Abstract: A hydraulic auto-tensioner includes a cylinder containing hydraulic oil, a rod inserted in the cylinder, and two coupling pieces mounted to the bottom of the cylinder and the top end of the rod, respectively. A support ring is inserted in the mounting hole of each coupling piece, and a bush is inserted in the support ring. One of the radially inner surface of the mounting hole and the radially outer surface of the support ring is a curved surface such that the support ring is alignable. Radially outwardly extending flanges are formed at one end of the support ring and at the other end of the bush such that the flanges axially face the respective end surfaces of the coupling piece with gaps left therebetween. A coupling arrangement is provided between the support ring and the bush which is adapted to engage both the support ring and the bush when the bush is inserted into the support ring, thereby axially inseparably coupling them together.

Abstract: A hydraulic auto-tensioner includes a cylinder containing hydraulic oil, a rod inserted in the cylinder, and two coupling pieces mounted to the bottom of the cylinder and the top end of the rod, respectively. A support ring is inserted in the mounting hole of each coupling piece, and a bush is inserted in the support ring. One of the radially inner surface of the mounting hole and the radially outer surface of the support ring is a curved surface such that the support ring is alignable. Radially outwardly extending flanges are formed at one end of the support ring and at the other end of the bush such that the flanges axially face the respective end surfaces of the coupling piece with gaps left therebetween. A coupling arrangement is provided between the support ring and the bush which is adapted to engage both the support ring and the bush when the bush is inserted into the support ring, thereby axially inseparably coupling them together.

Abstract: A hydraulic auto-tensioner includes a cylinder containing hydraulic oil, a sleeve received in the cylinder, and a rod having its bottom end slidably inserted in the sleeve, defining a pressure chamber in the sleeve. A return spring is mounted between a spring seat provided at the top of the rod and the inner bottom surface of the cylinder to bias the cylinder and the rod such that the rod protrudes from the cylinder. A check valve is provided which closes when the pressure in the pressure chamber exceeds the pressure in the reservoir chamber. The check valve includes a valve seat slidably mounted in a valve fitting hole formed in the sleeve at its bottom end and pressed against an annular seating surface at the top of the valve fitting hole by an elastic member.

Abstract: A chain tensioner includes a cylinder having a closed end, an internally threaded plunger axially slidable in the cylinder, a return spring biasing the plunger in the protruding direction from the cylinder, and a screw rod having an external thread in threaded engagement with the internal thread of the plunger. The portion of the screw rod protruding from the plunger abuts a rod seat provided in the cylinder. The screw rod has a rolled external thread and an intermediate portion protruding from the plunger and having an outer diameter smaller than the diameter of the root of the external thread. The screw rod has a forged contact surface, to be contacted with the rod seat, on the axial end face of the intermediate portion. The internal thread may be formed by pressing, and a pressed recess, corresponding to the internal thread, may be formed on the plunger's outer circumference.

Abstract: A plunger 4 and a spring 6 biasing the plunger 4 outwardly are mounted in a cylinder chamber 2 formed in a housing 1. The housing 1 is provided with an oil supply passage 8 communicating with a pressure chamber 7 formed in the back of the plunger 4. The housing 1 has an outer diameter that is substantially constant over the entire axial length, so that such housings can be mass-produced by pressing. It is thus possible to lower the cost of the chain tensioner.

Abstract: A chain tensioner for use with a chain of a vehicle engine, includes a housing and a plunger slidably mounted in a cylinder chamber formed in the housing. The plunger is biased outwardly by a return spring mounted in a pressure chamber defined in the cylinder chamber by the plunger. A check valve is provided in the cylinder chamber to prevent backflow of hydraulic oil in the pressure chamber. A relief valve, provided in the plunger, opens above a relief pressure, thereby discharging hydraulic oil in the pressure chamber. An oil leakage clearance is defined between the plunger and the inner wall of the cylinder chamber. The relief pressure and the oil leakage clearance dimension are determined such that the tension in the chain is kept at such a level that vibrations of the chain are minimum at any temperature of hydraulic oil and at any engine revolution speed.

Abstract: A chain tensioner includes a cylinder having a closed end, a plunger axially slidably inserted in the cylinder and having an internal thread on the inner periphery thereof, a return spring biasing the plunger in the protruding direction from the cylinder, and a screw rod having an external thread that is in threaded engagement with the internal thread of the plunger. The portion of the screw rod protruding from the plunger abuts a rod seat provided in the cylinder. The external thread of the screw rod is formed by rolling. The screw rod has an intermediate portion protruding from the plunger and having an outer diameter smaller than the diameter of the root of the external thread. A contact surface contact surface of the screw rod to be brought into contact with the rod seat is formed on the axial end face of the intermediate portion by forging. The internal thread may be formed by pressing, and a pressed recess may be formed on the outer circumference of the plunger, corresponding to the internal thread.

