Clutch release bearing with self-alignment by means of elastic sleeve

The present invention relates to the field of clutch-release bearings, particularly for motor vehicles, of the kind comprising an operating element able to move in translation under the action of a control member such as a clutch-release fork or the piston of a hydraulic control, a thrust rolling bearing intended to act on the clutch-release device of a clutch, such as a diaphragm, and, between the thrust bearing and the operating element, a self-alignment elastic connecting member providing an axial connection between the thrust bearing and the operating element and allowing the thrust bearing to self-centre with respect to the diaphragm if the axis of the diaphragm and the axis the thrust bearing are not exactly coincident at the time of mounting. Such a release bearing is described, for example, in document FR-A-2 663 702. The invention concerns a clutch release bearing comprising an engaging element capable of co-operating with a clutch diaphragm (), and designed to be mounted on a manoeuvring element () mobile in translation under the action of a control member (). The engaging element comprises a roller bearing () provided with a rotating ring () and a non-rotating ring (), said engaging element being radially mobile relative to the manoeuvring element to be self-aligned by means of a radially elastic self-aligning sleeve (), arranged in the bore of the non-rotating ring to co-operate with the manoeuvring element. The roller bearing is of the standard type comprising an outer peripheral surface and a cylindrical bore axially defined by two parallel radial surfaces, and at least a seal joint () mounted on one of the rings and in friction contact with the other ring, the sleeve comprising sealing means co-operating with a rotating part of the engaging element.