Electric pump and temperature control system

Abstract

The invention relates to an electric pump (200) for pumping a medium, in particular a liquid medium, comprising: a stator (210) with a stator winding (212), which is arranged in a dry chamber (202); a rotor (220) arranged in the wet chamber (201); a conveying mechanism (230) which is connected to the rotor (220) in a rotationally fixed manner and is used for sucking and discharging the medium; and a slotted tube (260) which is designed to at least partially separate the dry chamber from the wet chamber, the slotted tube (260) being integrated into a connection assembly (1100) of a temperature control system (300) which is supplied with a medium by means of a pump (200). The invention further relates to a temperature control system (300) having such a pump (200).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an electric pump and a temperature control system having such a pump, particularly for use in vehicles. Background Technology

[0002] Electric pumps traditionally have an electric motor, which has a stator and a rotor that carries the pump's delivery mechanism. An example of such a pump is... Figure 1 It is shown in the figure and represented by 100 in general.

[0003] The rotor 120, together with the conveying mechanism 130, is arranged in the wet chamber 101 (i.e., a cavity through which the medium to be pumped flows, at least temporarily and / or partially or completely), while the stator 110 is typically arranged in the dry chamber 102, i.e., outside the wet chamber 101. The wet chamber 101 is separated from the dry chamber 102 by a generally hollow cylindrical member 160 (also referred to as a "can" or "basin"). The aforementioned member can conventionally be received together in the pump housing 140. For example, the pump housing 140 can have a sleeve 144 surrounding the stator 110 in the radial direction and a cover 146 on the dry chamber side and a cover 142 on the wet chamber side.

[0004] The pump housing 140 is conventionally configured to secure the pump 100 to an upper structure and, in particular, to components supplied with the medium to be pumped by the pump. Furthermore, the power electronics and / or control electronics 150 that supply the pump can be housed within the pump housing 140. Additionally, the pump housing 140 is typically configured to dissipate heat from the stator 110 and, if necessary, additional components 150. In the comparative example shown here, the dry chamber side cover 146 is equipped with heat sinks, and a thermally conductive medium 170, such as thermal paste, is introduced between the components 110, 150 to be cooled and the cover 146. The dry chamber side cover 146 can be provided, for example, as an aluminum die-casting in a conventional pump 100 to ensure sufficient cooling efficiency for the electronics 150. Alternatively, a water cooling mechanism (not shown here) can also be integrated into the cover 146 in a conventional pump.

[0005] To prevent the medium to be pumped from entering the dry chamber 102 or leaking from the wet chamber 101 into the environment, multiple seals 145 are typically provided, particularly between the sleeve 144 of the pump housing 140 and the cover 146 on the dry chamber side, and between the tank 160 and the sleeve 144, and between the tank 160 and the cover 142 on the wet chamber side. In the comparative example shown, an inlet 181 and an outlet 185 are integrated in the cover 142 on the wet chamber side, through which the medium to be pumped can be drawn in or discharged via the delivery mechanism 130. The components 142, 144, and 146 of the pump housing 140 are here secured to each other by means of screws 148. Summary of the Invention

[0006] According to the invention, an electric pump having the features of the independent claims and a temperature control system having such a pump, particularly for vehicles, are proposed. Advantageous designs are the subject of the dependent claims and the following description.

[0007] To improve upon existing technologies, this invention proposes integrating a slotted tube into an interface assembly of a temperature control system including a pump, wherein the slotted tube separates the pump's dry and wet chambers. In particular, the interface assembly can be part of a media distributor configured to transfer or distribute media delivered by the pump to other components, especially those requiring temperature control, or to other components.

[0008] In detail, an electric pump for pumping media, particularly liquid media, is proposed, comprising: a stator with stator windings arranged in a dry chamber; a rotor arranged in a wet chamber; a conveying mechanism for drawing in and discharging media, torsionally connected to the rotor; and a slit tube configured to at least partially separate the dry chamber from the wet chamber. The slit tube is integrated, as already mentioned, into an interface assembly of a temperature-controlled system supplied by the pumped medium, i.e., integrally or integrally formed with the interface assembly. As is well known, a slit tube is a tube that separates the rotor from the stator or is arranged in a (air gap) gap between the rotor and the stator.

[0009] In addition, a temperature control system is proposed, which has a pump and at least one component supplied by the pump with a medium, wherein the at least one component is configured to absorb heat from the medium and / or discharge heat to the medium.

