Centrifugal pump

Abstract

The purpose of the present invention is to provide a centrifugal pump in which the overall height dimension is easily reduced while maintaining the strength of a connection portion between a main body case and a joint portion. A centrifugal pump (1) is provided with a rotating blade member (20), a main body case (10) that houses the rotating blade member (20), and a suction joint (60) that communicates with the main body case (10). In addition, the centrifugal pump (1) is provided with a suction-side fitting (70) that connects the main body case (10) and the suction joint (60). The suction-side fitting (70) is made of a material having a breaking strength superior to that of the material constituting the suction joint (60), and is provided with a suction-side insertion part (71) connected to the main body case (10), and a joint connection part (73) connected to the suction joint (60). At least the suction-side insertion section (71) has a smaller wall thickness than the suction joint (60) and has a height dimension (H1) smaller than the outer diameter (D1) of the suction joint (60).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to centrifugal pumps. Background Technology

[0002] Previously, centrifugal pumps were known to circulate fluids by being installed in a circulation loop for fluids such as cooling water (see, for example, Patent Document 1). As in Patent Document 1... Figure 1 As shown, the centrifugal pump described in Patent Document 1 includes a main housing 34, a rotating blade assembly 12 housed in the main housing 34, and an inlet-side connector assembly 42 and an outlet-side connector assembly 46 (hereinafter sometimes referred to as connector assemblies) communicating with the inside and outside of the main housing 34. In this centrifugal pump, fluid flowing into the main housing 34 from the inlet-side connector assembly 42 is transported to the outlet-side connector assembly 46 by the rotating blade assembly 12 and flows out from the outlet-side connector assembly 46.

[0003] Existing technical documents

[0004] Patent documents

[0005] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent No. 6151294 Summary of the Invention

[0006] The problem that the invention aims to solve

[0007] However, in conventional centrifugal pumps as described above, the main housing 34 requires sufficient space above the diameter of the connector component for installation, making it difficult to reduce the height dimension of the housing by the amount of this space. One approach is to reduce the outer diameter of the connector component to decrease this space, but this would reduce the inner diameter of the connector component, potentially decreasing the flow rate within it. Conversely, increasing the inner diameter of the connector component would reduce its wall thickness, making it difficult to maintain its strength.

[0008] The purpose of this invention is to provide a centrifugal pump that can easily reduce the overall height while maintaining the strength of the connection between the main body housing and the connector.

[0009] Solution for solving the problem

[0010] To solve the aforementioned problems and achieve the objective, the centrifugal pump of the present invention comprises: a rotating blade component that rotates about the axis of a shaft component to allow fluid flow; a main body housing that houses the rotating blade component; and a connector component that communicates with the main body housing. The centrifugal pump is characterized by having an accessory component that connects the main body housing and the connector component. The accessory component is made of a material with a breaking strength superior to that of the material constituting the connector component, and has a main body connection portion connected to the main body housing and a connector connection portion connected to the connector component. At least the main body connection portion has a smaller wall thickness than the connector component and a height smaller than the outer diameter of the connector component.

[0011] According to this invention, the connector component is connected to the main body housing via a fitting component that is connected to the main body housing via a main body connecting portion having a height smaller than the outer diameter of the connector component. Therefore, compared to a structure where the connector component is directly connected to the main body housing, the space in the main body housing for connecting the connector component can be reduced in the height direction. Thus, the height dimension of the main body housing can be easily reduced, contributing to the miniaturization of the centrifugal pump. Furthermore, according to this structure, when it is desired to reduce the height dimension of the main body housing, there is no need to change the shape or size of the connector component. That is, it is not necessary to forcibly reduce the outer diameter and wall thickness of the connector component; on the contrary, the outer diameter and wall thickness of the connector component can be increased. In addition, the fitting component is made of a material with superior breaking strength compared to the connector component. Therefore, it is easy to maintain the strength of the connection between the connector portion and the main body housing, which includes both the connector component and the fitting component. Furthermore, since the wall thickness of the main body connecting portion is smaller than that of the connector component, the reduction in flow rate at this portion can be suppressed. Therefore, a centrifugal pump that can easily reduce the overall height dimension while maintaining the strength at the connection between the main body housing and the connector portion can be provided.

[0012] In this case, preferably, in the accessory component, the main body connecting portion constitutes a pump body insertion portion inserted into the main body housing, and the pump body insertion portion has a flat structure with a width dimension larger than its height dimension. With this structure, by using the main body connecting portion as the pump body insertion portion in the accessory component, and the pump body insertion portion having a flat structure, the main body connecting portion can be made flat. This makes it easier to reduce the space in the main body housing for connecting the connector component in the height direction. Furthermore, according to this structure, since the pump body insertion portion has a width dimension larger than its height dimension, it is easier to increase the flow rate of the fluid flowing in the accessory component compared to forming a cylindrical pump body insertion portion of the same height dimension.

