What is release bearing?

Clutch Release Bearing (CRB), usually refers to the bearing used to control clutch release and combination in mechanical transmission systems, especially in manual transmissions. Its main function is to take and transmit the pressure of the clutch pressure plate against the engine flywheel, ensuring that the clutch can smoothly connect or disconnect the power transmission between the engine and the transmission.

In automotive applications, its function is to separate the clutch pressure plate from the flywheel through the action of the bearing when the clutch pedal is pressed down, so that the engine power is no longer transmitted to the transmission to achieve smooth gearshift operation.

Hydraulic Release Bearing Working Principle:

Hydraulic Clutch Release Bearing (HCRB) is a specific type of release bearing, which usually works together with hydraulic clutch system. It controls the release and engagement of the clutch by means of hydraulic pressure. The operating principle of the hydraulic release bearing is as follows:

1. Hydraulic supply system: The hydraulic release bearing usually consists of a Master Cylinder, hydraulic lines and a Slave Cylinder. The Master Cylinder is usually mounted on the clutch pedal. When the pedal is pressed, the hydraulic oil in the Master Cylinder is pushed by pressure into the hydraulic line.

2. Slave Cylinder and Release Bearing: The Slave Cylinder is mounted on the operating lever of the clutch pressure plate or on the clutch release lever, and contains the piston and seals inside the Slave Cylinder. When the master cylinder pushes the hydraulic fluid through the line to the slave cylinder by hydraulic pressure, the hydraulic fluid pressure pushes the piston inside the slave cylinder to move outward.

3. Spurring clutches: The movement of the piston of the slave cylinder acts directly on the hydraulic release bearing. This force causes the ball or roller bearing inside the release bearing to rotate, which in turn pushes the pressure plate of the clutch away, thus separating the transmission connection between the engine and the gearbox.

4. System Reset and Reset: When the clutch pedal is released, pressure is released from the hydraulic system and the slave cylinder piston and release bearing return to their initial positions, bringing the clutch pressure plate back into contact with the flywheel and restoring the transmission connection between the engine and the gearbox.

Hydraulic release bearings offer smoother operation and more precise control than conventional mechanical release bearings, as the hydraulic system provides a more even and controlled transfer of force. This allows the driver to more easily control the clutch operation during gear changes, while extending the life of the clutch and release bearing.

Features of hydraulic release bearings:

   - Fast Response: The hydraulic release bearing's fast action allows it to respond quickly to the driver's operation, resulting in smoother clutch engagement and disengagement.

   - Convenient operation: controlled by the hydraulic system, the driver only needs to step on or release the clutch pedal to complete the clutch operation easily.

   - High transmission force: the hydraulic system can transmit a large force, which enables the release bearing to withstand the torque output from the engine, ensuring the reliability and stability of the transmission system.

In practical application, the maintenance and care of hydraulic release bearings are very important, as they directly affect the working efficiency and life of the clutch. If the release bearing is found to have abnormal rattling, heat or abnormal clutch pedal feeling, it should be checked and replaced in time to avoid possible safety hazards.

Overall, hydraulic release bearing is an efficient, environmentally friendly and reliable mechanical bearing device, whose working principle is based on the pressure effect of the liquid to optimise the working performance of the bearing by achieving separation and combination of bearings. It not only reduces the wear and noise of bearings, but also improves the life and reliability of bearings. Therefore, it is widely used in wind turbines, machine tools, cranes, rail transport, oil rigs, automobiles and other fields.