Electromechanical actuator

Abstract

Electromechanical actuator with an electrical plug connection (2) for connecting its electrical components and with a sensor (4) that converts a physical quantity into an electrical signal, wherein the sensor (4) forms an assembly (17) with the plug connection (2), which also contains electrical lines (18) for connecting the sensor (4) to the plug connection (2) and is jointly mounted on a housing (1) of the actuator or on an external fluidic line (15) that is connected to the housing (1), wherein the plug connection (2) consists of two components, namely a plug housing (6) and a circuit board (9), and wherein the circuit board (9) carries the sensor (4) and a plurality of plug contacts (5), and wherein mounting gaps (8) between the plug contacts (5) and the plug housing (6) are sealed by a plurality of seals (24).

Description

The invention relates to an electromechanical actuator according to the preamble of the first claim. Such actuators are used for actuating valves, metering pumps, clutches or transmission elements, preferably in vehicles or moving work machines.Prior Art:Electromechanical actuators are known and widely used. They generate forces and displacements, wherein electromagnets are preferably used to generate lifting movements or rotational movements. In many cases, the actuators are equipped with transmissions and in some cases electrically actuated clutches are used.The electric components of the actuators, namely the solenoids of the electromagnets and the electrically operated clutches, must be supplied with electric power, and this power supply (ECU) is also used in most cases for transmitting the required control information. The electrical connection is usually effected by means of a plug connector.If a sensor is arranged in the immediate vicinity of the components of the actuator, which converts a physical measured value (for example stroke, angle of rotation, rotational speed, pressure, temperature or flow rate) into an electrical signal, this sensor must also be electrically connected. For this purpose, a further plug connector is generally used, and the sensor is usually accommodated in an additional housing.DE 10 2015 219 161 A1 discloses a supply module, in particular for providing a fluid reducing agent, comprising a base plate and a cover plate which is arranged at a distance above the base plate such that a cavity is formed between the base plate and the cover plate. At least one of the bottom plate and the cover plate is formed with a connecting portion laterally defining the cavity. The connecting region comprises a labyrinth structure in order to prevent or make difficult the penetration of fluid into the cavity through the connecting region.DE 10 2015 201 884 A1 discloses a fluidic actuation arrangement for fluidic actuation of at least one component, such as a clutch, having an actuator housing and a travel sensor device. The travel sensor device is integrated into a plug module which is mounted on the actuator housing.The report "Bosch SCR exhaust gas aftertreatment for the diesel 31.01.2009 auto top news" concerns exhaust gas aftertreatment by means of SCR technology in the commercial vehicle segment.FR 2 843 430 A1 discloses a system for fixing an information sensor opposite and spaced from an air gap to the encoder of a bearing, the system comprising a cap connected to a ring at least partially covering the encoder, the cap comprising in combination at least one device for fixing the sensor to the inner surface of the cap and a device for electrically connecting the sensor. The invention also relates to a sensor intended to be fixed to such a system, to a component assembly formed by the fixing system and the associated sensor, and to a bearing equipped with such a component assembly.DE 10 2015 209 191 A1 discloses a mechatronic assembly comprising a carrier circuit board with at least one populated flat side, on which the following components are arranged: - a plurality of electronic components, and - at least one mechanical insert part for mechanically fixing at least one electronic component. An encapsulation formed in one piece is provided, which surrounds all components arranged on the populated flat side of the carrier circuit board in a form-fitting and materially integral manner.DE 10 2014 211 251 A1 discloses a supply module for conveying an operating / auxiliary material of an exhaust gas aftertreatment system. The supply module comprises a carrier body on which a conveying unit and a filter are accommodated. A pot-shaped heating element is arranged on the carrier body, which forms a reservoir for the operating / auxiliary substance.The object here is to avoid an additional housing and an additional plug connector for the sensor, and nevertheless to attach the sensor in a protected and fixed manner and to connect it to its electrical lines via plug contacts.The object is achieved by the features of the first claim, advantageous refinements being specified in the dependent claims.The electromechanical actuator is equipped with an electrical plug connection, which connects its electrical components, preferably its at least one magnetic coil, to an electrical supply and control unit (ECU) via lines.A sensor forms with the plug connection a module which also contains electrical lines for connecting the sensor to the plug connection.The sensor converts a physical quantity into an electrical signal.The aforementioned assembly is preferably mounted to a housing of the actuator, but may also be mounted to an external fluidic conduit connected to the housing. The plug connection consists of two components, namely a plug housing as a plastic injection-molded part and a printed circuit board made of another material.The circuit board carries the sensor and a plurality of plug contacts. The mounting gaps between the plug contacts and the plug housing are sealed by a plurality of seals. These seals comprise the individual plug contacts, since the gaps between the plug contacts and the plastic components surrounding