Patent US3882979A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3882979A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Self-aligning clutch release bearing arrangement
Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
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Filing: 1973-06-14
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Granted: 1975-05-13
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Expires: 1993-06-14
Abstract
Abstract A release bearing for an automotive friction clutch in which the normally stationary outer bearing ring is mounted on a carrier sleeve with sufficient radial clearance for permitting radial movement of the ring toward and away from a position in which the respective axes of the ring and sleeve coincide, thereby compensating for misalignment between the axis of rotation of the clutch release levers and that of the inner bearing ring which abuttingly engages the levers during disengagement of the clutch. The outer bearing ring is axially secured on the carrier sleeve near a guide face perpendicular to the axis of the latter with sufficient clearance to minimize friction between the guide face and the bearing ring during radial compensating movement of the bearings.
Inventors
- 👤 Bernhard Limbacher
- 👤 Kurt Fadler
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 15:41
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16D; F16D23/00; F16D23/12; F16D23/14; F16D23/142; F16D13/00; F16D13/58; F16D2013/581
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
211 words
A clutch release bearing arrangement comprising: a. a first bearing ring having a first axis; b. a second bearing ring; c. a plurality of bearing elements of circular cross section angularly distributed about said axis and radially interposed between said bearing rings in simultaneous rolling engagement for rotation of said second bearing ring about said axis, 1. said second bearing ring having an exposed abutment face extending radially relative to said axis, d. a carrier member having a second axis, 1. said second bearing ring rotatably enveloping said carrier member with sufficient radial clearance for permitting joint radial movement of said bearing rings toward and away from a position in which said first and second axes coincide, 2. respective portions of said first bearing ring and of said carrier member being axially coextensive and axially projecting beyond said second bearing ring in radially spaced relationship; e. groove bounding means on one of said portions bounding an annular groove about said axes in two opposite axial directions when said axes coiNcide, said groove being radially open toward the other one of said portions; and f. a flange radially projecting from said other portion and being received in said groove with sufficient axial clearance to guide said joint movement of said bearing members.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
211 words
A clutch release bearing arrangement comprising: a. a first bearing ring having a first axis; b. a second bearing ring; c. a plurality of bearing elements of circular cross section angularly distributed about said axis and radially interposed between said bearing rings in simultaneous rolling engagement for rotation of said second bearing ring about said axis, 1. said second bearing ring having an exposed abutment face extending radially relative to said axis, d. a carrier member having a second axis, 1. said second bearing ring rotatably enveloping said carrier member with sufficient radial clearance for permitting joint radial movement of said bearing rings toward and away from a position in which said first and second axes coincide, 2. respective portions of said first bearing ring and of said carrier member being axially coextensive and axially projecting beyond said second bearing ring in radially spaced relationship; e. groove bounding means on one of said portions bounding an annular groove about said axes in two opposite axial directions when said axes coiNcide, said groove being radially open toward the other one of said portions; and f. a flange radially projecting from said other portion and being received in said groove with sufficient axial clearance to guide said joint movement of said bearing members.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
14 words
An arrangement as set forth in claim 1, wherein said bearing elements are spherical.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
93 words
respective portions of said first bearing ring and of said carrier member being axially coextensive and axially projecting beyond said second bearing ring in radially spaced relationship; e. groove bounding means on one of said portions bounding an annular groove about said axes in two opposite axial directions when said axes coiNcide, said groove being radially open toward the other one of said portions; and f. a flange radially projecting from said other portion and being received in said groove with sufficient axial clearance to guide said joint movement of said bearing members.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
93 words
respective portions of said first bearing ring and of said carrier member being axially coextensive and axially projecting beyond said second bearing ring in radially spaced relationship; e. groove bounding means on one of said portions bounding an annular groove about said axes in two opposite axial directions when said axes coiNcide, said groove being radially open toward the other one of said portions; and f. a flange radially projecting from said other portion and being received in said groove with sufficient axial clearance to guide said joint movement of said bearing members.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
37 words
An arrangement as set forth in claim 1, wherein said other portion is of said first bearing ring, and said groove bounding means include two annular members fixedly fastened to said carrier member in axially offset relationship.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
52 words
An arrangement as set forth in claim 3, wherein said carrier member is formed with a recess open in a radially outward direction, respective mounting portions of said annular members being received in said recess in axially abutting relationship, said annular members diverging axially from each other radially outward of said recess.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
23 words
An arrangement as set forth in claim 4, further comprising resilient means in said groove biasing said mounting portions inward of said recess.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
50 words
An arrangement as set forth in claim 3, wherein said annular members are spaced from said bearing elements in a common axial direction, one of said annular members being farther from said bearing elements than the other annular member and including engagement means for engagement by a clutch release fork.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
37 words
An arrangement as set forth in claim 1, wherein said other portion is of said carrier member, and said groove bounding means include two annular members fixedly fastened to said first bearing ring in axially offset relationship.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
24 words
An arrangement as set forth in claim 7, further comprising engaging means on said first bearing ring for engagement by a clutch release fork.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
58 words
An arrangement as set forth in claim 7, wherein said flange projects from said carrier member in a radially outward direction and has two annular portions respectively near and remote from said second axis, said two annular portions movably engaging each other along an interface spherically arcuate about a center of curvature located substantially in said second axis.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
23 words
An arrangement as set forth in claim 9, further comprising abutment means limiting axial displacement of said remote portion on said near portion.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
23 words
An arrangement as set forth in claim 9, wherein respective engaged parts of said near and remote portions consist of metal and plastic.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
47 words
An arrangement as set forth in claim 1, wherein said groove has a bottom wall closing said groove in a radial direction away from the received flange, and a body of substantially liquid material filling the space in said groove between said bottom wall and said flange.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
14 words
An arrangement as set forth in claim 12, wherein said material is lubricating grease.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
27 words
An arrangement as set forth in claim 1, wherein said groove bounding means include means closing said groove in a radial direction away from said other portion.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-05-12 | 1978-11-11 | 1979-05-13 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-05-12 | 1982-11-11 | 1983-05-13 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-05-12 | 1986-11-11 | 1987-05-13 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |