Ring tensioner with removable flange

Abstract

A flanged ring tensioner having at least one removable and replaceable side flange. The ring tensioner can be disassembled into two or more separate parts, pieces, or elements. In one embodiment, the ring-shaped body piece has a belt engagement surface and a first side flange, and the flange body piece has a second side flange. In another embodiment, the ring-shaped body piece has a belt.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to a belt system comprising a belt, one or more sprockets or wheels, and a belt tensioner. More specifically, this application relates to a ring tensioner having flanges.

Background Art

[0002] Belt tensioners are well-known devices used in many belt drive systems. Tensioners typically apply a constant belt tension and compensate for wear, belt expansion (e.g., due to temperature rise), and an increase in belt length due to other factors.

[0003] In some synchronous belt drive devices, the distance between pulley centers is preset and cannot be changed. Therefore, a problem arises of matching the belt length with the length of the belt drive device. The belt length is selected so that the belt is firmly fixed with tension applied to the belt after installation.

[0004] In systems where the distance between sprockets, idlers, or pulleys cannot be changed, a device for generating tension in the belt is required. Certain systems or applications do not have the function to attach a conventional belt tensioner. In some of these systems or applications, floating belt tensioners are used.

[0005] The floating tensioner is disposed between the driving wheel and the driven wheel within the belt. To dispose the tensioner within the belt, especially when the tensioner has edge flanges, the tensioner may be partially compressed from circular to elliptical. However, in some flexible tensioners, the flexibility that allows compression reduces the strength of the tensioner.

[0006] Therefore, there is a need for a belt tensioner that can be easily and readily used in a fixed-distance system. [Overview of the project]

[0007] This disclosure provides a flanged ring tensioner for belt systems, such as a fixed two-point system having a toothed belt running between two fixed gears, pulleys, idlers, or sprockets.

[0008] The ring tensioners of the present disclosure have at least one removable and replaceable side flange. In other words, the ring tensioner can be disassembled into two or more separate parts, pieces, or elements. In some embodiments, the ring tensioners of the present disclosure have two removable and replaceable side flanges. In other words, the ring tensioner can be disassembled into three separate parts, pieces, or elements.

[0009] In a particular embodiment, the Disclosure provides a ring tensioner for a belt system comprising a first component having a belt engagement surface and a circumferential flange, and a second separate component having a second circumferential flange and configured to engage releasably with the first component.

[0010] In another specific embodiment, the disclosure provides a belt ring tensioner having an annular belt engagement surface, a first circumferential flange provided on a first side edge of the belt engagement surface, and a second circumferential flange provided on a second side edge of the belt engagement surface, wherein the second circumferential flange is removable and replaceable relative to the belt engagement surface.

[0011] In yet another specific embodiment, the disclosure provides a method for attaching a ring tensioner to a synchronous belt. This method includes inserting a ring-shaped body having a belt engagement surface between a first span and a second span of the synchronous belt, and engaging at least one side flange with the ring-shaped body after the ring-shaped body has been inserted between the two spans. In some embodiments, this method includes engaging a second flange with the ring-shaped body.

[0012] These and other aspects of the tensioner described herein will become apparent upon consideration of the detailed description and drawings herein. However, it should be understood that the scope of the claimed subject matter is determined by the published claims and not by whether the subject matter addresses some or all of the problems described in the background art or whether it includes any of the features or aspects described in the abstract. [Brief description of the drawing]

[0013] Figure 1 is a side view of a fixed belt system equipped with a floating tensioner.

[0014] Figures 2A, 2B, 2C, and 2D are schematic side views of the belt system.

[0015] Figure 3 is a perspective view of an exemplary ring tensioner.

[0016] Figure 4 is a perspective view of the ring tensioner of Figure 3, which has a removable flange removed from the ring tensioner.

[0017] Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view of the ring tensioner in Figure 3 along the line 5-5 in Figure 3.

[0018] Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view of the ring tensioner in Figure 3 along the line 6-6 in Figure 3.

[0019] Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view of the ring tensioner in Figure 3 along the line 7-7 in Figure 3.

[0020] Figure 8 is a perspective view of the belt system.

[0021] Figure 9 is a perspective view of the belt system shown in Figure 8, with the ring tensioner body positioned within it.

