Self-aligning clutch release bearing assembly with lubrication reservoir

Claim 1

An improved self-aligning clutch release bearing assembly for a friction clutch in a vehicle power train having release lever means rotatable about an input shaft axis of said clutch, a guide member disposed generally coaxially around a transmission shaft axis of said power train and actuating means, comprising: a tubular bearing carrier slidably mounted on said guide member for reciprocable, translational movement therealong in response to actuation of said actuating means, said tubular member having a plurality of generally radial passageways extending therethrough intermediate the ends thereof; a bearing including a plurality of anti-friction elements interposed between radially spaced inner and outer race members, one of said race members being adapted for rotation and having an annular radially extending bearing surface for engaging said clutch release lever means; said bearing being radially moveably supported on said bearing carrier in overlying relationship to said passageways and axially located between said release lever means and said actuating means; said bearing being formed to provide a predetermined radial clearance between said bearing and an axially extending surface of said bearing carrier for permitting said bearing to shift radially with respect to said bearing carrier, so that said bearing may coaxially align itself with said clutch input axis; and a lubrication reservoir defined in part by said predetermined radial clearance, and having a lubricant contained therein, said radial shifting of said bearing being operative to transfer lubricant through said passageways to said guide member.