Tensioner with stamped pivot pin
AssigneeSchaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
InventorsAustin Barton, Gregory Cowen, Zechariah Van Steenbergen
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A method of fabricating a chain tensioner includes bending a sheet metal blank to form a connector portion perpendicular to a flat base. The connector portion has an arm extending beyond the base. The method further includes stamping an end of the arm to curl the end into a hollow cylinder having an axis perpendicular the flat base. Curling the end into a hollow cylinder may be performed in a series of stamping operations. The blank may define a gap which extends around a narrower portion of the arm after the end is curled into the hollow cylinder.
Claims5
A tensioner assembly comprising:
- a stamped support having a flat base adapted for fixation to an engine and a connector portion bent perpendicular to the flat base, the connector portion having an arm with a first end curled into a hollow pin such that the hollow pin defines:
- i) a gap which extends around a narrower portion of the arm after the first end of the is curled into the hollow pin, and ii) an axis perpendicular to the flat base;
- and
- a tensioner arm defining a hole, wherein a portion of the pin extends into the hole such that the tensioner arm pivots with respect to the support about the axis.
A method of fabricating a chain tensioner, comprising:
- bending a sheet metal blank to form a connector portion perpendicular to a flat base, the connector portion having an arm extending beyond the flat base;
- and
- stamping an end of the arm to curl the end into a hollow cylinder having an axis perpendicular to the flat base, wherein the sheet metal blank defines a gap which extends around a narrower portion of the arm after the end is curled into the hollow cylinder.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.