[0022] Figure 10 is a partial cross-sectional view of a ring tensioner with a belt and no removable flange.

[0023] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a belt system with a ring tensioner fully installed.

[0024] FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a ring tensioner of another embodiment.

[0025] FIG. 13 is a side view of the ring tensioner of FIG. 12.

[0026] FIG. 14 is an exploded view of the ring tensioner of FIG. 12.

[0027] FIG. 15 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the ring tensioner of FIG. 12.

MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

[0028] As described above, the present disclosure relates to a belt tensioner for a system in which the distance between belt engagement points (e.g., gears, sprockets, pulleys, idlers, etc.) is fixed, such as found in, for example, a fixed two-point belt system. Such fixed systems are found in many industrial applications including, for example, synchronous belt transmission devices such as automotive timing belts, printing presses, conveyor systems, cleaning systems, breweries, aluminum processing plants, power plants, sandblasting machines, and industrial uses in agriculture, mining, etc. The belt tensioner of the present disclosure includes at least one side flange that is removable and replaceable on the tensioner. In some embodiments, the flange is provided as a second part, piece, or element that is completely removable from the remainder of the tensioner.

[0029] In the following description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings which form a part hereof and which illustrate, by way of example, at least one specific embodiment. The following description provides additional specific embodiments. Other embodiments are contemplated and are to be understood to be practiced without departing from the scope or spirit of the present disclosure. Accordingly, the following detailed description should not be taken in a limiting sense. While the present disclosure is not so limited, an understanding of various aspects of the present disclosure will be gained through discussion of the examples including the figures shown below. In some examples, reference numerals may have associated sub-labels consisting of lower case letters to indicate multiple similar components. When reference numerals are referred to without explicit mention of the sub-labels, the reference numeral is intended to refer to all such similar components.

[0030] Referring to the drawings, FIG. 1 shows a general configuration of a belt system 100 including a flexible belt 120 extending between two rotation points 130, 132. The rotation points 130, 132 are gears, sprockets, pulleys, idlers, etc., and one of them is driven.

[0031] A ring tensioner 140 engages with the belt 120. When one of the rotation points 130, 132 is driven, or when the belt 120 rotates, for example, clockwise, the substantially annular ring tensioner 140 also rotates in the same direction, for example, clockwise. This is because the ring tensioner 140 engages with both the upper span and the lower span of the belt 120. During rotation of the belt 120, the ring tensioner 140 always acts on both spans with the same diametrical tension and the same damping force.

[0032] The ring tensioner 140 is not attached or fixed to any solid or stationary structure. Rather, the ring tensioner 140 is held in a predetermined position by the belt 120 between the two spans of the belt 120. It can be said that the ring tensioner 140 is floating.

[0033] The ring tensioner 140 increases the tension of the belt 120 by adjusting the tracking position of the belt 120. The presence of the ring tensioner 140 increases the distance between the upper and lower spans of the belt 120, thereby increasing the path of the belt 120. Furthermore, in some systems, the presence of the ring tensioner 140 distributes the tension more evenly between the upper and lower spans. Without the ring tensioner, the span pulled by the drive unit has much greater tension than the span pushed by the drive unit; the presence of the ring tensioner 140 reduces the tension in the pulled span and increases the tension in the pushed span. In some systems, the belt runs more smoothly, reducing noise and chatter.

[0034] In the case of a ring tensioner 140 with side flanges, the side flanges have a larger diameter than the belt engagement surface of the tensioner on which the belt 120 rests, making it difficult to install the tensioner 140 between belt spans, and requiring the belt 120 to be installed over the side flanges. Therefore, to facilitate the installation of the flanged tensioner 140 between belt spans, the tensioner 140 is made flexible and compresses to fit between belt spans. However, flexible tensioners may have a shorter lifespan due to their flexibility. Furthermore, in some systems, the flexibility of the ring tensioner 140 is too high, causing the tensioner 140 to deform (e.g., be crushed) due to the forces between the upper and lower spans of the belt 120, reducing and, in some cases, completely losing its tensioning effect.

