Wastegate actuator mechanism of a turbocharger wastegate system

Abstract

Connecting plate (310) and socket (410) configured to be included in a wastegate actuator mechanism (300) of a wastegate system (200) of a turbocharger (100), wherein the material of the bushing (410) has a higher hardness than the material of the connecting plate (310), wherein the bushing (410) is pressed into an eye (311) of the connecting plate (310), and wherein the connecting plate (310) and the bushing (410) are configured to prevent relative movement of the connecting plate (310) and the bushing (410) in a circumferential direction and / or in a longitudinal direction by exerting pressure on a deformation area (A) of the connecting plate (310) and formed bulges of material (316) of the connecting plate (310).

Description

AREA OF INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to a wastegate actuator mechanism configured for use in a wastegate system of a turbocharger. The present invention also relates to various components configured to be included in a wastegate actuator mechanism, in particular a connecting plate and a pin, and also a bushing configured to be pressed into an eye of the connecting plate, and a sleeve configured to be arranged on the pin. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] In the field of internal combustion engines, the use of a turbocharger to increase engine efficiency and power output by generating a forced air supply to the engine is well known. The turbocharger comprises a turbine wheel configured to rotate under the influence of an exhaust gas flow from the engine. The turbocharger further comprises a compressor wheel coupled to the turbine wheel so that it rotates together with the turbine wheel. The compressor wheel is arranged in an air passage in which air is drawn in, compressed as the compressor wheel rotates, and then discharged to the engine.

[0003] Generally, the higher the exhaust gas flow, the higher the boost pressure in the turbocharger. To regulate the boost pressure, the turbocharger is equipped with a wastegate system. This system provides a bypass for the incoming exhaust gas flow and includes a valve located in the bypass path and a wastegate actuator mechanism to control the valve's position. By adjusting the valve's position using the wastegate actuator mechanism, the extent to which exhaust gas is allowed to bypass the compressor wheel is determined, thereby regulating the amount of exhaust gas permitted to flow to the compressor wheel. The wastegate actuator system operates based on various control signals, including signals representative of the boost pressure in the turbocharger.

[0004] The present invention relates to the wastegate actuator mechanism comprising a lever plate coupled to the valve, an actuator arranged on a compressor housing of the turbocharger, and an elongated connecting plate extending from the actuator to the lever plate, wherein the connecting plate is coupled to the lever plate by engaging a pin attached to the lever plate. In this configuration, the pin extends partially through an eye provided in the connecting plate, and the connecting plate and the pin are rotatable relative to each other about an axis of rotation extending in the longitudinal direction of the pin. Therefore, the connecting plate and the pin are wear partners, as they slide relative to each other at the position where the pin extends through the eye of the connecting plate.

[0005] Modern engine designs involve higher exhaust gas temperatures, which increases the load on the wastegate actuator mechanism. Furthermore, particularly in cases where the turbocharger is mounted on a three-cylinder or four-cylinder engine, the influence of engine pulsations on the wastegate actuator mechanism is increased, potentially causing micro-movements within the actuator. All of these factors contribute to wear at the sliding contact point between the pin and the connecting plate. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] An objective of the present invention is to alleviate the situation of increased wear of the connecting plate and the pin in a practical way, without resorting to costly measures such as simply manufacturing the connecting plate and the pin from a more durable material.

[0007] Aspects of the present invention are set forth in the attached independent and dependent claims. Features from the dependent claims may be combined with features from the respective independent claims as required, and not only as expressly set forth in the claims and explained in the following description.

[0008] In light of the foregoing, the present invention provides a wastegate actuator mechanism configured for use in a wastegate system of a turbocharger, wherein the wastegate actuator mechanism comprises an elongated connecting plate and a pin attached to a lever plate, the pin extending partially through an eye provided in the connecting plate, and wherein the connecting plate and the pin are rotatable relative to each other about an axis of rotation extending in the longitudinal direction of the pin, the wastegate actuator mechanism further comprising a sliding assembly arranged between the connecting plate and the pin at the position of the eye of the connecting plate, the sliding assembly comprising a bushing fixedly connected to the connecting plate and a sleeve fixedly connected to the pin.and wherein an inner surface of the bushing and an outer surface of the sleeve are in sliding contact, and wherein at an interface between the bushing and the connecting plate the bushing is provided with recessed sections and protrusions of material of the connecting plate are received in the recessed sections and / or at an interface between the sleeve and the pin the sleeve is provided with recessed sections and protrusions of material of the pin are received in the recessed sections.

