Fluid pump, especially coolant pump

Abstract

The invention relates to a fluid pump (10), in particular a coolant pump, comprising a pump housing (20) for receiving a fluid-pumping impeller (100), a pump shaft (120), and at least one pump shaft receptacle (200) for receiving the pump shaft (120) on one side, wherein the pump shaft receptacle (200) has at least one receiving element (210) for receiving the pump shaft (120). It is proposed that the receiving element (210) be slotted.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a fluid pump, in particular a coolant pump. State of the art

[0002] Fluid pumps with a pump housing for accommodating a fluid-conveying impeller and at least one pump shaft receptacle for accommodating the pump shaft on one side are already known from the prior art. Disclosure of the invention

[0003] The invention is based on a fluid pump, in particular a coolant pump, comprising a pump housing for accommodating a fluid-conveying impeller, a pump shaft, and at least one pump shaft receptacle for accommodating the pump shaft on one side. The pump shaft receptacle has at least one receptacle element for accommodating the pump shaft. According to the invention, it is proposed that the receptacle element be slotted.

[0004] In pump shaft holders known from the state of the art, the pump shaft is pressed into the circumferentially closed holder, whereby the required press-in force is generated by a press fit.

[0005] The term "press fit" refers to an assembly connection technique in which two parts are joined by pressing one part into the other. In this case, the pump shaft is pressed into the pump shaft mount. The press-fit force creates friction between the two parts, creating a secure connection. However, the process reliability, especially the quality of the fit, often cannot be precisely determined and controlled, which can impact the desired connection security.

[0006] The slotted receiving element of the pump shaft holder according to the invention overcomes these disadvantages. When the pump shaft is pressed into the receiving element of the pump shaft, the slotted receiving element is pressed apart non-destructively, and the restoring force of the receiving element clamps the pump shaft firmly in place. This ensures that the pump shaft cannot slip out during assembly and further transport within a production line. By securely clamping the pump shaft, other parts of the fluid pump can also be securely fixed before they are finally fastened, in particular screwed, during production. Clamping the pump shaft in the slotted receiving element thus particularly advantageously prevents components of the fluid pump from undesirably changing their position during the assembly process.Due to the slotted receiving element, the receiving element can be expanded particularly advantageously during the pressing in of the pump shaft, thus ensuring a process-reliable and stable assembly of the fluid pump, which advantageously improves the quality, stability and functionality of the fluid pump.

[0007] According to an advantageous development of the invention, the fluid pump has at least one retaining web, preferably a plurality of retaining webs, for supporting the pump shaft receptacle in the pump housing. The retaining webs are preferably integrally connected to the pump shaft receptacle. The retaining webs preferably extend through the flow area of ​​the fluid pump. The retaining webs are preferably formed as a plastic injection-molded part. The at least one retaining web is preferably arranged in the flow area of ​​the fluid pump.

[0008] Preferably, the slotted receiving element is designed to apply a sufficiently large restoring force to the pump shaft when the pump shaft is inserted to prevent it from being lost in the production line.

[0009] Preferably, the pump shaft is pressed into the receiving element during assembly of the fluid pump in the production line. For this purpose, the receiving element has a receiving opening. Preferably, the receiving element is arranged substantially centrally in the flow area. The receiving element is slotted and has at least one compensating slot.

[0010] The at least one compensating slot is preferably designed to be expandable such that the compensating opening is enlarged by the widening of the at least one compensating slot during the insertion of the pump shaft such that the pump shaft can be pushed or pressed into the compensating opening. According to an advantageous development of the invention, the pump shaft is designed as a fixed bearing pin.

[0011] According to an advantageous development of the invention, the at least one compensating slot extends substantially in the axial direction. Preferably, the at least one compensating slot is designed as a continuous groove. Preferably, the at least one compensating slot extends from an outer surface of the receiving element to an inner surface of the receiving opening. Preferably, the at least one compensating slot extends in the axial direction beyond the depth of the receiving opening. This longer design of the compensating slots allows for a particularly soft spring travel, which offers a particular advantage.

