Actuator

Abstract

The invention relates to an actuator (1) comprising a substantially cylindrical housing (2) with axis (A), a rotary electric motor (3) with axis (A), at least one sensor (4), a substantially planar printed circuit board (5) disposed perpendicular to the axis (A) and receiving power wires (6) from the motor (2) and optionally signal wires (7) from said at least one sensor (4), wherein the actuator (1) further comprises at least one rigid power pin (8) and at least one rigid signal pin (9), the power pins (8) and the signal pins (9) being fixed by a proximal end (10, 11) to the printed circuit board (5) and having their distal ends (12, 13) protruding laterally from the housing (2). Abbreviated figure: Figure 1

Description

Description Title of the invention: Actuator Technical field The invention relates to an actuator integrated into a substantially cylindrical housing, comprising an electric motor and at least one sensor arranged in the housing and more particularly its power connection and its signal connection produced in an ingenious manner so as to be simple and not protrude beyond the cylindrical volume of the housing. Prior art It is known to produce an actuator comprising a substantially cylindrical housing, an electric rotary motor, at least one sensor and a substantially flat printed circuit, arranged in the housing perpendicular to the axis of the motor. The printed circuit accommodates power wires from the motor and signal wires from said at least one sensor. It is necessary to make a connector allowing the input and output of all signals, both power and signal wires, capable of being connected / disconnected several times. This connector generally occupies a large volume outside the cylindrical volume of the housing, complicating the integration of the actuator. It is also advisable to avoid crossing or bringing the power wires, generally high voltage and / or current, closer to the signal wires, generally low voltage and / or current. Summary of the invention The invention proposes to provide such a connector according to a simple embodiment which advantageously reduces the external volume to the cylindrical volume of the housing. For this, the invention relates to an actuator comprising a housing that is substantially cylindrical along an axis, an electric rotary motor with an axis arranged in the housing, at least one sensor arranged in the housing, a substantially flat printed circuit arranged in the housing perpendicular to the axis and receiving power wires from the motor and signal wires from said at least one sensor, where the actuator further comprises for each power wire a rigid power pin and for each signal wire a rigid signal pin, the power pins and the signal pins being fixed by a proximal end to the printed circuit and having their distal end exiting laterally from the housing. Particular features or embodiments, usable alone or in combination, are: - the power wires and the signal wires are received by a first face of the printed circuit facing the motor, and the power pins and the signal pins are fixed to a second face of the printed circuit, different from the first face, - the power pins and the signal pins have substantially the shape of an L, the proximal branches of which, connected to the printed circuit, are substantially parallel to the axis and the distal branches, emerging laterally from the housing, are parallel to each other and in the same direction, - the printed circuit is entirely inscribed in the section of the housing, - the printed circuit is divided into a central zone and a peripheral zone, the power pins being connected to the printed circuit in one of the zones, preferably the peripheral zone and the signal pins being connected in the other zone, - the proximal branches of the power pins have substantially the same length, so that the distal branches of the power pins are in the same first plane perpendicular to the axis and the proximal branches of the signal pins have substantially the same length, so that the distal branches of the signal pins are in the same second plane perpendicular to the axis, - the first plane is distinct from the second plane, and preferably the first plane is further from the printed circuit than the second plane, - the length of each distal power pin branch is adapted so that the distal ends of the power pins end in the same power plane, substantially parallel to the axis and substantially perpendicular to the distal power pin branches and the length of each distal signal pin branch is adapted so that the distal ends of the signal pins end in the same signal plane, substantially parallel to the axis and substantially perpendicular to the distal signal pin branches, - the power plan is separate from the signal plan. Brief description of the drawings The invention will be better understood by reading the following description, given solely by way of example, and with reference to the appended figures in which: [Fig.1] shows, in perspective view, an actuator according to the invention, [Fig.2] shows, in perspective view from another point of view, the actuator of [Fig.1], [Fig.3] shows, in exploded perspective view, the actuator of [Fig.1], [Fig.4] shows, in perspective view, the heart of the connector, [Fig.5] shows, in side view, the core of the connector of [Fig.4], [Fig.6] shows, in perspective view, a power spindle, [Fig.7] shows, in perspective view, a signal pin, [Fig.8] shows, in top view, the heart of the connector of [Fig.7], [Fig.9] shows, in bottom view, the heart of the connector of [Fig.7], [Fig.10] shows, in perspective view, a counter-connector. Description of the embodiments With reference to Figures 1-3, the invention relates to an integrated actuator 1. Such an actuator 1 comprises a housing 2 or casing enclosing the various components. This housing 2 is substantially cylindrical along an axis A. The actuator 1 integrates an electric rotary