[0035] Figures 2A, 2B, and 2C show typical belt systems 200, 200' using ring tensioners that are either too flexible or too rigid. The belt systems 200, 200' include a flexible belt 220 extending between two rotation points 230, 232, one of which is a driven wheel. In Figures 2A and 2B, the rotation points 230, 232 are fixed, and the distance between their centers C1 is constant. In Figure 2C, at least one of the rotation points 230, 232 is movable, and the distance between their centers can be adjusted. In Figure 2C, the distance between their centers is C2, which is greater than C1. In both systems 200, 200', the diameter of the two rotation points 230, 232 is D1.

[0036] As shown in Figure 2A, the endless flexible belt 220 is long enough to be mounted over the entire turning points 230, 232, including flanges attached to the turning points 230, 232 to prevent the belt 220 from falling off. However, after mounting it to the turning points 230, 232, which have a fixed center-to-center distance C1, some tension needs to be applied to the long, slack belt 220. A ring tensioner with a diameter larger than the diameter D1 is inserted between the two spans of the belt 220. In some designs, the diameter of the ring tensioner is about 50 mm (5 cm) larger than D1. As the length of the belt increases, the diameter of the ring tensioner also increases. The ring tensioner is generally a flanged ring tensioner, which has flanges raised on the sides to hold the belt 220 in place on the tensioner.

[0037] During the process of installing the ring tensioner between the belt spans 220, the ring tensioner is subjected to some degree of compression or deflection, often resulting in a large deflection, for example, from a circular shape as shown at 240 in Figure 2B to an elliptical shape as shown at 242. This deflection is necessary to install the tensioner between the belt spans, and the required deflection is even greater when the tensioner has side flanges. To give the ring tensioner flexibility and allow it to easily deform from a circular shape 240 to an elliptical shape 242, the ring tensioner can be made of plastic. However, depending on the design, plastic is less strong than other materials such as metal. Furthermore, repeated bending and deformation of the ring will weaken the ring tensioner over time, whether it is made of plastic or metal.

[0038] One design that eliminates the need to deform the ring tensioner to install it between the spans of belt 220 is to have an adjustable system, such as system 200' in Figure 2C. In this system, one or both of the rotation points 230, 232 are movable, allowing the center-to-center distance C2 to be adjusted to a longer distance after the tensioner is installed.

[0039] However, many synchronous belt systems do not have adjustable elements. Therefore, there is a need for better flanged ring tensioners and better methods for mounting them. Figures 3-7 show such flanged ring tensioners.

[0040] Returning to Figures 2C and 2D, an example of a floating ring tensioner is shown. In Figure 2C, system 200' (whether it has fixed points 230, 232 or adjustable points of rotation) has a belt 220 around the points of rotation 230, 232 and a ring tensioner 250, with the belt having an upper span 222 and a lower span 224. The ring tensioner 250 is positioned between spans 222 and 224, and before starting, the tensions in both spans 222, 224 are substantially the same, and the central axis of the ring tensioner is aligned with the points of rotation 230, 232. Assuming that the rotation point 230 is the drive wheel and rotates clockwise, and the rotation point 232 is the driven wheel, when system 200' starts, as shown in Figure 2D, system 200'' is subjected to a high load, and the high tension on the driven wheel and belt 220 pulls the lower span 224 and pushes the upper span 222. This tension in belt 220 is transmitted to the ring tensioner 250. In this way, the ring tensioner 250 floats above the centerlines of rotation points 230 and 232 in response to the load resistance of the driven wheel.

[0041] For a superior flanged ring tensioner and its mounting method, please refer to Figures 3-7.

[0042] Figure 3 shows a ring tensioner 300 used in a belt system such as system 100 in Figure 1. The ring tensioner 300 has an annular ring, or sprocket body 302, having a first side surface 304 and a second side surface 306. The body 302 has a belt receiving surface 305 between the first side surface 304 and the second side surface 306, which is the circumferential surface of the tensioner 300 that the belt contacts when the tensioner 300 is attached to a system such as system 100. The opposite side of the belt receiving surface 305 is the inner surface 308 of the body 302.

[0043] In this design, the belt receiving surface 305 is formed by a plurality of parallel teeth, or projections 310, extending across the belt receiving surface 305. The teeth 310 engage with lands present between the teeth of the belt when the belt is attached to the tensioner 300. The teeth 310 may extend across the belt receiving surface 305, perpendicular to the sides 304, 306, or at an angle.

