Elastically Deformable Stopper for Belt Tensioner Roller
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional tensioner roller stops are not strong enough to withstand frequent and violent end-of-travel contacts, leading to breakage during engine operation.
Innovation Solution
A tensioner roller with an elastically deformable stopper that absorbs kinetic energy, replacing the conventional stop and is fixed to the same mounting point as the support part, using either a steel wing or an elastomeric sleeve to absorb shocks without breaking.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conventional rigid stopper is used for the tensioner roller, then the mounting structure is simple, but the stopper breaks during frequent and violent end-of-travel contacts
Solution Approach 1:
The stopper element is changed from a rigid material to an elastically deformable material, fundamentally changing the mechanical properties. This allows the stopper to absorb impact energy through elastic deformation rather than fracturing, directly resolving the contradiction between durability and strength by enabling the stopper to withstand repeated violent contacts without breaking
Solution Approach 2:
The elastically deformable stopper acts as a pre-configured cushion that absorbs kinetic energy before it can cause damage. The elastic deformation capability is built into the stopper design from the beginning, allowing it to withstand impact forces by deforming elastically rather than breaking, thus providing beforehand protection against the harmful effects of violent contacts
2Reliability
If the stopper is made from a different material than the support part, then the stopper can withstand violent contacts, but the manufacturing process becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The invention uses composite construction by combining the support part (made from one material) with a separate stopper element (made from an elastically deformable material). This allows each component to be optimized for its specific function - the support part for structural integrity and the stopper for shock absorption - while being manufactured separately and then assembled together, resolving the contradiction between durability and manufacturing simplicity
Solution Approach 2:
The stopper is designed as an independent, separable component rather than being integrated into the support part. This segmentation allows the stopper to be manufactured separately using materials and processes optimized for its shock-absorbing function, then easily assembled to the support part, thus maintaining manufacturing simplicity while achieving superior durability
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The elastically deformable stopper effectively reduces the risk of breakage by converting kinetic energy into elastic deformation energy, simplifying mounting and ensuring the stopper can withstand multiple violent contacts.
Implementation Method 1
the limit stopper having a stopper element for the cocking finger, this abutment element being elastically deformable
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a tensioner pulley for a drive belt with a support portion (12) intended to be fixed at at least one attachment point (11) by a fastening element (18) to an assembly carrying at least two pulleys surrounded by the drive belt. The tensioner pulley comprises a roller carried by a pivoting arm (8) having a locking finger (9) capable of engaging a stop carried by the support portion (12). The stop is independent of the tensioner pulley and is fixed to the support portion (12) at said at least one attachment point (11) by said fastening element (18) of the support portion (12) and has an elastically deformable stop element (17). A preferred, but not limiting, application of the tensioner pulley is for a drive system on an accessory drive unit of a motor vehicle engine.