LINEAR BELT TENSIONER WITH TWO DEGREES OF FREEDOM

摘要

A tensioner (10) has a fixed structure (12) and a movable structure (30). The movable structure (30) is mounted for movement with respect to the fixed structure (12). A pulley (36) is mounted on the movable structure (30) and rotatable about a first axis (52). A spring (26) is disposed between the fixed structure (12) and the movable structure (30) biasing the movable structure (30) away from the fixed structure (12) into a tensioning engagement. The movable structure (30) is slidably mounted on the fixed structure (12) for reciprocating movement along and pivotally about a second axis (33) generally perpendicular with respect to the first axis accommodate changes in alignment of the pulley (36) in maintaining the tensioning engagement.