FR3058198A1 - MOTOR CONTROL ACTUATOR AND FLUID CIRCULATION VALVE COMPRISING SAME - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to an engine control actuator (30), in particular for a fluid circulation valve, comprising: - an electric motor (12) comprising a transmission shaft (28) having a rotational movement about a first axis (y), - a support (26) supporting the electric motor (12) and configured to be electrically connected to a reference potential, - a holding member (24) configured to be electrically connected to the carrier (26), and wherein the support (26) and the holding member (24) are shaped to maintain the axial positioning of the transmission shaft (28) of the electric motor (12) relative to the support (26).

Description

Holder (s): VALEO MOTOR CONTROL SYSTEMS Simplified joint-stock company.

Extension request (s)

Agent (s): VALEO ENGINE CONTROL SYSTEMS Simplified joint-stock company.

* 54) MOTOR CONTROL ACTUATOR AND FLUID CIRCULATION VALVE INCLUDING THE SAME.

FR 3 058 198 - A1 (57) The invention relates to an engine control actuator (30), in particular for a fluid circulation valve, comprising:

- an electric motor (12) comprising a transmission shaft (28) having a rotational movement around a first axis (y),

- a support (26) supporting the electric motor (12) and configured to be electrically connected to a reference potential,

- a holding element (24) configured to be electrically connected to the support (26), and in which the support (26) and the holding element (24) are shaped to maintain the axial positioning of the drive shaft ( 28) of the electric motor (12) relative to the support (26).

Motor control actuator and fluid circulation valve comprising it

The invention relates to an engine control actuator, in particular for a fluid circulation valve.

The invention also relates to a fluid circulation valve comprising such a control actuator.

In particular, the field of the present invention is that of equipment for the supply of combustion engines, in particular exhaust gas recirculation valves or even linear actuators for controlling the supercharging devices which participate in the operation of the engines. Fluid circulation valves are known, for example for recirculation of exhaust gases, comprising a body having a fluid passage duct, a cover, a shutter, for example a valve, a shutter control shaft. extending longitudinally along an axis, and free in translation along the longitudinal axis, and a drive member in translation of said control shaft.

The translation of the valve making it possible to adjust the flow rate of fluid circulating in the duct, the shutter forms a fluid regulation member. The shutter is mounted movable between two extreme positions and is driven between the two extreme positions by a drive motor via the drive member. In particular, the drive unit converts the rotational movement of the drive motor into translational movement of the shutter control shaft.

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

In addition, in order to guarantee correct positioning of the drive motor in the valve, the drive motor is generally mounted, tightly 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 can also be mechanically held against a support of the drive motor by spring elements.

However, this configuration of the drive motor requires precise management of the dimensional tolerances of the different parts involved in positioning the electric motor. In addition, inserting the motor into its housing can be difficult to achieve. Also, the maintenance of the electric motor is affected by the dimensional variations of the different components during their use, for example due to the differential thermal expansions affecting the different parts of the valve.

The present invention aims to remedy these drawbacks by proposing an engine control actuator, in particular for a fluid circulation valve, allowing the position of the drive motor, and in particular of the drive shaft of the engine, to be maintained. drive, relative to the support of said motor, 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 relates to an engine control actuator, in particular for a fluid circulation valve, comprising:

an electric motor comprising a transmission shaft having a rotational movement about a first axis (y), a support supporting the electric motor and configured to be electrically connected to a reference potential, a holding element configured to be electrically connected to the support, and in which the support and the holding element are shaped to maintain the axial positioning of the drive shaft of the electric motor relative to the support.

Advantageously, the configurations of the holding element and of the support of the motor control actuator according to the invention make it possible to mechanically hold the electric motor relative to the support. Indeed, such a configuration makes it possible to prevent an axial translation of the transmission shaft of the electric motor relative to the support, without increasing the stresses linked to the assembly of the valve, in particular thanks to a tolerance to the deformation of the holding element.

In addition, the configurations of the holding element and of the support of the motor control actuator according to the invention make it possible to electrically connect the holding element to the reference potential, and thus to eliminate the electrical disturbances present within the engine control actuator.

In addition, the configuration of an engine control actuator according to the invention makes it possible to optimize the mechanical alignment of the different parts of the actuator, that is to say of the transmission shaft of the electric motor relative to to support. In fact, the number of elements involved in the chain of the ribs of the angular positioning of the motor is minimized, which makes it possible to reduce the effect of dimensional dispersions of the electric motor and of the support.