[0010] According to at least one design, a structural housing member is provided that carries the stator (and other components if necessary) of the electric motor driving the pump and at least substantially (i.e., more than 50%, preferably more than 75%) or completely supports or derives the torque acting on the stator. The torque acting on the stator is thus generated, for example, by the flow resistance exerted on the pump's delivery mechanism by the medium due to inertia and friction. This housing member facilitates installation of the pump into a temperature-controlled system because it can be pushed onto the slotted tube and secured to the interface assembly along with the stator (and other components if necessary) it carries, thereby enabling the connection of multiple pump components to each other in a single operating step. In particular, the housing member can be provided as a deep-drawn piece, especially made of sheet metal.

[0011] According to at least one design, the interface assembly can also have a sheath that at least partially surrounds the stator (or the housing component just explained) and is separated from the pump environment. With such a design, the conventional pump housing, typically composed of multiple individual parts and therefore usually having multiple seals, can be abandoned, or the pump housing can be provided at a significantly lower cost. In particular, it can be specified that the slotted tube is material-locked along its entire circumference and correspondingly fluid-tightly connected to the sheath (e.g., by common manufacturing, such as by injection molding). Thus, at this connection point, the inflow of media from the wet chamber to the dry chamber is prevented.

[0012] According to at least one design scheme, electronic devices for supplying and / or controlling the stator are arranged in the dry chamber. This allows for particularly short pipeline paths and an overall compact structure. The connection between the electronic devices and the stator or stator windings can be established, for example, by means of IDC (insulation displacement contact; German SKV; "clamp connection") or EPT (press-in technology).

[0013] According to at least one design, the aforementioned housing member is configured to transfer heat from the stator and / or (wherein the dry chamber) electronic devices to the medium in the wet chamber. In particular, the housing member can have a section that interacts with a slotted tube to form a tank that receives the pump rotor and forms the pump's wet chamber. Thus, at least this section of the housing member is circumferentially surrounded by the medium being pumped, such that heat discharged from the pump's stator and / or other components can be transferred to the medium through the housing member.

[0014] This allows for effective cooling of thermally relevant components without additional design overhead. In particular, it eliminates the need for dedicated cooling of components thermally connected to the medium in the wet chamber via the housing member. Optionally, a thermal interface medium (TIM, such as aluminum-containing thermal paste) can be introduced between the housing member and the stator or electronic device to ensure uniform and reliable heat transfer. For example, the housing member can have a material with high specific thermal conductivity at the corresponding thermal contact areas (e.g., in the form of a thermally conductive profile made of a second material, which has higher thermal conductivity than the first material, grooved into the first material of the housing member). This further improves the efficiency of heat transfer.

[0015] According to at least one design, the housing member has teeth for torsionally connecting the housing member to the stator. This allows for the extraction of higher torque from the stator via the housing member, thereby increasing the maximum pumping power available from the pump.

[0016] According to at least one design, the housing member has bearings for supporting support pins for the rotor. The bearings can, for example, form a robust clamping portion for the support pins. The rotor can be rotatably supported on the support pins, for example, by means of one or more rolling or sliding bearings. Thus, the housing member can withstand the load of the rotor in addition to the torque from the stator.

[0017] According to at least one design, the housing member has bearings for supporting the rotor shaft. The bearings can be constructed as rolling bearings or sliding bearings and directly connected to the housing member, for example, by press-fitting or material-locking methods.

[0018] According to at least one design, a housing member is provided for securing the pump to at least one component that carries the medium (especially components of the temperature control system according to the invention), particularly an interface component. Thus, the housing member is able to essentially perform all the functions conventionally provided by a pump housing, thereby enabling the complete elimination of such a pump housing.

[0019] According to at least one design, an interface component (such as a temperature-controlled medium distributor; English: manifold) is provided for supplying medium to the pump and / or (again) receiving medium from the pump. Specifically, it can be specified that the interface component carries the housing member and is provided for supporting the torque emanating from the stator through the housing member. The interface component thus functions not only as a fluid-technical connection between the pump and the rest of the temperature-controlled system but also as a mechanical connection between them. This eliminates the need for separate mechanical fixing of the pump.

[0020] According to at least one design, the housing member and the interface assembly are pressed and / or screwed and / or form-locked and / or material-locked together. This is a particularly stable and easily established connection. In particular, in one such design, a separate seal between the housing member and the interface assembly can be omitted.

