阅读说明：本技术 具有机电锁定控制的凸轮定相组件及其方法 (Cam phasing assembly with electromechanical lock control and method thereof ) 是由 斯特文·布尔克 安德鲁·姆利纳里奇 于 2018-06-08 设计创作，主要内容包括：一种凸轮定相控制马达组件,包括：电动马达,该电动马达具有中空驱动轴；致动销,该致动销穿过中空驱动轴；接合特征部；以及移位组件。对于凸轮轴锁定模式：移位组件将致动销沿第一轴向方向移位,以使接合特征部与螺栓以不可旋转的方式连接,该螺栓以不可旋转的方式连接至凸轮轴；并且凸轮轴布置成以不可旋转的方式连接至用于变速箱定相单元的输入齿轮,输入齿轮布置成接收来自发动机的转矩。对于相位调整模式：移位组件将致动销沿与第一轴向方向相反的第二轴向方向移位,以使接合特征部与螺栓断开连接；并且凸轮轴布置成相对于输入齿轮旋转。(A cam phasing control motor assembly, comprising: an electric motor having a hollow drive shaft; an actuating pin passing through the hollow drive shaft; an engagement feature; and a displacement assembly. For camshaft locking mode: a displacement assembly displacing the actuation pin in a first axial direction to non-rotatably connect the engagement feature with a bolt that is non-rotatably connected to the camshaft; and the camshaft is arranged to be non-rotatably connected to an input gear for a gearbox phasing unit, the input gear being arranged to receive torque from the engine. For the phase adjustment mode: a displacement assembly displacing the actuating pin in a second axial direction opposite the first axial direction to disconnect the engagement feature from the bolt; and the camshaft is arranged to rotate relative to the input gear.)

1. A cam phasing control motor assembly, comprising:

an electric motor having a hollow drive shaft;

an actuating pin passing through the hollow drive shaft;

an engagement feature; and the number of the first and second groups,

a displacement assembly, wherein:

for camshaft locking mode:

the displacement assembly displacing the actuation pin in a first axial direction to non-rotatably connect the engagement feature with a bolt that is non-rotatably connected to a camshaft; and is

The camshaft is arranged to be non-rotatably connected to an input gear for a gearbox phasing unit, the input gear being arranged to receive torque from an engine; and is

For the phase adjustment mode:

the displacement assembly displacing the actuation pin in a second axial direction opposite the first axial direction to disconnect the engagement feature from the bolt; and is

The camshaft is arranged to rotate relative to the input gear.

2. The cam phasing control motor assembly of claim 1, wherein:

the displacement assembly comprises:

an actuator; and the number of the first and second groups,

an elastic element;

for the camshaft locking mode, the actuator displaces the actuation pin and the engagement feature in the first axial direction; and is

For the phase adjustment mode, the resilient element displaces the engagement feature and the actuation pin in the second axial direction.

3. The cam phasing control motor assembly of claim 2, further comprising:

a connecting element non-rotatably connected to the hollow drive shaft and arranged to be non-rotatably connected to a component of the gearbox phasing unit, wherein:

for the camshaft locking mode, the actuator displaces the actuation pin and the engagement feature in the first axial direction to non-rotatably connect the engagement feature with the bolt that is non-rotatably connected to the camshaft; and is

For the phase adjustment mode, the resilient element displaces the engagement feature in the second axial direction to enable relative rotation between the connection element and the bolt.

4. The cam phasing control motor assembly of claim 2, further comprising:

a connecting element non-rotatably connected to the hollow drive shaft and arranged to non-rotatably connect to a component of the gearbox phasing unit, wherein, for the phase adjustment mode, the electric motor rotates the connecting element to control the circumferential position of the camshaft.

5. The cam phasing control motor assembly of claim 4, wherein:

for the camshaft locking mode, the actuator axially displaces the engagement feature relative to the connecting element; and is

For the phase adjustment mode, the resilient element axially displaces the engagement feature relative to the connecting element.

6. The cam phasing control motor assembly of claim 4, wherein:

for the camshaft locking mode, the displacement assembly displaces the engagement feature in the first axial direction relative to the connecting element; and is

For the phase adjustment mode, the displacement assembly displaces the engagement feature relative to the connecting element in the second axial direction.

7. The cam phasing control motor assembly of claim 4, wherein at least a portion of the engagement feature is located within the connecting element.

8. The cam phasing control motor assembly of claim 4, wherein:

for the camshaft locking mode, the connecting element is non-rotatably connected to the input gear; and is

For the phase adjustment mode, the electric motor rotates the connecting element to change a circumferential position of the camshaft relative to the input gear.

