WO2015150683A1 - Member for actuating a valve - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a member (1) for actuating a valve, in particular for a motor vehicle, the member (1) including: a sensor target (3), and a mounting (4) for the sensor target, the mounting comprising at least one first area (5) capable of resiliently deforming such as to reduce the mechanical stresses applied by the target to the mounting.

Description

 Actuating member of a valve

The invention relates to an actuating member of a valve.

 The patent application FR 2 992 046 discloses a fluid circulation valve comprising an actuator for rotating a control shaft of a flap, the actuating member comprising a sensor target and a support of said target, the support being derived from the molding of the actuating member and said target being overmolded on the target support.

 A disadvantage associated with such a target support is that failures appear at the level of the support.

 The present invention aims in particular to remedy this drawback.

 The invention thus relates to an actuating member of a valve, in particular for a motor vehicle, the member comprising:

 a sensor target,

 a support of the sensor target, the support comprising at least one elastically deformable zone capable of elastically deforming so as to reduce the mechanical stresses applied by the target on the support.

 Thanks to the invention, the mechanical stresses of the target relative to the support are reduced, because of the elasticity of said at least one elastically deformable zone. Indeed, the target and the target support being made of different materials, they each have a specific coefficient of expansion which implies mechanical stress on one another. The reduction of the mechanical stresses has the effect of preventing the target support from cracking.

 The elastically deformable region of the support may be formed on an elastically deformable tab.

 The support may have an axis of rotation and the elastically deformable tab may extend along this axis of rotation.

 The actuating member may have an axis of rotation and the elastically deformable tab may extend along this axis of rotation.

 The actuating member and the support may be coaxial.

Each elastically deformable tab may comprise at least one reinforcing rib. The reinforcing rib allows the reinforcement of the tab, which has the effect of limiting the effect of the mechanical stresses of the target relative to the support, at the level of the tab.

 The reinforcing rib may extend along the axis of rotation. This arrangement simplifies the manufacture of the support of the target.

 The elastically deformable tab may include an inner face in contact with the sensor target and the reinforcing rib may be formed on an outer face of the tab.

 This particular arrangement of the rib with respect to the tab avoids structural modifications on the shape of the target.

 The reinforcing rib may be formed on a corner of the elastically deformable tab.

 This particular arrangement of the rib with respect to the tab makes it possible to target the reinforcement of the tab to the zone on which the mechanical stresses are the most important. This arrangement has the effect of allowing the tab to be elastically deformable while strengthening the area on which the mechanical stresses are the most important.

 In a plane perpendicular to the axis of rotation, the periphery of the reinforcing rib may be rounded. This type of periphery makes it possible to obtain a regular reinforcement of the lug as well as a homogeneous mechanical deformation thereof.

 In a plane perpendicular to the axis of rotation, the periphery of the reinforcing rib may extend over only a portion of the outer face of the elastically deformable tab. This makes it possible to increase the elasticity of the tab.

 Alternatively, in a plane perpendicular to the axis of rotation, the periphery of the reinforcing rib may extend over the entire outer face of the elastically deformable tab. This makes it possible to increase the reinforcement of the tab.

 The reinforcing rib may extend over at least 30%, for example at least 40%, especially at least 50% of the height of the elastically deformable tab, measured along the axis of rotation.

 Alternatively, the reinforcing rib may extend over the entire height of the elastically deformable tab, measured along the axis of rotation. This particular arrangement makes it possible to increase the reinforcement of the tab.

The reinforcing rib may extend for at least 30%, for example at least 40%, in particular at least 50% of the height of the support, measured along the axis of rotation. In a variant, the reinforcing rib extends over the entire height of the support, measured along the axis of rotation.

 The elastically deformable tab may include an axial stop for immobilizing the sensor target in the direction of the axis of rotation. Such an abutment keeps the elasticity of the tab while allowing the immobilization of the sensor target.

 The axial abutment can be performed on a top of the elastically deformable tab.

 The axial stop may extend in a plane perpendicular to the axis of rotation. Thus, the stop may at least partially cover one of the surfaces of the sensor target.

 The thickness of the axial abutment may be less than the thickness of the tab. The technical effect of a stop having these characteristics is to reduce the overall dimensions of the actuating member. Indeed, such an abutment allows the existence of a reduced air gap and therefore the use of a sensor target of reduced size.

