IP Library Granted Patent US 8,439,780
Granted Patent B2
US 8,439,780 · App. 11/988,752 · Granted May 14, 2013

Tensioner for a drive belt of a motor vehicle

Inventors: Alberto Ruffini (Chieti Scalo, IT); Andrea Montani (Chieti, IT); Gaetano Ferri (Pescara, IT)
Assignee: Dayco Europe S.r.l.
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,439,780
App. No.
11/988,752
Granted
May 14, 2013
Kind
B2
Abstract

A tensioner for a belt drive, including a rigid element rotatably connected around a first axis and a couple of idle pulleys supported by a rigid element on opposing parts of axis and adapted to cooperate with respective sections of a belt of belt drive. The tensioner also includes a mobile element hinged to a second fixed axis carrying the first axis.

Claims (19)

1. A tensioner for a belt drive, including a rigid element rotatably connected about a first axis (B), a pair of idle pulleys supported by said rigid element on opposing sides of said first axis (B) and adapted to cooperate with respective sections of a belt of said belt drive and a first adjusting mechanism to adjust the position of a second axis (A) and lock that second axis (A) in a fixed position to define the initial tension of said belt, wherein said first adjusting mechanism includes an eccentric mount, and further includes a mobile element having one end hinged about the second, fixed axis (A) and an opposite end carrying said first axis (B).

2. The tensioner according to claim 1 , further including a supporting arm connected to said first adjusting mechanism and carrying said second axis (A).

3. The tensioner according to claim 1 , further including a second adjusting mechanism to adjust the position of at least one of two idle pulleys with respect to said rigid element.

4. The tensioner according to claim 3 , wherein the said second adjusting mechanism is radially contained inside said at least one of two idle pulleys.

5. The tensioner according to claim 4 , wherein the said second adjusting mechanism includes an eccentric mount to the rigid element.

6. The tensioner according to claim 3 wherein a second adjusting mechanism is provided for each idle pulley.

7. The tensioner according to claim 6 wherein the second adjusting mechanism comprises an eccentric mounting structure.

8. The tensioner according to claim 1 , wherein the said rigid element includes a pin defining said first axis (B), said pin being radially coupled with a hole provided within said mobile element via a bushing comprised of a low friction material.

9. The tensioner according to claim 1 , wherein the said rigid element includes a first and a second arm converging with each other and connected rigidly to a connection portion hinged around said first axis (B).

10. The tensioner according to claim 9 , wherein the first and second arms have the same length.

11. The tensioner according to claim 9 , wherein the first and second arms have different lengths.

12. The tensioner according to claim 1 , wherein respective diameters of each of said pair of idle pulleys are equal.

13. The tensioner according to claim 1 , wherein respective diameters of each of said pair of idle pulleys are different.

14. The tensioner according to claim 1 , further including a return spring positioned between said mobile element and said rigid element to provide additional tension to said belt.

15. A tensioner for a belt drive comprising:

a rigid element rotatably connected about a first axis (B),

a pair of idle pulleys supported by and eccentrically mounted to said rigid element on opposing sides of said first axis (B) and adapted to cooperate with respective sections of a belt of said belt drive,

a first adjusting mechanism to adjust and control the position of a second axis (A) and lock that second axis (A) in an adjusted position to define an initial tension of said belt, said first adjusting mechanism including an eccentric mounting mechanism, and

a mobile element having one end hinged about the second axis (A) and an opposite end carrying said first axis (B).

Assignments (7)
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Sep 28, 2022
From: DEUTSCHE BANK AG, LONDON BRANCH (AS AGENT AND AS SUCCESSOR TRUSTEE TO DEUTSCHE TRUSTEE COMPANY LIMITED)
To: DAYCO EUROPE S.R.L
Reel/Frame 061238/0636 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Feb 17, 2011
From: DAYCO EUROPE S.R.L
To: DEUTSCHE TRUSTEE COMPANY LIMITED; DEUTSCHE BANK AG, LONDON BRANCH
Reel/Frame 025823/0866 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Feb 17, 2011
From: BANCA NAZIONALE DEL LAVORO S.P.A; CADOGAN SQUARE CLO B.V.; CITIBANK N.A. - MILAN; EATON VANCE SHORT DURATION DIVERSIFIED INCOME FUND; EFIBANCA S.P.A.; INTERBANCA S.P.A.; JPMORGAN CHASE BANK N.A., MILAN BRANCH; THE ROYAL BANK OF SCOTLAND PLC; J.P. MORGAN EUROPE LIMITED; JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A.
To: DAYCO EUROPE S.R.L
Reel/Frame 025827/0310 →
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE ADDRESS OF THE THIRD ASSIGNEE PREVIOUSLY RECORDED ON REEL 025095 FRAME 0525. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE SECURITY AGREEMENT. Recorded Nov 12, 2010
From: DAYCO EUROPE S.R.L.
To: BANCA NAZIONALE DEL LAVORO S.P.A.; CADOGAN SQUARE CLO B.V.; CITIBANK N.A. - MILAN; EATON VANCE SHORT DURATION DIVERSIFIED INCOME FUND; EFIBANCA S.P.A.; INTERBANCA S.P.A.; JPMORGAN CHASE BANK N.A., MILAN BRANCH; THE ROYAL BANK OF SCOTLAND PLC; J.P. MORGAN EUROPE LIMITED; JPMORGAN CHASE BANK N.A.
Reel/Frame 025358/0093 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Oct 6, 2010
From: DAYCO EUROPE S.R.L.
To: BANCA NAZIONALE DEL LAVORO S.P.A.; CADOGAN SQUARE CLO B.V.; CITIBANK N.A. - MILAN; EATON VANCE SHORT DURATION DIVERSIFIED INCOME FUND; EFIBANCA S.P.A.; INTERBANCA S.P.A.; JPMORGAN CHASE BANK N.A., MILAN BRANCH; THE ROYAL BANK OF SCOTLAND PLC; J.P. MORGAN EUROPE LIMITED; JPMORGAN CHASE BANK N.A.
Reel/Frame 025095/0525 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Oct 29, 2009
From: RUFFINI, ALBERTO; MONTANI, ANDREA; FERRI, GAETANO
To: DAYCO EUROPE S.R.I. CON UNICO SOCIO
Reel/Frame 023445/0780 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Nov 20, 2008
From: RUFFINI, ALBERTO; MONTANI, ANDREA; FERRI, GAETANO
To: DAYCO EUROPE S.R.L.
Reel/Frame 021904/0800 →
Continuity (1)
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