阅读说明：本技术 带轮装置，特别是用于张紧惰轮或运动辊的带轮装置 (Pulley device, in particular for tensioning an idler or moving roller ) 是由 迈克尔·肖莱 托马斯·佩罗汀 西蒙·普雷沃斯特 尼古拉斯·特朗基 于 2020-02-04 设计创作，主要内容包括：带轮装置(1)包括带轮(2)和轴承(3)。带轮(2)具有横向截面为C形的两个带轮部(17、18)。带轮部(17、18)均包括内圆柱部分(22、30)、外圆柱部分(19、27)和径向中间部分(25、33)。至少一个外通孔(36)设置为在径向上穿过带轮(2)的外部分(19、27)。带轮部(17、18)的内部分(22、30)中的至少一者包括部分(37、38、41、42、43),部分(37、38、41、42、43)专用于通过插入穿过所述外通孔(36)的外部工具而变形,使得形成用于所述带轮部(17、18)相对于另一带轮部(18、17)和/或轴承(3)的外圈(5)的机械保持部件。(The pulley device (1) comprises a pulley (2) and a bearing (3). The pulley (2) has two pulley portions (17, 18) having a C-shaped transverse cross section. The pulley portions (17, 18) each comprise an inner cylindrical portion (22, 30), an outer cylindrical portion (19, 27) and a radially intermediate portion (25, 33). At least one outer through hole (36) is provided radially through the outer portion (19, 27) of the pulley (2). At least one of the inner portions (22, 30) of the pulley portions (17, 18) comprises a portion (37, 38, 41, 42, 43), the portion (37, 38, 41, 42, 43) being dedicated to being deformed by an external tool inserted through the outer through hole (36) such that a mechanical holding means is formed for the outer ring (5) of the pulley portion (17, 18) relative to the other pulley portion (18, 17) and/or the bearing (3).)

1. Pulley device (1) suitable for tensioning idlers or moving rollers interacting with a belt or chain, the pulley device (1) comprising:

-a bearing (3) having a rotatable outer ring (5) and a fixed inner ring (4), the outer ring (5) and the inner ring (4) being coaxial;

-a pulley (2) having two pulley portions (17, 18), each having a generally C-shaped cross-section, and both pulley portions (17, 18) having an inner cylindrical portion (22, 30), an outer cylindrical portion (19, 27) and a radial intermediate portion (25, 33), the inner cylindrical portion (22, 30) having an inner cylindrical surface (23, 31) mounted on an outer cylindrical surface (16) of an outer ring (5) of a bearing (3), the outer cylindrical portion (19, 27) having an outer cylindrical surface (20, 28) intended for contact with the belt or the chain, the radial intermediate portion (25, 33) extending generally in a radial direction between the inner cylindrical portion (22, 30) and an axial end of the outer cylindrical portion (19, 27) on one axial side of the pulley device (1), the pulley portions (17, 18) being integrally formed, defining open ends (26, 34) on one axial side, respectively, said open ends (26, 34) facing each other in axial direction and the outer parts (19, 27) axially abutting each other;

the method is characterized in that:

-at least one outer through hole (36) is provided radially through the outer portion (19, 27) of the pulley (2); and is

-at least one of the inner portions (22, 30) of the pulley portions (17, 18) comprises a portion (37, 38; 41, 42; 43), said portion (37, 38; 41, 42; 43) being dedicated to be deformed by an external tool inserted through said outer through hole (36) such that a mechanical retention means is formed for the outer ring (5) of the pulley portion (17, 18) with respect to the other pulley portion (18, 17) and/or the bearing (3).

2. A pulley arrangement according to claim 1, characterized in that the two pulley portions (17, 18) are symmetrical with respect to a transversal radial plane (Y3) passing through the centre of the bearing (3).

3. A pulley arrangement according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the inner part (22, 30) of the pulley portion (17, 18) is press-fitted onto the outer cylindrical surface (16) of the outer ring (5) of the bearing (3).

