阅读说明：本技术 包括轴向作用的弹簧垫圈的泵 (Pump comprising an axially acting spring washer ) 是由 C·韦尔特 于 2021-06-23 设计创作，主要内容包括：一种用于将流体施加到组件例如齿轮箱的泵,所述泵包括：一种泵壳体(1),所述壳体的环绕所述泵的输送室(5)的周向壁(2)；壳体的端面壁(3),其包括壳体的外端面表面(14),轴向地背离输送室(5)；流体入口(6)；以及用于在壳体(14)的外端面表面上流出的流体的出口(8)；输送构件(10、11),用于将流体从包括入口(6)的泵的低压侧输送到包括出口(8)的泵的高压侧；以及轴向垫圈,所述轴向垫圈在所述壳体的所述端面壁(3)上的轴向视图中完全围绕所述出口(8)；其中,所述轴向垫圈是盘簧或中空轮廓弹簧或V形轮廓弹簧或波纹管弹簧形式的弹簧垫圈(15；15a；15b；15c；41)。(A pump for applying fluid to a component, such as a gearbox, the pump comprising: a pump housing (1) having a circumferential wall (2) surrounding a delivery chamber (5) of the pump; an end face wall (3) of the housing comprising an outer end face surface (14) of the housing axially facing away from the transport chamber (5); a fluid inlet (6); and an outlet (8) for fluid flowing out on the outer end face surface of the housing (14); -a conveying member (10, 11) for conveying fluid from a low pressure side of the pump comprising the inlet (6) to a high pressure side of the pump comprising the outlet (8); and an axial gasket completely surrounding the outlet (8) in an axial view on the end face wall (3) of the housing; wherein the axial washer is a spring washer (15; 15 a; 15 b; 15 c; 41) in the form of a coil spring or a hollow profile spring or a V-profile spring or a bellows spring.)

1. A pump for applying a fluid to an assembly, the pump comprising:

(a) pump housing (1), characterized in that

-a circumferential wall (2) of the housing surrounding a delivery chamber (5) of the pump,

-an end face wall (3) of the housing comprising an outer end face surface (14) of the housing axially facing away from the transport chamber (5),

-a fluid inlet (6), and

-an outlet (8) for fluid flowing out on an outer end face surface (14) of the housing;

(b) a delivery member (10, 11) movable within the delivery chamber (5) for delivering fluid from a low pressure side of the pump comprising the inlet (6) to a high pressure side of the pump comprising the outlet (8); and

(c) an axial gasket completely surrounding the outlet (8) in an axial view on the end face wall (3) of the housing, so as to separate the outlet (8) from the low pressure side,

(d) wherein the axial washer is a spring washer (15; 15 a; 15 b; 15 c; 41) in the form of a coil spring or a hollow profile spring or a V-profile spring or a bellows spring.

2. Pump according to the preceding claim, wherein said spring washer (15; 41) is a disc spring comprising an inner circumference and an outer circumference axially offset with respect to said inner circumference, wherein said spring washer (15; 41) comprises a first sealing stay (16) of the spring, which is fully circumferential near the inner circumference, and a second sealing stay (17) of the spring, which is axially facing away from the first sealing stay (16) of the spring and is fully circumferential near the outer circumference, and wherein one of these sealing stays (16, 17) of the spring axially faces the outer end face surface (14) of the housing and overlaps the outer end face surface (14) of the housing in axial view, so as to bring the outlet into fully circumferential sealing contact with the outer end face surface (14) of the housing (8) Separate from the low pressure side.

3. The pump of the preceding claim, wherein: said spring washer (15; 41) extending from the inner circumference to the outer circumference on a first end surface axially facing the outer end face surface (14) of the housing and on a second end surface axially facing away from the outer end face surface (14) of the housing; a first transition area circumferentially connecting the inner circumference to the first end surface, a second transition area circumferentially connecting the outer circumference to the second end surface, a third transition area (18) circumferentially connecting the inner circumference to the second end surface, a fourth transition area (19) circumferentially connecting the outer circumference to the first end surface; one of the sealing struts (16, 17) of the spring extends in the first transition region and the other of the sealing struts (16, 17) of the spring extends in the second transition region; and at least one of the sealing webs (16, 17) of the spring is flattened and/or rounded, having a larger radius of curvature than the third and/or fourth transition region (18, 19).

4. The pump of claim 1, wherein the spring washer (15; 15 a; 15 b; 15 c; 41) is a pure metal spring.

5. The pump according to claim 1, wherein the spring washer (15; 15 a; 15 b; 15c, 41) is the washer closest to the low pressure side in a pressure path extending along the pump housing (1) from the high pressure side to the low pressure side.

6. The pump according to claim 1, wherein the spring washer (41) is the washer closest to the outlet (8) in a pressure path extending along the pump housing (1) from the outlet (8) to the low pressure side.

7. Pump according to claim 1, wherein the pump comprises an additional gasket (20) which in axial view surrounds the outlet (8) to seal it, and wherein the spring gasket (15; 15 a; 15 b; 15c) surrounds the additional gasket (20) or the additional gasket (20) surrounds the spring gasket (15; 15 a; 15 b; 15 c).

8. Pump according to the preceding claim, wherein the additional gasket (20) is a bead gasket.

9. The pump according to claim 7, wherein the additional gasket (20) is a metal bead gasket.

10. Pump according to claim 7, wherein the spring washer (15; 15 a; 15 b; 15c) is held on the pump housing (1) by the additional washer (20).

11. Pump according to claim 1 and claim 7, wherein the pump is fitted in or on a receiving means (30) and the additional washer (20) is arranged between the outer end surface (14) of the housing and an end face surface (34) of the receiving means (30) in an axial indirect line of force of the spring washer (15; 15 a; 15 b; 15 c).

12. Pump according to claim 1, wherein it comprises a first flow rate characterized by the inlet (6) and the outlet (8) and an additional flow rate characterized by an additional outlet (9) and optionally an additional inlet (7), and the spring washer (15; 15 a; 15 b; 15c) also surrounds the additional outlet (9) in an axial view, so as to separate the outlet (8, 9) from the low pressure side.

13. Pump according to claim 1, wherein the pump comprises a first flow rate characterized by the inlet (6) and the outlet (8), an additional flow rate characterized by an additional outlet (9) and optionally an additional inlet (7), and an additional axial gasket in the form of an additional spring gasket (42) surrounding the additional outlet (9) in axial view, wherein the spring gaskets (41, 42) are disc springs and are arranged adjacently in axial view so as to separate the outlets (8, 9) from each other and from the low pressure side.

14. Pump according to claim 1, wherein the pump is fitted in or on a receiving means (30) and the spring washer (15; 15 a; 15 b; 15 c; 41) is arranged along an axially direct line of force and is axially tensioned between the outer end surface (14) of the housing and an end surface (34) of the receiving means (30).

15. The pump of claim 1, wherein: the pump comprises a containing device (30) or is arranged in the containing device (30); the containment device (30) surrounds the pump housing (1) and comprises a base featuring an end face surface (34) of the containment device and a port (31) for the outlet (8); and said spring washer (15; 15 a; 15 b; 15 c; 41) being in sealing contact with each of the outer end face surface (14) of the housing and the end face surface (34) of the receiving means so as to separate the high pressure side from the low pressure side of the pump.

16. Pump according to the preceding claim, wherein said end surface (34) of the housing means is circumferentially smooth in the region of a sealing stay (17) of the spring washer (15; 15 a; 15 b; 15 c; 41) axially facing said end surface (34) of the housing means, so as to circumferentially form an uninterrupted sealing abutment for the sealing stay (17) of the spring axially facing the end face surface (34) of the housing means, and/or, wherein the outer end face surface (14) of the housing is circumferentially smooth in the region of a sealing stay (16) of the spring washer (15; 15 a; 15 b; 15 c; 41) axially facing the outer end face surface (14) of the housing, so as to circumferentially form an uninterrupted sealing abutment for the sealing stay (16) of the spring axially facing the outer end face surface (14) of the housing.

17. Pump according to the preceding claim, wherein the end surface (34) of the housing means is circumferentially planar in the region of the sealing stay (17) of the spring washer (15; 15 a; 15 b; 15 c; 41) axially facing the end surface (34) of the housing means.

18. The pump of claim 16 wherein the outer face surface (14) of the housing is circumferentially planar in the region of the sealing struts (16) of the spring washer (15; 15 a; 15 b; 15 c; 41) axially facing the outer face surface (14) of the housing.

19. Pump according to claim 1, wherein the circumferential wall (2) of the housing and the end face wall (3) of the housing axially abut against each other in pressure contact and define the delivery chamber (5) at its circumference and on the end face side, and wherein the spring washer (15; 15 a; 15 b; 15 c; 41) presses the end face wall (3) of the housing axially against the circumferential wall (2) of the housing with a spring force when the pump is assembled.

