Patent ID: 6206797
Filing Date: 2001-03-27
Classification: F16H

Abstract:
A belt tensioner for tensioning an endless drive belt of a drive system, said belt tensioner comprising:a shaft extending along a longitudinal shaft axis and formed with an outer axial end;a housing mounted rotatably fixed on said shaft;an arm mounted pivotally on said shaft and formed with a flange extending radially outwardly from said outer axial end of said shaft;a spring element operatively connected to said housing and to said arm and actuating said arm to pivot in a belt-tensioning direction with respect to said housing;a pulley mounted on said arm for applying a tensioning force on said endless drive belt upon pivoting said arm in said belt-tensioning direction, said pulley being spaced axially apart from said upper end of said shaft;a flexible armplate having an inner radial edge fixedly mounted on said outer end of said shaft, said armplate extending radially outwardly from said shaft and being spaced axially outwardly from said flange of said arm; andan armplate bushing located between said armplate and said flange, said armplate and said armplate bushing forming a contact surface, said armplate bushing having an inner radial edge terminating radially outwardly from said inner edge of said armplate to enable a region of said armplate adjacent to said contact surface to deflect axially inwardly with respect to said shaft upon mounting said armplate on said shaft.