Electromechanical actuation device for a fluid distribution valve
Patent Information
- Application Number
- FR2023001793
- Authority / Receiving Office
- FR · FR
- Patent Type
- Patents
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2023-02-27
- Publication Date
- 2025-03-07
- Estimated Expiration
- 2043-02-27
Smart Images
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Abstract
Description
Title of the invention: Electromechanical actuation device for a fluid distribution valve
[0001] The present invention relates to an electromechanical actuation device for a fluid distribution valve.
[0002] The invention relates in particular to valves for fluid circulation circuits, in particular cooling fluid, on board vehicles with thermal, electric, hydrogen or hybrid engines. The fluid flows through the valve by means of its drive in the circulation circuit under the effect of a pump, typically electric. The valves concerned here comprise a shutter which is mounted movably, for example in rotation or in translation, to regulate a flow of fluid through the valve, this shutter being driven in movement by an electromechanical actuating device, associated with the valve. This electromechanical actuating device typically associates an electric motor, provided with a rotating drive output around a motor axis, and a mechanical transmission system, connecting the drive output to the shutter to drive the latter in movement.The electric motor and the transmission system are mounted in a housing of the electromechanical actuation device, this housing can be integrated or separated from the valve.
[0003] In order for the mechanical connection, typically by gearing, between the drive output of the electric motor and the transmission system to be satisfactory, it is necessary to precisely control the relative positioning of the drive output and the input of the transmission system and therefore to precisely control the positioning of the latter in the housing of the electromechanical actuation device. In particular, the casing of the electric motor must be mounted in the housing precisely despite the tolerancing of the parts concerned, and this by fixing means which ensure a corresponding relative positioning in a sufficiently durable manner to withstand the constraints of use of the electromechanical actuation device, such as gravity and vibrations.Such fastening means generally comprise screws or multiple similar small attached parts, which are bulky in aggregate, which complicate the assembly of the electromechanical actuation device, and which induce design constraints on this actuation device.
[0004] The aim of the present invention is to propose an electromechanical actuation device whose fixing between its electric motor and its housing is improved.
[0005] To this end, the invention relates to an electromechanical actuation device for a fluid distribution valve, comprising:
[0006] - a housing which includes first and second parts adapted to be assembled fixedly to each other,
[0007] - an electric motor which includes:
[0008] - a casing which, in the assembled state of the first and second parts of the housing, is connected fixed to the housing by a retaining plate attached to the housing, and
[0009] - a drive output which is rotatable about a motor axis relative to the casing, and
[0010] - a mechanical transmission system, which is carried by the housing and which connects the drive output to a shutter of a fluid distribution valve such that rotation of the drive output about the motor axis causes the shutter to move to regulate a fluid through the fluid distribution valve,
[0011] in which the holding plate is designed both to, before assembly of the first and second parts of the housing, be fixedly attached to the second part of the housing and to, in the assembled state of the first and second parts of the housing, fixedly press the casing against the first part of the housing both parallel and radially to the motor axis.
[0012] The idea behind the invention is to avoid using screws or similar small added parts to fix the electric motor and the housing of the electromechanical actuation device together, in favor of a single added retaining plate. To do this, the invention provides that the housing comprises two parts to be fixedly assembled to each other, and this by any appropriate means. In addition, before assembly of these first and second parts of the housing, the retaining plate is designed to be fixedly attached to the second part of the housing, and this advantageously by elastically deformable clipping tabs of the retaining plate, as detailed below.In the assembled state of the first and second parts of the housing, the holding plate is designed to firmly press the casing of the electric motor against the first part of the housing both parallel and radially to the motor axis around which the motor output of the electric motor is rotatable, and this advantageously by one or more securing tabs of the motor and by a wall surrounding the motor, which belong to the holding plate and which are elastically deformable, as detailed below.In all cases, thanks to the sole holding plate and its mechanical cooperation with the housing, the casing of the electric motor is thus, in the assembled state of the first and second parts of the housing, positioned precisely in the housing, in particular by advantageously taking up assembly and tolerancing clearances, which makes it possible to effectively control the mechanical connection, typically by gearing, between the motor output and the mechanical transmission system of the electromechanical actuation device according to the invention. This positioning is obtained when the first and second parts of the housing are assembled and is maintained permanently, in particular. by resisting the constraints of use of the electromechanical actuation device, such as gravity and vibrations. The holding plate thus proves to be particularly efficient, while being compact, being practical to assemble, and facilitating the adaptation of the electromechanical actuation device according to the invention to various installation arrangements. Furthermore, certain aspects of the holding plate are advantageously provided to improve its ease of assembly in the housing and / or to integrate additional functions, as detailed below.
[0013] According to additional advantageous characteristics of the electromechanical actuation device according to the invention, taken in isolation or in all technically possible combinations:
[0014] - The holding plate comprises a body which, in the assembled state of the first and second part of the housing, is inserted radially to the motor axis between the casing and the second part of the housing.
[0015] - The retaining plate further comprises at least one securing tab of the electric motor, which extends from the body in an elastically deformable manner and which is adapted, during assembly and in the assembled state of the first and second parts of the housing, to cooperate with the casing by pressing parallel to the motor axis to press the casing against the first part of the housing along the motor axis.