[0013] Furthermore, the connector connection portion is composed of a connector insertion portion into which the end of the connector component can be inserted. With this structure, since the connector component and the fitting component can be connected by inserting the end of the connector component into the connector insertion portion, it is not necessary to change the shape or size of the end of the connector component when connecting the connector component and the fitting component. Therefore, changes in flow rate within the connector component can be suppressed.

[0014] Furthermore, in the accessory component, a communicating space is provided between the main body connecting portion and the connector connecting portion. This communicating space communicates with both the main body connecting portion and the connector connecting portion, and defines the relative positions of the main body connecting portion and the connector connecting portion. With this structure, by providing the communicating space in the accessory component, the relative positions of the main body connecting portion and the connector connecting portion can be freely defined. Therefore, the degree of freedom in selecting the position of the connector connecting portion relative to the main body connecting portion can be greatly improved, and centrifugal pumps corresponding to various connector component layouts can be obtained.

[0015] Furthermore, the connector component preferably includes: an intake connector through which fluid flows into the main body housing; and an exhaust connector through which fluid flows out of the main body housing. The fitting component includes: an intake-side fitting that connects the intake connector to the main body housing; and an exhaust-side fitting that connects the exhaust connector to the main body housing. A blade housing for housing the rotating blade component is disposed within the main body housing. The main body connection portion of at least one of the intake-side fitting and the exhaust-side fitting is welded to the side wall extending along the height direction of the main body housing and the longitudinal wall extending along the height direction of the blade housing, respectively. With this structure, the main body connection portion of at least one of the intake-side fitting and the exhaust-side fitting is fixed in a state where it is inserted into the side wall of the main body housing and the longitudinal wall of the blade housing. Therefore, compared to structures where the main body connection portion is not fixed to the blade housing, or structures that do not penetrate the main body housing or the blade housing, the connector component can be firmly fixed to the main body housing, and the connection of the connector component to the main body housing can be stably maintained.

[0016] Invention Effects

[0017] According to the present invention, a centrifugal pump can be provided that can easily reduce the overall height while maintaining the strength at the connection between the main body housing and the connector. Attached Figure Description

[0018] Figure 1 This is a top view of the centrifugal pump according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0019] Figure 2 yes Figure 1Sectional view along line AA in the middle.

[0020] Figure 3 yes Figure 1 BB line sectional view in the middle.

[0021] Figure 4 yes Figure 2 The CC line sectional view in the middle.

[0022] Figure 5 (A) and (B) are sectional views showing the changes in the accessory components.

[0023] Figure 6 (A) is a perspective view of the accessory component of the second embodiment as viewed from the side of the main body connection portion. Figure 6 (B) is a perspective view of the accessory component of the second embodiment as seen from the connector connection side. Figure 6 (C) is a cross-sectional view of the accessory component of the second embodiment, cut along the axial direction.

[0024] Figure 7 (A) is a perspective view of the accessory component of the third embodiment as viewed from the side of the main body connection portion. Figure 7 (B) is a perspective view of the accessory component of the third embodiment as viewed from the connector connection side.

[0025] Figure 8 This is a top view of the centrifugal pump of the fourth embodiment, viewed from above.

[0026] In the picture:

[0027] D1—Outer diameter; H1—Height; 1—Centrifugal pump; 10—Main housing; 13—Shaft assembly; 20—Rotating blade assembly; 60—Suction connector (connector assembly); 70—Suction side accessory (accessory assembly); 71—Suction side insertion part (main body connection part); 73—Connector connection part; 90—Discharge connector (connector assembly); 100—Discharge side accessory (accessory assembly); 101—Discharge side insertion part (main body connection part); 103—Connector connection part. Detailed Implementation

[0028] The following is based on Figures 1-4The first embodiment of the present invention will be described. Furthermore, in the following description, the direction along the axis L of the shaft member described later will be defined as the height direction, denoted as "height direction Z". Additionally, one side of the height direction Z will be designated as "upper side Z1", and the other side as "lower side Z2". Furthermore, one of the radial directions orthogonal to the height direction Z will be designated as the "width direction X". Furthermore, the direction orthogonal to the width direction X in the radial directions orthogonal to the height direction Z will be designated as the "front-rear direction Y". Furthermore, the direction closer to the axis L in both the width direction X and the front-rear direction Y will be designated as the inner side, and the direction farther from the axis L will be designated as the outer side. These definitions of directions are for ease of explanation and do not limit the direction in which the centrifugal pump 1 of the embodiment is manufactured or used.

