WO2016021567A1 - Load application device - Google Patents

Abstract

Provided is a load application device that is reduced in size and has excellent buffering action. The load application device is provided with: a first member (2) and a second member (3) which can move relative to one another in an axial direction, which are assembled with one to the inside and the other to the outside, and one of which serves as a propulsion member for pressing the other member and that can advance and retreats relative to the other member in the axial direction; and an elastic member (4) that is provided to the inside of the assembled first member (2) and second member (3) and that applies propulsive force to the member that serves as the propulsion member. The outer member of the inner and outer member is provided with a leg (24) comprising a plurality of side surface parts (22) extending the in the axial direction, and openings (23) extending in the axial direction and formed by the lack of a part of the side surface parts (22). The side wall parts (22) can be displaced in a direction intersecting with the axial direction when the member that serves as the propulsion member retreats.

Description

Load applying device

The present invention relates to a load application device such as a tensioner used for maintaining a constant tension of an endless belt or chain.

A tensioner as one of the load-loading devices, for example, presses a timing chain or timing belt built into an automobile engine with a predetermined force, and keeps the tension constant when they are stretched or loosened. Acts as follows.

FIG. 12 shows the inside of the engine body 200 of the automobile. A pair of cam sprockets 210 and 210 that are driven shafts and a crank sprocket 220 that is a drive shaft are disposed inside the engine body 200, and the timing chain 230 is endless between these sprockets 210, 210, and 220. It is stretched over in a shape. The timing chain 230 moves (runs) between the sprockets 210, 210, and 220 by the rotation of the crank sprocket 220. A chain guide 240 is disposed on the moving path of the timing chain 230 so as to contact the timing chain 230, and the timing chain 230 moves while sliding on the chain guide 240. The chain guide 240 can swing around the support shaft 250, and the tension of the timing chain 230 is adjusted by this swing.

Numeral 300 is a tensioner provided inside the engine body 200 in order to press the chain guide 240 against the timing chain 230. The tensioner 300 generally has a structure that presses the chain guide 240 by expansion and contraction in the axial direction.

FIG. 13 shows a general structure of the tensioner 300. A cylindrical propelling member 320, a shaft-like rotating member 340 screwed to the propelling unit 320 by a screw portion 330, a coil spring 350 that applies rotational torque to the rotating member 340, and a case 310 that accommodates these. The case 310 is fixed to the engine body 200 by bolting or the like. The rotation of the propelling member 320 is restricted by a bearing member 360 attached to the tip portion of the case 310, so that the propelling member 320 advances relative to the case 310 by the rotational force of the rotating member 340 transmitted through the screw portion 330. The timing chain 230 is pressed through the chain guide 240. On the other hand, when the tension of the timing chain 230 increases, the propelling member 320 moves backward while rotating the rotating member 340 in the reverse direction. By these operations, the tension of the timing chain 230 is kept constant.

In the general tensioner 300 shown in FIG. 13, when a large tension acts on the propelling member 320 from the timing chain 230, the propelling member 320 easily moves backward against the spring force of the coil spring 350. There is a problem that it is difficult to maintain the tension. Therefore, it is necessary to suppress the backward movement (return operation) of the propelling member 320, and Patent Documents 1 to 3 disclose conventional tensioners for this purpose.

In the tensioners disclosed in Patent Documents 1 to 3, in addition to the structure of FIG. 12, a locking piece for suppressing the backward movement of the propelling member is provided. In the tensioner of Patent Document 1, the propelling member is cylindrical, and locking teeth such as ratchet teeth are formed on the inner surface of the cylindrical propelling member. Further, a shaft in the propelling member is inserted, a locking piece is disposed on the shaft side, and the locking piece and the locking teeth are engaged. In the tensioners of Patent Documents 2 and 3, the propulsion member is formed into a faithful columnar shape, and a locking tooth is formed on the outer surface and disposed inside a holding member such as a case, while the locking member is engaged with the locking tooth of the propulsion member. The piece is arranged inside the holding member. In the structures of Patent Documents 1 to 3 described above, since the locking teeth of the locking piece engage with the locking teeth of the propulsion member when the propulsion member moves backward, the return operation of the propulsion member can be suppressed.

