Tensioner Hub Load Balancing for Pivot Bushing Wear
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing tensioner assemblies with a pulley-over-arm configuration experience uneven wear on pivot bushings due to applied moments, leading to potential misalignment of drive members in power transmitting systems.
Innovation Solution
A tensioner assembly design incorporating a base plate, shaft, pivot bushing, torsion spring, and load balancing element, where the torsion spring applies a radially outward force to counteract tilting moments through a load balancing element, ensuring even wear and alignment by transmitting forces in a predetermined direction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a pulley-over-arm configuration is used in a tensioner assembly, then the tensioner can effectively tension the power transmitting element, but uneven wear occurs on the pivot bushing due to applied moments
Solution Approach 1:
A load balancing element is introduced as an intermediary component between the pivot bushing and the pulley assembly. This element transfers and balances the moments applied to the pivot bushing, preventing uneven wear while maintaining the pulley-over-arm configuration's tensioning effectiveness
Solution Approach 2:
The load balancing element acts as a counterbalancing mechanism that offsets the harmful moments applied to the pivot bushing. By providing an opposing force distribution, it neutralizes the uneven wear caused by the pulley-over-arm configuration
2Productivity
If the tensioner arm is positioned to tension the power transmitting element, then power transmission is achieved, but tilting moments cause misalignment of the drive member
Solution Approach 1:
The load balancing element serves as a mediator between the tensioner arm positioning and the drive member alignment. It compensates for tilting moments by redistributing forces, thereby maintaining precise drive member alignment while enabling effective power transmission
3Manufacturing precision
If a frustoconical pivot bushing is used to control tensioner arm location, then alignment control is improved, but the configuration is not suitable for pulley-over-arm arrangements due to moment application
Solution Approach 1:
The invention combines the frustoconical pivot bushing (which provides good alignment control) with the load balancing element (which handles the moment application issue). This merging allows the tensioner assembly to maintain precise tensioner arm location control while being adaptable to pulley-over-arm configurations
Solution Approach 2:
The combined pivot bushing and load balancing element system provides universal functionality, enabling the tensioner assembly to work effectively with both in-line and pulley-over-arm configurations while maintaining alignment control and preventing uneven wear
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 design effectively reduces uneven wear on pivot bushings and maintains drive member alignment by counteracting tilting moments, enhancing the stability and efficiency of power transmission systems.
Implementation Method 1
The torsion spring has a first end, a second end and a plurality of coils. The first end engages the base plate and the second end biases the tensioner arm in a predetermined direction relative to the base plate.
Implementation Method 2
The load balancing element is driven into the hub portion at a predetermined location to transmit a radially outwardly directed force, which is generated by the torsion spring, to the hub.
Implementation Method 3
The pivot bushing is slidably received on the shaft. The frustoconical bearing surface engages a corresponding frustoconical surface in the hub portion.
Data Source
AI summary
A tensioner assembly with a drive member, a tensioner arm, a shaft, a pivot bushing, a torsion spring and a load balancing element. The tensioner arm has a hub portion, a drive member mount and an arm disposed therebetween. The drive member is coupled to the drive member mount. The shaft is mounted coaxially within the hub portion. The pivot bushing has a frustoconical bearing surface, which engages a corresponding frustoconical surface in the hub portion, and is slidably mounted on the shaft. The torsion spring is received between the shaft and an outer wall of the hub portion and biases the tensioner arm about the shaft in a predetermined rotational direction. The load balancing element is received between and abuts the outer wall and the torsion spring to transmit a radially outwardly directed force generated by the torsion spring to the outer wall at a predetermined location.