One-piece pump suspension for beverage preparation device

Abstract

The invention relates to a pump support element (02) for a pump (04) for use in a beverage preparation device, preferably a coffee and / or espresso machine. It comprises bearing elements (05a, 05b) for receiving, positioning, and vibration-damping mounting of a pump (04), and furthermore a connecting element (06) for connecting the pump support element (02) to the beverage preparation device and / or a receiving component (03) of the beverage preparation device. According to the invention, the pump support element (02) is made in one piece and from plastic, preferably from a non-elastomer plastic, particularly preferably from a thermoplastic plastic.In a preferred embodiment, the pump support element (02) can have a spring section (10), in particular a leaf spring-shaped section (10a), preferably two spring sections (10), particularly preferably two leaf spring-shaped sections (10a), by means of which oscillations and vibrations of the pump (04) are absorbed so that they are not transmitted to the beverage preparation device.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a pump support element for use in a beverage preparation device, preferably a coffee and / or espresso machine, comprising bearing elements for receiving, positioning, and vibration-damping mounting of a pump, further comprising connecting elements for fastening the pump support element in the beverage preparation device. Furthermore, the invention relates to a pump assembly, comprising at least one pump support element, a pump, preferably a liquid pump, and a receiving component for fastening the pump support element in or to a beverage preparation device.

[0002] There are various design solutions for attaching a fluid pump to a beverage preparation device, particularly for coffee and / or espresso machines. The technical objectives are to securely position and hold the pump and to ensure a certain degree of pump mobility, both for installation and connection to hose lines and during operation when forces are exerted on the lines by the fluid flow or movement of a brewing group. Furthermore, it is desirable to dampen vibrations and, in particular, to prevent them from being transmitted to larger structural components of the beverage preparation device, as these vibrations would otherwise lead to noise generation and / or unwanted resonance phenomena. Low noise generation is a key user requirement for beverage preparation devices.

[0003] To meet these requirements, fluid pump mounts are often made of multiple parts and different materials. For example, various types of springs made of metal wire and plastic mounts are used. Components made of elastomeric plastics are also frequently used. CN 201 360 936 Y shows a mount with two rubber mounting walls and a separate base element made of a different material.

[0004] Multi-part constructions require greater effort in assembly and procurement of individual parts. Internal logistics also become more complex with each additional component, because more components must be provided in the right quantity, at the right time, and in the right quality, at the right location. However, reducing the number of components and materials presents the problem that all requirements regarding material properties, both static and dynamic, as well as wear, long-term behavior, and the like, must be met for the entire component.

[0005] Against this background, the object of the invention is to propose a pump mount for use in beverage preparation devices that overcomes the disadvantages of the prior art without incurring additional costs compared to the prior art, without meeting user requirements for the beverage preparation device to a lesser extent, and / or without adversely affecting its service life. In particular, the aim is to achieve simpler and more cost-effective assembly without increasing manufacturing costs and without adversely affecting its operational properties.

[0006] This object is achieved with a pump support element according to claim 1. Furthermore, this object is achieved with a pump assembly according to claim 11.

[0007] Advantageous embodiments of the pump support element according to the invention are the subject of the following description and description of the figures as well as the dependent claims.

[0008] In principle, all features subsequently disclosed in terms of the device shall also be deemed to be correspondingly disclosed and claimable in terms of the method, and vice versa.

[0009] The pump support element for use in a beverage preparation device, preferably a coffee and / or espresso machine, comprises bearing elements for receiving, positioning and vibration-damping mounting of a pump and furthermore a connecting element for connecting the pump support element to the beverage preparation device and / or a receiving component of the beverage preparation device.

[0010] According to the invention, it is provided that the pump support element is made in one piece and from plastic, preferably from a non-elastomer plastic, particularly preferably from a thermoplastic plastic.

[0011] For the purposes of this disclosure, "one-piece" means that the pump support element consists of only one coherent, integral component and is functional and ready for installation without the addition of additional components. The term "one-piece" is therefore synonymous with the term "monolithic."

[0012] Within the scope of the invention, it has surprisingly been found that plastics, in particular thermoplastic non-elastomer plastics, are suitable as a material for the pump support element. Within the scope of the invention, surprisingly suitable plastics were identified with which the requirements for the pump support element, for example with regard to static and dynamic load capacity, are met. In particular, it was surprisingly found that a one-piece pump support element can be made from a plastic in a fatigue-resistant manner. Fatigue-resistant means that the pump support element can permanently withstand the changing, in particular oscillating, loads during operation. The suitability of plastics can be improved by an advantageous design of the pump support element, as shown by the preferred embodiments and the exemplary embodiments of the invention described below.

