TENSIONER MECHANISM USING EXTERNAL SPRING

摘要

TENSIONER MECHANISM USING EXTERNAL SPRING In a tensioner mechanism comprising a fluid-filled piston-type tensioner having an internal spring urging a piston rod against a pivotable member having a beltcontacting idler, the tensioning force applied to the belt by the idler roller is exerted at least in part by an auxiliary spring which is external to the piston-type tensioner, anchored at one end to a fixed support such as an engine block, and connected at its other end to the pivotable member. The use of the external spring makes it possible to decrease the size of the tensioner housing, and also makes it possible to use the same tensioner assembly in different power transmissions having various tension requirements and various requirements for range of motion of the belt-contacting idler.