9. The cam phasing control motor assembly of claim 1, further comprising:

a connecting element non-rotatably connected to the hollow drive shaft and arranged to be connected to the gearbox phasing unit, wherein:

the displacement assembly comprises:

a resilient element engaged with the engagement feature; and the number of the first and second groups,

an actuator;

for the camshaft locking mode, the actuator displaces the actuation pin and the engagement feature in the first axial direction; and is

For the phase adjustment mode, the resilient element displaces the engagement feature in the second axial direction.

10. The cam phasing control motor assembly of claim 1, wherein:

the engagement feature comprises at least one radially outwardly extending protrusion;

the bolt includes a recess having at least one radially outwardly extending slot;

for the camshaft locking mode, the shifting assembly shifts the at least one radially outwardly extending protrusion into the at least one radially outwardly extending groove; and is

For the phase adjustment mode, the displacement assembly axially offsets the at least one radially outwardly extending protrusion from the at least one radially outwardly extending slot.

Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to a cam phasing control motor assembly with lock control to fix camshaft position when engine is off, and to a cam phasing control assembly with the cam phasing control motor assembly. The present disclosure also relates to a method for operating a cam phasing control motor assembly in a cam phasing control assembly.

Background

A known problem with electric camshaft phasers is that the rotor "drifts" relative to the stator immediately or shortly after the engine is shut down. For example, due to the lack of inherent drag torque in the electric camshaft phaser or inherent friction associated with the electric motor and gearbox combination in the electric camshaft phaser, immediately or shortly after engine shut down, torque is transferred to the rotor at a sufficient magnitude to cause the electric camshaft phaser to drift or move away from the desired control angle of the rotor relative to the stator. For example, if the camshaft stops while the valve spring is loaded, the camshaft is free to rotate to release the load on the spring and the electric cam phasing system cannot prevent this movement from occurring. The direction of rotation and the magnitude of the residual torque and inherent friction are unpredictable; therefore, the rotation of the rotor and the final control angle due to the residual torque or the inherent friction from the camshaft cannot be predicted. With known electric camshaft phasers, during shutdown of the electric cam phasing system, it is necessary to power the electric motor during engine shutdown to maintain the gearbox for the phaser at a constant cam timing position. For vehicles that house a phaser, powering is a drain on the energy system.

Disclosure of Invention

According to an aspect illustrated herein, there is provided a cam phasing control motor assembly comprising: an electric motor having a hollow drive shaft; an actuating pin passing through the hollow drive shaft; an engagement feature; and a displacement assembly. For camshaft locking mode: a displacement assembly displacing the actuation pin in a first axial direction to non-rotatably connect the engagement feature with a bolt that is non-rotatably connected to the camshaft; and the camshaft is arranged to be non-rotatably connected to an input gear for a gearbox phasing unit, the input gear being arranged to receive torque from the engine. For the phase adjustment mode: a displacement assembly displacing the actuating pin in a second axial direction opposite the first axial direction to disconnect the engagement feature from the bolt; and the camshaft is arranged to rotate relative to the input gear.

According to an aspect illustrated herein, there is provided a cam phasing control motor assembly comprising: an electric motor having a hollow drive shaft; a connecting element non-rotatably connected to the hollow drive shaft and arranged to be connected to a gearbox phasing unit comprising an input gear arranged to receive torque from the engine; an actuating pin passing through the hollow drive shaft; an engagement feature non-rotatably connected to the connecting element; a resilient element engaged with the engagement feature; and an actuator. For the camshaft locking mode, the actuator displaces the actuation pin and the engagement feature in the first axial direction to non-rotatably connect the engagement feature with a bolt that is non-rotatably connected to the camshaft. For the phase adjustment mode, the resilient element displaces the engagement feature in a second axial direction opposite the first axial direction to enable relative rotation between the connecting element and the bolt.

According to an aspect illustrated herein, there is provided a cam phasing control assembly comprising: a gearbox phasing unit comprising an input gear arranged to receive torque from the engine and an output gear arranged to be non-rotatably connected to the camshaft; and a cam phasing control motor assembly comprising an electric motor having a hollow drive shaft, an actuation pin passing through the hollow drive shaft, an engagement feature, and a displacement assembly. For the camshaft locking mode, the displacement assembly displaces the actuation pin and the engagement feature in the first axial direction to non-rotatably connect the engagement feature with a bolt that is non-rotatably connected to the camshaft. For the phase adjustment mode, the displacement assembly displaces the engagement feature in a second axial direction opposite the first axial direction to enable relative rotation between the camshaft and the input gear.