20. The pump of claim 1, wherein the component is a gearbox.

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a pump for supplying fluid to a component, such as a gearbox or an engine. In particular, the present invention relates to a gasket arrangement for a pump. The pump may be, for example, a lubricating oil pump, a coolant pump, a vacuum pump or, preferably, a gear pump. The pump may be a single flow (flux) pump or a multiple flow (flux) pump, in particular a multi-loop pump. It may be used as a gear pump for supplying pressure fluid to a gearbox, for example an automatic gearbox and/or a steering gearbox of a vehicle or a gearbox of a wind turbine. In another application, it may be used as a lubricant pump and/or a coolant pump for supplying lubricant and/or coolant, in particular lubricating oil, to an engine, for example a drive motor of a vehicle, in particular an internal combustion engine. As a lubricant pump and/or coolant pump, it can be used in particular for lubricating and/or cooling an internal combustion engine and/or an electric motor of a motor vehicle. In such an application, it is possible, for example, to supply a drive motor or an auxiliary drive motor of a motor vehicle with a pressure fluid. It is also conceivable to use it as a combined lubricating oil pump and/or coolant pump on the one hand and as a gear pump on the other hand, in particular in embodiments where the pump is a multiple flow pump. The pump can advantageously be embodied as a cartridge and/or be intended to be arranged in the receiving recess.

Background

WO 01/94791a1 discloses a pump in the form of a pump insert which is disposed in a receiving well of a receiving device. The pump insert is axially disposed between the base of the containment well and the cover of the containment device. When the pump is operated, fluid is drawn from a low pressure space extending over the outer circumference of the pump and is discharged via the end face wall of the pump housing and the base of the well. An annular sealing element, which surrounds the pump insert and acts as a radial gasket, separates the pump outlet from the low pressure space. Spring means provided between the base (base) of the receiving well and the pump insert axially tension the pump insert on the cap. The pump insert may be axially displaced to a small extent relative to the receiving means against the force of the spring means, so that dimensional tolerances and variations in geometry may be compensated for. The pump comprises two working streams which are fed into a common pressure space, i.e. the working streams are not separated from each other. Thus, the pump is implemented as a multiple flow single circulation pump.

EP3081741a2 discloses a gear pump comprising a plurality of working flows. The pump is designed as a multi-circuit pump and accordingly has separate pressure outlets which are sealed off from one another, with at least one outlet for each flow rate. The first outlet is sealed by an annular radial gasket surrounding the housing of the pump. An annular outlet gasket is arranged in the pressure space obtained by the radial gasket, which annular outlet gasket surrounds the second outlet in a sealing manner so as to separate the second outlet from the first pressure outlet. The pump is configured as a cartridge and is first introduced into the receiving well of the receiving device with the outer end face side of the pump housing. The pressure fluid delivered by the pump is discharged via the pressure outlet and a pressure connection of the receiving device axially opposite the pressure outlet. The spring device is supported on the base of the receiving chamber and is pressed with spring force against the axially opposite outer end face side of the pump housing, whereby tolerances and geometric variations in the axial direction can be compensated.

US 2017/0260979a1 discloses a gasket arrangement for a vane pump cartridge, wherein the vane pump comprises two working flows and is embodied as a double cylinder pump. The washer device includes: a radial gasket arranged such that it surrounds the circumference of the pump housing and separates the first pressure space of the pump from the suction space; and an outlet gasket disposed on an outer end face side of the pump insert. An outlet gasket separates the first pressure space from the second pressure space of the pump and seals the shaft passage for the drive shaft of the pump.

The prior art uses soft material gaskets and/or elastomeric gaskets. If the gasket is used as an axial gasket, it is difficult to ensure a sealing action based on the elasticity of the material. The axial width of the axial connection sealed by the axial gasket can be varied, for example due to changes in geometry caused by temperature and/or movements caused by pressure of the pump housing or housing parts. The width of the joint may also vary from installation to installation due to component tolerances and/or installation tolerances. Soft material gaskets and/or elastomeric gaskets require a high surface compression that is uniform over their circumference in order to achieve the desired seal. If the surface compression changes during operation of the pump due to temperature and/or pressure variations or due to pump-to-pump tolerance variations, a reliable sealing action can only be ensured with great effort and/or expenditure. Stability is also an issue. In the case of pulses, high pressures and large joint widths to be bridged, there is an increased risk of gap extrusion. Another problem is the ever increasing cost pressure.

Object of the Invention

It is an object of the present invention to provide a cost effective and reliable static seal for a pump. Gaskets suitable for this purpose should be able to effectively and reliably compensate for component tolerances and/or mounting tolerances and/or temperature-induced changes in geometry and/or pressure-induced movements of the pump or pump components at the location where the gasket is mounted, while maintaining the required sealing action even during long-term operation.

Another object is to provide a pump which is suitable to be arranged in a containing well of a containing device and which, for this purpose, comprises an end face wall of the housing comprising one or more pressure outlets for discharging pressure fluid from a delivery chamber of the pump. The object of the invention is to improve the sealing of one or more pressure outlets of such a pump in a cost-effective manner with respect to component tolerances and/or installation tolerances and/or temperature-induced geometric changes of the receiving device and the pump and/or pressure-induced movements of the housing structure of the pump.

The invention accordingly relates to a pump for supplying a component, such as a gearbox, with a fluid, preferably a liquid, such as gear oil and/or lubricating oil. The pump comprises a pump housing having a circumferential wall of the housing, an end face wall of the housing, an inlet for fluid and an outlet for fluid. The circumferential wall of the housing surrounds the delivery chamber of the pump. The end face wall of the housing includes an outer end face surface of the housing that faces axially away from the transport chamber. The outlet port is present on the outer end face surface of the housing. The end face wall of the housing may be offset from the delivery chamber and may simply form the outer end face wall of the pump housing. Preferably, however, the end face wall of the housing delimits the conveying chamber on the end face side. The end wall of the housing may be integrally moulded, for example cast or generatively moulded, with the circumferential wall of the housing. However, in a preferred embodiment, the circumferential wall of the housing and the end face wall of the housing are manufactured separately from each other and abut against each other in pressure contact on the end face side.

The pump comprises a delivery member movable within a delivery chamber for delivering fluid from a low pressure side of the pump comprising an inlet to a high pressure side of the pump comprising an outlet. The low pressure side of the pump extends from a reservoir (reservoir) for fluid up into the delivery chamber via an inlet of the pump housing. The high-pressure side of the pump extends from the delivery chamber via the outlet opening up to the component or components to be supplied with fluid, if necessary. The pump may in particular be embodied as a rotary pump, and the conveying member may accordingly be movable in rotation within the conveying chamber. The pump may be, for example, a gear pump, in particular an external gear pump or an internal gear pump. However, it may alternatively be a pendulum slider pump or a roller unit pump, for example. In a preferred embodiment, it is implemented as a vane cell pump or a rotary vane pump.

In order to separate the outlet from the low pressure side at the location where the pump is mounted, the pump comprises an axial gasket which completely surrounds the outlet on the outer end surface of the housing in axial view on the end face wall of the housing. According to the invention, the axial washer is a spring washer in the form of a disc spring or an annular hollow profile spring, a V-profile spring or a bellows spring. The spring washer may be the only washer separating the outlet from the low pressure side. Alternatively, an additional or in principle several additional gaskets may be provided, each separating the same outlet from the low-pressure side as well. In this context, "separate" thus means that the manner in which the spring washer alone is used for proper pump operation may also be sufficient to seal the outlet from the low pressure side.

Coil and hollow profile springs, as well as V-profile and bellows springs, can be manufactured with sufficiently large axial spring deflection, large spring constant and narrow tolerances, but nevertheless this is achieved in a simple manner. The spring washer, i.e. the disc spring, the V-spring, the bellows spring or the hollow profile spring, completely surrounds the outlet, i.e. over 360 °, so that an annularly independent axial washer is obtained.

The spring washer includes a first sealing bead of the spring and a second sealing bead of the spring facing away from the first sealing bead of the spring. One of the sealing struts of the spring axially faces and overlaps the outer end face surface of the housing in axial view so as to separate the outlet from the low pressure side of the pump in sealing contact with the outer end face surface of the housing that completely surrounds the outlet. The sealing struts of the spring are connected to one another via an annularly closed spring section. The spring portion is of course closed all around and thus sealed.

Preferably, the spring washer is designed as a disk spring, wherein the disk spring can be widened, in particular, conically from the inner circumference to the outer circumference. In particular, the disc spring may be a frustoconical surface. Alternatively, however, the disk spring can also be concavely or convexly curved from the inner circumference to the outer circumference, for example completely circular, or conversely curved in an inverted or as a polygon.

The spring washer can be embodied in particular as a metal spring and a metal washer and thus as a pure metal component. Such a spring washer is less sensitive to the mechanical and/or thermal stresses expected during operation of the pump than a spring washer made of plastic or a plastic-metal composite. The term "metal" is understood to mean both pure metals and metal alloys. In an advantageous embodiment, the spring washer consists of spring steel.