[0009] It follows from the above general definition of the wastegate actuator mechanism according to the present invention that the invention is functional at the position where the pin extends through the eye of the connecting plate. According to the present invention, intermediate components are provided at this position, namely a bushing and a sleeve, which form a sliding arrangement in which an inner surface of the bushing and an outer surface of the sleeve are in sliding contact, the bushing being received in the eye of the connecting plate and the sleeve being arranged on the pin. The present invention relates to the manner in which the bushing is fixedly connected to the connecting plate and / or the manner in which the sleeve is fixedly connected to the pin.In this respect, the present invention provides at least one of the following configurations: i) at an interface of the socket and the connecting plate, the socket is provided with recessed sections and protrusions made of material of the connecting plate are received in the recessed sections, and ii) at an interface of the sleeve and the pin, the sleeve is provided with recessed sections and protrusions made of material of the pin are received in the recessed sections.Therefore, the present invention provides a positive-locking configuration at the interface between the bushing and the connecting plate and / or the interface between the sleeve and the pin, while the sliding action that occurs between the connecting plate and the pin during the operation of the wastegate system is completely shifted to the interface between the bushing and the sleeve. An improvement in wear behavior can be achieved by selecting a suitable material for the bushing and the sleeve, or at least for their sliding contact surfaces. Due to the application of the invention, the firm connection of the bushing to the connecting plate and / or the sleeve to the pin is ensured and cannot be degraded under the influence of forces associated with the normal operation of the wastegate actuator mechanism, so that the benefit of improved wear behavior is not compromised.

[0010] A practical way to achieve the desired positive fit by accommodating protrusions of material from a first component in recessed sections of a second component is to provide the second component with the recessed sections and to select the shapes and dimensions of the respective components such that the first component is deformed during the process of fitting the second component into / onto the first component, whereby material from the first component is forced to flow into the recessed sections of the second component. This implies that it is advantageous for the second component to comprise a different material than the first component, with the material of the second component having a higher hardness than the material of the first component.With regard to the connecting plate and the bushing, this means that it is advantageous if the bushing comprises a different material than the connecting plate, at least at the position of an outer section thereof, wherein the bushing material has a higher hardness than the connecting plate material. With regard to the pin and the sleeve, this means that it is advantageous if the sleeve comprises a different material than the pin, at least at the position of an inner section thereof, wherein the sleeve material has a higher hardness than the pin material.

[0011] Regarding the option of the socket having recessed sections and incorporating protrusions of material from the connecting plate into the recessed sections, the following notable options are mentioned, which can be applied in suitable combinations if desired: - The protrusions made of the material of the connecting plate and the recessed sections of the socket can be configured to prevent relative movement of the connecting plate and the socket in a circumferential direction, i.e., in a direction around the axis of rotation of the relative movement of the connecting plate and the pin, or in other words, in a sliding direction of the sliding arrangement. - The recessed sections of the bushing can be distributed around the bushing in a circumferential direction, so that forces acting on the bushing in the circumferential direction are distributed across the bushing and peak forces are avoided. - the bushing may have at least one chamfered outer edge and the recessed sections of the bushing may include notches arranged in the at least one chamfered outer edge, - the bushing can have a chamfered outer edge at one axial end and a chamfered outer edge at the other axial end, in which case it is possible to have a configuration in which the bushing is locked in the longitudinal direction between protrusions of material of the connecting plate located at the two axial ends of the bushing, and - the recessed sections of the bushing may include grooves that extend along an outer surface of the bushing in the longitudinal direction.

[0012] Regarding the option of the sleeve having recessed sections and protrusions of the pin material being incorporated into the recessed sections, the following notable options are mentioned, which, if desired, can be applied in suitable combinations: - the protrusions of the pin material and the recessed sections of the sleeve are configured to prevent relative movement of the pin and sleeve in a circumferential direction, - the recessed sections of the sleeve are distributed around the sleeve in a circumferential direction, - at the interface between the sleeve and the pin, the sleeve is provided with points that penetrate the material of the pin, which is a further measure that contributes to fixing the sleeve to the pin, and - at the interface of the sleeve and the pin, the pin has a conical section shaped like a truncated cone, with the inner surface of the sleeve tapering at the position of a section of the sleeve that closely surrounds the conical section of the pin, so that differences in thermal expansion of the sleeve and the pin can be compensated for.

