Clutch Operator Self-Adjusting Release Bearing
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing clutch operators for motor vehicles face issues with increased axial space usage, clutch grabbing or sticking, axial vibrations, manufacturing alignment errors, and wear in contact regions, leading to reduced driving comfort and efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A clutch operator with a self-adjusting release bearing designed as an inclined-shoulder rolling-contact bearing, featuring a rotating inner bearing ring with a sliding element and a noise-reducing, wear-reducing coating on the adjusting ring, made from high-strength, wear-resistant materials like thermoplastics or ceramics, to enhance self-adjustability and reduce friction and wear.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If a conventional clutch operator design is used, then the structure is simple, but the axial space occupied is large and wear occurs in contact regions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies composite materials by combining a metal adjusting ring with a plastic coating layer. The metal ring provides structural strength while the plastic coating reduces friction and wear in contact regions with the spring element, thereby reducing axial space while improving reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by coating only the specific contact regions of the adjusting ring with plastic material. This localized coating reduces wear where it is most needed (at the spring element contact points) without requiring the entire component to be made of wear-resistant material, thus saving axial space
2Ease of manufacture
If conventional materials are used in the adjusting ring, then manufacturing is easy, but friction and wear in contact regions increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines conventional metal materials for the adjusting ring structure (easy to manufacture) with a plastic coating layer (reduces friction and wear). This composite approach maintains manufacturing simplicity while significantly improving reliability in contact regions
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the surface parameters of the adjusting ring by applying a plastic coating. This modifies the friction and wear characteristics of the contact surfaces without changing the bulk material properties or manufacturing process of the main component
3Manufacturing precision
If the release bearing is rigidly fixed, then positioning is precise, but clutch grabbing and axial vibrations occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms the rigid fixed positioning into a dynamic self-adjusting mechanism. The release bearing is designed to automatically adjust its position through the adjusting ring and spring element interaction, maintaining precise positioning while accommodating operational variations to prevent clutch grabbing and vibrations
4Force
If high friction materials are used in contact regions, then gripping force is sufficient, but pedal actuation forces increase and driving comfort decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by using high-friction characteristics only where needed for gripping, while reducing friction in the spring element contact regions through plastic coating. This maintains sufficient gripping force while reducing pedal actuation forces for improved driving comfort
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution effectively reduces pedal actuation forces, minimizes clutch grabbing, and enhances driving comfort by reducing noise and wear, thereby preventing oil loss and clutch sticking, and improving the overall efficiency of the clutch operator.
Implementation Method 1
the friction and accordingly the wear between the corresponding components, preferably between the sliding element and the inner or adjusting ring
Implementation Method 2
A radially oriented annular flange of the adjusting ring is assigned a noise-reducing and wear-reducing coating, on which a spring element connected to the disconnectable clutch is supported
Data Source
AI summary
A clutch operator for a disconnectable clutch useful in a motor vehicle, and having a self-adjusting release bearing supported on a housing and in the form of a rolling-contact bearing designed as an inclined-shoulder bearing. The bearing has an outer bearing ring, a rotating inner bearing ring and rolling bodies guided between the rings. An adjusting ring at the inner bearing ring. A sliding element in a supporting region of the adjusting ring on the inner bearing ring, and being in the form of complementary spherical-cap segments. A noise-reducing and wear-reducing coating, on which a spring element connected to the disconnectable clutch is supported at a radially oriented annular flange of the adjusting ring.