Pump device

Abstract

The invention relates to a pump device comprising at least a first housing part (4) and a second housing part (6), between which a sealing device is arranged; wherein the sealing device comprises a sealing ring (8) having a rigid support element (10) and an elastic sealing layer (12) covering the support element (10) on at least one surface section, which is in contact with the first housing part (4) and the second housing part (6).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a pump device, which includes at least a first housing portion and a second housing portion. Background Technology

[0002] A pump assembly typically includes a pump, an electric drive motor, and an electronic housing that houses the control electronics and / or electrical connections of the pump assembly. A pump assembly may include further housing sections. Disregarding any possible shaft seals, sealing elements are typically provided between the different housing sections to seal the internal space housing the electrical or electronic components, in particular, from the external environment. For example, a sealing structure is known to be provided between the electronic component housing and the motor housing. This sealing structure may be a resilient sealing ring. Alternatively, it is known to integrate resilient sealing elements directly into the plastic housing structure, for example, by two-component injection molding. Integrating sealing elements into the plastic structure of the housing requires expensive tools and molding machines. Summary of the Invention

[0003] In view of this, the object of the present invention is to provide a pump device that achieves a reliable seal between two housing parts and is easy to assemble.

[0004] This objective is achieved by a pump device having the features defined in claim 1. Preferred embodiments are defined in the dependent claims, the following description, and the accompanying drawings.

[0005] The pump device according to the invention includes at least a first housing portion and a second housing portion, with a sealing device provided between the first housing portion and the second housing portion. These housing portions preferably each define an independent internal space to accommodate different electrical and / or electronic components. The sealing device is configured to function only between the two fixed housing portions; that is, the sealing device is a non-shaft-feedback sealing device. This means that the sealing device does not have any shaft sealing function. The sealing device is preferably configured to seal the interiors of the two housing portions towards the external environment. For example, the interiors of the housing portions can be sealed outwards to prevent water or moisture from entering the interiors of the housing portions. As described above, the two housing portions may define independent internal spaces for accommodating electrical or electronic components, and an interface region is provided between the two housing portions. An opening may be provided in the interface region between the two housing portions, for example, to form an electrical connection between electrical or electronic components disposed within the interiors of the two housing portions (i.e., preferably within the independent internal spaces defined by the two housing portions).

[0006] According to the present invention, the sealing device includes a sealing ring having a rigid support element and an elastic sealing layer covering the support element on at least one surface section. The at least one surface section contacts a first housing portion and a second housing portion. The elastic sealing layer seals the contact area between the two housing portions. The sealing layer contacts both housing portions and forms an annular structure with a closed surface between the two housing portions, such that the gap or contact area between the two housing portions is completely closed by the elastic sealing layer. Therefore, the elastic sealing layer achieves the actual sealing function of the sealing device. The support element ensures the shape stability of the sealing ring, thereby simplifying the assembly of the sealing device with the first housing portion and / or the second housing portion. Preferably, the rigid support element is annular, such that the sealing ring has a desired shape or form corresponding to the contact surfaces of at least one first housing portion and at least one second housing portion. The combination of the rigid support element and the elastic sealing layer enables the provision of a standalone sealing device that is not integrated into either housing portion. This allows the same sealing ring to be used for different housing portions. The rigid support element provides shape stability throughout the sealing ring, which is advantageous during the assembly process, simplifying the assembly process. In addition, the rigid structure helps ensure the proper positioning of the sealing ring on both housing sections, thereby guaranteeing the desired sealing performance.

[0007] Preferably, the support element is circular. This support element defines a circular, rigid sealing ring structure. However, its shape may vary depending on the shape of the housing portion to be sealed.

[0008] According to a preferred embodiment, the support element is made of plastic, preferably by injection molding. The plastic can be a thermoplastic material that provides sufficient rigidity to ensure the shape stability of the support element. Injection molding enables low-cost mass production of the support element.

[0009] In one possible implementation, the resilient sealing layer is made of an elastomeric material, preferably rubber or a thermoplastic elastomer. Preferably, the sealing layer is manufactured by injection molding. Injection molding enables cost-effective mass production of sealing layers with complex shapes (i.e., shapes different from simple O-ring designs). Preferably, as described above, the sealing layer has a closed annular shape to completely seal the gap between the first and second housing portions in the contact area of ​​the two housing portions. The support element and the sealing layer can be manufactured separately and then joined, for example, by form fit, force fit, and / or material fit. Material fit connections can be welding or, for example, adhesive bonding.

[0010] In another possible implementation, the support element and the sealing layer can be manufactured using a two-component injection molding process. This means that the sealing layer and the support element can be joined together through injection molding to form an integral component comprising the support element and the resilient sealing layer. Through injection molding, the sealing layer can be firmly and permanently connected to the support element.

