Locking structure of tensioner

Abstract

The locking structure of the tensioner comprises a shell, a tensioning plunger, a plunger spring and a locking mechanism, a shell cavity is formed in the shell, the tensioning plunger is arranged in the shell cavity in a sliding mode, the lower end of the tensioning plunger is located in the shell cavity, the upper end of the tensioning plunger extends out of the shell cavity, the plunger spring is installed in the shell cavity, the locking mechanism is installed on the shell, and the plunger spring is installed on the shell cavity. The locking mechanism comprises a locking piece and a driving part, at least one insertion hole communicated with the shell cavity is formed in the side wall of the shell, the locking piece is movably inserted into the insertion hole, the driving part is used for driving the locking piece to move towards the interior of the shell cavity and enabling one end of the locking piece to abut against the side wall of the tensioning plunger, and when the tensioning plunger moves away from the position where the insertion hole is located, the locking piece is locked. One end of the locking piece in the inserting hole can enter the shell cavity and is located on the moving path of the tensioning plunger, so that the locking piece is used for abutting against the tensioning plunger. The locking structure prevents the plunger from retracting and has the advantages of being simple in structure, low in manufacturing cost, long in service life and high in reliability.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The utility model relates to the technical field of automobile engine parts, in particular to a locking structure of a tensioner. BACKGROUND

[0002] A timing drive chain is provided on an automobile engine for driving the intake and exhaust mechanism on the engine. In order to ensure that the chain does not loosen during long-term operation, a tensioner for tensioning the chain is provided inside the engine. A ratchet type tensioner is generally widely used, which applies appropriate tension to the slack side of the timing chain through a plunger, used to buffer the vibration generated by the engine during operation and suppress transmission noise.

[0003] However, the ratchet type tensioner has some problems. First, the structure of the ratchet type tensioner is relatively complex, which increases the difficulty and cost of manufacturing and assembly. Second, the meshing precision of the ratchet mechanism is relatively high, and if there is a slight deviation, it may affect the normal operation of the tensioner.

[0004] More seriously, the ratchet of the ratchet type tensioner is prone to fatigue wear after long-term use. This wear will cause the meshing strength of the ratchet to decrease, making the plunger unable to remain in the correct position, thereby causing retraction. The retraction of the plunger will directly cause the tensioner to lose its tensioning effect on the chain, causing the chain to loosen, and thus affecting the normal operation of the engine. SUMMARY

[0005] The purpose of the present application is to provide a locking structure of a tensioner, which has the advantages of simple structure, low manufacturing cost, long service life and high reliability.

[0006] The present application provides a locking structure of a tensioner, comprising a housing, a tensioning plunger, a plunger spring and a locking mechanism, the housing is provided with a housing cavity, the tensioning plunger is slidingly arranged in the housing cavity, the lower end of the tensioning plunger is located in the housing cavity, the upper end of the tensioning plunger extends out of the housing cavity and is used for tensioning the chain, the plunger spring is installed in the housing cavity and is used to drive the tensioning plunger to extend out of the housing cavity, the locking mechanism is installed on the housing and is used to prevent the retraction of the tensioning plunger, the locking mechanism comprises a locking piece and a driving part, at least one insertion hole communicating with the housing cavity is provided on the side wall of the housing, the locking piece is movably inserted into the insertion hole, the driving part is used to drive the locking piece to move towards the housing cavity, and one end of the locking piece abuts against the side wall of the tensioning plunger, when the tensioning plunger moves away from the position of the insertion hole, one end of the locking piece in the insertion hole can enter the housing cavity and be located on the movement path of the tensioning plunger, so that the locking piece is used to abut against the tensioning plunger.

[0007] Compared with the prior art, the locking structure of the tensioner has the following advantages: firstly, it avoids the fatigue wear problem of the ratchet structure, and improves the durability of the locking mechanism; secondly, the plug-in locking can be achieved at multiple positions, providing more precise adjustment capability; thirdly, the structure is simple, easy to manufacture and maintain. In summary, a new type of plug-in locking mechanism is adopted, that is, a plug hole is arranged on the side wall of the shell, and a movable plug-in locking piece is used to directly abut against the lower end of the tensioning plunger to achieve the locking check function. This design discards the traditional ratchet structure, effectively solves the fatigue wear problem that may occur after long-term use, and improves the reliability and durability of the tensioner.

