• 专利附录
  • 专利说明
  • 权利要求
  • 类似技术
  • 同族专利
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    • 专利摘要:
    TENSIONER WITH EXPANSION SPRING FOR ASYMMETRIC DAMPING BY RADIAL FRICTION. The invention relates to a tensioner that can be part of a power system to tension an endless power transmission element. The tensioner includes an arm that has an arm tree with a slit through it that is rotatable around a first geometric axis, a bushing that has a sleeve that includes a cutout and a removable sleeve segment that has a protrusion over it , the glove segment being received within the cutout with the protrusion inside its slot, and a spring attached to the arm for rotation of the arm around the first geometric axis in a tensioning coupling with a power transmission element. The spring is positioned where it can expand radially in contact with the bushing protuberance, at least the protuberance on the sleeve segment, as the arm is rotated in a direction opposite to the tensioning coupling direction so that the bushing is forced radially out from the arm tree to provide friction damping.
    公开号:BR112013004961B1
    申请号:R112013004961-8
    申请日:2011-08-03
    公开日:2020-12-01
    发明作者:Antthony E. Lannutti；Robert J. Crist；James Kevin Lindstrom
    申请人:Dayco Ip Holdings, Llc；
    IPC主号:
    专利说明:

    CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED REQUESTS
    [001] This application is partly a continuation of U.S. Patent Application Serial Number 12 / 874,797 filed on September 2, 2010, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety. TECHNICAL FIELD
    [002] The present invention relates generally to tensioners and more specifically to an asymmetrically damped tensioner that uses an expansion spring to provide radial friction damping. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
    [003] It is common for a tensioner such as a belt tensioner to have a means for damping the movement of the tensioning arm caused by the fluctuation of belt tension. The magnitude required for this damping depends on many driving factors including geometry, accessory loads, accessory inertia, active motor cycle and others. For example, drive systems that have a higher torsional input or certain transient dynamic conditions may require higher damping to sufficiently control the tensioner movement. Although higher damping is very effective in controlling arm movement, it can also be detrimental to other critical tensioner functions (for example, slow or no response to loose belt conditions). In addition, a variation or change in damping that occurs as a result of variation in fabrication, operating temperature and component breakage or wear can also cause the tensioner to become unresponsive.
    [004] Time belt systems have benefited from the use of asymmetric damping to solve this problem. An asymmetrically cushioned tensioner provides when additional belt tension is encountered, but is free to respond to loose belt conditions. While asymmetric functionality may not be required for all other front end accessory drive tensioners, the potential for increased service life, solving other transient dynamic system problems including belt slippage, or simply making the tensioner less sensitive to variation cushioning makes it a desirable design option.
    [005] Many belt tensioner damping mechanisms that use friction damping use axial forces to move the tensioner components to create the frictional force that does the damping. These designs tend to require a means to contain the axial force and some components in the belt tensioner must be more robust to withstand the axial force over the life of the tensioner. SUMMARY
    [006] One aspect of the tensioners described is a type of tensioner where the radial damping force can be contained within a support wall instead of being based on joints. Radial damping is preferably asymmetric.
    [007] In one embodiment, a tensioner is described that can be part of a power system where the tensioner provides tension for an endless power transmission element such as a belt, chain, or other continuous loop. The tensioner has an arm that is rotatable around a first geometrical axis and includes an arm tree that has a slit through it, a bush that has a sleeve that includes a cutout and a removable sleeve segment within the cutout, the bushing having a protrusion at least on the sleeve segment, the protrusion being positioned adjacent to the arm tree with the protrusion inside the arm tree slot, and a spring attached to the arm that forces the arm to rotate around the first axis geometry in a tensioning coupling in a power transmission element. The spring is positioned where it can expand radially in contact with the bushing protrusion as the arm is rotated in a direction opposite to the tensioning coupling direction so that the bushing is forced radially outwardly in relation to the arm tree to provide a friction damping.
    [008] In another embodiment, the tensioner includes a support member that houses the spring, the arm tree, and the bush with the bush adjacent to the support member and the arm tree between the spring and the bush. Consequently, when the spring is expanded radially this forces the bushing in friction coupling with the support member to provide friction damping.