Japanese Patent No. 5157013 Japanese Patent No. 3717473 Japanese Patent No. 3883191

However, in the tensioner of Patent Document 1, since the locking piece is provided inside the cylindrical propulsion member, the radial dimension of the propulsion member is increased. In the tensioners of Patent Documents 2 and 3, since the locking piece is provided outside the columnar propelling member, the radial dimension of the holding member including the propelling member is increased. For this reason, in any tensioner, the entire tensioner becomes large in the radial direction, and there is a problem that there is a limit to downsizing.
In addition, since the propelling member is cylindrical or columnar and is a hard member close to a rigid body, there is little bending with respect to the axial load, and the buffering action received by relaxing vibrations from the engine is small. There is also a problem that a hitting sound or abnormal noise occurs in the system.

The present invention has been made in consideration of the problems of such a conventional tensioner, and an object thereof is to provide a load-loading device such as a tensioner that can be miniaturized and can have a good buffering action. .

In order to achieve the above object, a load applying device according to a first aspect of the present invention includes a propulsion member that moves forward and backward in an axial direction to press a mating member, and an elastic member that imparts propulsive force to the propulsion member. The propulsion member includes a plurality of side surfaces extending in the axial direction and an opening extending in the axial direction due to a lack of some side surfaces, and surrounds the periphery of the elastic member by the side surfaces and the opening. It is characterized by being.

The load applying device according to the second aspect of the present invention is a propulsion member that is relatively movable in the axial direction and assembled inside and outside, and one of which is capable of moving forward and backward in the axial direction with respect to the other in order to press the mating member A first member and a second member, and an elastic member that is provided inside the assembled state of the first member and the second member and applies a propulsive force to the member that is the propelling member. The outer member inside and outside includes a plurality of side portions extending in the axial direction and a leg portion including an opening portion extending in the axial direction due to a lack of some side portions; The side surface portion can be displaced in a direction crossing the axial direction when the member is retracted.

The invention according to claim 3 is the load applying device according to claim 2, further comprising a lock member disposed between the first member and the second member, wherein the leg portion and the lock member are mutually connected. The engaging teeth can be engaged with each other, and the engaging teeth are engaged with each other by the retreat of the member serving as the propelling member, and the retreat is locked.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the load applying device according to the third aspect, wherein a tapered portion inclined with respect to the axial direction is formed on opposing surfaces of the inner member and the lock member inside and outside the propulsion unit. The locking member slides along the tapered portion when the member that is a member is retracted, and the leg portion is displaced in a direction intersecting the axial direction along with the sliding.

The invention according to claim 5 is the load applying device according to claim 3, wherein a plurality of the lock members are arranged between the first member and the second member, and the elastic member is between the plurality of lock members. It arrange | positions so that it may penetrate.

A sixth aspect of the present invention is the load applying device according to any one of the first to fifth aspects, wherein the elastic member is a coil spring or a thin plate member having a coil portion extending along the axial direction. It is characterized by being a spiral spring.

The invention according to claim 7 is the load applying device according to any one of claims 3 to 6, further comprising a fixing member on which the first member and the second member are arranged, and the inner side in the inside and outside The member is movable in the axial direction along with the sliding of the lock member, and a buffer spring comprising a spring spring in which a thin plate material is wound a plurality of times is provided between the inner member and the fixing member. It is arranged.

The invention according to claim 8 is the load applying device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the leg portion is formed in a polygonal cross section, and the opening portion is one side surface portion in the polygon, It is characterized by being formed by lacking two opposing side portions or three or more side portions.

According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a load-loading device such as a tensioner that can be miniaturized and can have a good buffering action.

It is a front view which shows the tensioner of 1st Embodiment of the load addition apparatus of this invention. (A), (b) is the top view and right view of a tensioner. (A), (b), (c) is the top view of a 1st member, a front view, and a right view. (A), (b), (c) is the top view of a 2nd member, a front view, and a right view. (A), (b), (c), (d) is the top view, left view, front view, and right view of a locking member. It is a load-deflection characteristic figure which shows a hysteresis characteristic. (A), (b), (c) is the front view, right view, and bottom view which show the tensioner of 2nd Embodiment. (A), (b), (c), (d) is the top view of the 1st member of 2nd Embodiment, a left view, a front view, and a right view. (A), (b) is the front view which shows the tensioner of 3rd Embodiment, and the EE sectional view taken on the line. It is a front view which shows the tensioner of 4th Embodiment. (A), (b) is the front view and right view which show the tensioner of 5th Embodiment. It is sectional drawing which shows the inside of an engine main body. It is sectional drawing which shows a general tensioner.

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the illustrated embodiments. In each embodiment, the same member is assigned the same reference numeral.

(First embodiment)
1 to 6 show a tensioner 1 as a first embodiment of a load application device of the present invention. 1 and 2 show a tensioner 1, and as shown in FIG. 1, the tensioner 1 includes a first member 2 and a second member 3, an elastic member 4, and a lock member 5.