The spring washer may be the only washer separating the outlet from the low pressure side. However, in addition to the spring washer according to the invention, the pump may also comprise an additional washer, which likewise serves to separate the same outlet and/or another outlet from the low-pressure side of the pump. In an advantageous embodiment, the additional gasket is a bead gasket. The additional gasket may in particular be a pure metal gasket. The additional washers may be, for example, hollow profile springs, V-springs, or bellows springs. The additional washer is more preferably a bead washer or a disc spring. An advantageous combination of a spring washer and an additional washer comprises on the one hand a disc spring and a bead washer and on the other hand a first disc spring and a second disc spring.

In embodiments where the pump includes an additional gasket in addition to the spring gasket, i.e. the disc spring, the hollow profile spring, the V-profile spring or the bellows spring, is preferably the gasket closest to the low pressure side in the pressure path extending along the pump housing from the low pressure side of the pump to the high pressure side of the pump. This inherently applies to pump embodiments in which the outlet is separated from the low pressure side only by the spring washer according to the invention.

The spring washer according to the invention can advantageously replace plastic washers or plastic composite washers known in the art. It is particularly advantageous to be able to dispense with radial gaskets, for example radial gaskets which are usually arranged on the outer circumference of the pump housing between the high-pressure side and the low-pressure side.

The pump is adapted to be arranged in or on a receiving means comprising an end face surface of the receiving means on which a port for the outlet of the pump housing is exposed. For fixing in or on the receiving device, the pump housing can be designed in such a way that the outer end surface of the housing is opposite the end surface of the receiving device by means of an axial joint when the pump is installed, wherein the outlet is expediently aligned axially flush with the interface of the end surface of the receiving device. When the pump is assembled, the spring washer is elastically axially tensioned between the end face surface of the housing and the end face surface of the receptacle, so that the spring washer is axially pressed against the end face surface of the housing via one of the sealing struts of the spring and against the end face surface of the receptacle via the other of the sealing struts of the spring, and completely surrounds and separates each of the outlet of the pump housing and the port of the receptacle from the low-pressure side.

In the embodiment in which the end face wall of the housing and/or optionally the further end face wall of the housing is/are produced separately from the circumferential wall of the housing and is/are in pressure contact with the circumferential wall of the housing only on the end face side, the spring washer can advantageously at least substantially exert the axial force required for the fluid-tight pressure contact. In this embodiment, the pump housing is axially fixed in or on the receiving device in the region of the circumferential wall of the housing or preferably in the region of the other end face wall of the housing, for example by a screw connection, while the spring washer is axially compressed in the joint between the end face surface of the housing and the end face surface of the receiving device and thus presses the end face wall of the housing against the circumferential wall of the housing. In this arrangement, the spring washer compensates for any mechanical and/or temperature induced geometric changes of the pump housing while maintaining a sufficiently high axial pressure. Additionally or alternatively, the spring washer may compensate for component tolerances in the axial tolerance chain of the pump housing, i.e. may compensate for deviations in the axial dimensions of the pump housings of different pumps.

In this embodiment, the spring washer performs on the one hand the function of sealing the outlet of the pump housing and on the other hand the function of a pressing device which holds the separately manufactured housing wall in a fluid-tight axial pressure contact.

If the pump comprises an additional gasket and the spring gasket and the additional gasket are arranged in the same pressure path, the spring gasket according to the invention is advantageously the gasket closest to the additional gasket in the pressure path. In such an embodiment, no further gaskets are arranged between the spring gasket according to the invention and the additional gasket in the pressure path from the high pressure side to the low pressure side.

In the above-mentioned "pressure path", this refers to the shortest path for the fluid, which extends along the pump housing from the outlet of the pump to the low pressure side of the pump, for example to the inlet of the pump. A spring washer according to the invention is arranged in this pressure path. If additional gaskets are provided, the additional gaskets may be arranged in the same pressure path. The pressure path is a leakage path which is sealed at least by a spring washer according to the invention in order to fluidly separate the outlet from the low-pressure side of the pump, except for unavoidable leakage.

The pump may be implemented as a single flow pump and comprises the outlet as one outlet thereof. More preferably, however, the pump is a multiple flow pump and includes one or more additional outlets for fluid delivered by the pump. In a multiple flow embodiment, the fluid delivered through the multiple outlets may be recombined downstream of the multiple outlets. More preferably, however, the multiple flow pump is a multi-circuit pump, i.e. the multiple outlets are separate from each other and deliver fluid into respective dispensed circuits comprising different components and/or to different regions of the same component. In the multi-circuit embodiment, the inlet and the outlet form a first circuit, and not only another outlet but also another inlet may be additionally provided, which together form a second circuit separate from the first circuit.

In multi-flow embodiments as well as in multi-circuit embodiments, spring washers according to the present invention may surround multiple outlets and collectively separate them from the low pressure side of the pump. However, in a preferred first embodiment, the spring washer does not separate the multiple outlets from each other, but surrounds them as an axial washer common to the multiple outlets. In such an embodiment, in particular in the spring washer according to the invention in an axial view, an additional washer may be provided in order to seal off the outlet or at least one of the outlets from one or more other outlets. In principle, however, the washer arrangement can also be configured such that the spring washer according to the invention surrounds only one or more of the outlets, while the additional washer surrounds the spring washer according to the invention and the outlet or outlets which are located outside the spring washer according to the invention in the axial view and separates them from the low-pressure side. Thus, the spring washer according to the invention may be arranged upstream of the additional washer in the pressure path (leakage path); however, it is more preferred that it is arranged downstream of the additional gasket in the pressure path, i.e. closer to the low pressure side than the additional gasket.

In a multiple flow, in particular multiple circuit, embodiment, the spring washer according to the invention may surround one or more outlets in the seal while an additional washer surrounds one or more other outlets in the seal in an axial view. This additional washer is likewise an axial washer and may be a spring washer in the form of a disc spring, a hollow profile spring, a V-profile spring or a bellows spring. The two spring washers may be different or preferably identical in their design. In these embodiments, the two spring washers may in particular be arranged parallel to each other in different pressure paths, i.e. each of the spring washers may be arranged in its own pressure path. One preferred combination is that two coil springs are arranged adjacently in an axial view.

By connecting two spring washers to each other via a connecting stay, adjacently arranged spring washers, preferably coil springs, can be combined to form a washer unit. This simplifies the operation when the pump unit is pre-assembled and/or when the pump is assembled. The connection struts are advantageously elastic transversely to the spring direction and/or the axial direction, so that the spring washers can be moved relative to one another when they are axially tensioned and relaxed, i.e. during spring compression and spring tension. The connection struts can be, for example, brackets or repeatedly bent, curved connection struts which are elastic transversely to the axial direction in order to allow relative movement. The connection struts are preferably spring-elastic and sufficiently rigid to hold the spring washers in a defined initial position relative to one another for pre-assembly of the pump unit and also for assembly of the pump. When the pump unit is preassembled, the washer unit can advantageously be joined to the pump housing in the region of the connecting struts.

In the embodiment in which the spring washer holds the separately manufactured housing wall in axial pressure contact, however, in principle also in the embodiment in which the circumferential wall of the housing and the end face wall of the housing are integrally molded or otherwise joined to one another, the spring washer can advantageously be arranged with a direct line of force between the end face surface of the housing and the end face surface of the receiving device. If the pump also comprises an additional washer, the latter can be arranged according to the invention on an indirect force line to the spring washer. This is particularly applicable to embodiments in which the spring washer and the additional washer are arranged in a nested arrangement in the same pressure path. In the embodiment in which the spring washer and the additional washer are arranged adjacent to one another in the axial view in different pressure paths, the additional washer can be arranged according to the invention in an indirect force path of the spring washer or, more advantageously, also in a direct force path.

In an advantageous embodiment, the spring washer according to the invention is arranged such that it is subjected to an axial biasing force when the assembled pump is free of pressure. In an embodiment in which, for example, a bead washer is provided as the additional washer, this additional washer may also be arranged to have a biasing force when the assembled pump is not under pressure, wherein in an advantageous embodiment the biasing force of the spring washer according to the invention is greater than the biasing force of the additional washer embodied as a bead washer.

If the spring washer and the additional washer are in a nested arrangement such that one washer surrounds the other washer in an axial view, it is advantageous if the spring washer according to the invention has a greater spring constant than the additional washer, at least in embodiments in which the additional washer is embodied as a bead washer. In terms of the spring properties, it is advantageous if the spring washer, which is designed as a spiral spring, a V-spring, a bellows spring or a hollow profile spring, has a spring constant which is at least twice or at least three times or at least five times the spring constant of the additional washer.

If the spring washer according to the invention and the additional washer are identical in terms of their design, for example each embodied as a disk spring, the two spring washers can in principle be arranged nested in the same pressure path; however, in an advantageous embodiment they are arranged adjacently in an axial view and in different pressure paths. In this arrangement, two spring washers which are identical in terms of their design can in principle have different spring constants, but more preferably have at least substantially the same spring constant.

