Patent Application
20220186639
The present invention relates generally to an assembly for a variable cam timing phaser.
Conventional variable cam timing systems include a camshaft and a variable cam timing phaser configured to advance or retard a phase of the camshaft. Conventional variable cam timing phasers include a stator and a rotor disposed within the stator, with the rotor define a bore configured to receive a control valve. Conventional variable cam timing phasers further include a trigger plate used to monitor a rotational position (i.e., angle) of the camshaft during operation of the variable cam timing system. Typically, the trigger wheel is attached to the camshaft through use of threaded fasteners such as bolts. However, use of threaded fasteners such as bolts to attach conventional trigger wheels results in lengthy and expensive manufacturing of the variable cam timing phaser.
As such, there remains a need for an improved variable cam timing phaser.
An assembly for a variable cam timing phaser includes a rotor extending circumferentially about an axis. The rotor has a rotor interior surface defining a bore completely therethrough and configured to receive a control valve, has a surface extending radially away from the axis and perpendicular to the rotor interior surface, and has a retention tab integral with the surface and extending axially away from the surface. The assembly further has a trigger plate coupled to the rotor, with the trigger plate defining a retention channel completely therethrough. The retention tab of the rotor is disposed in the retention channel of the trigger plate.
The surface of the rotor having the retention tab disposed in the retention channel defined completely through the trigger plate permits quick and cost-effective manufacture of the assembly of the variable cam timing phaser.
Other advantages of the present invention will be readily appreciated, as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein:
With reference to the Figures, wherein like numerals indicate like parts throughout the several views, a variable cam timing phaser 10 includes a stator 12 extending circumferentially about an axis A and an assembly 14 for the variable cam timing phaser 10 is shown in
It is to be appreciated that, although the rotor 16 has been described as having the retention tab 24, in alternative embodiments, the assembly 14 or the variable cam timing phaser 10 may include an additional component, such as a center plate, which includes the retention tab 24. In such alternative embodiments, the additional component, such as a center plate, is coupled to the rotor 16 and the addition component has the retention tab 24. In the alternative embodiments, the retention tab 24 still assists in coupling the trigger plate 28 to the rotor 16.
Although not required, as shown in
Although not required, the second end 34 of the retention tab 24 may be plastically deformed. The second end 34 of the retention tab 24 may be plastically deformed through at least one chosen from staking, crimping, swaging, or peening. Moreover, the retention tab 24 may have an elongated portion 36 between the first end 32 and the second end 34. The elongated portion 36 may be disposed in the retention channel 30. The elongated portion 36 may have a smooth surface 38. In other words, the elongated portion 36 may be non-threaded.
The bore 20 may be defined at a first radius relative to the axis A. The surface 22 may have an inner section 40 extending from the first radius to a second radius larger than the first radius, and may have an outer section 42 extending from the second radius to a third radius larger than the second radius. The inner section 40 may be axially indented into the rotor 16 relative to the outer section 42. Although not required, the retention tabs 24 may be disposed between the first radius and the second radius.
In one embodiment, as shown in
Moreover, the retention tab 24 may be arcuate in cross-section, as shown in
A method of manufacturing the assembly 14 for the variable cam timing phaser 10 is also provided. The method includes the step of disposing the retention tab 24 of the rotor 16 in the retention channel 30 of the trigger plate 28 and the step of plastically deforming the retention tab 24 of the rotor 16 to couple the trigger plate 28 to the rotor 16. Moreover, the method may further include the step of plastically deforming the second end 34 of the retention tab 24 of the rotor 16. The step of plastically deforming the retention tab 24 may be further defined as at least one chosen from staking, crimping, swaging, or peening. Additionally, the step of disposing the retention tab 24 in the retention channel 30 may precede the step of plastically deforming the retention tab 24 to couple the trigger plate 28 to the rotor 16.
The invention has been described in an illustrative manner, and it is to be understood that the terminology which has been used is intended to be in the nature of words of description rather than of limitation. Many modifications and variations of the present invention are possible in light of the above teachings, and the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described.
The subject patent application claims priority to and all the benefits of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/272,429, which was filed on Oct. 27, 2021, which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 63272429 | Oct 2021 | US |
