Actuator comprising a gear wheel with limited angular range of operation

Abstract

The invention relates to an actuator comprising, in a casing (220), an electric motor comprising: - a stator (104), comprising a plurality of coils (117); - a rotor (102) comprising an output shaft (112); - at least one control circuit (130) for the motor; and - an output shaft (208) of the actuator, this output shaft being provided with a gear wheel (206), comprising teeth on only one portion (206a) of the periphery thereof, a plurality of bores (236) or holes arranged at an equal distance from the centre of rotation of the wheel, and a return means (230), the plurality of bores (236) or holes defining positions of one end of the return means (230), one end of which is secured in one of the bores (236) or holes of the plurality of bores (236) or holes, and the other end of which is secured to the casing.

Description

[0001] DESCRIPTION

[0002] Title: ACTUATOR COMPRISING A GEAR WHEEL WITH LIMITED OPERATING ANGULAR RANGE

[0003] TECHNICAL FIELD AND PRIOR ART

[0004] The invention relates to the field of components for transmission and / or reduction elements of electric motors, with a view to controlling members such as, for example, fluid distribution agents in a cooling system, for example of the medium temperature and / or high temperature type.

[0005] Such an electric motor comprises a plurality of coils, some of which are connected to each other by connections.

[0006] In some applications, it is desired to have a rotation of a component, for example a distributor or an actuator of a component, for example a hydraulic valve, which offers a well-defined limited angular range (<360°). However, in known systems, only a 360° angular range is available, which is difficult to control to obtain a rotation over a more limited angle. The problem therefore arises of finding new components for a system, for example a distributor or a valve, which can be actuated only over a limited angular range, while offering possibilities of adaptation to various environments.

[0007] The problem therefore arises of finding a new component, for a transmission element and / or a reducer, which allows for a limited angular range, <360°. Preferably, such a component also comprises means, for example adjustable, which allow it to be returned to an initial position from which it has been moved, for example under the action of a member such as an electric motor.

[0008] This type of component is generally part of an actuator, which may be contained in a housing, but this type of device is often bulky, and therefore there is also the problem of finding an actuator structure that is more compact. DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

[0009] The invention first relates to a wheel or a gear pinion, comprising teeth on only part of its periphery, and a plurality of bores or holes arranged at a distance, for example at an equal distance, from the center of rotation of the wheel, defining positions of one end of a return means.

[0010] Preferably, the bores or holes are equidistant from each other.

[0011] A gear wheel or pinion according to the invention may further comprise a return means, for example a spring (for example a torsion spring). One end of this return means may be fixed in one of the holes of said plurality of holes. This spring may be a torsion spring.

[0012] A wheel or pinion according to the invention may have teeth only on an angular sector of its periphery between 50° and 200°, for example between 90° and 150°, the other part of the periphery being smooth.

[0013] The other portion, which does not have gear teeth, of the periphery of the wheel may have a radius smaller than that of the portion which has the gear teeth. Preferably, the plurality of bores or holes is distributed over 360°.

[0014] For example, the plurality of bores or holes is distributed at a distance from the center of rotation of the wheel that is less than the radius of the other portion that does not have gear teeth, of the periphery of the wheel.

[0015] A wheel or pinion gear according to the invention may comprise, be mounted on, a shaft provided with a 1 er bearing or rolling bearing arranged in a 1 er side of the wheel and a 2 ème bearing or rolling bearing arranged in a 2 ème side of the wheel.

[0016] For example, the 1 er bearing or rolling bearing is arranged inside a volume delimited by said return means.

[0017] The invention also relates to an actuator comprising, in a casing, an electric motor comprising:

[0018] - a stator, comprising a plurality of coils,

[0019] - a rotor comprising an output shaft;

[0020] - an output shaft of the actuator, this output shaft being provided with a wheel or a gear pinion according to the invention. Such an actuator may further comprise at least one motor control circuit. Such an actuator may further comprise transmission means and / or a reducer, for transmitting the movement of the output shaft of the motor, these transmission means and / or this reducer comprising the output shaft of the actuator.

[0021] The output shaft of the actuator can advantageously be guided by a 1 er bearing or bearing and a 2 ème bearing or rolling bearing, which is arranged in a housing made in a part of the casing.

[0022] An actuator according to the invention may comprise an element, for example an intermediate plate, arranged between the output shaft and the electric motor.

[0023] For example, the 1 er output shaft bearing or rolling bearing may be arranged in the intermediate element, arranged between the output shaft and the electric motor.

[0024] If the actuator comprises transmission means and / or a reducer, the latter and / or the latter may comprise an intermediate stage between the output shaft of the motor and the output shaft of the actuator, this intermediate stage comprising a shaft guided by a 1 er landing and by a 2 ème bearing, which is arranged in said intermediate element.

