ACTUATOR CONTROL VALVE MOTOR AND FLUID CIRCULATION COMPRISING THE SAME

A control actuator motor, in particular for a valve fluid circulation.

The invention also relates to a circulation valve switches of a control actuator.

In particular, the field of the present invention is that of equipment for feeding combustion engines, particularly the valves of exhaust gas recirculation or the linear actuators control devices which participate to the supercharging operation of the engines. It is known valves fluid circulation, for example for exhaust gas recirculation, comprising a body having a fluid through-passage, a hood, a shutter, for example a valve, a control shaft of the obturator extending longitudinally along an axis, and free in translation along the longitudinal axis, and a translational drive member of said control shaft.

Translation of the valve for adjusting the flow rate of fluid flowing in the conduit, the plug forms a fluid control member. The shutter is movable between two end positions and is driven between the two extreme positions by a drive motor via the drive member. In particular, the driver converts the rotational motion of the drive motor into a translation movement of the control shaft of the obturator.

The valve includes electrical elements, as the drive engine, which generate electrical disturbances within the gate. These disturbances may affect the operation of other electronic components present on the valve, such as a position sensor of the shutter. In order to reduce, or even eliminate, these electrical disturbances, the electrical elements of the valve are connected to the vehicle mass.

In addition, in order to ensure a correct positioning of the drive motor in the valve, the drive engine is usually mounted, so closely packed, between two elements of the valve. More specifically, the front and rear bearings of the drive motor are mechanically held between a support of the drive motor and elements of the valve. The drive motor may also be mechanically maintained against a support of the drive motor by spring means.

However, this configuration of the spindle motor requires precise control of dimensional tolerances of the various components involved in the positioning of the electric motor. Further, insertion of the motor in its housing may be difficult to realize. Also, the maintenance of the electric motor is affected by dimensional variations of the various components during their use, for example due to differential thermal expansion affecting the various valve components.

The present invention aims to remedy these drawbacks by proposing a control actuator motor, in particular for a valve fluid circulation, for maintaining the position of the drive motor, and in particular the drive shaft drive motor, said motor relative to the support, while allowing an electrical connection between the electrical elements of the valve and the reference potential provided by the electrical ground.

To this end, the invention concerns a control actuator motor, in particular for a valve fluid circulation, comprising:

an electric motor including a drive shaft having a rotational movement about a first axis (therein),

a carrier supporting the electric motor and configured to be electrically connected to a reference potential,

a holding member configured to be electrically connected to the carrier, and

wherein the holder and the holding member are shaped to hold the axial positioning of the drive shaft of the electric motor relative to the support.

Advantageously, the configurations of the holding element and the carrier of the control actuator motor suitable to mechanically retain the electric motor relative to the support. Indeed, such a configuration can prevent axial translation of the shaft electric motor relative to the support, without increasing any constraint on the assembly of the valve, in particular because a strain tolerance of the holding member.

In addition, the configurations of the holding element and the carrier of the control actuator motor it is capable of electrically connecting the holding element to the reference potential, thereby removing the electrical disturbances present within the control actuator motor.

Further, the configuration of a control actuator motor according to the present invention optimizes the mechanical alignment of the various parts of the actuator, c'est to say shaft electric motor relative to the support. Indeed, the number of elements involved in the chain corrugating the angular positioning of the motor is minimized, thereby reducing the effect of the electric motor dimensional dispersions and the carrier.

The control actuator motor according to the invention can also include one or more of the following features, considered alone or in all possible combinations:

the holding member comprises a first portion and a second portion, the first portion of the holding member and the support being shaped to hold the axial positioning of the drive shaft of the electric motor relative to the support, and the second portion of the holding member being configured to be electrically connected to a reference potential; and/or

the first portion of the holding member comprises a substantially planar portion extending substantially perpendicular to the first axis (the Y); and/or

the first and second portions of the holding member are arranged transversally; and/or

the first portion of the holding member is disposed between the electric motor and the support, and exerts a restoring force along the first axis

(therein); and/or

the holding member has a general shape substantially symmetrical relative to a plane substantially perpendicular to a third axis

