Pump assembly

Abstract

A pump assembly includes an axial gap motor having a stator, a motor rotor, and a motor shaft, and a pump having a pump rotor configured to be rotated by the motor rotor and a pump housing configured to receive the pump rotor. The stator includes a yoke having an annular shape and a plurality of teeth arranged on a first surface of the yoke. The pump is arranged in an interior space surrounded by the plurality of teeth. The pump housing has a passage space formed inside the pump housing and a leakage channel opening from the passage space to the motor rotor.

Description

TECHNICAL AREA

[0001] The present invention relates to a pump assembly. This application claims priority from Japanese patent application No. 2022-202208, which was filed on December 19, 2022, and whose entire contents are incorporated herein by reference. STATE OF THE ART

[0002] An axial gap motor comprises a stator, a motor rotor, and a motor shaft. In an axial gap motor, the magnetic flux flows from the stator to the rotor parallel to the axis of the motor shaft. The axial gap motor has the advantage of a short length along the shaft.

[0003] PTL 1 describes a pump assembly that combines an axial gap motor and an electric pump for pumping liquid. In this pump assembly, the axial gap motor and the electric pump are arranged side by side in one direction along the axis of the motor shaft. Such a pump assembly is compact because it utilizes the small size of the axial gap motor along its axis. In a pump assembly with a radial gap motor, the motor shaft is very large along its axis. LIST OF CITINGS PATENT LITERATURE

[0004] PTL 1: unexamined Japanese patent application with publication number 2020-182269 SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] A pump assembly of the present invention comprises an axial gap motor with a stator, a motor rotor, and a motor shaft, as well as a pump with a pump rotor designed for rotation by the motor rotor and a pump housing designed to receive the pump rotor. The stator comprises a yoke with an annular shape and a plurality of teeth arranged on a first surface of the yoke. The pump is arranged in an interior space surrounded by the plurality of teeth. The pump housing has a passage formed inside the pump housing and a leakage channel opening from the passage space to the motor rotor. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Fig. Figure 1 is a schematic perspective view of a pump assembly according to the first embodiment. Fig. Figure 2 is a schematic top view of a pump assembly according to the first embodiment. Fig. Figure 3 is a schematic perspective exploded view of an axial gap motor provided in a pump assembly according to the first embodiment. Fig. Figure 4 is a schematic configuration view to illustrate the arrangement state of a first pump in a pump assembly according to the first embodiment. Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the pump assembly of the first embodiment along the line shown. Fig. 4 shown line VV. Fig. Figure 6 is a schematic configuration view to illustrate an arrangement state of a first pump in a pump assembly according to the second embodiment. Fig. Figure 7 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a pump assembly according to the third embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION [Problems to be solved by the present invention]

[0006] The pump assembly is used, for example, to supply oil to a vehicle's drive mechanism. In this case, the pump assembly is located in a confined, tight space, such as a vehicle's engine compartment. Therefore, even when using the axial gap motor, a pump assembly with a shorter length along the axis is required.

[0007] The axial gap motor generates heat during operation, which can impair its performance. A problem arises when the pump assembly is equipped separately with a cooling mechanism to cool the axial gap motor.

[0008] One objective of the present invention is to provide a compact pump assembly that is less likely to fail due to heat generation. [Advantageous effects of the present invention]

[0009] The pump assembly of the present invention is less susceptible to failures due to heat generation and is more compact than conventional pump assemblies. [Description of the embodiments of the present invention]

[0010] First, embodiments of the present invention are listed and described.

[0011] <1> A pump assembly of the present invention comprises an axial gap motor with a stator, a motor rotor, and a motor shaft, as well as a pump with a pump rotor configured to be rotated by the motor rotor, and a pump housing configured to accommodate the pump rotor. The stator comprises a yoke with an annular shape and a plurality of teeth arranged on a first surface of the yoke. The pump is arranged in an interior space surrounded by the plurality of teeth. The pump housing has a passage formed within the pump housing and a leakage channel opening from the passage space to the motor rotor.

[0012] In the <1> In the described pump assembly, the pump is arranged inside the axial gap motor, surrounded by the multitude of first teeth. Therefore, the length along the axis of the motor shaft in the <1> The described pump assembly is smaller than the length along the axis of the motor shaft in conventional pump assemblies. The pump rotor, which is turned by the motor rotor, can be mounted coaxially on the motor shaft.