    [009] The bushing can include a longitudinal slot through it that allows the radial expansion of the bushing in response to the radial expansion of the spring. In one embodiment, the bushing includes a substantially cylindrical sleeve that has the longitudinal slit in it and has at least one protuberance on its internal surface. The bushing may also have a flange that extends out of one end of its sleeve.
    [0010] The arm arm of the arm preferably has a fixed diameter so that the arm tree does not respond to the radial expansion of the spring. Instead, the bushing is only expanded radially by the expanding spring. The tensioner may also include a cover that closes the spring within the tensioner.
    [0011] In one embodiment, the arm includes a rotating pulley mounted around a second geometric axis, the second geometric axis being spaced from and parallel to the first geometric axis. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
    [0012] Figure 1 is a front view of an engine which uses a tensioner modality.
    [0013] Figure 2 is an exploded perspective view of a tensioner modality.
    [0014] Figure 3 is a side cross-sectional view of the tensioner in Figure 1 taken along line 3-3.
    [0015] Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of the tensioner in Figure 3 taken along line 4-4.
    [0016] Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view of a type of tensioner that shows the underside of the cover connected to the arm, articulation axis, and spring.
    [0017] Figure 6 is a bottom perspective view of the cover of Figure 5.
    [0018] Figure 7 is an exploded perspective view of another type of tensioner.
    [0019] Figure 8 is a side view of the tensioner in Figure 7.
    [0020] Figure 9 is an exploded bottom perspective view of the tensioner of Figure 8 without the support member.
    [0021] Figure 10 is a top sectional view of the tensioner of Figure 8 mounted along line 10-10. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
    [0022] The following detailed description will illustrate the general principles of the invention, examples of which are further illustrated in the accompanying drawings. In the drawings, the same reference numbers indicate identical or functionally similar elements.
    [0023] The damping mechanism and tensioner described here provide asymmetric friction damping. The tensioner is typically part of a power system where the tensioner provides tension for an endless power transmission element such as a belt, chain, or other continuous loop that is in a system driven by at least one source and that can also trigger an accessory. The power transmission element and the tensioner operate in concert with the tensioner providing tension to the endless power transmission element as needed and responding to its dynamic conditions.
    [0024] Referring now to Figure 1, a motor is generally indicated by reference number 20 and uses an endless power transmission element 21 to drive a plurality of driven accessories as is well known in the art. The belt tensioner of this invention, generically designated as 100, is used to provide a tensioning force on the endless power transmission element 21. The endless power transmission element 21 can be of any suitable type known in the art. The tensioner 100 is configured to be fixed to a mounting bracket or support structure 24 of the motor 20 by a plurality of fasteners 25. The fasteners can be nipples, screws, welds, or any other suitable fastener known in the art that will fasten tensioner in place during engine operation. The mounting bracket or support structure 24 can be of any configuration and include any number of openings for receiving the fasteners 25.
    [0025] The tensioning of a loose endless power transmission element with the tensioner described here is unusual because it is the winding of an unwound spring that operates to rotate the tensioner arm to provide tension, which will be here referred to as the tensioning direction T. In the opposite direction, here referred to as the winding direction W, the tensioning arm can be considered to be winding in response to a prevailing force from the endless power transmission element which is tightening in amplitude. where the tensioner resides; however, not typically for tensioners, the winding of the tension arm corresponds to a spring unwinding within the tensioners described.
    [0026] The winding of the tensioner can have some potentially undesirable effects on the intended function of the drive system. To mitigate these undesirable effects it may be useful to have a damper or damping mechanism, for example, a friction damper, incorporated in the tensioner to resist the movement of the power transmission element, without adversely affecting the rotation of the tensioner, specifically its arm to tension the power transmission element. This type of friction damping is generally known asymmetric damping, and in the tensioners described here the unwinding of the spring provides such damping. The unwinding of the spring expands its turns outward, increasing its loop diameter, which is used here to provide asymmetric friction damping by making the spring act on another component of the tensioner due to the fact that the spring forces on friction coupling with another surface.
