Transmission bearing is an important part of the automotive transmission system, mainly used to support and locate the rotating parts of the transmission. Its main functions include:
- Reduce friction: Reduce the friction of the transmission shaft during operation by rolling contact to improve transmission efficiency.
- Ensure rotary accuracy: Ensure the accuracy of the transmission shaft during operation, reduce vibration and noise.
- Adjustment of driving speed: according to the changes in road conditions and driving conditions, adjust the driving speed of the vehicle to provide suitable driving force for the car.
There are various types of transmission bearings, and each type has its unique characteristics and applicable scenes:
- Cylindrical roller bearings: suitable for high-speed rotation and high load conditions, with high load carrying capacity and low friction.
- Ball bearings: suitable for light load and high speed working conditions, with lower friction and longer service life.
- Needle roller bearings: suitable for space-restricted occasions, with smaller radial dimensions and higher load carrying capacity.
- Tapered roller bearings: suitable for bearing radial and axial composite load, has a larger bearing capacity and better stability, but need to adjust the preload, assembly is more complex.
- Sliding bushing: suitable for low-speed and heavy-duty conditions, with high load carrying capacity and good wear resistance.
Transmission bearings support transmission parts through rolling contact between its internal rolling body (such as ball or roller) and the inner and outer rings. This rolling contact has the following characteristics:
- Less sliding resistance: rolling contact has less resistance than sliding contact, reducing power consumption.
- Easy to start: rolling contact requires less force to start and is easy to start.
- Reduce wear and tear: rolling contact reduces the direct contact between the metal, prolonging the service life of the bearing.
Transmission bearings are widely used in automotive transmissions, is to ensure the normal operation of the transmission of one of the key components. Its performance directly affects:
- Transmission efficiency: reduce friction, improve transmission efficiency.
- Noise: reduce vibration and noise, improve driving comfort.
- Lifespan: extends the service life of the transmission.
- Driving performance: ensure smooth shifting and improve the overall performance of the vehicle.
In order to ensure the normal operation and prolong the service life of the transmission bearings, regular maintenance and repair is required:
- Check wear and tear: check the wear and tear of the bearings regularly, and find and deal with problems in time.
- Cleaning and lubrication: keep the bearings clean, add or replace the lubricant regularly.
- Replacement of damaged bearings: found damaged or badly worn bearings should be replaced in time, choose models and specifications that match the original vehicle.
The transmission release bearing, often also called the clutch release bearing, is a key component in the manual transmission, and its main functions include:
- Transmitting torque: when the driver depresses the clutch pedal, the release bearing is pushed and pressed on the clutch release fork (or release lever), which transmits the force of the pedal to the clutch pressure plate, so that the pressure plate overcomes the pressure of the spring and releases the pressure on the clutch disc, realising the separation of the clutch.
- Achieving clutch disengagement: a gap is created between the clutch pressure plate and the clutch disc (friction plate), cutting off the power transmission between the engine and the transmission, allowing the driver to shift gears or bring the vehicle to a stop without interrupting the engine operation.
- Reduced wear: the intervention of the release bearing avoids the need to disengage the clutch by direct friction of the mechanical connection during gear changes, reducing the wear of the clutch disc and protecting the entire clutch system.
- Improves driving comfort: a good release bearing makes the clutch pedal stroke feel smoother and lighter, improving driving comfort.
- Ensures Smooth Shifts: The precise action of the release bearing helps ensure smooth shifts, reducing shift shock and improving transmission performance.
- Supporting role: In some designs, the release bearing also acts as a support to help maintain the correct position and alignment of the clutch mechanism.
- Reduced force transfer: During the disengagement process, the release bearing carries and transfers the force from the pedal to the clutch pressure plate, ensuring that the process is executed efficiently.
- Protection mechanism: Through effective disengagement, it prevents damage to the transmission or transmission components by preventing the high engine speed from being transmitted directly to the wheels through the driveline during improper shifting or starting.
If the transmission release bearing is damaged or worn, the following problems may occur:
- Clutch pedal feels heavy or travels abnormally: the release bearing may be worn or poorly lubricated.
- Incomplete clutch separation: causes difficulty in shifting gears or noise from the transmission, possibly due to a damaged or improperly installed release bearing.
- Clutch slipping: engine power cannot be effectively transferred to the transmission, possibly because the release bearing is worn or the clutch disc is damaged.
- Driver feels uneven or vibration when operating the clutch: the release bearing may be worn or incorrectly installed.
In order to ensure the normal operation and prolong the service life of the transmission release bearing, the following maintenance and servicing needs to be carried out regularly:
- Checking wear and tear: Regularly check the wear and tear of the release bearing to detect and deal with problems in time.
- Cleaning and lubrication: Keep the release bearing clean and add or replace the lubricant regularly.
- Replacement of damaged bearings: found damaged or badly worn separation bearings should be replaced in time, choose the model and specification matching with the original.
Transmission bearings and transmission release bearings are important components of the automotive transmission system, respectively, play a key role in supporting and positioning the rotating parts in the transmission, reducing friction, improving transmission efficiency and so on. In order to ensure the normal operation and prolong the service life of the transmission, it is necessary to select the appropriate type of bearing, material and lubrication method, and carry out regular maintenance and repair.