[0021] According to at least one design, a seal is arranged between the housing member and the interface assembly, which seals the wet chamber relative to the dry chamber and / or the environment of the pump. In particular, this seal can be arranged between the slotted tube and the housing member, in the section mentioned above that interacts with the slotted tube. This ensures the long-term functionality of the temperature control system with minimal maintenance costs. However, as already mentioned, such a seal can be omitted in suitable designs for the connection between the housing member and the interface assembly.

[0022] Without depending on the design of the interface components, a cover plate can be installed that is fixed to the interface components, particularly to the sheath described above, and isolates the dry chamber from the pump environment, for example, to prevent moisture and / or contaminants (such as dust) from entering the dry chamber.

[0023] Regardless of the specific design of the temperature control system, the medium delivered by the pump can be used to temperature-regulate the components of the temperature control system before being returned to the pump. For this purpose, the temperature control system can, for example, have one or more heat exchangers that transfer heat from the medium to the components to be temperature-regulated (for heating the components) and / or transfer heat from the components to be temperature-regulated to the medium (for cooling the components). Alternatively or supplementary, one or more heat exchangers can be provided that transfer heat from the medium to the environment of the temperature control system and / or conversely, transfer heat from the environment to the medium.

[0024] The interface assembly can be, in particular, part of a (temperature-controlled) media dispenser, which may have other components besides the interface assembly. For example, the interface assembly can be locked to at least one other component material to form such a media dispenser. According to at least one design, the interface assembly can be constructed as a cover for the media dispenser, wherein the cover can be placed on the dispenser body and, in particular, welded to the dispenser body. In this case, the media dispenser is provided by welding the dispenser body to the interface assembly. Butt welding of heating elements is particularly suitable for this purpose. In particular, the internal fluid lines of the media dispenser can be partially constructed in the dispenser body and partially constructed in the interface assembly. Here, it is particularly advantageous that the joint between the interface assembly and the dispenser body extends centrally through the fluid lines, because the interface assembly and the dispenser body can then be manufactured using particularly simple manufacturing methods, especially injection molding or extrusion, and the fluid lines can be directly molded together therein. This eliminates the need for subsequent processing to introduce the fluid lines into the media dispenser.

[0025] In at least one design, one or more of the components to be regulated can be vehicle components, such as, in particular, electric drive units and / or traction batteries and / or vehicle cabins and / or computing units, such as vehicle control equipment.

[0026] Further advantages and design solutions of the present invention will become apparent from the specification and drawings. Attached Figure Description

[0027] The present invention is schematically illustrated in the accompanying drawings with reference to embodiments, and is described below with reference to the drawings.

[0028] Figure 1 An exploded view and perspective view show a comparative example of an electric pump that is not in accordance with the present invention.

[0029] Figure 2 A schematic side cross-sectional view shows a design of an electric pump that can be used in the design scheme of the present invention.

[0030] Figure 3 A schematic side cross-sectional view shows a design of the temperature control system according to the invention. Detailed Implementation

[0031] exist Figure 2 A schematic side sectional view shows a design of an electric pump, similar to those used in the design scheme of this invention, and is generally indicated by 200. Figure 3A schematic side sectional view illustrates a design of the temperature control system according to the invention, and is generally designated 300. The temperature control system 300 particularly includes an electric pump, especially in the example shown here. Figure 2 Pump 200 is shown in the image.

[0032] Pump 200 has a stator 210 in dry chamber 202, which has stator windings 212. Inside stator 210, rotor 220 is arranged in wet chamber 201. Stator 210 and rotor 220 together form an electric motor that drives pump 200. Rotor 220 is particularly capable of having permanent magnets, in other words, the electric motor is particularly a motor excited by permanent magnets.

[0033] The wet chamber 201 is separated from the dry chamber 202 by a substantially hollow cylindrical slit tube 260 and a housing member 240 that seals with the slit tube. In the example shown, a seal 345 is arranged between the slit tube 260 and the housing member 240 for this purpose. However, in suitable designs of the contact surfaces between the housing member 240 and the slit tube 260, such as when the housing member 240 is form-locked to the slit tube 260, this seal 345 can be omitted. The housing member 240 is configured to mechanically support the stator 210 and can in particular have teeth 265, which can, for example, be embedded in corresponding teeth of the stator core. The slit tube is connected to the interface assembly 1100 of the temperature control system 300 supplied by a pumped medium (see also...). Figure 3 It is constructed as a whole or as a whole.