    [0027] Referring to Figures 2-3 and Figures 7-8, the tensioners 100 and 100 'described here provide an asymmetric friction damping for the movement of an arm 102 through the expansion of the spring 106 as it is unwound in response to a belt load or other prevailing force of the endless power transmission element which is tightening in the range where the tensioner resides. The spring 106 transfers an outwardly directed force, a radial force, from its expanding turns to a sleeve 108 to force the sleeve 108 (Figures 2-3) or the sleeve 108 '(Figure 7) into friction coupling with a surface internal 146 of a support member 114 which houses at least part of the spring 106 and bushing 108, 108 'so that substantial friction damping is applied to the belt tensioner in the winding direction W. As explained above, the direction of winding occurs when an increasing tension causes the endless power transmission element to lift the tensioner arm in a direction away from it. The tensioner resists rotation in the winding direction W with a frictional damping force, but substantially does not resist the movement of the tensioning arm towards the belt with the same frictional damping force.
    [0028] Unique to the construction of the tensioners described here is the use of the spring that expands radially where the radial expansion provides the force to force the parts in friction coupling to provide the damping and the radially expanded spring, that is, unwound, then apply a torsional force to apply torque to the tension arm to rotate the tension arm in the direction of tension T, that is, in the direction of the power transmission element.
    [0029] The application of radial force of the tensioner, instead of an axial force, allows some of the components to be made of less expensive materials since the components and the joints need not be as robust as these would be to support the axial forces. The absence of axial forces allows some components to be made thinner, which can reduce the weight of the tensioner and the cost. Any radial forces that exist in the tensioner can be effortlessly contained within the support member of the belt tensioner.
    [0030] The tensioners 100 and 100 'of Figures 2-6 and 7-10, respectively, contain many of the same or similar components. The components will be described in detail with respect to the tensioner 100 of Figures 26, but the description is equally applicable to tensioner 100 'of Figures 7-10 for the same reference numbers. A difference between tensioners 100 and 100 'is the configuration of bushings 108' (Figure 7) and 108 (Figure 2).
    [0031] Now looking at Figures 2-6, tensioner 100 includes a rotating tensioner arm 102 around a first geometric axis A in the direction of tensioning T and in the winding direction W opposite to the direction of tensioning as shown in Figure 3, a spring 106, a bushing 108, a support member 114, a cap 118. The arm 102 includes a pulley 120 rotatable at its first end 130 for rotation about a second geometric axis B which is spaced from and parallel to the first geometry axis A. Pulley 120 may be coupled to arm 102 with a pulley screw 122 or other fastener and may include a dust cover 124.
    [0032] The arm 102 includes, at its second end 132, an arm tree 104 that extends from the arm around the first geometric axis A. The arm tree 104 may include a sleeve 152 that has an open first end 154 and a partial bottom 117 that defines a second open end 156 that has a smaller opening compared to the first end 154. In one embodiment, sleeve 152 is generally cylindrical and defines a housing 150 that can receive spring 106. Within sleeve 152 one or more more slits 116 are present which extend through it, that is, the slits are open from the outer surface of the arm tree 104 to its interior. When assembling, the first end 154 of the sleeve 152 can be closed by the cap 118 and the second end 156 can be closed by the support member 114. The cap 118 and the support member 114 can contain the other components of the tensioner, for example , spring 106, arm trees 104, and bushing 108, and protect them from contaminants.
    [0033] In one embodiment, the arm tree 104 includes two slits 116, more preferably as shown in Figure 2, three slits 116, but is not limited to any specific number of slits. Slots 116 can be positioned equally distant apart around the arm tree 114, which is advantageous for distributing the force exerted by the expansion spring 106 more evenly over the sleeve 108. In one embodiment, the slits 116 can extend through the sleeve 152. Slots 116 can be of any shape and / or configuration that allows the protrusions 110 of the bushing to extend into the cavity 143 defined by sleeve 152 for contact with spring 106 as it expands.