The pump may be, for example, a linear stroke pump, or more preferably a rotary pump. As rotary pump it can be an external shaft pump, for example an external gear pump, or an internal shaft pump, for example a vane cell pump, an internal gear pump or an oscillating slide pump. The transport member may comprise a rotor which is rotationally movable in the transport chamber about an axis of rotation and which serves to transport fluid from the one or more inlets to the one or more outlets. The rotor may advantageously be used to form a delivery unit that periodically increases and decreases in size as the rotor rotates in order to deliver fluid from the low pressure side of the pump to the high pressure side of the pump.

Preferably, if the pump is provided in a vehicle, the pump may be driven by a drive motor of the vehicle, such as an internal combustion engine or an electric motor. In a hybrid vehicle, the pump may be driven by an internal combustion engine or by an electric drive motor. In an advantageous development, the drive pump can also be designed such that it can be driven selectively by the internal combustion engine or the electric motor or both. The internal combustion engine and the electric motor can then drive the pump, in particular via a summing gearbox (summing gear box).

The features of the present invention are also described in the aspects set forth below. These aspects are expressed by the means of the claims and may be replaced by them. Features disclosed in these aspects may also supplement and/or define the claims, indicate substitutions for individual features and/or augment claims features. The reference numerals in parentheses denote exemplary embodiments of the present invention shown in the drawings below. They do not limit the features described in the various aspects to their literal meaning, but rather indicate preferred ways of implementing the respective features.

Aspect 1a pump for applying fluid to a component, such as a gearbox, the pump comprising:

(a) pump housing (1), characterized in that

-a circumferential wall (2) of the housing surrounding a delivery chamber (5) of the pump,

-an end face wall (3) of the housing comprising an outer end face surface (14) of the housing axially facing away from the transport chamber (5),

-a fluid inlet (6), and

-an outlet (8) for fluid flowing out on an outer end face surface of the housing (14);

(a) a delivery member (10, 11) movable within the delivery chamber (5) for delivering fluid from a low pressure side of the pump comprising the inlet (6) to a high pressure side of the pump comprising the outlet (8); and

(a) an axial gasket completely surrounding the outlet (8) in an axial view on the end face wall (3) of the housing, so as to separate the outlet from the low pressure side,

(a) wherein the axial washer is a spring washer (15; 15 a; 15 b; 15 c; 41) in the form of a coil spring or a hollow profile spring or a V-profile spring or a bellows spring.

Aspect 2 the pump according to the preceding aspect, wherein the spring washer (15; 41) is a coil spring and is tapered from an inner circumference to an outer circumference, or is concavely or convexly curved with respect to the end face wall (3) of the housing.

Aspect 3. the pump according to any of the preceding aspects, wherein the spring washer (15; 41) is a disc spring comprising an inner circumference and an outer circumference, the outer circumference being axially offset with respect to the inner circumference, wherein the spring washer (15; 41) comprises a first sealing stay (16) of the spring, which is fully circumferential near the inner circumference, and a second sealing stay (17) of the spring, which is axially facing away from the first sealing stay (16) of the spring and is fully circumferential near the outer circumference, and wherein one of these sealing stays (16, 17) of the spring axially faces the outer end face surface (14) of the housing and overlaps the outer end face surface (14) of the housing in axial view, in order to bring the outlet (8) into full circumferential sealing contact with the outer end face surface (14) of the housing The low pressure side is split.

Aspect 4. the pump according to the preceding aspect, wherein: spring washers (15; 41) extend from the inner circumference to the outer circumference on a first end face surface axially facing the outer end face surface (14) of the housing and on a second end face surface axially facing away from the outer end face surface (14) of the housing; a first transition region circumferentially connects the inner circumference to the first end face surface, a second transition region circumferentially connects the outer circumference to the second end face surface, a third transition region (18) circumferentially connects the inner circumference to the second end face surface, a fourth transition region (19) circumferentially connects the outer circumference to the first end face surface; one of the sealing struts (16, 17) of the spring extends in the first transition region and the other of the sealing struts (16, 17) of the spring extends in the second transition region; and at least one of the sealing webs (16, 17) of the spring is flattened and/or rounded, having a larger radius of curvature than the third and/or fourth transition region (18, 19).

Aspect 5 the pump of aspect 1, wherein the spring washer (15a) is a hollow profile spring having an annular circumference in a closed arc and being closed in cross-section, e.g. in the shape of an annular circle.

Aspect 6 the pump of aspect 1, wherein the spring washer (15b) is a hollow profile spring having an annular circumference in a closed arc and a channel shape in cross-section, e.g., a C-shape.

Aspect 7. the pump according to aspect 1, wherein the spring washer (15c) is a V-shaped spring (15c) having an annular circumference in a closed arc, wherein the V-shaped profile is preferably arranged between the end surface (14) of the housing and the end surface (34) of the receiving means, and is preferably open towards the outlet (8).

Aspect 8 the pump of any preceding aspect, wherein the spring washer (15; 15 a; 15 b; 15 c; 41) is a pure metal spring.

Aspect 9 the pump according to any one of the preceding aspects, wherein the spring washer (15; 15 a; 15 b; 15c, 41) is the washer closest to the low pressure side in a pressure path extending along the pump housing (1) from the high pressure side to the low pressure side.

Aspect 10 the pump according to any preceding aspect, wherein the spring washer (15; 15 a; 15 b; 15 c; 41) is the washer closest to the low pressure side in a pressure path extending from the outlet (8) along the pump housing (1) to the low pressure side.

Aspect 11 the pump according to any preceding aspect, wherein the spring washer (41) is the washer closest to the outlet (8) in the pressure path extending along the pump housing (1) from the outlet (8) to the low pressure side.

Aspect 12 the pump according to any preceding aspect, wherein a gasket on the circumference of the pump housing (1) is omitted in a pressure path extending along the pump housing (1) from the high pressure side to the low pressure side.

Aspect 13 the pump according to any preceding aspect, wherein no radial gasket is provided on the pump housing (1) for separating the high pressure side from the low pressure side.

Aspect 14 pump according to any of the preceding aspects, wherein the pump comprises an additional gasket (20) surrounding the outlet (8) in axial view to seal it, and wherein the spring gasket (15; 15 a; 15 b; 15c) surrounds the additional gasket (20) or the additional gasket (20) surrounds the spring gasket (15; 15 a; 15 b; 15 c).

Aspect 15 the pump according to the preceding aspect, wherein the spring washer (15; 15 a; 15 b; 15c) is retained on the pump housing (1) by the additional washer (20).

Aspect 16 pump according to any of the immediately preceding two aspects, wherein the additional washer (20) is retained on the pump housing (1) and preferably engages to the pump housing (1) and engages behind the spring washer (15; 15 a; 15 b; 15c) when viewed from the outer face surface (14) of the housing and thereby retains the spring washer on the pump housing (1) directly axially facing the outer face surface (14) of the housing.

Aspect 17. the pump according to any of the immediately preceding three aspects, wherein the additional gasket (20) is also an axial gasket.

Aspect 18. the pump according to any of the immediately preceding four aspects, wherein the additional gasket (20) is a bead gasket, preferably a metal bead gasket.

Aspect 19 the pump according to the preceding aspect, wherein the additional gasket (20) is not coated with an elastomer, and preferably does not contain an elastomer.

Aspect 20. the pump of any one of the immediately preceding six aspects, the additional gasket (20) comprising:

-a bead ring (23) surrounding the inner region (26) in axial view and comprising an end face surface of the bead for axial contact with the outer end surface (14) of the housing;

-a channel (29) for a fluid located in the inner region (26),

-wherein the bead ring (23) is the smallest bead ring surrounding the channel (29); and

-a stiffening structure (28) extending from the bead ring (23) into the inner region (26) in axial view for stiffening (rigidify) the bead ring (23).

Aspect 21 the pump of any of the immediately preceding seven aspects, wherein the spring washer (15; 15 a; 15 b; 15c) is the washer closest to the additional washer (20) in a pressure path extending from the low pressure side to the high pressure side.

Aspect 22 the pump according to any of the preceding aspects, wherein the circumferential wall (2), the end face wall (3) and optionally a further end face wall (4) of the pump housing (1) are manufactured separately from each other and are arranged axially adjacent as a pre-assembled unit, preferably directly on top of each other in loose axial contact, and are held loosely together by a holding means (13).

Aspect 23 the pump according to the preceding aspect and aspect 14, wherein the additional washer (20) is axially retained directly on the end face wall (3) of the housing by the retaining means (13) or independently of the retaining means (13) and preferably retains the spring washer (15; 15 a; 15 b; 15c) by engaging behind the spring washer (15; 15 a; 15 b; 15c) as viewed from the end face wall (3) of the housing.

Aspect 24. a pump according to any of the preceding aspects and aspect 14, wherein the pump is fitted in or on a receiving means (30) and the additional washer (20) is arranged between the outer end face surface (14) of the housing and an end face surface (34) of the receiving means (30) in an axial indirect force line of the spring washer (15; 15 a; 15 b; 15 c).

