SUPPORT ARRANGEMENT FOR AN ACTUATOR OF A CAM PHASER

Abstract

A support arrangement for an actuator of a cam phaser, the support arrangement including an actuator module including an actuator; and a support element configured to support the actuator module on a camshaft, wherein the actuator module is connected to the support element by an electrical contact arrangement configured to actuate the actuator, and wherein the electrical contact arrangement includes an elastic clamping element.

Claims

1. A support arrangement for an actuator of a cam phaser, the support arrangement comprising: an actuator module including a linear electromagnetic actuator including a displaceable connecting rod: and a support element configured to support the actuator module on a camshaft, wherein the actuator module is connected to the support element by an electrical contact arrangement configured to actuate the linear electromagnetic actuator, and wherein the electrical contact arrangement includes an elastic clamping element.

2. The support arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the elastic damping element is arranged at the support element.

3. The support arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the elastic clamping element includes a first clamping device and a second clamping device.

4. The support arrangement according to claim 3, wherein the first clamping device and the second damping device are arranged parallel to each other.

5. The support arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the elastic clamping element includes a first clamping arm configured to clamp and fix an actuator contact.

6. The support arrangement according to claim 5, wherein the elastic clamping element includes a second clamping arm configured to clamp and fix the actuator contact, and wherein the second clamping arm Is arranged opposite to the first clamping arm.

7. A support arrangement for an actuator of a cam phaser, the support arrangement comprising: an actuator module including an actuator; and a support element configured to support the actuator module on a camshaft, wherein the actuator module is connected to the support element by an electrical contact arrangement configured to actuate the actuator, wherein the electrical contact arrangement includes an elastic clamping element, wherein the elastic damping element includes a first clamping and configured to clamp and fix an actuator contact, wherein the elastic clamping element includes a second clamping arm configured to clamp and fix the actuator contact, wherein the second clamping arm is arranged opposite to the first damping arm, wherein the clamping element Includes a third clamping arm configured to clamp and fix the actuator contact, and wherein the first clamping arm, the second clamping arm and the third clamping arm together form an M-shaped receiver for the actuator contact.

8. The support arrangement according to claim 8, wherein the first clamping arm, the second clamping arm and a the third clamping arm is arranged at an angle between 0 C. and 80 C. or between 10 C. and 60 C. relative to a longitudinal axis of the elastic clamping element.

9. The support arrangement according to claim 6, wherein the first clamping arm. the second clamping arm and a third clamping arm is bent in a direction facing away from the actuator module in a state in which the actuator module is supported at the support element.

10. The support arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the clamping element is arranged in at least one sealed pocket of the support element.

11. The support arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the support element includes a surrounding plastic molding.

12. The support arrangement according to claim 1. wherein the support element is welded to the actuator module.

13. The support arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the actuator module includes at least one outward protruding pin which is introducible into a corresponding depression of the support element.

14. The support arrangement according to claim 13, wherein the pin is configured to be welded to the support element.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0022] Further advantages of the invention can be derived from the description and the drawing figures. The drawing is explained in more detail below with reference to the exemplary embodiment shown in the drawing figures, wherein:

[0023] FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a support arrangement according to the invention in a longitudinal sectional view;

[0024] FIG. 2 illustrates detail II from FIG. 1 in a perspective view;

[0025] FIG. 3 illustrates detail III from FIG. 1 in a perspective view; and

[0026] FIG. 4 illustrates detail IV from FIG. 3 in a perspective view.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0027] FIG. 1 shows a support arrangement) according to the invention which comprises an actuator module 2 and a support element 3. Accordingly and for descriptive purposes; an actuator module side 4 and a support element side 5 are defined and designated in FIG. 1 and the following figures. The actuator module 2 comprises a housing 6 with a rotational body 7, a connecting rod 8 and a magnetic coil 9. The support element 3 surrounds a part of the actuator module 2 and is connected thereto by means of an electrical contacting 10 (not visible here) so as to conduct electrical current and signals. The electrical contacting 10 is formed by two actuator contacts (not shown) of the actuator module 2 and an elastic clamping element (not shown) formed with two clamping means. Mechanically, the support element 3 is connected to the actuator module 2 by means of three weld connections 11, of which only one weld connection 11 is shown here in the form of a bulge on the support element 3.

