OUTPUT ELEMENT OF A CAMSHAFT ADJUSTER HAVING A PARTIAL STRUCTURING ON THE CONTACT SURFACE TO THE CAMSHAFT

Abstract

An output element (1) of a camshaft adjuster (8) is described, in which the output element (1) has a contact surface (2) for rotatably fixed connection to a camshaft; the contact surface (2) has at least one outlet port (3) of an oil channel (4) of the output element (1), which may be situated opposite an outlet port of an oil channel of the camshaft in order to conduct hydraulic medium from the camshaft into the output element (1); the contact surface (2) has a structuring (6) in order to increase the torque transmission between the output element (1) and the camshaft; this structuring (6) is structure-free in the area (5) around the outlet port (3) and this area (5) is designed for sealing the outlet port (3) with respect to the surrounding environment.

Claims

1. An output element of a camshaft adjuster comprising: a contact surface for rotatably fixed connection to a camshaft, the contact surface having at least one outlet port of an oil channel of the output element, the at least one outlet port of the oil channel situatable opposite a camshaft outlet port of a camshaft oil channel of the camshaft in order to conduct hydraulic medium from the camshaft into the output element; the contact surface having a structuring in order to increase torque transmission between the output element and the camshaft, the contact surface having a structure-free area around the outlet port, and the structure-free area being designed for sealing the outlet port with respect to a surrounding environment.

2. The output element as recited in claim 1 wherein the structuring is a laser structuring.

3. The output element as recited in claim 1 wherein the structure-free area borders the outlet port.

4. The output element as recited in claim 1 wherein one individual elevation of the structuring completely borders the outlet port.

5. The output element as recited in claim 1 wherein the structure-free area surrounding the outlet port is set back axially with respect to the structuring.

6. The output element as recited in claim 1 wherein the structure-free area surrounding the outlet port is planar.

7. The output element as recited in claim 1 wherein the structure-free area surrounding the outlet port is conical.

8. The output element as recited in claim 1 wherein the structure-free area borders multiple outlet ports.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0024] Exemplary embodiments of the present invention are shown in the figures.

[0025] FIG. 1 shows a sectional view of a camshaft adjuster,

[0026] FIG. 2 shows a first specific embodiment of the output element according to the present invention, with view toward the contact surface,

[0027] FIG. 3 shows a second specific embodiment of the output element according to the present invention, with view toward the contact surface,

[0028] FIG. 4 shows an embodiment of the camshaft adjuster attached to the camshaft; and

[0029] FIGS. 5a and 5b show an alternate embodiment with an individual elevation and a structure-free area surrounding the outlet port.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0030] FIG. 1 shows a sectional view of a camshaft adjuster 8 including an output element 1 according to the present invention. The basic structure and the mode of operation of camshaft adjuster 8 are known from the prior art. Camshaft adjuster 8 and its output element 1 have an axially oriented contact surface 2 which may come in contact with an axial surface of the camshaft 100, shown in FIG. 4. Contact surface 2 has the shape of a circular ring and is penetrated centrally by a central opening 7. An oil channel 4, which extends at least partially radially within output element 1, opens with its outlet port 3 into axial contact surface 2. Outlet port 3 is circular since oil channel 4 is a bore. Axial contact surface 2 has a structuring 6 (See FIG. 2) which cooperates with the axial surface of the camshaft in such a way that a micro-form-fit is formed and a torque that is higher than in the prior art may be transmitted. The particular design of the structuring is described in various embodiments in the following figures.

[0031] FIG. 2 shows a first specific embodiment of output element 1 according to the present invention, with view toward contact surface 2. Contact surface 2 has a structuring 6 (shown as a hatched area here), which advantageously has been produced by a laser. Circular ring-shaped areas 5, which are free of the additionally applied structuring, are arranged concentrically to each outlet port 3. A tool or a surface of the camshaft may thus be placed sealingly against these exposed areas 5 and a medium (for example compressed air for testing purposes or hydraulic medium during operation of the engine) may be transmitted, the transmission being almost free of losses through the gap between the two surfaces abutting against each other.

[0032] FIG. 3 shows a second specific embodiment of output element 1 according to the present invention, with view toward contact surface 2. In contrast to the first specific embodiment shown in FIG. 2, structure-free area 5 borders multiple outlet ports 3 at the same time. Structure-free area 5 has the shape of a circular ring which is arranged concentrically to the axis of rotation of output element 1. A circular ring formed by structuring 6 completely encompasses structure-free area 5 and thus includes all outlet ports 3 so that a seal radially to the outside is also formed by structuring 6 in the outer area of the contact surface. In contrast, structure-free area 5 completely encompasses a smaller circular ring having a structuring 6.

[0033] FIGS. 2 and 3 have a structure-free area 5 in the shape of a circular ring adjacent to central opening 7, in order to jointly seal outlet ports 9 of radial oil channels 10 which are arranged in central opening 7.

[0034] FIGS. 5a and 5b show an alternate embodiment with an individual elevation 90 and a structure-free area surrounding the outlet port. FIG. 5b is a cross-sectional view of A-A of FIG. 5a.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS

[0035] 1) output element [0036] 2) contact surface [0037] 3) outlet port (axial oil channel) [0038] 4) axial oil channel of the output element [0039] 5) structure-free area [0040] 6) structuring [0041] 7) central opening [0042] 8) camshaft adjuster [0043] 9) outlet port (radial oil channel) [0044] 10) radial oil channel of the output element [0045] 90) elevation [0046] 100) camshaft