[0013] Consequently, the one-piece design of the pump support element provides unexpected advantages in the assembly of the beverage preparation device, as fewer individual parts need to be assembled. This simplifies both the assembly process itself and all upstream steps. These include, for example, the selection and / or design of the other components of the pump support, their purchasing and procurement, and finally, the storage and delivery of the individual parts to the assembly workstation in the correct quantity, type, and at the correct time. All of these processes are simplified when fewer components are required to assemble the beverage preparation device.During the service life of the beverage preparation device, it is also easier to keep the pump support element available as a spare part if it is only a single component, because, as with assembly, the necessary internal logistics are simplified. The one-piece design also facilitates recycling after the end of the beverage preparation device's service life, as high-quality recycling is promoted when materials are sorted separately, thus simplifying sorting processes. The pump support element is made of plastic.

[0014] Plastics with different properties are available and proven, so that a suitable plastic can be selected for the existing requirements, in particular for the mechanical, thermal and chemical requirements. Plastics are usually inexpensive to obtain and easy to process, which advantageously reduces the costs for the pump support element. In an unexpected way, the invention shows that the use of elastomer plastics, which are difficult or impossible to recycle to a high standard, can be dispensed with for the pump support element. It is particularly advantageous to provide a thermoplastic plastic for the pump support element because thermoplastics allow production by injection molding, which is particularly advantageous for large quantities.Particularly preferably, the design of the pump support element is adapted to this, i.e., designed for injection molding, particularly avoiding geometries that hinder injection molding. The use of a thermoplastic material is also advantageous because it is easily recycled. Thermoplastics can be reprocessed into granules and later into new products, thus enabling high-quality recycling. The suitability of elastomer plastics as a material for a pump support element was surprisingly discovered. Through appropriate design and construction, the disadvantages of the material, particularly its tendency to flow over a long service life, can be overcome.

[0015] In a first advantageous embodiment of the pump support element, a longitudinal web extends in a longitudinal direction of the pump support element, which forms a bearing element for supporting a pump at each end in its longitudinal direction. The longitudinal web can form the central mechanical structure of the pump support element, with the other structures of the pump support element protruding from the longitudinal web. The bearing elements at the ends of the longitudinal web can establish the mechanical connection to a pump. When used in a beverage preparation device, the pump can be an electrically driven fluid pump that particularly pumps water.

[0016] The bearing elements and the pump support element are particularly advantageously designed to reliably and permanently withstand the mechanical loads that occur during pump operation and securely support the pump without the risk of the pump becoming loose during operation. The structure with the longitudinal web as a central structural component advantageously meets the mechanical property requirements with a minimum of material. To increase the mechanical load-bearing capacity, the longitudinal web can be designed with one or more stiffening ribs.

[0017] In a next advantageous embodiment of the pump support element, the bearing elements can protrude from the longitudinal web, preferably at right angles. A first bearing element can have a contour that is closed in the circumferential direction and can preferably be annular. A second bearing element can have a contour that is open on one side in the circumferential direction and can preferably be fork-shaped and have two legs. These bearing elements can be designed in an advantageously simple manner as integral components of the pump support element. This allows for the particularly simple design of effective, i.e., stable, and durable bearing elements.

[0018] In a further advantageous embodiment of the pump support element, locking means, preferably locking lugs, can be formed on the inside of the second bearing element and / or opposite one another, preferably on fork legs of the fork-shaped and two-leg second bearing element. These locking means can advantageously enable a pump to be held in position in the direction of the opening by the bearing element with the contour open on one side in the circumferential direction. This still allows the pump to be mounted in the bearing element by overcoming the locking means, or in other words, locking the pump into the bearing element. Locking lugs are particularly simply designed locking means, which advantageously simplifies the design and manufacture of the pump support element.

[0019] As an alternative to the one-sided open contour of the bearing element, other solutions can also be provided that result in a fixed connection, for example, a screw connection, with a receiving component. However, it can advantageously be provided that this connection also has a resilient and / or damping property overall, preferably through spring means or spring elements of the connection.

[0020] In a further preferred embodiment of the pump support element, the two bearing elements can be arranged axially parallel, preferably aligned, to one another. In this way, a pump having connecting pieces on opposite sides that are aligned axially parallel can be inserted into the bearing elements particularly easily. The pump is received and supported at the connecting pieces by the bearing elements of the pump support element. This advantageously allows the use of existing mechanical elements of the pump for supporting the pump, eliminating the need for additional elements.