[0025] An actuator according to the invention may further comprise at least one stop for limiting the travel of the gear wheel of the output shaft. In addition, a damping element may be provided between the wheel or gear according to the invention and said stop.

[0026] An actuator according to the invention may further comprise a return means, one end of which is fixed to the wheel or pinion according to the invention and the other end of which is fixed to the casing.

[0027] The invention also relates to a fluid distribution or cooling system, for example for a vehicle, comprising a plurality of valves, one or more actuator(s) according to the invention, each valve being actuated by an actuator according to the invention, at least 2 valves having different maximum flow rates, one end of the return means of one of these 2 valves being positioned in a different hole from the other of these 2 valves. The invention also relates to a land vehicle (truck or utility vehicle or construction vehicle or agricultural vehicles) or air vehicle (plane or aircraft) or nautical or naval vehicle (boat for example), comprising a thermal or electric, or hybrid, and / or fuel cell engine, further comprising a cooling system according to the invention, as described above or in the present application.

[0028] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0029] [Fig. 1A], [Fig. 1B], [Fig. 1C] and [Fig. 1D] show an embodiment of a wheel or pinion according to an embodiment of the present invention and various aspects of an embodiment of an output stage of a reducer that can be implemented within the scope of the present invention;

[0030] [Fig. 2A], [Fig.2B] and [Fig. 2C] represent an exemplary embodiment of a rotor which can be used within the scope of the invention;

[0031] [Fig. 3A], [Fig.3B], [Fig. 3C] and [Fig.3D] represent embodiments of a stator which can be used within the scope of the invention;

[0032] [Fig. 4] represents an example of a connector which can be used within the scope of the invention;

[0033] [Fig. 5A] and [Fig. 5B] represent an exemplary embodiment of a connection card which can be used within the scope of the invention;

[0034] [Fig. 6A] shows the assembly of a stator and a connection board within the scope of the present invention;

[0035] [Fig. 6B] shows an embodiment of a connection hole of a connection board within the scope of the present invention;

[0036] [Fig. 7A] and [Fig. 7B] show one embodiment of a main board that can be implemented in one embodiment of the present invention;

[0037] [Fig. 8] represents an implementation of a CAN network;

[0038] [Fig. 9] shows an embodiment of an actuator implementing aspects of the present invention; DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PARTICULAR EMBODIMENTS

[0039] An exemplary embodiment of a pinion or gear wheel 206 according to the invention is shown in Figures 1A and 1B.

[0040] As seen in these figures, this pinion only has gear teeth on a section, or angular sector, 206a of its periphery. The remainder 206b of the periphery is smooth and preferably has a radius smaller than that of the section 206a which carries the gear teeth. It can be mounted on an axis or shaft 208, which can be an output shaft of a reducer.

[0041] Furthermore, it is provided with holes or bores 236 which will allow one end of a return means to be adjusted, for example a return spring 230, for example again a torsion spring. This adjustment will for example be carried out according to the desired performance of an element, for example a valve, which will be coupled to the output shaft 208: it may be desired to have a more or less rapid return and / or with more or less torque (the greater the return constraint, the greater the return torque) of this element and adjust the position of the end of the return spring accordingly using the different positions in the different holes 236.

[0042] In addition, one or more stops 225, 227 of a casing 220 in which this pinion is arranged may be provided to limit the travel thereof. One or more damping elements 207, for example made of plastic material, may be provided on a side wall 209 of the pinion to avoid excessively abrupt contact between the latter and the stop(s) 225, 11 and to ensure that this contact is damped.

[0043] This pinion can be used at the output stage of a reducer, an example of which will be described later. This reducer can be used as an element for transmitting the rotational movement of an electric motor.

[0044] Figures 2A - 3D show an example of such a motor. It comprises a rotor 102, one embodiment of which is shown in Figures 2A - 2C and a wound stator 104, one embodiment of which is shown in Figures 3A - 3D.

[0045] This is for example a brushless motor (BLDC, or Brushless Direct Current) of the "IPMSM" ("Interior Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motor") type. The rotor 102 comprises for example stacked sheets of ferromagnetic steel with housings 103 to accommodate buried NdFeB magnets 106. The thickness of iron between the magnets and the air gap (which separates the rotor from the stator) is constant. This thickness is the thickness of iron between a magnet and the outer diameter of the rotor (it can be seen in figure 1B); between the inner diameter of the stator and the rotor magnets, there is therefore a distance equal to the air gap increased by this thickness of iron.