[0016] - The housing includes a front end wall and a rear end wall, which are opposite each other along the motor axis, the motor output emerging from the casing through the front end wall; during assembly and in the assembled state of the first and second parts of the housing, said at least one securing tab of the electric motor cooperates by pressing parallel to the motor axis with the front end wall of the casing to press the rear end wall of the casing against the first part of the casing along the motor axis.
[0017] - Several electric motor securing tabs are provided, being distributed between one or more first tabs, which are arranged on a first side of the body among first and second sides of the body, opposite each other in a direction parallel to the motor axis, and one or more second tabs which are arranged on the second side of the body; during assembly and in the assembled state of the first and second parts of the housing, only the first tab(s) actually cooperate with the casing while the second tab(s) are spaced from the casing.
[0018] - Said at least one securing tab of the electric motor extends, at opposite the body, by a docking pallet of the electric motor, which is inclined relative to the motor axis so as to take up an axial positioning clearance between the casing and the holding plate during the assembly of the first and second parts of the housing.
[0019] - The body includes an electric motor enclosing wall, which, when the assembly and in the assembled state of the first and second parts of the housing, partially surrounds the casing around the motor axis and elastically presses the casing radially to the motor axis.
[0020] - The electric motor enclosure wall includes:
[0021] - a central support portion by which the engine casing wall electric is pressed against the casing radially to the motor axis in the assembled state of the first and second parts of the housing, and
[0022] - play-compensating portions, which are arranged on either side of the portion central support around the motor axis and which, during assembly of the first and second parts of the housing, deform elastically by taking up a radial tolerance clearance between the casing and the holding plate.
[0023] - The enclosing wall of the electric motor further includes support portions lateral, which are respectively separated from the central support portion by the play-compensating portions around the motor shaft, and which, in the assembled state of the first and second parts of the housing, are each adapted to be pressed directly against the casing radially to the motor shaft.
[0024] - The retaining plate has clipping tabs, which extend from the body in an elastically deformable manner and which, before and during the assembly of the first and second parts of the housing, cooperate with respective support walls of the second part of the housing by pressing transversely to the motor axis, so as to retain the holding plate relative to the second part of the housing.
[0025] - The second part of the housing includes stop walls which immobilize the plate holding relative to the second part of the housing parallel to the motor axis when the clipping tabs cooperate with the support walls.
[0026] - The body defines a first plane of symmetry, which, in the assembled state of the first and second part of the housing, extends perpendicular to the motor axis and with respect to which (i) the first tab(s) are symmetrical to the second tab(s), (ii) the clipping tabs are distributed symmetrically, and (iii) the enclosing wall of the electric motor is distributed symmetrically; and the body also defines a second plane of symmetry, which is perpendicular to the first plane of symmetry, which includes the motor axis in the assembled state of the first and second parts of the housing, and with respect to which (i) the first tab(s) are distributed symmetrically, (ii) the second tab(s) are distributed symmetrically, (iii) the clipping tabs are distributed symmetrically, and (iv) the enclosing wall of the electric motor is distributed symmetrically.
[0027] - The body is made of an electrically conductive material, and the plate of maintenance also includes a spring blade for connection to an electrical ground of the electromechanical actuating device, which spring blade extends in an elastically deformable manner from the body.
[0028] The invention will be better understood on reading the following description, given solely by way of example and with reference to the drawings in which: - [Fig.l] [Fig.l] is a perspective view of an electromechanical actuating device according to the invention; - [Fig.2] [Fig.2] is a section along plane II of [Fig.l], on which the electromechanical actuating device is associated with a fluid distribution valve which is only partially shown; - [Fig.3] [Fig.3] is a larger scale view of the detail in box III at [Fig.2] ; - [Fig.4] [Fig.4] is a section along line IV-IV of [Fig.2]; - [Fig.5] [Fig.5] is a larger scale view of the detail inset V on the [Fig.4] ; - [Fig.6] [Fig.6] is a view similar to [Fig.l], illustrating a part only of the electromechanical actuating device, before assembly with the rest of the latter; - [Fig.7] [Fig.7] is a perspective view of a retaining plate ap belonging to the electromechanical actuation device of the preceding figures, represented in the assembled state of the latter; - [Fig.8] [Fig.8] is a view similar to [Fig.7], illustrating the plate of maintenance before its assembly to the rest of the electromechanical actuation device; - [Fig.9] [Fig.9] is a perspective view of part of the device electromechanical actuation device of Figures 1 to 5, which is different from that illustrated in [Fig.6] and which is shown before assembly with the rest of the electromechanical actuation device; - [Fig. 10] [Fig. 10] is a view similar to [Fig. 3], illustrating the two parts of the electromechanical actuating device, respectively shown in Figures 6 and 9, before assembly of these two parts; - [Fig.l 1] [Fig.l 1] is a section along line XLXI of [Fig. 10]; - [Fig. 12] [Fig. 12] is a view similar to [Fig. 10], illustrating the two aforementioned parts of the electromechanical actuating device being assembled with each other; and - [Fig. 13] [Fig. 13] is a section along line XIIL XIII of [Fig. 12].
[0029] Figures 1 to 13 show, in whole or in part, an electromechanical actuating device, referenced 1 and designated "device 1" hereinafter, or only components of this device 1. As explained in detail by the Subsequently, the device 1 is shown in the assembled state in Figures 1 to 5, before assembly in Figures 10 and 11, and during assembly in Figures 12 and 13. A part of the device 1 before assembly is shown in [Fig.6], the rest of the device 1 being shown in [Fig.9].