[0021] In a next preferred embodiment of the pump support element, the pump support element can have a spring section, in particular a leaf spring-shaped section, preferably two spring sections, particularly preferably two leaf spring-shaped sections. The formation of a spring section as part of the pump support element makes it possible to achieve a spring effect without the use of additional components, such as helical springs or conical springs made of metal wire. The spring effect can be easily adapted to the requirements resulting from different pump models and / or beverage preparation devices by designing the spring section. By means of a design with two spring sections, a symmetrical spring effect can be achieved in an advantageously simple manner.Furthermore, the design of a spring section as part of the pump support element allows the spring effect to be achieved without the use of an elastomer. This makes it possible to manufacture the pump support element from a uniform material, which advantageously simplifies production because comparatively complex manufacturing processes such as two-component injection molding are not necessary. Later recycling is also simplified because a component made from a uniform material can be recycled more easily. A design with two leaf spring-shaped sections has a particularly simple geometric shape, which advantageously keeps the manufacture of the pump support element simple. The spring properties can be adapted to different requirements in a beneficially simple manner by means of the design of the leaf spring-shaped sections.

[0022] In a further preferred embodiment of the pump support element, a main extension axis of the spring section can run parallel to the longitudinal extension direction of the pump support element. The main extension axis of the spring section connects the two ends of the spring section in a straight line. This arrangement advantageously achieves the spring effect perpendicular to the longitudinal extension direction of the pump support element. Furthermore, the pump support element can be kept compact in the direction perpendicular to the longitudinal extension direction of the pump support element if the spring section is arranged parallel to the longitudinal extension direction of the pump support element.

[0023] In a further preferred embodiment of the pump support element, the spring section can be connected to the longitudinal web, preferably centrally along its longitudinal extension. This makes it particularly easy to achieve a spring effect that is symmetrical to the connection point with the longitudinal web. If the connection point is positioned off-center, the material and / or design of the spring section must be adapted to achieve a symmetrical spring effect, which involves additional effort.

[0024] In a next preferred embodiment of the pump support element, the connecting element for connecting the pump support element to the beverage preparation device and / or a receiving component can be designed at one end of the spring section, preferably as an annular connecting element. The receiving component can be a type of intermediate component which is arranged in the beverage preparation device. The connecting element at at least one end of a spring section serves to establish or enable the mechanical connection of the pump support element to the beverage preparation device and / or to the receiving component in the beverage preparation device. The connecting element can preferably be annular, wherein annular is not limited to circular, but also includes, for example, annular-angular contours. This makes it possible, for example, to attach it to a correspondingly shaped counterpart.A screw connection is also particularly easy to achieve using an annular connecting element. The connecting element can be circular or square in cross-section. The design with a connecting element at at least one end of a spring section makes it particularly easy to arrange the spring section as a suspension element between the pump and the housing of the beverage preparation device. This makes it particularly easy to dampen pump vibrations and significantly reduce or prevent their transmission to the housing of the beverage preparation device.

[0025] Alternative connecting elements can also be implemented, which can also be advantageous. For example, connecting elements can be provided that ensure a locking or snap-in effect during assembly to a receiving component. The ring-shaped connecting element described above is particularly suitable for a screw connection with or on a receiving component.

[0026] The object described above is also achieved with a pump assembly comprising a pump support element according to the invention, a pump, preferably a liquid pump, and a receiving component for fastening the pump support element in or to a beverage preparation device. The pump support element is fastened to the receiving component. The pump is mounted in the pump support element, wherein the pump is arranged in an intermediate space formed by the receiving component and the pump support element.

[0027] In a first advantageous embodiment of the pump assembly, the spring section of the pump support element can enable spring-loaded mobility, preferably transverse to the longitudinal direction of the pump support element, of the pump, which is mounted in the pump support element. During operation of the pump, pressure fluctuations in the hose lines connected to the pump result in forces acting on the hose lines and the pump. The spring-loaded mobility of the pump support element, and thus of the pump mounted therein, ensures that the pump and the hose lines connected to the pump can yield to this force, preventing premature damage.Furthermore, the pump generates vibrations and oscillations during operation. The pump's spring-loaded mounting in the pump support element reduces or completely prevents the transmission of these vibrations and oscillations to the receiving component and further into the housing of the beverage preparation device. This protects mechanical components from the effects of these vibrations and oscillations, which extends the service life of the components and results in quieter operating noise, as fewer vibrations and oscillations affect the housing, thus generating less noise in the beverage preparation device.

