Self-adjusting clutch release bearing
View Patent ↗A self-adjusting release bearing in the form of a tapered rolling bearing for a separating clutch disposed between an internal combustion engine and a gearbox of a motor vehicle, includes a non-rotating first bearing ring, a revolving second bearing ring, and a plurality of rolling elements guided between the first and second bearing rings. Supported upon a calotte-shaped section of one of the first and second bearing rings in a contact zone is an adjustment ring having a complementary calotte-shaped section to thereby allow pivoting of the release bearing, whereby a sliding element made of thermoplastic material is disposed in the contact zone.
1. A self-adjusting release bearing in the form of a tapered rolling bearing for a separating clutch disposed between an internal combustion engine and a gearbox of a motor vehicle, said clutch release bearing comprising:
a non-rotating first bearing ring;
a revolving second bearing ring;
a plurality of rolling elements guided between the first and second bearing rings; and
an adjustment ring having a cup-shaped section in a contact zone for support upon a complementary cup-shaped section of one of the first and second bearing rings to thereby allow pivoting of the release bearing; and
a sliding element made of thermoplastic material and disposed in the contact zone.
2. The release bearing of claim 1 , wherein the sliding element is made of PA 46 CF 30/PTFE 5/H.
3. The release bearing of claim 1 , wherein the sliding element is made of polyamide.
4. The release bearing of claim 1 , wherein the sliding element is made of polyaryletherketone (PAEK).
5. The release bearing of claim 1 , wherein the thermoplastic material includes an additive.
6. The release bearing of claim 5 , wherein the additive includes carbon fibers.
7. The release bearing of claim 1 , wherein the sliding element has a thickness in the range of 0.5 mm to 6 mm.
8. The release bearing of claim 1 , wherein the adjustment ring and the first bearing ring have the complementary cup-shaped sections in the contact zone.
9. The release bearing of claim 1 , wherein the adjustment ring and the second bearing ring have the complementary cup-shaped sections in the contact zone.
10. The release bearing of claim 1 , wherein a member selected from the group consisting of the first bearing ring, second bearing ring and adjustment ring, is provided with a coating made of PA 46 CF 30/PTFE 5/H for formation of the sliding element.
11. The release bearing of claim 10 , wherein the sliding element is applied on the member by an injection molding process.
12. The release bearing of claim 10 , wherein the member has a support surface formed with a groove for receiving the coating.
13. The release bearing of claim 12 , wherein the groove is configured as an axis-parallel or helical notch.
14. The release bearing of claim 1 , wherein the sliding element is configured to embrace a member selected from the group consisting of first bearing ring, second bearing ring and adjustment ring, at least in predetermined sections.
15. The release bearing of claim 1 , wherein the sliding element is connected by a glue onto the adjustment ring or the one of the first and second bearing rings.
16. The release bearing of claim 15 , wherein the glue is hot-melt adhesive.
17. The release bearing of claim 1 , wherein the sliding element is a separate member made of PA 46 CF 30/PTFE 5/H for disposition in the contact zone.
18. A sliding element; comprising a body disposed in a clutch release bearing between an adjustment ring of steel and a bearing ring of steel, said body being made of thermoplastic material.
19. The sliding element of claim 18 , wherein the body is made of a polyamide matrix combined with embedded carbon fibers in combination with polytetrafluoroethylene.
20. The sliding element of claim 18 , wherein the body is made of polyaryletherketone.