4. A pulley arrangement according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the outer parts (19, 27) of the pulley portions (17, 18) each comprise at least one through recess (39, 40), two associated through recesses (39, 40) of the two pulley portions (17, 18) forming one radially outer through hole (36).

5. A pulley arrangement according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the inner part (22, 30) of one pulley portion (17, 18) comprises at least one lug (43) extending axially outwards and the inner part (30, 22) of the other pulley portion (18, 17) comprises at least one recess (47, 44) opening towards the lug (43), the recess (47, 44) having an opening (48, 45) and a core portion (49, 46), the opening (48, 45) having a size adapted to receive the lug (43), the size of the core portion (49, 46) being larger than the size of the opening (48, 45), the lug (43) extending through the opening (48, 45) in the core portion (49, 46), such as the lug (43) being dedicated to being pressed radially against the outer cylindrical surface (16) of the outer ring (5) by an external tool inserted through the outer through hole (36), the lug (43) is deformed in the axial direction so as to be blocked in the core portions (49, 46) of the recesses (47, 44) in both axial directions.

6. A pulley arrangement according to any one of claims 1-4, characterized in that the inner portions (22, 30) of the pulley portions (17, 18) are each provided with lugs (41, 42) extending axially outwards, a first lug (41) of one pulley portion (17) being arranged radially between a second lug (42) of the other pulley portion (18) and the outer cylindrical surface (16) of the outer ring (5), such as the second lug (42) being dedicated to be pressed radially against the first lug (41) by an external tool inserted through the outer through hole (36).

7. The pulley arrangement according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that:

-said outer cylindrical surface (16) of the outer ring (5) of the bearing (3) is provided with at least one recess (35), the cross section of said recess (35) having a concave inner profile, the center of said recess (35) being on a transversal radial plane (Y3) passing through the center of said bearing (3), and

-the pulley portions (17, 18) are each provided with at least one protruding portion (37, 38), said protruding portions (37, 38) extending inwardly from the ends of the inner portions (22, 30) and being received in respective recesses (35) of the outer ring (5) such that the pulley portions (17, 18) are blocked in both axial directions with respect to the outer ring (5), said protruding portions (37, 38) being formed by radial deformation applied by an external tool inserted through the outer through hole (36).

8. A pulley arrangement according to claim 7, characterized in that the recess (35) provided in the outer cylindrical surface (16) of the outer ring (5) of the bearing (3) is an annular groove.

9. A pulley device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said pulley (2) comprises a plurality of outer through holes (36).

Technical Field

The present invention relates to the field of pulley devices for tensioning idlers (/ idler rollers) or moving rollers (/ running rollers/moving wheels) designed to interact with chains or belts, for example, distribution belts of internal combustion engines of vehicles.

Background

These rollers (rollers) are generally used to keep a constant tension on the belt or chain within a determined range or to locally change the path taken by the chain or belt. These are called tension idlers or moving rollers, respectively. In the moving roller, a pulley is mounted to rotate on a screw (/ screw) or spindle through a rolling bearing, and then the moving roller is attached directly or indirectly to the engine block or to an element of the tensioning idler device, such as an articulated arm or eccentric.

Document GB190509598 discloses a pulley comprising a male and a female overlapping portion in interlocking relationship and forming a cylindrical outer portion for contact with a belt.

The main drawback of this pulley is that an annular recess is formed on the outer part (which is adapted to support the belt when the male and female parts are fastened together). Thus, there is a risk of premature belt wear.

Also known in document GB141829 is a pulley comprising an outer peripheral portion intended to come into contact with the belt, an inner portion and an intermediate portion between the inner and outer portions. The pulley is fastened to the outer ring of the bearing, but during use of the pulley arrangement, the pulley may move slightly in the axial direction. Further, with the disclosed pulley, the outer portion may deform radially inward by bending under the action of the belt.

It has been proposed in document DE202005011230U1 to house a damping ring within a C-shaped pulley, the damping element serving to damp vibrations from the belt and being adapted to limit the radially inward deformation of the outer portion of the pulley. However, the pulley may still deform under heavy loads.

