GB1468845A - Friction clutches and release bearing therefor - Google Patents

Abstract

1468845 Friction clutches SKF INDUSTRIAL TRADING & DEVELOPMENT CO BV 8 July 1974 [7 July 1973] 30174/74 Heading F2C In an assembly of a clutch release bearing with a diaphragm spring the clutch release bearing is disposed within an annular housing 8 having a circumferential channel on its outer surface which receives the inner ends of the spring tongues 11, the release bearing being located in one axial direction by a portion of the housing 8 directed inwardly. As shown the bearing has sheet metal races 2, 3, the outer race being located in housing 8 with the interposition of a resilient plastics ring 9 and held axially by a circlip 15 which bears on a flange 16. The inner race 3 is mounted on a guide sleeve 4 and is pulled by a clutch release yoke 7 to disengage the clutch. The channel for the ends of tongues 11 is formed by a bent out portion 10 and a member 13. The release bearing can be removed from the housing 8 by removal of circlip 15. The housing may be formed by a moulded plastics member (Fig. 2, not shown), the resilient ring 9 need not be provided (Figs. 2 to 7, not shown), the outer race may be mounted on the guide sleeve (Figs. 5, 6 and 7, not shown), a second bent out portion may replace the ring 13 (Figs. 3, 4, 5 and 7, not shown) and alternative releasable means for connecting one race axially to housing are described. These alternative means include a split ring located in a channel of the housing (Fig. 3, not shown) a circlip which locates an annular member which in turn locates the race (Fig. 4, not shown), a ring having bent out spring portions engaging a flange of the housing, the ring also engaging a flange of a bearing race (Fig. 5, not shown) and a bearing race which has radially outwardly directed projections which are passed through slots of a flange of the housing, a circlip retaining the bearing in the housing after assembly (Figs. 6 and 7, not shown).