[0046] The rotor may also include a bore with a keying device 110 for mounting a rotor shaft 112 to transmit a force. This keying device here has the form of 2 flats 110 (figure 1B). The keying device allows the rotor not to "slip" relative to the associated shaft or axis and to transmit the force correctly, but not only by tight assembly. In other words, the center of the rotor may be pierced with a bore and provided with 1 or 2 flats 110. The rotor axis may be provided with the corresponding male shape, the cylindrical part ensuring the coaxiality of the components, the flat(s) ensuring anti-rotation between the assembled components. These aspects (combination of a cylindrical part and flat(s)) may be implemented in other assemblies of axes or shafts, as indicated below.

[0047] As explained further (in connection with FIG. 9), and as illustrated in FIG. 2C, a magnetic element 114 of angular position, for example a magnet, for example again an annular magnet, can also be implemented, by being applied on or against the rotor 102 in order to capture the position of the latter; between the power magnets 106 and the position magnet 114, an intermediate element 119, or a plastic spacer, made of material as well as possibly one or more shielding sheets 118 can be present so that the position signal of the annular magnet 114, detected by a sensor 135 (shown in FIG. 9), is not disturbed. The intermediate element 119 has several functions:

[0048] - one function is to move the power magnets of the rotor away from the magnetic element 114 of position (so that their fields do not disturb each other);

[0049] - another function is to bring the magnetic element 114 closer to a magnetic sensor which will make it possible to detect the position of this magnetic element 114; - yet another function is to serve as a support for possible shielding means 118, for example one or more shielding sheets, by positioning these means not only between the power magnets and the magnetic position element 114 but also by allowing these shielding means not to be very close to, or even stuck to, the magnets and for the field overlapping to be optimal; this function is illustrated in figure 2C on which we see that the means 118 are taken between 2 parts of the intermediate element 119.

[0050] The stator 104 (figures 3A - 3D) comprises for example a stack of stator laminations of the crown-star type with a star part 104i comprising so-called "solid" laminations 105i allowing the plates to be held together, and "non-solid" laminations 1052 allowing losses to be limited. Such a star structure makes it possible to insert wound plastic carcasses directly onto a winding machine, called a "spindle" (rotating coil), which allows winding with simpler machines (which is less expensive and faster).

[0051] The star 104i accommodates N (N>1; in this example: N = 12) plastic carcasses 116, each equipped with a coil 117. A crown 104? made of stator laminations (these laminations are visible in figure 6A) can be assembled on the stator to allow the wound carcasses to be held and to loop back the magnetic fields.

[0052] Preferably, the stator 104 is electrically mounted in a star, with a neutral point. An interconnection plate or card 120 ("PCB", or printed circuit board) is provided in the extension of the electric motor to connect together the coils which are to be connected to each other. This card, which extends in a direction perpendicular to the axis (XX') of rotation of the rotor, carries a plurality of connection tracks 124, for example as illustrated in FIGS. 5A-5B, these tracks being provided to connect the coils of the stator together.

[0053] These tracks are connected to the output or input wires of the different coils by connection means 122 made of conductive material, for example by soldering the ends of the wires of the coils, or by connection terminals 122, for example of the “press fit” type (connector or insertion pin and / or enamel break terminals (IDC). An example of such a connection 122 is shown in FIG. 4: it comprises an end 122i, (for example of the “press fit” type) preferably comprising a part 122' forming a spring in a lateral direction perpendicular to the direction of extension of the connection, configured to be introduced into a contact hole 126 of the card 120 and an end 122? (for example of the enamel break terminal type) configured to come into contact with a wire of a coil, for example by pinching this wire.Preferably, the connection means 122 are designed to be pressed into the corresponding holes or receptacles of a component, creating a solid and secure connection without the need for soldering or additional fixings; this is the case, in particular, for the connection terminals 122 of the “press fit” type.

[0054] These connection means provide both an electrical connection and mechanical support for the card 120.

[0055] More specifically, the card 120 may comprise a plurality of means, for example holes or contact pads 126, preferably equidistant, each being for example in the form of a metallized hole in which a connection means 122, for example the end (which may be soldered to the metallization) of a wire of a coil, or one end of a connection terminal, will be able to be housed and thus establish an electrical contact between a wire of one of the coils, the metallization of the hole with which this means 22 is in contact and one or more of the tracks 124. Among the holes or contact pads 126, some 126 n i, 126 n z, 126 n3 are neutral points and allow easier access to these neutral points, without the need for additional components. The 3 phases of the power supply (coming for example from the card 130 described below) are connected to a series of 3 connection pads or holes 1263 for example by soldering or, in particular in the case of connection holes, by “pressfit” type means as explained above. These 3 connection pads or holes 1263 are connected to the different coils by tracks 124.

[0056] The card 120 preferably has a crown shape, as seen in the example of Figures 3D and 5A - 5B, which reproduces the shape of the stator 104. It can have any other shape, which has a maximum dimension smaller than that of the stator 104 and a central hole to allow the axis 112 of the rotor to pass through.