[0008] In a possible implementation, a plurality of plug holes are arranged on the side wall of the shell, and the plurality of plug holes are arranged at intervals along the movement path of the tensioning plunger, and a locking piece is inserted into each of the plurality of plug holes. Compared with the prior art, by arranging a plurality of plug holes at intervals on the side wall of the shell and inserting a locking piece into each plug hole, the tensioning plunger can provide check support at different positions, effectively preventing the tensioning plunger from retracting.

[0009] In a possible implementation, the plug hole includes a plurality of first holes arranged at intervals on the left side wall of the shell and a plurality of second holes arranged at intervals on the right side wall of the shell, the number of the first holes is the same as that of the second holes, and the first holes are arranged at the same height as the second holes. Compared with the prior art, the number of the first holes is the same as that of the second holes, and the first holes are arranged at the same height as the second holes, which can ensure uniform distribution of locking force, improve the stability of the locking check effect, and prolong the service life of the locking structure.

[0010] In a possible implementation, the plug hole includes a plurality of first holes arranged at intervals on the left side wall of the shell and a plurality of second holes arranged at intervals on the right side wall of the shell, the number of the first holes is the same as that of the second holes, and the first holes are arranged at the same height as the second holes. Compared with the prior art, the number of the first holes is the same as that of the second holes, and the first holes are arranged at the same height as the second holes, which can ensure uniform distribution of locking force, improve the stability of the locking check effect, and prolong the service life of the locking structure.

[0011] In a possible implementation, the locking mechanism is a locking spring, the locking spring has a C-shaped structure and has resilience, both ends of the locking spring are provided with hanging feet, the hanging feet at both ends of the locking spring are respectively inserted into the first hole and the second hole, and the length of the hanging feet is greater than the depth of the plug hole. Compared with the prior art, the hanging feet at both ends are inserted into the plug hole through the driving of the locking spring, the locking spring provides a resilient force, the hanging feet enter the shell cavity through the plug hole, the hanging feet lock and check the tensioning plunger, and the structure is simple and the locking is reliable.

[0012] In a possible implementation, the locking spring is integrally formed with the hanging leg and is made of spring steel. Compared with the prior art, the performance and durability of the locking spring are further improved.

[0013] In a possible implementation, the upper end of the plunger spring abuts against the tension plunger, and the lower end of the plunger spring is provided with a spring seat, which is installed at the bottom of the shell cavity. Compared with the prior art, by providing the spring seat at the bottom of the shell cavity, a stable support point is provided for the plunger spring; the design of the spring seat not only increases the stability of the plunger spring, but also helps to ensure uniform distribution of spring force, thereby improving the overall performance and reliability of the tensioner. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0014] Figure 1 FIG. 1 is a structural schematic diagram of an embodiment of the present application;

[0015] Figure 2 FIG. 1 is a sectional view of the embodiment of the present application;

[0016] Figure 3 FIG. 2 is a structural schematic diagram of another embodiment of the present application;

[0017] Figure 4 FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the embodiment of the present application;

[0018] Figure 5 FIG. 3 is a sectional view of a third embodiment of the present application;

[0019] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0020] 1, shell; 11, shell cavity; 12, insertion hole; 121, first hole; 122, second hole; 2, tension plunger; 3, plunger spring; 4, locking spring; 41, hanging leg; 5, spring seat. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0021] First of all, those skilled in the art should understand that these embodiments are only used to explain the technical principles of the embodiments of the present application, and are not intended to limit the protection scope of the embodiments of the present application. Those skilled in the art can adjust them as needed to adapt to specific application occasions.

[0022] In the description of the embodiments of the present application, it should be noted that, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the terms "connected", "connected" should be understood broadly, for example, it can be fixedly connected, or it can be detachably connected, or integrally connected; it can be mechanically connected, or it can be electrically connected; it can be directly connected, or it can be indirectly connected through an intermediate medium. For those skilled in the art, the specific meaning of the above terms in the embodiments of the present application can be understood according to specific circumstances.