As shown in FIG. 1, both the first member 2 and the second member 3 are formed so as to extend along the axial direction X, and the second member 3 is inserted into the first member 2. The first member 2 and the second member 3 are assembled inside and outside by insertion. The first member 2 moves forward and backward along the axial direction X, and the first member 2 presses the mating member by this forward and backward movement. For this reason, in the tensioner 1 of this embodiment, the 1st member 2 becomes a propulsion member. When the tensioner 1 is attached to the engine main body 200 shown in FIG. 12, a chain guide 240 on which the timing chain 230 slides corresponds to the counterpart member pressed by the first member 2.

The tensioner 1 is attached to the engine main body 200 by fixing the flat fixing member 6 to the engine main body 200 with bolts or the like, and the entire tensioner 1 is provided inside the engine main body 200 by this fixing. The bottom surface 31 of the second member 3 is fixed to the fixing member 6 by caulking or the like, and in this fixed state, the second member 3 rises from the fixing member 6 and holds the first member 2 and supports its forward / backward movement. . For this reason, the second member 3 serves as a holding member for the first member 2.

FIG. 3 shows the first member 2. The first member 2 is an outer member with respect to the second member 3. The first member 2 as the outer member has a planar rectangular top plate portion 21 and two sides 21a, 21b, 21c, and 21d of the top plate portion 21 that are opposed to each other on the left and right sides 21a, 21c in the axial direction. Two side surface portions 22 and 22 hanging down along X are connected to each other, whereby the entire first member 2 is formed in a band shape bent in a U-shape. Side surfaces of the other opposing sides 21b and 21d of the top plate 21 are lacking, and due to this lack, the lower portions of the other two sides 21b and 21d become two openings 23 and 23. And the leg part 24 is formed of the two side parts 22 and 22 and the two opening parts 23 and 23 lacking the side part. By forming the leg portion 24, when the second member 3 is inserted into the first member 2, the first member 2 covers the second member. In this case, the bottom portion 27 of the leg portion 24 is in an open state.

In the first member 2, the opening portions 23, 23 are formed between the two side surface portions 22, 22, thereby reducing the rigidity of the leg portion 24, whereby the side surface portions 22, 22 are in the axial direction X. It can be displaced in the direction that intersects. As will be described later, when the first member 2 moves backward due to the load from the mating member (chain guide 240) acting on the first member 2 that is a propelling member, this displacement causes the two side surface portions 22 and 22 to move. Is to bend in the direction of spreading (arrow A in FIG. 1). In order to facilitate the displacement of the side portions 22, 22, the side portions 22, 22 are formed thinner than the top plate portion 21. Furthermore, locking teeth 25 are formed along the length direction on the opposing surfaces of the two opposing side surface portions 22, 22.

FIG. 4 shows the second member 3. The second member 3 is an inner member with respect to the first member 2. The second member 3 as an inner member has a flat rectangular bottom surface portion 31 fixed to the fixing member 6, and two side surface portions 32 that rise from two lateral sides of the bottom surface portion 31 and extend along the axial direction X. , 32. On the other hand, side surfaces are not formed on two sides of the bottom surface 31 of the second member 3 in the front-rear direction (paper surface penetration direction), and are open. The entire second member 3 has a frame shape. The two side surface portions 32, 32 correspond to the two side surface portions 22, 22 of the first member 2. By inserting the second member 3 into the first member 2, the two side surface portions 32, 32 become the first one. It will be in the state which faced the side parts 22 and 22 which the 1 member 2 opposed. Thereby, when the first member 2 moves forward and backward, the side surface portions 22 and 22 of the first member 2 slide on the side surface portions 32 and 32. Accordingly, the side surfaces 32 and 32 serve as guide surfaces when the first member moves forward and backward.

Tapered portions 33 and 33 are connected to the rising ends of the side surfaces 32 and 32, respectively, and top plate portions 34 and 34 are connected to the tapered portions 33 and 33, respectively. The two taper portions 33, 33 are inclined and extend upward along the axial direction X so as to gradually approach the center line of the second member 3. The top plate portions 34, 34 extend horizontally outward from the extending end portions of the respective taper portions 33, 33, and are provided so as to cover the upper portions of the respective taper portions 33, 33. . By forming the tapered portions 33, 33 that are inclined so as to approach the center line of the second member 3, a concave housing recess 35, between the respective tapered portions 33, 33 and the top plate portions 34, 34, 35 is formed, and the lock member 5 and a later-described push spring 7 are accommodated in each of the accommodating recesses 35, 35 (see FIG. 1).