Aspect 25 pump according to any of the preceding aspects, wherein the pump comprises a first flow rate characterized by the inlet (6) and the outlet (8) and an additional flow rate characterized by an additional outlet (9) and optionally an additional inlet (7), and the spring washer (15; 15 a; 15 b; 15c) also surrounds the additional outlet (9) in axial view, so as to separate the outlet (8, 9) from the low pressure side.

Aspect 26 pump according to any preceding aspect, wherein the spring washer (15; 15 a; 15 b; 15c) forms a circular ring in axial view.

Aspect 27 pump according to any of aspects 1 to 24, wherein the pump comprises a first flow rate with the inlet (6) and the outlet (8), an additional flow rate with an additional outlet (9) and optionally an additional inlet (7), and an additional axial gasket in the form of an additional spring gasket (42) surrounding the additional outlet (9) in axial view, wherein the spring gaskets (41, 42) are disc springs and are arranged adjacently in axial view so as to separate the outlets (8, 9) from each other and from the low pressure side.

Aspect 28 the pump according to the preceding aspect, wherein the pump is fitted in or on the containment device (30) and the spring washer (41) and the additional washer (42) are arranged adjacently between the outer end face surface (14) of the housing and the end face surface (34) of the containment device (30), each in an axial direct line of force.

Aspect 29 the pump according to any one of the immediately preceding two aspects, wherein a connecting stay (45) connects the spring washers (41, 42) to each other to form a washer unit (40) that can be handled as one unit.

Aspect 30 pump according to the preceding aspect, wherein the connection stays (45) are elastically resilient so as to allow movement of the spring washers (41, 42) relative to each other in association with a change in spring tension.

Aspect 31. the pump according to any one of the immediately preceding two aspects, wherein the spring washer (41, 42) is retained on the pump housing (1) by the connection stay (45).

Aspect 32. the pump according to any of the immediately preceding five aspects, wherein a laminar, preferably planar, resistance structure (43) through which fluid can flow extends in an inner region of the spring washer (41) and/or in an inner region of the additional washer (42) and forms a flow resistance for the fluid when the pump is in operation, but at most negligibly prevents spring compression and spring tension of the spring washer (41) and/or the additional washer (42).

Aspect 33 pump according to any of the preceding aspects, wherein the spring washer (15; 15 a; 15 b; 15 c; 41) is axially biased and presses the end face wall (3) of the housing axially towards the circumferential wall (2) of the housing, and preferably directly against the circumferential wall (2) of the housing, when the pump is assembled and without pressure.

Aspect 34 pump according to any preceding aspect, wherein the pump is fitted in or on a containment device (30) and the spring washer (15; 15 a; 15 b; 15 c; 41) is arranged between the outer end face surface (14) of the housing and an end face surface (34) of the containment device (30) and is axially biased when the pump is not under pressure.

Aspect 35 pump according to any of the preceding aspects, wherein the pump is fitted in or on a housing means (30) and the spring washer (15; 15 a; 15 b; 15 c; 41) is arranged along an axially direct line of force and is axially tensioned between the outer end face surface (14) of the housing and an end face surface (34) of the housing means (30).

Aspect 36. the pump according to the preceding aspect, wherein an additional spring washer (42) is also arranged between the outer end face surface (14) of the housing and the end face surface (34) of the receiving means along a direct line of force.

The pump of any preceding aspect, wherein: the pump comprises a containing device (30) or is arranged in the containing device (30); the containment device (30) surrounds the pump housing (1) and comprises a base featuring an end face surface (34) of the containment device and a port (31) for the outlet (8); and a spring washer (15; 15 a; 15 b; 15 c; 41) is in sealing contact with each of the outer end face surface (14) of the housing and the end face surface (34) of the receptacle so as to separate the high pressure side from the low pressure side of the pump.

An aspect 38 is a pump according to the preceding aspect, wherein the pump housing (1) is engaged with the receiving means (30) on an end face side axially opposite an end face wall (3) of the housing across a circumferential wall (2) of the housing such that the pump housing cannot move axially.

Aspect 39. the pump according to any of the first two aspects, wherein the end face surface (34) of the housing means is circumferentially smooth, e.g. planar, in the region of the sealing stay (17) of the spring washer (15; 15 a; 15 b; 15 c; 41) axially facing the end face surface (34) of the housing means, so as to circumferentially form an uninterrupted sealing abutment for the sealing stay (17) of the spring axially facing the end face surface (34) of the housing means.

Aspect 40 the pump according to any of the preceding aspects, wherein the outer end face surface (14) of the housing is circumferentially smooth, e.g. flat, in the region of a sealing stay (16) of the spring washer (15; 15 a; 15 b; 15 c; 41) axially facing the outer end face surface (14) of the housing, so as to circumferentially form an uninterrupted sealing abutment for the sealing stay (16) of the spring axially facing the outer end face surface (14) of the housing.

The pump according to any of the preceding aspects, wherein the circumferential wall (2) of the housing and the end face wall (3) of the housing axially abut against each other in pressure contact and define the delivery chamber (5) at the circumference and on the end face side of the delivery chamber, and wherein the spring washer (15; 15 a; 15 b; 15 c; 41) presses the end face wall (3) of the housing axially against the circumferential wall (2) of the housing with spring force when the pump is assembled.

Aspect 42. the pump according to any of the preceding aspects, wherein the pump housing (1) comprises a further end face wall (4) of the housing, and the circumferential wall (2) of the housing and the end face walls (3, 4) axially abut against each other in pressure contact, stack and define the delivery chamber (5) at their circumference and on the end face side, and wherein the spring washer (15; 15 a; 15 b; 15 c; 41) presses the end face walls (3, 4) axially against the circumferential wall (2) of the housing with spring force when the pump is assembled.

Brief description of the drawings

Exemplary embodiments of the present invention are explained below based on the drawings. The features disclosed by the exemplary embodiments, each individually and in any combination of features, advantageously develop the claims, aspects and embodiments which have been otherwise described above. Shows that:

FIG. 1 is an axial view of a delivery chamber of the pump;

FIG. 2 is an isometric view of the pump on an end-facing side on which the spring washer of the first exemplary embodiment is disposed;

FIG. 3 is an arrangement of the pump in the containment device;

FIG. 4 is detail Y of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a spring washer of the first exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 6 is a second exemplary embodiment of a spring washer;

FIG. 7 is a spring washer of the third exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 8 is a spring washer of the fourth exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 9 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of an additional gasket;

FIG. 10 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of a spring washer of a fifth exemplary embodiment; and

fig. 11 is an isometric view of a spring washer of a fifth exemplary embodiment.

Detailed Description

Fig. 1 shows an axial view of the pump on the pump housing 1. A delivery chamber 5 is formed in the pump housing 1. The pump housing 1 comprises a circumferential wall 2 surrounding the delivery chamber 5, and end face walls axially delimiting the delivery chamber 5 on both end face sides, end face walls 4 being visible. In fig. 1, the other end face wall is removed for the sake of clarity of the conveying chamber 5.

The pump is designed as a rotary pump and comprises a rotor 10 which is rotatable in the conveying chamber 5 about an axis of rotation R and a plurality of vanes 11 which are guided in grooves of the rotor 10 so that they can be moved radially or at least substantially radially, as is customary in vane pumps. The rotor 10 and the vanes 11 together form an impeller of the pump. The inner circumference of the circumferential wall 2 of the housing comprises guide surfaces for the blades 11. When the rotor 10 rotates, the blades 11 are pressed outwards against the guide surfaces of the circumferential wall 2 of the housing. The guide surfaces determine how far the vanes 11 protrude beyond the outer circumference of the rotor 10 when the rotor 10 is rotated. The vanes 11 delineate the conveying unit formed in the conveying chamber 5 in the circumferential direction. The profile of the guide surface of the circumferential wall 2 of the housing is selected such that, when the rotor 10 rotates, the size of the delivery unit periodically increases on the low-pressure side of the delivery chamber 5 and decreases again on the high-pressure side of the delivery chamber 5, in order to discharge, under increased pressure as pressure fluid, fluid flowing into the delivery chamber 5 through the inlet on the low-pressure side of the delivery chamber 5 through the outlet on the high-pressure side of the delivery chamber 5. In an advantageous embodiment, the pump is configured to draw fluid through the inlet, e.g. against gravity.

The pump is a multiple flow pump, in the example embodiment a dual flow pump, i.e. it comprises a first working flow and a second working flow. The delivery chamber 5 comprises a first inlet 6 and a first outlet for a first working stream and a second inlet 7 and a second outlet for a second working stream, respectively. When the pump is in operation, the rotor 10 rotates clockwise in fig. 1, as indicated by the direction arrow of rotation. The pressure outlet is arranged in an end face wall of the housing, which wall is not shown in fig. 1. A first connecting channel extending axially through the circumferential wall 2 of the housing on the high pressure side of the first working stream is indicated by 8 'and a second connecting channel extending axially through the circumferential wall 2 of the housing on the high pressure side of the second working stream is indicated by 9'. The connecting channels 8 'and 9' connect the pressure space formed in the region of the end face wall 4 of the housing to the pressure outlet of an axially opposite end face wall (not shown in fig. 1) of the pump housing 1.