 Alternatively, the thickness of the axial stop may be greater than or equal to the thickness of the tab.

 The support may comprise two elastically deformable zones capable of elastically deforming, in particular three zones, for example four zones. One advantage provided by this arrangement is to allow deformation of the support in several directions.

 The support may comprise as many elastically deformable tabs as elastically deformable zones, the zones being formed on separate tabs.

 The elastically deformable tabs may be spaced apart by a non-zero distance. In other words, the elastically deformable tabs can be disjointed. This arrangement makes it possible to provide better elasticity to each leg and to allow each leg to be deformed in its proper direction.

 The elastically deformable tabs may be arranged to be symmetrical to one another by rotation about the axis of rotation. This arrangement allows a homogeneous maintenance of the sensor target while avoiding any possible lifting thereof.

Each elastically deformable tab may comprise at least one gripping portion for demolding the actuating member. The support may comprise a base on which the sensor target is placed.

The base may include a through hole. Such a hole allows the maintenance of the sensor target inside a mold, during the manufacture of the actuating member.

 The through hole of the base may be coaxial with the support.

 The base may have at least one corner and the elastically deformable tab may be disposed at this corner.

 The base may have a parallelepiped shape, including rectangle, and four elastically deformable tabs may each be arranged at a corner of the base.

 The base may have an extra thickness with respect to a main face of the actuating member. Thus, the thickness of the base can advantageously be chosen to dispose the sensor target at a predetermined distance from the main face of the actuating member.

 The height of the elastically deformable tab may be less than the thickness of the base.

 Alternatively, the height of the elastically deformable tab may be greater than or equal to the thickness of the base.

 The reinforcing rib may extend at least partially on the leg and at least partially on the base. This allows the rib to be maintained by the base, which allows a better reinforcement of the leg.

 The actuating member may comprise at least one radial reinforcing rib connecting to the base and to the main face. These ribs make it possible to stiffen the support of the sensor target.

 At least one radial reinforcing rib may comprise a through hole.

This through hole makes it possible to evacuate air during assembly, for example by welding, of the actuating member on a base.

 The support may comprise a plastic material. Such a support is simple to manufacture and has good reliability while ensuring good elasticity of the elastically deformable areas.

 The actuating member may comprise a plastics material.

The sensor target can be overmolded. The target is thus fixed to the support reliably and accurately, while being able to exert on the support non-destructive mechanical stresses for it. The sensor target may include a magnet. This type of sensor is particularly well suited for measuring an angular position.

 The sensor target can be formed based on a ferrite. This material is particularly economical.

 The sensor target may have a parallelepiped shape, including a rectangle.

 The sensor target may have sharp edges.

 The invention also relates to a fluid circulation valve, particularly for a motor vehicle, comprising:

 a fluid switching member, in particular a flap, for example a valve,

 an actuating member for actuating the fluid switching member, the actuating member comprising:

 a sensor target,

 a support of the sensor target, the support comprising at least one elastically deformable zone capable of elastically deforming so as to reduce the mechanical stresses applied by the target on the support.

 The actuator can be combined with any of the above features.

 The actuating member may comprise a toothed sector for the displacement of the fluid switching member. A toothed sector offers the advantage of reducing the amount of material necessary for the manufacture of the actuator, while allowing the volume of the workpiece to be reduced, which also makes it possible to reduce the size of the valve.

 The valve may comprise at least one probe for measuring magnetic fields, in particular a hall effect probe, the sensor target being intended to come close to the probe, for measuring an angular position of the actuating member. .

The valve may comprise a body having a conduit for the passage of the fluid, the fluid switching member comprising a shutter valve of the conduit, the valve comprising a device for transforming a rotational movement into a translation movement, actuating member being adapted to drive in translation the shutter valve. The valve may comprise a body having a conduit for the passage of fluid, the fluid switching member comprising a shutter shutter of the conduit, the valve comprising a control shaft of the shutter, free to rotate, the actuating member being able to rotate the control shaft.

 The subject of the invention is also a method for manufacturing an actuating member of a valve, in particular for a motor vehicle, the method comprising the step of overmolding a sensor target by injection of a material, in particular plastic into a a mold containing this sensor target.

 The invention finally relates to a vehicle equipped with an actuator member of a valve according to the invention.