them can only be sealed with great effort because of the different temperature-dependent expansions.The second solution is considered if the actuator actuates a metering pump or a valve.If the assembly consisting of plug connection and sensor is mounted on the housing of the actuator, a first seal advantageously seals a mounting gap between the assembly and the housing.In this embodiment, a second seal seals the sensor from an inner fluidic line when, for example, a pressure or a temperature in this line is measured by means of the sensor.The assembly is preferably installed from the outside in an opening of the housing, wherein the first seal is inserted into a circumferential radial groove of the plug connection to seal the mounting gap and seals against a circumferential sealing surface on the housing side, which is oriented at right angles to the mounting surface of the housing provided for the assembly.Alternatively, the assembly is installed from the inside into an opening in the housing, and the first seal is then also inserted into a circumferential radial groove of the plug connection to seal the mounting gap and seals against a circumferential sealing surface on the housing side, which is oriented at right angles to the mounting surface of the housing provided for the assembly.The connection between the plug housing and the circuit board is effected by a plurality of snap connectors, which are connected to the plug housing in a materially integral manner and into which the circuit board latches.Alternatively, the connection between the plug housing and the circuit board is effected by a weld between these two components.If the assembly consisting of plug connection and sensor is not fitted to the housing, it is advantageously fitted sealingly to an aperture of an outer fluidic line which is connected to the actuator and its housing. In this case, the sensor protrudes into the line and the electrical lines for connecting at least one electrical component of the actuator to the plug connection are guided through the fluidic line to the electrical components.Application:The devices according to the invention are used for actuating valves, metering pumps, clutches or transmission components, preferably in vehicles or moving work machines.Images:FIG. 1 shows the housing of the actuator and the assembly with the plug connection. FIG. 2 shows the embodiment of the assembly for mounting on the housing from the outside. FIG. 3 shows the construction of the assembly for mounting on the housing from the inside. FIG. 4 shows a two-part connector assembly including a circuit board for receiving the contacts and the sensor. FIG. 5 shows an embodiment of the actuator with an arrangement of the assembly on a fluidic line connected to the actuator.Example Embodiment:An electromechanical actuator according to FIGS. 1 and 2 has an electrical plug connection ( 2) for connecting its electrical components and a sensor ( 4) which converts a physical variable into an electrical signal.The sensor (4) forms with the plug connection (2) a module (17) which also contains electrical lines (18) for connecting the sensor (4) to the plug connection (2). The assembly (17) is mounted on a housing (1) of the actuator or on an external fluidic line (15) connected to the housing (1).Preferably, the assembly (17) consisting of the plug connection (2) and the sensor (4) is mounted on the housing (1) of the actuator, wherein a first seal (20) seals a mounting gap (21) between the assembly (17) and the housing (1), and wherein a second seal (22) seals the sensor (4) to an internal fluidic line (23), not shown.Furthermore, the assembly (17) according to FIG. 2 is preferably installed from the outside in an opening of the housing (1). In order to seal the mounting gap (21), the first seal (20) is inserted into a circumferential radial groove (7) of the plug connection and seals against a circumferential sealing surface (25) on the housing side, which is oriented at right angles to the mounting surface of the housing (1) provided for the assembly (17).In another embodiment according to FIG. 3, the assembly (17) is installed from the inside into an opening in the housing (1), wherein the first seal (20) is inserted into a circumferential radial groove (7) of the plug connection for sealing the mounting gap (21) and seals against a circumferential sealing surface (25) on the housing side which is oriented at right angles to the mounting surface of the housing (1) provided for the assembly (17).In an advantageous embodiment according to FIG. 4, the plug connection (2) consists of two components, namely a plug housing (6) and a printed circuit board (9), wherein the printed circuit board (9) carries the sensor (4) and a plurality of plug contacts (5), and wherein the mounting gaps (8) between the plug contacts (5) and the plug housing (6) are sealed by a plurality of seals (24) of a third type.The connection between the plug housing (6) and the circuit board (9) is advantageously effected by a plurality of snap connectors (10), which are connected to the plug housing (6) in a materially integral manner and into which the circuit board (9) latches.In another embodiment, the connection between the plug housing (6) and the circuit board (9) is effected by a weld between these two components.In an embodiment according to FIG. 5, the assembly (17) consisting of the plug connection (2) and the sensor (4) is mounted sealingly on an aperture of the outer fluidic line (15), wherein the sensor projects into the line (15) and wherein electrical lines (11) for connecting at least one electrical component of the actuator to the plug connection (2) are guided through the fluidic line (15).List of Reference Numerals1 Housing of the actuator 2 Plug connection 4 Sensor 5 Plug contacts 6 Plug housing 7 Groove 8 Mounting gap 9 Circuit board 10 Snap connector 11 Electrical line 15 External fluidic line 17 Assembly 18 Electrical line 20 First seal 21 Mounting gap 22 Second seal 23 Internal fluidic line 24 Seal of third type 25 Sealing surface