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

the holding element comprises a first portion and a second portion, the first portion of the holding element and the support being shaped to maintain the axial positioning of the drive shaft of the electric motor relative to the support, and the second portion of the holding element being configured to be electrically connected to a reference potential; and / or the first portion of the retaining element comprises a substantially planar portion extending substantially perpendicular to the first axis (y); and / or the first and second portions of the holding element are arranged transversely; and / or the first portion of the holding element is disposed between the electric motor and the support, and exerts a restoring force along the first axis (y); and / or the holding element has a general shape substantially symmetrical with respect to a plane substantially perpendicular to a third axis (x) substantially perpendicular to the first axis (y); and / or the engine control actuator also comprising an electronic unit comprising a connection area, and in which the holding element is configured to be electrically connected to the connection area of the electronic unit; and / or the engine control actuator also comprising a cover, the electronic unit being fixed on the cover; and / or the cover and the support are arranged so as to form a reception zone, the electric motor being arranged in the reception zone; and / or the first portion of the holding element is configured to maintain the axial positioning of the electric motor against the support; and / or the motor being of substantially cylindrical shape comprising a base extending substantially perpendicular to the first axis (y) and a side wall extending longitudinally along the first axis (y), and in which the first portion of the element holding comprises two separate legs 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 element is disposed between the electric motor and the electronic unit, and exerts a restoring force along a second axis (z) substantially perpendicular to the first axis (y) so as to maintain a contact zone between the second portion of the holding element and the connection zone; and / or the contact area between the second portion of the holding element and the connection area is flat; and / or the contact zone between the second portion of the retaining element and the connection zone is curved; and / or one end of the second portion of the holding element is distant from the contact zone between the second portion of the holding element and the connection zone; and / or the support comprises at least one positioning member, the electric motor comprises at least one notch cooperating with the at least one positioning member of the support so as to block the rotation of the electric motor about the first axis (y) relative to support; and / or the holding element is made of metallic material; and / or the holding element is made of steel or copper or brass or bronze; and / or the holding element has the general shape of a folded blade; and / or the holding element has a thickness of 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 metallic material, in particular aluminum; and / or the electric motor is of the direct current type; and / or the electric motor is of the brushless type; and / or the electric motor is a stepping motor.

The invention also relates to a fluid circulation valve comprising:

a valve body delimiting a fluid circulation conduit, a shutter movable in translation between an open position allowing the passage of the fluid in the conduit and a closed position preventing the passage of the fluid in the conduit, a motor control actuator according to the invention, in which the electric motor is configured to allow drive in translation of the shutter.

Advantageously, such a fluid circulation valve allows effective mechanical maintenance of the electric motor, and in particular of the transmission shaft of the electric motor, relative to the support of the motor control actuator, without increasing the assembly constraints of valve.

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

the shutter is a valve; and / or the valve also comprises a drive member, configured to transform the rotational movement of the output shaft of the electric motor into a translational movement and to transmit the translational movement to the shutter; and / or the valve is a valve of the exhaust gas recirculation valve type, in particular of the high pressure type.

Other characteristics and advantages of the present invention will appear on reading the detailed description of embodiments given by way of nonlimiting examples and illustrated, accompanied by the following figures:

Figure 1 is a schematic sectional view of a fluid circulation valve according to the invention, Figure 2 is a sectional view of an engine control actuator according to an embodiment of the invention, and Figure 3 shows a perspective view of a holding element of an engine control actuator according to an embodiment of the invention.

It should be noted that these drawings have no other purpose than to illustrate the text of the description and do not in any way constitute a limitation of the scope of the invention.

In the various figures, similar elements are designated by identical references. In addition, the different elements are not necessarily shown to scale in order to present a view making it easier to understand the invention.

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

The fluid circulation valve 10 comprises a valve body 14 having a fluid passage conduit 16 and a fluid regulation member, for example a shutter 18, mounted movably between two positions. The fluid regulation member 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 DC type. The electric motor 12 can be of the brushless type, or a stepping electric motor.

The electric motor 12 comprises a transmission shaft 28 having a rotational movement about an axis of rotation noted (y) in FIG. 1.

The drive member 20 converts the rotational movement of the transmission shaft 28 of the electric motor 12 into the translational movement of the control shaft 22. The shutter 18 is fixedly mounted on the control shaft 22 s 'extending longitudinally along an axis noted (z) in Figure 1, the axis (z) being substantially orthogonal to the axis (y). The shutter 18 is free in translation along the axis (z). More specifically, the control shaft 22 is put into translational movement, driving the shutter 18, by the electric motor 12 via the drive member 20.

In the case of a globe valve as illustrated in FIG. 1, the fluid regulation member is a shutter 18 of the linear type, for example a valve. One of the extreme positions of the fluid regulation member corresponds to a position where the conduit 16 of the valve 10 is completely open and allows the exhaust gases to pass, and the other extreme position of the fluid regulation member corresponds to a position where the duct 16 of the valve 10 is completely closed, thus blocking the passage of the exhaust gases. In other words, the shutter is movable in translation between an open position of the valve, called the first position, allowing the passage of the fluid in the conduit and a closed position of the valve, called the second position, preventing the passage of the fluid. in conduit 16.