[0057] Figure 5A shows how the connections were designed for the board 120 and Figure 5B is the final output of the board in another representation, in 3D.

[0058] Thus, when this card is mounted, it does not add any bulk in width (i.e. in a direction located in a plane perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the rotor); preferably, if the card 120 has a crown shape, then its internal diameter is greater than or equal to the internal diameter of the stator and its external diameter is less than or equal to the external diameter of the stator: in this way, it strictly respects the bulk of the motor.

[0059] Furthermore, since this card 120 is located close to the motor along the axis (XX'), it does not add any bulk in the axial direction, i.e. along the axis of rotation of the rotor. Preferably, the center of the crown is aligned with the axis of rotation (XX') of the rotor.

[0060] On the board 120, one or more of the connection tracks 124 preferably have an arcuate shape 124i, with one or more radial connection tracks 124?, 124s extending from the arcuate, for example from one or more of its ends to a connection point 126 or to another arcuate-shaped track.

[0061] The 124 tracks can be designed preferably keeping:

[0062] - the shortest distance between two points, respecting the geometry of the stator;

[0063] - and / or having sufficient width for the conduction of current;

[0064] - and / or having sufficient inter-trip distance.

[0065] Furthermore, to avoid clutter in the design of the paths followed by the tracks and to comply with the above points, it is possible to have a straight part, following a radial direction (this is one or more of the radial tracks already mentioned above), and a part in the form of an arc portion. Figure 6A represents the assembly comprising the stator 104, the connection card 120 and one end of the connection means 122; this assembly is compact (the distance between the rotor-stator assembly and the card 120 can be between 1 mm and 5 mm. Furthermore, the connection card 120 avoids the presence of connection tracks (between the coils) on a 2 èmeelectronic circuit board or card ("PCB") (described below), which is also equipped with components which may be sensitive to the current flowing in the coils and which may generate interference. Thus, the functions of connection between the coils (connection provided by the card 120) and of motor control (provided by the 2) are separated. e electronic card).

[0066] As can be understood from this figure 6A, when, on the one hand, the assembly consisting of the stator and the rotor is ready, as well as, on the other hand, the card 120 provided with its tracks 124, it is sufficient to align the holes 126 of the card with the corresponding means 122 and to press the plate towards the stator.

[0067] The holes 126 may be circular, but this circular shape may pose a problem of alignment precision and / or guidance of the means 122 in these same holes. To solve this problem, it is possible to give each hole 126 a particular shape, as illustrated in FIG. 6B: this comprises a wide part 126a, into which it is possible to introduce the end of a means 122 (for example the end of a wire or a connector 122, for example such as that illustrated in FIG. 4), and a narrower part 126b, into which the end in question can then be pinched and held to ensure electrical contact.

[0068] Thus, when the end of each means 122 is introduced into the wider part 126a, it is then possible to rotate the card 120, as indicated by the arrow in FIG. 6B, to bring this end into the narrower part 126b in which it is then held. This also ensures that the entire card 120 is locked.

[0069] An example of another, or 2 ème , electronic board or card 130 (or “PCBA”), called the control and / or monitoring card or main card, is shown schematically in figures 7A and 7B. This control or main card is different from the connection card 120.

[0070] This main electronic card 130 comprises, on a face 132i (figure 7B), called "lower", one or more components 132, for example one or more Hall effect sensor(s) 133, for example to detect a position of an output shaft of the motor, as explained below; it may optionally comprise on the opposite face 132? (figure 7A), called "upper", one or more sensor(s), for example Hall effect 135, opposite for example a rotor position magnet 114, in order to detect the position of the latter. This main electronic card 130 comprises connectors or connection points for a three-phase power supply of the motor; these connectors can be connected to the three-phase of the connection card 120. This card 130 may also comprise a point for the neutral (not shown in figures 6A and 6B).So in total there can be 4 connections between the main board 130 and the interconnection board 120 (3 connections for the 3 phases and one connection for the neutral).

[0071] Furthermore, this electronic card 130 comprises means or a control element 134, for example a microprocessor or microcontroller 134.

[0072] This element 134 may be programmed, or include instructions for, controlling the electrical power supply to the motor.

[0073] In particular, this element 134 can measure or estimate the consumption of current supplied to the electric motor. This current consumed reflects the effort supplied by the motor. If, for example, a valve, which is controlled by the motor or by an actuator which comprises this motor, is blocked or is slowed down due to impurities in a fluid whose flow is controlled by the valve, or if the actuator is defective, the element 134 sees an increase in the effort applied by the increase in the current supplied; it can therefore send an instruction to stop the actuator and the member which it controls.

