Gear motor with improved compactness

Abstract

The present invention relates to an actuator for positioning a pivoting member comprising a housing (100) provided with a base (105) closed by a cover (106) housing a single electric motor (110), the shaft (124) of the rotor (113) of which carries a pinion (141) driving an output shaft (127) by means of a multistage reduction gear train (120), the housing (100) having, on its side faces (101, 102), attachment means, characterised in that the attachment means comprise guide means (400, 450) that run parallel on either side of the housing (100) and can engage with a complementary means (370, 380) of a support (340) by elastically deforming the guide means (400, 450) of the housing (100) or of the complementary means (370, 380) of the support (340), the guide means (400, 450) being connected by transverse links (402, 452) to the base (105) of the housing; - the side edges (11, 12; 13, 14) of the guide means (400, 450) defining a virtual shell (161); - the centre of gravity (156) of the actuator (1) being located inside the virtual shell (161) or at a distance from this virtual shell that is less than 10% of the length (L) of the actuator (1).

Description

Geared motor with improved compactness Field of invention

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of geared motors, and more particularly to geared motors intended for automotive applications, involving great robustness and a design limiting maintenance and bulk. Such geared motors usually comprise an electromagnetic part, with a permanent magnet rotor and a wound stator, controlled by an electronic circuit. A gear train transmits the movement of the rotor to an output shaft.

[0002] Such actuators are intended in particular for the positioning of moving parts, in particular for vehicles, such as flaps or vanes for distributing or directing air flow in heating, ventilation and air conditioning circuits. Such circuits are particularly present in vehicle air conditioning systems, for example the air conditioning unit, the ducts leading to the passenger compartment or even directly on the grilles of the passenger compartment air vents, but can also be considered in any context of air flow management, for example in radiator grilles for regulating the air flow in the engine compartment. One of the challenges is to reduce the size while maintaining sufficient engine torque. State of the art

[0003] Known in the prior art is patent US2019337387 describing a stepper instrument panel needle motorization device that includes a motor main body that applies a rotational driving force to a rotating body; a motor housing housing the motor main body; and a motor base plate holding the motor housing. The motor base plate has: a mounting surface on which the motor main body is mounted via the motor housing; a locking surface on the side opposite the mounting surface; and locking holes penetrating between the mounting surface and the locking surface. The motor housing has locking arms and locking hooks.The locking arms are inserted into the locking holes in an elastically deformed state in which the locking arms are extended diagonally with respect to the mounting surface and the locking surface. The locking hooks form contact surfaces that extend diagonally with respect to the mounting surface and the locking surface; and are locked to the motor base plate in a state in which the contact surfaces are caused to come into contact with locking wedge sections formed by the locking surface and the locking holes in the motor base plate.

[0004] Also known is JP2012220442, which discloses a device for driving instrument panel needles having a locking claw inserted into a mounting hole formed in the mounting plate, such that locking is performed at the edge on the rear side of the mounting plate by the elastic force of the locking claw. The rear side of the locking claw in the direction of insertion into the mounting hole is a tapered locking portion in which the amount of protrusion gradually increases forward in the insertion direction. The locking portion is formed of a plurality of steps that can be engaged with the edge of the mounting plate.The mounting plate is locked onto the locking claw in a state where a corner constituting the step portion is in contact with the rear surface of the mounting plate in which the edge portion of the mounting hole is engaged with any step portion.

[0005] Patent EP1880172 describes an actuator solution for measurement indicators for a dashboard or instrument of a vehicle, comprising a housing, a first measurement means transforming a first electrical measurement signal into a first mechanical signal, a means for transmitting this first mechanical signal to a first shaft responsible for transmitting a first measurement indication, a second measurement means transforming a second electrical measurement signal into a second mechanical signal, and a means for transmitting this second mechanical signal to a second shaft responsible for transmitting a second measurement indication, said first shaft being hollow and being arranged coaxially around said second central shaft, characterized in that the hollow shaft is supported and guided by a first bearing comprising an external cylindrical surface of a guide reel arranged on a guide bridge rigidly mounted on the housing,the guide reel being inserted into the hollow shaft at one end of said shaft. The guide reel comprises an axial through-cavity for the free passage of the central shaft through the guide reel, the bore diameter of said axial through-hole being greater than the outside diameter of the central shaft at this location. A second bearing formed by an inner surface of a tubular extension of the housing extends from an outer face of the actuator towards the free end of the hollow shaft. This device comprises two independent actuators driving concentric output shafts. The motors and the reduction chain are symmetrical, so that the center of gravity is unambiguously located for the person skilled in the art not at the center of one of the motors but near the output shafts and in the virtual envelope formed by the clips.,

[0006] Also known is patent JP2001317970 which describes a device for driving instrument panel needles which comprises a rotor for driving an output shaft, a stator, a coil attached to the stator and a housing member accommodating the rotor, the stator and the coil. The output shaft has one end which protrudes from the upper surface of the housing member to fix a pointer, and the other end is located on the same plane as the lower surface of the housing member or protrudes from the lower surface.

[0007] The dashboard needle motorization devices described in the aforementioned documents are intended to move the driven needle to a precise position and with high dynamics, this positioning does not require providing a large torque. It is therefore essential to minimize inertial effects and therefore to opt for plastic gears. The actuator housing is also made of plastic for reasons of cost and weight, two key values ​​in the automotive sector. Only the electric motor has a large proportion of metal parts, and heavy ones, distributed at the level of the coils, the ferromagnetic stator and the rotor magnet.