[0044] A first circumferential flange 314 is provided on the first side 304 of the ring tensioner 300, and a second circumferential flange 316 is provided on the second side 306. The flanges 314 and 316 have a radius larger than the radius of the belt receiving surface 305 and protrude above the belt receiving surface 305. At least one of the flanges 314 and 316 is separable from the body 302 and the belt receiving surface 305. Figure 4 shows the flange 316 removed from the body 302. In this embodiment, the flange 314 is integral with the body 302, but in other embodiments, the flange 314 may also be separable from the body 302.

[0045] The flange 316 is provided on an annular flange body 320, which has a flange 316 extending radially outward and a plurality of engaging tabs 330 extending perpendicularly to the flange 316. When the flange body 320 engages with the body 302, the tabs 330 extend laterally across the body 302 toward the first side surface 304. The tabs 330 have cantilever arms 332 with catches 326. Various mechanisms are provided on the inner surface 308 of the body 302 for engaging with the tabs 330 and holding the flange body 320 to the body 302. The flange body 320 with the flange 316 can be repeatedly engaged with and detached from the body 302. Other embodiments of the body 302 and / or flange body 320 of the ring tensioner 300 may have a solid center or may have a shape other than annular.

[0046] Referring to Figure 5, a partial cross-section of the ring tensioner 300 is shown, in which the flange body 320 engages with the body 302. Figure 5 shows the flange body 320 having a flange 314 integrated with the body 302, a belt receiving surface 305, and a flange 316. As already shown in Figure 4, the flange body 320 has a tab 330 extending therefrom. The arm 332 of the tab 330 has a distal end 335, and a catch 334 is positioned on the arm 332, which has an inclined portion 336 on the distal side. A shoulder portion 338 (not shown in Figure 5, but shown in Figure 4) is formed on the proximal side of the catch 334.

[0047] When the flange body 320 engages with the body 302, the tab 330, particularly the shoulder portion 338, engages with a raised portion, or projection 340, present on the inner surface 308 of the body 302. The projection 340 may extend over the entire inner circumference of the inner surface 308, or it may be present only at the location where the tab 330 is present when engaged.

[0048] The arm 332 has sufficient flexibility to deform by a distance sufficient for the catch 334 to clear (e.g., pass through) the projection 340 in both directions. Furthermore, the arm 332 has sufficient flexibility to allow the distal end 335 of the arm 332 to be moved (e.g., manually, e.g., by a tool) to dislodge the catch 334 from the projection 340.

[0049] The engagement between the catch 334 of the arm 332 and the projection 340 generally provides sufficient strength to hold the flange body 320 to the body 302. However, in some embodiments, different or additional physical engagements or fasteners are included. For example, screws, rivets, pegs, clips, or other mechanical fasteners may be included with the catch 334, or used in place of the catch 334 and arm 332 to secure the flange body 320 to the body 302.

[0050] The main body 302 is provided with a projection 322 (Figures 4 and 5) that fits into and engages with the groove 324 in the flange body 320, ensuring proper alignment of the flange body 320 with respect to the main body 302. The projection 322 and groove 324 may extend over the entire inner circumferential surface, or they may be present only in the vicinity of the tab 330 when engaged.

[0051] Figure 6 shows another cross-section of a portion of the ring tensioner 300, where the flange body 320 engages with the body 302. Similar to Figure 5, the flange 314, the belt receiving surface 305 (not shown in Figure 6), the flange body 320 with flange 316, the projection 322, and the groove 324 are shown. However, in this figure, there is no tab (e.g., tab 330) that engages with the projection 340 on the inner surface 308 of the body 302. The belt 620 is also shown in Figure 6.

[0052] As described above, the projection 322 and groove 324 provide structural robustness against deflection caused by, for example, a compressive force due to belt tension, i.e., the force indicated by D in Figure 6. This compressive force D acts on the engaged ring tensioner body 302 and flange body 320, causing both bodies 302 and 320 to deflect.

