Closure assembly for a camshaft phaser

Abstract

A closure assembly for a camshaft phaser. A plug or a cap is provided with either a radially-sealing gasket seal or a face-sealing gasket seal, the seal being formed by insertion of the plug into a bore, or by installation of a cap over a neck formed in a cover plate. The closure is provided with a plurality of spaced-apart locking elements, and the plate is provided with a plurality of spaced-apart, radially extending second locking elements in the form of fingers surrounding a central opening. During assembly, the closure is mated to the plate with the first locking elements interspersed with the second locking elements. The closure is rotated to bring the locking elements into locking engagement with each other, preventing counter-rotation of the closure. No threads or torque specifications are required.

1 . A closure assembly for a camshaft phaser, comprising: 
 a base plate including a mating surface and having a first opening;    a locking plate coupled with said base plate, said locking plate having a second opening surrounded by a plurality of spaced-apart recurved first-projection elements, said plurality of spaced-apart recurved first projection elements extending inwardly toward said second opening;    a closure extending across said first opening and supporting a plurality of circumferentially spaced-apart second projection elements disposed along a periphery of said closure; and    a seal disposed between said base plate and said closure for preventing fluid leakage therebetween,    wherein said first and second projection elements are lockably associated by coaxial rotation of said closure and said locking plate and said closure with respect to one another through a portion of a full revolution.    
   
   
       2 . A closure assembly in accordance with  claim 1  wherein said plurality of spaced-apart inwardly recurved first projection elements extend above a surface of said locking plate.  
   
   
       3 . A closure assembly in accordance with  claim 1  wherein said seal is axially compressed between said closure and said base plate.  
   
   
       4 . A closure assembly in accordance with  claim 3  wherein said seal is axially compressed between said closure and said mating surface of said base plate.  
   
   
       5 . A closure assembly in accordance with  claim 1  wherein said seal is an O-ring.  
   
   
       6 . A closure assembly in accordance with  claim 1  wherein said locking plate is coupled with said mating surface of said base plate.  
   
   
       7 . A closure assembly in accordance with  claim 1  wherein at least one of said plurality of circumferentially spaced-apart second projection elements includes a tapered ramp.  
   
   
       8 . A closure assembly in accordance with  claim 1  wherein at least one of said plurality of circumferentially spaced-apart second projection elements includes a rotational locking mechanism.  
   
   
       9 . A closure assembly in accordance with  claim 8  wherein said rotational locking mechanism includes a rigid tip to prevent over-rotation or counter-rotation of said closure.  
   
   
       10 . A closure assembly in accordance with  claim 8  wherein said rotational locking mechanism includes a flexible tip to permit said rotational locking mechanism to enter one of said plurality of spaced-apart recurved first-projection elements.  
   
   
       11 . A closure assembly for a camshaft phaser, comprising: 
 a base plate including a mating surface and having a first opening;    a locking plate coupled with said base plate, said locking plate having a second opening surrounded by a plurality of spaced-apart recurved first-projection elements extending above a surface of said locking plate, said plurality of spaced-apart recurved first projection elements extending radially inwardly toward said second opening;    a closure extending across said first opening and supporting a plurality of circumferentially spaced-apart and radially extending second projection elements disposed along a periphery of said closure, at least one of said plurality of circumferentially spaced-apart second projection elements including a tapered ramp; and    a seal axially compressed between said closure and said mating surface of said base plate for preventing fluid leakage therebetween,    wherein said first and second projection elements are lockably associated by coaxial rotation of said closure and said locking plate and said closure with respect to one another through a portion of a full revolution.    
   
   
       12 . A closure assembly in accordance with  claim 11  wherein said seal is an O-ring.  
   
   
       13 . A closure assembly in accordance with  claim 11  wherein said locking plate is coupled with said mating surface of said base plate.  
   
   
       14 . A closure assembly in accordance with  claim 11  wherein at least one of said plurality of circumferentially spaced-apart second projection elements includes a rotational locking mechanism.  
   
   
       15 . A closure assembly in accordance with  claim 14  wherein said rotational locking mechanism includes a rigid tip to prevent over-rotation or counter-rotation of said closure.  
   
   
       16 . A closure assembly in accordance with  claim 14  wherein said rotational locking mechanism includes a flexible tip to permit said rotational locking mechanism to enter one of said plurality of spaced-apart recurved first-projection elements.