[0029] Centrifugal pump 1 is, for example, installed in a closed loop for fluid circulation to allow fluid flow. Figure 1 As shown, the centrifugal pump 1 includes a main housing 10, a suction-side connector 50 (connector), and a discharge-side connector 80 (connector), allowing fluid flowing into the main housing 10 via the suction-side connector 50 to flow out of the main housing 10 via the discharge-side connector 80. The main housing 10 is formed into a generally cylindrical shape from a metal material such as SUS (stainless steel). Figure 2 As shown, the main body housing 10 includes a lower main body housing 11. The lower main body housing 11 includes a bearing housing portion 11a that forms the lower end of the main body housing 10. The bearing housing portion 11a is formed as a bottomed cylindrical shape that opens upwards, and a cylindrical bushing 12 is fixed inside it by pressing or the like.

[0030] The lower end of the shaft member 13, which extends along the height direction Z, is pressed into the center of the bushing 12 to fix it in a state where it cannot rotate around the axis L. A rotor housing 11b is formed on the upper side of the bearing housing 11a. The rotor housing 11b is formed as a bottomed cylindrical shape with a diameter larger than that of the bearing housing 11a and is continuous with the upper end of the bearing housing 11a. A rotor magnet 30 that rotates integrally with the rotating blade member 20 is housed in the rotor housing 11b. A bracket 11c that protrudes outward is fixed to the upper outer peripheral surface of the rotor housing 11b. The bracket 11c engages with the protrusion 42a of the coil housing 40, which will be described later. An extension 11d is formed at the upper end of the rotor housing 11b, extending radially outward around the axis L. The extension 11d is formed as a plate, and its outer edge is bent downward to form a flange-shaped outer peripheral connecting portion 11e.

[0031] An upper main body shell 14, made of metal, is disposed on the upper side of the lower main body shell 11. The upper main body shell 14 has a top wall 14a extending in the intersecting direction. A bulge 14b, which bulges upward and extends in the intersecting direction, is formed at the center of the top wall 14a. The inner wall surface of the bulge 14b forms part of the fluid inlet flow path S1, which will be described later. A side wall 14c, which bends downward and extends in the direction of the axis L, is formed at the outer edge of the top wall 14a. The lower end of the side wall 14c is fixed to the outer peripheral connecting portion 11e of the lower main body shell 11 by welding or the like.

[0032] An intake port 14d and an outlet port 14e, communicating with the inside and outside of the main housing 10, are formed on the side wall 14c. In this embodiment, as... Figure 2 As shown, the suction port 14d extends through the width direction X, and a suction-side accessory 70 (accessory component) of the suction-side connector portion 50, described later, is connected to its inner circumferential surface. Additionally, as... Figure 3 As shown, the outlet 14e extends through in the front-rear direction Y, and the outlet side fitting 100 (fitting component) of the outlet side connector 80 (described later) is connected to its inner circumferential surface.

[0033] A blade housing 15 is disposed between the lower main housing 11 and the upper main housing 14. The blade housing 15 has a transverse wall 15a disposed below the top wall 14a of the upper main housing 14. The transverse wall 15a and the bulge 14b of the top wall 14a are spaced apart in the height direction Z and extend along the inner wall surface of the top wall 14a in a direction intersecting the axis L. A flow path opening 15b extending along the axis L is formed in the center of the transverse wall 15a. A longitudinal wall 15c is continuously formed at the outer edge of the transverse wall 15a. The longitudinal wall 15c bends from the outer edge of the transverse wall 15a and extends downwards to the Z2 direction. Figure 4 As shown, the longitudinal wall 15c is opposite to the inner surface of the side wall 14c of the upper main body shell 14 and extends circumferentially around the axis L.

[0034] A portion of the outer peripheral surface of the longitudinal wall 15c abuts against a portion of the inner peripheral surface of the side wall 14c. A mounting port 15e, communicating with the inner and outer surfaces of the main housing 10, is formed in this abutting portion 15d. In this embodiment, the mounting port 15e communicates with the aforementioned discharge port 14e and extends along the longitudinal direction Y. A discharge-side fitting 100 (fitting component) of the discharge-side connector, described later, is connected to its inner peripheral surface. Furthermore, a control wall 15f is formed at one circumferential end of the abutting portion 15d, extending radially inward about the axis L. The control wall 15f obstructs the flow of fluid through the rotating blade component 20, thereby increasing the pressure near the mounting port 15e. As a result, the discharge pressure of the fluid increases, ensuring sufficient flow rate.

[0035] like Figure 3As shown, a flange 15g is formed at the lower end of the longitudinal wall 15c. This flange 15g protrudes radially outward about the axis L, and the protruding end bends downward to the Z2. The flange 15g is fixed by welding or the like while being held between the outer peripheral surface of the outer peripheral connecting portion 11e of the lower main body housing 11 and the inner wall surface of the side wall 14c of the upper main body housing 14 in a direction intersecting the axis L. By providing the blade housing 15, a fluid inlet flow path S1 surrounded by the upper main body housing 14 and the blade housing 15 is formed inside the main body housing 10. In addition, a blade storage space S2 surrounded by the lower main body housing 11 and the blade housing 15 is formed inside the main body housing 10.

