# US 10,478,927 B2 · Device for assembling cams on a camshaft pipe

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- Number: US 10,478,927 B2
- Document ID: US10478927B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 14/910,680
- Filed: 2014-06-27
- Published: 2016-09-22
- Granted: 2019-11-19
- Earliest claimed: 2013-08-08
- Assignees: Mahle International GmbH
- Applicants: Mahle International GmbH
- Inventors: Frank Dautel; Thomas Flender; Antonio Menonna; Stefan Steichele
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10478927B2

## CPC

- B23P 11/025: {by using heat or cold}
- F01L 1/047: Camshafts
- F16H 53/025: {characterised by their construction, e.g. assembling or manufacturing features}
- B23P 2700/02: Camshafts
- F01L 2001/0471: {Assembled camshafts}
- F01L 2303/01: Tools for producing, mounting or adjusting, e.g. some part of the distribution
- B23P: METAL-WORKING NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; COMBINED OPERATIONS; UNIVERSAL MACHINE TOOLS (arrangements for copying or controlling B23Q)
- F01L: CYCLICALLY OPERATING VALVES FOR MACHINES OR ENGINES
- F16H: GEARING

## Abstract

A device for assembling cams on a camshaft pipe of a camshaft may include a first gripper and a second gripper each configured for gripping and holding a respective cam. The first gripper and the second gripper may receive the respective cam in a common direction and may be movable in a common direction into alignment with respect to the camshaft pipe. The second gripper may be configured to grip and hold the respective cam that is pivoted by 90° with respect to an orientation of the respective cam in the first gripper.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A device for assembling cams on a camshaft pipe of a camshaft, comprising:
a first gripper and a second gripper each configured for gripping and holding a respective cam during assembly, wherein the first gripper and the second gripper receive the respective cam in a common direction and are movable in a common direction into alignment with respect to the camshaft pipe, and the second gripper grips and holds the respective cam that is pivoted by 90° with respect to an orientation of the respective cam in the first gripper; and
wherein the second gripper comprises a U-shaped seat and a U-shaped holder, and the U-shaped holder is movable axially and radially with respect to the U-shaped seat.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The device according to claim 1, wherein the first gripper comprises two jaws that are movable against one another, and wherein the first gripper clamps the respective cam to be gripped between said two jaws.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The device according to claim 1, further comprising at least two contact bodies arranged on the U-shaped seat that mount the respective cam to be held.

### Claim 4 (depends on 3)

The device according to claim 3, wherein the at least two contact bodies have a cylindrical shape.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The device according to claim 1, wherein the U-shaped holder and the U-shaped seat have a corresponding orientation, wherein the U-shaped holder has U-legs and includes contact bodies arranged at a free end of the U-legs, and wherein the contact bodies protrude over the U-shaped holder in a direction of the U-shaped seat.

### Claim 6 (depends on 5)

The device according to claim 5, wherein the contact bodies are roller bodies.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The device according to claim 1, further comprising at least two contact bodies arranged on each of the U-shaped seat and the U-shaped holder, wherein the respective cam is clamped in-between the at least two contact bodies of the U-shaped seat and the U-shaped holder.

### Claim 8 (depends on 5)

The device according to claim 5, wherein the U-shaped holder and the U-shaped seat are aligned axially and radially with respect to a longitudinal axis of the camshaft.

### Claim 9 (depends on 1)

The device according to claim 1, wherein the U-shaped holder is adjustable obliquely with respect to the U-shaped seat.

### Claim 10 (depends on 9)

The device according to claim 9, wherein the U-shaped seat defines an inclined surface plane, and wherein the U-shaped holder is adjustable obliquely via the inclined surface plane with respect to the U-shaped seat.

### Claim 11

A method for joining cams on a camshaft pipe via an assembly device, comprising:
providing a first gripper and a second gripper configured to mount at least two cams, the second gripper comprising a U-shaped seat and a U-shaped holder, wherein the U-shaped holder is movable axially and radially with respect to the U-shaped seat;
heating the at least two cams;
positioning a first of the at least two cams in the first gripper and a second of the at least two cams into the second gripper that is pivoted by 90° with respect to the first cam;
moving the first gripper and the second gripper into alignment with the camshaft pipe;
pushing the camshaft pipe through the at least two cams mounted in the first gripper and the second gripper; and
performing a temperature equalisation for a predetermined waiting period until the at least two cams shrink-fit onto the camshaft pipe to define a fixed connection.

### Claim 12 (depends on 11)

The method according to claim 11, wherein the first cam and the second cam are positioned in the first gripper and the second gripper, respectively, from a common direction, and wherein the first gripper and the second gripper are moved in a common direction into alignment with the camshaft pipe.

### Claim 13

A gripper of an assembly device for mounting a cam on a camshaft, comprising: a U-shaped seat and a U-shaped holder, wherein the U-shaped seat and the U-shaped holder are movable axially and radially relative to one another with respect to a longitudinal axis of the camshaft.

### Claim 14 (depends on 13)

The gripper according to claim 13, further comprising at least two contact bodies disposed on the U-shaped seat, wherein the at least two contact bodies support the cam to be held in the U-shaped seat.

### Claim 15 (depends on 14)

The gripper according to claim 14, wherein the U-shaped seat and the U-shaped holder are aligned axially and radially with respect to the longitudinal axis.

### Claim 16 (depends on 15)

The gripper according to claim 15, wherein the U-shaped holder has U-legs and includes contact bodies arranged at a free end of the U-legs, and wherein the contact bodies protrude over the U-shaped holder in a direction of the U-shaped seat.

### Claim 17 (depends on 13)

The gripper according to claim 13, wherein the U-shaped seat and the U-shaped holder are aligned axially and radially with respect to the longitudinal axis.

### Claim 18 (depends on 17)

The gripper according to claim 17, wherein the U-shaped holder has U-legs and includes contact bodies arranged at a free end of the U-legs, and wherein the contact bodies protrude over the U-shaped holder in a direction of the U-shaped seat.

### Claim 19 (depends on 13)

The gripper according to claim 13, wherein the U-shaped holder is adjustable obliquely with respect to the U-shaped seat.

### Claim 20 (depends on 19)

The gripper according to claim 19, wherein the U-shaped seat defines an inclined surface plane, and wherein the U-shaped holder is adjustable obliquely via the inclined surface plane with respect to the U-shaped seat.