Disclosure of Invention

The object of the present invention is to overcome these drawbacks by proposing a pulley that is easy to mount on bearings, has good rigidity, is suitable for avoiding premature wear of the belt, and allows effective support of said belt.

To this end, the invention relates to a pulley device suitable for a tensioning idler or moving roller of a belt or chain, said pulley device comprising a bearing and a pulley.

The bearing comprises a rotatable outer ring and a fixed inner ring, wherein the outer ring and the inner ring are coaxial.

The pulley comprises two pulley portions each having a generally C-shaped cross-section and each having an inner cylindrical portion with an inner surface mounted on an outer cylindrical surface of an outer ring of the bearing, an outer cylindrical portion with an outer cylindrical surface for contacting the belt or chain, and a radially intermediate portion extending substantially radially between axial ends of the inner and outer cylindrical portions on one axial side of the pulley arrangement, the pulley portions being integrally formed, each defining open ends on one axial side, the open ends facing each other in the axial direction and the outer portions axially abutting against each other.

According to the invention, at least one outer through hole is provided through the outer part of the pulley in the radial direction. At least one of the inner portions of the pulley portion includes the following: this portion is dedicated (dedicated to) to be deformed by an external tool inserted through said outer through hole, so that a mechanical retention means is formed for the outer ring of said pulley portion with respect to the other pulley portion and/or the bearing.

According to other advantageous but not compulsory aspects of the invention, such a pulley device may comprise one or more of the following features:

-the bearing is a rolling bearing with at least one row of rolling elements radially interposed between the inner and outer rings.

-the rolling elements are balls.

-said rolling elements are equally spaced circumferentially and are retained by an annular cage.

-the two pulley portions are symmetrical with respect to a transversal radial plane passing through the centre of the bearing.

-the inner portion of the pulley portion mounted to the outer ring has a total length at least equal to 90% of the axial length of the outer cylindrical surface of the outer ring.

The axial length of the outer portions of the pulley portions is greater than the axial length of their inner portions, the outer portions projecting in the axial direction on at least one axial side of the inner portions.

-the inner portion of the pulley portion is press-fitted onto an outer cylindrical surface of an outer ring of a bearing.

The inner part of the pulley section is cylindrical with an inner cylindrical section.

-the pulley section is made from a stamped sheet metal (/ sheet metal) or blank.

The outer portions of the pulley portions each comprise at least one through recess, the two associated through recesses of the two pulley portions forming one radially outer through hole.

-the pulley comprises a plurality of outer through holes.

The outer through holes are equally spaced in the circumferential direction.

-the inner part of one pulley section comprises at least one lug extending axially outwards and the inner part of the other pulley section comprises at least one recess opening out towards the lug, the recess having an opening with a size adapted to receive the lug and a core part with a size larger than the opening through which the lug extends within the core part. The lugs are adapted to be radially pressed against (pressed against) an outer cylindrical surface of the outer ring by an external tool inserted through the outer through hole, the lugs being deformed in the axial direction such that a block is blocked in both axial directions in a core portion of the recess.

The inner portions of the pulley portions are each provided with lugs extending axially outwards, the first lug of one pulley portion being arranged radially between the second lug of the other pulley portion and the outer cylindrical surface of the outer ring. The second lug is dedicated to (demated to) press against (press against) the first lug in a radial direction by an external tool inserted through the outer through hole.

The outer cylindrical surface of the outer ring of the bearing is provided with at least one recess, the cross section of which has a concave inner profile, the centre of said recess being on a transversal radial plane passing through the centre of said bearing. The sheave portions are each provided with at least one protruding portion extending inwardly from an end of the inner portion and received in a corresponding recess of the outer ring such that the sheave portions are blocked (blocked) relative to the outer ring in both axial directions. The protruding portion is formed by radial deformation applied by an external tool inserted through the outer through hole.

The groove arranged on the outer cylindrical surface of the outer ring of the bearing is an annular groove.

The pulley portions each include a plurality of circumferentially spaced projections, each projection being received by a respective groove of the outer race.