[0013] At the in <1> In the pump assembly described, some of the fluid flowing through the passage of the pump housing escapes through the leakage channel to the motor rotor. The escaped fluid can spread across the entire surface of the motor rotor due to the centrifugal force of the motor rotor, or it can be scattered into the interior of the axial gap motor and adhere to the stator. At this point, the fluid draws heat from the motor rotor and the stator, and the axial gap motor cools down. Therefore, the [missing information] can [missing information]. <1> The described pump assembly suppresses the problem associated with the heat generation of the axial gap motor, while featuring a simple design without an additional cooling mechanism. The fluid in the present invention can be a liquid, a gas, or a mixture of a liquid and a gas.

[0014] In the <1> In the described pump assembly, the pump is located inside the unit. That is, the pump is positioned within the axial gap motor and surrounded by the motor's components. Therefore, it is unlikely that the pump's operating noise will penetrate to the outside of the pump assembly. Therefore, the [missing information] <1> The described pump assembly is particularly quiet.

[0015] In the <1> In the described pump assembly, the temperature of the pump located inside the axial gap motor likely rises due to the heat generated by the axial gap motor itself. As the pump temperature increases, the temperature of the fluid within the pump also rises, and the fluid's viscosity decreases. Consequently, the load on the axial gap motor is reduced, and its power consumption is lowered. This is particularly true after the axial gap motor starts, when the fluid temperature is low, as the load on the motor is likely reduced early on. Due to its design, the pump located inside the assembly has a high heat capacity. Therefore, the pump readily absorbs the heat generated by the axial gap motor and can suppress its heat generation.

[0016] <2> In the <1> In the described pump assembly, the pump housing may have a through-hole that connects to both the interior and exterior of the pump housing. Part of the motor shaft may be located inside the pump housing by extending through the through-hole. The leakage channel may be formed by a gap between the through-hole and the motor shaft.

[0017] The gap between the pump housing's through-hole and the motor shaft is very narrow. By using this gap as a leakage channel, excessive fluid leakage from the pump can be prevented. Therefore, the axial gap motor can be cooled without affecting the pump's fluid pumping performance.

[0018] <3> In the <1> or <2> The pump assembly described can have an inlet port and an outlet port. The inlet port and the outlet port can be arranged in a first direction, viewed from the pump rotor. This first direction is a direction along an axis of the motor shaft and represents a direction away from the motor rotor.

[0019] Since the motor rotor does not exist in the first direction, viewed from the pump rotor, the inlet and outlet ports can be arranged simply. Furthermore, because the inlet and outlet ports are arranged in the first direction, an increase in the diameter of the stator core is avoided.

[0020] In contrast to the one in <3> In the described configuration, when the inlet and outlet ports are arranged radially, they are positioned in a gap between a plurality of teeth arranged in an annular yoke. The radial direction is orthogonal to the axis of the motor shaft and represents a direction away from the axis. The radial orientation of the inlet and outlet ports increases the distance between the plurality of teeth, thus likely increasing the diameter of the stator core.

[0021] <4> At the in <1> until <3> The described pump assembly can include an axial gap motor with a motor housing. The motor housing can have a drain channel that connects to an interior and an exterior of the motor housing.

[0022] If the fluid viscosity is high, the motor rotor is difficult to turn due to the fluid accumulating inside the axial gap motor. The fluid inside the axial gap motor is drained to the outside through the drain channel. Therefore, in the <4> The described pump assembly makes it possible to avoid a problem caused by the fluid accumulating inside the axial gap motor.

[0023] <5> In the pump assembly, according to one of <1> until <4> The pump can be an internal gear pump with an external gear and an internal gear. The external gear could be the pump rotor.

[0024] The internal gear pump, in which the external gear is located inside the internal gear, is compact. Internal gear pumps can be easily installed indoors, although size is not a limiting factor. Furthermore, internal gear pumps are more space-saving than other pumps of the same size. Therefore, they are often used in... <5> The described pump assembly is compact and can easily increase the fluid flow rate.

[0025] <6> In the <1> until <4> The pump assembly described can be a vane pump. The pump rotor can have multiple vanes.

[0026] The vane pump, which features a pump rotor with multiple vanes, is compact. It can be easily installed in confined spaces. Furthermore, the vane pump offers excellent sealing performance and can therefore easily pump gases, liquids, or mixtures of gases and liquids.