[0008] Also known is US2017016647 which describes an air conditioning apparatus which is provided with an air conditioning housing having an air passage through which an air conditioning flow flows, the air conditioning housing being molded by means of a mold, and a mounted component attached to an outer surface of the air conditioning housing. The mounted component is provided with a plate-shaped protruding piece which protrudes from a housing main body of the mounted component, the protruding piece having a positioning hole therethrough. The air conditioning housing is provided with a holding piece which protrudes from the outer surface and engages with the protruding piece, and a positioning pin protruding from the outer surface, the positioning pin being inserted through the positioning hole.The holding piece is provided with a leg portion protruding from the outer surface, the leg portion being capable of elastic deformation, and an engagement portion extending curvedly from a distal end portion of the leg portion and engaging the protruding piece in a section closer to the distal end than the positioning hole.

[0009] Patent WO2011023500 is also known, which describes a housing device for housing and fixing a motor, in particular a stepper motor, comprising a housing and at least three housing elements cooperating with the housing of the motor in order to fix the latter in a defined position, the housing elements being arranged on a base plate and being respectively composed of a housing rod and a mounting element arranged in the immediate vicinity of the mounting rod.

[0010] Patent WO2019068784 is also known, which describes a geared motor formed of a housing, comprising an electric motor comprising a stator assembly and a rotor driving a reduction gear train having a plurality of intermediate stages each formed of an axis coupled to a toothed wheel and a toothed pinion, and an output stage formed of an axis coupled to a wheel and a coupling member, the axes of the rotor, of said intermediate stages and of said output wheel being parallel, said geared motor further comprising a printed circuit positioned transversely above said stator. Said wheel of the output stage is positioned above a portion of said stator, the axes of said intermediate stages being located in the area of ​​the housing located on the opposite side, relative to a transverse vertical plane, of the area comprising the axis of said rotor and the axis of said output wheel. Disadvantages of the prior art

[0011] The prior art solutions are not entirely satisfactory because mounting the actuator on its support requires delicate operations, often in cramped environments with little space for access by a tool, and involving the use of screws or rivets which represent a significant cost. Some prior art solutions provide for clipping with angular displacement after positioning, which implies having a clear space around the actuator at the time of its mounting. Other prior art solutions are too bulky to directly drive a member to be moved located in a cramped space and must be connected to it by means of rods, connecting rods, levers or any other mechanical element to transmit a force to a remote element.

[0012] Furthermore, the assembly of the actuator on the support requires rigorous positioning and fixing by screwing or rivets which can lead to a misalignment of the motor shaft with the axis to be driven and in any case requires significant dexterity and time.

[0013] Finally, these actuators are subject to vibrations both from the rotor and from the outside which, in the long run, can lead to premature aging and breakage or release of the fixing system due to the asymmetrical forces experienced by the equipment driven by the actuator.

[0014] It is therefore essential to offer a particularly compact actuator, easy to assemble on its support and optimized with regard to its vibration behavior. Solution provided by the invention

[0015] In order to overcome these drawbacks, the present invention proposes a solution implementing an actuator for positioning a pivoting member, comprising a housing provided with a base closed by a cover enclosing an electric motor whose rotor axis carries a pinion driving an output shaft via a multi-stage gear train reducing movement, said housing having on its lateral faces fixing means characterized in that said fixing means comprise two guide means extending parallel on either side of said housing and capable of engaging with a complementary means of a support by elastic deformation of the guide means of the housing or complementary means of the support, said guide means being connected by transverse links to the base of said housing;the lateral edges of said guide means defining a virtual envelope, the center of gravity of the actuator being located inside said virtual envelope or at a distance from this virtual envelope less than 10% of the length of the actuator.;

[0016] The actuator has a single electric motor.

[0017] In particular, in cross-sectional view, said virtual envelope is occupied to a greater extent by said electric motor.

[0018] In an even more constrained version, in cross-sectional view, the surface of said virtual envelope is occupied at least 80% by said electric motor.

[0019] Alternatively, the center of gravity of said actuator is located inside said virtual envelope.

[0020] In one variant, the guiding means of the housing are elastically deformable blades.

[0021] In another variant, the complementary means of the support are two parallel anchors crossed by a light and in that said blades have a lateral shoulder capable of being fitted respectively into said lights.

[0022] As an alternative to fixing, said lateral faces of the housing have at least one lateral extension crossed by a light oriented along an axis parallel to the output shaft of the actuator and a flat wedging surface, perpendicular to said output axis and capable of coming into abutment against a complementary surface of said support.

[0023] The invention also relates to a mechatronic system formed by equipment having a support for receiving an actuator for positioning a pivoting member and an actuator as described previously and for which said complementary means of the support are two parallel anchors having a means complementary to said engagement means provided on said blades of the actuator for clipping said housing onto said support.

[0024] In particular, said support further has at least one centering finger positioned to engage in the lumen of said lateral extension, said finger having a shoulder to serve as a stop for said extension when the actuator is clipped onto said support.