[0036] A rotating blade component 20 is housed in the blade housing space S2. The rotating blade component 20 is a component that allows fluid to flow around the axis L by rotating about the axis L of a shaft component 13 that is fixed in place by the aforementioned bushing 12. Figure 3 As shown, the rotating blade component 20 includes a cylindrical bearing portion 21 extending along the axis L. The lower end of the bearing portion 21 is supported on the upper end of the bushing 12 via an annular thrust bearing 22, and a shaft component 13 is inserted through its center. A groove 21a recessed radially inward about the axis L is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the bearing portion 21, and an annular retaining ring 21b is provided in the groove 21a. Furthermore, a rotor magnet 30 is provided around the bearing portion 21.

[0037] The rotor magnet 30 is formed into a cylindrical shape by an upper wall portion 31 in the form of a thick circular plate and a side wall portion 32 extending downward from the outer periphery of the upper wall portion 31 to the lower side Z2 and surrounding the bearing portion 21 circumferentially. The lower end face of the upper wall portion 31 of the rotor magnet 30 is supported by a retaining ring 21b provided in the bearing portion 21, thereby integrating the rotating blade component 20 and the rotor magnet 30. A cylindrical flange portion 23, with a diameter larger than that of the bearing portion 21, is formed at the upper end of the bearing portion 21, and a blade portion 24 is connected to the flange portion 23. Figure 4 As shown, the blade portion 24 is vertically disposed on the upper side Z1 surface of the flange portion 23, i.e., the upper flange surface 23a, and extends radially outward about the axis L with the axis L as the center.

[0038] The main housing 10 thus formed is housed within the coil housing 40. For example... Figure 3As shown, the coil housing 40 is generally box-shaped, consisting of a base portion 41 forming the lower Z2 portion and a coil cover 42 mounted on the base portion 41 and partially forming the sidewall. A through hole 41a extending along the axis L is formed in the center of the base portion 41, and a bearing housing portion 11a of the lower main housing 11 is disposed within the through hole 41a. A protrusion 42a protruding inward toward the axis L is formed at the upper end of the coil cover 42. The protrusion 42a engages with a bracket 11c fixed to the rotor housing portion 11b of the main housing 10. A plurality of coil portions 43 are disposed within the coil housing 40. The plurality of coil portions 43 are arranged at intervals along the circumference of the rotor housing portion 11b.

[0039] The coil section 43 includes a stator core 44 extending in a cross direction, a bobbin housing 45 arranged around the axis of the stator core 44, and a coil 46 wound around the axis of the stator core 44 via the bobbin housing 45. Furthermore, in Figure 3 In this designation, symbol 47 represents the substrate, symbol 47a represents the terminal pin, symbol 48 represents the cable insertion hole, symbol 49 represents the cable, and symbol 49a represents the connector. According to this structure, when current flows through the coils 46 via the cable 49, connector 49a, terminal pin 47a, and substrate 47, the multiple coils 46 are energized, thereby generating a magnetic force around the rotor housing 11b. Furthermore, this magnetic force acts on the rotor magnet 30, causing the rotating blade component 20 to rotate about the axis L.

[0040] Next, the suction-side connector 50 will be described. The suction-side connector 50 is a connector that communicates with the main housing 10 to allow fluid to flow between the inside and outside of the main housing 10, such as... Figure 2 As shown, the device includes a suction connector 60 (connector component) and a suction-side fitting 70 (fitting component). The suction connector 60 is formed into a tubular shape using a metallic material such as phosphorus-deoxidized copper, allowing fluid to flow inside. The suction-side fitting 70 is a component that connects the main body housing 10 to the suction connector 60, and is made of a material such as SUS (stainless steel) with superior breaking strength compared to the suction connector 60. The suction-side fitting 70 can be formed, for example, by stamping, forging, or MIM (Metal Injection Molding). The suction-side fitting 70 includes a suction-side insertion portion 71 (pump body insertion portion, main body connection portion), an intermediate portion 72, and a connector connection portion 73. The suction-side insertion portion 71 is the portion that connects to the suction port 14d of the main body housing 10. In this embodiment, it is formed into a cylindrical shape and is welded and fixed to the main body housing 10 while being inserted into the suction port 14d on the side wall 14c. Furthermore, the fixing mechanism of the suction side insertion part 71 is not limited to this, and can be appropriately selected. For example, the suction side insertion part 71 can also be fixed to the main body housing 10 by brazing, laser welding, etc.