[0053] Returning to Figure 4, the inner surface 308 of the main body 302 has an anti-rotation structure 318 such as ribs, which prevents the flange body 320 from rotating relative to the main body 302, or acts as a stopper against at least a certain amount of rotational movement. The anti-rotation structure 318 facilitates the proper alignment of the tab 330 within the main body 302 and relative to the inner surface 308. Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view of the ring tensioner 300, showing the tab 330 positioned between the ribs 318.

[0054] The ring tensioner 300 has a diameter and width (from the first side 304 to the second side 306) configured to match the belt system to which it is attached. The width of the belt receiving surface 305 is narrower than the width between the flanges 314, 316 and greater than or equal to the width of the belt, but may be greater than the width of the belt.

[0055] The ring tensioner 300 has sufficient rigidity to prevent radial compression or deflection, and sufficient elasticity to restore to its uncompressed shape when compressed.

[0056] Referring to Figures 8 to 11, the ring tensioner of this disclosure and a modified version such as ring tensioner 300 are shown mounted on a belt system 800 similar to system 100 in Figure 1. The belt system 800 comprises a flexible belt 820 extending between two rotation points 830, 832, where the rotation points 830, 832 are gears, sprockets, pulleys, idlers, etc., one of which is driven. The belt 820, positioned on the rotation points 830, 832, has an upper span 822 and a lower span 824. Before mounting the ring tensioner, the belt 820 is loose, with slack that allows the belt to move between a first position A and a second position B (shown by a dashed line) where spans 822, 824 are close to each other, as shown in Figure 8.

[0057] In Figure 9, the body 302 of the ring tensioner 300 is inserted and fixed between the upper span 822 and the lower span 824 of the belt 820, with the body 302 positioned so that the flangeless side is inserted between spans 822 and 824. Figure 10 shows the body 302 being pushed in the P direction relative to the upper span 822. In this way, since the flange does not pass between spans 822 and 824, the body 302 does not need to be compressed to accommodate the expansion of the flange diameter, and the belt receiving surface 305 simply slides between spans 822 and 824 and stops before reaching the flange 314.

[0058] In Figure 11, the flange body 320, having flange 316, is slid onto the installed body 302, and the tab 330 of the flange body 320 fits between the ribs 318 on the inner surface 308 of the body 302, and the catch 334 engages with the projection 340 (see Figure 5), fixing the flange body 320 to the body 302 and forming the completed ring tensioner 300. The arm 332 is positioned between the ribs 318, preventing the flange body 320 from rotating relative to the body 302. In some embodiments, if the flange body 320 is not properly aligned with the body 302 and the ribs 318, and the arm 332 is not positioned between the ribs 318, the flange body 320 may rotate somewhat relative to the body 302 until the arm 332 contacts the ribs 318 and stops further rotation.

[0059] Because the flange is not pressed below the belt span 822 or above the belt span 824 during installation of the ring tensioner 300, the body 302 does not need to flex against the compressive force (D in Figure 6), eliminating installation problems and allowing for a design with higher structural robustness than a more flexible ring tensioner. This improved robustness is achieved, for example, by increasing the wall thickness of the body 302 and the flange. This less flexible design allows the ring tensioner 300 and its variations to be used in a wide range of systems with compressive forces, for example, from 0 to 1000 N.

[0060] As mentioned above, for a ring tensioner to apply the correct tension to the belt, the diameter of the ring tensioner must be larger than the diameter of the rotation point. However, due to this large diameter, a compressive force acts on the ring tensioner by the belt. When designing flanged tensioners, this compressive force must be taken into consideration, as a ring tensioner that is too flexible may be compressed by the belt's compressive force, potentially reducing the belt tension. By making at least one flange removable from the ring tensioner, a more robust and strong tensioner can be achieved that can withstand higher compressive forces while still providing the correct belt tension.

[0061] To remove the ring tensioner 300 from the system 800 and belt 802, the flange body 320 is removed from the body 302 by disengaging the shoulder 338 of the inclined portion 336 from the projection 340. This can be done by bending the arm 332 to disengage the shoulder 338 from the projection 340. The distal end 335 of the arm 332 can be bent using a tool such as a screwdriver, bolt, pencil / pen, or special tool, and in some embodiments, no tools may be required, and manual operation with fingers may suffice.