    [0034] As best seen in Figure 3, the slits 116 can extend through the sleeve 152 and into the partial bottom 117. The portion of the slits 116 in the partial bottom 117 only extends partially radially, into the partial bottom 117, so that the partial bottom 117 is circumferentially discontinuous on its outer periphery and circumferentially continuous on its inner periphery. The inner periphery being the nearest edge to the first geometric axis A. The circumferentially continuous inner periphery helps to stabilize or provide rigidity for the second open end 156 of sleeve 152 and provides the arm shaft 114 with fixed dimensions. In one embodiment, sleeve 152 is substantially cylindrical and has a fixed diameter.
    [0035] The partial bottom 117, as best seen in Figure 4, includes a topping feature 180 positioned inside the sleeve 152. The topping feature 180 receives the first end 107 of spring 106. Consequently, when the arm tree 104 rotates with arm 102, topping feature 180 forces spring 106 to unroll and radially expand its diameter. In one embodiment, the topping feature 180 is a partition or protuberance that provides a generally flat surface for a generally flat cutting end of the spring 106 to bump against it in direct contact. In another embodiment, the topping feature 180 may be a sleeve, a support, or recess, or another receptacle within which the spring end 107 mounts to connect the spring to the arm tree 104 for movement with it.
    [0036] In one embodiment, the topping feature 180 can be a ramp feature, which, depending on the ramp direction, could either increase or decrease the expansion out of the spring. Someone skilled in the art will appreciate that the shape and / or contour of the topping feature 180 can be such that the tensioner could have asymmetric or progressive damping.
    [0037] The second end 132 of the arm 102 can also include a flange 158 around the periphery where the arm tree 104 connects to the arm 102. The flange 158, when mounting the tensioner 100, can rest on the flange 115 of the member support 114. Extending from flange 158 there may be an outwardly flap 140 that can act as a stop to limit the rotational movement of arm 102 around the first geometry axis A when flap 140 contacts a stop, for example, stop 142 on the support member 114 and / or the flap 136 on the cover 118.
    [0038] The arm tree 104 is received into the cavity 143 of the support member 114. The support member 114 has a closed end 160 and an open end 162 and includes a pivot axis 144 that extends from the closed end 160 inwardly cavity 143 and around which the arm tree 104 rotates. The support member 114 can facilitate the assembly of the tensioner 100 in place with respect to an endless power transmission element. In one embodiment, the pivot axis 144 is generally centrally positioned within the cavity 143 and has an opening 145 that axially extends or a hole that can receive a tang, screw, pin, or other fastener 25 '(shown in Figure 1) to hold the belt tensioner mounted together and / or mount the tensioner on a surface in relation to an endless power transmission element. The support member 114 can also receive and / or house at least part of the bushing 108 and the spring 106.
    [0039] In one embodiment, the support member 114 may include an upper edge 115 or flange extending outwardly around the periphery of the open end 162 of cavity 143 and a stop 142 projecting out of its outer wall nearest the open end 162 or as an extension of flange 115. In one embodiment, support member 114 may also include a positioning pin 147 on the outer surface of the closed end 160 of cavity 143 which is receivable within a receptacle which may be provided on the mounting bracket or support structure 24 of the motor 20.
    [0040] As shown in Figures 2-3, a bushing 108 is positioned or positioned between the arm tree 104 and the inner surface 146 of the support member 114 and is adjacent to the outer surface of the arm tree 104. The bushing 108 includes a sleeve 119 having a first open end 170 and a second open end 172 and one or more protrusions 110 extending from the inner surface 168 of the sleeve in the direction of the first geometric axis A. In one embodiment, the sleeve 119 is generally cylindrical. The number of protrusions 110 preferably coincides with the number of slots 116 in the arm tree 104 so that the bushing 108 is coincident with the arm tree 104 with its protrusions 110 received within the slits 116. Consequently, the protrusions 110 are formed to match the slots 116 of the arm tree 104. The protrusions 110 are also dimensioned so that they extend through the arm tree 104 into its internal cavity 143 and are accessible to or by the spring 106 as it expands when unrolling .
    [0041] Bushing 108 also includes a flange 113 that extends out of one end of sleeve 119, for example, from the first open end 170. In the embodiment of Figures 2-3, bushing 108 includes a slit 112 through which extends from the first open end 170 to the second open end 172. Slit 112 allows the chuck 108 to expand radially in response to the expansion of the spring 106 as it unfolds. In an alternative embodiment, the chuck 108 can be generally elastic.