[0027] <7> In the <3> The pump assembly described can have a return channel in the pump housing, which is designed to allow a connection between the interior and the inlet opening.

[0028] The return channel allows the fluid that has leaked into the interior of the axial gap motor to return to the pump's passage chamber. Therefore, the fluid that cooled the axial gap motor is not wasted. [Details of embodiments of the present invention]

[0029] Specific examples of the pump assembly of the present invention are described below with reference to the drawings. In the drawings, identical reference numerals denote identical or corresponding parts. The size of the parts shown in the drawings serves to clarify the description and does not necessarily correspond to the actual size. The present invention is not limited to these examples but is defined by the scope of the claims and is intended to encompass all modifications within the meaning and scope that correspond to the scope of the claims. <Erste Ausführungsform>

[0030] One in the Fig. 1 and Fig. The pump assembly 1 shown in Figure 2 comprises an axial gap motor 2 and a first pump 5. A motor housing 29 of the axial gap motor 2 and a pump housing 59 of the first pump 5 are visible from the outside of the pump assembly 1. An inlet opening 51 and an outlet opening 52 are open in the pump housing 59. As shown in Figure 2, the pump assembly 1 comprises an axial gap motor 2 and a first pump 5. Fig. Figure 2 shows an external gear 55 and an internal gear 56, which are provided in the first pump 5 and will be described later, visible through the inlet opening 51 and the outlet opening 52. Each configuration of the pump assembly 1 is described below. In the following description, the "axial gap motor" is simply referred to as the "motor". < <motor>>

[0031] The description of engine 2 focuses mainly on Fig. 3, which shows a perspective exploded view of engine 2, and Fig. Reference is made, if necessary, to Figure 5, which shows a cross-sectional view of the pump assembly 1. The motor 2 comprises a first stator 4, a motor rotor 3, and a motor shaft 20. As shown in Figure 5. Fig. In section 5, the first stator 4 and the motor rotor 3 are arranged coaxially with the motor shaft 20. The first stator 4 and the motor rotor 3 are positioned opposite each other with a gap between them in one direction along the axis of the motor shaft 20. The motor 2 of the present embodiment is a single-rotor, single-stator type motor comprising a first stator 4 and a motor rotor 3.

[0032] The first stator 4 comprises a first yoke 40, a plurality of first teeth 41, and a plurality of first coils 42. The first yoke 40 is an annular plate element. The first teeth 41 are columnar bodies. The first teeth 41 project from a first surface 40s with a planar shape of the first yoke 40. The plurality of first teeth 41 all have the same shape and size. The shape of each first tooth 41 is, for example, prismatic or cylindrical. The first stator 4 of the present embodiment is formed, for example, by an integrated powder compact. In a variation of this embodiment, the first stator 4 can be formed from a plurality of segments.

[0033] The end face of the first teeth 41 faces a magnet 31 of the motor rotor 3, which will be described later. The first coil 42 is arranged on the outer circumferential surface of the first teeth 41. When current flows through the first coil 42, the first stator 4 is energized and a rotating magnetic field is generated. In the present embodiment, the end sections of the winding that form the first coil 42 are not shown.

[0034] The motor rotor 3 comprises a base plate 30 and a plurality of magnets 31. The base plate 30 is a plate element with an annular shape through which the motor shaft 20 passes. The base plate 30 and the motor shaft 20 are attached to one another and rotate coaxially with respect to each other. The base plate 30 has a base area 30s that is opposite the first area 40s of the first yoke 40.

[0035] The multiple magnets 31 are attached to the base 30s, for example by adhesive. Magnet 31 is a permanent magnet. The multiple magnets 31 are arranged at substantially equal intervals around the axis of the motor shaft 20. Magnet 31 has, for example, the shape of a flat plate. The planar shape of magnet 31 corresponds, for example, to the shape of the end face of the first teeth 41. Magnet 31 is magnetized in one direction along the axis of the motor shaft 20. The magnetization directions of two magnets 31 adjacent to each other around the axis of the motor shaft 20 are opposite to each other. Magnet 31 is attracted to or repelled by the first teeth 41 by the rotating magnetic field generated by the first stator 4, causing the motor rotor 3 to rotate relative to the first stator 4.