Abstract: A chain tensioner includes a cylinder inserted in a tensioner mounting hole of an engine cover and having a flange fixed to the outer surface of the engine cover. A plunger is axially slidably mounted in the cylinder. The cylinder is formed with an oil supply passage through which hydraulic oil is introduced into a pressure chamber defined by the cylinder and the plunger. The oil supply passage includes a first hole portion extending inwardly from a mating surface of the flange facing the engine cover, and a second hole portion extending from the outer periphery of the flange to the pressure chamber and intersecting the first hole portion. An externally threaded portion of an externally threaded member is in threaded engagement with an internal thread formed on the second hole portion, thereby closing its outer open end. The externally threaded member is fixed in position with an adhesive applied to its externally threaded portion.

Abstract: A chain tensioner includes a housing defining a cylinder chamber, and a plunger having a small-diameter end and a spring both mounted in the cylinder chamber. A register ring is fitted in a ring-receiving groove formed in the inner periphery of the cylinder chamber near its open end. A plurality of annular grooves are formed in the outer periphery of the plunger so as to be axially spaced from each other at equal intervals. The register ring is adapted to be press-fitted in one of the annular grooves. With the register ring trapped between an engaging surface of a first annular groove which is one of the annular grooves located nearest to the front end of the plunger and a locking surface of the ring-receiving groove, an outer cylindrical surface of the plunger extending forwardly from the first annular groove has its front portion supported by an inner cylindrical surface of the cylinder chamber extending forwardly from the ring-receiving groove.

Abstract: A stepped set groove having shallow and deep portions is formed in the inner periphery of a cylinder chamber formed in a housing of a chain tensioner near its open end. A radially and elastically deformable set ring having circumferentially separated ends is received in the set groove in a radially compressed state. The set ring has at the respective ends thereof a pair of grip portions which are received in a cutout formed in housing at its front end. By engaging the set ring in an engaging groove formed in the outer periphery of the plunger near its front end and the shallow portion, it is possible to keep the plunger pushed into the cylinder chamber. In this state, the chain tensioner is mounted in position.

Abstract: A chain tensioner includes a housing having a cylinder chamber. A plunger is slidably mounted in the cylinder chamber. A spring is mounted in the cylinder chamber to bias the plunger outwardly of the cylinder chamber. The plunger has a radially extending locking pin at its lower portion near its front end. The housing is formed with a pin hole extending substantially perpendicular to an axis of the cylinder chamber near the front end of the housing and under the cylinder chamber. The chain tensioner further includes a support pin inserted in the pin hole, and a locking lever supported on the support pin so as to be pivotable about the support pin. The locking lever can engage the locking pin when the plunger is sufficiently pushed into the cylinder chamber, thereby keeping the plunger pushed in the cylinder chamber.

Abstract: A chain tensioner is provided which can prevent separation of the plunger. In a cylinder chamber 12 of the housing 11, a plunger 13 and a spring 15 that biases the plunger 13 outwardly are mounted. The housing 11 is provided with an oil supply passage 17 communicating with a pressure chamber 16 formed in the cylinder chamber behind the plunger 13. A ring fitting groove 30 is formed in the outer periphery of the plunger 13 near its rear end. An elastic ring 31 is received in the ring fitting groove 30 in a radially compressed state. An engaging groove 32 is formed in the inner periphery of the cylinder 12 near its open end. By engaging the elastic ring 31 partially in the engaging groove 32 and partially in the ring fitting groove 30, it is possible to prevent separation of the plunger 13.

Abstract: A stepped set groove having shallow and deep portions is formed in the inner periphery of a cylinder chamber formed in a housing of a chain tensioner near its open end. A radially and elastically deformable set ring having circumferentially separated ends is received in the set groove in a radially compressed state. The set ring has at the respective ends thereof a pair of grip portions which are received in a cutout formed in housing at its front end. By engaging the set ring in an engaging groove formed in the outer periphery of the plunger near its front end and the shallow portion, it is possible to keep the plunger pushed into the cylinder chamber. In this state, the chain tensioner is mounted in position.