[0028] In a further advantageous embodiment of the pump assembly, the bearing elements can enable the pump mounted therein to move in the direction of the longitudinal extension of the pump support element. In other words, the pump is movably mounted along the pump support element. During operation, the pump oscillates in the bearing arrangement, with the stroke of the oscillation, i.e. the extent of mobility, preferably being up to 2 mm, particularly preferably 1 to 2 mm. This can be achieved by elastic deformability of the bearing elements. Elastic deformability of the bearing elements allows the bearing elements to be dimensioned such that the pump is mounted in the bearing elements without play, so that the pump cannot move loosely during operation, which would lead to wear and rattling noises.This flexibility ensures that the pump and the hose lines connected to the pump are not subjected to tension against the pump bearings. Furthermore, tolerances resulting from the manufacturing of the pump support element and / or the pump and / or the hose lines connected to the pump are compensated for in a simple and advantageous manner.

[0029] In a further advantageous embodiment of the pump assembly, the bearing element on a first side of the pump can, as a first bearing element, have a contour that is closed in the circumferential direction and can preferably be annular, and the bearing element on an opposite side of the pump can, as a second bearing element, have a contour that is open on one side in the circumferential direction and can preferably be fork-shaped and two-leg. The pump has a first and a second connection piece, wherein the connection pieces are located on opposite sides of the pump. In other words, a first connection piece is formed on an underside of the pump, and a second connection piece of the pump is formed on an upper side of the pump.

[0030] This design of the pump support element makes it particularly easy to insert the pump into the pump support element. It is particularly advantageous if the pump support element is shaped and designed in such a way, in particular the two bearing elements are shaped and designed in such a way that the pump can be inserted into the pump support element without the need for tools. The first bearing element can be shaped congruently to a first connection piece of the pump, so that the pump can be inserted into the bearing element with its connection piece, preferably without the use of tools. The second bearing element can be shaped to be open on one side, so that the second connection piece of the pump can be inserted into the bearing element from the open side of the bearing element, preferably without the use of tools.Particularly advantageously, the second bearing element can be provided with locking means, whereby the connecting piece can be snapped into these locking means. This makes installing the pump particularly quick and easy. Given the large number of pumps to be assembled in the series production of beverage preparation devices, this results in a significant amount of labor savings.

[0031] In a next advantageous embodiment of the pump assembly, one end of the spring portion of the pump support element can be guided for linear movement in a slide rail formed and / or encompassed by the receiving component, wherein the slide rail and the end of the spring portion together form a sliding bearing. By means of the slide rail, a direction of movement of one end of the spring portion of the pump support element can be defined, and optionally a range of movement can be defined in this direction of movement. This advantageously ensures that the movement only takes place in the intended direction and, optionally, to the intended extent. Furthermore, the assembly of the pump support element on the receiving component can be simplified because one end of the spring portion of the pump support element is only inserted into the slide rail. No further fastening step, such as screwing, is necessary.

[0032] In a further preferred embodiment of the pump assembly, which advantageously cooperates with the previously described embodiment, the movement of the end of the spring section of the pump support element can generate a frictional force between the end of the spring section and the slide rail, which acts to dampen the spring action of the spring section. This sliding frictional force can act as frictional damping for the spring action of the spring section, so that vibrations and oscillations that arise during pump operation are cushioned and effectively damped. The damping properties can be adjusted by the shape and positioning of the slide rail, so that different damping properties of the spring-damper system can be set particularly easily. This makes adaptation to different conditions and objectives particularly easy.

[0033] In a further advantageous embodiment of the pump assembly, the second bearing element of the pump support element can be aligned against an abutment of the receiving component in the assembled state, such that the position of the pump is fixed in two spatial directions by the second bearing element and the abutment, such that the pump is only movable in the axial direction along the axis encompassed by the second bearing element. The abutment can be shaped and positioned such that it interacts with the contour of the second bearing element of the pump support element, which is open on one side, wherein the open side of the second bearing element can be closed by the abutment. In other words, the second bearing element of the pump support element, which is open on one side, and the abutment together can form a completely closed bearing element. The abutment can partially engage in the bearing element, which is open on one side.In the preferred embodiment of the bearing element as a fork-shaped and two-leg bearing element, the abutment can engage between the two legs of the bearing element. Preferably, a pump connection piece can be mounted in the bearing element, with the bearing element enclosing the connection piece along its circumference on three sides and the abutment enclosing the connection piece on the fourth side. Thus, the pump connection piece can be fixed in two spatial directions by means of the bearing element and the cooperating abutment.