The fluid circulation valve 10 can also include a position sensor intended to detect the position of the fluid regulation member. For example, in the case of a globe valve as illustrated in FIG. 1, the position sensor can be a linear position sensor.

In order to guarantee precise positioning of the electric motor 12, and in particular of the transmission shaft 28 of the electric motor 12 on a support 26 of said electric motor 12, the fluid circulation valve 10 comprises an engine control actuator 30 making it possible to prevent axial translation of the transmission shaft 28 of said electric motor 12 relative to the support 26.

An engine control actuator according to the invention is for example illustrated in FIG. 2.

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

The support 26 and the holding element 24 are shaped to maintain the axial positioning of the transmission shaft 28 of the electric motor 12 relative to the support 26.

Advantageously, the cooperation of the holding element and of the support allows mechanical maintenance 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 can be made of plastic or metallic material.

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

Advantageously, the electrical connection of the elastic element for holding the reference potential of the support makes it possible to eliminate the electrical disturbances present within the motor control actuator.

The connection lugs 50 allow the electric motor to be connected 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 shutter 18 in order to control the flow rate passing through the valve.

The holding element 24 can be fixed on the support 26, in particular by gluing, and / or screwing, and / or crimping, and / or clipping. Attaching the holding member 24 to the support 26 can allow the electrical connection of the holding member 24 to the reference potential of the support 26.

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

The holding element 24 can be a leaf spring. The holding element 24 can have the general shape of a folded blade. For example, the holding element 24 can be made from a folded strip.

The holding element 24 may include straight or rounded portions.

When the retaining element 24 has the shape of a folded blade, the retaining element 24 may have a thickness, denoted E in FIG. 3, of between 0.3 mm and 0.8 mm. Preferably, the thickness E of the folded blade is equal to 0.5 mm. In particular, the thickness E of the holding element 24 can be constant or can vary along the holding element. Such a thickness of the folded blade forming the retaining element makes it possible to guarantee flexibility of the retaining element, in particular for assembling the motor control actuator, while guaranteeing resistance to deformation after assembly. .

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

The holding element 24 may have a general shape that is substantially symmetrical with respect to a plane that is substantially orthogonal to an axis noted (xl) in FIG. 3.

The holding element 24 may have a general shape that is substantially asymmetrical with respect to a plane that is substantially orthogonal to an axis noted (yl) in FIG. 3 and to an axis noted (zl) in FIG. 3. The axes (yl) and (zl) can be orthogonal to the axis (xl), as shown in Figure 3. In particular, the axis (zl) can be substantially parallel to the axis (z) of Figure 1, and the axis (yl) can be substantially parallel to the axis (y) of Figures 1 and 2.

Of course, the holding element may have a general shape that is substantially symmetrical or asymmetrical with respect to a plane substantially orthogonal to the axis (xl) and / or to the axis (yl) and / or to the axis (zl ).

As illustrated in FIG. 3, the holding element 24 can comprise a first portion 32 and a second portion 34.

The first portion 32 of the retaining element 24 can have a general "V" section shape, as shown in FIG. 2.

The first portion 32 of the holding element 24 may comprise a substantially planar portion extending substantially perpendicular to the axis (yl).

The first portion 32 of the holding element 24 and the support 26 can be shaped to maintain the axial positioning of the transmission shaft 28 of the electric motor 12 relative to the support 26.

The second portion 34 of the holding element 24 may correspond to a protrusion extending from one end of the first portion 32 of the holding element 24 in a direction transverse to said end.

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

As shown in FIG. 2, the first portion 32 of the holding element 24 can be disposed between the electric motor 12 and the support 26. In particular, the first portion 32 of the holding element 24 can exert a force of recall along the axis (y). The first portion 32 of the holding element 24 can 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 comprise two bases 42, in particular visible in FIG. 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 holding element 24 may comprise two legs 46 distinct from one another, as shown in FIG. 3. The two legs 46 can 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 legs 46 can be configured to apply a force along the axis (y) on a base 42 of the electric motor 12.

The two tabs 46 of the first portion 32 of the holding element 24 can be symmetrical to one another with respect to a plane substantially orthogonal to the axis (xl). Of course, the legs can be arranged symmetrically or asymmetrically from one another with respect to different planes orthogonal to the axes (xl) and / or (yl) and / or (zl).

As shown in FIG. 2, the support 26 can comprise one or a plurality of positioning members 48 extending from a planar portion of the support 26, for example included in a plane orthogonal to an axis noted (z2) in the figure 2, the axis (z2) being orthogonal to the axis (y), in a direction substantially perpendicular to said flat portion, for example along the axis (z2). In particular, the axis (z2) can be substantially parallel to the axis (z) in Figure 1.

