Tensioner Guide Face Patterning for Chain NVH Suppression
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Chain systems experience noise, vibration, and harshness (NVH) issues due to oscillating excitations and chain-to-face contact forces aligning with chain-related orders, leading to unacceptable performance.
Innovation Solution
A unique pattern of grooves and spacers is applied to the face of tensioner arms, guides, or snubbers to intentionally break up chain contact forces, preventing alignment with chain-related orders and exciting non-chain related orders of lesser noise magnitude to mask significant NVH.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a smooth chain sliding surface is used on the tensioner arm, then the chain system operates reliably with consistent contact, but chain-to-face contact forces align with chain-related orders causing increased NVH and engagement noise
Solution Approach 1:
The smooth chain sliding surface is segmented into multiple grooves that divide the contact area. These grooves interrupt the continuous contact between the chain and tensioner face, preventing the alignment of chain-to-face contact forces with chain-related orders, thereby reducing NVH and engagement noise while maintaining reliable chain operation
Solution Approach 2:
The tensioner arm surface is modified with grooves at specific locations and patterns tailored to the chain pitch and tensioner geometry. This local modification creates zones of reduced contact that strategically disrupt harmful force alignments while preserving necessary chain guidance and tensioning functions
2Force
If dimples or slits are added to provide oil to the chain sliding surface, then friction between chain links and tensioner face is reduced, but the pattern does not actively control alignment with chain backs to decrease engagement at specific orders
Solution Approach 1:
The lubrication features are segmented into a comprehensive groove pattern that serves multiple functions: providing oil to reduce friction while simultaneously creating strategic contact interruptions that actively control and disrupt alignment with chain-related orders, achieving both lubrication and NVH control
Solution Approach 2:
The groove pattern performs multiple functions simultaneously: it provides lubrication pathways to reduce friction, guides chain motion, and actively disrupts harmful force alignments. This multi-functional design replaces the need for separate lubrication features with a unified pattern that addresses both friction reduction and NVH control
Data Source
AI summary
A pattern for application to the face of the tensioner arm, guide or snubber in contact with a chain to intentionally break up the chain contact force between the back of the chain links and the tensioner arm, guide or snubber face. This is done to prevent alignment with the chain related orders which are causing NVH within the chain system or to increase overall NVH to obscure chain related orders.