[0025] The invention also relates to an actuator for positioning a pivoting member, comprising a housing provided with a base closed by a cover enclosing an electric motor whose rotor axis carries a pinion driving an output shaft via a multi-stage gear train reducing movement, characterized in that the internal volume of said housing has a length measured in the largest dimension of said housing, corresponding to the section of the electric motor plus the section of the drive wheel of the output shaft, and a width in the transverse direction, corresponding to the width of the stator of the electric motor, and in that the electric motor and the mobiles of the reducer are distributed in three planes in the axial direction, the intermediate mobiles being located in the envelope of length and width and on two different planes from the plane of the output wheel, so that in the transverse plane of the actuator,the surface area of ​​the motion reducer is less than or equal to the surface area of ​​the electric motor.,

[0026] In particular, the electric motor has a yoke extended radially by three wound teeth arranged consecutively in a first angular sector and in a complementary angular sector having non-wound teeth, the angle formed between two consecutive wound teeth being 60°, the axis of the first wound tooth forming an angle of 20°±5° relative to the longitudinal lateral face of said housing, the yoke having at the level of said first tooth a rectilinear periphery to form a surface complementary to the adjacent surface of said housing.

[0027] In a variant, the motion reduction train comprises a first axis guiding a first upper toothed wheel meshed with the pinion mounted on the axis of the rotor of said motor and a linked pinion positioned at an intermediate level, meshed with a second toothed wheel linked to a third pinion positioned in a lower level and guided by a second axis, said third pinion being meshed with the toothed wheel driving the output shaft.

[0028] In particular, the axes of rotation of the rotor of the first intermediate mobile and of the output wheel are parallel and located in the vicinity of a median plane, said median plane extending in the longitudinal direction of the actuator, the vicinity of the median plane being limited to a distance not exceeding 5% of the width of the actuator.

[0029] Alternatively, the rear face has a connector engaged in the space between the second wound tooth and the third wound tooth.

[0030] In particular, the actuator has an electronic card comprising the means for controlling the coils, said electronic card extending above the electric motor, said connector having parallel conductive pins overmolded by a holding part, said holding part having two cylindrical tenons orthogonal to said pins and capable of being inserted into holes in the electronic card, allowing the connector to be held until it is secured by welding.

[0031] Detailed description of non-limiting examples of implementation

[0032] The present invention will be described in more detail with reference to non-limiting exemplary embodiments specifying the aforementioned advantages and considerations. A more particular description of the invention briefly described above refers to the appended drawings illustrating a non-limiting exemplary embodiment of such an actuator:1a represents a front view of the actuator according to the invention,1a represents a perspective rear view of the actuator according to the invention,1a represents a perspective front view of the actuator according to the invention, from which the cover and electronics have been removed,1a represents a front view of the actuator according to the invention, from which the cover and electronics have been removed,1a represents a front view of the actuator according to the invention, from which the cover, electronics and reducer have been removed,1a represents a perspective front view of the actuator according to the invention from which the cover has been removed,larepresents a front perspective view of the actuator according to the invention,larepresents a sectional view along the transverse plane P1 of the actuator according to the invention,larepresents a longitudinal sectional view of the actuator according to the invention,laandlarepresent a first example of installation of the actuator according to the invention on its support,laandlarepresent a second example of installation of the actuator according to the invention on its support,larepresents a second example of embodiment of the actuator according to the invention, without a clip for its retention,laandlarepresent an example of retention of the stator of the actuator in its housing, before and after riveting of a retention barrel., General principle of the invention

[0033] As can be seen from the various figures, the actuator for positioning a pivoting member described with reference to the attached drawings consists of a housing (100) provided with a base (105) closed by a cover (106).

[0034] The housing (100) contains a single electric motor (110) comprising a stator (111) made of ferromagnetic sheets forming teeth surrounded by coils (112) and a rotor (113) whose axis (124) carries a pinion (141) driving an output shaft (127), or output axis (127), via a multi-stage straight gear train constituting a movement reducer (120).

[0035] The motion reducer (120) transmits the torque from the rotor (113) to an output wheel (123), integral with the output shaft (127), by the involvement of two intermediate mobiles (121, 122), the whole being distributed on three levels in the axial direction. This configuration makes it possible to arrange the reducer (120) in such a way that its surface (163) in the transverse plane of the actuator is equivalent to the surface (162) of the electric motor (110).

[0036] In particular, the rotor (113) and the output wheel (123) are located in the same axial plane and arranged so as to bring the output wheel (123), which is very bulky axially and radially, as close as possible to the stator structure. The intermediate mobiles (121, 122) of the reducer can then be arranged in other axial planes so as to remain within the transverse dimensions of the electric motor (110) or the output wheel (123).

[0037] This gives a very compact solution whose masses are judiciously distributed, so that the center of gravity (156) is located close to the center of the actuator, which gives it particularly interesting vibratory behavior.

[0038] In a so-called intelligent version, the housing (100) also contains an electronic circuit (130) comprising the electronic components for controlling the motor (100). The electronic circuit (130) is provided with a connector (135) for the electrical supply of the actuator and for receiving instructions from the vehicle's ECU. A spring (245) can then provide the electrical connection between the stator yoke (111) and a conductive track provided in the lower part of the electronic circuit (130). Said electronic circuit (130) is placed in the same axial plane as one of the intermediate stages of the motion reducer. This results in a very compact geared motor, the interior volume of which is used to its maximum.

[0039] Alternatively, when the actuator is devoid of intelligence, electrical connections directly connect the coils (112) to the connector (135) which receives the electrical signals from the vehicle's ECU.

