FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE
The present disclosure relates to the field of clutch release bearing.
BACKGROUND
A clutch is a mechanism for transmitting rotational motion from one shaft to
another by selectively engaging or disengaging the shafts from each other by
means of a clutch release bearing assembly.
a A clutch release bearing assembly comprising a rolling element bearing having
a pressure plate, which in use engages with a clutch member, having
constrained movement with outer race of bearing through a housing, and a nonrotary
race mounted on a support for transmission of a clutch release load.
In the prior art, the pressure plate on being engaged with clutch tends to rotate
with respect to outer ring and housing. This results in generation of heat due to
friction which causes wear and tear of the pressure plate, the housing and the
bearing.
Hence, there is felt a need for a clutch release bearing assembly which
overcomes the disadvantage of the prior art.
OBJECTS
Some of the objects of the system of the present disclosure, which at least one
embodiment herein satisfies, are as follows:
An object of the present disclosure is to provide a clutch release assembly
having increased service life.
Another object of the present disclosure is to provide a clutch release bearing
assembly that has reduced heat generation.
Yet another object of the present disclosure is to provide a clutch release
bearing assembly that is cost effective.
Further another object of the present disclosure is to provide a clutch release
bearing-assembly that is simple in construction.
An added object of the present disclosure is to provide a clutch release bearing
assembly that is efficient in operation.
Other objects and advantages of the present disclosure will be more apparent
from the following description when read in conjunction with the accompanying
figures, which are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.
SUMMARY
In accordance with the present disclosure there is provided a clutch release
bearing assembly comprising:
k a housing; and
9 a pressure plate adapted to be press fitted into the housing, the pressure
plate defining a plurality of formations for positive locking of the
pressure plate with the housing.
Typically, the formations are defined on at least a portion of an operative outer
surface of the pressure plate.
Typically, the formations are selected from the group consisting of slits, slots
and hurling.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS
The clutch release bearing assembly of the present disclosure will now be
described with the help of accompanying drawings, in which:
Figure 1 illustrates a cross sectional view of a clutch release bearing assembly
of the prior art;
Figure 2 illustrates a perspective view of a pressure plate of the prior art clutch
release bearing assembly;
Figure 3 illustrates a perspective view of the clutch release bearing assembly in
accordance with the present disclosure; and
Figure 4 illustrates a perspective view depicting a pressure plate of the clutch
release bearing assembly illustrated in Figure 3.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Figure 1 and Figure 2 illustrates a clutch release system in accordance with
prior art and is indicated by reference numeral 10. The clutch release bearing
@ assembly 10 includes a pressure plate 12, a housing 14 and a bearing having a
bearing outer ring 16. When the clutch is operated through a lever, the pressure
plate 12 is engaged. However, the pressure plate 12 starts rotate about its axis
for a use after some time and hence results in friction of the pressure plate 12
with the housing 14 and the bearing outer ring of the bearing.
The disclosure of the clutch release assembly stems from the observation that in
the prior art, the rotation of the pressure plate after engagement results in
generation of heat due to friction of the pressure plate with the housing and an
outer ring of a release bearing.
A system of the present disclosure will now be described with reference to the
embodiments which do not limit the scope and ambit of the disclosure.
The embodiments herein and the various features and advantageous details
thereof are explained with reference to the non-limiting embodiments in the
following description. Descriptions of well-known components and processing
techniques are omitted so as to not unnecessarily obscure the embodiments
herein. The examples used herein are intended merely to facilitate an
understanding of ways in which the embodiments herein may be practiced and
to hrther enable those of skill in the art to practice the embodiments herein.
@ Accordingly, the examples should not be construed as limiting the scope of the
embodiments herein.
Figure 3 illustrates a clutch release bearing assembly 100 having a pressure
plate 102 and a clutch housing 104. The pressure plate 102, illustrated in Figure
4, is hollow conical structure having an operative outer surface 106 and an
operative inner surface. The operative outer surface 106 of the pressure plate
102 is provided with a plurality of formations 105. The formations 105 are
typically, slots, slits or knurling. The pressure plate 102 is press fitted within the
e clutch housing 104 such that the operative outer surface 106 engages with the
clutch housing 104.
In the disengaged configuration of the clutch, the pressure plate 102 is engaged
with the clutch plate (not shown in Figure). The pressure plate 102 become
freely rotatable, after some cycle of use, within the clutch housing 104 in the
disengaged configuration of the clutch.
In order to prevent transmit torque from the engine to clutch plate, a lever is
operated so as to shift the clutch from the engaged configuration to a disengaged
configuration. In the disengaged configuration, the lever displaces a release
bearing 108 so as to disengage the clutch plate from the engine and hence
prevent transmission of torque therefrom. The release bearing 108 includes an
inner bearing ring and an outer bearing ring. In the disengaged configuration of
the clutch, the inner bearing ring is mounted on a shaft while the outer bearing
ring cooperates with the operative inner surface of the pressure plate 102. On
being disengaged, the pressure plate 102 tends to continue rotating about its axis
for a fraction of time on account of inertia. This rotation of the pressure plate
102 results in friction between operative inner surface of the pressure plate 102
and the outer bearing ring and also between the operative outer surface 106 of
e the pressure plate 102 and the housing 104. However, the rotation of pressure
plate 102 tends to substantially reduced to zero by the plurality of formations
105 defined on the operative outer surface 106 of the pressure plate 102. In the
disengaged configuration of the clutch, the operative outer surface 106 of the
pressure plate 102 is in contact with the housing 104. The formations 105 on the
operative outer surface 106 acts as a gripping surface for the clutch housing 104
so as to restrict rotation of the pressure plate 102.
Thus, the formations 105 provide positive locking of the pressure plate 102 with
the housing 104 and hence prevent excessive heat generation in the clutch
release assembly 100.
TECHNICAL ADVANCEMENTS
The technical advancements offered by the present disclosure include the
realization of:
a clutch release bearing assembly having increased service life in
comparison with that of the prior art;
a clutch release bearing assembly having minimal heat generation;
a clutch release bearing assembly which is cost effective;
a clutch release bearing assembly which is simple in construction; and
a clutch release bearing assembly which is efficient in operation.
Throughout this specification the word "comprise", or variations such as
' b ~ ~ m p r io~r "ec~om" p rising", will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated
element, integer or step, or group of elements, integers or steps, but not the
exclusion of any other element, integer or step, or group of elements, integers or
steps.
The use of the expression "at least" or "at least one" suggests the use of one or
more elements or ingredients or quantities, as the use may be in the embodiment of
the disclosure to achieve one or more of the desired objects or results.
The foregoing description of the specific embodiments will so fully reveal the
general nature of the embodiments herein that others can, by applying current
knowledge, readily modify and/or adapt for various applications such specific
embodiments without departing from the generic concept, and, therefore, such
adaptations and modifications should and are intended to be comprehended
within the meaning and range of equivalents of the disclosed embodiments. It is
to be understood that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the
purpose of description and not of limitation. Therefore, while the embodiments
herein have been described in terms of preferred embodiments, those skilled in
the art will recognize that the embodiments herein can be practiced with
modification within the spirit and scope of the embodiments as described
herein.

We claim:
1. A clutch release bearing assembly comprising:
> a housing; and
> a pressure plate adapted to be press fitted into said housing, said pressure
plate defining a plurality of formations for positive locking of said
pressure plate with said housing.
2. The assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein said formations are defined on
at least a portion of an operative outer surface of said pressure plate.
3. The assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein said formations are selected
from the group consisting of slits, slots and knurling.