Tensioner having protrusion-preventing mechanism for a plunger
US6916264B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 13, 2002 |
| Grant date | Jul 12, 2005 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Aug 13, 2023 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
- CPC primaryF16H2007/0878
- WIPO fieldMechanical elements
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
In a tensioner for a timing belt or chain in an engine, a plunger, which is spring-biased in a protruding direction, is temporarily held in a retracted condition by a pivoted U-shaped or L-shaped wire spring. The spring has a locking portion engageable with a pin or groove on the plunger, and two arms having ends remote from the locking portion. The ends are pivoted to the housing on laterally displaced pivot axes. The lateral displacement of the pivot axes causes the wire spring to be under stress when its locking portion is engaged with the plunger, and the stress urges the locking portion toward a disengaged position. Thus, the plunger is held in its retracted condition during assembly by the locking portion of the wire spring, but is automatically released by disengagement of the locking portion from the plunger when the plunger is moved farther in the retracting direction.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.