[0040] Detailed description of a particular embodiment

[0041] Figures 1 to 9 show a particular embodiment of a compact actuator (1) according to the invention. Figures 1, 2 and 7 are perspective views of the actuator (1) in different orientations, allowing its external characteristics to be appreciated. Figures 3 and 4 show the actuator when the cover and the electronics have been removed, this allowing the electromechanical conversion chain to be better visualized. La is similar to la, the motion reducer having also been removed to better appreciate the integration of the motor in the housing. La represents the actuator with the cover open and the electronics connected to the electric motor. La represents a section along the plane (P1), visible in, of the actuator (1). La represents a longitudinal section along the plane (155), passing through the axes (124, 125) respectively of the rotor (113) and the first mobile (121).

[0042] The actuator (1) consists of a housing (100) having openings on its two main faces for the passage of the coupling means.

[0043] In the example described, the coupling means is a single, cylindrical output part, having a central channel (128) opening at both ends.

[0044] For some applications, the coupling means could only open on one side.

[0045] The mechanical interface between the member to be controlled (for example: a shutter) and the electric actuator is generally achieved by a male shaft, on the shutter side, which is inserted into the central channel (128) of a female output shaft (127) of the actuator (1). The mechanical interface must be capable of transmitting the torque generated by the actuator. In order to be compatible with a large number of systems of members to be driven, the actuator may have a different output interface on each side of the actuator.

[0046] The sizing of the electric motor and the gear train of the actuator according to the invention makes it possible to manage dynamic torques of the order of 25N.cm in nominal operation. The output interface is an output member opening on each side of the hollow shaft actuator, because the female imprint crosses the axial entirety of the actuator (1).

[0047] In this non-limiting example, at least the terminal portion of the median channel (128) has an octagonal area in the shape of an eight-pointed star formed by two squares. This area could have other known configurations for allowing the transmission of a rotational torque, for example a polygonal, oval or crenellated internal section.

[0048] It is thus possible to couple different coupling shafts without having to change the actuator, or to drive two coupling shafts, for example to drive two control members located on either side of the housing.

[0049] The housing has a connector (135) surrounding the electrical terminations (136) intended to receive the electrical power supply and the control information, as well as positioning and fixing ears, called in the rest of the document lateral extensions (300, 310, 320).

[0050] As more particularly visible in figures 3 to 6, 8 and 9, the housing (100) integrates an electric motor (110) electrically and mechanically connected to an electronic circuit (130).

[0051] The motor (100) has a structure as described in the applicant's patent application FR2106266. It comprises a stator (111) formed by an assembly of cut sheets having 6 teeth (114, 115, 116, 117, 118, 119), three of which carry a coil (112), and a rotor having N pairs of magnetized poles (preferably radially or festooned) in alternating directions. The windings are placed around the three long teeth (114, 115, 116) which makes it possible to obtain the maximum torque per ampere-turn of the motor. The median axes of the wound teeth respectively form a mechanical angle of 60° two by two.Thus, one of these wound teeth (114) is oriented substantially perpendicular to one of the longitudinal lateral faces (101) of the housing, the next wound tooth (115) being oriented at an angle of 60° relative to the first wound tooth (114) to extend in a substantially diagonal direction, and the third wound tooth (116) forming an angle of approximately 60° relative to the previous wound tooth (115) to extend in a direction substantially perpendicular to the transverse lateral wall (103), aligned with the fixing point (320). The teeth (117, 118, 119) are distributed in an angular sector (. ) located between the third wound tooth (116) and the first wound tooth (114), as more particularly visible in figure 4. The teeth (117, 118, 119) not carrying coils, only serve to convey the magnetic flux towards the rotor from a peripheral belt of the yoke (170) and can therefore be very short, so as to limit as much as possible the size of the stator in the angular sector ( ). Thus, in the angular sector ( ), the maximum extent of the stator (111), taken from the axis (124) of rotation of the rotor, is approximately equal to the diameter of the rotor (113). Said rotor (113) typically has a diameter of 12mm and comprises permanent magnets of the NdFeB type (typical remanence of 0.75T). The electric motor (110) thus occupies a restricted space in the housing, which makes it possible to house the movement reducer (120) in a housing of small dimensions by arranging the first intermediate mobile (121) of the gear train as close as possible to the rotor (113) by spreading in the angular sector devoid of coils.

[0052] As more particularly visible in figures 3, 4, 6 and 9, a series of intermediate mobiles (121, 122) with parallel axes, constituting a movement reduction train (120), transmits the movement of the rotor (113) of the electric motor (110) to the output wheel (123). The reducer (120) comprises a succession of mobiles (121, 122, 123), the output wheel (123) also being considered as such. The transmission ratio is typically between 1:100 and 1:200, and is in particular 1:145 in the embodiment presented.

[0053] This parallel-axis gear train consists of 3 reduction stages, produced by the cooperation of mobiles (121, 122, 123) distributed longitudinally in the axis of the actuator (1), in a footprint of the housing (100) of size equivalent or almost equivalent to that of the motor (110). For reasons of compactness, it is advantageous in straight-shaft reducers to limit the number of mobiles (121, 122, 123) to be arranged in the plane. Indeed, the greater the number of mobiles (121, 122, 123), the greater the size of the toothed wheels of the mobiles must increase to offer an equivalent reduction ratio from one stage to another while supporting the increase in the torque to be transmitted. We observe an exponential increase in the size with the number of integrated mobiles. This law results in a significant increase in the longitudinal or transverse size of the actuator.An alternative that proves to be effective, and implemented within the framework of this invention, is to limit the number of reduction stages and to opt for a larger motor structure so as not to deteriorate the torque too much. An optimal compromise can be found when the footprint of the motor (162) (hatched by undulations in the), in a plane orthogonal to the axis (124) of rotation, i.e. the deployment plane of the reduction stages, has a surface very similar to the footprint of the reducer (163) (hatched in the). The term “motor footprint” means the solid surface matching the contours of the electric motor or the reducer in a plane orthogonal to the direction of the axes (124, 125, 126) of the rotor and the reducer.