[0041] like Figure 2 As shown, the wall thickness of the suction-side insertion portion 71 is less than the wall thickness of the suction connector 60. Furthermore, the height dimension H1 of the suction-side insertion portion 71 is smaller than the outer diameter D1 of the suction connector 60. That is, the suction-side insertion portion 71 has a smaller wall thickness and a height smaller than the outer diameter of the suction connector 60 compared to the suction connector 60. The intermediate portion 72 is continuous with the suction-side insertion portion 71 and extends radially outward about the axis L. In this embodiment, the intermediate portion 72 is formed with the same wall thickness as the suction-side insertion portion 71 and has a tapered shape that expands radially outward, but it is not limited to this; the wall thickness and shape can be appropriately adjusted. The interior of the intermediate portion 72 constitutes a communicating space portion 74 that connects the suction-side insertion portion 71 and the connector connection portion 73. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the suction-side insertion portion 71 and the suction connector 60 are coaxial because the intermediate portion 72 extends along the width direction X, but it is not limited to this; the relative position of the suction-side insertion portion 71 and the connector connection portion 73 can be freely determined by adjusting the shape of the intermediate portion 72, etc.

[0042] The connector connection portion 73, which is used to connect the suction connector 60, is formed in a cylindrical shape. In this embodiment, the connector connection portion 73 is configured as a connector insertion portion 75 into which the suction connector 60 can be inserted. This connector insertion portion 75 is formed with the same wall thickness as the suction-side insertion portion 71 and is cylindrical with an inner diameter larger than the outer diameter D1 of the suction connector 60. Furthermore, the wall thickness and shape of the connector insertion portion 75 are not limited to this and can be appropriately adjusted according to the shape of the suction connector 60, etc. The end of the suction connector 60 is fixed to the connector insertion portion 75 in an inserted state. In this way, the main body housing 10 and the suction connector 60 are connected via the suction-side fitting 70.

[0043] Next, the discharge-side connector 80 will be described. The discharge-side connector 80, like the suction-side connector 50 described above, communicates with the main body housing 10 to allow fluid to flow into and out of the main body housing 10. Furthermore, the connection point of the discharge-side connector 80 to the main body housing 10 differs from that of the suction-side connector 50, but its structure is largely the same. Therefore, its structure will be mainly listed here, and detailed descriptions of other parts that differ from the suction-side connector 50 will be omitted. Figure 3 As shown, the discharge-side connector 80 includes a discharge connector 90 (connector component) and a discharge-side accessory 100 (accessory component). The discharge-side accessory 100 includes a discharge-side insertion part 101 (pump body insertion part, body connection part), an intermediate part 102 having a communicating space part 104, and a connector insertion part 105 (connector connection part 103).

[0044] like Figure 4As shown, the discharge-side insertion portion 101 of the discharge-side accessory 100 is inserted into the discharge port 14e formed in the side wall 14c of the main body housing 10, and also into the mounting port 15e formed in the longitudinal wall 15c of the blade housing 15. Furthermore, in this inserted state, the discharge-side insertion portion 101 is fixed to the main body housing 10 by brazing or the like. Moreover, the fixing mechanism for the discharge-side insertion portion 101 can be appropriately selected in the same way as the fixing mechanism for the suction-side insertion portion 71 described above; for example, the discharge-side insertion portion 101 can be fixed to the main body housing 10 by brazing, laser welding, or the like. With this structure, the discharge-side insertion portion 101 is fixed to both the side wall 14c and the longitudinal wall 15c, thus making it easier to maintain a more stable fixation to the main body housing 10. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the discharge-side insertion portion 101 of the discharge-side accessory 100 is fixed to both the side wall 14c of the main body housing 10 and the longitudinal wall 15c of the blade housing 15. However, not limited to this structure, the suction side insertion portion 71 of the suction side fitting 70 can also be fixed to the side wall 14c of the main body housing 10 and the longitudinal wall 15c of the blade housing 15. That is, the main body connection portion (suction side insertion portion 71 or discharge side insertion portion 101) of at least one of the suction side fitting 70 and the discharge side fitting 100 can be welded (brazing, laser welding, etc.) to the side wall 14c and the longitudinal wall 15c, respectively, while being inserted through the side wall 14c extending in the height direction Z of the main body housing 10 and the longitudinal wall 15c extending in the height direction Z of the blade housing 15.

[0045] The operation of the centrifugal pump 1 configured as described above will be explained. First, in Figure 2 In the assembled state shown, when current flows through the coil section 43, the coil 46 is energized, generating a magnetic force around the rotor housing section 11b. This magnetic force acts on the rotor magnet 30 of the rotating blade component 20, causing the rotating blade component 20 to rotate about the axis of the shaft component 13. As a result, fluid flows around the axis L within the main body housing 10. Consequently, fluid flowing from the suction connector 60 through the connector insertion section 75, the intermediate section 72, and the suction side insertion section 71 of the suction side fitting 70 flows into the fluid introduction path S1 via the suction port 14d of the main body housing 10.