Fig. 2 shows a preassembled pump in isometric view on the end face outlet side of the pump. The outlet side is formed on the outer face end side of the first end face wall 3 of the housing, which is not shown in fig. 1 but can be seen in fig. 2. In the first exemplary embodiment, additional washers in the form of spring washers 15 and bead washers 20 are arranged on the outer end face side of the end face wall 3 of the housing. The spring washer 15 of the first exemplary embodiment is a coil spring. The first and second outlets are present on the outer end face side of the end face wall 3 of the housing. A bead gasket 20 covers these pressure outlets. The connection channels 8 'and 9' visible in fig. 1 are assigned to pressure outlets, wherein the connection channel 8 'enters a first outlet which passes through the end face wall 3 of the housing, and the connection channel 9' enters a second outlet which also passes through the end face wall 3 of the housing.

The bead gasket 20 includes a plurality of bead rings, each of which surrounds an inner region of the bead gasket 20 in the form of a bead ring. In fig. 2, a bead ring 24 and a bead ring 25 can be seen, the bead ring 24 surrounding an inner region 27 of the bead gasket 20, which region is axially opposite the second outlet and overlaps the second outlet in an axial view. The bead gasket 25 surrounds an inner region 26 of the gasket 20 axially opposite the first outlet and overlapping the first outlet in an axial view.

The circumferential wall 2 of the housing forms a closed ring, while the end walls 3 and 4 are each plate-shaped. In a first angular region over which the low pressure side of the first working stream extends, the circumferential wall 2 of the housing comprises a cavity on each of the two end face sides so as to form a first inlet 6. In another angular range, extending over another angular area on the low pressure side of the second working stream, the circumferential wall 2 of the housing further comprises a second chamber on each of the two end face sides, so as to form a second inlet 7. The fluid can flow into the delivery chamber 5 via the end face cavity of the circumferential wall 2 of the housing, i.e. via the first inlet 6 and the second inlet 7 (fig. 1). The outer circumference of the circumferential wall 2 of the housing also comprises a cavity in each of the angular range of the inlet 6 and the angular range of the inlet 7. The circumferential chambers each extend axially from one end face chamber to the axially opposite end face chamber. The cavities on the circumference connect the two end face cavities of the first inlet 6 and the two end face cavities of the second inlet 7 on opposite sides, so that a relatively large volume of the first inlet 6 and a similarly large volume of the second inlet 7 are obtained. The end face walls 3 and 4 may each be provided with a designated cavity in order to increase the flow cross-section of the inlet 6 and the flow cross-section of the inlet 7.

Fig. 2 shows the end wall 4 of the housing, which comprises a flange for fitting the pump. For the sake of simplicity, this flange is not shown in the axial view of fig. 1. When the pump is installed, the pump housing 1 is fixed to the receiving device in the region of the flange.

The radial washer 33 is arranged on the outer circumference of the pump housing 1. In the exemplary embodiment, it is accommodated in a groove around the outer circumference of the end face wall 4 of the housing. The radial gasket 33 serves to separate, at the location where the pump is installed, a low-pressure space, which surrounds the pump housing 1 on the outer circumference when the pump is installed, from the environment outside the pump.

The wall structure of the pump housing 1, i.e. the circumferential wall 2 of the housing, the first end face wall 3 of the housing and the second end face wall 4 of the housing, together axially delimit a delivery chamber 5 (fig. 1) in its circumferential direction and on its end face side. The end walls 3 and 4 of the housing each bear against the circumferential wall 2 of the housing in axial contact. The circumferential wall 2 of the housing can advantageously be connected loosely, i.e. without material fit, to the end walls 3 and 4.

The circumferential wall 2 and the end walls 3 and 4 of the housing are held together in an axially layered composite in the pre-assembled pump unit by means of a holding device. The holding means comprise at least one holder 13; in an exemplary embodiment, as shown in fig. 1, it includes a first retainer 13 and a second retainer 13. Each retainer 13 projects axially in the shape of a rod from the second end face wall 4 of the housing, axially through the circumferential wall 2 of the housing, and through or into the first end face wall 3 of the housing. In this exemplary embodiment, one of the holders 13 protrudes through the first end face wall 3 of the housing, while the other holder 13 protrudes into a blind hole in the end face wall 3 of the housing. The holder 13 may be fixedly connected to the second end face wall 4 of the housing in a friction fit or material fit manner. The retainer 13 projecting through the first end face wall 3 of the housing is held in engagement with the first end face wall 3 of the housing or with the bead gasket 20. This retaining engagement causes the retainer 13 to be guided through a passage in the end wall 3 of the housing as viewed from the end wall 4 of the housing, but once guided through, can no longer be retracted. When the pump is pre-mounted, the circumferential wall 2 of the housing and the first end face wall 3 of the housing are pushed along the retainer 13 towards the end face wall 4 of the housing.

The bead gasket 20 is held on the pump housing 1 on the outer end face side of the end face wall 3 of the housing. For centering, the bead washer 20 comprises a central channel which is pushed onto the axial projection 3a on the outer end face side of the end face wall 3 of the housing during preassembly. The bead gasket 20 may be retained on the pump housing 1, for example, in engagement with the projection 3a and/or in engagement with the retaining means, i.e. with at least one of the retainers 13.

When the pump is pre-assembled, the spring washer 15 is also held on the outer end face side of the end face wall 3 of the housing. The pump housing 1, which is held together by the retaining means as a loose laminar composite, forms a pre-assembled pump unit in the form of an assembly unit which is easy to assemble as a whole with the spring washer 14 and the bead washer 20.

The spring means 15 are designed to exert an axial spring force on the pump housing 1 when the pump is installed, so as to axially press the end face walls 3 and 4 of the housing against the circumferential wall 2 of the housing and thus to retain the delivery chamber 5 in the seal. The spring washer 15 also serves to separate the outlet from the low pressure side of the pump.

Fig. 3 shows a longitudinal section of the assembled pump intersecting the axis of rotation R. The pump is arranged on the receiving means 30. The pump is arranged in such a way that it first projects into the receiving well of the receiving device 30 together with the spring washer 15 and the bead washer 20. The mounting flange of the front wall 4 of the pump housing rests against the receiving device 30, and the pump is fixed in the region of the flange to the receiving device 30, for example by bolting.

The rotor 10 is non-rotatably connected to the drive shaft 12. The drive shaft 12 extends through the end face wall 4 of the housing and the rotor 10 and projects into a blind hole in the end face wall 3 of the housing. The drive section of the drive shaft 12 projects outwardly beyond the end face wall 4 of the housing and can be driven rotationally therein. A drive wheel, for example a pulley for belt drive, a sprocket for chain drive or a gear for gear drive, can be non-rotatably connected to the drive shaft 12 in the drive section. The shaft channel of the end wall 4 of the housing is sealed by means of a shaft gasket.

The port side of the pump projects first into the receiving means 30, the outer end surface 14 of the end face wall 3 of the housing being opposite the end face surface 34 of the receiving means and having a small axial distance at the base of the receiving chamber, i.e. spanning the axial joint.

The low-pressure space 35 formed on the outer circumference of the pump housing 1 is delimited on the radial outside by the inner circumference of the receiving means 30, on the end face by the radial washer 33 and at the other axial end by the spring washer 15. When the pump is in operation, fluid enters the delivery chamber 5 via the low-pressure space 35 and the inlets 6 and 7 present in the low-pressure space 35 (fig. 1 and 2). The low pressure side of the pump comprises the low pressure space 35, the inlets 6 and 7 and the low pressure side of the pumping chamber 5.

On an end face surface 34 of the receiving device on the high-pressure side of the pump, there are a first pressure port 31 and a second pressure port 32, through which fluid can be discharged in the axial direction. As already explained on the basis of fig. 1, in the region of the first working flow the fluid is discharged via a first outlet 8, which passes through the end face wall 3 of the housing, and in the region of the second working flow the fluid is discharged via a second outlet 9, which likewise passes through the end face wall 3 of the housing. The connecting channels 8 'and 9' visible in fig. 1 open into the assigned pressure outlets: the connecting channel 8 'enters the first outlet 8 and the connecting channel 9' enters the second outlet 9. The pressure outlets 8 and 9 extend through the end face wall 3 of the housing and each enter a respective groove in the outer end surface 14 of the end face wall 3 of the housing. These grooves can be seen in fig. 3 and are also referred to herein as first outlet 8 and second outlet 9. The first outlet 8 of the pump is axially opposite the first pressure port 31. The second outlet 9 of the pump is axially opposite the second pressure port 32. When the pump is running, fluid of the first working stream is discharged through the first outlet 8 and the first pressure port 31. The fluid of the second working stream is discharged through the second outlet 9 and the second pressure port 32.