[0023] In the embodiments of the present application, unless specifically defined and limited otherwise, a first feature is "on" or "under" a second feature can mean that the first and second features are in direct contact, or the first and second features are in indirect contact through an intermediate medium. Moreover, the first feature can be "above", "over" and "on top of" the second feature, which can mean that the first feature is directly above or obliquely above the second feature, or only means that the first feature is horizontally higher than the second feature. The first feature can be "below", "under" and "underneath" the second feature, which can mean that the first feature is directly below or obliquely below the second feature, or only means that the first feature is horizontally lower than the second feature.

[0024] A timing drive chain is provided on an automobile engine to drive the intake and exhaust mechanisms on the engine. In order to ensure that the chain does not loosen during long-term operation, a tensioner is usually provided inside the engine to tension the chain. Currently widely used is a ratchet tensioner, which applies appropriate tension to the slack side of the timing chain through a plunger, to buffer the vibrations generated by the engine during operation and suppress transmission noise. However, the ratchet of the ratchet tensioner is prone to fatigue and wear after long-term use, which can cause the plunger to retract, eventually causing the tensioner to fail.

[0025] Specifically, in the actual operating environment of an automobile engine, the tensioner faces complex working conditions. For example, in a high-performance turbocharged engine, the timing drive chain needs to withstand a rotational speed of up to 5000 rpm and a torque of 150 Nm. Under such high-load, high-frequency working conditions, the ratchet structure of the ratchet tensioner is subjected to continuous impact and friction. Over time, the meshing area of the ratchet gradually decreases, and the meshing accuracy decreases. As a result, the locking function of the tensioner gradually deteriorates, and the plunger cannot effectively prevent retraction. In this case, the tension of the timing drive chain fluctuates, affecting the normal operation of the engine.

[0026] If the fatigue and wear problem of the ratchet tensioner cannot be effectively solved, it will have a serious impact on the overall performance and reliability of the engine. First, insufficient tension will cause the timing drive chain to loosen, increasing the relative movement between the chain and the sprocket and exacerbating wear. Second, chain slack will cause the noise of the transmission system to increase, affecting the smooth operation of the engine. More seriously, if the tensioner completely fails, it can cause the timing drive chain to jump teeth, causing the valves and pistons to collide and causing serious damage to the engine. Therefore, developing a new type of tensioner locking structure that can overcome the problem of ratchet fatigue and wear is of great significance to improving the reliability and durability of the engine.

[0027] The present application will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments.

[0028] Embodiment One

[0029] Referring to Figure 1 and Figure 2 , the application discloses a locking structure of a tensioner, which comprises a housing 1, a tensioning plunger 2, a plunger spring 3 and a locking mechanism. The housing 1 is internally provided with a housing cavity 11. The tensioning plunger 2 is vertically slidably arranged in the housing cavity 11. The lower end of the tensioning plunger 2 is located in the housing cavity 11. The upper end of the tensioning plunger 2 extends out of the housing cavity 11 and is used for tensioning a chain. The plunger spring 3 is installed in the housing cavity 11 and is used for driving the tensioning plunger 2 to extend out of the housing cavity 11. The locking mechanism is installed on the housing 1 and is used for preventing the tensioning plunger 2 from retracting. The locking mechanism comprises a locking piece and a driving part. The side wall of the housing 1 is provided with a bushing 12 which is in communication with the housing cavity 11. The extension direction of the bushing 12 is arranged perpendicularly to the moving direction of the tensioning plunger 2. The locking piece is movably inserted into the bushing 12. The driving part is used for driving the locking piece to move into the housing cavity 11. That is, the driving part is an elastic element and is used for providing a driving force for the locking piece to be inserted into the housing cavity 11. One end of the locking piece is abutted against the side wall of the tensioning plunger 2. When the tensioning plunger 2 moves away from the position where the bushing 12 is located, one end of the locking piece in the bushing 12 can enter the housing cavity 11 and is located on the moving path of the tensioning plunger 2, so that the locking piece is used for abutting against the tensioning plunger 2.

