race 9 and provided with axially elastic elements 23.

Claims

1. Clutch bearing device comprising:

an actuating element intended to be mounted on an operating element, the actuating element comprising a rolling bearing provided with a rotating race and a non-rotating race, said bearing being able to be displaced radially with respect to the operating element to self-align with a clutch diaphragm, the non-rotating race comprising an inwardly-directed radial portion,

a means of axially securing the actuating element to the operating element, and

a self-alignment member centred on the non-rotating raced and provided with axially elastic elements, so that said self-alignment member exerts, on the means of axial securing and on the non-rotating race, axial forces in opposite directions and keeps the non-rotating race in permanent axial contact with a radial bearing surface of the operating element.

2. Device according to claim 1, wherein the self-alignment member is centred on the inwardly-directed radial portion of the non-rotating race.

3. Device according to claim 1, wherein the means of axial securing comprises a locking washer.

4. Device according to claim 3, wherein the locking washer comprises a roughly radial annulus and a number of tabs extending inwards and capable of catching on a surface of the operating element.

5. Device according to claim 1, wherein the self-alignment member comprises a portion for centring on the non-rotating race, and a radial portion in which the elastic elements are formed.

6. Device according to claim 5, wherein the centring portion is axial and push-fitted into the non-rotating race.

7. Device according to claim 1, wherein the self-alignment member comprises a sealing portion.

8. Device according to claim 7, wherein said sealing portion forms a narrow passage with the rotating race, said narrow passage having dimensions independent of the position of the actuating element on the operating element.

9. Device according to claim 7 wherein said sealing portion includes an axial portion extending in an axial direction.

10. Device according to claim 9 further comprising a sealing lip positioned to seal a space between said rotating and non-rotating race.

11. Device according to claim 1, wherein the elastic elements rest against a roughly radial surface of the means of axial securing.

12. Device according to claim 1 wherein said self-alignment member further comprises a sealing lip positioned so as to seal a space between said rotating race and non-rotating race.

13. Device according to claim 1, wherein the elastic elements rest against the radial portion of the non-rotating race.

14. Actuating element intended to be mounted on an operating element to form a clutch bearing device, the actuating member comprising:

a rolling bearing provided with a rotating race, a non-rotating race and a row of rolling elements, said rolling bearing being designed to be able to be displaced radially with respect to the operating element so as to self-align with a diaphragm of the clutch, the non-rotating race comprising an inwardly-directed radial portion, and

a self-alignment member centred on the non-rotating raced and provided with axially elastic elements, coming from a radial portion of said self-alignment member, at least some of the elastic elements when in a free state projecting axially with respect to said radial portion.