Variable cam timing phaser

Abstract

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.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An assembly for a variable cam timing phaser, said assembly comprising;
 a rotor extending circumferentially about an axis, with said rotor,
 having a rotor interior surface defining a bore completely therethrough, said bore configured to receive a control valve, 
 having a surface extending radially away from said axis and perpendicular to said rotor interior surface, and 
 having a retention tab integral with said surface, said retention tab extending axially away from said surface; and 
   a trigger plate coupled to said rotor, said trigger plate defining a retention channel completely therethrough;   wherein said retention tab of said rotor is disposed in said retention channel of said trigger plate.   
     
     
         2 . A variable cam timing phaser comprising;
 a stator extending circumferentially about an axis;   a rotor extending circumferentially about said axis and disposed radially within said stator, with said rotor,
 having a rotor interior surface defining a bore completely therethrough, 
 having a surface extending radially away from said axis and perpendicular to said rotor interior surface, and 
 having a retention tab integral with said surface, with said retention tab extending axially away from said surface; 
   a control valve disposed within said bore of said rotor; and   a trigger plate coupled to said rotor, said trigger plate defining a retention channel completely therethrough;   wherein said retention tab of said surface is disposed in said retention channel of said trigger plate.   
     
     
         3 . A method of manufacturing an assembly for a variable cam timing phaser, with the assembly including a rotor extending circumferentially about an axis, the rotor having a rotor interior surface defining a bore completely therethrough and configured to receive a control valve, the rotor presenting a surface extending radially away from the axis and perpendicular to said rotor interior surface, and the rotor having a retention tab integral with the surface, with the retention tab extending axially away from the surface; and a trigger plate coupled to the rotor, the trigger plate defining a retention channel completely therethrough; said method comprising the steps of:
 disposing the retention tab of the rotor in the retention channel of the trigger wheel; and   plastically deforming the retention tab of the rotor to couple the trigger wheel to the rotor.