The Knowledge of Clutch Release Bearing

The clutch release bearing is generally composed of an angular contact ball bearing, a bearing seat (or a sliding seat) and their couplings. If the clutch release lever, the lever damper, the duct, and the like are included, the clutch disengagement system is constructed. The main function of the clutch release bearing is to separate the clutch by its axial movement, thereby cutting off the power connection between the vehicle engine and the transmission and/or the power input shaft, and assisting in the operations of starting, stopping and shifting of the vehicle.

The clutch release bearing is engaged in a modern automotive clutch system. The power output from the engine crankshaft is transmitted to the transmission input shaft via the flywheel, the pressure plate and the driven plate. When the clutch release bearing is moved to the left by the lever under the action of the lever, the flywheel and the pressure plate are separated from the driven plate by the compression diaphragm spring, thereby cutting off the power transmitted from the engine to the transmission.

Reducing the friction and wear of vibration, noise and moving joint surfaces is a major problem faced by clutch release bearing systems. The resulting research led to a number of significant improvements associated with clutch release bearings. Other improvements to clutch release bearings involve the material, construction, sealing and lubrication of angular contact ball bearings.

According to whether the angular contact can be moved radially relative to the bearing housing, that is, whether the centering function is provided, the clutch release bearing can be divided into a common clutch release bearing and a self-aligning clutch release bearing.

The angular contact ball bearing in the conventional clutch release bearing is rigidly coupled to its bearing housing. According to the angular contact ball bearing inner ring or outer ring is rigidly coupled with the bearing seat, the clutch release bearing has the outer ring rotation and the inner ring rotation. The angular contact ball bearing in the self-aligning clutch release bearing is flexibly coupled with its bearing seat, and the angular contact ball bearing is radially movable relative to the bearing housing to achieve concentric rotation with the clutch.