Claims

Electromechanical actuator having an electrical plug connection (2) for connecting its electrical components and having a sensor (4) which converts a physical variable into an electrical signal, wherein the sensor (4) forms, with the plug connection (2), a subassembly (17) which also contains electrical lines (18) for connecting the sensor (4) to the plug connection (2) and is mounted jointly on a housing (1) of the actuator or on an outer fluidic line (15) which is connected to the housing (1), wherein the plug connection (2) consists of two components, namely a plug housing (6) and a printed circuit board (9), and wherein the printed circuit board (9) carries the sensor (4) and a plurality of plug contacts (5), and wherein mounting gaps (8) between the plug contacts (5) and the plug housing (6) are sealed by a plurality of seals (24).Electromechanical actuator according to Claim 1, characterized in that the assembly (17) comprising the plug connection (2) and the sensor (4) is mounted on the housing (1) of the actuator, wherein a first seal (20) seals a mounting gap (21) between the assembly (17) and the housing (1), and wherein a second seal (22) seals the sensor (4) to an inner fluidic line (23).Electromechanical actuator according to Claim 2, characterized in that the subassembly (17) is installed from the outside in an aperture in the housing (1), the first seal (20) being inserted into a circumferential radial groove (7) of the plug connection (2) in order to seal the mounting gap (21) and sealing against a circumferential sealing surface (25) on the housing side, which is oriented at right angles to the mounting surface of the housing (1) provided for the subassembly (17).Electromechanical actuator according to Claim 2, characterized in that the subassembly (17) is installed from the inside into an aperture in the housing (1), the first seal (20) being inserted into a circumferential radial groove (7) of the plug connection (2) in order to seal the mounting gap (21) and sealing against a circumferential sealing surface (25) on the housing side, which is oriented at right angles to the mounting surface of the housing (1) provided for the subassembly (17).Electromechanical actuator according to Claim 1, characterized in that the connection between the plug housing (6) and the printed circuit board (9) is effected by a plurality of snap connectors (10) which are connected to the plug housing (6) in a materially integral manner and into which the printed circuit board (9) latches.Electromechanical actuator according to Claim 1, characterized in that the connection between the plug housing (6) and the printed circuit board (9) is effected by a weld between these two components.Electromechanical actuator according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the assembly (17) consisting of the plug connection (2) and the sensor (4) is mounted sealingly on an aperture of the outer fluidic line (15), wherein the sensor projects into the line (15) and wherein electrical lines (11) for connecting at least one electrical component of the actuator to the plug connection (2) are guided through the fluidic line (15).

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