Drawings

The invention will now be explained in connection with the attached drawings, which are intended as illustrative examples and not to limit the object of the invention. In the drawings:

figure 1 is an axial section of a pulley device according to a first embodiment of the invention;

figure 2 is a perspective view of the pulley device of figure 1;

figure 3 is a perspective view of one pulley portion provided to the pulley device of figures 1 and 2;

figure 4 is a detailed view of the pulley device of figure 1;

figure 5 is an axial section of a pulley device according to a second embodiment of the invention;

figure 6 is an axial section of a pulley device according to a third embodiment of the invention;

figure 7 is a perspective view of a pulley provided to the pulley device of figure 6; and

figures 8 and 9 are detailed views of the assembly process of the pulley portion of the pulley device of figure 6.

Detailed Description

As shown in fig. 1 to 4, the pulley device 1 is suitable for tensioning idlers or moving rollers of a belt or chain (not shown), and the pulley device 1 comprises a pulley 2 suitable for interacting with the belt or chain (not shown) and a rolling bearing 3 having a geometric axis X1.

The rolling bearing comprises a fixed inner ring 4, a rotatable outer ring 5, two annular cages 8, 9 and two annular seals 10, 11, between the inner ring 4 and the outer ring 5 two rows of rolling elements 6 and 7 are housed, in this case the rolling elements 6 and 7 are balls, the two annular cages 8, 9 respectively maintaining the circumferential spacing of said rolling elements 6, 7.

The inner ring 4 and the outer ring 5 are coaxial and symmetrical with respect to a transversal radial plane Y3 passing through the centre of the rolling bearing 3. Advantageously, the rings 4, 5 are solid. Solid type is understood to be rings obtained by machining, grinding machining which removes material from metal tubes (/ tube blanks), rods (/ bar blanks), forgings (rough forming) and/or rolled blanks.

The inner ring 4 comprises a hole 12, the hole 12 being intended to receive a fastening screw 13 (shown in broken lines) for fastening the device 1 to an external support. The inner ring also comprises an outer cylindrical surface 14, which outer cylindrical surface 14 is formed with a circular ring-shaped raceway, the cross section of which has a concave inner contour adapted to the rolling elements 6, 7.

The outer ring 5 comprises a cylindrical bore 15, the cylindrical bore 15 having formed thereon a circular ring-shaped raceway having a cross section with a concave inner profile adapted to receive the rolling elements 6, 7. The outer race 5 also includes an outer cylindrical surface 16.

The pulley 2 has two pulley portions 17, 18 having a generally C-shaped cross-section.

The first pulley portion 17 comprises an axially annular outer portion 19, the axially annular outer portion 19 providing a cylindrical outer surface 20 and a cylindrical inner surface or bore 21, the cylindrical outer surface 20 being designed to interact with a portion of a belt or chain.

The first pulley section 17 further comprises an axial inner annular portion 22, the axial inner annular portion 22 providing a cylindrical inner surface or bore 23 and a cylindrical outer surface 24, the outer cylindrical surface 16 of the outer ring 5 of the bearing 3 being mounted into the cylindrical inner surface or bore 23.

The diameter of the outer part 19 is greater than the diameter of the inner part 22, said outer part 19 radially surrounding the inner part 22. Advantageously, the axial length of the outer part 19 is greater than the axial length of the inner part 22, said outer part 19 projecting in the axial direction on at least one axial side of the inner part 22.

The first pulley portion 17 further comprises an annular radially intermediate portion 25, the annular radially intermediate portion 25 extending substantially in a radial direction between the inner cylindrical portion 22 and an axial end of the outer cylindrical portion 19 on a first axial side of the pulley device 1.

The first pulley portion 17 then has a generally C-shaped cross-section defining an open end 26 on one axial side of the pulley device 1. The first pulley portion 17 is integrally formed.

The second sheave portion 18 includes an axially annular outer portion 27, the axially annular outer portion 27 providing a cylindrical outer surface 28 and a cylindrical inner surface or bore 29, the cylindrical outer surface 28 being designed to interact with a portion of a chain or belt.