[0034] In a next advantageous embodiment, the receiving component can have a preferably column-shaped receiving element, at the free end of which a receiving extension is formed, which is preferably cylindrical. This receiving element allows a particularly advantageous embodiment of the receiving component with a flat base plate and a receiving element protruding therefrom. The receiving element can protrude far enough from the base plate that the pump is positioned at a sufficient distance from the base plate. The receiving extension on the receiving element can interact with the pump support element and can connect the pump support element and the receiving component to one another. The receiving component can be connected to the beverage preparation device by means of the base plate. The base plate can ensure the mechanical stability of the receiving component.

[0035] In a further, particularly advantageous embodiment of the pump assembly, the connecting element of the pump support element and the receiving extension of the receiving element of the receiving component can interact in a form-fitting manner, wherein a plug-in connection of the receiving extension into the connecting element of the pump support element can preferably be formed. By means of the form-fitting connection of the connecting element of the pump support element and the receiving extension of the receiving component, a particularly precise and consistent positioning of the pump support element on the receiving component can be achieved. The positioning is determined by the geometry of the components, so that the positioning is advantageously always consistent in series production.A design with a plurality of receiving elements and connecting elements can be particularly advantageous, as consistent positioning and orientation of the pump support element on the receiving component can be achieved particularly easily. A plug-in connection is particularly advantageous for assembly because a plug-in connection is simple to manufacture and the process of inserting the receiving extension of the receiving component into the connecting element of the pump support element can be easily automated. Reducing manual work steps is crucial for lowering the manufacturing costs of a beverage preparation device.

[0036] In a next advantageous embodiment of the pump assembly, which cooperates particularly advantageously with the previously described embodiment, the plug-in connection can be secured by a screw connection against loosening of the plug-in connection and / or displacement of the connecting element on the receiving extension. For this purpose, an axial bore can be formed in the receiving extension, into which a screw is screwed when the receiving extension is inserted into the connecting element of the pump support element. The screw, by means of a sufficiently large head diameter and / or by means of a washer, blocks the unplugging of the receiving extension from the connecting element and / or prevents the receiving extension from displacement in the connecting element.A screw connection is quick and easy to produce, and it is also possible to automate the production of the screw connection without any technical difficulties. Documenting the quality of a screw connection, in particular the presence of a screw connection and the applied torque, is advantageously easy.

[0037] In a further advantageous embodiment of the pump assembly, the dimensions of the receiving element of the receiving component can be standardized. In particular, the dimensions of the receiving extension can be standardized. This can mean that receiving components for use in different beverage preparation devices and pump support elements for supporting different pump models can be freely combined, because the receiving elements with which a receiving component can be connected to a pump support element can be standardized. In embodiments of receiving components with multiple receiving elements and receiving extensions, the relative distances and relative positions of the receiving elements and / or receiving extensions to one another can also be standardized.This advantageously allows different pumps to be used in the beverage preparation device using different pump support elements without any modifications to the device. This results in a minimized variety of required pump support elements and mounting components. This reduces the unit costs for manufacturing the components, as well as the costs for warehousing for ongoing production. Furthermore, the provision of spare parts can be simplified and thus also made more cost-effective.

[0038] Further advantages, features, and details of the invention are described below by way of example with reference to the schematic drawings. These show: Fig. 1: a front view of a pump assembly according to the invention, Fig. 2: a perspective exploded view of a pump assembly according to the invention, Fig. 3: a perspective view of a pump assembly according to the invention in a partially assembled state, Fig. 4: a perspective view of another embodiment of a pump assembly according to the invention in the assembled state, Fig. 5: a mechanical equivalent circuit diagram of a pump assembly according to the invention.

[0039] The Fig. 1 shows a front view of a pump assembly 01 according to the invention with the pump support element 02 according to the invention, the receiving component 03, and the pump 04. The pump support element 03 is made in one piece and is made of a thermoplastic material. The pump support element 03 has a longitudinal web 07 that runs parallel to the longitudinal direction L of the pump support element. Two spring sections 10, designed as leaf spring-shaped sections 10a, are arranged on the longitudinal web 07 on both sides in the longitudinal direction L, wherein the leaf spring-shaped sections 10a are connected to the longitudinal web 07 centrally in their longitudinal extent. Each spring section 10 has a main extension axis H that runs through the ends in the longitudinal direction of the spring section 10. From one end to the other end, the leaf spring-shaped sections 10a extend in an arc, wherein the arc in each case points away from the longitudinal web 07.The two leaf spring-shaped sections 10a thus create a spring effect symmetrical to the longitudinal web 07 and the pump 04, which is mounted in the pump support element 02. The main extension axis H of the leaf spring-shaped sections 10a runs axially parallel to the longitudinal extension direction L of the pump support element 02. Annular connecting elements 06 are formed at the ends of the leaf spring-shaped sections 10a.