[0034] A conveying mechanism 230 is also arranged in the wet chamber 201, which is torsionally connected to or part of the rotor 220. For example, the conveying mechanism can be provided in the form of an impeller or a turbine. The rotor 220 itself is rotatably supported relative to the stator 210. In the example shown here, for this purpose, a support pin 225 is rigidly fixed or securely clamped in the housing member 240, wherein a bearing 227, such as a rolling bearing or a sliding bearing, is arranged between the rotor 220 and the support pin 225, which allows relative rotation between the support pin 225 and the rotor 220.

[0035] The slotted tube 260 can be manufactured together with the interface assembly 1100, for example, partially or entirely from thermoplastic plastics (e.g., using casting and / or additive manufacturing methods) and / or using one or more metallic materials, such as aluminum or (stainless steel) (e.g., by extrusion from sheet metal and / or using casting and / or additive manufacturing methods).

[0036] In addition to the slotted tube 260, the interface assembly 1100 has a sheath 1104 that radially surrounds the housing member 240, i.e., receives the stator 210 and the housing member 240 within itself. In the example shown here, the sheath 1104 (or interface assembly 1100) has a retaining surface 1103 that is configured to cooperate with a retaining section 249 of the housing member 240 to mechanically secure the housing member 240. In the example shown, a mechanical connection is achieved between the retaining section 249 of the housing member 240 and the retaining surface 1103 of the interface assembly 1100 such that the retaining section 249 is pressed against the retaining surface 1103, for example, by pressing the housing member 240 into the sheath 1104. Thus, the housing member 240 is mechanically secured in the interface assembly 1100.

[0037] exist Figure 3 In the example shown, in addition to the stator 210, an electronic device 350 (e.g., in the form of a circuit board equipped with electronic components) is also arranged in the dry chamber 202 to supply electrical power to and / or control the stator 210. In the example shown here, this electronic device 350 is arranged on the end side of the housing member 240 and is in heat exchange with the housing member 240. Correspondingly, the pump 200 and the... Figure 1 The difference between the conventional pump 100 shown is particularly that the heat from the stator 210 and the electronic device 350 supplying the stator 210 is not directly discharged to the environment of the pump 200 (as shown in...). Figure 1 Instead of requiring a cumbersomely designed housing cover 146, heat is transferred to the medium delivered by the pump 200 via housing member 240. For this purpose, housing member 240 extends into the wet chamber 201 in section 248 and is thus in direct contact with the medium that circumferentially flushes the rotor 220 on the suction side. Furthermore, heat is transferred on the pressure side to the medium leaving the pump 200 via the housing member in a holding section 249 near the pressure side output line of the housing cover 142 on the wet chamber side, as mentioned above. To improve the efficiency of this heat transfer, a thermally conductive medium 370, such as a thermal paste containing aluminum, is introduced between the electronic device 350 and housing member 240.

[0038] exist Figure 3 The temperature control system 300 shown in the figure has, as already mentioned, features such as in Figure 2The pump 200 is shown in the diagram. This pump 200 is mechanically and fluidly connected to the interface assembly 1100. For example, the interface assembly 1100 can be the upper part or cover of the assembled temperature-controlled medium dispenser (Manifold) of the temperature-controlled system 300, which is configured to deliver the medium to be pumped (such as a water-based or oil-based temperature-controlled medium) to the pump 200 and / or (again) receive the medium discharged through the delivery mechanism 230. For this purpose, the temperature-controlled medium dispenser has a fluid conduit 1400, which in the example shown here is formed by a recess not only in the interface assembly 1100 but also in the dispenser body 1200 opposite the interface assembly. The dispenser body 1200 can be connected to the interface assembly 1100 in a material-locking manner by means of a butt weld of a heating element. The fluid line 1400 can be connected, for example, to another component of the temperature control system 300 (not shown in the figures) via a connecting pipe 1300 (only one connecting pipe is shown here, but multiple connecting pipes 1300 can be provided). In the example shown here, the connecting pipe 1300 shown is part of the distributor body 1200.

[0039] Before the interface assembly 1100 can be mounted on the distributor body 1200, the pump 200 must be installed around the interface assembly 1100. This means that the housing member 240 and the stator 210 are inserted into the sleeve 1104 from above, and the rotor 220 and the conveying mechanism 230 are secured to the support pin 225 from below. Finally, the housing cover 142 on the wet chamber side can be connected to the interface assembly, for example, by welding. The housing cover 142 on the wet chamber side integrates an inlet 181 and a worm-shaped outlet.