 The invention will be better understood on reading the following detailed description, non-limiting examples of implementation of the invention, and on examining the appended drawing, in which:

 FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic and partial view of a valve according to the invention,

 FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a detail of the valve of FIG. 1,

 FIG. 3 is a front view of an actuator according to the invention,

 - Figure 4 is a sectional view along F-F of the actuating member of Figure 3,

 FIG. 5 is a view from above of the actuating member of FIG. 1,

 FIG. 6 is a sectional view along A-A of the actuating member of FIG. 5, and

 - Figure 7 is a sectional view along B-B of the actuating member of Figure 5.

FIG. 1 shows an example of a valve 2 for a motor vehicle intended to regulate the flow rate and / or the pressure of a fluid flowing in a conduit 20 and implementing the invention. In the example under consideration, the valve 2 has an aluminum body made of a die casting. This body defines for example a conduit 20 and the valve 2 can implement a fluid switching member 10 for opening or closing the conduit 20 and an actuating member 1 of the switching member 10. The valve 2 is for example used in a thermal engine air circuit. This is for example a heat engine operating for example with gasoline or diesel. The valve 2 is for example part of the exhaust gas recirculation circuit (EGR) of the engine. It is for example disposed at the outlet of at least one cylinder of the engine and allows to dose the amount of engine exhaust gas to be recycled at the engine intake.

 FIG. 2 shows an example of a detail of the valve 2 of FIG.

 The valve 2 comprises for example:

 a switching member 10 of the fluid which is in the example considered a valve,

 an actuating member 1 for actuating the valve 10. The valve 2 comprises for example a device 22 for transforming a rotational movement in translational motion. The device 22 comprises for example a rod 23 integral with the valve 10, the rod 23 being further secured to a bar 24. The bar 24 is mounted perpendicular to the rod 23. The bar 24 is rotated by the member 1. When it is driven in rotation, the bar 24 moves in a cam path 25 and by moving it drives in translation the rod 23 which drives the valve 10 in translation.

 The actuating member 1 comprises for example a toothed sector 21 to be rotated by an electric motor and for driving in translation of the valve 10.

 The actuating member 1 comprises:

 a sensor target 3,

 a support 4 of the sensor target 3, the support 4 comprising at least one elastically deformable zone 5 capable of elastically deforming so as to reduce the mechanical stresses applied by the target on the support.

 The support 4 can be rigidly coupled to the actuating member 1.

In the example considered, the valve comprises for example a hall effect probe, the probe being intended to come close to the target 3 for measuring an angular position of the actuating member 1. In the example described, the support 4 comprises for example four elastically deformable zones 5 capable of elastically deforming so as to reduce the mechanical stresses applied by the target 3 on the support 4.

 As represented in FIG. 2, each elastically deformable zone 5 of the support 4 is for example formed on an elastically deformable lug 6.

 The support 4 has an axis of rotation X and each elastically deformable tab 6 extends for example along this axis of rotation X.

 The actuating member and the support are for example coaxial.

 Each elastically deformable tab 6 comprises in the example in question a reinforcing rib 8.

 In the example considered, each reinforcing rib 8 extends along the axis of rotation X. In other words, each reinforcing rib 8 extends in the same direction as the tabs 6.

 In the example considered, each reinforcing rib 8 is formed on a corner of the elastically deformable tab 6.

 In the example considered, each elastically deformable tab 6 comprises an axial stop 9 for immobilizing the sensor target 3 in the direction of the axis of rotation X.

 Each axial stop 9 is for example made on a top of the elastically deformable tab 6 and each stop 9 extends for example in a plane perpendicular to the axis of rotation X.

 FIG. 3 shows the actuating member 1 of FIG. 2.

 Each reinforcing rib 8 extends for example over the entire height of the support 4, measured along the axis of rotation X.

 Each elastically deformable tab 6 comprises for example two gripping portions 11 for demolding the actuating member 1.

 In the example considered, the support 4 comprises a base 7 on which the sensor target is placed.

 The base 7 has for example an extra thickness with respect to a main face 32 of the actuating member 1.

 The base 7 has for example a rectangular parallelepiped shape, and four elastically deformable tabs 6 are for example each arranged at a corner of the base 7.

Each elastically deformable tab 6 is for example connected to the base 7. FIG. 4 shows the actuating member of FIG. 3.

