Liquid conveying device, sensor cleaning device and vehicle

Abstract

The invention relates to a liquid conveying device with the features of claim 1, a sensor cleaning device with the features of claim 11 and a vehicle with the features of claim 12.

Description

Technical field

[0001] The invention relates to a liquid conveying device, a sensor cleaning device with such a liquid conveying device and a vehicle with such a sensor cleaning device or such a liquid conveying device. State of the art

[0002] The publication DE 11 2006 001 140 B4 relates to a system with a suitable heating element to prevent the freezing of a liquid in the system.

[0003] German patent application DE 602 04 845 T2 discloses a washer fluid pump for windshield and / or headlight cleaning systems on motor vehicles, comprising at least one motor, at least one pump housing with at least one impeller arranged therein, at least one inlet, and at least two selectively actuated outlets. The washer fluid pump is characterized in that the pump housing comprises at least two pump chamber sections arranged one above the other, that at least two outlets are assigned to different pump chamber sections, and that the impeller is axially displaceable within the pump housing, allowing it to selectively assume its operating position in either of the two pump chamber sections.

[0004] German patent application DE 26 48 494 A1 discloses a radial pump with a double-flow rotor, the pump housing of which consists of two parts, with one connecting pipe being connected to one part and the other pipe to the second part. The rotor can move axially between two end positions.

[0005] The pressure side of the rotor, in either end position, is fully and exclusively connected to the tube in the other housing section. The double housing consists of a single unit with a partition that divides its interior into two chambers, to which the connecting tubes are attached. The rotor is axially fixed to the drive shaft and moves axially within the housing along with it.

[0006] US patent 10,662,961 B2 discloses a pump comprising a rotating element and a volute casing with a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet. In the operating state, the rotating element draws fluid in through the fluid inlet of the volute casing and expels the fluid at a higher pressure through the fluid outlet. Furthermore, the pump includes a bypass mechanism, at least partially integrated into the volute casing, which, in the pump's non-operating state, provides a bypass path, at least partially, through the volute casing, allowing fluid to flow from the fluid inlet to the fluid outlet of the pump.

[0007] The publication EP 3 076 020 B1 discloses an electric water pump comprising a motor with an axially movable rotor unit. A rotating pump element is fixed to the rotor unit for axial movement in order to vary its position within a pump chamber and thus vary the flow rate through the pump chamber.

[0008] The publication EP 2 818 726 A1 discloses a pump unit with an electric drive motor and at least one impeller driven by it, wherein the impeller is movable in the axial direction between at least a first and a second position, wherein the impeller in its first axial position is located in a first flow path through the pump unit and conveys a fluid through this first flow path, and the impeller in its second position is located in a second flow path through the pump unit and conveys a fluid through this second flow path, wherein the pump unit is designed such that movement of the impeller between the first and second positions is effected at least in one direction by a hydraulic force acting on the impeller and generated by the conveyed fluid, as well as a heating system with such a pump unit.

[0009] A particular disadvantage of the prior art devices is that devices with electric heating elements consume energy to defrost them. Expansion of a liquid caused by freezing can damage such devices or systems containing such devices. Description of the invention, problem, solution, advantages

[0010] The object of the present invention is to provide an alternative fluid conveying device, which is characterized in particular by the fact that no electrical energy is consumed in order to prevent icing-related damage to the pump impeller of the fluid conveying device. A further object is to provide a sensor cleaning device with such a fluid conveying device. A further object is to provide a vehicle with such a sensor cleaning device or such a fluid conveying device.

[0011] The problem with regard to the liquid conveying device is solved by a liquid conveying device with the features of claim 1.

[0012] One embodiment of the invention relates to a fluid conveying device comprising a drive housing in which an electric drive with a rotor shaft is arranged, and a pump stage housing in which a pump impeller is arranged, wherein the pump impeller is attached to the rotor shaft and connected to the drive, wherein the pump stage housing is movably mounted relative to the pump impeller and to the drive housing.

[0013] This overcomes the disadvantages of the current state of the art, at least partially or completely.

[0014] It is particularly advantageous if the drive housing and / or the pump stage housing is designed to be liquid-tight. Radial shaft seals can be installed at the points where the rotor shaft passes through for this purpose.

[0015] Furthermore, it is preferred if the drive housing and / or the pump stage housing is made of plastic.

[0016] The pump impeller is preferably a radial pump impeller. It is preferably made of plastic, which makes it particularly cost-effective to manufacture.

[0017] It is also advantageous if the electric drive is a permanent magnet synchronous machine. Permanent magnet synchronous machines are particularly efficient in their operation. Preferably, the electric drive comprises a stator with a stator winding and a rotor, which includes the rotor shaft and a rotor core with permanent magnets mounted on the rotor shaft.