[0054] More particularly, the output wheel (123) of the motion reducer (120) is located in the same axial plane (150) as the stator stack of the electric motor (110). These two elements are arranged as close as possible in the transverse direction of the actuator and are contained, in this plane, in a rectangular envelope (160) of great length. and width . Said envelope (160) corresponds generally to the dimensions of the housing. The two intermediate mobiles (121, 122) of the reducer (120) are arranged in this envelope and in axial planes (151, 152) of an elevation greater than the axial plane (150) with the bottom of the housing (100) as reference.

[0055] An advantageous size is obtained when the rotor (113), the first mobile (121) and the output wheel (123) have axes (125, 127) aligned along a straight line (155) parallel to the longitudinal direction of the housing (100). This arrangement also has an advantage from the point of view of the vibration behavior of the actuator (1). Indeed, combined with a judiciously oriented stator structure, the straight line (155) on which the axes of rotation (124, 125, 127) are distributed passes close to the center of gravity (156) of the actuator, this makes it possible to make the rotating elements arranged on this axis less sensitive to vibration couplings.This is particularly interesting for the rotor (113) and the first mobile (121), which have a high rotation speed and low inertia, and are elements very sensitive to vibration excitations because they can easily generate shocks between teeth which are sources of new uncontrolled vibrations. This is also interesting for the output wheel (123) which has strong torque variations and therefore high amplitude vibrations, but which is also directly subject to vibrations coming from the member to be driven. Its positioning is therefore crucial to ensure better decoupling with the other mechanical members of the actuator.

[0056] In a slightly more rigorous formulation, it is specified that the output wheel (123), the first mobile (121) and the rotor (113) are arranged in a particular manner, such that their respective axes of rotation (127, 125, 124) are substantially coplanar and located in a plane (153) which is called median. Said median plane (153) extends in the longitudinal direction of the housing (100). By substantially coplanar is meant that the distance between each of the axes (124, 125, 127) and the median plane (153) does not exceed 5% of the width of the housing (100) in the direction orthogonal to said median plane (153).

[0057] As particularly visible in, in this embodiment, the output wheel (123) is constituted by a single part, made of molded plastic material. This single part is constituted by a toothed transmission crown (129) which has on either side cylindrical axial protrusions (148, 149) constituting the output shaft (127). Each of said cylindrical protrusions (148, 149) cooperate respectively with guide zones (108, 109) located in the cover (106) and in the base (105) of the housing (100) so as to form plain bearings. The cylindrical protrusions (148, 149) are crossed by the central channel (128) allowing the coupling of the actuator (1) to the member to be driven.

[0058] The intermediate mobiles (121, 122) are also preferably made of plastic material, they consist of a pinion and a toothed wheel joined together which can be made in a single piece by molding or made separately then assembled.

[0059] With the exception of the output wheel (123), the intermediate wheels (121, 122) of the movement reducer (120) as well as the rotor are guided by metal axles (124, 125, 126) fixed by embedding at one end in the base (105) of the housing (1) and at the other end in the cover (106) of the housing (100).

[0060] Advantageously, the metal shaft (125) of the first intermediate wheel (121) passes through a housing (171) located in the yoke (170) of the stator (111) and its lower face (172) rests on the upper face of the stator (111), said stator then serving as an axial stop to prevent the movement of the intermediate wheel (121) in this direction. This configuration also makes it possible to place the first intermediate reduction wheel (121) as close as possible to the rotor (113). Said housing (171) is located in the angular sector ( ) of the stator (111) without coils, it is then possible to modify the thickness of the yoke (170) to produce said housing (171) without damaging the passage of the magnetic flux at the periphery of this housing and without impacting the size of the stator (111). Fixing the case to a support

[0061] The housing (100) allows different methods of attachment to its support (340). It has three flat lateral extensions (300, 310, 320) pierced by a light (301, 311, 321) oriented parallel to the output shaft (127). Preferably, one of the three lateral extensions (310) is located in the corner (103) of the housing receiving the wound tooth (116) of the stator (111), the stator yoke (170) has at this location a rectilinear periphery (173) orthogonal to the wound tooth (116). As said wound tooth (116) is oriented in a substantially diagonal direction relative to the housing (100), the corner (103) of the housing receiving it can be truncated into a bevel so as to match the contour of the stator yoke (170). This makes it possible to arrange the lateral extension (310), for fixing the housing (100), as an extension of the beveled part so as to minimize the impact of said lateral extension (310) on the size of the actuator (1).

[0062] A second lateral extension (320) is arranged opposite the first lateral extension (310) in the diagonal direction of the housing (100), this opposite part of the housing receiving the output wheel (123) has a circular contour (104) matching the contours of the movement reducer (120). The corner receiving the second lateral extension (320) is therefore clear and makes it possible to integrate said lateral extension (320) while limiting the impact on the size of the actuator (1). The choice of the positioning of this second lateral extension (320) is also motivated to improve the vibration behavior of the actuator (1), in fact its arrangement is such that the straight line passing through the center of the slots (311, 321) of the first and second lateral extensions (310, 320), also passes close to the center of gravity (156) of the actuator. This allows for the best possible balance in the transmission of forces and increases tolerance to vibrations by limiting overhangs.