Drawings

Various embodiments are disclosed, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which corresponding reference numerals indicate corresponding parts, and in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective cross-sectional view of a cam phasing control motor assembly with camshaft locking;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a cam phasing control assembly including the cam phasing control motor assembly of FIG. 1 in a phasing mode;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the bolt of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the transmission phasing unit of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of a vehicle including the cam phasing control assembly of FIG. 2;

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the cam phasing control assembly of FIG. 2 in a camshaft locking mode; and the number of the first and second groups,

fig. 7 is a perspective view of a cylindrical coordinate system illustrating spatial terms used in the present application.

Detailed Description

First, it should be understood that like reference numerals in different drawing views indicate identical or functionally similar structural elements of the disclosure. It is to be understood that the claimed disclosure is not limited to the disclosed aspects.

Furthermore, it is to be understood that this disclosure is not limited to the particular methodology, materials, and modifications described and as such may, of course, vary. It is also to be understood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular aspects only, and is not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.

Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this disclosure belongs. It should be understood that any method, device, or material similar or equivalent to those described herein can be used in the practice or testing of the present disclosure.

Fig. 7 is a perspective view of cylindrical coordinate system 10 illustrating spatial terminology used in the present application. The present application is described, at least in part, within the context of a cylindrical coordinate system. The coordinate system 10 includes a rotation or longitudinal axis 11 that serves as a reference for the following directional and spatial terms. The opposite axial directions AD1 and AD2 are parallel to the axis 11. Radial direction RD1 is orthogonal to axis 11 and away from axis 11. Radial direction RD2 is orthogonal to axis 11 and is oriented toward axis 11. The opposite circumferential directions CD1 and CD2 are defined by the end points of a particular radius R (orthogonal to axis 11) rotated about axis 11, for example in a clockwise and counterclockwise direction, respectively.

For clarifying the spatial terminology, the objects 12, 13 and 14 are used. By way of example, an axial surface, such as surface 15A of object 12, is formed by a plane that is coplanar with axis 11. However, any planar surface parallel to the axis 11 is an axial surface. For example, the surface 15B parallel to the axis 11 is also an axial surface. The axial edge is formed by an edge parallel to the axis 11, such as edge 15C. A radial surface, such as surface 16A of object 13, is formed by a plane orthogonal to axis 11 and coplanar with a radius, such as radius 17A. The radial edges are collinear with the radius of the axis 11. For example, edge 16B is collinear with radius 17B. The surface 18 of the object 14 forms a circumferential or cylindrical surface. For example, a circumference 19 defined by a radius 20 passes through the surface 18.

The axial motion is in the axial direction AD1 or AD 2. The radial movement is in the radial direction RD1 or RD 2. The circumferential or rotational motion is in the circumferential direction CD1 or CD 2. The adverbs "axially," "radially," and "circumferentially" refer to movements or orientations parallel to axis 11, orthogonal to axis 11, and about axis 11, respectively. For example, an axially disposed surface or edge extends in direction AD1, a radially disposed surface or edge extends in direction RD1, and a circumferentially disposed surface or edge extends in direction CD 1.

Fig. 1 is a perspective cross-sectional view of a cam phasing control motor assembly 100 with camshaft locking.

Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a cam phasing control assembly 200 including the cam phasing control motor assembly 100 of fig. 1 in a phasing mode. The following should be observed from fig. 1 and 2. The assembly 100 includes: a rotation axis AR; an electric motor 102 having a hollow drive shaft 104; a connecting element or plate-like portion 106 non-rotatably connected to the shaft 104; an actuation pin 108 passing through the shaft 104; an engagement feature 110 non-rotatably connected to the plate portion 106; and a displacement assembly 111. In the exemplary embodiment, assembly 111 includes a resilient element 112 and an actuator 114. The pin 108 engages the feature 110 and the element 112 engages the feature 110 and the plate 106. In an exemplary embodiment, the plate 106 includes a protrusion 116.

By "non-rotatably connected" parts is meant: the members are connected such that whenever one of the members rotates, all of the members rotate; and relative rotation between the components is not possible. Radial and/or axial movements of the non-rotatably connected components relative to each other are possible but not required. "joined" of one component to another component means that the one component is in direct contact with the other component or that the components are in contact through an intermediate or auxiliary portion that is mechanically solid. For example, a gasket or coating may be provided between the two components.

