Information
-
Patent Grant
-
6688265
-
Patent Number
6,688,265
-
Date Filed
Tuesday, September 24, 200222 years ago
-
Date Issued
Tuesday, February 10, 200420 years ago
-
Inventors
-
Original Assignees
-
Examiners
- Denion; Thomas
- Eshete; Zelalem
Agents
-
CPC
-
US Classifications
Field of Search
US
- 123 9038
- 123 9015
- 123 9018
- 123 9027
- 123 195 C
-
International Classifications
-
Abstract
In a camshaft adjustment device for an internal combustion engine, with at least one sensor unit and one actuator unit, at least two functional units are supported on a common carrier unit and combined into a module for mounting on the internal combustion engine.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates to a camshaft adjustment device for an internal combustion engine with at least one sensor unit and at least one actuator unit.
Camshaft adjustment devices include at least one sensor, in order to detect the position of the camshaft, and at least one actuator, in order to adjust the camshaft, specifically, they include generally, two sensors and as actuators two lifting magnets or proportional valves.
The sensors and the actuators are mounted, separately from one another, on the cylinder head of an internal combustion engine and are subsequently connected to an internal combustion engine control apparatus via individual plug connections.
Furthermore, DE 196 35 354 A1 discloses a timing device housing cover for an internal combustion engine, which is fastened to one end face of the internal combustion engine and on which are arranged secondary assemblies, such as, in particular, an alternator, refrigerant compressor, power-steering pump and water pump.
It is the object of the invention to provide a camshaft adjustment device which, in particular, can be mounted quickly and simply and can be installed in a space-saving way.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In a camshaft adjustment device for an internal combustion engine, with at least one sensor unit and one actuator unit, at least two functional units are supported on a common carrier unit, and combined into a module, which can be mounted on the internal combustion engine.
Preferably, all the sensors and all the actuators of the camshaft adjustment device are pre-mounted on a carrier unit. The functional units are preferably combined as a compact subassembly and subsequently jointly positioned and fastened quickly and simply to the internal combustion engine by means of only a few fastening elements.
If the module possesses at least one interface common to the functional units, additional interfaces or plug elements can be avoided and construction space and also the outlay for mounting can be saved. Furthermore, incorrect mountings due to mistaken plug connections can be avoided.
In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the lines between the common interface and the functional units are integrated in a supply unit, with the result that further expenses for mounting and further construction space can be saved. The lines may be integrated in the supply unit by means of various methods, which appear to be appropriate to a person skilled in the art and also be formed by various components. The lines may be formed, for example, by current leads placed or cast in conduits, by punched grids, by flexible foils or by means produced by what is known as the MID technique (
M
olded
I
nterconnect
D
evices technique). The functional units may in this case be connected to the supply unit non-positively, positively and/or in a materially integral manner, releasably or unreleasably, for example, by means of a welded joint, a clamp connection, etc. By means of punched grids, flexible foils or other corresponding means which seem suitable to a person skilled in the art, a large number of lines can advantageously be provided in a space-saving way with one or with only a few components and the outlay for mounting can be reduced.
If the supply unit includes plugs for the functional units for the connection to the common interface, these can be mounted quickly and simply and, in the event of damage the unit can be easily exchanged.
If the supply unit is produced at least partially from plastic, the lines and other components, which seem appropriate to a person skilled in the art can also be molded in a simple way into the supply unit. Additional mounting steps and fastening elements can thus be avoided and an advantageous protection of the molded-in components can be achieved. Furthermore, functional elements, such as, for example, plug-in stations, latching connections, etc., can also be integrally formed in a simple and cost-effective manner and a lightweight subassembly can be provided.
If, moreover, the supply unit serves as an electrical insulator, additional electrical insulators, for example covers of punched grids, etc., can be saved.
The supply unit may be produced as a unit separate from the carrier unit or it may advantageously be produced at least partially integrally with the carrier unit with the result that, again, additional components, construction space and outlays for mounting can be saved.
The functional units may be fastened to the carrier unit by means of various non-positive, positive and/or materially integral connections which seem appropriate to a person skilled in the art, such as, for example, by means of screw connections, latch connections, etc. If the carrier unit is injection-molded around at least one functional unit or, particularly advantageously, all the functional units, a particularly compact unit with advantageously protected functional units can be achieved. Fastening elements and outlay in terms of mounting for the functional units can be avoided in this case.
Furthermore, insertion elements, construction space and mounting outlay can be saved if the data transmission lines exit with the power supply lines, in the common interface. The data transmission lines are in this case integrated preferably into the supply unit.
