Self-centering clutch bearings
AssigneeSociete Anonyme Francaise du Ferodo
InventorGerard de Gennes
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A self-centering clutch release bearing comprises an operating element, a drive element having an omnidirectional latitude of radial movement for the self-centering action, a cover axially connecting these elements together, and axially-directed resilient means integrated in the transverse wall of the cover for acting on the drive element. According to the invention, the transverse wall of the cover is provided with support zones which alternate with anchoring zones and which are offset axially in relation thereto, and the cover bears on the drive element only by its support zones.
Claims22
A clutch release bearing comprising an operating element having means for cooperation with clutch control means and a radially extending annular flange, a drive element having means for cooperation with a clutch release member, said clutch release bearing having an axis, a one-piece cover member connecting said operating element and said drive element together and for permitting relative radial movement in any direction in a plane perpendicular to said axis for self-centering said drive element, said cover member comprising an axially acting resilient endwall for urging at least a portion of said drive element against said annular flange, and at least two leg portions extending from circumferentially spaced anchoring zones on said endwall radially beyond said drive element and connecting said cover member axially to said operating element, said cover endwall having at least two circumferentially spaced support zones axially offset with respect to said anchoring zones, said endwall bearing against said drive element at said support zones only.
A clutch release bearing having an axis and comprising an operating element having means for cooperation with clutch control means and having a radially extending annular flange, a drive element having means for cooperation with a clutch release member and having a generally transverse surface remote from said annular flange, a one-piece resilient connecting member connecting said operating element and said drive element together and for permitting relative radial movement in any direction in a plane perpendicular to the axis of said clutch release bearing for self-centering of said drive element, said resilient connecting member comprising an annular endwall for urging said drive element against said annular flange of said operating element, said endwall having circumferentially spaced and alternating support zones and anchoring zones, generally axially extending tabs extending from said anchoring zones radially beyond said drive element, said tabs having clipping means near their free ends remote from said endwall cooperating with means fixed axially relative to said operating element, said support zones being axially offset with respect to said anchoring zones with said endwall bearing only by said support zones against said generally transverse surface on said drive element and defining substantially radial line contact between said support zones and said generally transverse surface on said drive element.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.