    [0042] The spring 106 is seated within the cavity 143 of the support member 114 with its turns juxtaposed to the protrusions 110 of the bushing 108. Consequently, when the arm 102 rotates in response to belt loading or other prevailing force of the transmission element of endless power which is tightening in the amplitude where the tensioner resides, spring 106 will unwind, increasing the diameter of the loop, and radially expand its turns into the protuberances 110 of bushing 108 thereby directing bushing 108 radially outwardly in relation to the arm shaft 104, which remains stationary, and in friction coupling with the internal surface of the support member 114. When the belt loading or other prevailing force of the power transmission element dissipates, the accumulated torque inside the spring 116 as a result of its unwound state forces the tension arm 102 to rotate in the tensioning direction T as the spring re it returns to its curled state. Consequently, the spring 106 is coupled to the tension arm 102 so that the spring provides the torque to force the tension arm from the tension direction T.
    [0043] Spring 106 is a torsional spring of any shape and / or configuration. In one embodiment, the torsional spring is a round wire spring. In another embodiment, the torsional spring can be a square or rectangular spring or a square or rectangular spiral spring. In another embodiment, the torsional spring is a flat wire spring. One skilled in the art will appreciate that these various torsional springs may require alternate spring end coupling points within the tensioner to provide secure attachments so that the spring rolls and unrolls properly to tension the arm.
    [0044] The spring 106 preferably has a first end 107 that couples the spring 106 to the tension arm 102, specifically the arm tree 104, and a second end 109 that couples the spring 106 to the cover 118. The first end 107 of the spring 106, as discussed above, comes up against or is received within a first topping feature 180 of the tension arm 102, best seen in Figure 4, to couple the tension arm 102 in the spring 106 so that the rotation of the tension arm 102 in the direction winding W unroll the spring and thereby radially expand the diameter of the spring turns. Thereafter, the torque of the expanded unwound spring 106 can rotate the tensioner arm 102 in the tensioning direction T to tension a power transmission element when the force lifting the tensioner arm in the winding direction W is reduced. As the spring 106 uses its torque to rotate the arm 102, the mode 106 winds back in the direction of its original position thereby reducing and / or removing the radial force of the protrusions 110 of the bushing 108 so that a reduced or substantially no friction damping to resist rotation of the tension arm in the direction of the belt from occurring. The damping of tensioner 100 is asymmetrical.
    [0045] The second end 109 of the spring 106 is likewise stamped against or received within a second topping feature (item 182 in Figure 5) located inside the cap 118. The second topping feature inside the cap 118. The second topping characteristic within cover 118 can be the same as or different from the first topping characteristic 108. It is preferable that the second end 109 of the spring is stationary, that is, kept stationary by cover 118, which is stationary with respect to arm 102. Consequently, the second topping characteristic within the cap 118 must be configured to keep the second end 109 of the spring 106 stationary.
    [0046] The cap 118 of Figures 1-3 includes a hole 134 generally centrally located to receive a fastener 25 'such as a spike, screw, rivet, or other fastener for attaching the cap to the tensioner. Hole 134 can be recessed into the top surface 135 of the cap to receive the fastener head. The cover 118 may also include a flap 136 that extends out of it. The flap 136 may be L-shaped and comprise an arm 138 which generally extends horizontally outward from the outer periphery of the cap 118 and a flange 139 which extends generally vertically downward from the end of the arm 138 opposite the periphery of the cap. On the bottom side 137 of the cover, a second topping feature for receiving an end of the spring 106 may be formed on or over it. A track 192 can be lowered into the bottom side 137 of the cover to receive the spring 106 and can define at least part of the topping characteristic and extend away from it. The track 192 preferably coincides with the curvature or shape of the spring 106. In one embodiment, the cap 118 can include more than one tab 136 and the tabs can attach the cap 118 to the arm 102 and / or the support member 114.