[0018] A preferred embodiment is characterized in that the pump stage housing is movable relative to the pump impeller and the drive housing only in the extension direction of the rotation axis of the rotor shaft, in particular by means of a guide, and / or that the pump stage housing is connected to the drive housing by means of a guide.

[0019] It is also preferable if the guide is designed as a bolt guide using bolts.

[0020] Furthermore, it is advantageous if the connection formed by means of the guide, in particular the bolt guide, with the drive housing forms a fastening of the pump stage housing to the drive housing.

[0021] Another preferred embodiment is characterized in that the pump stage housing is movable from a target position relative to the pump impeller to a deviation position relative to the pump impeller due to an axial force acting in the extension direction of the rotation axis of the rotor shaft, caused by an icing-related expansion of the fluid to be pumped in the pump stage housing, and that the deviation position in particular deviates from the target position.

[0022] In other words, the target position is the initial position in which the pump stage housing is located relative to the pump impeller when no axial force acts on the rotor shaft. The movement of the pump stage housing into the deviation position is caused primarily by the freezing of the fluid and the associated expansion of the fluid, which can change the relative position between the movable pump stage housing and the pump impeller attached to the rotor shaft.

[0023] Another preferred embodiment is characterized in that the pump stage housing can be moved from the deviation position to the target position by means of a restoring force generated by a spring element when the axial force decreases, ceases, or falls below the axial force, in order to move the pump stage housing back to the target position. In other words, the axial force decreases when the icing melts, which causes the pump stage housing to move back to the target position due to the restoring force.

[0024] Another preferred embodiment is characterized in that the pump stage housing is clamped between the spring element and another spring element, preferably in such a way that the spring elements counteract movements of the pump stage housing from the intended position in the direction of the drive housing and away from the drive housing.

[0025] It is also preferable if each of the spring elements is able to move the pump stage housing back into the desired position if the axial force weakens or ceases, or if the axial force falls below the restoring force of the respective spring element.

[0026] Another preferred embodiment is characterized in that the pump stage housing is movably mounted relative to the drive housing and the pump impeller by means of a guide, in particular such that the pump stage housing is movable in the direction of the drive housing and is movable away from the drive housing and / or that the pump stage housing is connected to the drive housing by means of a guide or the guide.

[0027] Another preferred embodiment is characterized in that the pump impeller is fixed in a non-rotatable and / or immovable manner relative to the rotor shaft.

[0028] Another preferred embodiment is characterized in that the rotor shaft and thus the pump impeller attached to it is mounted immovably in the direction of extension of the rotation axis of the rotor shaft with respect to the drive housing and / or with respect to a stator located in the drive housing.

[0029] Another preferred embodiment is characterized in that the pump stage housing, particularly in the desired position, is arranged at a distance from the drive housing.

[0030] Furthermore, it is advantageous if the pump stage housing or drive housing includes a collar that surrounds a gap or space formed by the distance between the pump stage housing and the drive housing in such a way as to prevent the ingress of foreign objects into the gap or space. This contributes to operational reliability.

[0031] Another preferred embodiment is characterized in that the spring elements are designed as helical springs, wave springs or disc springs, that in particular the guide is designed as a bolt, and that preferably the guide, in particular the bolts, is designed as a receptacle or guide for the spring elements by being guided through the spring elements.

[0032] The problem with regard to the sensor cleaning device is solved by a sensor cleaning device having the features of claim 11. The solution relates to a sensor cleaning device with a liquid conveying device according to the invention.

[0033] The problem concerning the vehicle is solved by a vehicle with the features of claim 12. The solution relates to a vehicle with a sensor cleaning device according to the invention and / or such a fluid conveying device.

[0034] Advantageous embodiments of the present invention are described in the dependent claims and in the following description of the figures. Brief description of the drawings

[0035] The invention will now be explained in detail using exemplary embodiments and with reference to the drawings. The drawings show: Fig. 1 an embodiment of a vehicle according to the invention in a schematic representation and Fig. 2 an embodiment of a liquid conveying device according to the invention in a schematic representation. Preferred embodiment of the invention

[0036] The Fig. Figure 1 schematically shows an embodiment of a vehicle 1 according to the invention, comprising an embodiment of a sensor cleaning device 2 according to the invention and an embodiment of a liquid conveying device 3 according to the invention. The vehicle 1 is designed as an autonomously operable electric vehicle.