[0012] An embodiment of the invention which is particularly easy to manufacture can be provided in particular by the fact that the receiving opening is designed as a receiving bore in an axial stop surface of the receiving element.

[0013] To optimize flow in the flow area of ​​the fluid pump, the pump shaft receptacle is preferably designed to be rotationally symmetrical to the rotational axis of a rotor of the fluid pump. The receptacle element is preferably tapered in the direction of the inflowing fluid, preferably having a tapered tip. The receptacle element preferably has a substantially conical or cylindrical contour. The at least one retaining web is preferably arranged in the region of the tapered tip of the stop element.

[0014] According to an advantageous development of the invention, the receiving opening extends through less than half, preferably less than one-third, of the axial height of the receiving element. Preferably, the at least one compensating slot has a slot width of at least 1 / 12, preferably at least 1 / 8, and particularly preferably at least 1 / 5 of the diameter of the receiving opening. Such dimensioning particularly advantageously enables the slots to be manufactured with precise tolerances, since they can be created using corresponding webs in the tool.

[0015] According to an advantageous development of the invention, a plurality of compensating slots, in particular three, are arranged circumferentially on the receiving element. Preferably, a compensating segment is arranged between each two adjacent compensating slots on the receiving element, which is designed to apply a corresponding restoring force for clamping the pump shaft. To ensure uniform clamping of the pump shaft, the compensating slots on the compensating element are preferably arranged equidistant from one another circumferentially.

[0016] According to a particularly advantageous development of the invention, the compensating segments are connected to one another via a central connecting section. Preferably, the circumferential width of the at least one compensating slot increases in the axial direction, starting from the connecting section. In this way, a particularly uniform introduction of the restoring force into the pump shaft can be ensured.

[0017] In order to optimize the restoring force or clamping force, it is further conceivable that the compensating segments are connected to one another via at least one connecting web, in particular a connecting web extending substantially in the circumferential direction.

[0018] A particularly simple and cost-effective variant can be provided in particular by the pump shaft holder being formed in one piece, preferably connected in one piece to the pump housing, particularly preferably being formed as a plastic injection-molded part.

[0019] According to a particularly advantageous embodiment of the invention, the fluid pump is a component of a thermal management module. Such a thermal management module preferably has a central fluid distribution unit, which forms the core element of a fluid circuit, in particular a coolant and / or refrigerant circuit in a vehicle, in particular an electric vehicle. A thermal management module preferably has a plurality of fluid pumps and / or valves. For example, a valve could be provided to direct the flow of the coolant. For example, a fluid pump could be provided to move and / or accelerate and / or circulate a coolant. In the thermal management module, the fluid distribution unit serves as a distribution or collection point for the fluid, in particular the coolant or refrigerant, within the fluid circuit.The main function of the fluid distribution unit is to control the flow of fluid and direct it to various parts of the vehicle, such as the engine, the radiator, heating or cooling elements, and other components that require temperature regulation. According to an advantageous development of the invention, the fluid distribution unit has a plurality of fluid handling elements, in particular fluid channels and / or fluid inlet and outlet ports, to distribute the fluid to various areas within the thermal management system.

[0020] A "thermal management module" is understood to mean, in particular, an assembly that performs a cooling function, in particular at least partially, with the carrier fluid being designed as a coolant. In particular, the coolant is intended to absorb and dissipate heat from the component to be cooled, in particular the drive. In particular, the pre-integrated thermal management module forms a single, prefabricated component with which all components included in the thermal management module can preferably be installed in the vehicle in a single assembly step. drawing

[0021] Further advantages will become apparent from the following description of the drawings. The drawings illustrate two exemplary embodiments of the invention. The drawings, the description, and the claims contain numerous features in combination. Those skilled in the art will also expediently consider the features individually and combine them into useful further combinations.