In a further embodiment of the invention, the carrier unit supports at least one control and/or regulating unit specifically for controlling the position of the camshaft. Control and regulation, which are particularly insensitive to faults, can be achieved by means of short data lines. Furthermore, it is possible to achieve a separately mountable independent subassembly which can be checked for proper functioning and which, in particular, can be produced largely independently of an internal combustion engine control unit. The control and regulating unit integrated in the module can be designed specifically with a view to the operation of the unit. Power outlets at the internal combustion engine control unit can be avoided and construction space can be saved.
If the sensor unit and the actuator unit are oriented in the same direction on the carrier unit, that is, preferably in the axial direction of the camshaft, deviations at the functional units can be avoided and construction space can be saved. Furthermore, a plane closing-off surface of the carrier unit with respect to the internal combustion engine can be achieved in a simple way, with the result that a structurally simple and cost-effective carrier unit can be provided.
In a further embodiment, the carrier unit serves as a cover covering an inner space of the internal combustion engine with the result that there is no need for an additional cover. If the closing-off interface of the carrier unit and the internal combustion engine is plane, the latter can be sealed off simply and reliably.
The invention will become more readily apparent from the following description of exemplary embodiments thereof. The description and the claims contain numerous features in combination. A person skilled in the art will expediently also consider the features individually and combine them into appropriate further combinations.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1
shows a camshaft adjustment device,
FIG. 2
shows the camshaft adjustment device of
FIG. 1
in an exploded illustration,
FIG. 3
shows an alternative camshaft adjustment device to that of
FIG. 1
, with a supply unit,
FIG. 4
shows the camshaft adjustment device of
FIG. 3
in an exploded illustration,
FIG. 5
shows, from inside, an alternative camshaft adjustment device to that of
FIG. 2
, with a carrier unit and supply unit consisting of a single piece,
FIG. 6
shows the outside the camshaft adjustment device of
FIG. 5
, and
FIG. 7
shows the camshaft adjustment device of
FIG. 5
in an exploded illustration.
DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
FIGS. 1 and 2
show a camshaft adjustment device for an internal combustion engine, which is not illustrated in detail. The camshaft adjustment device includes two sensor units
10
,
12
and two actuator units
14
,
16
formed by lifting magnets. All the functional units
10
,
12
,
14
,
16
, specifically both sensor units
10
,
12
and both actuator units
14
,
16
are supported on a common carrier unit
36
in the form of an aluminum plate and combined into a module so that they can be mounted jointly onto the internal combustion engine.
The functional units
10
,
12
,
14
,
16
are firmly screwed to the carrier unit
36
by means of screws
70
, the sensor units
10
,
12
and the actuator units
14
,
16
being oriented, in the mounted state on the carrier unit
36
, in the axial direction
64
with respect to a camshaft of the internal combustion engine, not illustrated. During the mounting of the functional units
10
,
12
,
14
,
16
, the functional units are inserted in the direction
64
into openings
72
,
74
,
76
,
78
of the carrier unit
36
(FIG.
2
).
Each functional unit
10
,
12
,
14
,
16
is designed with a separate plug
96
,
98
,
100
,
102
, via which plugs the functional units
10
,
12
,
14
,
16
can be connected to an internal combustion engine control unit which is not illustrated in detail.
The carrier unit
36
is provided with respect to the internal combustion engine, with a plane interface surface
66
, and serves as a cover of the internal combustion engine to close an inner space of the internal combustion engine relative to the outside at a passage opening.
FIGS. 3 and 4
and
FIGS. 5
,
6
, and
7
illustrate alternative camshaft adjustment devices. Components, which remain essentially the same, are indicated by the same reference symbols. Furthermore, as regards features and functions, which remain the same, reference may be made to the description of the exemplary embodiment shown in
FIGS. 1 and 2
. The following description is restricted essentially to the differences from the exemplary embodiment shown in
FIGS. 1 and 2
.
The camshaft adjustment device according to
FIGS. 3 and 4
includes four functional units
18
,
20
,
22
,
24
fastened to a common carrier unit
36
and combined into a module. The functional units are specifically two sensor units
18
,
20
and two actuator units
22
,
24
, which are lifting magnets. The module has a common interfacing structure
40
for the functional units
18
,
20
,
22
,
24
.
The interfacing structure
40
designed as a central plug is integrally formed onto a plate-shaped supply unit
44
of a plastic material. A punched grid, not illustrated in detail, is injection-molded into the supply unit
44
and forms the power and data transmission lines between the common interface structure
40
and the functional units
18
,
20
,
22
,
24
. The supply unit
44
serves as an electrical insulator of the punched grid relative to the outside.