[0037] The Fig. Figure 2 shows an embodiment of the liquid conveying device 3 according to the invention. Fig. Figure 1 shows a schematic view. The fluid conveying device 3 comprises a drive housing 4, in which an electric drive with a rotor shaft 7 is arranged, and a pump stage housing 5, in which a pump impeller 11 is arranged, the pump impeller 11 being attached to the rotor shaft 7 and connected to it via the drive. The pump stage housing 5 is movably mounted relative to the pump impeller 11 and to the drive housing 4. Due to an axial force acting in the direction of rotation 8 of the rotor shaft 7, caused by icing-induced expansion of the fluid to be conveyed in the pump stage housing 5, the pump stage housing 5 can move from a target position relative to the pump impeller 11 to a deviation position relative to the pump impeller 11. The deviation position differs from the target position. The electric drive is a permanent magnet synchronous machine.The pump stage housing 5 can be moved from the deviation position to the target position by means of a restoring force generated by a spring element 6 when the axial force decreases or falls below the axial force, in order to move the pump stage housing 5 back to the target position. This relative movement of the pump housing 5 prevents icing-related damage to the pump impeller 11. The pump stage housing 5 is clamped between the spring element 6 and another spring element 6, such that the spring elements 6 counteract movements of the pump stage housing 5 from the target position towards and away from the drive housing 4. The spring elements 6 are designed as wave springs, while the guides 9 are designed as bolts. The guides 9 also serve as receptacles or guides for the spring elements 6 by passing through them.

[0038] The examples of implementation of Fig. 1 and Fig. In particular, paragraphs 2 do not have a restrictive character and merely serve to clarify the inventive idea.

Claims

[1] Liquid conveying device (3) comprising a drive housing (4) in which an electric drive with a rotor shaft (7) having a rotation axis (8) is arranged, and a pump stage housing (5) in which a pump impeller (11) is arranged, wherein the pump impeller (11) is attached to the rotor shaft (7) and is connected to it via a drive, characterized by , that the pump stage housing (5) is movably mounted relative to the pump impeller (11) and the drive housing (4). [2] Liquid conveying device (3) according to claim 1, characterized by , that the pump stage housing (5) is movable relative to the pump impeller (11) and the drive housing (4) only in the extension direction of the axis of rotation (8) of the rotor shaft (7), in particular by means of a guide (9), and / or that the pump stage housing (5) is connected to the drive housing (4) by means of a guide (9). [3] Liquid conveying device (3) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by , that the pump stage housing (5) is movable from a target position relative to the pump impeller (11) to a deviation position relative to the pump impeller (11) due to an axial force acting in the extension direction of the rotation axis (8) of the rotor shaft (7), caused by an icing-related expansion of the fluid to be pumped in the pump stage housing (5), and that the deviation position in particular deviates from the target position. [4] Liquid conveying device (3) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the pump stage housing (5) can be moved from the deviation position to the target position by means of a restoring force caused by a spring element (6) when the axial force decreases or falls below the axial force, in order to move the pump stage housing (5) back to the target position. [5] Liquid conveying device (3) according to claim 4, characterized by , that the pump stage housing (5) is clamped between the spring element (6) and another spring element (6), preferably in such a way that the spring elements (6) counteract movements of the pump stage housing (5) from the intended position towards the drive housing (4) and away from the drive housing (4). [6] Liquid conveying device (3) according to one of the preceding claims 4 or 5, characterized by , that the spring element (6) is arranged between the drive housing (4) and the pump stage housing (5), that in particular a further spring element (6) is arranged on a side of the pump stage housing (5) facing away from the drive housing (4), that preferably the further spring element (6) is arranged between the pump stage housing (5) and a periphery (10) of the drive housing (4) or of the pump stage housing (5) or a part of the drive housing (4) that engages behind the pump stage housing (5). [7] Liquid conveying device (3) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the pump impeller (11) is fixed in a non-rotatable and / or immovable manner relative to the rotor shaft (7). [8] Liquid conveying device (3) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the rotor shaft (7) and the pump impeller (11), with respect to the drive housing (4) and / or with respect to a stator located in the drive housing (4), is mounted immovably in the extension direction of the rotation axis (8) of the rotor shaft (7). [9] Liquid conveying device (3) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the pump stage housing (5), in particular in the intended position, is arranged at a distance from the drive housing (4). [10] Liquid conveying device (3) according to any one of the preceding claims 4 to 9, characterized bythat the spring elements (6) are designed as coil springs, wave springs or disc springs, that in particular the guide (9) are designed as bolts, that preferably the guide (9), in particular the bolts, are designed as a receptacle or guide (9) for the spring elements (6) by being guided through the spring elements (6). [11] Sensor cleaning device (2) with a liquid conveying device (3) according to one of the preceding claims. [12] Vehicle (1) with a sensor cleaning device (2) according to claim 11 and / or a liquid conveying device (3) according to any one of claims 1 to 10.

Images