[0030] The device 1 is designed to equip a fluid distribution valve, which is only shown in Figures 2 and 4, and this in a partial and schematic manner, by being referenced therein 2. As indicated schematically in Figures 2 and 4, the valve 2 comprises a valve housing 3 through which a fluid to be distributed, in other words to be regulated, by the valve 2 is intended to flow. The valve housing 3 defines an internal volume V3 through which the fluid passes through the valve housing 3. In practice, in a manner not detailed in [Fig. 2], the internal volume V3 of the valve housing 3 is connected to the outside of this valve housing by one or more inlets of the valve housing 3, through which the fluid enters the internal volume V3, and by one or more outlets of the valve housing, through which the fluid leaves the internal volume V3.The inlet(s) and outlet(s) of the valve housing 3 are controlled in opening-closing by a shutter 4 of the valve 2, which is only shown schematically and partially in Figures 2 and 4: this shutter 4 comprises a main body 5, which is arranged in the internal volume V3 and which is movable there relative to the valve housing 3 to control in opening-closing the inlet(s) and outlet(s) of the valve housing 3. In the assembled state of the valve 2, the shutter 4 is driven by the device 1 in movement relative to the valve housing 3, for example at least partly in rotation about a shutter axis X4. By its electromechanical nature, the device 1 is designed to transform electrical energy supplying it into a mechanical driving force, applied to the shutter 4 to drive the latter.The specificities of the valve housing 3 and the shutter 4 are not limiting, these components of the valve 2 being able to take multiple forms of realization as long as the latter are compatible with the device 1 which will be detailed below.
[0031] The device 1 comprises a housing 10, which constitutes a mounting and guiding structure for the other components of the device 1 and which, in the assembled state of the valve 2, is fixedly connected to the valve housing 3, and this by any suitable means, for example added screws such as that shown in section in the right part of [Fig.2].
[0032] The housing 10 comprises two distinct parts 11 and 12, which are separable from each other for the purposes of manufacturing the device 1 and which are adapted to be fixedly assembled to each other in the assembled state of the device 1. In practice, the fixing means between the parts 11 and 12 of the housing 10 for assembling the latter are not limiting, multiple embodiments of these fixing means being conceivable. The parts 11 and 12 are shown in their assembled state in Figures 1 to 5, before their assembly in Figures 10 and 11, and during assembly in Figures 12 and 13. In [Fig.6], the device 1 is shown with part 12 of the housing 10 removed. In [Fig.9], part 11 is not shown and part 12 is shown before assembly to part 11.
[0033] In the example considered here, the housing 10 is fixedly connected to the valve housing 3 exclusively by the part 11 of the housing 10, as clearly visible in [Fig.2], but, in a variant not shown, it may be different.
[0034] In practice, each of the parts 11 and 12 is advantageously made from a single piece, as in the example illustrated in the figures. This being the case, in a variant not shown, one and / or the other of the parts 11 and 12 of the housing 10 may each be made up of several parts which are fixedly assembled to each other, and this by any appropriate means. Similarly, the material constituting each of the parts 11 and 12 is not limiting provided that, in the assembled state of the parts 11 and 12, the housing 10 is sufficiently rigid to ensure the mounting and guidance of the other components of the device 1 and to be fixedly connected to the valve housing 3.
[0035] In the assembled state of the parts 11 and 12 of the housing 10, these parts 11 and 12 advantageously delimit between them a compartment V10 of the housing 10, inside which components of the device 1 are arranged, as detailed below. The compartment V10 is advantageously sealed, by means of the presence of sealing means, such as one or more seals, provided at the assembly interface between the parts 11 and 12 of the housing 10.
[0036] The device 1 also comprises an electric motor 20 and a mechanical transmission system 30, which, as explained in detail below, connects the electric motor 20 to the shutter 4 of the valve 2. As clearly visible in FIGS. 2 to 5, in the assembled state of the device 1, the electric motor 20 and the transmission system 30 are carried by the housing 10, being advantageously arranged in the compartment V10 of the housing 10.
[0037] The electric motor 20 comprises a casing 21 inside which are arranged electromechanical components of the electric motor 20, which transform the electrical energy supplying the latter into a driving force which is supplied at a driving output 22 of the electric motor 20, this driving output 22 being rotatable about a motor axis X20 relative to the casing 21. In practice, the driving output 22 extends through the casing 21: in the example considered here, the casing 21 includes a front end wall 21.1 and a rear end wall 21.2, which are opposite each other along the motor axis X20, the driving output 22 emerging from the casing 21 through the front end wall 21.1, as clearly visible in [Fig.2]. Furthermore, the drive output 22 is advantageously provided, at the level of its part emerging from the casing 21, with a driving toothing 22.1 which extends all around the motor axis X20.
[0038] In the assembled state of the device 1, in particular in the assembled state of the parts 11 and 12 of the housing 10, the casing 21 of the electric motor 20 is fixedly connected to the housing 10 by a holding plate 40 of the device 1, which is attached to the housing 10 and which will be detailed later.
