Ratchet type tensioner

Abstract

In a ratchet type chain tensioner, having a toothed rack on its plunger and a pawl cooperable with the rack, a recess is provided between the front end of the rack and the protruding end of the plunger. In the initial stages of operation of the tensioner, the pawl can enter the recess while permitting the plunger to protrude and retract freely within a limited range. Therafter, when the chain controlled by the tensioner becomes elongated, the pawl cooperates with the rack to limit retraction of the plunger.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a ratchet type tensioner according to the invention;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the tensioner body;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the plunger:

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing the tensioner in its initial state;

FIG. 5 is an explanatory cross-sectional view showing the tensioner in a state in which its ratchet does not perform a backstop function;

FIG. 6 is an explanatory cross-sectional view showing the tensioner in a state in which its ratchet performs a backstop function; and

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of a conventional ratchet type tensioner.

Claims

1. A ratchet tensioner comprising: a tensioner body having a plunger-accommodating hole;a plunger slidable in a longitudinal direction in the plunger-accommodating hole and protruding therefrom, the plunger having a front end protruding from the plunger-accommodating hole and a rear end within the plunger-accommodating hole;a plunger spring urging the plunger in the protruding direction; anda ratchet mechanism comprising a toothed rack having a set of rack teeth formed on the plunger and arranged in a longitudinal row, a pawl pivotably supported on the tensioner body for engagement with the rack teeth, and a spring biasing the pawl toward the rack teeth for limiting movement of the plunger in a retracting direction;wherein the improvement comprises:a recess formed in the plunger at a location between the toothed rack and the front end of the plunger, the recess having a bottom wall and being deeper than the tooth gap bottoms of the rack, whereby the pawl can enter the recess without engaging the bottom wall, and permit the plunger to move freely in both its protruding and retracting directions through a limited range.

2. A ratchet tensioner according to claim 1 in which a protrusion engageable by the pawl is formed on the tensoner body to limit pivoting movement of the pawl, thereby preventing the pawl from contacting the bottom wall of the recess in the plunger when the pawl enters the recess.

3. A ratchet tensioner according to claim 1, in which the plunger is provided with an additional tooth at a located between the recess and the front end of the plunger, the pawl being engageable with the additional tooth to hold the plunger in a fully retracted position to prevent the plunger from jumping out of the plunger-accommodating hole prior to installation of the tensioner in an engine.

4. A ratchet tensioner according to claim 3 in which a protrusion engageable by the pawl is formed on the tensoner body to limit pivoting movement of the pawl, thereby preventing the pawl from contacting the bottom wall of the recess in the plunger when the pawl enters the recess.