 As shown in Figure 4, in a plane perpendicular to the axis of rotation X, the periphery of each reinforcing rib 8 is for example rounded.

 Each elastically deformable tab 6 comprises, for example, an internal face 30 in contact with the sensor target 3 and each reinforcing rib 8 is for example formed on an outer face 31 of the tab 6.

 The periphery of each reinforcing rib 8 extends for example over only a portion of the outer face 31 of the elastically deformable tab 6.

 The elastically deformable tabs may be spaced apart by a non-zero distance D. In other words, the elastically deformable tabs can be disjointed.

 The elastically deformable tabs 6 may be arranged to be symmetrical to one another by a rotation about the axis of rotation X.

 FIG. 5 shows the actuating member 1 of FIG. 3.

 The actuating member 1 comprises, in the example illustrated in FIG. 8, eight radial reinforcing ribs 13 connecting to the base 7 and to the main face 32.

 As represented in FIGS. 6 and 7, the thickness of each axial abutment 9 is strictly smaller than the thickness of each tab 6.

 The height H of each elastically deformable tab 6 is, for example, strictly smaller than the thickness E of the base 7.

 Each reinforcing rib 8 extends for example over the entire leg 6 and over the base 7.

 In the example described, the actuating member 1 comprises for example a plastic material.

 The sensor target 3 is for example overmolded.

 The sensor target 3 comprises for example a magnet formed based on a ferrite having sharp edges.

 The sensor target 3 has for example a rectangular parallelepiped shape.

Claims

1. Actuating member (1) of a valve (2), especially for a motor vehicle, the member (1) comprising:  a sensor target (3),  a support (4) for the sensor target, the support (4) comprising at least one elastically deformable zone (5) capable of elastically deforming so as to reduce the mechanical stresses applied by the target on the support (4). 2. Operating member (1) according to claim 1, the elastically deformable region (5) of the support (4) being formed on an elastically deformable tab (6). 3. Operating member (1) according to the preceding claim, the support (4) having an axis of rotation (X) and the elastically deformable tab (6) extending along this axis of rotation (X). 4. Actuating member (1) according to one of claims 2 and 3, each elastically deformable tab (6) having at least one reinforcing rib (8), the rib (8) extending in particular along the axis rotation (X). 5. Operating member (1) according to the preceding claim, the elastically deformable tab (6) having an inner face in contact with the sensor target (3) and the reinforcing rib (8) being formed on an outer face of the paw (6). 6. Operating member (1) according to one of claims 3 to 5, the elastically deformable tab (6) having an axial stop (9) for immobilizing the sensor target (3) in the direction of the axis of rotation (X). 7. Actuating member (1) according to one of claims 1 to 6, the support (4) having two elastically deformable zones (5) capable of elastically deforming, in particular three zones (5), for example four zones ( 5). 8. Actuating member (1) according to one of claims 2 to 7, the elastically deformable tabs (6) being spaced a non-zero distance. 9. Actuating member (1) according to one of claims 1 to 8, the sensor target (3) having a ferrite, the ferrite being in particular overmolded. 10. Fluid circulation valve (2), in particular for a motor vehicle, comprising:  a fluid switching member (10), in particular a flap, for example a valve,  an actuating member (1) for actuating the fluid switching member (10), the actuating member (1) comprising: a sensor target (3),  a support (4) of the sensor target (3), the support (4) comprising at least one elastically deformable zone (5) capable of elastically deforming so as to reduce the mechanical stresses applied by the target (3) on the support (4). 11. Fluid circulation valve (2) according to the preceding claim, the valve comprising a body having a fluid passage duct, the fluid switching member (10) comprising a shutter valve of the duct, the valve comprising a device for converting a rotational movement into translation movement, the actuating member (1) being able to drive the shut-off valve in translation. 12. Fluid flow valve (2) according to claim 10, the valve comprising a body having a fluid passage conduit, the fluid switching member (10) having a shutter flap of the conduit, the valve having a control shaft of the flap, free to rotate, the actuating member (1) being adapted to rotate the control shaft. 13. A method of manufacturing an actuator (1) of a valve (2) in particular for a motor vehicle, the method comprising the step of overmoulding a sensor target (3) by injection of a material, in particular plastic in a mold containing this sensor target (3).