[0013] The present invention further relates to a wastegate system of a turbocharger, comprising a wastegate actuator mechanism as described above, and also to a turbocharger comprising a wastegate system that includes the wastegate actuator mechanism. Referring to the preceding explanation of the background of the invention, it is noted that the wastegate system is configured to provide a bypass path for an incoming exhaust gas flow in the turbocharger and comprises a valve arranged in the bypass path and the wastegate actuator mechanism for controlling the position of the valve.Furthermore, with reference to the preceding explanation of the background of the invention, it is noted that the turbocharger is configured to be used in cooperation with an internal combustion engine, and that the turbocharger comprises a turbine wheel configured to be rotated under the influence of an exhaust gas flow from the engine, and a compressor wheel coupled to the turbine wheel to be rotatable together with the turbine wheel, and configured to compress air to be supplied to the engine through the turbocharger.

[0014] Furthermore, the present invention relates to separate components of the wastegate actuator mechanism, in particular the bushing, the sleeve, the connecting plate and the pin, it being noted that various special features of these components have already been mentioned above.

[0015] For better understanding, a method for attaching a bushing to a connecting plate configured to be included in a wastegate actuator mechanism of a wastegate system of a turbocharger is further described, and the present invention also relates to a method for attaching a sleeve to a pin configured to be included in a wastegate actuator mechanism of a wastegate system of a turbocharger.

[0016] The first method has the following features: i) the bushing is dimensioned to fit snugly into an eye of the connecting plate, ii) the bushing is provided with recessed sections at positions where the bushing is to contact the connecting plate, and iii) the connecting plate is provided with at least one edge extending at a position where the connecting plate is to contact the bushing, and the first method comprises the following step: pressing the bushing into the eye of the connecting plate, thereby causing a deformation of the at least one edge of the connecting plate, and inducing the formation of bulges of material of the connecting plate at the position of the recessed sections of the bushing by flowing material of the connecting plate at the position of the at least one edge into the recessed sections of the bushing.

[0017] The second method has the following feature: the sleeve is provided with recessed sections at positions where an inner surface of the sleeve is to face an outer surface of the pin, and the second method comprises the following steps: i) arranging the sleeve on the pin and ii) applying pressure to the pin for the purpose of forming an end section with an increased diameter on the pin and thereby causing deformation of material of the pin and inducing the formation of bulges of material of the pin at the position of the recessed sections of the sleeve by flowing material of the pin into the recessed sections of the sleeve.

[0018] It is understood that further aspects of the process may relate to the suitable use of one or more of a bushing, a sleeve, a connecting plate and a pin having any of the features or combinations of features as disclosed above. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0019] Further features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the description of the invention as exemplary and non-limiting embodiments of a turbocharger and of components of a wastegate actuator mechanism of a wastegate system of the turbocharger.

[0020] The person skilled in the art will recognize that the described embodiments of the turbocharger and the components of the wastegate actuator mechanism according to the present invention are merely exemplary and are not to be interpreted as restricting the scope of protection defined in the claims in any way. The person skilled in the art will recognize that alternative and equivalent embodiments of the wastegate actuator mechanism can be designed and implemented in practice without deviating from the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0021] Reference is made to the figures in the accompanying drawing sheets. The figures are schematic and therefore not necessarily drawn to scale. Furthermore, identical reference symbols denote identical or similar parts. In the accompanying drawing sheets show Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 schematically a turbocharger according to an embodiment of the invention; shows Fig. 3 schematically a section of an embodiment of a wastegate actuator mechanism of a wastegate system of the turbocharger; shows Fig. 4 schematically an embodiment of a connecting plate of the wastegate actuator mechanism; shows Fig. 5 schematically an embodiment of a bushing that is included in the wastegate actuator mechanism; shows Fig. 6 schematically an alternative embodiment of the socket; shows Fig. 7 schematically a section of an arrangement of a connecting plate and a socket, wherein the socket is located in an eye of the connecting plate; is Fig. 8 an enlarged view of a detail of Fig. 7; illustrative Fig. 9 a closed arrangement of the connecting plate and the socket; shows Fig. 10 schematically an embodiment of a sleeve contained in the wastegate actuator mechanism; shows Fig. 11 schematically an arrangement of a lever plate, a pin and a sleeve of the wastegate actuator system; and illustrative Fig. 12 a closed arrangement of the pin and the sleeve. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXECUTION FORMS

[0022] Fig. 1 and Fig. Figure 2 schematically shows a turbocharger 100 according to one embodiment of the invention. The general design of the turbocharger 100 is comparable to general designs of commonly known turbochargers and is therefore only briefly explained in this text.