[0046] Then, the fluid flows towards the center of the main housing 10 and into the blade housing space S2 through the flow path opening 15b of the blade housing 15. The fluid flowing into the blade housing space S2... Figure 4The fluid flows in a predetermined direction (e.g., counterclockwise) around axis L, and then flows out of the main housing 10 through outlet 14e, flowing into the outlet-side insertion portion 101 of the outlet-side fitting 100. At this time, the fluid is partially blocked by the control wall 15f, thereby increasing the pressure near outlet 14e, and the fluid flows out at sufficient discharge pressure. Then, the fluid flows through the middle portion 102 of the outlet-side fitting 100, the connector insertion portion 105, and into the discharge connector 90.

[0047] According to the above-described embodiment, the suction connector 60 is connected to the main body housing 10 via a suction-side fitting 70 that has a height dimension H1 (height) smaller than the outer diameter D1 of the suction connector 60 (connector component). Similarly, the discharge connector 90 is connected to the main body housing 10 via a discharge-side fitting 100 that has a height dimension H1 (height) smaller than the outer diameter D1 of the discharge connector 90 (connector component). Therefore, compared to a configuration where the suction connector 60 and discharge connector 90 are directly connected to the main body housing 10, the space in the main body housing 10 for connecting the suction connector 60 and discharge connector 90 can be reduced in the height direction Z. Therefore, even when the main body housing 10 lacks space for direct connection of the suction connector 60 and discharge connector 90, the suction connector 60 and discharge connector 90 can still be connected to the main body housing 10. This facilitates miniaturization of the centrifugal pump 1 by easily reducing the height dimension of the main body housing 10.

[0048] Furthermore, according to this structure, when the height of the main body housing 10 is to be reduced, it is not necessary to change the shape and size of the suction connector 60 and the discharge connector 90. That is, it is not necessary to forcibly reduce the outer diameter D1 of the suction connector 60 and the discharge connector 90 and reduce the wall thickness of the suction connector 60 and the discharge connector 90; on the contrary, it is possible to increase the outer diameter D1 of the suction connector 60 and the discharge connector 90 and increase the wall thickness of the suction connector 60 and the discharge connector 90. In addition, the suction-side fitting 70 and the discharge-side fitting 100 are made of materials with superior breaking strength compared to the suction connector 60 and the discharge connector 90. Therefore, it is easy to maintain the strength of the connection between the suction-side fitting portion 50 (fitting portion) and the discharge-side fitting portion 80 (fitting portion) and the main body housing 10. In addition, the suction-side insertion portion 71 and the discharge-side insertion portion 101 have smaller wall thicknesses compared to the suction connector 60 and the discharge connector 90, so it is possible to suppress the decrease in flow rate at this part. Therefore, it is possible to provide a centrifugal pump 1 that can easily reduce the overall height while maintaining the strength at the connection between the suction-side fitting portion 50 and the discharge-side fitting portion 80 and the main body housing 10.

[0049] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, the connector connection portion 73 of the inhalation-side accessory 70 is configured as a connector insertion portion 75 that can be inserted into the end of the inhalation connector 60. Similarly, the connector connection portion 103 of the discharge-side accessory 100 is configured as a connector insertion portion 105 that can be inserted into the end of the discharge connector 90. Therefore, when connecting the inhalation connector 60 to the inhalation-side accessory 70, or connecting the discharge connector 90 to the discharge-side accessory 100, it is not necessary to change the shape or size of the ends of the inhalation connector 60 and the discharge connector 90. Therefore, changes in flow rate within the inhalation connector 60 and the discharge connector 90 can be suppressed.

[0050] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, the discharge-side insertion portion 101 of the discharge-side accessory 100 is fixed in a state where it is inserted through the side wall 14c of the main body housing 10 and the longitudinal wall 15c of the blade housing 15, respectively. Therefore, compared with a structure in which the discharge-side insertion portion 101 is not fixed to the blade housing 15, or a structure in which it is not inserted through the main body housing 10 and the blade housing 15, the discharge connector 90 can be firmly fixed to the main body housing 10, and the connection between the discharge connector 90 and the main body housing 10 can be stably maintained.

[0051] The embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above with reference to the accompanying drawings, but the specific structure is not limited thereto, and design changes that do not depart from the spirit of the present invention are also included in the present invention.