[0063] For the purpose of fixing by cooperation with the lateral extensions (300, 310, 320), the support (340) may comprise axial protuberances (341, 342, 343) provided with a shoulder (344, 345, 346) and the end (347, 348, 349) of which is capable of engaging in the slots (301, 311, 321) of the lateral extensions (300, 310, 320) until the shoulders (344, 345) abut against the lower plane of the lateral extensions (300, 310, 320). Said ends (347, 348, 349) of the axial protuberances (341, 342, 343) may also be provided with a hole for securing the actuator (1) to the support (340) by screwing or riveting, the screw heads or rivets being placed in abutment against the upper plane (302, 312, 322) of the lateral extensions (300, 310, 320).

[0064] The housing (100) also has guide means (400, 450), in the form of two deformable blades, extending parallel on either side of said housing (100). They are spaced from the corresponding longitudinal lateral face of the housing (100) by a few millimeters, the distance corresponding to the width measured in the transverse plane of the shoulder (401, 451) increased by a clearance of 10% at most of this width. The width of this interval is determined so that the shoulder (401, 451) can be erased during engagement on the support in a direction parallel to the output shaft (127) by a bending of the blade. This interval is also minimized to reduce the lateral size of the actuator.

[0065] The lateral edges of the deformable blades (400, 450) define a virtual envelope (161), delimited by the planes P1 and P2, inside which the center of gravity (156) of said actuator (1) is positioned.

[0066] Furthermore, in transverse view, that is to say in a plane perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the rotor, at least 80% of the surface of this virtual envelope (161) is filled by the electric motor (110) and in particular the metal parts of said motor, further comprising the stator yoke, the coils and the rotor. In order to minimize as much as possible the lateral size of the actuator (1), the stator yoke (170) has a flat (174) in the angular sector ( ) without coils. Said flat (174) is oriented parallel to the longitudinal direction of the housing (1) and makes it possible to create a local recess (107) in which one of the deformable blades (450) extends. This concentration of masses around the fixing points makes it possible to obtain better vibration behavior of the actuator according to the invention.

[0067] The support (340) has a body provided with two complementary recesses (370, 380) provided for the engagement of the shoulders (401, 451) for a “latch” type fixing.

[0068] Alternatively, the support may have two shoulders which fit into slots provided on the deformable blades (400, 450). The deformable blades (400, 450) are respectively connected to the housing by a transverse connection (402, 452).

[0069] Locking the actuator (1) in position using deformable blades (400, 450) constituting the actuator is a preferred configuration for those skilled in the art but is in no way limiting of the invention. These elastic elements are in fact more vulnerable to breakage than the rigid bodies of the support (340) and therefore, in the event of breakage, only the actuator, which is easily removable, would need to be changed. This avoids replacing the support (340) which may include a multitude of actuators (1) and much more complex fixing means. On the other hand, depending on the installation support of the actuator (1), it is envisaged to integrate the elastic and fragile elements into the support rather than into the actuator (1). Positioning the actuator on its support

[0070] In the variant presented in 11, the actuator is positioned on its support using two lateral extensions (300, 320), the lumen (301) of a first lateral extension (300) makes it possible to accommodate an axial protuberance (341), having the shape of a centering finger (341), of the support (340). The actuator can then pivot around this centering finger (341) so as to angularly match the lumen (321) of a second lateral extension (320) with an axial protuberance (343) of the support (340) making it possible, by axial engagement, to eliminate the degree of freedom in rotation. The lumen (321) has an oblong shape so as to be more tolerant of manufacturing tolerances. The support (340) is provided with two parallel anchors crossed by a light (371, 381) constituting the complementary means (370, 380) cooperating with the elastically deformable blades (400, 450) of the housing (100).When the actuator is placed on its support (340) as previously described, the deformable blades (400, 450) engage in the anchors of the support (340). Locking in position is achieved by additional axial engagement allowing the lateral extensions (401, 451) to be inserted into the slots (371, 381). This insertion is achieved by releasing the elastic energy stored in the deformable blades (400, 450) as soon as the upper face of the lateral extensions (401, 451) is located below the upper face of the slots (371, 381) of the support (340). The actuator (1) in place and locked can then be coupled with the member to be driven by axial fitting of the axis of the member to be driven in the central channel (128) of the output shaft (127), this connection having to be tolerant of slight alignment defects inherent in the manufacturing tolerances.The recovery of the forces generated by the torque is then fully supported by the centering finger (342) and by the axial protuberance (343) inserted into the lumen (311) of the second extension (310).

[0071] In another variant, presented in figures 12 and 13, the light (301) of the lateral extension (300) cooperates by engagement with an axial protuberance (341) to ensure good positioning of the mechatronic system with respect to its support (340). The positioning of the mechatronic system on its support (340) comprises a first step of engaging the axis of the member to be driven with the median channel (128) of the output shaft (127), a second step consists of rotating the mechatronic system, around the axis (200) of the member to be driven, so as to make the centering finger (341) of the support angularly correspond with the light (301) of a second lateral extension (300), the mechatronic system can then be engaged axially so as to introduce the finger into the light (301) until a shoulder (344) of the centering finger (341) of the support (340) abuts with a perpendicular wedging surface.The axial final position is then locked by screws or rivets inserted into holes in the axial protrusions (341, 343) and resting on the upper plane (312, 322) of the lateral extensions (300, 310, 320). The torque, generated at the output wheel by reaction of the member to be driven, is taken up by the centering finger (341).