[0039] The transmission system 30 connects the drive output 22 to the shutter 4 of the valve 2, so that rotating the drive output 22 around the motor axis X20 causes the shutter 4 to move to regulate the fluid through the valve 2, here for example causing at least a portion of the shutter 4 to rotate around the shutter axis X4. Here, the shutter 4 includes for this purpose a head 6, on which the transmission system 30 acts directly and which extends from the latter to the internal volume V3 of the valve 2, successively passing through the housing 10 and the valve housing 3, this head 6 being, inside the internal volume V3, kinetically linked to all or part of the main body 5 of the shutter 4, here being rotatable around the shutter axis X4.
[0040] In the embodiment considered in the figures, the transmission system 30 comprises, as clearly visible in Figures 2 and 6, a succession of gear wheels which mesh successively with each other, each of these gear wheels being carried by the housing 10 in a movable manner in rotation around a wheel axis on which the corresponding wheel is centered. Here, the respective wheel axes of these gear wheels are parallel to each other and to the shutter axis X4. The succession of gear wheels includes, at the "input" of the transmission system 30, a gear wheel 31 which is engaged with the drive output 22 for the purpose of the latter driving the gear wheel 31 in movement: here, the gear wheel 21 is provided with a driven toothing 31.1, which extends around the wheel axis of the gear wheel 31 and which, in the assembled state of the device 1, is in meshing engagement with the driving toothing 22.1 of the drive output 22, as clearly visible in [Fig. 2]. The succession of gear wheels includes, at the "output" of the transmission system 30, a gear wheel 32 which is engaged with the shutter 4 for the purpose of driving the latter in movement: here, the gear wheel 32 is engaged with the head 6 of the shutter 4, for example being linked in rotation to this head 6 around the shutter axis X4 which is substantially coincident with the wheel axis of the gear wheel 32. The gear wheels 31 and 32 are connected to each other by intermediate gear wheels 33 belonging to the aforementioned succession of gear wheels, these intermediate gear wheels 33 being provided here in number of two, without this number being limiting. The gear train formed by the gear wheels 31, 32 and 33 makes it possible to multiply the movement transmitted from the drive output 22 to the shutter 4.In practice, the specificities of this gear train are not limiting and are adapted, both, to the desired transmission ratio between the drive output 22 and to the kinematics of the shutter 4.
[0041] More generally, other embodiments than that detailed above are conceivable for the transmission system 30 provided that the latter, in the assembled state of the device 1, controls the movement drive of the shutter 4 from a rotation of the drive output 22 of the electric motor 20 around the motor axis X20.
[0042] We now return to the holding plate 40 to describe it in more detail.
[0043] The holding plate 40 has, by definition, two dimensions which are much more larger than its third dimension, the latter typically corresponding to its thickness. In addition, the holding plate 40 is made so as to be at least partially elastically deformable in order to give the holding plate 40 different functions, in particular in connection with the assembly of the device 1, as explained progressively below. Figures 7 and 8 make it possible to appreciate these aspects of the holding plate 40: in [Fig.7], the holding plate 40 is shown alone, but while it is in the deformed state that it occupies when the parts 11 and 12 of the housing 10 are in their state assembled to each other, illustrated in Figures 1 to 5; in [Fig.8], the holding plate 40 is shown alone while it is at rest, that is to say not deformed. During assembly of the device 1, the holding plate 40 is gradually deformed from its resting state, illustrated in [Fig. 8], to its deformed state illustrated in [Fig.7], as detailed below.
[0044] In the assembled state of the parts 11 and 12 of the housing 10, the holding plate 40 is essentially arranged laterally and along the casing 21 of the electric motor 20, as clearly visible in FIGS. 3 and 5. More precisely, the holding plate 40 comprises a body 41 which, in the assembled state of the parts 11 and 12 of the housing 10, is interposed radially to the motor axis X20 between the casing 21 and the part 12 of the housing 10. Here, the body 41 thus extends parallel to and around the motor axis X20.The body 41 thus has two opposite main faces, which are separated from each other by the thickness of the body 41, corresponding to the thickness of the holding plate 40, these two main faces being made up of a main face 41A, which, in the assembled state of the parts 11 and 12 of the housing 10, is turned towards the casing 21 and therefore towards the motor axis X20, and of a main face 41B, which, in the assembled state of the parts 11 and 12 of the housing 10, is turned away from the motor axis X20. The body 41 also has a peripheral edge 41C, which connects the main faces 41A to 41B of the body 41 to each other and which is here distributed between two front portions 41C.1, which, in the assembled state of the parts 11 and 12 of the housing 10, are opposite each other in a direction parallel to the motor axis X20, and two lateral portions 41C.2, which each connect the front portions 41C.1 to each other and which, in the assembled state of the parts 11 and 12 of the housing 10, each extend here substantially parallel to the motor axis X20.
[0045] According to an advantageous aspect, the interest of which will appear a little later, the body 41 defines two planes of symmetry, namely a plane of symmetry PI, which, in the assembled state of the parts 11 and 12 of the housing 10, extends perpendicular to the motor axis X20, and a plane of symmetry P2, which is perpendicular to the plane of symmetry PI and which, in the assembled state of the parts 11 and 12 of the housing 10, includes the motor axis X20. The planes of symmetry PI and P2 are indicated in FIGS. 7 and 8. In addition, the section plane corresponding to FIGS. 3, 10 and 12 corresponds to the plane of symmetry P2.