As shown in FIG. 1, the elastic member 4 is a coil spring having a coil portion. The elastic member 4 made of a coil spring is disposed between the side surface portions 32, 32 of the second member 3, so that the coil portion extends along the axial direction X, and the second member 3 which is an inner member is formed. Provided inside. The upper and lower end portions of the coil portion are in contact with the bottom plate portion 31 of the second member 3 and the top plate portion 21 of the first member 2, and impart a propulsive force to the first member 2.

FIG. 5 shows the lock member 5. The lock member 5 is formed in a planar rectangular shape extending along the width direction of the side surface portions 22 of the first member 2 (the paper surface penetration direction in FIG. 1 and the width D direction in FIG. 2). A locking tooth 10 corresponding to the locking teeth 25 of the side surfaces 22 and 22 of the first member 2 is formed on one side surface of the locking member 5. A tapered portion 11 corresponding to the tapered portion 33 of the second member 3 is formed on the opposite side surface of the locking tooth 10. The lock member 5 has a taper portion 11 facing the taper portion 33 of the second member 3, and the receiving recesses 35, 35 of the second member 3 so that the locking teeth 10 face the locking teeth 25 of the first member 2. Placed in each. Between each lock member 5 and the top plate portion 34 of the second member 3, a push spring 7 made of a leaf spring is sandwiched, and the lock member 5 causes the taper portion 11 to be inserted into the lock member 5 by the push spring 7. It will be in the state always pressed against the taper part 33 of the 2 member 3. FIG.
The lock member 5 is formed with a recess 5a into which the coil portion of the elastic member 4 is inserted, and the elastic member 4 is disposed so as to pass through the recess 5a. By forming the recess 5a, the lock member 5 and the elastic member 4 can be arranged in a narrow space.

The tensioner 1 is attached to the engine body 200 in a state where the elastic member 4 is compressed. Accordingly, a propulsive force acts on the first member 2 as the propelling member by the elastic member 4, and the first member 2 always presses the timing chain 230 via the chain guide 240. An arrow C in FIG. 1 indicates the advancing direction of the first member 2.

In the attached state to the engine body 200, a load in the direction of arrow B is received from the timing chain 230 via the chain guide 240. Due to the load in the direction of arrow B, the first member 2 returns (retreats), and the locking teeth 25 engage with the locking teeth 10 of the locking member 5 to engage with each other. Further, the taper portion 11 of the lock member 5 is pressed against the taper portion 33 of the second member 3 by the push spring 7. In this state, the lock member 5 is retracted in the direction of arrow B while the tapered portions 11 and 33 receive sliding resistance. When the lock member 5 is retracted in the direction of arrow B, the taper portion 11 of the lock member 5 pushes the taper portion 33 of the second member 3, so the taper portion 33 is in the direction of the central axis of the second member 3 (counter arrow A direction). It bends when pressed. At the same time, since the side portions 22 and 22 of the leg portion 24 of the first member 2 are displaced (bend) so as to spread in the direction of arrow A, the way of increasing the load in the direction of arrow B of the first member 2 becomes gentle, Good buffering can be performed.

On the other hand, the elastic member 4 provided in the second member 3 constantly urges the first member 2 as a propelling member in the direction of arrow C, and the lock member 5 engaged with the first member 2. Moves along with the first member 2 in the direction of arrow C while sliding on the tapered portion 33 of the second member 3 and receiving sliding resistance. In an alternating load from the normal engine body, the movement in the reciprocating direction between the B direction and the C direction described above is repeated with the locking teeth 10 and 25 engaged. FIG. 6 shows a load diagram in such an operation, where the horizontal axis is the amount of deflection, the vertical axis is the load, and has a His characteristic in which a difference in load occurs between the arrow B direction and the C direction. . This hysteresis characteristic can absorb the alternating load from the engine body 200, so that the damping force for damping the vibration can be increased. In the tensioner 1 of such an embodiment, since the load from the timing chain 230 via the chain guide 240 can be buffered and received, the hitting sound and abnormal noise generated in the chain system such as the timing chain 230 are reduced. be able to. Furthermore, in the movement in the arrow B direction in which the first member 2 moves backward, the frictional resistance generated in the tapered portions 11 and 33 is consumed after being converted into thermal energy, and therefore the timing at which a load is applied to the first member 2. The behavior of the chain 230 and the chain guide 240 can be suppressed.