[0072] In other embodiments, the actuator may have only one or the other of the fixing means, namely only the lateral extensions (300, 310, 320) pierced with slots (301, 311, 321), as presented in, or only the deformable blades (400, 450). In the second case, it is possible to further reduce the size of the actuator (1) by removing the lateral extensions (300, 310, 320) in part or in whole, the centering and torque recovery functions supported by these lateral extensions (300, 310, 320) may, for example, be transferred to the rigid base of the deformable blades (400, 450). Compact connector

[0073] In an alternative embodiment presented in, the actuator (1) is provided with an electronic circuit (130) integrating the coil control component (112). This electronic circuit (130) is directly connected to the windings by means of press-fit connectors (131) and extends in a plane located above the electric motor (110). The electronic circuit (130) is provided with a bore (132) to allow the guide shaft (124) of the rotor (113) to pass through the cover (106) of the housing. This therefore requires driving the electronic circuit (130) onto the stator (111) with the stator (111) and the rotor (113) already assembled in the housing (100) or else assembling the electronic circuit (130) onto the stator (111) before inserting the assembly into the housing (100) containing the rotor (113).This solution makes it possible to provide a large surface area on the electronic circuit (130) for arranging the electronic components and facilitating the arrangement of probes for measuring the position of the rotor (113). Alternatively, the rotor (113) could be inserted into the base (105) of the housing (100) after the electronic circuit (130). This would nevertheless require a larger opening in the electronic circuit (130), but may be of interest for facilitating assembly when the arrangement of the components on the electronic card is not a problem.

[0074] The electronic circuit (130) is provided with a connection for receiving its electrical power supply and the control signals or instructions for mobilizing the member to be driven by the actuator (1) via the connector (135). This connection consists of conductive pins (136, 137, 138, 139) connected by a plastic overmolding creating a holding part (140). It is judiciously located in the corner of the housing (133) adjacent to the bordering lateral extension of an electric coil, according to the small width of the housing.

[0075] This arrangement allows the conductive pins (136, 137, 138, 139) to be integrated as much as possible inside the housing (100) so as not to increase the size of the actuator (1). The holding part (140) of the conductive pins (136, 137, 138, 139) is provided with two cylindrical tenons extending in the direction of the guide axis (124) of the rotor (113). These tenons are inserted into holes in the electronic card, in certain cases with a tight fit, so as to ensure the positioning of the connector (135) and its retention until a reflow soldering operation, allowing its final fixing and its electrical connection with the electronic card to be ensured.

[0076] In the embodiment shown in, the conductive pins (136, 137, 138, 139) extend parallel to the electronic card (130) and are welded to the surface of the latter. An alternative envisaged is to provide the end of the conductive pins (136, 137, 138, 139) with a 90° bend to insert them into conductive holes in the electronic card (130) in order to ensure the electrical connection by welding. Fixing the cover to the housing

[0077] As can be seen in, the cover (106) has deformable tabs (201, 202, 203, 204, 205, 206) having a rectangular cutout, complementary to shoulders (211, 212, 213) provided on the housing (100) to allow “toggle” type tightening. The assembly of the cover (106) and the housing (100) is carried out by engaging the cover (106) on the housing (100) in a direction perpendicular to their transverse plane. The tabs (201, 202, 203, 204, 205, 206) are separated by elastic deformation to allow passage over the shoulders respectively (211, 212, 213) until the edge of the cutout abuts on the corresponding shoulder (211, 212, 213).

[0078] Other assembly solutions are possible, for example by laser welding. Inserting the stator into the housing

[0079] Figures 15 and 16 show more particularly the positioning and holding of the stator in the housing (100). For this purpose the stator (111) is provided with a bore (364) and a notch (366) cooperating respectively with a barrel (363) and an axial protuberance (365) of the base (105) of the housing (100). The insertion of the barrel (363) of the base (105) into the bore (364) is done with a dimension-for-dimension adjustment so as to create a precisely located pivot point. In order to ensure a rotational stop around this pivot point the insertion of the axial protuberance (365) into the notch (366) is also done in an adjusted manner to allow the stator (111) to be located very precisely relative to the base (105) in the transverse plane of the housing (100).The axis (124) for guiding the rotor (113) is also ensured by the base (105) of the housing (100) making the location of the rotor (113) with respect to the stator (111) as robust as possible, with respect to manufacturing dispersions, thanks to a minimal chain of dimensions. This base (105) also takes up the different axes (125, 126, 127) of the movement reducer, so as to minimize the location defects of the different components in differential movement, which gives intrinsic robustness of the actuator to variations in vibration behavior linked to manufacturing dispersions.

[0080] As shown, the upper end of the barrel (363) can be riveted to ensure axial retention of the stator. This is particularly beneficial during the process of assembling the printed circuit (130) on the stator (111) which is accompanied by the compression of the grounding spring and which, by reaction, provides a significant force exerted between the base (105) and the electrical circuit (130) attached to the stator (111) by the electrical terminations of the coils. The riveting then makes it possible to temporarily take up these forces until the cover (106) of the housing (100) is closed, said cover having axial protrusions bearing on the upper face of the stator (111).