[0023] The turbocharger 100 comprises a turbine wheel housed in a turbine casing 110 and a compressor wheel housed in a compressor casing 120. The turbine wheel and compressor wheel are connected to each other via a rotating shaft to allow integral rotation. An inlet 130 of the turbocharger 100 can be connected to an exhaust gas outlet of an internal combustion engine. During operation, an incoming exhaust gas flow causes the connected turbine wheel and compressor wheel to rotate. The compressor wheel compresses the air, and the resulting compressed air is discharged through an outlet 140 of the turbocharger 100, which can be connected to an air inlet of the internal combustion engine.

[0024] The turbocharger 100 comprises a wastegate system 200, which provides a bypass path for the incoming exhaust gas flow and includes a valve located in the bypass path and a wastegate actuator mechanism 300 for controlling the valve's position. For example, if the engine emits an excessive amount of exhaust gas, the wastegate actuator mechanism 300 is operated to open the valve, allowing only a portion or all of the exhaust gas to bypass the turbine wheel. This prevents an excessive increase in turbine speed and keeps the boost pressure within limits.

[0025] In the illustrated embodiment, the wastegate actuator mechanism 300 comprises a lever plate 330 coupled to the valve, an actuator 340 arranged on the compressor housing 120, and an elongated connecting plate 310 extending from the actuator 340 to the lever plate 330, the connecting plate 310 being coupled to the lever plate 330 by engaging a pin 320 attached to the lever plate 330. The actuator 340 may also include a lever plate, as is the case in the illustrated embodiment. The pin 320 extends partially through an eye 311 provided in the connecting plate 310, and the connecting plate 310 and the pin 320 are rotatable relative to each other about an axis of rotation R extending in the longitudinal direction of the pin 320. During operation, the connecting plate 310 serves to transmit a drive force from the actuator 340 to the valve.

[0026] With reference to Fig. It should be noted that the wastegate actuator mechanism 300 further comprises a sliding assembly 400, which is arranged between the connecting plate 310 and the pin 320 at the position of the eye 311 of the connecting plate 310. The sliding assembly 400 comprises a bushing 410, which is fixedly connected to the connecting plate 310, and a sleeve 420, which is fixedly connected to the pin 320, wherein an inner surface 413 of the bushing 410 and an outer surface 424 of the sleeve 420 are in sliding contact. Advantageously, the bushing 410 and the sleeve 420 are made of a hard / durable material such as tungsten carbide, whereas the connecting plate 310 and the pin 320 may be made of a different, less durable material such as stainless steel.

[0027] Fig. Figure 4 illustrates the option that the connecting plate 310 is provided with a bushing 410 in each of its two eyes 311. This implies that a sliding assembly 400, comprising a bushing 410 and a sleeve 420, can also be used at the position of the actuator 340.

[0028] Fig. Figure 5 schematically shows an embodiment of the bushing 410. The bushing 410 is generally annular and has a generally circular inner circumference as well as a generally circular outer circumference. It is emphasized first that the bushing 410 has a smooth inner surface 413 configured to serve as one of two cooperating sliding contact surfaces of the sliding arrangement 400. It is noted secondly that the bushing 410 is provided with chamfered outer edges 412 at each of its two axial ends and recessed sections 411 arranged in the respective chamfered outer edges 412. In each of the respective chamfered outer edges 412, the recessed sections 411 are distributed on the bushing 410 in a circumferential direction in a regular pattern such that the circumferential distance between any two adjacent recessed sections 411 is the same. In the Fig. In the embodiment of bushing 410 shown in section 5, the recessed sections 411 comprise notches. Fig. Figure 6 schematically shows an alternative embodiment of the bushing 410 to illustrate the fact that the recessed sections 411 may further comprise grooves extending along an outer surface 414 of the bushing 410 in the longitudinal direction.

[0029] As mentioned above, in the wastegate actuator mechanism 300, the socket 410 is permanently connected to the connecting plate 310. With reference to the Fig. 7, Fig. 8 and Fig. 9 and with reference to the above description of the in Fig. In relation to the embodiment of the bushing 410 shown in Figure 5, a practical way in which the rigid connection can be realized is now explained. It is noted that it is important to have the rigid connection in order to prevent (micro-)movements between the bushing 410 and the connecting plate 310 in both the circumferential and longitudinal directions.