[0046] In addition to its body 41, the holding plate 40 advantageously comprises clipping tabs 42, here provided in four copies. The clipping tabs 42 make it possible to attach the holding plate 40 fixedly, by clipping, to the part 12 of the housing 10 before the assembly of the parts 11 and 12 of this housing, as illustrated in FIGS. 9 to 11.
[0047] Each of the clipping tabs 42 extends from the body 41, typically being integral with the latter. The clipping tabs 42 thus advantageously extend from the lateral portions 41C.2 of the peripheral edge 41C of the body 4L. Furthermore, as in the example envisaged here, the clipping tabs 42 are advantageously distributed symmetrically with respect to the plane of symmetry PI and with respect to the plane of symmetry P2: in this way, whatever the orientation of the body 41 with respect to the two possible opposite directions of the motor axis X20 in the assembled state of the parts 11 and 12 of the housing 10, the same regions of space are occupied by the clipping tabs 42.
[0048] Each of the clipping tabs 42 extends from the body 41 in an elastically deformable manner so as to be able to cooperate, by pressing transversely to the motor axis X20, with the part 12 of the housing 10 in order to fix the holding plate 40 to this part 12 of the housing 10 before the assembly of the parts 11 and 12 of the housing 10. For this purpose, as clearly visible in Figures 9 and 11, the part 12 of the housing 10 includes support walls 12.1, which, in the assembled state of the parts 11 and 12 of the housing 10, extend transversely to the motor axis X20 and with which, before and during the assembly of the parts 11 and 12, the clipping tabs 42 cooperate by pressing transversely to the motor axis X20 of so as to retain the holding plate 40 relative to the part 12 of the housing 10.Thus, to securely attach the holding plate 40 to the part 12 of the housing 10, not yet assembled to the part 1, the holding plate 40 is applied against the part 12 so that its clipping tabs 42 are applied against the support walls 12.1 of the part 12 of the housing 10, until they are elastically deformed, which, by elastic return, causes the clipping tabs 42 to press against the support walls 12.1 transversely to the motor axis X20, retaining the holding plate 40 in position with respect to the part 12 of the housing 10.
[0049] In order to reinforce the retention of the holding plate 40 relative to the part 12 of the housing 10 before and during the assembly of the parts 11 and 12 of the housing 10, the part 12 of the housing advantageously incorporates stop walls 12.2 which immobilize the holding plate 40 relative to the part 12 of the housing 10 parallel to the motor axis X20 when the clipping tabs 42 cooperate with the support walls 12.1. In the embodiment considered in the figures, and as more specifically visible in [Fig.9], these stop walls 12.2 are advantageously arranged on either side, in a direction parallel to the motor axis X20, of at least one of the clipping tabs 42, being spaced from each other, in the aforementioned direction, by the corresponding dimension of this clipping tab 42: in this way, when the clipping tabs 42 cooperate with the support walls 12.1, at least one of them is embedded between the stop walls 12.2 so as to immobilize the holding plate 40 parallel to the motor axis X20. Of course, other embodiments are possible to thus immobilize the holding plate 40 parallel to the motor axis X20 relative to the part 12 of the housing 10 when the clipping tabs 42 cooperate with the support walls 12.1 of the part 12 of the housing 10 before and during the assembly of the parts 11 and 12 of the housing 10.
[0050] In a variant not shown, the number of clipping tabs may be other than four; for example, the clipping tabs 42 may be provided in only two copies, while advantageously maintaining a symmetrical distribution with respect to the plane of symmetry PI and the plane of symmetry P2, and while advantageously allowing them to bear on bearing surfaces of the part 12 of the housing 10, similar to the bearing surfaces 12.1 described above. More generally, arrangements other than the clipping tabs 42 are conceivable to allow the holding plate 40 to be fixedly attached to the part 12 of the housing 10 before the assembly of the parts 11 and 12 of this housing.
[0051] In addition to its body 41 and its clipping tabs 42, the holding plate 40 comprises at least one securing tab for the electric motor 20, hereinafter called tab 43. In the embodiment considered in the figures, the holding plate 40 advantageously comprises several examples of such tabs 43, here four examples. The tabs 43 allow, in the assembled state of the parts 11 and 12 of the housing 10, to firmly press the casing 21 of the electric motor 20 against the part 11 of the housing 10 in a direction parallel to the motor axis X20, as clearly visible in [Fig. 3].
[0052] Each of the tabs 43 extends from the body 41, advantageously being integral with the latter. Here, the tabs 43 thus extend from the front portions 41C.1 of the peripheral edge 41C of the body 41, two of these tabs 43 extending from one of these two front portions 41C.1, while the two other tabs 43 extend from the other front portion 41C.1. Preferably, as in the embodiment envisaged here, the tabs 43 are distributed symmetrically with respect to the plane of symmetry PI and with respect to the plane of symmetry P2: in this way, whatever the orientation of the body 41 with respect to the two possible opposite directions of the motor axis X20 in the assembled state of the parts 11 and 12 of the housing 10, the same regions of space are occupied by the tabs 43.