[0030] As can be known from the above, the locking structure of the tensioner mainly comprises the housing 1, the tensioning plunger 2, the plunger spring 3 and the locking mechanism. The housing 1 is internally provided with the housing cavity 11 for accommodating other components. The tensioning plunger 2 is slidably arranged in the housing cavity 11. The lower end of the tensioning plunger 2 is located in the housing cavity 11. The upper end of the tensioning plunger 2 extends out of the housing cavity 11 and is used for tensioning a chain. The plunger spring 3 is installed in the housing cavity 11. One end of the plunger spring 3 is abutted against the tensioning plunger 2. The other end of the plunger spring 3 can be fixed at the bottom of the housing cavity 11 and is used for driving the tensioning plunger 2 to extend outwards. The locking mechanism is the key innovation point of the application. The locking mechanism comprises the locking piece and the driving part. The side wall of the housing 1 is provided with the bushing 12 which is in communication with the housing cavity 11. The extension direction of the bushing 12 is arranged perpendicularly to the moving direction of the tensioning plunger 2. The locking piece is movably inserted into the bushing 12 and can move in the bushing 12. The driving part is used for driving the locking piece to move into the housing cavity 11. When the locking piece enters the housing cavity 11 through the bushing 12, one end of the locking piece can be abutted against the lower end of the tensioning plunger 2, thereby preventing the tensioning plunger 2 from retracting. The plug-in locking structure realizes locking by directly abutting against the tensioning plunger 2, thereby reducing the risk of wear.

[0031] In the locking structure of the tensioner, the housing 1 refers to an external structure for accommodating the tensioning plunger 2 and the plunger spring 3. The housing 1 can be made of a metal material such as an aluminum alloy or a steel material to provide sufficient strength and durability. The tensioning plunger 2 refers to a columnar component which is slidably arranged in the housing cavity 11. The tensioning plunger 2 can be made of a wear-resistant material such as high-strength alloy steel. The surface of the tensioning plunger 2 can be hardened to improve wear resistance. The plunger spring 3 refers to an elastic element which provides an outward thrust for the tensioning plunger 2. The elastic force of the plunger spring 3 can be adjusted according to actual requirements.

[0032] As a preferred embodiment, a sealing member is arranged in the insertion hole 12, which is an O-shaped sealing ring. The sealing ring can be mounted on the inner wall of the insertion hole 12 or on the locking member. When the locking member is inserted into the insertion hole 12, the sealing ring tightly contacts the locking member to form a sealing effect. This design not only prevents foreign matter from entering, but also prevents oil from leaking from the insertion hole 12. The sealing ring can be made of an elastic material, such as rubber or silicone.

[0033] In this embodiment, the insertion hole 12 includes a first hole 121 on the left side wall of the housing 1 and a second hole 122 on the right side wall of the housing 1. The first hole 121 and the second hole 122 are arranged at the same height. Thus, when the tensioning plunger 2 needs to be locked, the locking members on the left and right sides can be inserted into the first hole 121 and the second hole 122 at the same time, providing a bidirectional check force to the tensioning plunger 2. This symmetrical design not only increases the reliability of locking, but also prevents the tensioning plunger 2 from tilting or deviating due to unilateral locking. In actual application, this symmetrical arrangement of the insertion hole 12 design can significantly improve the locking effect of the tensioner. The diameter of the insertion hole 12 can be designed according to the size of the locking member.

[0034] In this embodiment, the locking mechanism is a locking spring 4, which has a C-shaped structure and is elastic. The locking spring 4 has two hanging feet 41 at its two ends, which are inserted into the first hole 121 and the second hole 122, respectively. The length of the hanging feet 41 is greater than the depth of the insertion hole 12. That is, the locking spring 4 is the driving part, and the hanging feet 41 are the locking members. Thus, the two hanging feet 41 are inserted into the insertion hole 12 through the locking spring 4, which provides a resilient force to make the hanging feet 41 enter the housing cavity 11 through the insertion hole 12, thereby achieving the check of the tensioning plunger 2 by the hanging feet 41. The structure is simple and the locking is reliable. Through this design, when the locking spring 4 is installed on the tensioner, the two hanging feet 41 at its two ends can be firmly inserted into the first hole 121 and the second hole 122.

