Oil control valve for variable cam phaser

Abstract

An oil control valve for a variable cam phaser has a secure steel-to-steel fit between the secondary plate of the bobbin and the frame owing to a shoulder formed in the frame against which the secondary plate abuts, and also owing to an o-ring disposed between the bobbin and frame. This prevents oil from leaking into the electrical connector of the valve, which advantageously can be oriented parallel to the axis of the valve.

1 . An oil control valve for a variable cam phaser, comprising:
 a metal frame formed with a radially enlarged part with a first inside diameter and a radially smaller part with a second inside diameter less than the first inside diameter, the two parts being coaxial with each other and a shoulder being established therebetween, the shoulder defining an annular surface perpendicular to the axis of the parts;   a bobbin at least partially metal and disposed within the frame, the bobbin abutting the surface of the shoulder; and   at least one o-ring disposed between the bobbin and frame, whereby the combination of the o-ring and bobbin abutting the surface of the shoulder substantially prevents oil from leaking to a connector associated with the valve.   
   
   
       2 . The valve of  claim 1 , wherein the connector is substantially coaxial with the axis of the frame and bobbin. 
   
   
       3 . The valve of  claim 1 , wherein the bobbin includes a secondary plate engaged with a plastic body by means of overmolding the plastic body onto the secondary plate, the secondary plate abutting the surface of the shoulder. 
   
   
       4 . The valve of  claim 1 , wherein the valve is engaged with the variable cam phaser. 
   
   
       5 . An assembly for a vehicle comprising:
 a variable cam phaser; and   an oil control valve engaged with the phaser to selectively port oil thereto, the oil control valve having a shoulder defining a metal-to-metal interface between two metal parts of the valve to inhibit oil leakage into an electrical connector of the valve.   
   
   
       6 . The assembly of  claim 5 , wherein the two parts include an outer frame and an inner bobbin at least partially disposed in the frame, the bobbin defining an end abutting the shoulder. 
   
   
       7 . The assembly of  claim 6 , wherein the frame defines the shoulder. 
   
   
       8 . The assembly of  claim 7 , comprising at least one o-ring disposed between the bobbin and frame, whereby the combination of the o-ring and bobbin abutting the shoulder substantially prevents oil from leaking to the electrical connector. 
   
   
       9 . The valve of  claim 6 , wherein the electrical connector is substantially coaxial with the axis of the frame and bobbin. 
   
   
       10 . The valve of  claim 6 , wherein the bobbin includes a secondary plate engaged with a plastic body by means of overmolding the plastic body onto the secondary plate, the secondary plate abutting the shoulder. 
   
   
       11 . An oil control valve, comprising:
 an electrical connector;   a bobbin including a metal secondary plate; and   a frame surrounding the bobbin, the frame defining an axis and an annular surface substantially perpendicular to the axis, the secondary plate abutting the surface.   
   
   
       12 . The valve of  claim 11 , comprising at least one o-ring disposed between the bobbin and frame, whereby the combination of the o-ring and bobbin abutting the surface substantially prevents oil from leaking to a connector associated with the valve. 
   
   
       13 . The valve of  claim 12 , wherein the connector is substantially coaxial with the axis of the frame. 
   
   
       14 . The valve of  claim 11 , wherein the secondary plate is engaged with a plastic body of the bobbin by means of overmolding the plastic body onto the secondary plate, the secondary plate abutting the surface. 
   
   
       15 . The valve of  claim 11 , comprising a variable cam phaser receiving oil from the valve.