(s) substantially perpendicular to the first axis (the Y); and/or

the control actuator motor and an electronic unit comprising a connection region, and wherein the holding member is configured to be electrically connected to the bonding area of the electronic unit; and/or

the actuator control engine further comprising a hood, the electronics unit being applied to the bonnet; and/or

the cover and the holder are arranged so as to form a receiving area, the electric motor being disposed in the receiving area; and/or

the first portion of the holding member is configured to maintain the axial positioning of the electric motor against the carrier; and/or

the engine being substantially cylindrical in shape comprising a base extending substantially perpendicular to the first axis (therein) and a side wall extending along the first axis (therein), and wherein the first portion of the holding member comprises two distinct tabs configured to apply an axial force on a base of the substantially cylindrical shape of the electric motor; and/or

the first, second and third axes are orthogonal; and/or

the second portion of the holding member is disposed between the electric motor and the electronic unit, and exerts a biasing force in a second axis (Z-) substantially perpendicular to the first axis (the Y) so as to maintain a contact area between the second portion of the holding member and the connection region; and/or

the contact area between the second portion of the holding member and the connection area is planar; and/or

the contact area between the second portion of the holding member and the connection area is curved; and/or

one end of the second portion of the holding member is distant from the area of contact between the second portion of the holding member and the connection region; and/or

the carrier includes at least one positioning member, the electric motor includes at least one notch cooperating with the at least one positioning member of the cradle so as to block the rotation of the electric motor about the first axis (the Y) relative to the carrier; and/or

the holding member is made of metallic material; and/or

the holding member is made of steel or copper or brass or bronze; and/or

the holding member has a blade-shaped folded; and/or

the holding member has a thickness between 0.3 mm and 0.8 mm, in particular equal to 0.5 mm; and/or

the thickness of the holding element is constant; and/or

the support is made of plastic or metallic material; and/or

the cover is made of plastic or metal, in particular aluminum; and/or

the electric motor is powered with direct current; and/or

the electric motor is brushless type; and/or

the electric motor is a stepper motor.

The invention also relates to a circulation valve fluid comprising:

a valve body defining a fluid flow passage,

a shutter movable in translation between an open position permitting the passage of fluid through the conduit and a closed position preventing passage of fluid in the conduit,

a control actuator motor according to the invention, in which the electric motor is configured to allow the bicycle crankset of the shutter.

Advantageously, such a valve fluid circulation allows effective mechanical holding of the electric motor, and in particular the drive shaft electric motor, relative to the control actuator motor, without stress increase for assembling the valve.

The circulation valve fluid according to the invention can also include one or more of the following features, considered alone or in all possible combinations:

the shutter is a valve; and/or

the valve also includes a drive member, configured to transform the rotary motion of the output shaft of the electric motor into a translational motion and to transmit the translational movement to the shutter; and/or

the valve is a valve-type of exhaust gas recirculation, in particular of the type high pressure.

Other features and advantages of the present invention will accompany upon reading of the detailed description of embodiments given as non-limiting examples and illustrated, accompanied by the following drawings:

figure 1 is a schematic view in section of a valve fluid circulation according to the invention,

figure 2 is a sectional view of a control actuator motor according to an embodiment of the invention, and

figure 3 represents a perspective view of a holding member of a control actuator motor according to an embodiment of the invention.

It will be appreciated that the drawings were simply aimed at illustrating the text of the description and does not constitute in any way a limitation of the scope of the invention.

On the various drawings, like elements are designated by identical references. Further, the various elements are not necessarily shown to scale to present a view of facilitating the understanding of the invention.

The invention relates to a valve for fluid circulation, in particular exhaust gas, for a motor vehicle. Figure 1 illustrates such a valve 10 fluid circulation, here a valve valve configured to regulate the flow rate of exhaust gas recirculated from an internal combustion engine.

The fluid circulation valve 10 includes a valve body 14 having a conduit 16 for the passage of fluid and a fluid control member, such as a shutter 18, movable between two positions. The regulating member fluid is driven between the two positions by a drive motor via a drive member 20.

The drive motor is for example an electric motor 12 of the direct current type. The electric motor 12 can be brushless type, or an electrical stepper motor.

The electric motor 12 has a drive shaft 28 having a rotational movement about an axis of rotation noted (therein) in Figure 1.

The drive member 20 converts the rotary motion of the drive shaft 28 of the electric motor 12 into a translation movement of the control shaft 22. The shutter 18 is fixedly mounted on the control shaft 22 extending longitudinally along an axis (Z-) noted in Figure 1, the axis (Z-) being substantially orthogonal to the axis (therein). The shutter 18 is free in translation along the axis (Z-). More specifically, the control shaft 22 is brought into translational movement, causing the shutter 18, by the electric motor 12 through the drive member 20.

In the case of a valve to valve as shown in Figure 1, the fluid control member is a shutter 18 of linear type, for example a valve. One of the extreme positions of the regulating member fluid corresponds to a position where the conduit 16 of the valve 10 is fully opened and for passing the exhaust gas, and the other end position of the regulating member fluid corresponds to a position where the conduit 16 of the valve 10 is fully closed thus blocking the exhaust gas passage. In other words, the shutter is movable in translation between an opening position of the valve, said first position, allowing the passage of fluid through the conduit and a closed position of the valve, said second position, preventing passage of fluid in the conduit 16.

