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US 2011/0256969 A1Published application
Tensioner with spring damper
AssigneeLitens Automotive Partnership
InventorsMarek Frankowski, Liviu Tanjala, Jacek Stepniak, Frank Schimpl
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A tensioner having a closing-type torsion spring that is employed to bias a pivot arm about a pivot shaft. The tensioner includes a damper that continuously contacts an inside surface of the torsion spring to dampen torsional vibration transmitted through the torsion spring.
Claims22
A tensioner comprising:
- a pivot shaft;
- a pivot arm pivotally mounted on the pivot shaft;
- a torsion spring that biases the pivot arm about the pivot shaft in a first rotational direction, the torsion spring being a closing-type torsion spring with a plurality of coils that are received about the pivot shaft;
- a damper disposed in continuous contact with an inside surface of the coils of the torsion spring, the damper comprising a resilient member that deflects radially inwardly in response to contact with the coils of the torsion spring, the damper being disposed in an axially stationary position relative to the pivot shaft.
1 more element
A tensioner comprising:
- a pivot shaft;
- a pivot arm pivotally mounted on the pivot shaft and defining a groove;
- a torsion spring that biases the pivot arm about the pivot shaft in a first rotational direction, the torsion spring being a closing-type torsion spring with a plurality of coils that are received about the pivot shaft;
- a stop sleeve received over the pivot shaft and within the torsion spring, the stop sleeve having a tongue that is received into the groove in the pivot arm, the tongue being smaller than the groove to permit a predetermined amount of movement of the pivot arm relative to the stop sleeve;
- a first clamp sleeve mounted over the pivot shaft and rotatably coupled to the stop sleeve;
- a wrap spring having a first end, which is fixedly coupled to the first clamp sleeve, and a plurality of helical coils that are disposed about the stop sleeve;
- a second clamp sleeve mounted over the pivot shaft and abutting the first clamp sleeve on a side opposite the stop sleeve, the second clamp sleeve being non-rotatably coupled to the first clamp sleeve;
- at least one damper coupled to the second clamp sleeve and configured to be in continuous contact with an inside surface of the coils of the torsion spring, the at least one damper being formed of a resilient material and deflecting inwardly with increasing torque transmitted through the torsion spring;
- and
- a friction clamp housed between the first and second clamp sleeves, the friction clamp frictionally engaging the pivot shaft.
7 more elements
A tensioner comprising:
- a pivot shaft;
- a pivot arm pivotally mounted on the pivot shaft and defining a groove;
- a torsion spring that biases the pivot arm about the pivot shaft in a first rotational direction, the torsion spring being a closing-type torsion spring with a plurality of coils that are received about the pivot shaft;
- a pulley mounted on the pivot arm at a location that is offset from the pivot shaft;
- a stop sleeve received over the pivot shaft and within the torsion spring, the stop sleeve having a tongue that is received into the groove in the pivot arm, the tongue being smaller than the groove to permit a predetermined amount of movement of the pivot arm relative to the stop sleeve;
- a first clamp sleeve mounted over the pivot shaft and rotatably coupled to the stop sleeve;
- a wrap spring having a first end, which is fixedly coupled to the first clamp sleeve, and a plurality of helical coils that are disposed about the stop sleeve;
- a second clamp sleeve mounted over the pivot shaft and abutting the first clamp sleeve on a side opposite the stop sleeve, the second clamp sleeve being non-rotatably coupled to the first clamp sleeve;
- at least one damper coupled to the second clamp sleeve and configured to be in continuous contact with an inside surface of the coils of the torsion spring, the at least one damper being formed of a resilient material and deflecting inwardly with increasing torque transmitted through the torsion spring;
- and
- a friction clamp housed between the first and second clamp sleeves, the friction clamp frictionally engaging the pivot shaft;
- wherein the first clamp sleeve is configured to maintain the friction clamp in a closed position around the pivot shaft when the pivot arm is moved in the first rotational direction and wherein the first clamp sleeve is configured to permit the friction clamp to spread open when a torque in excess of a predetermined torque is applied to the pivot arm in a second rotational direction opposite the first rotational direction;
- wherein the at least one damper comprises a plurality of lobes that are disposed about the second clamp sleeve;
- wherein each of the lobes is supported on its opposite sides by a wall member;
- and
- wherein the stop sleeve and the second clamp sleeve are snap-fit to the first clamp sleeve
13 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.