The resilient element 112 may be any resilient element known in the art, such as a coil spring. The actuator 114 may be any actuator known in the art that performs the functions described for the actuator 114, for example, the actuator 114 is an electrical actuator. In an exemplary embodiment, the electrical actuator 114 is a solenoid actuator having a first state for displacing the pin 108 in the direction AD1 and a second state for displacing the pin 108 in the direction AD 2. The actuator transitions between the first state and the second state each time the electrical actuator 114 is energized or receives a control signal. The following discussion relates to an assembly 111 comprising an element 112 and an actuator 114; however, it should be understood that the discussion applies to other configurations of components that achieve the functionality described for assembly 111, element 112, and actuator 114.

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the bolt of fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the gearbox phasing unit of fig. 2.

Fig. 5 is a block diagram of a vehicle including the cam phasing control assembly of fig. 2. The following should be observed from fig. 1 to 5. Cam phasing control assembly 200 includes assembly 100, gearbox phasing unit 202, and bolt 204. The bolt 204 is non-rotatably connected to the camshaft C. In the exemplary embodiment, bolt 204 includes a recess 206 having a slot 208. Gearbox phasing unit 202 can be any radial gearbox phasing unit known in the art, including but not limited to: a planetary gear unit; an elliptical gear unit; and a harmonic drive unit. In the exemplary embodiment, unit 202 includes an input gear 210, a control shaft 212, a flex gear 214, a rotor 216, and an output gear 218. The control shaft 212 includes a slot 220. Gear 214 is engaged with rotor 216, gear 210 and gear 218.

The plate-like portion 106 is non-rotatably connected to components of the unit 202. For example, the protrusion 116 for the plate 106 is disposed in the groove 220. Unit 202 operates as known in the art. For example, an engine E and crankshaft CK for a vehicle V transmit torque T1 to the input gear 210 in a direction CD1, e.g., via a belt or chain BL engaged with teeth 222 of the gear 210, to rotate the gear 218 and camshaft C in a direction CD 1.

For the phase adjustment mode shown in fig. 2, the pin 108 is displaced in the direction AD2 to disengage the feature 110 from the bolt 204, and the bolt 204 is rotatable relative to the plate 106. As is known in the art, the motor 102 rotates the shaft 104, plate 106, and shaft 212 in the circumferential direction CD1 or CD2 to control (circumferential position) phasing of the camshaft C relative to the crankshaft CK. For example, the plate-shaped portion 106 rotates in the circumferential direction CD1 or CD2 in accordance with a control signal CS1 from an electronic control unit ECU for the vehicle V. In the example of fig. 2: rotating the shaft 104 and the shaft 212 in the direction CD1 such that the gear 218 and the camshaft C rotate relative to the gear 210 in the direction CD1 to facilitate phasing of the camshaft C; and rotating the shaft 104 and the shaft 212 in the opposite direction CD2 such that the gear 218 and the camshaft C rotate relative to the gear 210 in the direction CD2 to retard phasing of the camshaft C. It should be understood that torque T1 is shown in direction CD1 and torque T1 may be shown in the opposite direction CD2 for illustrative purposes only.

Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the cam phasing control assembly 200 of fig. 2 in a camshaft locking mode. The following should be observed from fig. 1 to 6. For the camshaft locking mode shown in fig. 6, which occurs when the engine E is off, the actuator 114 displaces the actuation pin 108 in the axial direction AD1 to non-rotatably connect the engagement feature 110 with the bolt 204. For example, the actuator 114 receives a control signal CS2 from the unit ECU and the projections 116 are inserted into the corresponding slots 208. In the camshaft locking mode, the gear 210 and the camshaft C are non-rotatably connected. That is, the camshaft C does not rotate relative to the gear 210 and the crankshaft CK. The camshaft locking mode will be discussed further below.

The resilient element 112 urges the feature 110 in a direction AD2 opposite the direction AD 1. For the phase adjustment mode: the actuator 114 displaces the pin 108 in a direction AD2 opposite the direction AD1 or releases a force that would urge the pin 108 in the direction AD 1; and the elastic element 112 displaces the actuating pin 108 in the axial direction AD 2. For the camshaft locking mode, the actuator 114 overcomes the force from the element 112 to displace the pin 108 in the direction AD 1.

In the example of fig. 6, for the camshaft locking mode, the actuator 114 axially displaces the engagement feature 110 relative to the plate portion 106 in the direction AD 1. In the example of fig. 2, for the phase adjustment mode, the resilient element 112 axially displaces the engagement feature 110 relative to the plate portion 106 in the direction AD 2.