On the other hand, when the timing member 230 extends and the first member 2 advances in the direction of the arrow C beyond the pitch of the locking teeth 10 of the locking member 5, the locking teeth 10 of the locking member 5 and the first member 2 are locked. Since the engagement with the tooth 25 is released and the lock member 5 gets over one tooth of the locking tooth 25 of the first member 2, the first member 2 can advance in the direction of arrow C.

In the tensioner 1, the first member 2 has a structure having openings 23, 23 between the side portions 22, 22, and is locked between the openings 23, 23 (between the width D in FIG. 2). The member 5 and the elastic member 4 can be arrange | positioned and the dimension of the width direction (D direction) can be made small. Thereby, the tensioner 1 can be reduced in size.
The elastic member 4 is disposed so as to penetrate between the two tapered portions 33 and the two lock members 5 of the second member 3. In such an arrangement, a space in the radial direction can be used effectively, the space can be accommodated in a compact manner, and the accommodation space for the elastic member 4 can be secured for a long time. Therefore, the elastic member 4 can be lengthened, the spring constant thereof can be lowered, and the pressure load fluctuation can be reduced.
Furthermore, since the lubricating oil in the engine main body 200 smoothly enters the tensioner 1 from the openings 23 and 23 of the first member 2 in the open state, the inside of the tensioner 1 can be in a good lubricating state. it can.
Moreover, since the 1st member 2 and the 2nd member 3 can be processed by pressing a metal plate, they can be produced easily and inexpensively.
In the tensioner 1 described above, the load-deflection characteristic is obtained by adjusting the deflection in the direction of arrow A and the deflection in the opposite direction of the side surfaces 22 and 22 of the first member 2 with respect to the load acting on the first member 2. The degree of freedom of design can be increased.

(Second Embodiment)
7 and 8 show a tensioner 1A used as a second embodiment of the load device of the present invention.

The tensioner 1A of this embodiment is obtained by adding one side surface portion 26 to the first member 2 of the tensioner 1 of the first embodiment, and the other structure is the same as that of the tensioner 1 of the first embodiment. Yes. The first member 2 of the tensioner 1A extends in the axial direction X, the second member 3 is inserted therein, and the first member 2 and the second member 3 are assembled inside and outside by this insertion. The first member 2 is a propelling member that moves forward and backward along the axial direction X, and the first member 2 presses the chain guide 240 as a counterpart member by the forward and backward movement of the first member 2. The second member 3 holds the first member 2 so as to support the forward and backward movement of the first member 2.

FIG. 8 shows the first member 2. The four sides 21 a, 21 b, 21 c, and 21 d of the flat rectangular top plate portion 21 hang down along the axial direction X on the two sides 21 b and 21 d that are opposed in the front-rear direction. Two side surface portions 22 and 22 are connected. In addition to this, the first member 2 has a side surface portion 26 connected to one side 21 a on the left side of the top plate portion 21. The side surface portion 26 hangs down from the left side 21a along the axial direction X, and is in a state of connecting the side surfaces 22 and 22 on the two sides 21b and 21d side. The remaining side (right side) 21c of the top plate portion 21 is lacking a side surface portion, and this lack serves as an opening 23. A leg portion 24 of the first member 2 is formed by the three side portions 22, 22, 26 and one opening 23. In the leg part 24, the bottom part 27 facing the top plate part 21 is in an open state.

Also in the first member 2 of the tensioner 1A of this embodiment, the tension member 1A moves backward along the axial direction X by receiving a load in the arrow B direction from the timing chain 230. At the time of the retreat, the lock member 5 retreats in the arrow B direction while the taper portion 11 of the lock member 5 presses the taper portion 33 of the second member 3 as in the first embodiment. By this retreat, the taper portion 33 of the second member 3 bends in the direction of the central axis (counter arrow A direction), and the two side surface portions 22 and 22 connected by the side surface portion 26 are expanded in the arrow A direction along with this deflection. Is displaced (bends). Due to this displacement, the load in the direction of arrow B becomes gentle, so that the load can be buffered. Such a lock member 5 and the locking teeth 10 and 25 act similarly to 1st Embodiment.

In this embodiment, since the 1st member 2 has the three side parts 22, 22, and 26, the load-deflection characteristic (rigidity) is high, compared with the tensioner 1 of 1st Embodiment. There is little deflection of the side part. For this reason, it can be suitably used when the load from the timing chain 230 is high. Also in this embodiment, the 1st member 2 can be processed by pressing a metal plate. Therefore, the first member 2 can be created easily and inexpensively.