The second pulley portion 18 further comprises an axial inner annular portion 30, the axial inner annular portion 30 providing a cylindrical inner surface or bore 31 and a cylindrical outer surface 32, the outer cylindrical surface 16 of the outer ring 5 of the bearing 3 being mounted into the cylindrical inner surface or bore 31.

The diameter of the outer part 27 is larger than the diameter of the inner part 30, said outer part 27 radially surrounding the inner part 30. Advantageously, the axial length of the outer part 27 is greater than the axial length of the inner part 30, said outer part 27 projecting in the axial direction on at least one axial side of the inner part 30.

The second pulley portion 18 further comprises an annular radial intermediate portion 33, the annular radial intermediate portion 33 extending substantially in the radial direction between the inner cylindrical portion 30 and an axial end of the outer cylindrical portion 27 on a second axial side of the pulley device 1, which second axial side is axially opposite (i.e., opposite) the first axial side.

The second pulley portion 18 then has a generally C-shaped cross-section defining an open end 34 on one axial side of the pulley device 1. The second pulley portion 18 is integrally formed.

Advantageously, each pulley portion 17, 18 is made of a thin metal sheet or blank by folding, cutting and stamping.

Advantageously, the two C-shaped pulley portions 17, 18 are symmetrical to each other with respect to the radial plane Y3. The free end of the outer portion 19 of the first pulley portion 17 and the free end of the outer portion 27 of the second pulley portion 18 are respectively in contact with each other in the axial direction, and the open ends 26, 34 are respectively directed toward each other (open) in the axial direction. The two outer cylindrical surfaces 20, 28 form surfaces for interacting with the belt or chain. The pulley 2 formed by the two pulley portions 17, 18 arranged in axial contact with each other is suitable for guiding, supporting a belt or a chain in an efficient manner.

According to the invention, a plurality of outer through holes 36 are provided radially through the outer parts 19, 27 of the pulley 2.

As shown in fig. 2 and 3, the outer part 19 of the pulley portion 17 comprises a through recess 39 at the free edge of the outer part. The recess 39 is open (/ open) in the axial direction toward the second pulley portion 18.

Similarly and symmetrically with respect to the radial plane Y3, the outer portion 27 of the pulley portion 18 comprises a through recess 40 at the free edge of the outer portion, the through recess 40 being open axially towards the first pulley portion 17. The two associated through-going recesses 39, 40 of the two pulley portions 17, 18 form one radially outer through-hole 36.

In the present embodiment, the pulley 2 comprises three outer through holes 36. As an alternative, the pulley 2 may comprise 1 or 2 outer through holes, or more than 3. In the present embodiment, the outer through holes 36 are equally spaced in the circumferential direction. Alternatively, the outer through holes 36 may be unevenly distributed.

According to a first embodiment of the invention, the outer cylindrical surface 16 of the outer ring 5 of the bearing 3 is provided with an annular groove 35. The centre of the slot 35 lies in a transverse radial plane Y3 passing through the centre of the bearing 3.

Each of the pulley portions 17, 18 of the pulley 2 further comprises a projecting portion 37, 38, respectively. More precisely:

the inner annular portion 22 of the first pulley portion 17 comprises a free edge having a portion 37 which is bent radially inwards towards the outer ring 5 of the bearing 3. The curved portion 37 is received by the annular groove 35 of the outer race 5.

Similarly and symmetrically, the inner annular portion 30 of the second pulley portion 18 comprises a free edge having a portion 38 bent radially inwards towards the outer ring 5 of the bearing 3. The curved edge 38 is also received by the annular groove 35 of the outer ring 5.

The two curved portions 37, 38 axially face each other with respect to the central radial plane Y3 and are both received in the same groove 35 of the outer ring 5.

Advantageously, the portions 37, 38 are deformed radially inwards by an external tool inserted through said outer through hole 36.