In an exemplary embodiment: the engagement feature 110 includes at least one radially outwardly extending protrusion 118. For the camshaft locking mode, the actuator 114 displaces the at least one radially outwardly extending protrusion 118 into the slot 208 in the direction AD 1. Thus, the at least one radially outwardly extending protrusion 118 non-rotatably connects the engagement feature 110 with the bolt 204.

For the phase adjustment mode, the resilient element 112 axially offsets the at least one radially outwardly extending protrusion 118 from the slot 208. In other words, for the phase adjustment mode, the resilient element 112 displaces the engagement feature 110 in the direction AD2 such that the at least one radially outwardly extending protrusion 118 moves out of the slot 208 or disengages from the slot 208 such that rotation between the plate portion 106 and the bolt 204 is enabled. In an exemplary embodiment, the engagement feature 110 includes six projections 118 and the recess 206 includes six slots 208. It should be understood that the engagement features 110 are not limited to a particular number of projections 118 and the recesses 206 are not limited to a particular number of slots 208. It should be understood that the number of tabs 118 need not be equal to the number of slots 208, for example (not shown), the number of tabs 118 may be less than the number of slots 208.

In an exemplary embodiment (not shown), the feature 110 is a recess having at least one slot and the bolt 204 includes at least one protrusion arranged to non-rotatably connect to the at least one slot. That is, in the camshaft locking mode, the feature 110 is disposed around the bolt 204.

The following should be observed from fig. 1 to 6. The following describes a method of operating the cam phasing control motor assembly 100. Although the method is presented as a sequence of steps for clarity, no order should be inferred from the sequence unless explicitly stated. The first step, torque T1 in the circumferential direction CD1 is received from the engine E and through the input gear 210 for the gearbox phasing unit 202. A second step of, for the phase adjustment mode: displacing engagement feature 110 in axial direction AD2 with displacement assembly 111; disconnecting the engagement feature 110 from the bolt 204; and the camshaft C is rotated in the circumferential direction CD1 using the torque T1 and the gearbox phasing unit 202. A third step of, for the camshaft lock mode: displacing the engagement feature 110 in the axial direction AD1 with the actuator assembly 111; and non-rotatably connects the engagement feature 110 with the bolt 204. Non-rotatably connecting the engagement feature 110 with the bolt 204 includes non-rotatably connecting the input gear 210 with the camshaft C.

In an exemplary embodiment, the cam phasing control motor assembly 100 includes a connecting member 106 non-rotatably connected to the hollow drive shaft 104. Then, a fourth step of, for the phase adjustment mode: rotating the connecting element 106 using the electric motor 102; and the camshaft C is rotated relative to the input gear 210 using the connecting member 106.

In an exemplary embodiment: cam phasing control motor assembly 100 includes a connecting element 106 non-rotatably connected to hollow drive shaft 104 and displacement assembly 111 includes an actuator 114 and a resilient element 112. Then: displacing engagement feature 110 in axial direction AD2 includes displacing engagement feature 110 with respect to connecting element 106 with resilient element 112; and displacing engagement feature 110 in axial direction AD1 with actuator assembly 111 includes displacing engagement feature 110 in axial direction AD1 with respect to connecting element 106 with actuator 114.

The following should be observed from fig. 1 to 6. The following describes a method of operating the cam phasing control motor assembly 100. Although the method is presented as a sequence of steps for clarity, no order should be inferred from the sequence unless explicitly stated. The first step, torque T1 in the circumferential direction CD1 is received from the engine E and through the input gear 210 for the gearbox phasing unit 202. Step two, for the phase adjustment mode: displacing the engagement feature 110 in the axial direction AD2 with the actuator 112; disconnecting the engagement feature 110 from the bolt 204; rotating the camshaft C in the circumferential direction CD1 using torque T1 and the gearbox phasing unit 202; and enables relative rotation between the connecting element 116 and the bolt 204. A third step of, for the camshaft lock mode: displacing engagement feature 110 in axial direction AD1 with element 112; and non-rotatably connects the engagement feature 110 with the bolt 204. Non-rotatably connecting the engagement feature 110 with the bolt 204 includes non-rotatably connecting the input gear 210 and the camshaft C.

A fourth step of non-rotatably connecting the plate-like portion 106 with the gear 210 for the camshaft lock mode. The first step, for the phase adjustment mode, rotates the plate-shaped portion 106 with the motor 102 to change the circumferential position of the camshaft C with respect to the gear 210.