In FIG. 7, reference numeral 12 denotes a retaining member. The retaining member 12 is formed in a U shape and is attached to the fixing member 6 so as to partially wrap the first member 2 which is an outer member. A hook claw 14 is formed at both ends of the U-shaped retaining member 12, and the retaining member 12 is fixed to the fixing member 6 by being hooked in a hook groove 15 formed in the fixing member 6. Fixed to. Providing such a retaining member 12 prevents the retaining member 12 from coming off even when the first member 2 moves forward, so that the first member 2 can be stably advanced.

Although illustration is omitted, in this embodiment, a small hole or a slit is formed in the top plate portion 21 or the side surface portions 22, 22, 26 of the first member 2, so that the lubricating oil in the engine body is supplied to the tensioner 1 </ b> A. Can be taken inside. Thereby, the inside of tensioner 1A can be made into a favorable lubricating state.

(Third embodiment)
FIG. 9 shows a tensioner 1B used as a third embodiment of the load applying device of the present invention.

The tensioner 1B is obtained by adding a buffer spring 8 to the tensioner 1 of the first embodiment. The first member 2 of the tensioner 1B lacks the two side parts 22, 22 and the side part 26 that connects the two side parts 22, 22 and the side part as in the tensioner 1B of the second embodiment. It has the leg part 24 which consists of one opening part 23 formed by. The second member 3 is inserted into the first member 2, and the first member 2 and the second member 3 are assembled inside and outside by this insertion. The first member 2 is a propulsion member to which a propulsive force is applied by the elastic member 4. The first member 2 and the second member 3 are attached to the fixing member 6. In this case, the second member 3, which is an inner member, is movable within the first member 2 without being fixed to the fixing member 6. The movement of the second member 3 is performed when the lock member 5 moves backward in a state where the taper portion 11 of the lock member 5 is in contact with the taper portion 33 of the second member 3.

The spring spring 3 in which a thin plate material is wound a plurality of times is used as the buffer spring 8. The buffer spring 8 formed of the mainspring spring 3 is in a wound state, and has a curved receiving recess 36 formed on the end surface of the bottom surface portion 31 of the second member 3 and a curved receiving portion provided on the fixing member 6. It arrange | positions in the state tightened between the parts 16. FIG. As a result, when the second member 3 is retracted, the buffer spring 8 is pushed by the receiving recess 36, so that a load in the direction of diameter reduction acts.

The stopper projection 71 is formed on the fixing member 6. The stopper protrusion 71 protrudes from the fixed member 6 toward the inside of the second member 3 so as to be positioned on the advancing direction C side with respect to the bottom surface portion 31 of the second member 3. The stopper protrusion 71 allows the second member 3 to move in the backward direction B, but prevents the member 3 from moving in the advance direction C. That is, the movement force in the advance direction C acts on the second member 3 by expanding the diameter of the buffer spring 8, but the bottom surface portion 31 of the second member 3 abuts against the stopper projection 71, so that the second member 3 It does not move in the same direction C. As a result, the state in which the buffer spring 8 maintains a predetermined diameter can be maintained.

In FIG. 9, reference numeral 9 denotes a pressing member. The pressing member 9 is formed by a main body portion 9 a and a pressing piece portion 9 b extending from the main body portion 9 a in the direction of the buffer spring 8. The main body 9a has a U-shape and is attached to the fixing member 6 to prevent the first member 2 that is a propelling member from coming off similarly to the retaining member 12 of the second embodiment. The presser piece 9 b extends in the direction of the buffer spring 8 to cover the upper surface of the buffer spring 8, thereby preventing the buffer spring 8 from falling off the fixing member 6.

In the tensioner 1B of this embodiment, the first member 2 is retracted along the axial direction X by receiving a load in the direction of arrow B from the timing chain 230 via the chain guide 240, and the lock member 5 is tapered by this retraction. 11 and the second member 3 are retracted in order to press the second member 3 through the tapered portion 33. Due to this retreat, a load in the diameter reducing direction acts on the buffer spring 8 located on the retreat direction side. Since the buffer spring 8 is the main spring 3 in which a thin plate material is wound a plurality of times, the buffer spring 8 holds a force for expanding the diameter of itself, and the force in the diameter increasing direction becomes a resistance to the load. In addition to this, friction occurs between the thin plate materials due to the load in the diameter reducing direction, and similarly resistance to the load. As a result, the load from the timing chain 230 becomes gentle and the load can be buffered. Such a structure using the buffer spring 8 made of the spring 3 can be adapted to a load larger than the load in the second embodiment.

(Fourth embodiment)
FIG. 10 shows a tensioner 1C according to a fourth embodiment used as a load applying device of the present invention. The tensioner 1C is used by turning the tensioner 1 of the first embodiment upside down.