The electric motor 12 can comprise one or a plurality of notches, 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 support 26 in order to block the rotation of the electric motor 12 about the axis (y) relative to the support 26.

The engine control actuator 30 may also include an electronic unit 36, in particular visible in FIG. 2, comprising a connection area 38.

The electronic unit 36 can be an electrical circuit or an electronic card comprising an electrical circuit. The electronic unit includes the signal processing circuit of the position sensor of the mobile shutter.

The holding element 24 can 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 element 24 can be electrically connected to the connection area 38 of the electronic unit 36. Thus, the processing of the signal from the position sensor of the mobile shutter is not affected by the electrical disturbances emitted by the electric motor 12.

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

Preferably, the electronic unit 36 can be fixed to the cover 40, in particular by gluing, and / or screwing, and / or crimping, and / or clipping.

The cover 40 can include the electronic unit 36.

The cover 40 and the support 26 can be arranged so as to form a reception area. In particular, the electric motor 12 can be arranged in the reception area. The electric motor 12 can be force-fitted into the reception zone formed by the support 26 and the cover 40.

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

The restoring force exerted by the second portion 34 of the holding element 24 on the electronic unit 36 makes it possible to maintain a contact zone between the second portion 34 of the holding element 24 and the connection zone 38.

Preferably, outside of the contact zone, the holding element 24 has no contact with the electronic unit 36.

In particular, the contact area between the second portion 34 of the holding element 24 and the connection area 38 can be flat or curved. For example, in Figure 2, the contact area between the second portion 34 of the holding element

24 and the connection area 38 is curved.

Preferably, one end of the second portion 34 of the holding element 24 can be distant from the contact zone between the second portion 34 of the holding element 24 and the connection zone 38.

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

In particular, the two ends of the second portion 34 of the holding element 24 can be distant from the contact zone.

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

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

In addition, the engine control actuator could be integrated, for example, into an exhaust gas recirculation valve with a rotary shutter, or into a combustion air metering valve. Such an actuator can also be used to control a discharge valve of the turbine of a centrifugal supercharging device, or of modification of the permeability of the turbine.

Claims (10)

1. Motor control actuator (30), in particular for a fluid circulation valve, comprising: an electric motor (12) comprising a drive shaft (28) having a 5 rotational movement around a first axis (y), a support (26) supporting the electric motor (12) and configured to be electrically connected to a reference potential, a holding element (24) configured to be electrically connected to the support (26), and 10 in which the support (26) and the holding element (24) are shaped to maintain the axial positioning of the drive shaft (28) of the electric motor (12) relative to the support (26). 2. An engine control actuator according to claim 1, in which the holding element (24) comprises a first portion (32) and a second portion (34), the First portion (32) of the holding element (24) and the support (26) being shaped to maintain the axial positioning of the drive shaft (28) of the electric motor (12) relative to the support (26) , and the second portion (34) of the holding element (24) being configured to be electrically connected to a reference potential. 20 3. Motor control actuator according to claim 2, wherein the first portion (32) of the holding element (24) comprises a substantially planar portion extending substantially perpendicular to the first axis (y). 4. Motor control actuator according to one of claims 2 or 3, in which the first and second portions (32, 34) of the holding element (24) are 25 arranged transversely. 5. Motor control actuator according to one of the preceding claims, also comprising an electronic unit (36) comprising a connection area (38) and in which the holding element (24) is configured to be electrically connected to the connection area (38) of the electronic unit (36). 6. An engine control actuator according to claim 5, also comprising a cover (40), the electronic unit (36) being fixed on the cover (40). 7. Motor control actuator according to one of claims 2 to 4 and one of claims 5 or 6, wherein the second portion (34) of the holding element 5 (24) is disposed between the electric motor (12) and the electronic unit (36), and exerts a restoring force along a second axis (z) substantially perpendicular to the first axis (y) so as to maintain a zone of contact between the second portion (34) of the holding element (24) and the connection area (38). 8. An engine control actuator according to claim 7, wherein one end 10 of the second portion (34) of the retaining element (24) is distant from the contact zone between the second portion (34) of the retaining element (24) and the connection zone (38). 9. Fluid circulation valve (10) comprising: a valve body (14) delimiting a conduit (16) for circulating fluid, 15 - a shutter (18) movable in translation between an open position allowing the passage of the fluid in the duct (16) and a closed position preventing the passage of the fluid in the duct (16), an engine control actuator ( 30) according to one of the preceding claims, in which the electric motor (12) is configured to 20 allow the drive in translation of the shutter (18). 10. The valve of claim 9, wherein the valve is a valve of the exhaust gas recirculation valve type, in particular of the high pressure type. 1/2