    [0047] In another embodiment, illustrated in Figures 5-6, the cover, generally designated as 118 ', has a splined fixation on the pivot axis 144. The pivot axis 144 has a splined end 186 opposite the junction of the pivot axis with the closed end 160 of the cavity 143 and a hole 145. The splined end 186 provides a coincident connection between the support member 114 and the cover 118 '. To coincide with the splined end 186, the cap 118 'has a button 188 which comprises an internal configuration of alternating ridges 194 and recesses 196. The cap 118 'is held stationary by connecting the button 188 to the splined end 186 of the pivot axis 144.
    [0048] The cap 118 'can include a hole 134' generally centrally located which is positioned through the center of the button 188. The cap 118 'can also include a track 192' recessed within its underside 137 '. The track 192 'is formed to match the shape of the torsional spring 106, specifically the portion of the spring that includes the second end 109 of the spring 106 and at least part of the first loop extending therefrom. The track 192 'can also define part of the topping feature 182 against which the cut end of the second end 109 of the spring is in direct contact. Track 192 'may have a protrusion 190 extending from it closest to the second end 109 of the spring 106 to help hold the second end 109 in place within the cover.
    [0049] The second topping characteristic 182 can be similar to the one described above.
    [0050] Referring to Figures 7-8, tensioner 100 'includes a rotating tensioner arm 103 around a first geometric axis A in the direction of tensioning T and in the winding direction W opposite to the direction of tensioning as shown in Figure 7, a spring 106, a support member 114, and a cap 118 as described above. The arm 102 may also include a pulley 120 mounted rotatable at its first end for rotation about a second axis B that is spaced from and parallel to the first axis A. The pulley 120 may be coupled to the arm 102 with a screw pulley 122 or other fastener and may include a dust cover 124. The tensioner 100 'includes a bushing 108' which during operation provides asymmetric friction damping in response to the radial expansion of the spring turns 106.
    [0051] Bushing 108 'is similar to bushing 108 (Figure 2) in which bushing 108' includes a sleeve 119 having a first open end 170 and a second open end 172 and one or more protrusions 110 extending from the inner surface 168 of the sleeve in the direction of the first geometric axis A. In one embodiment, sleeve 119 is generally cylindrical and the number of protrusions 110 coincides with the number of slots 116 in the arm tree 104 so that bushing 108 'is coincident with the arm tree 104 with its protrusions 110 received inside the slits 116.
    [0052] Bushing 108 ', as shown in Figures 7 and 9, is different from bushing 108 (Figure 2) by including a cutout 204 in sleeve 119 and a removable sleeve segment 202 that is receivable within cutout 204. The cutout 204 is an opening in sleeve 119. In one embodiment, cutout 204 is formed from the second end 172 of the sleeve towards the first end 170 and results in a second discontinuous end 172 which appears generally in a C shape from an end view higher. The cutout 204 can be of any desired size and shape. In one embodiment, cutout 204 is generally U-shaped. In another embodiment, cutout 204 can form three sides within sleeve 119, two vertical sides 212, 214 and a head 216 that connects vertical sides 212, 214.
    [0053] The removable sleeve segment 202 can be formed from the removed sleeve part when making the cutout 204 or it can be formed independently of it. The removable sleeve segment 202 must be formed so that this mount within the cutout 204. The assembly must be relatively intimate in proximity to the two units substantially coinciding with each other. This is for simplicity, but other variations are feasible. At least one of the protrusions 110 is located on the inner surface of the removable sleeve segment 202, usually identified as protrusion 210, and projects inwardly towards the first geometric axis A.
    [0054] As shown in Figures 9-10, the protrusions 110, 210 are formed to match the slots 116 of the arm tree 104 and can be dimensioned so that they extend through the arm tree 104 into its internal cavity 143 and are accessible to or by spring 106 as it expands when unrolling. For protrusions 110, 210 to coincide with slots 116, bushing 108 'is positioned or positioned adjacent to the outer surface of arm tree 104 and, as shown in Figure 10, can be positioned between arm tree 104 and the inner surface 146 of support member 114. Also, as shown in Figure 10, spring 106 may be in direct contact with one or more of the protrusions 110, 210.