The functional units
18
,
20
,
22
,
24
each include a plug
80
,
82
,
84
,
86
, which plugs point in a direction opposite to a mounting direction
64
in which the functional units
18
,
20
,
22
,
24
are mounted to the carrier unit
36
(FIG.
4
). The functional units
18
,
20
,
22
,
24
can be connected to the interface structure
40
via the plugs
48
,
50
,
52
,
54
,
80
,
82
,
84
,
86
.
In the camshaft adjustment device illustrated in
FIGS. 5
,
6
, and
7
, a supply unit
46
and a carrier unit
38
are formed integrally as a single unit. The carrier unit
38
and the supply unit
46
consist of plastic. The camshaft adjustment device possesses five functional units
26
,
28
,
30
,
32
,
34
fastened to the carrier unit
38
via an ultrasonic welding method and combined into a module, the functional units being specifically two sensor units
26
,
28
, two actuator units
30
,
32
in the form of lifting magnets and a control and regulating unit
34
.
Molded into the supply unit
46
is a punched grid, via which the functional units
26
,
28
,
30
,
32
,
334
are connected to an interface structure
42
in the form of a central plug, which is integrally formed onto the supply unit
46
or carrier unit
38
. Furthermore, the sensor units
26
,
28
and the actuator units
30
,
32
are connected via the punched grid to the control and regulating unit
34
which controls the position of a camshaft of the internal combustion engine, not illustrated in detail. The module can be connected to an internal combustion engine control apparatus, not illustrated, via the interface structure
42
to which power and data lines of the supply unit
46
formed by the punched grid extend.
The sensor units
26
,
28
and the actuator units
30
,
32
are oriented in the carrier unit
38
in the axial direction
64
of the camshaft. The supply unit
46
includes plugs
56
,
58
,
60
,
62
for the functional units
26
,
28
,
30
,
32
,
34
and a plug for the connection of the control and regulating unit
34
, not illustrated. During mounting, the functional units
26
,
28
30
,
32
,
34
are plugged into the carrier unit
38
in the direction
88
, and, by means of plugs
90
,
92
,
94
,
62
,
90
,
92
,
94
pointing in the direction
88
, are connected to the plugs
56
,
58
,
60
,
62
of the supply unit
46
. Also, the functional units
26
,
28
,
30
,
32
,
34
are connected to the punched grid via the plugs
56
,
58
,
60
,
62
,
90
,
92
,
94
. The functional units
26
,
28
,
30
,
32
are subsequently welded ultrasonically to the carrier unit
38
.
The carrier unit
38
has, with respect to the internal combustion engine, a plane interface surface
68
and, serves as a cover of the internal combustion engine and closes an inner space of the internal combustion engine relative to the outside at a passage opening.
Claims
- 1. A camshaft adjustment device for an internal combustion engine, said adjustment device including at least one sensor unit and one actuator unit and at least two functional units combined into a module and supported on a common carrier unit said carrier unit being mounted on said internal combustion engine, said module having at least one interface structure common to said functional units, and a supply unit including plugs for connection of the functional units to said common interface structure, said common interface structure and said functional units being interconnected by communication lines which are integrated in said supply unit.
- 2. A camshaft adjustment device according to claim 1, wherein said supply unit consists at least partially of a plastic material.
- 3. A camshaft adjustment device according to claim 2, wherein said supply unit serves as an electrical insulator.
- 4. A camshaft adjustment device according to claim 1, wherein said supply unit is integrally formed with said carrier unit so as to form a single piece.
- 5. A camshaft adjustment device according to claim 2, wherein said carrier unit is injection molded around at least one functional unit.
- 6. A camshaft adjustment device according to claim 1, wherein data lines as well as power supply lines extend to said common interface.
- 7. A camshaft adjustment device according to claim 1, wherein said carrier unit carries at least one of a control and regulating unit.
- 8. A camshaft adjustment device according to claim 1, wherein said sensor unit and said actuator unit are oriented in the same direction on the carrier unit.
- 9. A camshaft adjustment device according to claim 1, wherein said carrier unit has a plane interface surface with respect to the internal combustion engine.
- 10. A camshaft adjustment device according to claim 1, wherein said carrier unit serves as a cover of the internal combustion engine and closes an inner space of the internal combustion engine relative to the outside at a passage opening to close said passage opening.
Priority Claims (1)
Number |
Date |
Country |
Kind |
101 48 059 |
Sep 2001 |
DE |
|
US Referenced Citations (2)
Number |
Name |
Date |
Kind |
6085709 |
Freese, V |
Jul 2000 |
A |
6435154 |
Simpson et al. |
Aug 2002 |
B1 |
Foreign Referenced Citations (1)
Number |
Date |
Country |
196 35 534 |
Oct 1997 |
DE |