[0036] According to the representation in Fig. In the motor 2, the motor 2 also includes a motor housing 29. The first stator 4 and the motor rotor 3 are arranged inside the motor housing 29. Part of the motor shaft 20 is also arranged inside the motor housing 29. As a modification of this embodiment, the entire motor shaft 20 can be arranged inside the motor housing 29.

[0037] The motor housing 29 of the present embodiment is formed by a circumferential wall section 2A, a first cover 2B, and a second cover 2C. The circumferential wall section 2A and the second cover 2C can be an integral component. The circumferential wall section 2A is a cylindrical element. The inner diameter of the circumferential wall section 2A is larger than the outer diameter of the first stator 4. The length of the circumferential wall section 2A along the axial direction of the motor shaft 20 is greater than the length of the first stator 4 along the motor shaft 20.

[0038] The first cover 2B is an annular element that seals a first end section of the circumferential wall section 2A. The first end is an end of the first stator 4, adjacent to the first yoke 40. The first yoke 40 is attached to the first cover 2B. A portion of the pump housing 59, described later, extends through the first cover 2B. The first cover 2B is provided with a flange at the edge of its outer circumference. The projecting height of the pump housing 59 is equal to or less than the end face of the flange. Therefore, the projecting portion of the pump housing 59 is accommodated in a recess formed inside the flange of the first cover 2B.

[0039] The second cover 2C is a circular element that seals a second end section of the circumferential wall section 2A. This second end is opposite the first end. The second cover 2C can be an independent element or integrated into the circumferential wall section 2A. The motor shaft 20 passes through the second cover 2C. A bearing 25 is arranged between the second cover 2C and the motor shaft 20, and the motor shaft 20 is rotatably mounted by the second cover 2C. A sealing element to prevent fluid from escaping the motor housing 29 can be located at the position of the bearing 25. In a modification of this embodiment, where the entire motor shaft 20 is located within the motor housing 29, the inner surface of the second cover 2C has a recess into which the end of the motor shaft 20 fits. <<Erste Pumpe> >

[0040] The first pump 5 is mainly used in relation to the Fig. 4 and Fig. 5 described. Fig. Figure 4 is a view illustrating the arrangement of the first pump 5 in the pump assembly 1, where some parts of the pump assembly 1 are omitted or simplified. For example, in Fig. 4. The first cover 2B of the motor housing 29 and the motor rotor 3 are omitted. In Fig. 4 is a first coverage 5B ( Fig. 5) of the pump housing 59, which is described later, is omitted, and a state is shown in which the interior of the first pump 5 is exposed. In Fig. Figure 4 represents the first stator 4, the inlet opening 51 and the outlet opening 52 by two catenary lines.

[0041] The first pump 5 serves to pump the fluid. In the present embodiment, the fluid is a liquid. For example, the fluid is machine oil. The first pump 5 comprises a first pump rotor 50, which is configured to be rotated by the motor rotor 3. The first pump 5 is arranged in a first interior space 21, which is surrounded by a plurality of first teeth 41.

[0042] The first pump 5 of the present embodiment is an internal gear pump with an external gear 55 and an internal gear 56. The external gear 55 is a disk-shaped gear with teeth on its outer circumference. The tooth profile of the external gear 55 is, for example, formed by a trochoidal curve. The internal gear 56 is an annular gear with teeth on its inner circumference. The external gear 55 is arranged inside the internal gear 56, and the teeth of the external gear 55 and the teeth of the internal gear 56 mesh with each other. In this internal gear pump, the external gear 55 is the first pump rotor 50.

[0043] The outer gear 55 and the inner gear 56 are arranged in the pump housing 59. As in Fig. As shown in Figure 5, the pump housing 59 of the present embodiment consists of a circumferential wall section 5A, a first cover 5B, and a second cover 5C. Inside the pump housing 59, which is surrounded by the circumferential wall section 5A, the first cover 5B, and the second cover 5C, a passage 5S is formed through which a fluid flows. The passage 5S includes a gap between the outer gear 55 and the inner gear 56.