[0028] Further components of the actuator module 2 and support element 3 are presented in the descriptions of FIGS. 2 and 3. The actuator module 2 is shown in FIG. 2 and the support element 3 in FIG. 3.

[0029] FIG. 2 shows the actuator module 2 from FIG. 1, As well as the housing 6, here a first actuator contact 12 and a second actuator contact 13 are shown, together with three pins 14. All these components 12, 13, 14 protrude from the housing 6 in the direction of the support element side 5, The actuator contacts 12, 13 are provided for electrical contacting with a clamping element or clamping means (not shown) of a support element 3. The pins 14 are provided for insertion in depressions 19 of the support element 3, whereby the support element 3 can be positioned precisely on the actuator module 2 and be welded thereto.

[0030] FIG. 3 shows a support element 3 from FIG. 1 which is provided for receiving an actuator module 2 on the actuator module side 4, The support element 3 here has a surrounding plastic molding 15. The plastic molding 15 is formed with two screw openings 16, a first pocket 17 and a second pocket 18, and three depressions 19, The pockets 17, 18 are designed as through openings which are closed oil-tightly after mounting on an actuator module 2 on the support element side 5. The three depressions 19 are made in the plastic molding 15 from the actuator module side 4, so in this perspective view they are visible as bulges in the direction of the support element side 5.

[0031] An elastic clamping element 20 is arranged inside the plastic molding 15 and is partly visible through the pockets 17, 18. The clamping element 20 here has the form of two clamping means 21, 22, wherein the first clamping means 21 is accessible via the first pocket 17, and the second clamping means 22 via the second pocket 18. The clamping means 21, 22 are provided to create an electrical contacting with the actuator contacts 12, 13 of the actuator module 2 inserted into the pockets 17, 18 from the actuator module side 4. Inside the plastic molding 15, the clamping means 21, 22 are connected to an electrical terminal 23. By means of the three depressions 19, the support element 3 can be positioned on the actuator module 2, wherein pins 14 protrude from the actuator module 2 and are introduced into the depressions 19 and welded thereto, preferably by means of ultrasound welding.

[0032] FIG. 4 shows the elastic clamping element 20 from FIG. 3 which is formed from the first clamping means 21 and the second clamping means 22. Since the clamping means 21, 22 are similar in function and basic structure, only the first clamping means 21 is described in detail here. The first clamping means 21 has a frame element 24 from which four arms 25, 26, 27, 28 protrude. These are firstly a connecting arm 25 which is arranged protruding outwardly from the frame element 24 and is intended to guarantee a connection with an electrical terminal of the support element 3. The connecting arm 25 runs in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the clamping element 20.

[0033] Secondly, a first clamping arm 26, a second clamping arm 27 and a third clamping arm 28 are arranged protruding inwardly from the frame element 24. The clamping arms 26, 27, 28 together form an M-shaped receiver and are each bent in the direction of the support element side 5. Because of the bent arrangement of the clamping arms 26, 27, 28, an actuator contact 12, 13 can be introduced more easily into a clamping means 21, 22 from the actuator module side 4. Also, subsequent release or extraction of the actuator contact 12, 13 is more difficult since the clamping arms 26, 27, 28 act as a claw. The M-shaped receiver also allows variously formed actuator contacts, with different shape, size and orientation, to be gripped or clamped.

[0034] All features explained and shown in connection with individual embodiments of the invention may be provided in various combinations in the object according to the invention in order to exercise their advantageous effects simultaneously. The scope of protection of the present invention is specified by the claims and is not restricted by the features explained in the description or shown in the figures.

[0035] Thus a support arrangement according to the invention may, in further embodiments (not shown here), comprise further interface-specific elements, functions and properties, For example, the number and position of the screw openings or bores is freely selectable, and/or a molded pressure limiter is provided for the screw openings or screw fixings. Furthermore, alternative fixing methods such as rotary locking or latch functions are possible. The support element may also contain information such as an identification number, a customer identification and/or other notes, which are for example glued or printed onto the support element. Also, a composition and orientation of actuator contacts or plug pins and the pins of the actuator module, and an electrical connection of the support element, are freely selectable. If necessary, the support element also has functions of supporting seals and/or wiring harnesses.