[0062] The ring tensioner 300 and its variations can be fitted to belts traveling vertically, horizontally, or diagonally, or to belts having multiple directions (e.g., an "L" shaped belt path). As described above, the ring tensioner may be positioned equidistant midway between two rotation points, or closer to one point than the other. Multiple ring tensioners may be used on the belt, for example, between two rotation points, or on each leg of an "L" shaped belt path. The ring tensioner 300 may be inserted equidistant midway between two rotation points, or closer to one point (e.g., a sprocket) than the other.

[0063] During operation, the ring tensioner 300 rotates in conjunction with the belt. That is, one side of the ring (e.g., the upper side) rotates with the belt (e.g., the upper span) in the same direction as the belt, while the opposite side of the ring (e.g., the lower side) rotates in the same direction as the belt (e.g., the lower span), which is in the opposite direction to the first side. As a result, the center of the ring tensioner 300 remains stationary regardless of the belt speed.

[0064] Figures 12–15 show another embodiment of a ring tensioner with at least one removable and replaceable side flange. This particular ring tensioner has two removable and replaceable side flanges.

[0065] Figures 12 and 13 show a ring tensioner 1200 used in a belt system such as system 100 in Figure 1. Similar to the ring tensioner 300, the ring tensioner 1200 has an annular ring, or sprocket body 1202, having a first side surface 1204 and a second side surface 1206. The body 1202 includes a belt receiving surface 1205 between the first side surface 1204 and the second side surface 1206, which is the circumferential surface of the tensioner 1200 that the belt contacts when the tensioner 1200 is installed in a system such as system 100. The belt receiving surface 1205 is formed by a plurality of parallel teeth, or projections 1210. The opposite side of the belt receiving surface 1205 is the inner surface 1208 of the body 1202.

[0066] A first circumferential flange 1214 is provided on the first side surface 1204, and a second circumferential flange 1216 is provided on the second side surface 1206, with the radii of flanges 1214 and 1216 being greater than the radius of the belt receiving surface 1205, and flanges 1214 and 1216 protruding above the belt receiving surface 1205. At least one of flanges 314 and 316 is separable from the body 1202 and the belt receiving surface 1205. In this particular embodiment, both flanges 1214 and 1216 are separable from the body 1202. Figure 14 shows flanges 1214 and 1216 removed from the body 1202.

[0067] Each flange 1214, 1216 is removably secured to the main body 1202 by multiple fasteners such as bolts, pegs, pins, screws, and rivets. Multiple first pins 1224 are used to hold the first flange 1214 to the main body 1202, and multiple second pins 1226 are used to hold the second flange 1216 to the main body 1202. The sleeve 1225 described below holds the pins 1224 and 1226.

[0068] Each flange 1214 and 1216 has elongated holes 1234 and 1236 through which pins 1224 and 1226 pass, holding the flanges 1214 and 1216 to the main body 1202. See Figure 12 for details of the elongated holes 1234 and 1236. The main body 1202 has a receiving portion 1222, such as a hole or a threaded hole, to receive the pins 1224 and 1226.

[0069] Figure 15 shows the engagement of the first pin 1224, sleeve 1225, and second pin 1226 that secure flanges 1214 and 1216 to the sprocket body 1202. In this particular embodiment, the distal end of the first pin 1224 is received by the distal end of the second pin 1226, and both are housed in the sleeve 1225. The sleeve 1225 has a set length that defines the minimum width of the tensioner 1200 from the first side 1204 to the second side 1206. Due to the length of the sleeve 1225, the pins 1224 and 1226 are not pushed in excessively.

[0070] In other embodiments, the pins 1224, 1226 or other fasteners may engage directly with the body 1202 rather than engaging with each other. For example, threaded bolts may be received in the threaded holes 1204, 1206 of the body 1202, or spring-loaded press-fit pins may be received in the holes.

