Tensioning Device Sealing Webs Prevent Detachment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional tensioning devices for traction mechanisms in motor vehicles face challenges in ensuring a long service life for the sealing system and bearing arrangement, particularly due to displacement and detachment of sealing elements, leading to reduced sealing effectiveness and increased wear.

Innovation Solution

A tensioning device with permanently positioned sealing elements via connecting webs, utilizing thermoplastic elastomer sealing rings and polyamide-based bearing elements, along with a non-contact S-shaped gap for filtration and protection, and wear protection elements to minimize spring wear, enhances the sealing and bearing arrangement's durability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If sealing elements are mounted on the carrier section without permanent connection, then assembly is simpler, but the sealing elements can displace or detach radially or circumferentially, reducing service life and sealing effectiveness

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesealing effectivenessVSAvoidconnection structure
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The connecting webs merge the sealing elements with the carrier section into a unified structure. The webs extend from the carrier section through bores to connect with the sealing elements, creating an integrated assembly where the sealing elements and carrier section function as a single connected unit, preventing displacement and detachment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The connecting webs are pre-positioned in the bores of the carrier section before the sealing elements are fully installed. This preliminary positioning ensures that when the sealing elements are mounted, they are immediately secured by the webs, preventing any radial or circumferential displacement during operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If the number of bores for connecting webs is increased, then the sealing elements are more securely positioned, but the manufacturing complexity and assembly time increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesealing element positioningVSAvoidcarrier section manufacturing
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

Rather than uniformly distributing many bores throughout the carrier section, the invention strategically places a limited number of bores at specific locations where connecting webs are most effective. This localized approach provides sufficient securing of sealing elements while minimizing manufacturing complexity and assembly time.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentEP3492777B1Tensioning device for a traction mechanism drive
Publication Date: 2020.12.09 MUHR UND BENNDER KG
  • EP3492777B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3492777B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP3492777B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

The invention relates to a clamping device (2) for a traction drive, comprising: a base body (3), a clamping arm (4) which is pivotably mounted relative to the base body (3) about a pivot axis (A) by means of a radial bearing (9), wherein one of the parts base body and clamping arm (3, 4) has an annular support section (41) which is axially supported against the other of the two parts by means of a first and a second axial bearing (7, 8), a first sealing element (10) which is connected to the support section (41) for sealing the first axial bearing (7), a second sealing element (11) which is connected to the support section (41) for sealing the second axial bearing (8), wherein the first and the second axial bearing (7, 8) are made of a different material than the first and the second sealing element (10, 11), spring means (5) by means of which the clamping arm (4) is moved circumferentially against the base body (3). are supported,and a tension roller (6) rotatably mounted on the tension arm (4), wherein the first and second sealing elements (10, 11) are connected to each other by means of several connecting webs (22) which extend through bores (15) of the support section (41).