Also in this embodiment, the second member 3 is inserted into the first member 2. However, the top member 21 of the first member 2, which is an outer member, is fixed to the fixing member 6. The second member 3, which is a fixed side and is an inner member, is a propelling member that moves forward and backward along the axial direction X inside the first member 2. An elastic member 4 made of a coil spring is disposed inside the second member 3 in order to apply a propulsive force to the second member 3 that is a propulsion member.

The locking member 5 is disposed with respect to the tapered portion 33 of the second member 3 that is a propelling member, and the tapered portion 11 of the locking member 5 is in contact with the tapered portion 33 of the second member 3. A locking tooth 10 is formed on the lock member 5, and the locking tooth 10 can be engaged with a locking tooth 25 formed on the side surfaces 22, 22 of the first member 2 which is an outer member. .

Also in this embodiment, the first member 2 which is an outer member is formed in an elongated shape along the axial direction X, and the opening between the two side surface portions 22 and 22 and the two side surface portions 22 and 22 is formed. The leg part 24 which consists of the parts 23 and 23 is provided. As a result, the rigidity of the leg portion 24 is lowered, and when a load in the direction of arrow B (see FIG. 1) acts on the second member 3 as the propulsion member from the timing chain 230, the side surface portion is interposed via the tapered portions 11 and 33. 22 and 22 can be displaced (bent) in a direction intersecting the axial direction X. Therefore, also in this embodiment, the load from the timing chain 230 can be buffered. Further, since the movement in the B direction and the C direction (see FIG. 1) is repeated with respect to the alternating load from the engine body, the hysteresis characteristic is generated in these directions and the alternating load from the engine body 200 can be absorbed. It is possible to increase the buffering force that attenuates the vibration. Moreover, since the lock member 5 and the elastic member 4 can be arrange | positioned between the opening parts 23 and 23, the dimension of the width direction can be made small and the tensioner 1C can be reduced in size. Furthermore, since the lubricating oil between the engine main bodies 200 enters smoothly from the openings 23 and 23, the inside of the tensioner 1C can be in a good lubricating state. In addition, since the first member 2 and the second member 3 can be processed by pressing a metal plate, the first member 2 and the second member 3 can be easily and inexpensively produced.

(Fifth embodiment)
FIG. 11 shows a tensioner 1D of the fifth embodiment used as a load applying device of the present invention. The tensioner 1D includes a propelling member 51, an elastic member 4, and a case 61. The elastic member 4 is a spring spring in which a thin plate material is wound a plurality of times. The propelling member 51 moves forward and backward along the axial direction X when a propelling force is applied by the elastic member 4 made of a spring.

The propelling member 51 has two side surface portions 52, 52, and the two side surface portions 52, 52 are provided with a cover portion 54 that is integrated with the side surface portions 52, 52 at the front end portion in the advancing direction. The two side surfaces 52 and 52 are opposed to each other on two sides of a quadrangle, and the other two sides of the quadrangle are openings 53 lacking the side surface. In FIG. 11A, reference numeral 53 indicates a front opening, and the same opening (not shown) as the opening 53 is formed on the back side so as to sandwich the side surfaces 22 and 22. The elastic member 4 is disposed in a state where the periphery is surrounded by the side surface portions 52 and 52 and the opening portions 53 and 53.

The covering portion 54 constitutes a part of the side surface portions 52 and 52 by being integrally connected to the front end portion in the advancing direction of the two side surface portions 52 and 52. The cover portion 54 is formed in an arc shape, and the outer peripheral portion 41 of the elastic member 4 formed of the mainspring spring 3 is in contact with the cover portion 54. Therefore, the elastic member 4 biases the propelling member 51 in the advancing direction. Further, when the load from the counterpart member such as the chain guide 240 acts on the propulsion member 51 and the propulsion member 51 moves backward, the load acts on the elastic member 4.

The case 61 is formed by assembling the first case 62 and the second case 63, and is fixed to the inside of the engine body 200 with bolts or the like. The second case 63 includes an accommodating portion 65 that rises from the first case 62, and the elastic member 4 is disposed in the space between the first case 62 and the accommodating portion 65. The rear end wall of the accommodating portion 65 is an arc-shaped spring receiving portion 64, and the outer peripheral portion 41 of the elastic member 4 contacts the spring receiving portion 64. *

The elastic member 4 made of the spring 3 is a winding part 42 whose inner end is formed in a hexagonal shape, and the outer end is an outer end locking part 43 locked to a spring receiving part 64 of the case 61. It has become. A notch portion 66 is formed in the top plate portion of the second case 63 corresponding to the winding portion 42, and the elastic member 4 can be wound up by inserting and operating the winding member in the notch portion 66.