[0030] According to the invention, the bushing 410 is pressed into an eye 311 of the connecting plate 310 during an assembly process of the wastegate actuator mechanism 300. The bushing 410 is dimensioned to fit snugly into the eye 311 of the connecting plate 310. The outer diameter of the bushing 410 can be selected to be equal to or only slightly larger than the inner diameter of the eye 311. Furthermore, the connecting plate 310 is designed with special circumferential deformation zones A, B, wherein an entry deformation zone A is located at a transition position between one of the main body surfaces 312, 313 of the connecting plate 310 and the inner surface 314 of the eye 311, and wherein a stop deformation zone B is located at a transition position between the other of the main body surfaces 312, 313 of the connecting plate 310 and the inner surface 314 of the eye 311. The stop deformation area B comprises a machined peripheral stop edge 315.

[0031] When the bushing 410 is pressed into the eye 311, this occurs from the side of the connecting plate 310 where the entry deformation area A is located. The movement of the bushing 410 is stopped when the chamfered outer edge 412 of the bushing 410, which is located at the front in the direction of movement of the bushing 410, reaches the stop edge 315. Under the influence of the pressure exerted on the bushing 410, the stop edge 315 is deformed, and the formation of bulges of material 316 of the connecting plate 310 is induced at the location of the recessed sections 411 of the bushing 410 by the flow of material from the connecting plate 310 at the location of the stop edge 315 into the recessed sections 411 of the bushing 410.Furthermore, at the position of the deformation area A, the formation of bulges in material 316 of the connecting plate 310 is induced by applying pressure to the deformation area A using a suitable pressing tool, thereby displacing material of the connecting plate 310 radially inwards in one direction. As a result of this displacement of material, a circumferential recess 317 is formed in the deformation area A. Due to the bulges of material 316 of the connecting plate 310, which are accommodated in the recessed sections 411 of the bushing 410, relative movement of the connecting plate 310 and the bushing 410 is prevented at both axial ends of the bushing 410, both circumferentially and longitudinally.

[0032] Fig. Figure 10 schematically shows an embodiment of the sleeve 420. The sleeve 420 is generally annular and has a generally circular inner circumference as well as a generally circular outer circumference. It is emphasized that the sleeve 420 has a smooth outer surface 424, which is configured to serve as one of two cooperating sliding contact surfaces of the sliding arrangement 400. Advantageously, the outer surface 424 has a slightly convexly curved outline in the longitudinal direction, so that sliding contact between the sleeve 420 and the bushing 410 takes place along defined, more or less central sections of the outer surface 424 of the sleeve 420 and the inner surface 413 of the bushing 410. Secondly, it is noted that the inner surface 425 of the sleeve 420 tapers at the position of a widened section 423 of the sleeve 420, which is intended to surround a conical section 321 of the pin 320, shaped like a truncated cone, as shown in Fig. 11 and Fig. Figure 12 shows that the sleeve 420 is provided with recessed sections 421 in its inner surface 425. The recessed sections 421 are distributed on the sleeve 420 in a circumferential direction in a regular pattern, such that the circumferential distance between any two adjacent recessed sections 421 is the same. In the Fig. In the embodiment of the sleeve 420 shown in Figure 10, the recessed sections 421 comprise notches extending along a considerable portion of the sleeve 420, as can be seen in the longitudinal direction. Furthermore, the sleeve 420 is provided with points 422 arranged such that they project inwards from the inner surface 425 of the sleeve 420.

[0033] As mentioned above, in the wastegate actuator mechanism 300, the sleeve 420 is rigidly connected to the pin 320. A practical way in which this rigid connection can be achieved will now be explained. It should be noted that it is important to have this rigid connection in order to prevent (micro-)movements between the sleeve 420 and the pin 320 in both the circumferential and longitudinal directions.

[0034] According to the invention, the sleeve 420 is arranged on the pin 320 during an assembly process of the wastegate actuator mechanism 300, while the pin 320 is in a manufacturing state in which the pin 320 is not yet provided without the end section 322 with enlarged diameter, as shown in Fig. 11 and Fig. Figure 12 shows that, as proposed above, a correct position of the sleeve 410 on the pin 320 includes the widened section 423 of the sleeve 420 surrounding the conical section 321 of the pin 320. The combination of the pin 320 and the sleeve 420, mounted on the pin 320, is then positioned relative to the lever plate 330, with a section of the pin 320 being inserted through an eye of the lever plate 330. A fixed configuration of the pin 320, the sleeve 420, and the lever plate 330 is achieved in a process of forming the end section 322 with an increased diameter under the influence of pressure, i.e., in a riveting process of the pin 320. As a result of the riveting process, a configuration is obtained in which the lever plate 330 and the sleeve 420 are clamped between the end section 322 of the pin 320 on one side and the conical section 321 of the pin 320 on the other side.During the riveting process, the material of the pin 320 is deformed, and the formation of bulges in the material 323 of the pin 320 is induced at the position of the recessed sections 421 of the sleeve 420 by the flow of material from the pin 320 into these recessed sections 421. Additionally, the tips 422 of the sleeve 420 penetrate the material of the pin 320.