[0035] In this embodiment, the locking spring 4 is integrally formed with the hanging foot 41 and made of spring steel. This design has several advantages: first, the integrally formed design can improve the overall strength and stability of the locking spring 4; second, using spring steel as the material can significantly improve the elasticity and fatigue resistance of the locking spring 4, spring steel has excellent elastic limit and fatigue resistance characteristics, and can maintain its original shape and elasticity during repeated use, which is crucial for the long-term reliability of the locking mechanism; third, the high strength characteristics of spring steel can enable the locking spring 4 to achieve greater locking force with smaller size, which helps to reduce the size of the entire locking mechanism and make the tensioner more compact; in addition, the wear resistance and corrosion resistance of spring steel are also good, which can prolong the service life of the locking spring 4 and reduce the frequency of maintenance and replacement. In actual application, a suitable specification of spring steel wire can be selected, and through precise bending and forming process, the locking spring 4 and the hanging foot 41 can be processed and formed at one time.

[0036] In this embodiment, the upper end of the plunger spring 3 abuts against the tensioning plunger 2, and the lower end of the plunger spring 3 is provided with a spring seat 5, which is installed at the bottom of the shell cavity 11. Specifically, the spring seat 5 is installed at the bottom of the shell cavity 11, providing a fixed support point for the plunger spring 3; this design can prevent the plunger spring 3 from shifting or deforming during long-term use; the upper end of the plunger spring 3 abuts against the tensioning plunger 2, ensuring that the elastic force can be directly transmitted to the tensioning plunger 2, while the lower end is connected to the bottom of the shell 1 through the spring seat 5, forming a stable force transmission path, which also helps to prolong the service life of the plunger spring 3, as it reduces unnecessary deformation of the spring during operation.

[0037] Embodiment Two

[0038] As Figure 3 and Figure 4As shown, the difference between this embodiment and Embodiment 1 is that the insertion hole 12 includes multiple first holes 121 located on the left side wall of the housing 1 and multiple second holes 122 located on the right side wall of the housing 1. The multiple first holes 121 and second holes 122 are distributed at intervals along the moving path of the tensioning plunger 2. The number of first holes 121 is the same as the number of second holes 122, and the first holes 121 and second holes 122 are set at the same height. The number of locking springs 4 corresponds to the number of first holes 121. Specifically, the multiple first holes 121 and second holes 122 are distributed at intervals along the moving path of the tensioning plunger 2. This distribution allows the hanging foot 41 to lock the tensioning plunger 2 at different height positions. The height difference between the holes can be adjusted according to actual needs. Each hole has a hanging foot 41 inserted into it, which ensures that the tensioning plunger 2 can provide anti-reverse support in multiple positions, that is, it provides more precise adjustment capability. Thus, it can not only effectively prevent the tensioning plunger 2 from retracting, but also adapt to the tensioning requirements under different working conditions, thereby improving the adaptability and reliability of the tensioner.

[0039] Example 3

[0040] like Figure 5 As shown, the difference between this embodiment and Embodiment Two lies in the fact that the first hole 121 and the second hole 122 are set at different heights, that is, they can be staggered at different horizontal heights. Since the hook 41 can be inserted at different heights, this increases the flexibility and adaptability of the locking mechanism; for example, when the tensioning plunger 2 is at different extension lengths, it can automatically find a suitable hole to stop the backflow, thereby controlling the chain tension more precisely. Specifically, when the tensioning plunger 2 is at different extension lengths, the locking spring 4 can select the closest pair of holes to insert the locking element. If the tensioning plunger 2 extends shorter, a lower hole can be selected; if the tensioning plunger 2 extends longer, a higher hole can be selected. This flexible locking method allows the tensioner to adapt to different chain tension states, thereby controlling the chain tension more precisely.

[0041] In the description of the embodiments of this application, it should be noted that the terms "inner" and "outer" and other terms indicating direction or positional relationship are based on the direction or positional relationship shown in the drawings. This is only for the convenience of description and does not indicate or imply that the device or component must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, it should not be construed as a limitation of this application.