[0071] The pins 1224 and 1226 are loosely fixed so that the fitting between the flanges 1214 and 1216 and the body 1202 is not tight, and the flanges 1214 and 1216 can move (e.g., slide) relative to the body 1202 by a distance permitted by the length of the elongated holes 1234 and 1236. This allows the body 1202 to bend or deform (e.g., under load from a held belt) without the flanges 1214 and 1216 becoming distorted. Furthermore, this allows the flanges 1214 and 1216 to be used with bodies of different diameters. By providing a sleeve 1225 that fixes the minimum width, the pins 1224 and 1226 can be pushed in by the length of the sleeve 1225, preventing the fitting between the flanges 1214 and 1216 and the body 1202 from being too tight. To prevent snagging or sticking between the main body 1202 and the flanges 1214 and 1216, for example due to changes in relative position, spacers such as washers may be placed between the main body 1202 and the flanges 1214 and 1216.

[0072] Similar to the ring tensioner 300, the ring tensioner 1200 has a diameter and width (from the first side 1204 to the second side 1206) configured to match the belt system to which it is mounted. The width of the belt receiving surface 1205 is narrower than the width between the flanges 1214 and 1216, and greater than or equal to the width of the belt, and may be greater than the width of the belt.

[0073] The ring tensioner 1200 needs to have sufficient rigidity to suppress radial compression or deflection, but does not necessarily have to. As described above, the elongated holes 1234 and 1236 that house the pins 1224 and 1226 allow for radial movement of the pins 1224 and 1226 relative to the flanges 1214 and 1216, and absorb compression or deflection of the body 1202.

[0074] Similar to the ring tensioner 300, to install the ring tensioner 1200 into a belt system similar to the belt system 100 in Figure 1, the body 1202 (without flanges) is inserted between the upper and lower spans of the belt. After the body 1202 is mounted inside or on the belt, the sleeve 1225 is inserted into the receiving portion 1222 of the body 1202. The second flange 1216 is aligned with the body 1202, and the pin 1226 is inserted into the sleeve 1225 via the slotted hole 1236. Then the first flange 1214 is aligned with the body 1202, and the pin 1224 is inserted second into the pin 1226 via the slotted hole 1234. To remove the ring tensioner 1200 from the belt, the first flange 1214 is removed first, and then the pins 1224 and 1226 are removed, thereby removing one or both flanges 1214 and 1216 from the body 1202.

[0075] In an alternative mounting method for the ring tensioner 1200, the second flange 1216 is already connected to the body 1202 before the body 1202 is inserted between the upper and lower spans of the belt.

[0076] Examples of materials suitable for the ring tensioners 300, 1200 and their variations include polymeric compounds containing fiber-reinforced polymers (e.g., polycarbonate, polyamide, polyethylene, polyphthalamide), metals (e.g., steel, stainless steel, nickel, iron, aluminum, alloys), and composite materials. The ring tensioners 300, 1200 can be formed by casting, 3D printing, or other methods. In most embodiments, the ring tensioner body 302 and the flange body 320 are formed separately, and similarly, the ring tensioner body 1202 and the flanges 1214, 1216 are also formed separately.

[0077] Those skilled in the art of materials can design ring tensioners 300, 1200, and their variations, using appropriate fillers, reinforcing materials, additives, coatings, etc., as needed, to obtain a desired ring tensioner.

[0078] Accordingly, this specification describes at least one specific example of a ring tensioner having at least one removable and replaceable flange.

[0079] The ring tensioners and their variations described herein can be incorporated into a wide range of belt drive systems. Ring tensioners can also be used in many other systems, including ABDS (accessory belt drive systems), SBDS (synchronous belt drive systems), BSG (belt starter generators, e.g., for hybrid vehicles), water pumps, and timing systems. Generally, ring tensioners can be used with synchronous belts regardless of the application.

[0080] The above specification and embodiments provide a complete description of the structure and use of exemplary embodiments of the present invention. Therefore, the above detailed description should not be construed as limiting. It should be understood that other embodiments may be considered and implemented without departing from the scope or spirit of the disclosure. For example, the side flanges may be provided as separate, removable and replaceable parts from the body of the ring tensioner having the belt receiving surface. Alternatively, different engagement mechanisms could be designed for attaching the removable flange body to the body. In the illustrated embodiment, there are eight tabs for engaging the flange body with the ring-shaped body, but the number of tabs may be other numbers, such as three, four, or six.