[0040] The Fig. 2 shows a perspective exploded view of a pump assembly 01 according to the invention with the pump support element 02 according to the invention, the receiving component 03 and the pump 04. The pump support element 02 is shown in the same embodiment as in the Fig. 1. The pump 04 has a first connection piece 16a and a second connection piece 16b. A bearing element 05 is formed at each of the two ends of the longitudinal web 07. At the first end of the longitudinal web 07, the first bearing element 05a is formed as a circular ring-shaped bearing element. The first bearing element 05a protrudes at a right angle from the longitudinal web 07 and is adapted in diameter to the first connection piece 16a of the pump 04 such that the first connection piece 16a can be inserted into the first bearing element 05a, wherein the connection piece 16a is fixed by the first bearing element 05a in the two spatial directions perpendicular to the longitudinal extension direction L. At the second end of the longitudinal web 07, the second bearing element 05b is fork-shaped and has two legs. It protrudes at right angles from the longitudinal web 07, the two fork legs 08 are oriented at right angles to the longitudinal web 07 and have the locking lugs 09 at their ends.The two fork legs 08 are connected to each other by means of the semicircular section 17. The two bearing elements 05a, 05b are axially parallel and aligned with each other. This means that the axis running through the annular first bearing element 05a and the axis running through the semicircular section 17 of the second bearing element 05b are axially parallel and aligned. The dimensions of the second bearing element 05b are adapted to the second connecting piece 16b, in particular the clear width between the two fork legs 08 and the radius of the semicircular section 17 of the bearing element 05b, which connects the two fork legs 08. Hollow cylindrical connecting elements 06 are formed at both ends of the two leaf spring-shaped sections 10a. The receiving component 03 has four receiving elements 13 that protrude in a column-like manner from a base plate of the receiving component 03.The base plate is used for connecting to a beverage preparation device and provides the receiving component 03 with the necessary rigidity and dimensional stability. A stiffener is formed around the edge of the base plate of the receiving component 03. Cylindrical receiving extensions 14 are formed at the free ends of the projecting receiving elements 13. Concentric bores are formed in the receiving extensions 14. The diameters and lengths of the connecting elements 06 and the receiving extensions 14 are designed to match each other, enabling a positive connection. The abutment 12 protrudes from the base plate of the receiving component 03.

[0041] In the end area of ​​the abutment 12, notches are formed for the locking lugs 09.

[0042] The Fig. 3 shows a perspective view of a pump assembly 01 of the same embodiment as in the Fig. 1 and Fig. 2, wherein the pump assembly 01 is shown in the assembled state. The connecting elements 06 are plugged onto the receiving extensions 14 of the receiving elements 13 of the receiving component 03, forming a positive connection. The first bearing element 05a is in the Fig. 3 is hidden by the pump 04 and not shown. In the assembled state of the pump 04 shown, the first connection piece 16a is inserted into the first bearing element 05a and is fixed by the bearing element 05a in the two spatial directions perpendicular to the longitudinal direction L. The second connection piece 16b of the pump 04 is circumferentially enclosed approximately halfway by the second bearing element 05b, more precisely by the two fork legs 08. The abutment 12 engages in the open side of the second bearing element 05b and supports the second connection piece 16b towards the receiving component 03. The second connection piece 16b is fixed in the two spatial directions perpendicular to the longitudinal direction L of the pump support element by the interaction of the first bearing element 05b with the abutment 12. The two bearing elements 05a and 05b interact with the connecting pieces 16a and 16b.Due to the elastic deformability of the bearing elements 05a and 05b, the pump 04 can move by 1 to 2 mm along the longitudinal direction of the pump support element L. The locking lugs 09 of the two fork legs 08 form a locking connection with the notches in the end region of the abutment 12. The pump 04 is resiliently mounted in the pump support element 02 by the leaf spring-shaped sections 10a transversely to the longitudinal direction of the pump support element L, whereby vibrations and oscillations of the pump 04 are cushioned during operation, so that transmission to the receiving component 03 is reduced. The receiving component 03 ensures the stability of the pump assembly 01. Screws, which are not shown here, can be screwed into the bores in the receiving extensions 14 to secure the plug-in connection.