[0052] Figure 5 (A) and (B) are cross-sectional views showing variations in the fitting components. Furthermore, in the figures, as examples of fitting components, the intake-side connector 50A and intake-side connector 50B are shown to illustrate intake-side fitting 70A or intake-side fitting 70B, but the same structure can also be applied to the discharge-side connector 80. Figure 5 As shown in (A), the suction-side fitting 70A of the suction-side connector portion 50A includes a connector connection portion 73A. The end of the connector connection portion 73A is configured as an insertion portion 75A that is inserted into the suction connector 60 in an inserted state relative to the end of the suction connector 60. Figure 5 As shown in (B), the suction side fitting 70B of the suction side connector 50B includes a connector connection portion 73B. The end of the connector connection portion 73B is configured as an abutting portion 75B that is connected to the end face of the suction connector 60 by welding (brazing, laser welding, etc.) in a butt-fitting and abutting state. In this way, in the structure in which the connector connection portion 73A is connected to the suction connector 60 in an inserted state and the structure in which the connector connection portion 73B is connected to the suction connector 60 in an abutting state, it is also possible to provide a centrifugal pump 1 that can easily reduce the overall height dimension while maintaining the strength of the connection portion between the suction connector 60 and the main body housing 10.

[0053] Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. The centrifugal pump 1 of the second embodiment includes a suction-side accessory 70C. Figure 6 (A) is a perspective view of the suction-side accessory 70C of the second embodiment viewed from the suction-side insertion portion 71C side; (B) is a perspective view of the suction-side accessory 70C viewed from the connector insertion portion 75c side; and (C) is a cross-sectional view of the suction-side accessory 70C cut along the axis L1. Figure 6 As shown in (A), the inhalation-side accessory 70C includes a bottomed accessory body 76 formed into a cylindrical shape. An outwardly protruding inhalation-side insertion portion 71C is formed at the bottom of the accessory body 76. The inhalation-side insertion portion 71C is coaxial with the accessory body 76 and is formed with a diameter smaller than that of the accessory body 76.

[0054] like Figure 6 As shown in (B), a connector insertion portion 75c with an axial opening is formed at the end of the accessory body 76 on the side opposite to the bottom. The end of a suction connector 60 (not shown) is inserted into the connector insertion portion 75c. Figure 6 As shown in (C), a communicating space 74c is formed inside the accessory body 76, connecting the suction-side insertion portion 71C and the connector insertion portion 75c. The communicating space 74c is formed, for example, by machining the inner wall surface of the accessory body 76 to create a tapered shape that expands in diameter towards the connector insertion portion 75c. In the second embodiment, the wall thickness of the suction-side insertion portion 71C is less than the wall thickness of the connector insertion portion 75c.

[0055] Furthermore, although not shown in the figure, the wall thickness of the suction-side insertion portion 71C is less than the wall thickness of the suction connector 60. Thus, in the suction-side accessory 70C, at least the wall thickness of the suction-side insertion portion 71C can be less than the wall thickness of the suction connector 60, while the wall thickness of other portions can be increased. In a structure having such a cylindrical accessory body 76, the same function and effect as in the above-described embodiment can be achieved. Furthermore, according to this embodiment, the appearance of the suction-side accessory 70C is determined only by the shape of the accessory body 76 and the suction-side insertion portion 71C, thus simplifying the appearance of the suction-side accessory 70C compared to the above-described embodiment. Moreover, while the suction-side accessory 70C has been described in the description of the second embodiment, this structure can also be applied to the discharge-side accessory 100.

[0056] Next, the third embodiment of the present invention will be described. Figure 7 (A) is a perspective view of the inhalation-side accessory 70D of the third embodiment, viewed from the inhalation-side insertion portion 71D. Figure 7 (B) is a perspective view of the suction-side fitting 70D viewed from the connector insertion portion 75D side. (See diagram below.) Figure 7As shown in (A), the inhalation-side accessory 70D has a bottom-cylindrical accessory body 77. An inhalation-side insertion portion 71D protruding along the axial direction is formed at the bottom of the accessory body 77. The inhalation-side insertion portion 71D of the third embodiment differs from the embodiments described above in that it has a flat structure where the width dimension W1 is larger than the height dimension H2. Furthermore, as... Figure 7 As shown in (B), an axially open connector insertion portion 75D is formed at the end of the accessory body 77 on the side opposite to the bottom. The end of a suction connector 60 (not shown) is inserted into the connector insertion portion 75D.

[0057] According to this third embodiment, the suction-side insertion portion 71D (main body connection portion, pump main body insertion portion) in the suction-side fitting 70D has a flat structure. That is, the suction-side insertion portion 71D is flat. As a result, it is easier to reduce the space in the main body housing 10 for connecting the suction connector 60 in the height direction Z. In addition, according to this structure, the suction-side insertion portion 71D has a width dimension W1 that is larger than the height dimension H2, so the flow rate of the fluid flowing in the suction-side fitting 70 can be increased compared to the case where the suction-side insertion portion of the same height dimension is formed as a cylinder. Furthermore, although the suction-side fitting 70D has been described in the description of the third embodiment, this structure can also be applied to the discharge-side fitting 100.