[0035] Due to the protrusions made of material 323 of the pin 320, which are accommodated in the recessed sections 421 of the sleeve 420, relative movement of the pin 320 and the sleeve 420 in a circumferential direction is prevented. Further fixing is achieved because the points 422 of the sleeve 420 penetrate the material of the pin 320. The widened section 423 of the sleeve 420, which surrounds the conical section 321 of the pin 320, provides a configuration adapted to compensate for differences in thermal expansion between the sleeve 420 and the pin 320. During operation, the pin 320 expands both longitudinally and radially. At the position of the conical outer surface 324, this expansion transmits a force from the pin 320 to the sleeve 420.The cone angle of the conical section 321 of the pin 320 and the widened section 423 of the sleeve 420 can be selected so that in situations involving a temperature increase, the pin 320 is not overstressed, thus preventing deformation of the material of the pin 320 under the influence of contact with the sleeve 420.

[0036] For the sake of clarity, it should be noted that in the above-described process of inserting the bushing 410 into the eye 311 of the connecting plate 310, the relatively soft material of the connecting plate 310 is locally displaced and deformed, while the relatively hard material of the bushing 410 retains its original shape, and that in the above-described process of inserting the sleeve 420 onto the pin 320, the relatively soft material of the pin 320 is locally displaced and deformed, while the relatively hard material of the sleeve 420 retains its original shape.

[0037] It is a practical way to use a washer 426 between the sleeve 420 and the lever plate 330, as in the Fig. 11 and Fig. Figure 12 shows that in such a case, a stack of the lever plate 330, the washer 426, and the sleeve 420 is clamped between the end section 322 of the pin 320 on one side and the conical section 321 of the pin 320 on the other side. Advantages associated with the use of a washer 426 include a reduction in longitudinal thermal expansion differences and a way to save the relatively expensive material of the sleeve 420 by reducing the longitudinal dimension of the sleeve 420.

[0038] It follows from the foregoing that, according to the invention, the combination of the bushing 410 and the connecting plate 310 and the combination of the sleeve 420 and the pin 320 can be designed such that, during the assembly of the respective combinations, a firm connection is achieved on the basis that material of one component is deformed in a predetermined manner when the other component is placed in / on the first component, wherein the second component is provided with recessed sections 411, 421 for receiving protrusions of material 316, 323 from the first component, and wherein it is further possible that the first component is provided with specific deformation features such as the aforementioned stop edge 315 of the connecting plate 310.Although good fixing results can be achieved based on the closed configuration, which includes the recessed sections 411, 421 and the protrusions made of material 316, 323, the invention does not preclude the application of additional fixing measures, such as the use of a locking pin arranged to extend through both of the components to be firmly connected. Furthermore, it may be advantageous if both the combination of the bushing 410 and the connecting plate 310 and the combination of the sleeve 420 and the pin 320 include the closed configuration based on the fact that protrusions made of material 316, 323 are accommodated in recessed sections 411, 421; however, this does not alter the fact that the invention also covers the option of applying such a closed configuration to only one of the respective combinations.

[0039] It will be clear to a person skilled in the art that the scope of protection of the present invention is not limited to the examples discussed above, but that several changes and modifications thereof are possible without deviating from the scope of protection of the present invention as defined by the appended claims. In particular, combinations of specific features from different aspects of the invention can be produced. One aspect of the invention can be further advantageously improved by adding a feature described in relation to another aspect of the invention. While the present invention has been illustrated and described in detail in the figures and the description, such illustration and description are to be regarded merely as illustrative or exemplary and not as limiting.