In an exemplary embodiment: displacing the engagement feature 110 in the axial direction AD2 includes: displacing engagement feature 110 with respect to connection element 106 in direction AD2 with resilient element 112; and displacing engagement feature 110 in axial direction AD1 with actuator assembly 111 includes displacing engagement feature 110 in axial direction AD1 with respect to connecting element 106 with actuator 114.

The following should be observed from fig. 1 to 6. The following describes a method of operating a cam phasing control assembly 200 that includes the cam phasing control motor assembly 100. The first step, torque T1 in the circumferential direction CD1 is received from the engine E and through the input gear 210. A second step of, for the phase adjustment mode: displacing engagement feature 110 in axial direction AD2 with displacement assembly 111; rotating the camshaft C in the circumferential direction CD1 using torque T1 and the gearbox phasing unit 202; and enables rotation between the camshaft C and the input gear 210. A third step of, for the camshaft lock mode: displacing actuation pin 108 and engagement feature 110 in axial direction AD1 with displacement assembly 111; non-rotatably connecting the engagement feature 110 with the bolt 204; and the input gear 210 is non-rotatably connected with the camshaft C.

The cam phasing control motor assembly 100 and method of using the assembly 100 solve the above-mentioned problem of "drifting" of the rotor for the electric camshaft phaser relative to the stator for the electric camshaft phaser, immediately or shortly after engine shut-down. For example, the assembly 100 remains in the phasing mode (feature 110 disengaged from bolt 204) until it is determined that an engine shut-down is imminent, such as when the engine speed drops to 150 rpm. At this time, the camshaft lock mode is activated and the control signal CS2 is transmitted from the unit ECU to the actuator 114. The actuator 114 displaces the pin 108 and feature 110 in the direction AD1 to non-rotatably couple the feature 110 with the bolt 204 to lock the camshaft C in a predetermined position for the next engine start. In other words, the non-rotatable connection of the feature 110 and the bolt 204 effectively causes the input gear 210 and the output gear 218 to mate directly, resulting in a 1:1 ratio between the gears 210 and 218. The aforementioned ratio effectively non-rotatably connects gear 210 with gear 218 and blocks rotation of camshaft C relative to crankshaft CK.

At the time of engine start, when the unit ECU determines that cam phasing should occur, the phase adjustment mode is started and the control signal CS3 is transmitted from the unit ECU to the actuator 114. Actuator 114 displaces pin 108 in direction AD2 and resilient element 112 displaces feature 110 in direction AD2 to disengage feature 110 from bolt 204.

The number of circumferential positions for the camshaft C that are included in the plurality of camshaft positions mentioned above is limited. The number of circumferential positions is related to the number of projections 118 and slots 208. For example, the number of tabs 118 and slots 208 is determined based on the needs of the engine E. For example, the feature 110 is shown with six possible orientations of the tab 118 and the slot 208. If the ratio of the units 202 is 70:1, there are 420 possible locking positions (70x 6) per revolution of the camshaft C. This gives a resolution of about 0.86 cam (1.71 crank) (360/420). Modification of the mating features will improve this resolution.

It will be appreciated that various of the above-disclosed and other features and functions, or alternatives thereof, may be desirably combined into many other different systems or applications. Various presently unforeseen or unanticipated alternatives, modifications, variations or improvements therein may be subsequently made by those skilled in the art which are also intended to be encompassed by the following claims.

List of reference numerals:

10 cylinder system

11 axis of rotation

Axial direction AD1

Axial direction AD2

RD1 radial direction

RD2 radial direction

CD1 circumferential direction

CD2 circumferential direction

Radius R

12 object

13 object

14 object

15A surface

15B surface

15C edge

16A surface

16B edge

Radius of 17A

Radius of 17B

18 surface

19 circumference of circle

Radius 20

C camshaft

CS1 control signal

CS2 control signal

CS3 control signal

CK crankshaft

E engine

Tl Torque from Engine E

T2 Torque from electric Motor 102

V vehicle

100 cam phasing control motor assembly

102 electric motor

104 hollow driving shaft

106 plate-like part

108 drive pin

110 engagement feature

111 displacement assembly

112 elastic element

114 actuator

116 for the projection of the connecting element 106

118 for the protrusion of feature 110

200 cam phasing control assembly

202 gearbox phasing unit

204 bolt

206 recess in bolt 204

208 grooves in the recess 206

210 input gear

212 control shaft

214 flexible gear

216 rotor

218 output gear

220 groove in shaft 212

222 teeth on gear 210