[0074] This element 134 can start a work sequence, after an interruption in the operation of the member, for example the valve, which it controls, by sending jolts to the latter: for example, short pulses can be generated by this same element 134, with a predetermined torque, in order to detach the member or the valve after an interruption in its operation.

[0075] It is also possible to magnetically isolate a component, for example a magnetic sensor 135, for example a Hall sensor, by positioning on the upper face 132?, or opposite the latter, one or more shielding sheets 118 (which can be seen in figure 9).

[0076] On this card 130, a connector 136 can also be arranged to allow an electrical interface, with for example a specific connector which will allow an interface with a network, for example a CAN network of a vehicle, of which the card 130 (or the motor or actuator which it controls) is part. The card 130 allows a calibration of the actuator each time the device is started.

[0077] According to one aspect, the card 130 is provided, on one of its faces, with a connector 136, which comprises a plurality of connection pads (or "pins"), each combination of pads making it possible to determine an address of the card in a network, for example a CAN network, for example of a vehicle. Plugs or pins are connected to several pads of this connector 136, according to a configuration determined by the desired address for the card 130. For example, 2 plugs or pins make it possible to determine the address: each can have one of the 2 values ​​0 and 1; thus, with 2 plugs or pins, it is possible to have 4 different addresses.

[0078] Furthermore, the different addresses can be stored by the element 134 (for example in a memory, for example an EEPROM, thereof) or in a memory, for example a separate EEPROM.

[0079] Thus, programming the address of each card is easy and can be easily modified since it is sufficient to modify the position of the different plugs in the connector 136, without intervening on the element 134 or on aspects of software implemented by the latter. The exchange of information between the network and the element 134 can then take place via this connector.

[0080] Thus, if a vehicle is equipped with a plurality of cards 130, each actuating for example a valve via an electric motor (for example as explained above ;) an address can be easily assigned to each card 130 and implemented using the connector 136, all these addresses being different from each other. There is thus no need to resort to complex programming to determine the addresses of the different cards

[0081] For example, for a 6-input 136 connector (usually most of these connectors just have 4 inputs):

[0082] - one input is used for CAN High, one of the wires of a CAN bus;

[0083] - one input is used for CAN Low, the other wire for the same CAN bus;

[0084] - one input is used for the V+ voltage supply;

[0085] - another input is used for the V- voltage supply (or ground);

[0086] - the other 2 inputs can be used to select an address, each input can be in state “0” (Ground) or “1” (“open”); in total, 4 different addresses can be generated for the same actuator or motor.

[0087] This ability to allocate different addresses to the same motor or actuator has several advantages. Indeed, a fixed CAN address imposes many restrictions on the use of this motor or actuator in a network. In particular, when a user wants to connect several devices (e.g. motors or actuators) to the same network and wishes to identify them, he needs different identifiers. The invention allows:

[0088] - to avoid conflicts of CAN addresses or identifiers;

[0089] - possibly expand the network by including new devices and allocating them additional CAN addresses or identifiers;

[0090] - avoid having to intervene in the memory which stores the CAN addresses or identifiers and to intervene on the software which implements them, which can often be difficult for an end user and can compromise the security of the system: the user can, on the other hand, intervene more easily on the connector 136, without needing to modify said memory and / or said software.

[0091] An example of a vehicle CAN network is shown in Figure 8: this vehicle comprises several actuators 142-148, a CAN address being assigned to each of them (CAN1 address for actuator 142, CAN2 address for actuator 144, CAN3 address for actuator 146, CAN4 address for actuator 146). The control instructions are generated and sent to the different actuators, according to their addresses, by a central unit 140. Each of these actuators is provided with a card 130, as described above, and the address of each card 130 can be programmed using the connector 136 of this card, in the manner explained above. Each of the means 134, for example microprocessor or microcontroller, stores the possible addresses for the actuator with which it is associated.

[0092] Figure 9, which will be commented on in more detail below, shows a particularly interesting arrangement of various means already presented above:

[0093] - the spacer 119 can be arranged at the end of the rotor 102;

[0094] - an armor plate 118 can be arranged in the spacer 119;

[0095] - and / or the magnetic means 114 can be arranged on the spacer 119, which can advantageously be arranged between these magnetic means 114 and the rotor 102;

[0096] - the l ère card 120 can be arranged opposite the rotor, and can surround the magnetic means 114;

[0097] - the l ère card 120 can be placed opposite 2 ère card 130, which carries the detector 135 arranged opposite the magnetic means 114. A reducer 200 is now described in which a wheel implemented according to the invention can be used.

[0098] This reducer can, in turn, be used in combination with an electric motor as described above, the assembly being contained in a housing 220. Thus, in Figure 9, we recognize the rotor 102 and the stator 104 as described above, the connection card 120 between the coils and the control card 130 of the electric motor.