[0040] The present invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments. Variations in the disclosed embodiments can be understood and implemented by a person skilled in the art when implementing the claimed invention by examining the figures, the description, and the appended claims. In the claims, the word "comprising" does not exclude other steps or elements, and the indefinite article "a" does not exclude multiple steps or elements. The mere fact that certain measures are listed in different dependent claims does not indicate that a combination of these measures cannot be used advantageously. Reference numerals in the claims should not be interpreted as limiting the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0041] Notable aspects of the invention are summarized below. The invention relates to a wastegate actuator mechanism 300 comprising an elongated connecting plate 310 and a pin 320 attached to a lever plate 330. The pin 320 extends partially through an eye 311 provided in the connecting plate 310, and the connecting plate 310 and the pin 320 are rotatable relative to each other about an axis of rotation R extending in the longitudinal direction of the pin 320. The wastegate actuator mechanism 300 further comprises a sliding arrangement 400, which is arranged between the connecting plate 310 and the pin 320 at the position of the eye 311 of the connecting plate 310 and which comprises a bushing 410, which is fixedly connected to the connecting plate 310, and a sleeve 420, which is fixedly connected to the pin 320, wherein an inner surface 413 of the bushing 410 and an outer surface 424 of the sleeve 420 are in sliding contact.At an interface between the bushing 410 and the connecting plate 310, the bushing 410 is provided with recessed sections 411, and protrusions made of material 316 of the connecting plate 310, which were formed under pressure during the assembly of the bushing 410 and the connecting plate 310, are received in the recessed sections 411. Additionally or alternatively, at an interface between the sleeve 420 and the pin 320, the sleeve 420 is provided with recessed sections 421, and protrusions made of material 323 of the pin 320, which were formed under pressure during the assembly of the sleeve 420 and the pin 320, are received in the recessed sections 421.With regard to the assembly of the wastegate actuator mechanism 300, this implies a process of firmly connecting the bushing 410 to the connecting plate 310 by pressing the bushing 410 into the eye 311 of the connecting plate 310 and allowing material of the connecting plate 310 to deform and thereby be received in recessed sections 411 of the bushing 410, and / or a process of firmly connecting the sleeve 420 to the pin 320 by arranging the sleeve 420 on the pin 320 and allowing material of the pin 320 to deform and be received in recessed sections 421 of the sleeve 420, in a process of forming an end section 322 with an increased diameter on the pin 320. Reference symbol list 100 turbochargers 110 turbine housings 120 compressor housings 130 Turbocharger inlet 140 Turbocharger outlet 200 Wastegate System 300 wastegate actuator mechanism 310 Connecting plate 311 Eye of the connecting plate 312, 313 Main body surfaces of the connecting plate 314 Inner surface of the eye 315 Stop edge 316 protrusions made of the connecting plate material 317 Extent 320 pen 321 conical section of the pin 322 End section of the pen 323 protrusions made of the pen's material 324 Outer surface of the pen 330 Lever plate 340 actuator 400 sliding arrangement 410 socket 411 recessed sections of the socket 412 beveled outer edge 413 Inner surface of the socket 414 Outer surface of the socket 420 sleeve 421 recessed sections of the sleeve 422 peaks 423 widened section of the sleeve 424 Outer surface of the sleeve 425 Inner surface of the sleeve 426 Washer A Entry deformation area B Stop deformation area R axis of rotation