[0011] The sealing layer is preferably disposed on at least one axial surface of the support element, and more preferably on two opposing axial surfaces of the support element. The at least one axial surface of the support element is preferably an axial surface facing one of the housing portions (i.e., at least one first housing portion or at least one second housing portion). Therefore, the sealing layer is disposed between the axial surface of the support element and the surface of the housing portion, such that the sealing layer can be pressed against the sealing surface of the housing portion by the support element. The support element ensures reliable contact between the sealing layer and one of the housing portions. In another possible embodiment, the sealing layer may contact both axial ends or axial surfaces of the support element (which face the two housing portions). In this arrangement, the sealing layer can form a sealing contact with both housing portions in the axial direction.

[0012] In another possible implementation, a sealing layer is disposed on at least one circumferential surface of the support element, which connects to two axial surfaces or two axial surfaces or two axial ends of the support element. This arrangement forms a closed sealing surface between the first housing portion and the second housing portion. Furthermore, this arrangement allows for the formation of a sealing surface on the circumferential surface, thereby achieving a seal in the radial direction. The sealing layer on the circumferential surface can contact a corresponding circumferential sealing surface on one of the housing portions. Preferably, the sealing layer is disposed on the inner circumferential surface of the annular support element. This sealing layer on the inner circumferential surface can contact a sealing surface on the outer periphery of one of the housing portions. For example, the first housing portion or the second housing portion can engage with the inner periphery of a sealing ring, thereby contacting the sealing layer on the inner periphery of the support element.

[0013] In one particular embodiment, the sealing ring has a sealing layer that forms at least one sealing surface on the axial end side and at least one sealing surface on the circumferential surface (e.g., the inner circumferential surface). This enables a seal to be formed with one of the housing portions in the axial direction, while simultaneously forming a seal with the other housing portion in the radial direction.

[0014] In another possible implementation, the sealing ring is connected to one of the first or second housing portions by force engagement and / or form engagement. This allows the sealing ring to be pre-assembled onto one of the housing portions before assembling the two housing portions. For example, engaging hooks or protrusions may be provided on one of the housing portions to secure or enclose the sealing ring, particularly the support element of the sealing ring.

[0015] In another possible implementation, the first housing portion may be an electronic component housing, for example, containing control electronics for a pump assembly. Therefore, the control electronics can be disposed within a first internal space defined by the first housing portion. The second housing portion may be a motor housing to which the electronic component housing is attached. Thus, the second housing portion preferably defines a second internal space that accommodates an electric motor. An electrical connection for connecting the motor and the control electronics can extend between the electronic component housing and the motor housing. Openings can be provided in the first and second housing portions for these connections, facing the internal space defined by the two housing portions. The gap between the first and second housing portions, or the contact area between the first and second housing portions, is sealed by a sealing device or sealing ring as described above. However, sealing devices can also be provided in a similar manner between other housing portions of the pump assembly. Attached Figure Description

[0016] The invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings: Figure 1 A pump device is schematically shown. Figure 2 An exploded view schematically showing the second housing portion and the sealing ring is shown. Figure 3 A schematic cross-section of the second housing portion, which contains the sealing ring, is shown. Figure 4 Show Figure 3 Enlarged view of detail IV, and Figure 5 Details of the cross-sections of the first housing portion and the second housing portion are shown, with a sealing ring between them. Detailed Implementation

[0017] The pump assembly in this example includes a pump housing 2 with an attached motor housing 4 that houses an electrically driven motor. The motor housing 4 defines a first internal space for accommodating the electrically driven motor. Furthermore, the pump assembly includes an electronic component housing 6 attached to the motor housing 4. In this example, the electronic component housing 6 is attached to the axial end side of the motor housing 4. The electronic component housing 6 defines an internal space for electronic components. This electronic component housing 6 can accommodate the control electronics of the pump assembly. The motor housing 4 constitutes a first housing portion, and the electronic component housing 6 constitutes a second housing portion, with a sealing device between them. This sealing device does not have a shaft feedthrough and functions only between the fixed housing portions.

[0018] The sealing device includes a sealing ring 8. In this example, the sealing ring 8 is circular. However, depending on the shape of the housing, the sealing ring 8 may also be other shapes.

[0019] The sealing ring 8 includes a rigid support element 10 having an elastic sealing layer 12 attached to or partially covering the support element 10. In this example, the sealing layer 12 is disposed on the inner circumferential surface of the annular support element 10 and partially covers one axial end side of the support element 10. Furthermore, the support element 10 includes a plurality of openings 14 extending radially through the support element 10. The sealing layer 10 engages in these openings 14, which are distributed throughout the circumference of the support element 10. Additionally, the sealing layer 12 on the inner circumferential surface of the support element 10 forms a circular flange 16 facing the electronic component housing 6, which forms a sealing contact with an annular sealing surface 18 on the electronic component housing 6. The sealing surface 18 protrudes from the inner surface of a receiving portion 20 on the electronic component housing 6, into which the sealing ring 8 is inserted. Hooks 22 are provided on the axial end side of the receiving portion 20, extending radially from the inner wall of the receiving portion 20. When the sealing ring 8 is inserted into the receiving portion 20, the hook 22 engages with the axial end side of the sealing ring 8. Therefore, the hook 22 secures the sealing ring 8 in the receiving portion 20 through a snap-fit ​​engagement.

