Linear tensioner
US6579199B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 31, 2001 |
| Grant date | Jun 17, 2003 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 28, 2021 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
- CPC primaryF16H2007/0891
- WIPO fieldMechanical elements
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A tensioner having a pulley journaled to a housing. The housing further comprises a guide. The guide slidingly engages rails on a base. The guide and rails constrain the housing to move in a predetermined linear path. The rails are horizontally offset from two axis defined by the pulley. The pulley load is also vertically offset from the axis of movement of the guide. The guide and rails have a predetermined frictional coefficient so that the cumulative result is an asymmetric damping effect. Further, a linkage is connected between the housing and a camming body. The camming body is rotatably connected to the base. A biasing member such as a torsion spring biases the camming body against the belt load through the linkage. The radius of the camming body is variable to maintain a constant belt load as the tensioner pulley moves in response to a load change.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.