Abstract: A chain tensioner is provided which can prevent separation of the plunger. In a cylinder chamber 12 of the housing 11, a plunger 13 and a spring 15 that biases the plunger 13 outwardly are mounted. The housing 11 is provided with an oil supply passage 17 communicating with a pressure chamber 16 formed in the cylinder chamber behind the plunger 13. An axially elongated guide recess 31 is formed in the outer periphery of the plunger 13. The housing 11 is provided with a stopper pin 33 near the open end of the cylinder chamber. By abutting the rear end wall 31b of the guide recess 31, the stopper pin 33 prevents separation of the plunger 13 from the housing.

Abstract: A chain tensioner includes a housing formed with a cylinder chamber in which a plunger is slidably mounted. A return spring, also mounted in the cylinder chamber, biases the plunger outwardly of the cylinder chamber. The housing is formed with an oil supply passage communicating with a pressure chamber defined in the cylinder chamber by the plunger. A check valve is provided at the outlet of the oil supply passage. An oil filter is mounted in the inlet of the oil supply passage. The oil filter removes foreign objects contained in hydraulic oil supplied into the oil supply passage, thereby preventing malfunction of the chain tensioner due to foreign objects getting stuck in moving parts of the chain tensioner.

Abstract: A chain tensioner includes a housing defining a cylinder chamber, and a plunger having a small-diameter end and a spring both mounted in the cylinder chamber. A register ring is fitted in a ring-receiving groove formed in the inner periphery of the cylinder chamber near its open end. A plurality of annular grooves are formed in the outer periphery of the plunger so as to be axially spaced from each other at equal intervals. The register ring is adapted to be press-fitted in one of the annular grooves. With the register ring trapped between an engaging surface of a first annular groove which is one of the annular grooves located nearest to the front end of the plunger and a locking surface of the ring-receiving groove, an outer cylindrical surface of the plunger extending forwardly from the first annular groove has its front portion supported by an inner cylindrical surface of the cylinder chamber extending forwardly from the ring-receiving groove.

Abstract: A hydraulic tensioner includes a cylinder having a hollow space filled with hydraulic oil. A plunger is slidably mounted in the cylinder. A pushrod is mounted in the hollow space so as to be axially movable together with the plunger with one end thereof protruding from the cylinder. A spring is mounted in the cylinder to bias the plunger and pushrod outwardly of the cylinder. The plunger is formed with a passage through which a pressure chamber and reservoir chamber communicate with each other. The passage is formed with a valve seat. A check ball is arranged so as to be moved into and out of contact with the valve seat. The check ball is adapted to contact the valve seat when pressure in the pressure chamber exceeds pressure in the reservoir chamber, thereby closing the passage. The valve seat is formed of a steel for carburizing and has a surface carbon concentration of 0.55–0.75% to reduce deposition of carbides and to have a surface hardness at least equal to that of the check ball.

Abstract: A chain tensioner for use in a chain system for driving a vehicle engine, particularly a two-wheeled vehicle engine, includes a housing and a plunger slidably mounted in the cylinder chamber formed in the housing. The plunger is biased outwardly by a return spring mounted in a pressure chamber defined in the cylinder chamber by the plunger. A check valve is provided at the closed end of the cylinder chamber to prevent backflow of hydraulic oil in the pressure chamber. A relief valve is provided in the plunger. The relief valve has a relief pressure above which the relief valve opens, thereby discharging hydraulic oil in the pressure chamber. An oil leakage clearance is defined between the inner wall of the cylinder chamber and the radially outer surface of the plunger through which hydraulic oil in the pressure chamber can leak out.

Abstract: A chain tensioner is provided, in which the design conditions of a register ring are optimized in compliance with the required functions so as to improve the durability, the operational stability and the like of the chain tensioner. A register ring is formed of a steel material having a tensile strength of 1000 to 3500 N/mm2. At the same time, an overlapping allowance of the register ring with respect to engagement grooves of a plunger is set within the range of 30 to 50% of a wire diameter of the register ring. Furthermore, a bending stress generated in the register ring when the register ring is made to slide between the engagement grooves to increase its diameter is set within the range of 500 to 1700 N/mm2.

Abstract: A chain tensioner includes a housing having a cylinder chamber. A plunger is slidably mounted in the cylinder chamber. A spring is mounted in the cylinder chamber to bias the plunger outwardly of the cylinder chamber. The plunger has a radially extending locking pin at its lower portion near its front end. The housing is formed with a pin hole extending substantially perpendicular to an axis of the cylinder chamber near the front end of the housing and under the cylinder chamber. The chain tensioner further includes a support pin inserted in the pin hole, and a locking lever supported on the support pin so as to be pivotable about the support pin. The locking lever can engage the locking pin when the plunger is sufficiently pushed into the cylinder chamber, thereby keeping the plunger pushed in the cylinder chamber.