[0053] Each tab 43 extends from the body 41 in an elastically deformable manner so that, during the assembly of the parts 11 and 12 of the housing 10, as clearly visible in [Fig. 12], as well as in the assembled state of these parts 11 and 12, as clearly visible in [Fig. 3], at least one of the tabs 43 is elastically deformed by cooperating with the casing 21 of the electric motor 20 by pressing parallel to the motor axis X20 in order to press the casing 21 against the part 11 of the housing 10 along the motor axis X20. In practice, this pressing thus includes a component parallel to the motor axis X20, while being able to include, if necessary, a component transverse to this motor axis X20.Thus, during assembly and in the assembled state of the parts 11 and 12 of the housing 10, at least one of the tabs 43 interferes with the casing 21, by being pressed against the latter parallel to the motor axis X20, which induces its elastic deformation which, by return, tends to push the casing 21 along the motor axis X20, until this casing 21 is pressed against the part 11 of the housing 10 along the motor axis X20. In the assembled state of the parts 11 and 12 of the housing 10, the tab(s) 43 having been deformed by pressing against the casing 21 remain in a deformed state and, by elastic return, keep the casing 21 pressed against the part 11 of the housing 10 along the motor axis X20. In the embodiment considered here, the tab(s) 43 acting thus by deformation cooperate by pressing with the front end wall 21.1 of the casing 21 to press the rear end wall 21.2 of this casing against part 11 of the housing 10 parallel to the motor axis X20, as clearly visible in figures 3 and 12.
[0054] Here, the aforementioned tab(s), acting by elastic deformation, are two in number and are the two tabs 43, among the four present, which are both located on the same front portion of the peripheral edge 41C, among the two front portions 41C.1 of the latter. The other two tabs 43, which are located on the other of the two front portions 41C.1 of the peripheral edge 41C, are spaced from the casing 21, as clearly visible on the right of Figures 3 and 12. More generally, it is understood that the tabs 43 are advantageously distributed between one or more first tabs, which are arranged on a first of the two sides of the body 41, opposite one another in a direction parallel to the motor axis X20, and one or more second tabs, which are arranged on the second of these two sides of the body 41: during assembly and in the assembled state of the parts 11 and 12 of the housing 10, only the aforementioned first tab(s) effectively cooperate with the casing 21, as described above, while the aforementioned second tab(s) are unused, being spaced from this casing 21. In this way, according to the two possible directions of orientation for the body 41 parallel to the motor axis X20, one or more of the tabs 43, which correspond to the aforementioned first tabs, make it possible to press the casing 21 fixedly against the part 11 of the housing 10 parallel to the motor axis X20 in the assembled state of the parts 11 and 12 of the housing 10, while the rest of the tabs 43, corresponding to the aforementioned second tabs, do not participate in this pressing of the casing against the part 11 of the housing 10.By providing that the aforementioned first tabs are symmetrical to the aforementioned second tabs with respect to the plane of symmetry PI, and that, with respect to the plane of symmetry P2, the aforementioned first tabs are distributed symmetrically and the aforementioned second tabs are distributed symmetrically, the aforementioned direction of orientation of the body 41 is reversible, resulting in the same result as regards the fixed support of the casing 21 against the part 11 of the housing 10 parallel to the motor axis X20 in the assembled state of the parts 11 and 12 of the housing.In the example illustrated in the figures, the aforementioned first tabs are two in number and, by symmetry, the aforementioned second tabs are two in number; in a variant not shown, only one first tab and only one second tab are possible; likewise, also in a variant not shown, more than two first tabs and, by symmetry, more than two second tabs are possible, in particular in order to increase the securing force of the motor 20 with respect to the part 11 of the housing 10 parallel to the motor axis X20.
[0055] According to an advantageous optional arrangement, which is implemented in the example considered in the figures, each of the tabs 43 is extended, opposite the body 41, by a docking blade of the electric motor 20, called blade 44 hereinafter. Each blade 44 is inclined relative to the motor axis X20 so as to take up axial positioning play between the casing 21 and the holding plate 40 during the assembly of the parts 11 and 12 of the housing 10. Thus, during the assembly of the parts 11 and 12 of the housing 10, the blade 44 of the or each of the tabs 43, corresponding to the first aforementioned tabs, interferes with the casing 21 before the rest of the corresponding tab 43, taking up any axial positioning play relative to the electric motor 20 relative to the holding plate 40.Due to their inclination, the pallets 44 guide the casing 21 and the holding plate 40 in relative positioning during the assembly of the parts 11 and 12 of the housing 10, until the aforementioned axial play between them is absorbed and the corresponding tab 43 cooperates with the casing 21 by pressing parallel to the motor axis X20, as explained above.
[0056] To allow the holding plate 40 to firmly support the casing 21 of the engine electric motor 20 against the part 11 of the housing 10 radially to the motor axis X20 in the assembled state of the parts 11 and 12 of the housing, the body 41 includes, in the embodiment considered here, a wall for enveloping the electric motor 20, called wall 45 hereinafter. For this purpose, this wall 45 is designed to, during assembly and in the assembled state of the parts 11 and 12 of the housing 10, partially surround the casing 21 around the motor axis X20 and elastically press the casing 21 radially to the motor axis X20, as clearly visible in Figures 5 and 13. Here, the wall 45 is advantageously distributed symmetrically with respect to the plane of symmetry PI and with respect to the plane of symmetry P2.
[0057] In the embodiment illustrated in the figures, the wall 45 advantageously includes a central support portion 45.1, by which the wall 45 is pressed against the casing 21 radially to the motor axis X20 in the assembled state of the parts 11 and 12 of the housing 10, and through which passes the plane of symmetry P2 on either side of which this central support portion 45.1 is distributed symmetrically.