motor 3 with axis A, at least one sensor 4 and a printed circuit 5. All these components are arranged in the housing 2. The printed circuit 5 is substantially planar. It has a discoidal shape, with an external diameter substantially equal, by a smaller value, to the diameter of the housing 2. It is pierced, substantially in its center, in order to allow the output shaft of the motor 3 to pass through. The printed circuit 5 is preferably arranged perpendicular to the axis A.The printed circuit S accommodates on the one hand, power wires 6 coming from the motor 2 and its windings and on the other hand, possibly signal wires 7 coming from said at least one sensor 4. These power wires 6 and these possible signal wires 7 arrive and are connected to the printed circuit 5 by a first face F1 of the printed circuit 5, face F1 which faces the motor 3, i.e. the lower face in the figures. The presence of signal wires 7 is optional. According to a particular embodiment, the sensor 4 is mounted directly on the printed circuit 5. In this case, the signal wires 7 are absent and are possibly replaced by printed tracks. The connection of the power wires 6 and the signal wires 7, when present, to the printed circuit 5 can be made by any means. Advantageously, this connection is made by soldering. The power wires 6 supply the motor 3 and generally carry high currents and / or voltages. On the other hand, the signal wires 7 carry a generally low voltage power supply to the sensors 4 and return low, or even very low, current and / or voltage signals. In this document, the anatomical term proximal, respectively distal, is used. It designates, relative to the base constituted by the printed circuit 5, a closer, respectively more distant element. According to one characteristic, the actuator 1 further comprises at least one rigid power pin 8 and at least one rigid signal pin 9. The power pins 8 are fixed by a proximal end 10 and the signal pins 9 are fixed by a proximal end 11, to the printed circuit 5. This fixing is advantageously done by a second face F2 of the printed circuit 5, different from and opposite the first face F1. The power pins 8 have their distal end 12 exiting laterally from the housing 2. The signal pins 9 have their distal end 13 exiting laterally from the housing 2. According to another feature, a power 6 wire is connected to a power 8 pin. Similarly, if present, a signal 7 wire is connected to a signal 9 pin At least one power 6 wire per power 8 pin is required, but multiple power 6 wires can be connected to the same power 8 pin. The connection between the power 6 wires and the power 8 pins is made through PCB 5. PCB 5 connects each power 8 pin to all the motor coils of the same phase. Also, depending on the internal routing design of PCB 5, a single connection per motor phase may be sufficient. This allows the motor coils to be connected directly to the printed circuit 5, the latter acting, in addition to supporting the power 8 pins, as a "bus bar", allowing the coils to be connected to each other. This also allows the 3 power phases of the motor 3 to be passed through the printed circuit 5 in the same zone ZC or ZP and to connect the 3 power 8 pins independently of each other. At the distal ends 12, 13, the housing 2 has a light to allow the pins 8, 9 to exit or the counter-pins 28, 29 to enter so that they can be connected. The connection of the power pins 8 and the signal pins 9 to the printed circuit 5 can be made by any means. This connection can be made by soldering. Alternatively, this connection can preferably be made by a “press-fit” type device. As illustrated, more particularly in [Fig. 5], in a “press-fit” type fixing, a power pin 8, respectively signal pin 9, comprises at least one power tip 18, respectively one signal tip 19, deformable in a substantially elastic manner. A hole is made in the printed circuit 5 and said tip is forced into the hole. This pressing deforms the tip 18, 19 by compressing it, in order to allow it to pass through the hole. The end of the tip is depressed on the other side of the hole, ensuring its fixing / maintenance to the printed circuit 5.Advantageously, the power wire 6, respectively the signal wire 7, can be welded onto the emerging part of the power tip 18, respectively the signal tip 19, on the side of the first face F1. According to another characteristic, more particularly visible in figures 4-7, the power pins 8 and the signal pins 9 have substantially the shape of an L. The proximal branches 14 of the power pins 8 and the proximal branches 15 of the signal pins 9 are connected to the printed circuit 5. The proximal branches 14, 15 are substantially parallel to the axis A. Also, the distal branches 16 of the power 8 pins and the distal branches 17 of the signal pins 9 are parallel to each other. In addition, they are in the same direction, in that they all point in the same direction. This is intended to simplify the production of the counter-connector, by grouping the distal ends 12, 13. The distal branches 16, 17 are in a plane perpendicular to the axis A, which allows them to exit towards the outside of the volume of the housing 2. According to another characteristic, more particularly visible in figures 3-4, the printed circuit 5 is entirely inscribed in the section of the housing 2. This is advantageous compared to the prior art where the printed circuit often included an outgrowth outside the section of the housing 2. Indeed, such an outgrowth complicates the integration of the actuator 1 and requires the development of a specific casing in order to protect said outgrowth. On the contrary, the printed circuit 5 according to the invention, with its advantageously circular section, inscribed in the section of the housing 2 is advantageously protected by the housing 2 itself and this easily because it does not require modification of the housing 2. It has been seen that the power wires 6 and the possible