Claims

Actuator for positioning a pivoting member, comprising a housing (100) provided with a base (105) closed by a cover (106) enclosing an electric motor (110) whose axis (124) of the rotor (113) carries a pinion (141) driving an output shaft (127) via a multi-stage gear train (120), said housing (100) having on its lateral faces (101, 102) fixing means, characterized in that said fixing means comprise two guide means (400, 450) extending parallel on either side of said housing (100) and capable of engaging with a complementary means (370, 380) of a support (340) by elastic deformation of the guide means (400, 450) of the housing (100) or of the complementary means (370, 380) of the support (340), said guide means (400, 450) being connected by transverse links (402, 452) to the base (105) of said housing; the lateral edges (11, 12;13, 14) of said guide means (400, 450) defining a virtual envelope (161), the center of gravity (156) of the actuator (1) being located inside said virtual envelope (161) or at a distance from this virtual envelope less than 10% of the length (; ) of the actuator (1), the actuator (1) comprising a single electric motor (110). Actuator for positioning a pivoting member according to claim 1 characterized in that in transverse view, said virtual envelope (161) is occupied in greater part by said electric motor (110). Actuator for positioning a pivoting member according to claim 1 characterized in that in transverse view, the surface of said virtual envelope (161) is occupied at least 80% by said electric motor (110). Actuator for positioning a pivoting member according to claim 1 characterized in that the center of gravity (156) of said actuator (1) is located inside said virtual envelope (161). Actuator for positioning a pivoting member according to claim 1 characterized in that the guide means (400, 450) of the housing (100) are elastically deformable blades. Actuator for positioning a pivoting member according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the complementary means (370, 380) of the support (340) are two parallel anchors crossed by a light (371, 381) and in that said blades have a lateral shoulder (401, 451) capable of being fitted respectively into said lights (371, 381). Actuator for positioning a pivoting member according to claim 1 characterized in that said lateral faces (101, 102) of the housing (100) have at least one lateral extension (300, 310, 320) crossed by a light (301, 311, 321) oriented along an axis parallel to the output shaft (127) of the actuator (1) and a flat wedging surface, perpendicular to said output axis and capable of coming into abutment against a complementary surface (344, 345, 346) of said support (340). Mechatronic system formed by equipment having a support (340) for receiving an actuator (1) for positioning a pivoting member and an actuator according to claim 1, characterized in that said complementary means (370, 380) of the support (340) are two parallel anchors having a means complementary to said engagement means provided on said blades of the actuator for clipping said housing (100) onto said support (340). Mechatronic system according to the preceding claim, characterized in that said support (340) further has at least one centering finger (342) positioned to engage in the slot (301) of said lateral extension (300), said finger having a shoulder (345) to serve as a stop for said extension when the actuator (1) is clipped onto said support (340). Actuator for positioning a pivoting member, comprising a housing (100) provided with a base (105) closed by a cover (106) enclosing an electric motor (110) whose axis (124) of the rotor (113) carries a pinion (141) driving an output shaft (127) via a multi-stage gear train reducing movement (120), characterized in that the internal volume of said housing (100) has a length ( ) measured in the largest dimension of said housing (100), corresponding to the section of the electric motor (110) plus the section of the drive wheel (123) of the output shaft (127), and a width ( ) in the transverse direction, corresponding to the width of the stator (111) of the electric motor (110), and in that the electric motor (110) and the mobiles (121, 122, 123) of the reducer (120) are distributed according to three planes (150, 151, 152) in the axial direction, the intermediate mobiles (121, 122) being located in the envelope of length ( ) and width ( ) and on two planes (151, 152) different from the plane (150) of the output wheel (123), such that in the transverse plane of the actuator (1), the surface (163) of the movement reducer (120) is less than or equal to the surface (162) of the electric motor (110). Actuator for positioning a pivoting member according to claim 11, characterized in that the electric motor (110) has a yoke (170) extended radially by three wound teeth (114, 115, 116) arranged consecutively in a first angular sector and in an angular sector ( ) complementary having non-wound teeth (117, 118, 119), the angle formed between two consecutive wound teeth (114, 115; 115, 116) being 60°, the axis (175) of the first wound tooth (116) forming an angle of 20°±5° relative to the longitudinal lateral face (101) of said housing (100), the yoke (170) having at the level of said first tooth (116) a rectilinear periphery (173) to form a surface complementary to the adjacent surface of said housing. Actuator for positioning a pivoting member according to claim 1 or 11, characterized in that the movement reduction train (120) comprises a first axis (125) guiding the toothed wheel of a first upper mobile (121) meshed with the pinion (141) mounted on the axis (124) of the rotor of said motor and a linked pinion (142), positioned at an intermediate level, meshed with the toothed wheel (122) of a second mobile linked to a third pinion (143) positioned in a lower level and guided by a second axis (126), said third pinion (143) being meshed with a transmission toothed crown (129) driving the output shaft (127). Actuator for positioning a pivoting member according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the axes of rotation (124, 125, 127) of the rotor (113) of the first intermediate mobile (121) and of the output wheel (123) are parallel and located in the vicinity of a median plane (153), said median plane extending in the longitudinal direction of the actuator, the vicinity of the median plane (153) being limited to a distance not exceeding 5% of the width ( ) of the actuator (1). Actuator for positioning a pivoting member according to claim 11, characterized in that the rear face has a connector (135) engaged in the space between the first wound tooth (114) and the second wound tooth (115). Actuator for positioning a pivoting member according to the preceding claim, characterized in that it has an electronic card (130) comprising the means for controlling the coils (112), said electronic card (130) extending above the electric motor (110), said connector (135) having parallel conductive pins (136, 137, 138, 139) overmolded by a holding part, said holding part having two cylindrical tenons orthogonal to said pins and capable of being inserted into holes in the electronic card (130), allowing the connector (135) to be held until it is secured by welding.

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