The fluid circulation valve 10 may also include a position sensor for detecting the position of the fluid control member. For example, in the case of a valve to valve as shown in Figure 1, the position sensor may be a linear position sensor.

In order to ensure accurate positioning of the electric motor 12, and in particular the drive shaft of the electric motor 28 12 on a support 26 of said electric motor 12, the valve 10 includes a fluid flow control actuator motor 30 for preventing axial translation of the drive shaft of said electric motor 28 12 relative to the support 26.

A control actuator motor according to the invention is for example illustrated in Figure 2.

The control actuator motor 30 has the electric motor 12, the support 26 and a holding member 24.

The support 26 and the holding member 24 are shaped to hold the axial positioning of the drive shaft 28 of the electric motor 12 relative to the support 26.

Advantageously, the cooperation of the holding element and bracket allows a mechanical holding of the electric motor relative to the support.

The support 26 is configured to be electrically connected to a reference potential. The reference potential is for example an electrical ground. The support may be made of plastic or metallic material.

The holding member 24 is configured to be electrically connected to the carrier 26. More specifically, the retaining spring element 24 is configured to be electrically connected to the reference potential of the support 26.

Advantageously, the electric connection of the elastic member holding the reference potential of the medium eliminates the electrical disturbances present within the control actuator motor.

The connecting tabs 50 are provided for connecting the electric motor to a control device, not shown. The control of the electric current supplied to the motor by the control device makes it possible to control the position of the plug 18 to control flow through the valve.

The holding member 24 can be attached to the bracket 26, in particular by adhesive bonding, and/or screwing, and/or crimping, and/or clipping. The attachment of the holding member 24 on the support 26 may enable electrical connection of the holding member 24 to the reference potential of the support 26.

An example of a holding member 24 according to the invention is for example shown in fig. 3.

The holding member may be a leaf spring 24. The holding member 24 may have a blade-shaped folded. For example, the retaining member 24 may be made from a folded strip.

The holding member 24 may include portions of straight or rounded.

When the support member 24 has a blade shape folded, the holding member 24 may have a thickness, I noted in Figure 3, 0.3 mm and 0.8 mm range. Preferably, the thickness e of the blade folded is equal to 0.5 mm. In particular, the thickness e of the holding member 24 may be constant or variable along the length of the holding element. Such a blade thickness folded forming the holding element ensures flexibility of the holding element, in particular for the assembly of the control actuator motor, while ensuring a resistance to deformation after assembly.

The holding member 24 may be made of metallic material, for example steel or copper or brass or bronze.

The holding member 24 may have a general shape substantially symmetrical relative to a plane substantially orthogonal to an axis noted (at XL) in Figure 3.

The holding member 24 may have a general shape substantially asymmetrical with respect to a plane substantially orthogonal to an axis noted (-yl) Figure 3 and shaft noted (of Zl) in Figure 3. The axes (-yl) and (of Zl) may be orthogonal to the axis (at XL), as shown in Figure 3. In particular, the axis (of Zl) may be substantially parallel to the axis (Z-) of Figure 1, and the axis (-yl) may be substantially parallel to the axis (Y-) of Figures 1 and 2.

Of course, the holding element may have a general shape substantially symmetrical or asymmetrical with respect to a plane substantially orthogonal to the axis and/or (XL in) to the axis (-yl) and/or to the axis (of Zl).

As shown in Figure 3, the holding member 24 may include a first portion and a second portion 32 34.

The first portion 32 of the holding member 24 may have a generally "V-" section, as shown in Figure 2.

The first portion 32 of the retaining element 24 may include a substantially planar portion extending substantially perpendicularly to the axis (-yl).

The first portion 32 of the holding member 24 and the support 26 may be shaped to hold the axial positioning of the drive shaft 28 of the electric motor 12 relative to the support 26.

The second portion 34 of the holding member 24 may correspond to a protuberance extending from an end of the first portion 32 of the retaining element 24 in a direction transverse to said end.

In particular, the first and second portions of the holding member 24 can be arranged transversely. For example, the first and second portions of the holding member 24 may be arranged so that an angle between 20° 60° and results between the first and second portions of the holding member 24.

As shown in fig. 2, the first portion 32 of the holding member 24 may be disposed between the electric motor 12 and the support 26. In particular, the first portion 32 of the retaining element 24 may exert a restoring force along the axis (therein). The first portion 32 of the retaining element 24 may be configured to maintain the axial positioning of the electric motor 12 against the support 26.