[0081] Furthermore, elements or features of certain embodiments, designs, or implementations may be applied to other embodiments, designs, or implementations described herein, to the extent that they do not contradict each other. Therefore, the above detailed description should not be construed as restrictive.

[0082] This disclosure is not limited in this way, but various aspects of this disclosure will be understood through discussion of the provided examples.

[0083] Unless otherwise specified, all numerical values ​​representing the size, quantity, and physical properties of features should be understood as being modified by the term "approximately," regardless of whether the term "approximately" appears directly. Therefore, unless otherwise specified, the numerical parameters described herein are approximations and may vary depending on the desired properties sought by those skilled in the art using the disclosures herein.

[0084] As used herein, the singular forms “one” and “that” imply a plural reference unless their content clearly indicates otherwise. As used in this specification and the appended claims, the term “or” is generally used to mean “and / or” unless their content clearly indicates otherwise.

[0085] Spatially related terms, including but not limited to "bottom," "underside," "top," "upper," "down," "below," "upper side," and "upper," are used herein to describe the spatial relationship between one element and another for the sake of clarity. Such spatially related terms encompass different orientations of the apparatus, in addition to the specific orientations shown in the figures and described herein. For example, if the structure shown in the figure is turned upside down, the part previously described as being below or directly below another element becomes above or directly above the other element.

Claims

1. Annular belt engagement surface and, The first circumferential flange on the first side of the belt engagement surface, The belt engagement surface comprises a second circumferential flange on the second side thereof, wherein the second circumferential flange is removable and replaceable relative to the belt engagement surface. Ring tensioner.

2. The ring tensioner according to claim 1, wherein the second circumferential flange is radially movable relative to the annular belt engagement surface.

3. The ring tensioner according to claim 1, wherein the first circumferential flange is removable and replaceable with respect to the belt engagement surface.

4. The ring tensioner according to claim 3, wherein the first circumferential flange and the second circumferential flange are movable relative to the annular belt engagement surface.

5. The ring tensioner according to claim 1, comprising a ring-shaped body having the annular belt engagement surface and the first circumferential flange.

6. The ring tensioner according to claim 5, comprising a flange body having the second circumferential flange, wherein the flange body further comprises a plurality of tabs extending perpendicular to the second circumferential flange and configured to engage with the ring-shaped body.

7. The ring tensioner according to claim 6, wherein the plurality of tabs are configured to engage with projections on the inner surface of the ring-shaped body.

8. The ring tensioner according to claim 7, further comprising a catch configured such that each of the plurality of tabs engages with the projection.

9. The ring tensioner according to claim 7, wherein the projection is circumferentially shaped along the circumference of the inner surface of the ring-shaped body.

10. The ring tensioner according to claim 1, wherein the annular belt engagement surface and the first circumferential flange form a first component, and the second circumferential flange form a second component.

11. The ring tensioner according to claim 1, wherein the annular belt engagement surface is a first component, the first circumferential flange is a second component, and the second circumferential flange is a third component.

12. The ring tensioner according to claim 1, wherein the ring tensioner is made of a polymer material.

13. The ring tensioner according to claim 1, wherein the belt engagement surface comprises a plurality of teeth.

14. A method for attaching a ring tensioner to a synchronous belt, A ring-shaped body is inserted between the first span and the second span of the synchronization belt, and the ring-shaped body has a belt engagement surface. After inserting the ring-shaped body into the span, the side flange is engaged with the ring-shaped body. method.

15. The method according to claim 14, wherein engaging the side flange involves engaging the tab of the flange body of the side flange with the ring-shaped body.

16. The method according to claim 14, wherein engaging the side flange involves connecting the side flange to the ring-shaped body using a fastener that penetrates the side flange.

17. The method according to claim 16, wherein the side flange is connected in such a way that it allows radial movement of the side flange relative to the ring-shaped body.

18. The method according to claim 14, wherein the side flange is engaged with the ring-shaped body, and then the second side flange is engaged with the ring-shaped body.

19. The method according to claim 18, wherein engaging the second side flange involves connecting the second side flange to the ring-shaped body using a fastener that penetrates the second side flange.

20. The method according to claim 19, wherein the second side flange is connected in such a way that it allows radial movement of the second side flange relative to the ring-shaped body.

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