[0099] As illustrated in Figure 9, an example of a reducer 200 comprises a plurality of pinions and / or toothed wheels, for example:

[0100] - a pinion 202 which extends the axis 112 of the rotor (see figure 2A, these 2 elements forming a single piece) and which is driven in rotation by the latter;

[0101] - at least one intermediate wheel 204, which mechanically engages the pinion 202;

[0102] - an output shaft 206 on which a wheel or pinion 230, for example according to the invention and for example as described above (-in particular in connection with figures 1A and 1B and below with figures 1C and 1D), is mounted so as to rotate together, this wheel or pinion 230 mechanically engaging the wheel 204 or a pinion 204p integral with the latter or with a shaft 205 on which both are mounted.

[0103] The axes or shafts on which these different elements are mounted are parallel to each other. Each of these elements can be mounted on bearings or rollers (202a, 202b, 204a, 204b, 206a, 206b), for example ball bearings, in order to guarantee the most precise positioning (to ensure a better center distance, and / or better parallelism of the axes). To ensure the bearing function, one or more ball bearings can be used as mentioned above, but bronze or plastic rings could be suitable in certain cases, for example for shafts with low rotation speeds. In the following, we will mainly mention "bearings", but all the bearing variants just mentioned can be used.

[0104] These different elements are made, for example, of non-magnetic material (for example, stainless steel or another material, such as plastic) to avoid problems with magnetic field feedback. In the case of bearings, stainless steel is usually used; guide rings can be made of plastic.

[0105] The rotor pinion shaft is for example fitted into the stack of rotor laminations, for example by press fitting, and one or more anti-rotation elements make it possible to eliminate any slippage due to cylinder / cylinder contact; for example, one or more anti-rotation elements implement one or more flats on each side of the shaft, as already described above in connection with FIG. 2B. This shaft 112 can be mounted in bearings 202a, 202b which can be located in parts of the casing, for example on the one hand in a wall 220i (here called the upper wall) of the casing 220, on the other in an element of the latter, for example an intermediate plate 222 thereof. These bearings are mounted tightly in these different parts.This same intermediate plate 222 can serve as a housing for a bearing 204a of the intermediate wheel 204, another bearing 204b of the latter being housed in a wall 220? of the casing, here called the lower wall, for example opposite the wall 220i. This intermediate wheel can comprise two parts, on the one hand the wheel 204 itself and, on the other hand, a pinion 204p, both mounted integrally on the same axis 205. An adjustment between the two can be obtained by an adjusted diameter and one or more anti-rotation elements; for example, one or more anti-rotation elements implement one or more flats on each side of the shaft, as already described above in connection with FIG. 2B.An output stage of the reducer comprises a wheel or pinion 206, for example according to the present invention, which engages the wheel 204 or the pinion 204p and which drives the output shaft 208, mounted in bearings 208a, 208b which can be located, on the one hand in the wall 220? of the casing of the casing 220, on the other in the intermediate plate 222.

[0106] A rotating member or mechanism may be mounted at the end (outside the housing)

[0107] 2081 of the shaft 208, for example a flap or a valve or a valve core, This rotating member or mechanism, for example this valve, can therefore be actuated by the electric motor, the movement of which is transmitted to the reducer, the output of the latter actuating this rotating member or mechanism, for example this valve. In the case of a valve, this may for example belong to a cooling system, for example still in a motor vehicle or in any motorized transport device. Alternatively, an actuator as described above or in the present application can be implemented not only in the automotive field, but in many other fields, for example in the field of robotics or medicine.

[0108] A magnetic element 214 may be disposed at the other end (inside the housing)

[0109] 2082 of the shaft 208 (for example in a hollow made at the end thereof), to allow detection of the angular position thereof by a sensor 133, for example a Hall effect sensor, which is preferably mounted on the card 130. As already explained above (see also FIG. 9), an annular position magnet 114 can also be implemented in order to sense the position of the rotor; between the power magnets (whose various functions have already been explained above) and the position magnet 114, a spacer 119 made of plastic material as well as possibly one or more shielding sheets 118 can be present so that the position signal of the annular magnet 114, detected by a sensor 135, is not disturbed.

[0110] As understood from the above description, an intermediate element, for example an intermediate plate 222 can separate the casing into 2 parts:

[0111] - a first part or a first compartment (located above the plate 222 in figure 9) which comprises the motor, with its rotor 102 and its stator 104, as well as the cards 120, 130 (PCB);

[0112] - and a 2 e part or a 2 ème compartment (located below plate 222 in Figure 9) which contains most of the elements of the reducer, including the output stage and the wheel or pinion 206, and from which the output shaft projects to be coupled to a member to be actuated, for example a valve.