[0022] They show: Fig. 1 a section through a liquid pump designed as a coolant pump with integrated electric drive motor, Fig. 2 a pump shaft holder from the state of the art, Fig. 3a a section through an embodiment of a pump shaft holder, Fig. 3b a section along a radial plane through a pump shaft holder according to Fig. 3a.

[0023] In the figures, identical components are provided with identical reference symbols.

[0024] In Fig. Figure 1 shows a first embodiment of a fluid pump 10, which can be used, for example, as a water pump device in a cooling circuit of a motor vehicle. As an auxiliary water pump, the fluid pump 10 can also be used to cool charge air, a battery, a control unit, or other components of the motor vehicle. It should be noted that the fluid pump 10 in Fig. 1 is only shown schematically, since the structure and functionality of such a fluid pump 10 are sufficiently known from the prior art, so that for the sake of brevity and simplicity of the description, a detailed description of the fluid pump 10, in particular of the electric drive 30 of such a liquid pump 10, is omitted here. Fig. For reasons of clarity, only one half of the fluid pump 10 is shown in FIG.

[0025] According to the Fig. In the embodiment of the invention shown in Figure 1, the fluid pump 10 comprises a pump housing 20 and a drive motor 30. According to an advantageous development of the invention, the drive motor 30 has an external stator 14 and an internal rotor 15, the axial direction of which is designated by reference numeral 16. A pump housing 13 is preferably arranged between the rotor 15 and the stator 14, which separates the wet area from the dry area of ​​the pump.

[0026] According to an advantageous development of the invention, the drive motor 30 is a permanent magnet synchronous motor which is arranged in accordance with the Fig. 1, the embodiment of the invention has energizable coils in the stator 14 and lamination packs with permanent magnets in the rotor 15.

[0027] The liquid pump 10 has a pump housing 20, which can advantageously be manufactured using a plastic injection molding process. An impeller 100 designed as an impeller is arranged in the pump housing 20 and is rotatably mounted there. A bearing sleeve, which rotates together with the rotor 15, is preferably accommodated in a rotationally fixed manner in the rotor 15. According to an advantageous development of the invention, the bearing sleeve is overmolded with the plastic material of the impeller 100. The impeller 100, or impeller, has pump blades 110, which are located axially above the bearing sleeve. When the rotor 15 rotates, the impeller 100 also rotates with the pump blades 110, which generate the desired fluid flow. According to the Fig. In the embodiment of the invention shown in Figure 1, the fluid, in particular the coolant, is sucked in axially and discharged radially.

[0028] According to an advantageous development of the invention, the pump housing 20 encloses a flow area and preferably has at least one intake port 18. The fluid is introduced via the intake port 18 of the pump housing 20, strikes the impeller 100, and is guided by it in the direction to be discharged. According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the intake port 18 runs coaxially with the axial direction of the electric drive 30.

[0029] As in Fig. As shown in Figure 1, the rotor 15 rotates about a rotational axis 28. For this purpose, the rotor 15 is rotatably mounted on a pump shaft 120 via a bearing. The pump shaft 120 is preferably clamped in a substantially rotationally fixed manner. The rotational axis 28 runs in the axial direction in the sense of an imaginary straight line extending to infinity, centrally through the pump shaft 120 and thus corresponds to the central axis of the pump shaft 120. According to an advantageous development of the invention, the bearing sleeve 19 is mounted on a pump shaft 120.

[0030] According to an advantageous development of the invention, an axial bearing 140 is located on the pump shaft 120 adjacent to its end facing the pump blades 110. The axial bearing 140 can be designed, for example, as a plain bearing. The axial bearing 140 preferably rotates around the pump shaft 120 during operation of the drive motor 30. The bearing sleeve 19, which preferably supports the rotor 15, is preferably rotatably mounted on the pump shaft 120 via the axial bearing 140. According to an advantageous development of the invention, the axial bearing 140 is designed as a sintered bearing.