Then, the two parts 17, 18 of the pulley 2 are axially constrained (block) in both axial directions with respect to the outer ring 5 of the bearing 3. The pulley 2 is prevented from moving axially even in the event of severe vibration or impact, and the pulley 2 is adapted to effectively support a belt or chain for increased and efficient service life.

A second embodiment of the invention is shown in figure 5.

Correspondingly, the inner parts 22, 30 of the pulley portions 17, 18 are provided with lugs (/ lugs) (lug)41, 42, respectively, extending outwards in the axial direction. In the embodiment shown in fig. 5, the lugs 41, 42 are annular and extend in the axial direction from the inner parts 22, 30, respectively. Alternatively, the plurality of lugs 41, 42 may be circumferentially spaced.

The lug 41 of the inner portion 22 of the first pulley portion 17 is arranged radially between the lug 42 of the other pulley portion 18 and the outer cylindrical surface 16 of the outer ring 5.

According to the invention, the upper lug 42 is pressed radially against the lower lug 41 by means of an external tool inserted through the outer through hole 36. Then, the free lugs 41, 42 of the pulley portions 41, 42 are deformed to each other to be attached to each other. The two parts 17, 18 of the pulley 2 are then axially constrained with respect to each other in both axial directions.

A third embodiment of the present invention is shown in fig. 6 to 9.

The inner portion 22 of the first pulley portion 17 includes a plurality of lugs 43 extending axially outwardly. The lugs are equally spaced circumferentially and extend axially from the free edge of the inner portion 22.

The inner portion 30 of the first pulley portion 17 further comprises a plurality of recesses 44 opening towards the lugs 43. The recesses 44 each have an opening 45 and a core portion 46, the size of the core portion 46 being larger than the size of the opening 45.

Advantageously and symmetrically, the second pulley portion 18 is also provided with a plurality of such recesses 47. The recesses 47 each have an opening 48 and a core portion 49, the opening 48 having a size adapted to receive the lug 43, the core portion 49 having a size larger than the opening of said opening 48. Portion 18 also includes a plurality of lugs (not shown).

The lugs 43 and the recesses 44 of the first pulley portion 17 alternate in the circumferential direction. The lugs and recesses 47 of the second pulley portion 18 also alternate circumferentially.

Fig. 8 shows a first mounting step of the pulley 2. The first and second sheave portions 17, 18 are mounted to the outer cylindrical surface 16 of the outer race 5 of the bearing 3. Advantageously, the inner portions 22, 30 are press-fit on said surface 16. The lugs 43 of the first pulley portion 17 are inserted into the corresponding recesses 47 of the second pulley portion 18. The lugs 43 extend through openings 48 in a core portion 49 of the recess 47.

Similarly, the lugs of the second pulley portion 18 are inserted into the corresponding recesses 44 of the first pulley portion 17. Each lug extends through an opening 45 in a core portion 46 of the recess 44.

Fig. 9 shows a second mounting step of the pulley 2. The lugs 43 of the first and second pulley portions 17, 18 are pressed against the outer cylindrical surface 16 of the outer ring 5, respectively, by an external tool inserted through the corresponding outer through hole 36. The lugs are then deformed in the axial direction within their respective core portions 49, 44. The pressed lugs are then trapped against the neck defined between the openings 48, 45 of reduced size and the core portions 49, 44. The pressed lugs and associated recesses 44, 46 are then constrained to each other in both axial directions.

The two parts 17, 18 of the pulley 2 are then axially constrained with respect to each other in both axial directions.

Representative, non-limiting examples of the present invention are described in detail above with reference to the accompanying drawings. This detailed description is merely intended to teach a person of skill in the art further details for practicing preferred aspects of the present teachings and is not intended to limit the scope of the invention. Moreover, each of the additional features and teachings disclosed above may be utilized separately or in conjunction with other features and teachings to provide improved pulley devices.

Furthermore, the various features of the above-described representative examples, as well as the various independent and dependent claims below, may be combined in ways that are not specifically and explicitly enumerated in order to provide other useful embodiments of the present teachings.