The bead gasket 20 is arranged in an axial joint which is held between the end face surface 14 of the housing and the end face surface 34 of the containing means and separates the first outlet 8 and the first pressure port 31 from the second outlet 9 and the second pressure port 32.

When the pump is assembled, the spring washer 15 is axially supported on the end surface 34 of the receiving means and its spring force acts axially on the outer end surface 14 of the housing. In this way, the spring force of the spring washer 15 presses the end face wall 3 of the housing against the circumferential wall 2 of the housing and presses the circumferential wall 2 of the housing against the end face wall 4 of the housing, so that an axially sealed and fixed composite of the end face walls 3 and 4 with the circumferential wall 2 of the housing is obtained and the delivery chamber 5 is ensured to be sealed.

The spring washer 15 surrounds the outlet 8 as well as the outlet 9 in a single, continuous and fully circumferential independent arc. As already mentioned, the spring washer 15 is a disc spring. It separates the first outlet 8 and the second outlet 9 from the low pressure side of the pump, in particular in the exemplary embodiment from the low pressure space 35. Viewed from the high pressure side, it is the gasket closest to the low pressure side. Since the spring washer 15 not only exerts an axial spring force to press the housing walls 2, 3 and 4 together, but also develops an axial washer in an additional function, radial washers, for example, which are usually arranged on the outer circumference of the pump housing 1 between the high-pressure side and the low-pressure side, can be omitted.

In the exemplary embodiment, the drive shaft 12 terminates in a blind hole in the end face wall 3. In a modification of the pump, the end face wall 3 may comprise a delivery bore into which the drive shaft extends, rather than a blind bore. In such an embodiment, additional gaskets may be provided which seal the shaft passages thus formed with the outlets 8 and 9. The additional washer may be embodied as an additional disc spring and may form a separate axial sealing ring around the shaft channel. One of the two sealing struts (stays) of the optional additional spiral spring is in sealing contact with the end face surface 14 of the housing, which sealing strut is closed annularly around the shaft channel and whose axially opposite sealing strut is in circumferentially independent sealing contact with the end face surface 34 of the receiving device.

Fig. 4 shows a detail Y of fig. 3 including the spring washer 15, and fig. 5 also shows the disc spring 15 alone.

In the first exemplary embodiment, the spring washer 15 is embodied as a disc spring in the form of a truncated conical surface. It includes an inner circumference and an outer circumference that are axially offset with respect to each other. A first sealing bead 16 of the spring extends completely and continuously circumferentially in the vicinity of the inner circumference on the end face side of the end face surface 14 of the spring washer 15 facing the housing. The second sealing stay 17 of the spring extends completely and continuously in the circumferential direction in the vicinity of the outer circumference on the opposite end face side of the end face surface 34 of the spring washer 15 facing the receiving device in the axial direction. The end face surface 14 of the housing comprises a fully circumferential and continuously smooth, e.g. planar, sealing abutment for the sealing stay 16 of the spring, which sealing abutment faces axially towards the sealing stay 16 of the spring. The sealing stays 16 of the spring washer 15 are in sealing contact with this sealing abutment of the end face surface 14 of the housing. In a corresponding manner, the end face surface 34 of the housing forms circumferentially a continuous, smooth, for example planar, sealing abutment which faces axially towards the second sealing stay 17 of the spring and is in sealing contact with the sealing stay 17 of the spring. The spring washer 15 separates the outlets 8 and 9 from the low pressure side of the pump when the two sealing struts 16 and 17 of the spring are in sealing contact with the respective sealing abutments.

As shown in fig. 4 and 5, the spring washer 15 is more gently rounded in each of the transition area connecting the inner circumference to the end surface facing the end wall 3 of the housing 3 and the transition area connecting the outer circumference to the end surface facing the end surface 34 of the receiving means than in the other two free transition areas 18 and 19 without sealing contact. The relatively flat sealing struts 16 and 17 of the spring are obtained by a softer rounding and/or a larger radius of curvature in the two transition regions which exhibit sealing contact. Outside the sealing struts 16 and 17 of the spring, the spring washer 15 is uniformly round and smoothly curved, in each case with the same or, where applicable, different radii of curvature. The flattening or soft rounding thus obtained better ensures that the sealing struts 16 and 17 of the spring slide on the respectively designated sealing abutment of the end face surface 14 of the housing and of the end face surface of the receiving device, while maintaining the sealing contact, when the spring washer 15 is compressed.

Fig. 6 shows a spring washer 15a of the second exemplary embodiment. The spring washer 15a is a hollow profile spring exhibiting a circular ring profile that continuously surrounds the outlets 8 and 9 in a closed arc shape when the spring washer 15a is used in place of the spring washer 15 of the first exemplary embodiment (fig. 3). Instead of a circular ring profile, the hollow profile spring 15a can also have a different, separate circular cross section, for example an elliptical hollow profile or another elliptical hollow profile.

Fig. 7 shows a spring washer 15b of the third exemplary embodiment. The spring washer 15b is also a hollow profile spring. Unlike the spring washer 15a of the second exemplary embodiment, the hollow profile of the spring washer 15b is open in the circumferential direction. In the exemplary embodiment, the hollow profile of the spring washer 15b is open and/or slotted radially inward. In a variant, the hollow profile can also be open and/or slotted radially outward. The hollow profile of the spring washer 15b is C-shaped. The spring washer 15b may also replace the spring washer 15 of the first exemplary embodiment.

Fig. 8 shows a spring washer 15c of the fourth exemplary embodiment. The spring washer 15c is a spring of V-profile, i.e. its cross-section is V-shaped. When the spring washer 15c is installed, the V-shaped profile annularly surrounds the two outlets 8 and 9 in separate arcs (fig. 3). When it is mounted, one of the two wing ends of the V-shaped profile is in sealing contact with the end surface 3 of the housing and the free end of the other wing is in sealing contact with the end surface 14 of the receiving means. The spring washer 15c may replace the spring washer 15 of the first exemplary embodiment.

Fig. 9 shows in longitudinal section the bead gasket 20 itself isolated from the pump.

The bead gasket 20 comprises a first bead ring 23 surrounding a first inner region 26, the bead ring 23 being the smallest bead ring relative to the inner region 26 and surrounding (enclosing) the inner region 26 in axial plan view, i.e. completely surrounding it. The bead ring 23 is a hemi-bead. When installed, the bead ring 23 faces axially towards the pump housing 1 and therefore cannot be seen in the view of fig. 2.

In contrast to conventional bead rings, the first bead ring 23 is stiffened in the inner region 26. It is hardened by a first hardened structure 28 that extends circumferentially from the inner edge of the bead ring 23 into the inner region 26. The stiffening structure 28 is formed as a planar thin disc. It comprises a plurality of adjacently arranged channels 29 through which fluid can flow when the pump is in operation. The stiffening structure 28 extends along the entire inner circumference of the bead ring 23 and stiffens the bead ring 23 uniformly radially inwardly over the entire inner circumference.

The bead gasket 20 also comprises an additional second bead ring 24, which is already visible in fig. 2 and which surrounds a second inner region 27 in axial view. In axial view, the bead ring 24 forms the smallest bead ring relative to the inner region 27 and surrounds the inner region 27, i.e. completely surrounds it. The second bead ring 24 is a complete bead ring. The bead ring 24 is also hardened in its inner region 27. It is hardened by a second hardened structure 28, shaped like the first hardened structure 28 as a flat thin disc. The stiffening structure 28 extends uniformly over the entire inner circumference of the second bead ring 24 so as to stiffen it uniformly radially inwardly over the inner circumference. Similar to the first hardened structure 28, the second hardened structure 28 is also provided with a plurality of adjacently arranged channels 29 for the fluid delivered by the pump.

The first and second bead rings 23 and 24 are arranged adjacently in axial view, so that the respective inner regions 26 and 27 are also arranged adjacently and spaced apart from one another. In the exemplary embodiment, the bead rings 23 and 24 also extend a distance apart from each other. The central channel for centering the washer 20 on the pump housing 1 is located, for example, between the washer rings 23 and 24.

The gasket 20 also includes a third bead ring 25, which can also be seen in fig. 2, and which also surrounds the first interior region 26. The bead ring 25 is fixed radially inwards similarly to the bead ring 23, by a third hardened structure 28 in the shape of a flat thin disc. The third hardened structure 28 corresponds to the first hardened structure 28 and, like the first hardened structure 28, comprises a passage 29 for a fluid.

In this embodiment, the first and third bead rings 23, 25 overlap over their entire contour in the axial view. The third bead ring 25 is shaped as a half bead ring, in line with the first bead ring 23. The bead rings 23 and 25 are axially flared from the outer circumference towards the inner region 26, so that the axial spring deflection of the washer 20 is increased in the region of the bead rings 23 and 25 in comparison with the respective individual bead rings 23 and 25. This increase in axial spring deformation is advantageous for compensating (as desired) for variations in the axial width of the joint to be sealed.