[0031] As in Fig. 1, a pump shaft receptacle 200 is arranged on the pump housing 20. The pump shaft receptacle 200 has a central receptacle element 210 and retaining webs 215. According to an advantageous development of the invention, the pump shaft receptacle 200 is arranged centrally in the region of the intake nozzle 18. The receptacle element 200 has a central receiving opening 212 into which the pump shaft 120 is inserted. The receiving opening 212 is preferably designed as a receiving bore. The pump shaft receptacle 200 forms a bearing point for fastening the pump shaft 120. To support the receiving element 210 in the pump housing 20, the pump shaft receptacle 200 has at least one, preferably three retaining webs 215. These retaining webs 215 extend essentially in the axial and radial directions and pass through the width of the intake nozzle 18. This fastening point is also referred to as a tripod.

[0032] In Fig. 2 shows a pump shaft holder 200 from the prior art. According to the Fig. In the embodiment of the invention shown in Figure 2, the pump shaft holder 200 has retaining webs 215 and a holder element 210. The pump shaft is pressed into the tripod, with the required press-in force being generated by an interference fit. The term “press fit” refers to an assembly connection technique in which two parts are joined together by pressing one of the parts into the other under pressure. In this case, the pump shaft is pressed into the tripod. The press-in force is used to generate friction between the two parts, resulting in a secure connection. However, producing such an interference fit in a process-reliable manner can be challenging. The quality of the fit, i.e. how well the pump shaft fits into the tripod and the level of friction generated, cannot always be precisely measured or controlled.This means that it may be difficult to achieve the desired press-in force and thus the desired connection security. The quality of the fit may depend on various factors, such as the tolerances of the parts, the surface finish, or other factors that may influence the assembly process.

[0033] In the Fig. 3a and Fig. Figure 3b shows an embodiment of a fluid pump 10 according to the invention with a pump shaft receptacle 200. This pump shaft receptacle 200 was developed to overcome the aforementioned disadvantages. According to the invention, the receptacle element 210 is now slotted. When the pump shaft 120 is pressed into the pump shaft receptacle 200, the compensating segments 214 of the pump shaft receptacle, which are separated from one another by the corresponding compensating slot 222, are pressed apart without causing any damage in order to firmly clamp the pump shaft 120. This design ensures that the pump shaft 120 cannot slip out uncontrollably during assembly and further transport between the stations within a production line. By holding the pump shaft 120 in place, the other parts of the fluid pump 10 are also securely fixed before they can be screwed together during assembly.This prevents these parts from slipping against each other or changing their position during the assembly process.

[0034] In Fig. 3a shows a section through a pump shaft holder 200. The pump shaft holder 200 is arranged in a flow area of ​​the fluid pump 10 and is supported in the pump housing 20 via the retaining webs 215. As shown in Fig. 3a, the pump shaft holder 200 has a receiving element 210. The receiving element 210 has a receiving opening 212. During assembly of the fluid pump 10, the pump shaft 120 is pressed into this receiving opening 212 of the central receiving element 210. As shown in Fig. As can be seen in Figure 3b, the receiving element 210, according to an advantageous development, has three compensating slots 222a, 222b, 222c. The compensating slots 222a, 222b, 222c are designed to be expandable during the pressing-in of the pump shaft 120.

[0035] According to a preferred development of the invention, the at least one compensating slot 222 is formed as a radially continuous opening between an outer circumferential surface 226 of the receiving element 210 and an inner circumferential surface 228 of the receiving opening 212, so that by means of the compensating slots 222a, 222b, 222c the receiving element is segmented into expandable compensating segments 214a, 214b, 214c.