In the tensioner 1 </ b> D, the wound elastic member 4 is expanded in diameter by the stored spring force, and the propelling member 51 advances along the axial direction X by this expansion, and presses the timing chain 230 via the chain guide 240. On the other hand, when the propulsion member 51 receives an alternating load (vibration) from the timing chain 230, the propulsion member 51 presses the elastic member 4 in the diameter reducing direction. The elastic member 4 is a member obtained by winding a thin plate material a plurality of times, and friction is generated between the thin plate materials by receiving a load from the propulsion member 51. The force due to friction at the time of diameter reduction is larger than the force by which the elastic member 4 expands, and the difference between these forces becomes a hiss characteristic, and the alternating load from the engine body 200 can be absorbed by the hiss characteristic. For this reason, the buffering force which attenuates vibration can be enlarged.

In this tensioner 1D, the propulsion member 51 has side portions 52, 52 and openings 53, 53, and the lubricating oil in the engine main body 200 smoothly enters from the openings 53, 53. Can be in a good lubrication state. Moreover, since the spring spring with a low height is used as the elastic member 4, the height of the entire tensioner 1D can be reduced, and the degree of freedom of arrangement in the engine body 200 can be increased. Further, since the propelling member 51 can be processed by pressing a metal plate, it can be produced easily and inexpensively.

In the present invention, the side surface portion is provided corresponding to the opening portion, and is not limited to the above embodiment, and the number of the side surface portion may be one or three or more. In the above embodiments, application to a tensioner used in an automobile engine as a load applying device has been shown. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and an intake valve of an automobile engine that opens and closes, other opening and closing mechanisms, and linear movement It can also be applied to mechanisms.

1A, 1B, 1C, 1D Tensioner 2 First member 3 Second member 4 Elastic member 5 Lock member 6 Fixing member 7 Pushing spring 8 Buffer spring 10, 25 Locking teeth 11, 33 Tapered portion 22 Side surface portion 23 Opening portion 24 Leg Part 51 propulsion member 52 side part 53 opening

Claims (8)

A propelling member that moves forward and backward in the axial direction to press the mating member, and an elastic member that imparts propulsive force to the propelling member,
The propulsion member includes a plurality of side surfaces extending in the axial direction and an opening extending in the axial direction due to a lack of some of the side surfaces, and surrounds the elastic member by the side surfaces and the opening. A load applying device characterized by that. A first member and a second member that are relatively movable in the axial direction and assembled to the inside and outside, and one is a propelling member that can move forward and backward in the axial direction with respect to the other in order to press the mating member; ,
An elastic member that is provided inside the assembled state of the first member and the second member, and that imparts a propulsive force to the member that is the propelling member;
The outer member inside and outside includes a plurality of side portions extending in the axial direction and a leg portion including an opening portion extending in the axial direction due to a lack of some of the side portions, and serves as the propulsion member. The load applying device is characterized in that the side surface portion can be displaced in a direction intersecting the axial direction when the member is retracted. The load applying device according to claim 2,
A lock member disposed between the first member and the second member;
Locking teeth that can be engaged with each other are formed on the leg portion and the lock member, and the locking teeth are engaged with each other by the retraction of the member that is the propelling member, and the retraction is locked. A load applying device characterized by. The load applying device according to claim 3,
A taper portion that is inclined with respect to the axial direction is formed on the inner surface of the inner member and the opposite surface of the lock member, and the lock member slides along the taper portion when the member serving as the propelling member moves backward. The load applying device is characterized in that the leg is displaced in a direction crossing the axial direction along with the sliding. The load applying device according to claim 3,
A plurality of the locking members are arranged between the first member and the second member, and the elastic member is arranged so as to penetrate between the plurality of locking members. The load applying device according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
The load applying device according to claim 1, wherein the elastic member is a coil spring in which a coil portion extends along the axial direction or a spring spring in which a thin plate material is wound a plurality of times. The load applying device according to any one of claims 3 to 6,
The first member and the second member further include a fixing member, and an inner member inside and outside the inner member is movable in the axial direction as the lock member slides, and the inner member and A load applying device, wherein a buffer spring made up of a spring spring in which a thin plate material is wound a plurality of times is disposed between the fixing member and the fixing member. The load applying device according to any one of claims 1 to 7,
The leg part is formed in a polygonal cross section, and the opening part is formed by lacking one side part, two opposing side parts, or three or more side parts in the polygon. Load applying device.

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