[0020] Figure 4 A sealing ring 8 is shown inserted into the receiving portion 20 of the electronic component housing 6, specifically into the second housing portion. As can be seen, the flange or shoulder 16 of the sealing layer 12 forms a sealing contact with the sealing surface 18 on the electronic component housing 6. Thus, the sealing ring 8 and the electronic component housing 6 are sealed in the axial direction. At the opposite axial ends of the sealing ring 8, a resilient sealing layer portion extends along the axial end side or surface of the support element 10. However, the radially outer portion of the axial end face is not covered by the sealing layer 12. In this radially outer portion, a hook or engaging hook 22 contacts the sealing ring 8 to secure the sealing ring 8 inside the receiving portion 20. Furthermore, from... Figure 4 As can be seen, the sealing layer 12 extends into the opening 14 provided in the support element 10, that is, it extends through the opening 14 in the radial direction.

[0021] Preferably, the elastic sealing layer 12 is made of an elastomeric material and is attached to the support element 10 via a two-component injection molding process. The support element 10 may also be made of a thermoplastic material, preferably also via injection molding. Figure 4As can be seen, the sealing ring 8 is axially fixed within the receiving portion 20 between the sealing surface 18 and the hook 22. The dimensions of the elastic sealing layer are designed such that a press fit is formed between the hook 22 and the sealing surface 18, thereby ensuring a reliable sealing contact between the shoulder or flange 16 and the sealing surface 18. Pressure can be generated in the axial direction through the elastic deformation of the sealing layer (i.e., the elastic deformation of the portion of the sealing layer 12 that protrudes from the inner circumferential surface of the support element 10 and forms the flange or shoulder 16).

[0022] An annular protrusion 24 is provided on the inner circumferential surface of the sealing layer 12. This annular protrusion 24 forms an annular sealing protrusion and interacts with the first housing portion (i.e. Figure 5 The motor housing 4 shown is in contact. In order to generate pressure in the radial direction, the sealing protrusion 24 is sized such that it undergoes elastic deformation when in contact with the outer peripheral wall of the motor housing 4.

[0023] from Figure 5 As can be seen, through the contact of the protrusion 24, there is a radial sealing contact between the sealing layer 12 and the motor housing 4; while there is an axial sealing contact between the flange 16 and the sealing surface 18 of the electronic component housing 6.

[0024] [List of Labels in the Attached Image]

[0025] 2. Pump casing

[0026] 4. Motor housing

[0027] 6. Electronic component housings

[0028] 8. Sealing ring

[0029] 10 Supporting elements

[0030] 12 Sealing layer

[0031] 14 Opening

[0032] 16. Flange, shoulder

[0033] 18 Sealing Surface

[0034] 20. Containment section

[0035] 22 Hooks

[0036] 24 Protrusions

Claims

1. A pump device comprising at least a first housing portion (4) and a second housing portion (6), wherein a sealing device is provided between the first housing portion (4) and the second housing portion (6). Its features are, The sealing device includes a sealing ring (8) having a rigid support element (10) and an elastic sealing layer (12) covering the support element (10) on at least one surface section, the at least one surface section being in contact with the first housing portion (4) and the second housing portion (6).

2. The pump device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The support element (10) is annular, and preferably circular.

3. The pump device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The support element (10) is made of plastic, preferably by injection molding.

4. The pump device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, The elastic sealing layer (12) is made of an elastomeric material, preferably by injection molding.

5. The pump device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, The support element (10) is manufactured separately from the sealing layer (12) and connected by form fit, force fit and / or material fit.

6. The pump device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, The support element (10) and the sealing layer (12) are manufactured by a two-component injection molding process.

7. The pump device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, The sealing layer (12) is disposed on at least one axial surface of the support element (10), and preferably on two opposite axial surfaces of the support element (10).

8. The pump device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, The sealing layer (12) is disposed on at least one circumferential surface of the support element (10), the circumferential surface connecting the two axial surfaces of the support element (10), and the sealing layer is preferably disposed on the inner circumferential surface of the annular support element (10).

9. The pump device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, The sealing ring (8) is connected to one of the first housing portion (4) or the second housing portion (6) by force fit and / or form fit.

10. The pump device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, The first housing portion (4) is an electronic component housing (6), and the second housing portion (6) is a motor housing (4).

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