[0058] Advantageously, the wall 45 also includes two play-compensating portions 45.2, which are arranged on either side of the central support portion 45.1 and which, during assembly of the parts 11 and 12 of the housing 10, deform elastically to take up a radial tolerance play between the casing 21 and the holding plate 40, as clearly visible by comparing [Fig. 13] with Figures 5 and 11.
[0059] In addition, the wall 45 advantageously includes two lateral support portions 45.3, which, like the central support portion 45.1, are each adapted to be pressed directly against the casing 21 radially to the motor axis X20 in the assembled state of the parts 11 and 12 of the housing 10, but which are respectively separated from the central support portion 45.1 by the play-compensating portions 45.2 around the motor axis X20. It will be noted that these lateral support portions 45.3 are not shown, in particular in [Fig. 5], in effective support against the casing 21, but it is understood that, by means of a corresponding deformation of the play-compensating portions 45.2, such effective support is achieved according to the effective value of the external diameter of the casing 21 which, in practice, is variable due to the tolerancing of this casing.
[0060] Taking into account the explanations given so far, we understand that:
[0061] - before assembling the parts 11 and 12 of the housing 10, the holding plate 40 is designed to be fixedly attached to part 12 of the housing, here by means of its clipping tabs 42, but more generally by means of any ad hoc arrangement of the retaining plate 40;
[0062] - in the assembled state of parts 11 and 12 of the housing 10, the holding plate 40 is designed to firmly press the casing 21 against the part 11 of the housing 10 parallel to the motor axis X20, here thanks to its tabs 43, in particular the first tabs mentioned above among the latter, but more generally by means of any ad hoc arrangement of the holding plate 40; and
[0063] - in the assembled state of the parts 11 and 12 of the housing 10, the holding plate 40 is designed to firmly support the casing 21 against the part 11 of the housing 10 radially to the motor axis X20, here thanks to the wall 45 of its body 41, but more generally by means of any ad hoc arrangement of the holding plate 40.
[0064] Thus, thanks to the sole holding plate 40 and its mechanical cooperation with the housing 10, it is possible to assemble the device 1 by precisely positioning the casing 21 with respect to the housing 10 and, thereby, to effectively control the relative positioning of the drive output 22 of the electric motor 20 and the transmission system 30, for example, as here, to effectively control the engagement between the drive output 22 and the gear wheel 31, in particular the meshing between the driving teeth 22.1 and the driven teeth 31.1. The implementation of the holding plate 40 is practical, in particular by avoiding the use of added fixing screws or similar small fixing parts.This practicality of the holding plate 40 is advantageously reinforced by the fact that the holding plate 40, in particular its clipping tabs 42, its tongues 43 and the wall 45 of its body 41, are symmetrical with respect to the planes of symmetry PI and P2, allowing the holding plate 40 to be used indifferently in the two possible directions of orientation parallel to the motor axis X20.
[0065] Furthermore, according to an advantageous optional arrangement, the holding plate 40 further comprises a spring blade 46 making it possible to connect the holding plate 40 to an electrical ground 50 of the device 1, the specific features of which are not limiting. For this purpose, the spring blade 46 extends in an elastically deformable manner from the body 41, here projecting from the face 41B of the body 41, advantageously being integral with the body 41. In the assembled state of the parts 11 and 12 of the housing 10, the casing 21 of the electric motor 20 is electrically connected to the electrical ground 50 by the body 41 and the spring blade 46. The elastic deformability of the spring blade 46 is used to ensure effective connection to the electrical ground 50, by compensating for any positioning and tolerance play between this electrical ground 50 and the holding plate 40 during assembly and in the assembled state of the parts 11 and 12 of the housing 10.Of course, this arrangement of the holding plate 40 assumes that the body 41 is made of an electrically conductive material, typically a metallic material.
[0066] In practice, the embodiment of this spring blade 46 is not limited to that illustrated in the figures, in the sense that any functionally similar elastic device is conceivable for the purposes of connecting the holding plate 40 to the electrical ground 50, and this advantageously in both possible directions of orientation. of the holding plate 40 parallel to the motor axis X20 as long as the holding plate 40 is symmetrical with respect to the planes of symmetry PI and P2, as is the case with the spring blade 46 illustrated in the figures.
[0067] Finally, various arrangements and variants to the device 1 described so far are also conceivable.
Claims
Claims
1. Electromechanical actuating device (1) for a fluid distribution valve (2), comprising: - a housing (10) which includes first (11) and second (12) parts adapted to be fixedly assembled to each other, - an electric motor (20) which includes: - a casing (21) which, in the assembled state of the first and second parts of the housing, is fixedly connected to the casing by a holding plate (40) attached to the casing, and - a drive output (22) which is rotatable about a drive axis (X20) relative to the casing, and - a mechanical transmission system (30), which is carried by the housing (10) and which connects the drive output (22) to a shutter (4) of a fluid distribution valve (2) so that rotation of the drive output about the drive axis (X20) causes the moving shutter for regulating a fluid through the fluid distribution valve, wherein the holding plate (40) is adapted both for,before assembling the first and second parts (11, 12) of the housing (10), be fixedly attached to the second part (12) of the housing and, in the assembled state of the first and second parts of the housing, to firmly press the casing (21) against the first part (11) of the housing both parallel and radially to the motor axis (X20).,
2. Electromechanical actuating device according to claim 1, in which the holding plate (40) comprises a body (41) which, in the assembled state of the first and second parts (11, 12) of the housing (10), is interposed radially to the motor axis (X20) between the casing (21) and the second part (12) of the housing.