The bead gasket 20 is multi-layered. It comprises a first gasket layer 21 and a second gasket layer 22, the first bead ring 23 and the first stiffening structure 28 being part of the first gasket layer 21. The second gasket layer 22 forms a third bead ring 25 and a third hardened structure 28. The gasket layers 21 and 22 are directly on top of each other. They can advantageously be connected to one another in a material-fitting manner, for example by welding or soldering or adhesive bonding.

The first gasket layer 21 also forms the second bead ring 24 and a hardened structure 28 of the second bead ring 24.

The gasket layers 21 and 22 are of sheet metal construction. They may in particular be of sheet steel construction, preferably of spring steel construction. In principle, however, the sheet-like structure can also be a plastic structure, for example a so-called organic sheet-like structure. However, steel plates, in particular steel plate spring steel, are preferred.

The bead gasket 20 comprises tongues 21a which project outwards on the outer periphery and serve to position the bead gasket relative to the pump housing 1 and which can cooperate with corresponding positioning elements of the pump housing 1 (for example axial projections on the end face wall 3 of the housing). The tongues 21a may alternatively or additionally also serve to retain the gasket on the pump housing 1. For this purpose, the tongues 21a can be connected to the end face wall 3 of the housing, for example by screwing, soldering, welding, gluing, etc. Alternatively or additionally, it is preferred that the tongues 21a engage behind the spring washer 15 in the region of the inner circumference as viewed from the end face wall 3 of the housing, so that the spring washer 15 is held loose on the pump housing 1 within the frame of the preassembled assembly unit when the tongues 21a engage behind the spring washer.

The bead gasket 20 is advantageously mounted with an axial biasing force. The biasing force is conveniently chosen such that it ensures a sufficient spring force for the seal under all mounting conditions, i.e. with regard to unavoidable component tolerances and mounting tolerances, and also with regard to variations in the axial width of the joint in relation to temperature and/or pressure variations. In an advantageous embodiment, the bead gasket 20 is designed in the region of the bead rings 23 and 25 such that it can compensate for variations of at least 0.1mm or at least 0.2mm, preferably 0.3mm or more, of the axial joint width, i.e. such that it ensures an adequate sealing over a corresponding variation of the axial joint portion width.

The second bead ring 24 can be designed such that it bears in sealing fashion against a circumferential edge surrounding the second outlet 9 and at the same time bears in sealing fashion against an axially opposite end face 34 of the receiving device, which surrounds the second pressure port 32 there. However, in this exemplary embodiment, the second bead ring 24 only bears against the outer end surface 14 of the housing with a certain biasing force when the pump is assembled and has no contact, or at least no sealing contact, with the end surface 34 of the receiving means. The separation from the first outlet 8 and the first pressure port 31 is achieved by the first and third bead rings 23, 25, the separation from the low pressure side of the pump, in particular from the low pressure chamber 35, being ensured by the spring washer 15.

The bead washer 20 is arranged to the spring washer 15 with an indirect line of force. As the port width decreases, the spring washer 15 absorbs most of the axial force acting on the engagement. The spring washer 15 is accordingly designed such that it can compensate for variations of at least 0.1mm or at least 0.2mm, preferably 0.3mm or more, of the axial joint width and ensure an adequate sealing over the respective variation range of the axial joint width, while elastically absorbing the majority of the axial forces acting on the joint.

Fig. 10 shows a spring washer 41 of a fifth exemplary embodiment in longitudinal section. The spring washer 41 is a coil spring, which is different from the spring washer 15 of the first exemplary embodiment, only for sealing the outlet 8. The spring washer 41 is part of a washer unit 40, which comprises an additional washer 42 in addition to the spring washer 41.

The washer element 40 is shown in an isometric view in fig. 11. The additional gasket 42 is likewise a coil spring and serves only to seal the additional outlet 9. The spring washer 41 and the additional washer 42 are arranged adjacently in a longitudinal section (fig. 10) and in an isometric view and are connected to one another via two connecting struts 45, so that they can be handled as a washer unit 40 (i.e. as a single component) when the pump unit is preassembled.

The spring washer 41 encloses a free inner region which, when assembled, is axially opposite the outlet 8. The disc spring struts of the additional gasket 42 enclose an inner region which, when assembled, is axially opposite the additional outlet 9. In its inner region, the additional gasket 42 comprises a resistance structure 43 provided with channels. In the exemplary embodiment, resistance structure 43 has a number of small channels extending therethrough, such as through holes. The resistance structure 43 forms a flow resistance for the fluid to be conveyed. The flow resistance ensures that the vanes 11 (fig. 1) are pressed radially outwards when the pump is started, in particular during cold start when the fluid is correspondingly viscous. To achieve this effect, the fluid delivered by the pump is applied to the underside of the vane 11 in the so-called secondary vane region. As mentioned above, the resistance structure 43 serves to ensure that the secondary blade region is supplied with fluid under pressure.

The resistance structure 43 creates a flow resistance, but is negligible in terms of the spring and washer properties of the additional washer 42. To achieve this, the material thickness of the resistance structure 43 is less than the disc spring struts of the additional washer 42. This can be seen in the longitudinal section of fig. 10. The additional gasket 42 may be formed, for example, in a first step with a flat base which is thinned in a subsequent step by embossing (embossed). For example, the molding process may expose the inner first seal bead 16. When the pump is assembled, the exposed sealing stay 16 is in sealing contact with the end face surface 34 of the housing means (fig. 3), and the axially opposite outer second sealing stay 17 is in sealing contact with the end face surface 14 of the housing. It is also conceivable that the gasket unit 40 is reversed such that the first sealing stay 16 is in sealing contact with the end face surface 14 of the housing and the sealing stay 17 is in sealing contact with the end face surface 34 of the receiving device.

To even further counteract the rigidity of the additional washers 42, the resistance structures 43 are repeatedly disposed directly at their edges via which they are connected to the coil spring stays of the washers 42, so that the cavities 44 are formed along the edges in such a way that the resistance structures 43 are only then connected to the coil spring stays of the additional washers 42 by narrow stays extending between the cavities 44.

On the one hand, the connecting stays 45 connect the spring washers 41 and the additional washers 42 sufficiently firmly that the washer unit 40 can be handled as one unit when pre-assembled, and the two washers 41 and 42 maintain their position relative to each other. On the other hand, the connection stays 45 are sufficiently flexible so as not to significantly hinder the spring compression of the gaskets 41 and 42 when the pump unit is assembled, and their spring compression and spring tension when the pump is operating. To increase flexibility, and by correlation to increase a certain elasticity, the connection struts 45 each comprise a plurality of indentations 46. The material thickness is reduced in the area of the indentations 46 by the indentation process.

The washer unit 40 can engage with the pump housing 1 in the region of the connecting struts 45. For the joining, the connecting struts 45 are each provided with a passage 47 for a joining element, for example a fastening screw for establishing a threaded connection.

If a gasket unit 40 is used comprising two gaskets 41 and 42, which are arranged adjacently and in parallel with respect to the transport of the fluid, no additional gasket, even no additional spring gasket, is required to keep the housing walls 2, 3 and 4 axially in sealing pressure contact. On the one hand, since the sealing function and the pressing function are combined in a single component, the gasket unit 40 can reduce the number of components. On the other hand, the washer unit 40 can be manufactured in a relatively easy manner by stamping and punching.

Reference symbol:

1 Pump case (pump houseing)

2 circumferential wall of casing (circular specific wall of the housing)

3 end face wall of the shell (end-damping wall of the housing)

4 end face wall of the shell (end-damping wall of the housing)

5 delivery room (delivery chamber)

6 inlet (inlet)

7 entrance (inlet)

8 Outlet (outlet)

8' connecting channel (connecting channel)

9 Outlet (outlet)

9' connecting channel (connecting channel)

10 conveying component (delivery member)

11 blade (vane)

12 drive shaft (drive draft)

13 holder (holder)

14 outer end surface of the housing (outer end-facing of the housing)

15 spring washer (spring gasket)

15a spring washer (spring gasket)

15b spring washer (spring gasket)

15c spring washer (spring gasket)

16 spring sealing stay (sealing stay of the spring)

17 spring sealing stay (sealing stay of the spring)

18 transition region (transition region)

19 transition region (transition region)

20 additional washer, bead washer (additional gaskets)

21 gasket layer (gasket layer)

21a tongue (tongue)

22 gasket layer (gasket layer)

23 Beading ring (bead loop)

24 bead ring (bead loop)

25 Beading ring (bead loop)

26 inner region (inner region)

27 inner region (inner region)

28 hardening structure (rigidifying structure)

29 channel (passage)

30 accommodating device (accmodating device)

31 pressure port (pressure port)

32 pressure port (pressure port)

33 radial gasket (radial gasket)

34 end-facing surface of the accommodating device (end-facing surface of the accommodating device)

35 Low pressure space (low-pressure space)

40 washer unit (gasketunit)

41 spring washer (spring gasket)

42 additional washer (additional gasket)

43 resistance structure (resistance structure)

44 cavity (cavity)

45 connecting stay (connecting stay)

46 impression (impression)

47 channel (passage).