[0113] The intermediate plate 222 makes it possible to house the bearings of the various shafts or axles. This saves space, since the axles in question do not need to be extended to the opposite wall to be guided in rotation. If one end of each axle were not included in the intermediate plate, it would be impossible, unless there were a significant increase in the overall size of the device, to have any axle included in the upper or lower wall of the casing. In fact, various elements of the device are located above or below these axles, preventing such an inclusion in the upper or lower wall.

[0114] As seen in Figure 9, the return means 230 (see Figure 1B and description already given above), for example a torsion spring, make it possible to return the element 206 to an initial position when it has been rotated by the motor or by the reducer from this initial position; such a return function can be very useful, particularly in the event of a power cut. The means 230 can therefore act as a safety element. This operates over the entire angular range permitted by the device. It can be fixed on the one hand to the wheel or pinion 206, and on the other hand to the casing 220. The return means 230 can be calibrated so as to respond to the performance of each valve which can be associated with it (for example to set the maximum angular range, and / or a resistive torque, and / or a return time, etc.).This calibration is done using the different holes or bores 236 present on the output shaft wheel allowing, depending on the choice of bore 236, to pre-stress the return means more or less.

[0115] Consequently, these return means can be adapted to the specific needs of the application. In particular, these return means are preferably adapted to provide sufficient torque to return the member (for example a valve) coupled to the actuator to its initial position, for example in the event of a power cut or a switch to degraded mode, and this for example over the entire angular movement authorized by the actuator. For example, if a greater torque is needed to return the actuated member, the position of the end of the return means 230 can be changed in order to prestress them more and therefore to have a greater return torque. This makes it possible to have a single type of return means, for example a single type of spring, for a wide variety of members, for example valves.For example, the actuator may be mechanically defined to cover an angle greater than the useful angle of the rotary member to be actuated; the return means are then functional over the largest angle.

[0116] According to an example of embodiment, 18 holes equidistant by 20° between them were made to define as many possible positions for one end of the return means.

[0117] According to a particular embodiment, the element (wheel or pinion, for example according to the invention) 206 can be engaged with the pinion 204p over a limited angular sector, for example between 90° and 200°, for example still approximately 110°, allowing rotation of the output shaft 208 over this same limited angular range. This angular range can also be limited by the presence of one or more stops 225, 227, made in the casing. To this end, the element 206 preferably comprises:

[0118] - a 1 erangular sector 206a which has a 1 er radius (measured relative to the wheel's center of rotation) or diameter, and which has gear teeth, - a 2 ème angular sector 206b which has a 2 ème radius or diameter less than 1 er radius (measured relative to the wheel's center of rotation) or diameter, and which does not have gear teeth; this aspect saves space.

[0119] Thus, the transition zones 209 (figures IA and IC) between 1 er first angular sector 206a and the 2 ème angular sector form shoulders which will be able to rest against the stop(s) 225, 227.

[0120] It is understood that the arrangement of the positioning holes of one end of the return means at a distance from the center of rotation of the wheel which is less than that of the 2 ème angular sector 206b allows to have such positioning holes over 360°.

[0121] The output shaft 208 may also use an adjustment with the wheel 206 with one or more flats, as already explained above, to prevent rotation of one of these 2 elements relative to the other. This output shaft 208 may be engaged between the intermediate plate 222 and the lower wall 2202 of the housing and also uses bearings.

[0122] At the inner end 2082 of the shaft 208, on the side of the plate 130, a magnetic element, for example a magnetized disc, 214 allows a magnetic sensor 133 (for example a Hall effect sensor) to detect the position of the output shaft 208 and thus, a closed-loop operation of the device can be achieved. : thus, the desired position of the shaft or output of the actuator can be controlled and maintained, the means 134 implementing a closed-loop system monitoring, preferably continuously, the actual position of the actuator and making adjustments to ensure that it remains as close as possible to the desired position.

[0123] Finally, a dynamic seal 230 can be arranged in the casing wall 2202 to ensure the sealing of the assembly.

[0124] Furthermore, the connector 136 passes through a wall of the casing to allow access to it from outside the casing.

[0125] As understood from the above explanations, a casing 220 embodying the present invention may comprise an upper portion (casing

[0126] RECTIFIED SHEET (RULE 91) ISA / EP upper part) and a lower part (lower casing). This casing can have a guiding function, since bearings and / or elements can be housed therein. For example, as illustrated in figures IC and 1D, positioning and / or centering pins 306 can be housed therein, as explained above, making it possible to ensure a good position of the rotating elements and of the intermediate plate 222 which can have one or more of the functionalities already explained above, in particular the housing of the end bearing(s) of the shafts or axes. These good positions also make it possible to ensure the desired distance between the axes and the desired clearances for them.