Claims

[1] Connecting plate (310) and socket (410) configured to be included in a wastegate actuator mechanism (300) of a wastegate system (200) of a turbocharger (100), wherein the material of the bushing (410) has a higher hardness than the material of the connecting plate (310), wherein the bushing (410) is pressed into an eye (311) of the connecting plate (310), and wherein the connecting plate (310) and the bushing (410) are configured to prevent relative movement of the connecting plate (310) and the bushing (410) in a circumferential direction and / or in a longitudinal direction by exerting pressure on a deformation area (A) of the connecting plate (310) and formed bulges of material (316) of the connecting plate (310). [2] Connecting plate (310) and bushing (410) according to claim 1, wherein the bushing (410) is pressed into the eye (311) of the connecting plate (310) to prevent a relative movement of the connecting plate (310) and the bushing (410) in a circumferential direction. [3] Connecting plate (310) and bushing (410) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the connecting plate (310) and the bushing (410) are configured to prevent a relative movement of the connecting plate (310) and the bushing (410) in the longitudinal direction by exerting pressure on the deformation area (A) of the connecting plate (310) and formed protrusions of material (316) of the connecting plate (310). [4] Connecting plate (310) and bushing (410) according to any one of claims 1-3, wherein the connecting plate (310) and the bushing (410) are configured to prevent relative movement of the connecting plate (310) and the bushing (410) in a longitudinal direction by exerting pressure on a deformation area (A) of the connecting plate (310) and formed protrusions of material (316) of the connecting plate (310), wherein the protrusions of material (316) of the connecting plate (310) are formed after the bushing (410) is pressed into the eye (311) of the connecting plate (310) to prevent relative movement of the connecting plate (310) and the bushing (410) in a circumferential direction. [5] Connecting plate (310) and bushing (410) according to one of claims 1-4, wherein at an interface of the bushing (410) and the connecting plate (310) the bushing (410) has recessed sections (411) and the protrusions made of material (316) of the connecting plate (310) are received in the recessed sections (411). [6] Connecting plate (310) and socket (410) according to claim 5, wherein the protrusions made of material (316) of the connecting plate (310) and the recessed sections (411) of the socket (410) are configured to prevent a relative movement of the connecting plate (310) and the socket (410) in a circumferential direction. [7] Connecting plate (310) and bushing (410) according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the recessed sections (411) are distributed on the bushing (410) in a circumferential direction. [8] Connecting plate (310) and bushing (410) according to one of claims 5-7, wherein the recessed sections (411) of the bushing (410) comprise notches. [9] Connecting plate (310) and bushing (410) according to one of claims 1-8, wherein the bushing (410) is locked in the longitudinal direction between protrusions made of material (316) of the connecting plate (310) located at two axial ends of the bushing (410). [10] Connecting plate (310) and bushing (410) according to one of claims 5-9, wherein the recessed sections (411) of the bushing comprise grooves extending along an outer surface (414) of the bushing (410) in the longitudinal direction. [11] A wastegate system (200) of a turbocharger (100) comprising a connecting plate (310) and a bushing (410) according to any one of claims 1-10, configured to be contained in a wastegate actuator mechanism (300). [12] Turbocharger (100) comprising a wastegate system (200) including a connecting plate (310) and a bushing (410) according to any one of claims 1-10, configured to be contained in a wastegate actuator mechanism (300). [13] Bushing (410) configured to be contained in a wastegate actuator mechanism (300) of a wastegate system (200) of a turbocharger (100) to be pressed into an eye (311) of a connecting plate (310) of the wastegate actuator mechanism (300), wherein the material of the bushing (410) has a higher hardness than the material of the connecting plate (310), wherein the bushing (410) is configured to prevent relative movement with the connecting plate (310) in a circumferential direction and / or in a longitudinal direction by exerting pressure on a deformation area (A) of the connecting plate (310) and formed protrusions of material (316) of the connecting plate (310). [14] Bushing (410) according to claim 13, wherein the bushing (410) is pressed into the eye (311) of the connecting plate (310) to prevent relative movement with the connecting plate (310) in a circumferential direction. [15] Bushing (410) according to claim 13 or 14, wherein the bushing (410) is configured to prevent relative movement with the connecting plate (310) in the longitudinal direction by exerting pressure on the deformation area (A) of the connecting plate (310) and formed protrusions of material (316) of the connecting plate (310). [16] Bushing (410) according to one of claims 13-15, wherein the bushing (410) is configured to prevent relative movement with the connecting plate (310) in the longitudinal direction by exerting pressure on a deformation area (A) of the connecting plate (310) and formed protrusions of material (316) of the connecting plate (310), wherein the protrusions of material (316) of the connecting plate (310) are formed after the bushing (410) is pressed into the eye (311) of the connecting plate (310) to prevent relative movement with the connecting plate (310) in a circumferential direction. [17] Bushing (410) according to one of claims 13-16, wherein at an interface of the bushing (410) and the connecting plate (310) the bushing (410) has recessed sections (411) and the protrusions made of material (316) of the connecting plate (310) are received in the recessed sections (411). [18] Bushing (410) according to claim 17, wherein the protrusions made of material (316) of the connecting plate (310) and the recessed sections (411) of the bushing are configured to prevent relative movement of the connecting plate (310) and the bushing (410) in the circumferential direction. [19] Bushing (410) according to claim 17 or 18, wherein the recessed sections (411) are distributed on the bushing (410) in a circumferential direction. [20] Bushing (410) according to one of claims 17-19, wherein the recessed sections (411) of the bushing (410) comprise notches. [21] Bushing (410) according to one of claims 17-20, wherein the recessed sections (411) of the bushing comprise grooves extending along an outer surface (414) of the bushing (410) in the longitudinal direction.

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