    [0055] The removable sleeve segment 202 with its protrusion 210 in contact with the spring 106 is movable radially outward for friction damping as the spring turns expand when the tension arm 102 moves in the winding direction W, which the spring unwinds and thereby radially expands the diameter of the spring turns. Bushing 108 'is radially expandable as a whole by the action of the expanding spring turns against protrusions 110 and 210.
    [0056] The glove segment 202 allows a physical separation to match the functional separation of alignment control and damping control. The single unit design of Figures 2-6 takes advantage of the relative flexibility of the single-component bushing 108, preferably a plastic one, to act as a single pivot element for rotating alignment and flexible, economical radial damping with pressure transitions of inherently smooth surface along the radial arc of the bushing outer diameter. The design of Figures 7-10, which has the two-component bushing 108 ', allows dissimilar materials to be used for the removable sleeve segment 202 and sleeve 119. This allows the customization of the two functions of the bushing damper - damping and articulation alignment, perhaps allowing one to be "premium" without increasing the cost of the other. Another potential benefit of the two-component bushing 108 'is that the cushioning can start to wear or the joint can start to wear without adversely affecting the cushioning. Also, this design can allow a control of increase or decrease of damping through pressure changes or friction coefficient, without affecting the articulation characteristic.
    [0057] The chuck 108 'can also include a flange 113 that extends out of one end of the sleeve 119, for example, from the first open end 170. As shown in Figures 7 and 9, the chuck 108' can include a slot 112 through it extending from the first open end 170 to the second open end 172. Slit 112 allows the chuck 108 'to expand radially in response to the expansion of the spring 106 as it unfolds. In an alternative embodiment, the chuck 108' can be generally elastic.
    [0058] As shown in Figure 9, the arm 102 can include a flap 240 that extends down from the bottom side of the flange 158 towards the support member 114. The flap 240 can act as a stop to limit the rotational movement of the arm 102 around the first geometry axis A. In one embodiment, the flap 240 may come into contact with a stop 142 on the support member 114 to limit the rotation of the arm. The flap 240 can be positioned on the flange 158 so that the flap 240 is between the arm shaft 104 and the first end of the arm 130 where the pulley 120 is mounted.
    [0059] The modalities of this invention shown in the drawings and described above are exemplary of numerous modalities that can be made within the scope of the appended claims. It is contemplated that numerous other configurations of the tensioner can be created taking advantage of the proposal described. In summary, it is the applicant's intention that the scope of the patent that results from this is limited only by the scope of the attached claims.
    权利要求:
    Claims (17)
    [0001]
    1.Tensioner (100), characterized by comprising: an arm (102) rotating around a first geometric axis, the arm (102) comprising an arm tree (104) which has a slit (116) through a portion thereof ; a bushing (108) comprising a sleeve (119) having a cutout (204) and a removable sleeve segment (202) received within the cutout (204), the bushing (108) having a first protrusion (210) on the removable sleeve segment (202), the protuberance (210) being positioned adjacent to the arm tree (104) with the first protuberance (210) received inside its slot (116); a spring (106) coupled to the arm (102) which forces the arm to rotate around the first geometry axis in a tensioning coupling with an endless power transmission element (21), the spring (106) being positioned to expand radially in contact with the first protrusion of the bushing (108) as the arm (102) is rotated in a direction opposite to the tensioning coupling direction so that the bushing (108) is forced radially outwards in relation to the arm tree ( 104) to provide friction damping.
    [0002]
    2. Tensioner according to claim 1, characterized in that the bushing (108) includes a longitudinal slot through it that allows its radial expansion.
    [0003]
    3. Tensioner according to claim 2, characterized in that the sleeve (119) of the bushing (108) still comprises a second protuberance on it that is received within a second slot (116) of the arm tree (104).
    [0004]
    4. Tensioner according to claim 3, characterized in that the sleeve (119) of the bushing (108) is cylindrical.
    [0005]
    5. Tensioner according to claim 2, characterized in that the arm shaft (104) has a fixed diameter.
    [0006]
    6. Tensioner according to claim 1, characterized in that the arm (102) includes a rotating pulley mounted around a second geometric axis, the second geometric axis being spaced from and parallel to the first geometric axis.
