ONE-WAY CLUTCHED DAMPER FOR AUTOMATIC BELT TENSIONER

摘要

A new asymmetrically damped tensioner (10) is provided utilizing a one-way clutch (4) connected to a tensioner arm (1) through a frictional damper (7). The frictional damper (7) is in frictional contact with the arm (1) and the one-way clutch (4) is coupled to the frictional damper (7) for movement therewith. The tensioner arm (1) is pivotable in a first direction to take up belt slack and a second direction. The clutch (4) is pivotable in the first direction but not the second direction. Because the one-way clutch (4) is operatively engaged with the arm (1) through the frictional damper (7), the tensioner (10) is able to respond to high belt tension once the frictional force between the arm (1) and the damper (7) is overcome.