[0036] According to the Fig. In the embodiment of the invention shown in Figure 3, the receiving opening 212 is formed in an axial stop surface 230 of the receiving element 210. The receiving opening 212 is preferably designed as a bore. The receiving element 210 is preferably designed as a body that is substantially rotationally symmetrical to the axis of rotation 28. The receiving element 210 is preferably designed to be flow-optimized. The receiving element 210 is preferably tapered in the direction of the inflowing fluid, preferably having a tapered tip 400. The receiving element 210 preferably has a substantially conical or cylindrical contour. The holding webs 215a, 215b, 215c are preferably arranged in the region of the tapered tip 400 of the stop element 210.

[0037] As in Fig. As can be clearly seen in Figure 3a, the compensating slots 222a, 222b, 222c extend essentially in the axial direction from the stop surface 230. Preferably, the compensating slots 222a, 222b, 222c extend in the axial direction beyond the depth of the receiving opening 212. Preferably, the compensating slots 222a, 222b, 222c extend essentially at least partially, in particular almost completely, through the outer surface 228 of the stop element 210 in the axial direction.

[0038] The receiving element 210 has a certain axial height 250 in the direction of the axis 28. According to the illustrated embodiment of the invention in Fig. 3a, the receiving opening 212 penetrates less than half, preferably less than one third of the axial height 250 of the receiving element 210. Due to this longer design of the compensation slots 222a, 222b, 222c and the axial height 250 of the receiving element 210, the spring travel can be made particularly soft, which offers a particular advantage.

[0039] The nature of the receiving element 210, in particular the length of the compensating slots 222a, 222b, 222c and the size of the receiving opening 212 relative to the axial height 250, enables improved suspension. Due to the smaller penetration of the receiving opening 212 into the receiving element 210, a larger portion of the receiving element 210 is used for suspension, resulting in a longer spring travel.

[0040] According to an advantageous further development of the invention, the compensating slot 222 in the region of the receiving opening 212 has a slot width 252 that is at least 1 / 12, preferably at least 1 / 8, and particularly preferably at least 1 / 5 of the diameter 254 of the receiving opening 212. The generous dimensioning of the compensating slots 222a, 222b, 222c allows them to be represented and stably manufactured in the tool for producing the pump shaft holder 200 by correspondingly stable webs. This enables precise and reliable production of the slots without compromising their shape or integrity.

[0041] According to the illustrated embodiment of the invention in the Fig. 3a and Fig. 3b, the receiving element 210 has three compensating slots 222a, 222b, 222c, which are evenly distributed and arranged at equal distances from one another. These compensating slots 222a, 222b, 222c divide the receiving element 210 into three compensating segments 214a, 214b, 214c, which preferably have a largely identical shape. To ensure that the three compensating segments 214a, 214b, 214c do not fall apart during the demolding process in the production of the receiving element 210, they are connected to one another via a central connecting section 260. This central connecting section 260 is preferably located in the region of the tip 400 of the receiving element. It is also possible for the compensating segments 214a, 214b, 214c to be connected to one another in addition to the connecting section 260 or alternatively via at least one connecting web that extends through the compensating slot 222.

[0042] Connecting the compensating segments 214a, 214b, 214c via the central connecting section 260 or connecting webs ensures that they remain stable during the manufacturing process and do not fall apart. This enables precise and reliable production of the receiving element 210.

[0043] According to a particularly advantageous embodiment of the invention, the slot width 252 is designed to increase starting from the connecting section 260 in the direction of the stop surface 230.

[0044] The pump shaft receptacle 200, comprising the slotted receptacle element 210 and the retaining webs 215, is preferably formed as a single piece, particularly preferably as a plastic injection-molded part. The pump shaft receptacle 200 is preferably rigidly connected to the pump housing 20.