[0040] The fixing of the interface assembly 1300 to the distributor body 1200 thus functions simultaneously with the installation of the pump 200 into the temperature control system 300. In the example shown here, an additional elastomeric seal 345, such as an O-ring, is provided between the distributor body and the housing cover 142 in the region of the inlet 181. However, if necessary, this seal 345 can be replaced by a material-locking connection between the housing cover 142 and the distributor body 1200.

[0041] In the example shown, a cover plate 320 is provided, which isolates the dry chamber 202 of the pump 200 from the environment of the pump 200 and is mechanically connected here (in the area of ​​the sheath 1104) for example by a material-locking connection, such as by laser welding, to the interface assembly 1100. In this example, no seal is required between the cover plate 320 and the interface assembly 1100 to prevent moisture or other contaminants (such as dust) from entering the dry chamber 202, because the material-locking connection already provides the necessary sealing. However, in other variations of the connection between the cover plate 345 and the interface assembly, a separate seal, for example, substantially corresponding to the seal 345, can be provided.

[0042] Regardless of the specific design of the temperature control system 300, the medium delivered by pump 200 can be used to temperature control components of the temperature control system (not shown separately in the figures) before being returned to pump 200. For this purpose, the temperature control system 300 can, for example, have one or more heat exchangers (not shown in the figures) that transfer heat from the medium to the component to be temperature controlled (for heating the component) and / or transfer heat from the component to be temperature controlled to the medium (for cooling the component). Alternatively or supplementarily, one or more heat exchangers can be provided that transfer heat from the medium to the environment of the temperature control system and / or conversely, transfer heat from the environment to the medium. In particular, such components can be connected to a temperature control medium distributor via corresponding connecting pipes 1300.

[0043] In at least one design, one or more of such temperature-regulating components can be vehicle components, such as, in particular, electric drive units and / or traction batteries and / or vehicle cabins and / or computing units, such as vehicle control equipment.

Claims

1. An electric pump (200) for pumping media, especially liquid media, comprising: A stator (210) with stator windings (212), the stator being arranged in a dry chamber (202); Rotor (220) arranged in wet chamber (201); A conveying mechanism (230), which is torsionally connected to the rotor (220), is used to draw in and discharge the medium; and A slit tube (260) is provided to separate the dry chamber at least partially from the wet chamber, wherein the slit tube (260) is integrated into an interface assembly (1100) of a temperature control system (300) supplied with the medium by the pump (200).

2. The pump (200) according to claim 1, wherein an electronic device (350) for supplying and / or controlling the stator (210) is arranged in the dry chamber (202).

3. The pump (200) according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising a structural housing member (240) that carries the stator (210) and substantially or completely supports the torque acting on the stator (210).

4. The pump (200) according to claim 3, wherein the housing member (240) is configured to transfer heat from the stator (210) and / or the electronic device (350) as defined in claim 2 to the medium in the wet chamber (201).

5. The pump (200) according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the housing member (240) has teeth (265) for torsionally connecting the housing member (240) to the stator (210).

6. The pump (200) according to any one of claims 3 to 5, wherein the housing member (240) is provided for securing the pump (200) to the interface assembly (1100).

7. The pump (200) according to any one of claims 3 to 6, wherein the housing member (240) has a bearing for supporting a support pin (225) for the rotor (220).

8. The pump (200) according to the preceding claim, wherein the rotor (220) is rotatably supported on the support pin (225).

9. A temperature control system (300) having a pump (200) according to any one of the preceding claims and at least one component, the at least one component being supplied with a medium by the pump (200), wherein the at least one component is configured to absorb heat from the medium and / or discharge heat to the medium.

10. The temperature control system (300) according to claim 9, wherein the interface component (1100) is configured to deliver a medium to the pump (200) and / or receive a medium from the pump (200).

11. The temperature control system (300) according to claim 9 or 10, wherein the pump is configured according to at least claim 3, wherein the interface assembly (1100) carries the housing member (240) and is configured to support the torque derived from the stator (210) through the housing member (240).

12. The temperature control system (300) according to claim 11, wherein the housing member (240) is pressed and / or tightened and / or form-locked and / or material-locked together with the interface assembly (1100).

13. The temperature control system (300) according to claim 11 or 12, wherein a seal (345) is arranged between the housing member (240) and the interface assembly (1100), the seal sealing the wet chamber (201) relative to the dry chamber (202) and / or environment of the pump (200).

14. The temperature control system (300) according to any one of claims 9 to 13, wherein the interface component (1100) is configured to isolate the dry chamber (202) at least partially relative to the environment of the pump (200).

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