[0042] In the description of the application, the description of the terms "one embodiment", "some embodiments", "in this embodiment", "specific example", or "some examples" and the like means that the specific features, mechanisms, materials or characteristics described in connection with the embodiment or example are included in at least one embodiment or example of the application. In the description, the illustrative description of the above terms does not necessarily refer to the same embodiment or example. Moreover, the specific features, mechanisms, materials or characteristics described can be combined in any suitable manner in any one or more embodiments or examples. In addition, those skilled in the art can combine and combine the different embodiments or examples described in the specification and the features of the different embodiments or examples without contradiction.

[0043] The above description is merely a specific implementation of the present application, but the protection scope of the present application is not limited thereto. Any person skilled in the art can easily think of changes or replacements within the technical scope disclosed in the present application, which should be covered within the protection scope of the present application. Therefore, the protection scope of the present application should be subject to the protection scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A lock-up structure of a tensioner, characterized by comprising: The device comprises a shell (1), a tensioning plunger (2), a plunger spring (3) and a locking mechanism, the shell (1) is provided with a shell cavity (11), the tensioning plunger (2) is slidingly arranged in the shell cavity (11), the lower end of the tensioning plunger (2) is located in the shell cavity (11), the upper end of the tensioning plunger (2) extends out of the shell cavity (11) and is used for tensioning the chain, the plunger spring (3) is installed in the shell cavity (11) and is used for driving the tensioning plunger (2) to extend out of the shell cavity (11), the locking mechanism is installed on the shell (1) and is used for preventing the tensioning plunger (2) from retracting, the locking mechanism comprises a locking piece and a driving part, at least one insertion hole (12) communicating with the shell cavity (11) is arranged on the side wall of the shell (1), the locking piece is movably inserted into the insertion hole (12), the driving part is used for driving the locking piece to move towards the shell cavity (11) and make one end of the locking piece abut against the side wall of the tensioning plunger (2), when the tensioning plunger (2) moves away from the position where the insertion hole (12) is located, one end of the locking piece in the insertion hole (12) can enter the shell cavity (11) and be located on the moving path of the tensioning plunger (2), so that the locking piece is used for abutting against the tensioning plunger (2).

2. The lockup structure of a tensioner according to claim 1, characterized by A plurality of insertion holes (12) are arranged on the side wall of the shell (1), the plurality of insertion holes (12) are arranged at intervals along the moving path of the tensioning plunger (2), and the locking piece is inserted into each of the plurality of insertion holes (12).

3. The lockup structure of a tensioner according to claim 2, characterized by The insertion hole (12) comprises a plurality of first holes (121) arranged at intervals on the left side wall of the shell (1) and a plurality of second holes (122) arranged at intervals on the right side wall of the shell (1), the number of the first holes (121) is the same as that of the second holes (122), and the first holes (121) and the second holes (122) are arranged at the same height.

4. The lockup structure of the tensioner according to claim 2, characterized by The insertion hole (12) comprises a plurality of first holes (121) arranged at intervals on the left side wall of the shell (1) and a plurality of second holes (122) arranged at intervals on the right side wall of the shell (1), the number of the first holes (121) is the same as that of the second holes (122), and the first holes (121) and the second holes (122) are arranged at different heights and are distributed in a staggered manner.

5. The lockup structure of a tensioner according to claim 3 or 4, characterized by The locking mechanism is a locking spring (4), the locking spring (4) has a C-shaped structure and has resilience, the locking spring (4) is provided with a hanging foot (41) at each end, the two ends of the locking spring (4) are inserted into the first hole (121) and the second hole (122) respectively, and the length of the hanging foot (41) is greater than the depth of the insertion hole (12).

6. The lockup structure of a tensioner according to claim 5, characterized by The locking spring (4) and the hanging foot (41) are integrally formed and are made of spring steel.

7. The lockup structure of a tensioner according to claim 1, characterized by The upper end of the plunger spring (3) abuts against the tensioning plunger (2), the lower end of the plunger spring (3) is provided with a spring seat (5), and the spring seat (5) is installed at the bottom of the shell cavity (11).

8. The lockup structure of a tensioner according to claim 1, characterized by The insertion hole (12) is provided with a sealing piece for sealing.

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