signal wires 7 carry very different currents / voltages and are not very compatible in terms of electromagnetic compatibility. Therefore, it is advisable to separate the power pins 8 from the signal pins 9, to keep them apart and not to cross them or force them to cross at any point in their path. Also, it is advantageous to group the power pins 8 in a first zone and to group the signal pins 9 in a second zone of the printed circuit 5, the two zones being continuous, so as to be able to pass a printed track from one power pin 8 to another, respectively from one signal pin 9 to another. For this, according to another characteristic, the printed circuit 5 is divided into two distinct and separable zones. [Fig.9] illustrates this characteristic more particularly in that it shows a contour C separating a central zone ZC and a peripheral zone ZP. The power pins 8 are all connected to the printed circuit 5 in one of these two zones ZC, ZP and the signal pins 9 are all connected in the other of the two zones ZC, ZP. The peripheral zone ZP is preferentially dedicated to power. This is advantageous in the case of a motor with a peripheral stator, which often corresponds to the reality of practice. In the opposite case, of a motor with a peripheral rotor, the central zone ZC would be dedicated to power. According to another characteristic, more particularly visible in figures 5-7, the proximal branches 14 of the power pins 8 have substantially the same length, so that the distal branches 16 of the power pins 8 are in the same first plane P1 perpendicular to the axis A. Similarly, the proximal branches 15 of the signal pins 9 have substantially the same length, so that the distal branches 17 of the signal pins 9 are in the same second plane P2 perpendicular to the axis A. In other words, the distal branches 16 of the power pins 8 are all at the same height and the distal branches 17 of the signal pins 9 are all at the same height. This simplifies the design of the counter-connector capable of connecting to the distal ends 12, 13, which is thus linear. According to another characteristic, the first plane P1 is distinct from the second plane P2. In other words, the distal branches 16 of the power pins 8 are not at the same height as the distal branches 17 of the signal pins 9. Preferably the first plane P1 is further from the printed circuit 5 than the second plane P2, i.e. the distal branches 16 of the power pins 16 are above the distal branches 17 of the signal pins 9, when the motor shaft is directed upwards, as illustrated. As more particularly illustrated in [Fig.8], the pins 8, 9 can be fixed at different points on the printed circuit 5 and in particular at different distances from the exterior towards which the pins 8, 9 point. However, it is advantageous for the distal ends 12 of the power pins 8 to end in the same power plane PP, substantially parallel to the axis λ and substantially perpendicular to the distal branches 16 of the power pins 8. Similarly, it is advantageous for the distal ends 13 of the signal pins 9 to end in the same signal plane PS, substantially parallel to the axis λ and substantially perpendicular to the distal branches 17 of the signal pins 9. Also, according to another characteristic, the length of each distal branch 16 of the power pin 8 is adapted accordingly so that the distal ends 12 of the power pins 8 end in the same power plane PP and the length of each distal branch 17 of the signal pin 9 is adapted accordingly so that the distal ends 13 of the signal pins 9 end in the same signal plane PS. As before, this simplifies the design of the counter-connector capable of connecting to the distal ends 12, 13, which is thus still linear, but in a perpendicular direction. According to another feature, the PP power plane is separate from the PS signal plane. This allows the signal power to be separated, including at the connector level. [Fig.10] illustrates an example of a counter-connector. The power 28 counter-pins are adapted to connect to the power 8 pins, the two blades of a power 28 counter-pin pinching under stress the flank of a power 8 pin. The signal 29 counter-pins are adapted to connect to the signal 9 pins. Here, it can be noted that the female counter-connector is configured with the same distance between its power 28 counter-pins and its signal 29 counter-pins as the distance between the power plane PP and the signal plane PS. Thus, despite this distance, the power 28 counter-pins come into contact with the power 8 pins and the counter-pins signal 29 come into contact with signal 9 pins simultaneously. Advantageously, as more particularly illustrated in [Fig.2], the invention makes it possible to produce a connection of the actuator 1 having a maximum radial extension H projecting very little from the section of the housing 2 characterized by the dimension R. The invention has been illustrated and described in detail in the drawings and the preceding description. The foregoing description should be considered illustrative and given by way of example and not as limiting the invention to this description alone. Numerous alternative embodiments are possible. List of reference signs 1: actuator, 2: housing, 3: engine, 4: sensor, 5: printed circuit, 6: power wire, 7: signal wire, 8: power pin, 9: signal pin, 10: proximal end of power spindle, 11: proximal end of signal pin, 12: distal end of power pin, 13: distal end of signal pin, 14: proximal branch of power spindle, 15: proximal branch of signal spindle, 16: distal branch of power spindle, 17: distal branch of signal pin, 18: power spindle tip, 19: signal pin tip, 20: upper flange, 21: lower flange, 22: connector cladding, 28: power counter-spindle, 29: signal counter-spindle, A: axis, C: outline, F1, F2: faces of the printed circuit, H: extension, P1, P2: axial extension plane of the pins, PP, PS: radial extension plane of the pins, ZC: central zone, ZP: peripheral zone,