[0045] In Fig. 3b is a sectional view of the pump shaft holder 200 from Fig. 3a. As shown in Fig. As can be clearly seen in Figure 3b, the compensating slot 222 in the region of the receiving opening 212 is designed such that its slot width 252 is at least 1 / 12, preferably at least 1 / 8, and particularly preferably at least 1 / 5 of the diameter 254 of the receiving opening 212. The three compensating slots 222a, 222b, 222c in the receiving element 210 are evenly distributed and arranged at the same distance from one another. These compensating slots 222a, 222b, 222c divide the receiving element 210 into three compensating segments 214a, 214b, 214c, which have a largely identical shape.

[0046] The three compensating slots 222a, 222b, 222c are connected to each other by a central connecting section 260. The central connecting section 260 is preferably located in the region of the tip 400 of the receiving element 210. According to the Fig.In the embodiment of the invention shown in Fig. 3b, the slot width 252 increases from the connecting portion 260 towards the stop surface 230.

Claims

[1] Fluid pump (10), in particular coolant pump, comprising a pump housing (20) for receiving a fluid-conveying impeller (100), a pump shaft (120) and at least one pump shaft receptacle (200) for receiving the pump shaft (120) on one side, wherein the pump shaft receptacle (200) has at least one receiving element (210) for receiving the pump shaft (120), characterized by that the receiving element (210) is slotted. [2] Fluid pump (10) according to claim 1, characterized by that the fluid pump (10) has at least one holding web (215), preferably a plurality of holding webs (215a, 215b, 215c), particularly preferably three holding webs (215a, 215b, 215c) for supporting the pump shaft receptacle (200) in the pump housing (20), wherein preferably the at least one holding web (215a, 215b, 215c) is arranged in the flow area of the fluid pump (10). [3] Fluid pump (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized bythat the receiving element (210) has at least one receiving opening (212), wherein the pump shaft (120) is clamped into the receiving opening (212). [4] Fluid pump (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the slotted receiving element (210) has at least one compensating slot (222a, 222b, 222c) which is designed to be expandable. [5] Fluid pump (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the at least one compensating slot (222a, 222b, 222c) extends from an outer circumferential surface (226) of the receiving element (210) to an inner circumferential surface (228) of the receiving opening (212), wherein preferably the at least one of the compensating slots (222a, 222b, 222c) extends substantially in the axial direction. [6] Fluid pump (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized bythat the receiving opening (212) is designed as a receiving bore in an axial stop surface (230) for a rotor (15), in particular for a bearing of the rotor (15) of the fluid pump (10), wherein the receiving element (210) is preferably designed to be rotationally symmetrical to the axis of rotation of a rotor (15) of the fluid pump (10). [7] Fluid pump (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the receiving opening (212) extends through less than half, preferably less than a third of the axial height (250) of the receiving element (210), wherein preferably the at least one compensating slot (222a, 222b, 222c) has a slot width (252) of at least 1 / 12, preferably at least 1 / 8, particularly preferably at least 1 / 5 of the diameter (254) of the receiving opening (212). [8] Fluid pump (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized byin that a plurality, in particular three, compensating slots (222a, 222b, 222c) are arranged circumferentially, wherein a receiving element segment is arranged between each two adjacent compensating slots (222a, 222b, 222c) and wherein the compensating slots (222a, 222b, 222c) are preferably arranged circumferentially equidistant from one another. [9] Fluid pump (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by in that the compensating segments (214a, 214b, 214c) are connected to one another via a central connecting section (260), wherein the slot width (252) of the at least one compensating slot (222a, 222b, 222c) is preferably designed to increase in the axial direction starting from the connecting section (260). [10] Fluid pump (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized bythat the compensating segments (214a, 214b, 214c) are connected to one another via at least one connecting web, in particular a connecting web extending substantially in the circumferential direction. [11] Fluid pump (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the pump shaft holder (200) is formed in one piece, preferably connected in one piece to the pump housing (20), particularly preferably formed as a plastic injection-molded part. [12] Fluid pump (10) according to one of claims 1 to 11 in a thermal management module of a coolant and / or refrigerant circuit of a motor vehicle, in particular an electric vehicle.

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