[0043] The Fig. 4 shows a perspective view of a further embodiment of a pump assembly 01. The leaf spring-shaped sections 10a are curved towards the longitudinal web 07. This, too, in comparison to the embodiment of the Fig. 1 to 3, the reverse bending of the leaf spring-shaped sections 10a creates a spring effect symmetrical to the longitudinal web 07. The pump 04 is resiliently mounted in the pump support element 02 by the leaf spring-shaped sections 10a transversely to the longitudinal direction of the pump support element L. The first connection piece 16a is inserted into the first bearing element 05a and is fixed by the bearing element 05a in the two spatial directions perpendicular to the longitudinal direction L. The fork legs 08 of the second bearing element 05b run along the abutment 12 to the base plate of the receiving component 03 and are supported on the base plate of the receiving component 03. The second connection piece 16b of the pump 04 is partially enclosed by the second bearing element 05b and is supported on the open side of the bearing element 05b by the abutment 12.The second connection piece 16b is fixed by the interaction of the first bearing element 05b with the abutment 12 in the two spatial directions perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the pump support element L. The two bearing elements 05a and 05b interact with the connection pieces 16a and 16b. Due to the elastic deformability of the bearing elements 05a and 05b, the pump 04 can move by 1 to 2 mm along the longitudinal direction of the pump support element L. The positive connections of the connecting elements 06 with the receiving extensions 14 of the receiving elements 13 are secured with screw connections 15. One end of each of the leaf spring-shaped sections 10a is mounted in the slide rail 11 of the receiving component 03 and can move linearly in the direction of the slide rail 11.The ends of the leaf spring-shaped sections 10a and the slide rail 11 form sliding bearings with one another, whereby the relative movement of the ends of the leaf spring-shaped sections 10a and the slide rail 11 generates a frictional force that dampens the spring action of the leaf spring-shaped section 10a. This advantageously forms a spring-damper system with the frictional force as the damping component. Furthermore, the assembly of the pump assembly is simplified, as only two instead of four screw connections 15 are required to secure the positive connection of the connecting elements 06 with the receiving extensions 14 of the receiving elements 13.

[0044] The Fig. Figure 5 shows a mechanical equivalent circuit diagram of a pump assembly according to the invention, which is intended to illustrate the interaction of the components of the pump assembly. The pump 04 is arranged in the pump support element, which is positioned by means of the fixed bearing 19. In the figures described above with reference to Fig.1 to 4, the fixed bearing 19 corresponds to the connecting element 06, which is fixedly connected to the receiving extension 14 by means of a screw connection 15. The spring elements 18 correspond to the leaf spring-shaped sections 10a. The spring 20 and the loose bearing 21 represent in the equivalent circuit diagram the flexibility of the bearing of the pump 04 in the pump support element, which in the embodiments shown above is provided in particular by the design of the bearing elements 05a and 05b. The equivalent circuit diagram shows that the pump 04 is decoupled from the fixed bearing 19 and thus from the housing of the beverage preparation device by means of the spring elements 18 and by means of the spring action 20 of the pump support element, and is mounted in a way that can oscillate. This effectively prevents the transmission of oscillations and vibrations from the pump to the housing of the beverage preparation device.The achievement of the present invention lies in the implementation of the individual components of the mechanical equivalent circuit diagram with a single, one-piece and / or monolithic component, which is simultaneously durable enough to absorb and dissipate the vibrations and oscillations throughout the entire service life of the beverage preparation device without exhibiting subsidence, sagging, and / or premature fatigue or wear. This reduces assembly effort and the variety of materials required. Reference symbol 01 Pump assembly 02 Pump support element 03 Mounting component 04 Pump 05a first bearing element 05b second bearing element 06 Connecting element 07 Longitudinal web 08 Fork leg of the second bearing element 09 locking lugs 10 spring section 10a leaf spring-shaped section 11 Slide rail 12 abutments 13 Receiving element 14 Recording extension 15 screw connection 16a first connection port of the pump 16b second connection port of the pump 17 semicircular section of the second bearing element 18 spring element 19 fixed storage 20 springs 21 Loose storage L Longitudinal direction of the pump support element H Main extension axis of the spring section QUOTES CONTAINED IN THE DESCRIPTION

[0000] This list of documents submitted by the applicant was generated automatically and is included solely for the convenience of the reader. This list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature

[0000] CN 201 360 936 Y

[0003]