    [0007]
    7. Tensioner according to claim 1, characterized in that it also comprises a support member (114) which houses the spring (106), the arm tree (104), and the bushing (108) with the bushing (108) adjacent to the support member (114) and the arm tree (104) between the spring (106) and the bushing (108).
    [0008]
    8. Tensioner according to claim 7, characterized in that the radial expansion of the spring (106) forces the bushing (108) into friction coupling with the support member (114) to provide friction damping.
    [0009]
    9. Tensioner according to claim 7, characterized in that the support member (114) is stationary and includes an axis that defines the first geometric axis, in which the arm (102) is rotatable on the axis.
    [0010]
    10. Tensioner according to claim 1, characterized in that it also comprises a cover (118) that closes the spring (106) inside the tensioner (100).
    [0011]
    Tensioner according to claim 10, characterized in that the spring (106) has a first end (107) coupled to the arm (102) and a second end (109) coupled to the cover (118).
    [0012]
    12. Tensioner according to claim 1, characterized in that the tensioner (100) provides asymmetric damping.
    [0013]
    13. Tensioner according to claim 1, characterized in that the protuberance (110) is dimensioned to extend into the cavity (143) of the arm tree (104).
    [0014]
    14. Tensioner according to claim 1, characterized in that the arm tree (104) comprises a generally cylindrical sleeve (152) that has a first open end (154) and a partial bottom (117) which defines a second open end (156) which has a smaller opening compared to the first end (154).
    [0015]
    15. Tensioner according to claim 14, characterized in that the slot (116) extends through the sleeve (152) and into the partial bottom (117) so that the bushing (108) slides over the arm tree (104).
    [0016]
    16. Tensioner according to claim 15, characterized in that the spring (106) is housed within the generally cylindrical sleeve (152) of the arm tree (104).
    [0017]
    17. Tensioner according to claim 16, characterized in that it also comprises a cover (118) that closes the spring (106) within the arm tree (104), the spring (106) having a first end (107) coupled to the arm (102) and a second end (109) coupled to the cover (118).
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    同族专利:
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    EP2612056A4|2014-03-05|
    US8545352B2|2013-10-01|
    WO2012030464A1|2012-03-08|
    JP2013536929A|2013-09-26|
    EP2612056A1|2013-07-10|
    CA2810199A1|2012-03-08|
    AU2011296477B8|2014-10-23|
    KR101623244B1|2016-05-20|
    ES2534679T3|2015-04-27|
    AU2011296477A1|2013-03-21|
    KR20130131318A|2013-12-03|
    CN103154573A|2013-06-12|
    EP2612056B1|2015-03-11|
    US20120058848A1|2012-03-08|
    BR112013004961A2|2016-08-16|
    AU2011296477B2|2014-10-02|
    MX2013002239A|2013-09-13|
    JP5852119B2|2016-02-03|
    CN103154573B|2014-09-03|
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    法律状态:
    2018-12-26| B06F| Objections, documents and/or translations needed after an examination request according [chapter 6.6 patent gazette]|
    2019-05-14| B06T| Formal requirements before examination [chapter 6.20 patent gazette]|
    2020-04-07| B07A| Technical examination (opinion): publication of technical examination (opinion) [chapter 7.1 patent gazette]|
    2020-09-01| B09A| Decision: intention to grant [chapter 9.1 patent gazette]|
    2020-12-01| B16A| Patent or certificate of addition of invention granted|Free format text: PRAZO DE VALIDADE: 20 (VINTE) ANOS CONTADOS A PARTIR DE 03/08/2011, OBSERVADAS AS CONDICOES LEGAIS. |
    优先权:
    申请号 | 申请日 | 专利标题
    US12/874,797|US8617013B2|2010-09-02|2010-09-02|Tensioner with expanding spring for radial frictional asymmetric damping|
    US12/874,797|2010-09-02|
    US13/008,357|US8545352B2|2010-09-02|2011-01-18|Tensioner with expanding spring for radial frictional asymmetric damping|
    US13/008,357|2011-01-18|
    PCT/US2011/046410|WO2012030464A1|2010-09-02|2011-08-03|Tensioner with expanding spring for radial frictional asymmetric damping|
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