Sealed Bearing Pivot Tensioner for Contamination-Resistant Damping
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional belt tensioners face contamination issues due to the ingress of contaminants, which accelerates wear and affects the coefficient of friction, leading to inconsistent damping output and reduced durability.
Innovation Solution
The use of a double row bearing that forms radial seals between the pivot shaft and tensioning arm, combined with a compression spring to seal the damping mechanism, eliminates the need for additional sealing components and provides a robust and consistent damping output.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional belt tensioners use open pivot assemblies, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but contaminants ingress into the pivot area causing accelerated wear and inconsistent damping output
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the sealing function with the bearing structure by integrating seals directly into the bearing assembly. The bearing assembly includes bearings mounted on the pivot shaft with seals positioned at the bearing edges, eliminating the need for separate sealing components and maintaining structural simplicity while preventing contaminant ingress.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces seals as intermediary elements between the pivot shaft/bearings and the external environment. These seals act as mediators that block contaminants from reaching the pivot area while allowing the pivot assembly to rotate freely, thus protecting internal components without requiring a completely enclosed structure.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If additional sealing components are added to prevent contamination, then pivot durability improves, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the sealing function into the bearing assembly itself. The seals are positioned at the edges of the bearing races, utilizing the bearing structure as the sealing barrier. This integration eliminates the need for separate sealing components like dust caps or labyrinth seals, reducing part count while maintaining effective contamination protection.
Solution Approach 2:
The bearing assembly serves dual functions: supporting radial and axial loads while simultaneously preventing contaminant ingress. The seals integrated into the bearing structure allow the assembly to protect itself from contamination without requiring additional dedicated sealing components, reducing overall system complexity.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the pivot assembly is enclosed to prevent contamination, then damping consistency improves, but manufacturing complexity and assembly difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the sealing function with the bearing assembly by integrating seals directly into the bearing structure. The seals are positioned at the bearing edges and work together with the bearing races to form a complete sealing system, eliminating the need for separate sealing components and complex assembly procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the sealing function into multiple seal elements positioned at different locations within the bearing assembly. This segmentation allows each seal to address specific contamination pathways independently, providing comprehensive protection while maintaining modular assembly that simplifies manufacturing and installation.
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
This design enhances pulley alignment precision, improves pivot durability, and maintains consistent torque output by preventing contamination ingress, thus extending the tensioner's lifespan and performance.
Implementation Method 1
The bearing forms a radial seal between the bearing and the tensioning arm and between the bearing and the pivot shaft
Implementation Method 2
A coil spring surrounds the pivot assembly and has its ends connected between the fixed and pivoted structures to bias the pivot structure in a belt take-up direction
Implementation Method 3
A torsion spring is positioned externally around a portion of the tensioning arm
Data Source
AI summary
A belt tensioner having a tensioner base and a tensioning arm axially aligned about a pivot shaft defining a pivot axis, the tensioning arm pivotal in relation to the tensioner base about the pivot axis. The tensioner has a bearing positioned around and sealed against the pivot shaft, with the tensioning arm positioned around the bearing. The bearing forms a radial seal between the bearing and the tensioning arm and between the bearing and the pivot shaft. A torsion spring is positioned externally around a portion of the tensioning arm.