Claims

[1] Pump support element (02) for use in a beverage preparation device, preferably a coffee and / or espresso machine, comprising bearing elements (05a, 05b) for receiving, positioning and vibration-damping mounting of a pump (04), further comprising a connecting element (06) for connecting the pump support element (02) to the beverage preparation device and / or a receiving component (03) of the beverage preparation device, characterized by that the pump support element (02) is made in one piece and from plastic, preferably from a non-elastomer plastic, particularly preferably from a thermoplastic plastic. [2] Pump support element according to claim 1, characterized by that a longitudinal web (07) runs in a longitudinal direction (L) of the pump support element (02), which longitudinal web forms a bearing element (05a, 05b) at each end in its longitudinal direction for supporting a pump (04). [3] Pump support element according to claim 2, characterized by in that the bearing elements (05a, 05b) protrude, preferably at right angles, from the longitudinal web (07), wherein a first bearing element (05a) has a contour that is closed in the circumferential direction, is preferably annular, and a second bearing element (05b) has a contour that is open on one side in the circumferential direction, is preferably fork-shaped and has two legs. [4] Pump support element according to claim 3, characterized by that locking means, preferably locking lugs (09), are formed on the inside of the second bearing element (05b) and / or opposite one another, preferably on fork legs (08) of the fork-shaped and two-leg second bearing element (05b). [5] Pump support element according to one of claims 2 to 4, characterized by that the two bearing elements (05a, 05b) are arranged axially parallel, preferably aligned, to one another. [6] Pump support element according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the pump support element (02) has a spring section (10), in particular a leaf spring-shaped section (10a), preferably two spring sections (10), particularly preferably two leaf spring-shaped sections (10a). [7] Pump support element according to claim 6, characterized by that a main extension axis (H) of the spring section (10) runs parallel to the longitudinal extension direction (L) of the pump support element. [8] Pump support element according to claim 6 or 7, characterized by that the spring section (10) is connected to the longitudinal web (07), preferably centrally in its longitudinal extension. [9] Pump support element according to one of claims 6 to 8, characterized bythat the connecting element (06) for connecting the pump carrier element (02) to the beverage preparation device and / or a receiving component (03) is designed at one end of the spring section (10), preferably as an annular connecting element. [10] Pump assembly (01) comprising a pump support element (02) according to one of claims 1 to 9, a pump (04), preferably a liquid pump, and a receiving component (03) for fastening the pump support element (02) in or on a beverage preparation device, wherein the pump support element is fastened to the receiving component (03). [11] Pump assembly according to claim 10, characterized by that the spring section (10) of the pump support element (02) enables a spring-loaded mobility of the pump (04), which is mounted in the pump support element (02), preferably transversely to the longitudinal direction (L) of the pump support element. [12] Pump assembly according to claim 10 or 11, characterized bythat the bearing elements (05a, 05b) allow mobility, preferably mobility of up to 2 mm, particularly preferably 1 to 2 mm, of the pump (04) mounted therein in the direction of the longitudinal extension direction (L) of the pump support element. [13] Pump assembly according to one of claims 10 to 12, characterized by that one end of the spring section (10) of the pump support element (02) is guided in a linearly movable manner in a slide rail (11) formed by the receiving component (03), wherein the slide rail (11) and the end of the spring section (10) together form a slide bearing. [14] Pump assembly according to claim 13, characterized by that the movement of the end of the spring section (10) of the pump support element (02) generates a frictional force between the end of the spring section (10) and the slide rail (11), which acts as a damping of the spring action of the spring section (10). [15] Pump assembly according to one of claims 10 to 14, characterized by that the second bearing element (05b) of the pump support element is aligned in the assembled state against an abutment (12) of the receiving component (03), so that the position of the pump (04) is fixed in two spatial directions by the second bearing element (05b) and the abutment (12), so that the pump (04) is only movable in the axial direction along the axis encompassed by the second bearing element (05b). [16] Pump assembly according to one of claims 10 to 15, characterized by that the receiving component (03) has a preferably columnar receiving element (13), at the free end of which a receiving extension (14) is formed, which is preferably cylindrical. [17] Pump assembly according to claim 16, characterized bythat the connecting element (06) of the pump support element (02) and the receiving extension (14) of the receiving component (03) interact in a form-fitting manner, wherein preferably a plug connection of the receiving extension (14) is formed in the connecting element (06) of the pump support element (02). [18] Pump assembly according to claim 17, characterized by that the positive connection is secured by a screw connection (15) against loosening of the connection and / or displacement of the connecting elements (06) on the receiving extensions (14). [19] Pump assembly according to one of claims 10 to 18, characterized by that the receiving element (13) of the receiving component (03) is standardized in its dimensions, in particular the dimensions of the receiving extension (14).

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