Tensioner for flexible drives
US8142314B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 19, 2006 |
| Grant date | Mar 27, 2012 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 12, 2028 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
- CPC primaryF16H2007/084
- WIPO fieldMechanical elements
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A tensioner in accordance with the present invention employs a spindle and a tensioner arm which are preferably manufactured by a suitable manufacturing process, such as die casting, negating a requirement for machining operations. The biasing spring of the tensioner is wound with wire having a non-circular cross section to increase the spring force of the spring compared to a similar spring wound with wire of circular cross section and, as the tensioner arm is moved away from the flexible drive, the diameter of the biasing spring expands and the coils press a dampening shoe into contact with a wall of the tensioner arm producing a dampening force. The tensioner is simple to assemble and requires a relatively small package volume for the biasing force it can produce.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.