[0127] Threaded holes 308 (see for example figure 1A) may be provided in the different parts of the casing to allow the fixing of these positioning and / or centering elements, but also the fixing of the element 222 and / or one or more cards 120, 130 and / or that of the stator. The threaded holes 302, 304 (figures 1A, 1C, 1D) make it possible to join the 2 parts of the casing and to fix them to each other.

[0128] A dynamic seal is also inserted, allowing internal / external sealing.

[0129] An electric motor described within the scope of the present invention may be used with a reduction gear other than that just described. And the output wheel or pinion 206 may be of the type described above, or may have teeth around its entire circumference.

[0130] A fluid or cooling distribution system, for example of a vehicle, may comprise a plurality of valves, each valve being actuated by an actuator; each actuator being according to one of the embodiments of the invention. At least 2 valves may have different maximum flow rates, one end of the return means of one of these 2 valves being positioned in a different hole from the other of these 2 valves.

[0131] A vehicle, comprising a thermal engine or an electric motor, may comprise a fluid distribution or cooling system as described above.

Claims

CLAIMS 1. Actuator comprising, in a casing (220), an electric motor comprising: - a stator (104), comprising a plurality of coils (117), - a rotor (102) comprising an output shaft (112); - at least one engine control circuit (130), - an output shaft (208) of the actuator, this output shaft being provided with a gear wheel (206), comprising teeth on only a part (206a) of its periphery, and a plurality of bores (236) or holes arranged at equal distance from the center of rotation of the wheel, a return means (230), said plurality of bores (236) or holes defining positions of one end of said return means (230), one end of which is fixed in one of the bores or holes (236) of said plurality of bores (236) or holes and the other end of which is fixed to the casing.

2. Actuator according to claim 1, the bores or holes being arranged at equal distance from the center of rotation of the wheel.

3. Actuator according to one of claims 1 or 2, the bores or holes being equidistant from each other.

4. Actuator according to one of claims 1 to 3, said return means (230) comprising a spring, one end of which is fixed in one of the bores (236) or holes (236) of said plurality of bores (236) or holes.

5. Actuator according to claim 4, said spring being a torsion spring.

6. Actuator according to one of claims 1 to 5, comprising teeth only on an angular sector of its periphery between 50° and 200°, for example between 90° and 150°, the rest of the periphery being smooth.

7. Actuator according to one of claims 1 to 6, the other part (206b) of the periphery of the wheel, which does not have teeth, having a radius smaller than that of the part (206a) which has the gear teeth.

8. Actuator according to one of claims 1 to 7, the plurality of bores (236) or holes being distributed over 360°.

9. Actuator according to claims 7 and 8, the plurality of bores (236) or holes being distributed at a distance from the center of rotation of the wheel which is less than the radius of the other part (206b) of the periphery of the wheel.

10. Actuator according to one of claims 1 to 9, further comprising a shaft (208) provided with a 1 er landing (208b) arranged in a 1 er side of the gear wheel and a 2 ème landing (208a) arranged in a 2 ème side of the gear wheel.

11. Actuator according to claim 10, the 1 erbearing (208b) being arranged inside a volume delimited by said return means (230).

12. Actuator according to one of claims 1 to 11, further comprising transmission means or a reducer (200), for transmitting the movement of the output shaft (112) of the motor, these means or this reducer comprising the output shaft (208) of the actuator.

13. Actuator according to one of claims 1 to 12, the output shaft (208) of the actuator being guided by a 1 er landing (208b) and a 2 ème bearing (208a), which is arranged in a housing made in a part of the casing.

14. Actuator according to one of claims 1 to 13, comprising an element (222), for example an intermediate plate, arranged between the output shaft (208) and the electric motor.

15. Actuator according to claims 13 and 14, the 1 erbearing (208b) being arranged in the intermediate element (222), arranged between the output shaft (208) and the electric motor.

16. Actuator according to claims 12 and 14, said transmission or reduction means comprising an intermediate stage (204, 204p) between the output shaft (112) of the motor and the output shaft of the actuator, this intermediate stage comprising a shaft guided by a 1 er landing and by a 2 ème bearing, which is arranged in said intermediate element. 17 Actuator according to one of claims 1 to 13, further comprising at least one stop (225, 227) for limiting the travel of the gear wheel (206) of the output shaft (112).

18. Actuator according to claim 17, further comprising a damping element (207) between the wheel and said stop.

19. Fluid or cooling distribution system, for example of a vehicle, comprising a plurality of valves, a plurality of actuators according to one of claims 1 to 18, each valve being actuated by an actuator according to one of claims 1 to 18, at least 2 valves having different maximum flow rates, one end of the return means of one of these 2 valves being positioned in a different hole from the other of these 2 valves.

20. Vehicle, comprising a thermal or electric engine, further comprising a fluid or cooling distribution system according to claim 19.

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