3. Electromechanical actuation device according to claim 2, in which the holding plate (40) further comprises at least one tab (43) for securing the electric motor (20), which extends from the body (41) in an elastically deformable manner and which is adapted, during assembly and in the assembled state of the first and second parts (11, 12) of the housing (10), to cooperate with the casing (21) by pressing parallel to the motor axis (X20) to press the casing against the first part (11) of the housing along the motor axis (X20).
4. Electromechanical actuating device according to claim 3, wherein the casing (21) includes a front end wall (21.1) and a rear end wall (21.2), which are opposite each other along the motor axis (X20), the motor output (22) emerging from the casing through the front end wall, and wherein, during assembly and in the assembled state of the first and second (11, 12) parts of the housing (10), said at least one tab (43) for securing the electric motor (20) cooperates by pressing parallel to the motor axis (X20) with the front end wall (21.1) of the casing (21) to press the rear end wall (21.2) of the casing against the first part (11) of the housing along the motor axis (X20).
5. Electromechanical actuation device according to one of claims 3 or 4, in which several tabs (43) for securing the electric motor (20) are provided, being distributed between: - one or more first tabs which are arranged on a first side of the body (41) among first and second sides of the body, opposite one another in a direction parallel to the motor axis (X20), and - one or more second tabs which are arranged on the second side of the body (41), and in which, during assembly and in the assembled state of the first and second parts (11, 12) of the housing (10), only the first tab(s) actually cooperate with the casing (21) while the second tab(s) are spaced from the casing.
6. Electromechanical actuation device according to any one of claims 3 to 5, in which said at least one tab (43) for securing the electric motor (20) extends, opposite the body (41), by a pallet (44) for docking the electric motor (20), which is inclined relative to the motor axis (X20) so as to take up an axial positioning play between the casing (21) and the holding plate (40) during the assembly of the first and second parts (11, 12) of the housing (10).
7. An electromechanical actuator according to any one of claims 2 to 6, wherein the body (41) includes a wall (45) for enclosing the electric motor (20), which, upon assembly and in the assembled state of the first and second parts (11, 12) of the housing (10), partially surrounds the casing (21) around the motor axis (X20) and elastically presses the casing radially to the motor axis.
8. Electromechanical actuating device according to claim 7, wherein the wall (45) surrounding the electric motor (20) includes: - a central support portion (45.1) by which the wall surrounding the electric motor is pressed against the casing (21) radially to the motor axis (X20) in the assembled state of the first and second parts (11, 12) of the housing (10), and - play-compensating portions (45.2), which are arranged on either side of the central support portion (45.1) around the motor axis (X20) and which, during the assembly of the first and second parts (11, 12) of the housing (10), deform elastically by taking up a radial tolerance play between the casing (21) and the holding plate (40).
9. Electromechanical actuating device according to claim 8, wherein the wall (45) enclosing the electric motor (20) further includes lateral support portions (45.3), which are respectively separated from the central support portion (45.1) by the play-compensating portions (45.2) around the motor axis (X20), and which, in the assembled state of the first and second parts (11, 12) of the housing (10), are each adapted to be pressed directly against the casing (21) radially to the motor axis (X20).
10. Electromechanical actuation device according to any one of claims 2 to 9, in which the holding plate (40) comprises clipping tabs (42), which extend from the body (41) in an elastically deformable manner and which, before and during the assembly of the first and second parts (11, 12) of the housing (10), cooperate with respective support walls (12.1) of the second part (12) of the housing by pressing transversely to the motor axis (X20), so as to retain the holding plate relative to the second part of the housing.
11. An electromechanical actuating device according to claim 10, wherein the second part (12) of the housing (10) includes stop walls (12.2) which immobilize the holding plate (40) relative to the second part of the housing parallel to the motor axis (X20) when the clipping tabs (42) cooperate with the support walls (12.1)
12. Electromechanical actuating device according to claims 5, 7 and 10 taken together, in which the body (41) defines a first plane of symmetry (PI), which, in the assembled state of the first and second parts (11, 12) of the housing (10), extends perpendicular to the motor axis (X20) and with respect to which: - the first tab(s) are symmetrical to the second tab(s), - the clipping tabs (42) are distributed symmetrically, and - the wall (45) enclosing the electric motor (20) is distributed symmetrically, and in which the body (41) also defines a second plane of symmetry (P2), which is perpendicular to the first plane of symmetry (PI), which includes the motor axis (X20) in the assembled state of the first and second parts (11, 12) of the housing (10), and with respect to which: - the first tab(s) are distributed symmetrically, - the second tab(s) are distributed symmetrically, - the clipping tabs are distributed symmetrically, and - the enclosing wall of the electric motor is distributed symmetrically.
13. Electromechanical actuating device according to any one of claims 2 to 12, wherein the body (41) is made of an electrically conductive material, and wherein the holding plate (40) further comprises a spring blade (46) for connection to an electrical ground (50) of the electromechanical actuating device (1), which spring blade (46) extends in an elastically deformable manner from the body (41).