[0058] Next, the fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described. Figure 8 This is a top view of the centrifugal pump 1 according to the fourth embodiment, viewed from the top Z1. The centrifugal pump 1 according to the fourth embodiment includes a suction-side fitting 70E and a discharge-side fitting 100E. The suction-side fitting 70E corresponds to the suction-side fitting 70 described above, and the discharge-side fitting 100E corresponds to the discharge-side fitting 100 described above. The suction-side fitting 70E includes a suction-side insertion portion 71, an intermediate portion 72E, and a connector connection portion 73. The intermediate portion 72E includes an enlarged-diameter tube portion 72e that is continuous with the suction-side insertion portion 71 and extends outward while increasing in diameter, and a bent portion 72d that is continuous with the enlarged-diameter tube portion 72e and bends in the front-rear direction Y. Moreover, although not shown, the interiors of the enlarged-diameter tube portion 72e and the bent portion 72d form a communicating space. By providing such an intermediate portion 72E, the axis of the suction connector 60 connected to the suction-side fitting 70E extends in a direction intersecting the axis of the suction-side insertion portion 71.

[0059] On the other hand, the discharge-side fitting 100E includes a discharge-side insertion portion 101, an intermediate portion 102E, and a connector connection portion 103. In the intermediate portion 102E, similar to the suction-side fitting 70E, an enlarged tube portion 102e and a bend portion 102d are provided. Furthermore, although not shown, the interiors of the enlarged tube portion 102e and the bend portion 102d form a communicating space. By providing such an intermediate portion 102E, the axis of the discharge connector 90 connected to the discharge-side fitting 100E extends in a direction intersecting the axis of the discharge-side insertion portion 101.

[0060] According to the fourth embodiment, by providing an intermediate portion 72E (communication space) in the suction-side fitting 70E, the relative position of the suction-side insertion portion 71 (main body connection portion) and the connector connection portion 73 in the front-rear direction Y can be freely defined, for example. Similarly, by providing an intermediate portion 102E (communication space) in the discharge-side fitting 100E, the relative position of the discharge-side insertion portion 101 (main body connection portion) and the connector connection portion 103 in the front-rear direction Y can be freely defined, for example. Furthermore, the aforementioned relative position is not limited to the front-rear direction Y; it can also be appropriately set to the height direction Z or the width direction X, etc. With this structure, the degree of freedom in selecting the position of the suction connector 60 relative to the suction-side insertion portion 71 and the degree of freedom in selecting the position of the discharge connector 90 relative to the discharge-side insertion portion 101 can be significantly improved. Therefore, a centrifugal pump 1 corresponding to various layouts of the suction connector 60 and the discharge connector 90 can be obtained.

Claims

1. A centrifugal pump, comprising: A rotating blade assembly that rotates about the axis of a shaft assembly to allow fluid to flow; The main housing, which houses the rotating blade assembly; and The connector component is in communication with the main housing. The centrifugal pump is characterized in that... It includes an accessory component for connecting the main housing to the connector component. The accessory component is made of a material with a breaking strength superior to that of the joint component, and includes a main body connection portion that connects to the main housing, and a joint connection portion that connects to the joint component. At least the main connecting portion has a smaller wall thickness than the joint component and has a height smaller than the outer diameter of the joint component.

2. The centrifugal pump according to claim 1, characterized in that, In the accessory components, the main body connecting portion constitutes a pump body insertion portion that is inserted into the main body housing. The pump body insertion section has a flat structure with a width dimension larger than its height dimension.

3. The centrifugal pump according to claim 1, characterized in that, The connector connection portion is composed of a connector insertion portion into which the end of the connector component can be inserted.

4. The centrifugal pump according to claim 1, characterized in that, In the accessory component, a communicating space is provided between the main body connecting portion and the connector connecting portion. The communicating space communicates with both the main body connecting portion and the connector connecting portion, and defines the relative positions of the main body connecting portion and the connector connecting portion.

5. The centrifugal pump according to claim 1, characterized in that, The connector component includes: A suction inlet through which fluid flows into the main housing; and The discharge connector carries the fluid flowing out of the main housing. The accessory components include: Inhalation-side fitting, which connects the inhalation connector to the main housing; and The discharge-side fitting connects the discharge connector to the main housing. A blade housing for housing the rotating blade component is disposed within the main body housing. The main body connection portion of at least one of the inhalation-side fitting and the discharge-side fitting is welded to the side wall and the longitudinal wall, respectively, while being inserted into the side wall extending along the height direction of the main body housing and the longitudinal wall extending along the height direction of the blade housing.

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