Claims

Claims

1. Actuator (1) comprising a substantially cylindrical housing (2) of axis (A), an electric rotary motor (3) of axis (A) arranged in the housing (2), at least one sensor (4) arranged in the housing (2), a printed circuit (5) substantially flat arranged in the housing (2) per- pendicular to the axis (A) and accommodating power wires (6) in originating from the motor (2) and possibly the signal wires (7) in origin of said at least one sensor (4), characterized in that it further comprises at least one rigid power pin (8) and at least a rigid signal pin (9), the power pins (8) and the pins signal (9) being fixed by a proximal end (10, 11) to the circuit printed (5) and having their distal end (12, 13) exiting laterally of housing (2).

2. Actuator (1) according to the preceding claim, where a power wire (6) is connected to a power pin (8) and a possible signal wire (7) is connected to a signal pin (9).

3. Actuator (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, where the power wires (6) and any signal wires (7) are received by a first face (F1) of the printed circuit (5) facing the motor (3), and where the power pins (8) and the signal pins (9) are attached to a second face (F2) of the printed circuit (5) different from the first face (F1).

4. Actuator (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, where the power pins (8) and the signal pins (9) have substantially the shape of an L, whose proximal branches (14, 15), connected to the printed circuit (5), are substantially parallel to the axis (A) and the distal branches (16, 17), exiting laterally from the housing (2), are pa- similar to each other and of the same meaning.

5. Actuator (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, where the printed circuit (5) is entirely inscribed in the section of the accommodation (2).

6. Actuator (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, where the printed circuit (5) is divided into a central zone (ZC) and a zone peripheral (ZP), the power pins (8) being connected to the circuit printed (5) in one of the zones (ZC, ZP), preferably the pe- zone peripheral (ZP) and the signal pins (9) being connected in the other zone (ZC, ZP).

7. Actuator (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, where the proximal branches (14) of the power pins (8) have sens- possibly the same length, so that the distal branches (16) of the power pins (8) are in the same first plane (P1) perpen- dicular to the axis (A) and the proximal branches (15) of the signal pins (9) have substantially the same length, so that the distal branches (17) signal pins (9) are in the same second plane (P2) perpendicular to the axis (A).

8. Actuator (1) according to the preceding claim, where the first plane (Pl) is distinct from the second plane (P2), and preferentially the first plane (P1) is further from the printed circuit (5) than the second plane (P2).

9. Actuator (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, where the length of each distal branch (16) of power spindle (8) is adapted so that the distal ends (12) of the power pins (8) end up in the same power plane (PP), approximately parallel to the axis (A) and approximately perpendicular to the branches distal (16) of spindle power {8) and the length of each branch distal (17) of signal pin (9) is adapted so that the ends distal (13) of the signal pins (9) end in the same plane signal (PS), substantially parallel to the axis (A) and substantially perpen- dicular to the distal branches (17) of signal pin (9).

10. Actuator (1) according to the preceding claim, where the power plane (PP) is distinct from the signal plan (PS).

Images