The electric motor 12 may have a substantially cylindrical shape and include two bases 42, particularly visible in Figure 2, extending substantially perpendicular to the axis (Y-) and a side wall 44 extending longitudinally along the axis (Y-) and connecting the two bases 42. The electric motor 12 may include a body. Here, the cylindrical shape of the electric motor 12 corresponds to the body of the electric motor 12.

The first portion 32 of the retaining element 24 may comprise two legs 46 distinct from one another, as shown in Figure 3. The two lugs 46 may be configured to apply an axial force on a base 42 of the substantially cylindrical shape of the electric motor 12. In other words, the two lugs 46 may be configured to apply a tensile force along the axis (Y-) on a base 42 of the electric motor 12.

The two lugs 46 of the first portion 32 of the holding member 24 can be symmetrical to one another relative to a plane substantially orthogonal to the axis (at XL). Of course, tabs can be arranged symmetrically or asymmetrically from one another with respect to different planes orthogonal to the axes and/or (at XL) (-yl) and/or (of Zl).

As shown in fig. 2, the support 26 may include one or a plurality of positioning members 48 extending from a planar portion of the support 26, for example in a plane orthogonal to an axis noted (z2) in Figure 2, the axis (z2) being orthogonal to the axis (therein), in a direction substantially perpendicular to said planar portion, for example along the axis (z2). In particular, the axis (z2) may be substantially parallel to the axis (Z-) of Figure 1.

The electric motor 12 may include one or a plurality of slots, not shown, extending longitudinally along the axis (Y-) from a base 42 of the electric motor 12.

Preferably, the support 26 comprises two positioning members 48 cooperating with two notches of the electric motor 12.

Each notch cooperates respectively with a positioning member 48 of the carrier 26 to lock the rotation of the electric motor 12 about the axis (the Y) relative to the support 26.

The control actuator motor 30 may also include an electronics unit 36, particularly visible on Figure 2, comprising a connection area 38.

The electronic unit 36 may be an electrical circuit or an electronic board comprising an electrical circuit. The electronic unit has the signal processing circuit of the position sensor of the movable valve member.

The holding member 24 may be configured to be electrically connected to the connection area 38 of the electronic unit 36. More specifically, the second portion 34 of the holding member 24 may be electrically connected to the connection area 38 of the electronic unit 36. Thus, the processing of the signal of the position sensor of the movable shutter is not affected by the electrical disturbances emitted by the electric motor 12.

As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the control actuator motor 30 may also include a cover 40. The cover 40 can be made of plastic or metal, in particular aluminum.

Preferably, the electronic unit 36 may be applied to the bonnet 40, in particular by adhesive bonding, and/or screwing, and/or crimping, and/or clipping.

The cover 40 may include the electronic unit 36.

The cover 40 and the support 26 may be so arranged as to form a receiving area. In particular, the electric motor 12 may be disposed in the receiving area. The electric motor 12 may be interference fit within the receiving area formed by the support 26 and the cover 40.

The second portion 34 of the holding member 24 may be disposed between the electric motor 12 and the electronic unit 36, as shown in Figure 2. The second portion 34 of the holding member 24 may exert a restoring force along the axis (z2).

The restoring force exerted by the second portion 34 of the holding member 24 on the electronic unit 36 maintains a contact area between the second portion 34 of the holding member 24 and the connection area 38.

Preferably, outside the contact area, the holding member 24 is not in contact with the electronics unit 36.

In particular, the contact area between the second portion 34 of the holding member 24 and the connection area 38 may be planar or curved. For example, in Figure 2, the contact area between the second portion 34 of the holding member 24 and the connection area 38 is domed.

Preferably, one end of the second portion 34 of the holding member 24 may be distant from the area of contact between the second portion 34 of the holding member 24 and the connection area 38.

More specifically, one end of the second portion 34 of the holding member 24 may be connected to the first portion 32 of the retaining element 24, and the other end of the second portion 34 of the holding member 24 can be free.

In particular, the two ends of the second portion 34 of the holding member 24 may be remote from the contact area.

Of course, one end of the second portion of the holding member may be located at the area of contact between the retaining member and the electronic unit.

The control actuator motor according to the invention has been described in the context of a valve with a valve for a motor vehicle engine, the valve type exhaust gas recirculation, in particular of the type high pressure. Of course, the invention is in no way limited to the embodiments described and illustrated, which was just as examples. On the contrary, other applications of the control actuator motor according to the invention are also possible without departing from the scope of the invention.

Further, the control actuator motor could be incorporated e.g. in a valve of exhaust gas recirculation to rotary damper, or a metering valve of combustion air. Such an actuator is also operable to control a valve discharge impeller of a centrifugal supercharging device, or modifying the permeability of the turbine.