摘要 |
A device for maintaining a constant tension on an endless drive belt which supplies power to and drives the vehicle accessories. A mounting bracket is adapted to be mounted on an engine in a stationary position adjacent the drive belt and has an idler pulley rotatably mounted on an end of a lever. The lever is pivotally mounted on a shaft which extends outwardly from the mounting bracket. A torsional coil spring biases the idler pulley into tensioning engagement with the drive belt. The pulley is mounted on a stub shaft which extends parallel with the pivot shaft and is formed with an outer annular belt engaging surface. The pivot shaft is located within the periphery of the pulley belt engaging surface and the radial center line of said belt engaging surface intersects the bearing surface of the pivot shaft to provide a compact, low friction belt tensioner. A brake band is mounted between and is cammingly engaged with the mounting bracket and idler pulley lever to provide a damping force therebetween retarding movement of the idler pulley in a non belt tensioning direction. |