[0044] The circumferential wall section 5A is an element with a cylindrical shape. According to the illustration in Fig. 4 The outer circumferential contour of the circumferential wall section 5A, viewed from the direction along the axis of the circumferential wall section 5A, has the form of a circle partially intersected by a straight line. The center of the circular arc of the outer circumferential contour is located from the center of the motor housing 29 in Fig. 4 is shifted upwards and coincides with the pivot point of the internal gear 56 described later. Since the circumferential wall section 5A is cut, the pump housing 59 can be arranged in the first interior space 21, ensuring the rigidity of the pump housing 59. As a modification of this embodiment, the center point of the arc of the outer circumferential contour of the circumferential wall section 5A may not coincide with the center of rotation of the internal gear 56. The center point of the arc of the outer circumferential contour of the circumferential wall section 5A may or may not coincide with the center of rotation of the outer gear 55.

[0045] The inner circumferential contour line of the circumferential wall section 5A is circular when viewed from the direction along the axis of the circumferential wall section 5A. The inner diameter of the circumferential wall section 5A is slightly larger than the outer diameter of the internal gear 56. Therefore, the internal gear 56 can rotate while its outer circumferential surface is in contact with the inner circumferential surface of the circumferential wall section 5A. The axis of rotation of the internal gear 56 is stabilized by being supported by the inner circumferential surface of the circumferential wall section 5A.

[0046] According to the representation in Fig. The first cover 5B is a plate-like element that seals the first end section of the circumferential wall section 5A. The first cover 5B can be a component integrated into the first cover 2B of the motor housing 29. The first cover 5B can also be a component integrated into the circumferential wall section 5A. The first end is an end adjacent to the first yoke 40. The first cover 5B has through-holes that form the inlet opening 51 and the outlet opening 52. A recess is formed on the inner surface of the first cover 5B. One end of the motor shaft 20 is rotatably mounted in the recess.

[0047] The second cover 5C is a plate-shaped element that seals the second end section of the circumferential wall section 5A. The second cover 5C can be a component integrated into the circumferential wall section 5A. The second end is opposite the first end. A recess 5D is formed in a surface of the second cover 5C that faces the first pump rotor 50. In the present embodiment, there are two recesses 5D. Two recesses 5D are provided at positions opposite each other across the motor shaft 20. Each recess 5D has a substantially arcuate shape when viewed from the direction along the axis of the motor shaft 20. The two recesses 5D can be of different or identical shapes.The recess 5D reduces the sliding surface between the outer gear 55 and the second cover 5C, as well as the sliding surface between the inner gear 56 and the second cover 5C, thereby reducing the torque loss of the first pump 5. The second cover 5C has a through-hole 5h through which the motor shaft 20 passes. A bearing 26 is arranged between the through-hole 5h and the motor shaft 20. Therefore, the motor shaft 20 is rotatably mounted in the second cover 5C. The gap between the through-hole 5h and the motor shaft 20 is very narrow. In the present embodiment, this gap is used as a leakage channel 8. Details of the leakage channel 8 are described later.

[0048] According to the representation in Fig. 4. The external gear 55 is coaxially mounted on the motor shaft 20. This means that the axis of rotation of the external gear 55 and the axis of rotation of the motor shaft 20 coincide. The axis of rotation of the external gear 55 also coincides with the axis of the motor housing 29. The external gear 55 rotates in perfect synchronization with the rotation of the motor rotor 3. Therefore, the rotational speed of the external gear 55 can be controlled by controlling the rotational speed of the motor rotor 3. The flow rate of the fluid pumped by the first pump 5 varies depending on the rotational speed of the external gear 55.

[0049] The axis of rotation of the inner gear 56, which is positioned through the circumferential wall section 5A of the pump housing 59, is shifted upwards in the figure relative to the axis of rotation of the outer gear 55. Therefore, the inner gear 56 rotates in accordance with the rotation of the outer gear 55, and the gap between the outer gear 55 and the inner gear 56 moves in the direction of rotation of the motor shaft 20. The inlet port 51 and the outlet port 52 are open in the gap between the outer gear 55 and the inner gear 56. Therefore, the fluid flowing from the inlet port 51 into the gap is carried in the direction of rotation of the motor shaft 20 and expelled from the first pump 5 through the outlet port 52.

[0050] The inlet opening 51 and the outlet opening 52 are arranged at substantially symmetrical positions, with the motor shaft 20 positioned between them. The inlet opening 51 and the outlet opening 52 are arranged in the first direction as viewed from the first pump rotor 50, i.e., the outer gear 55. The first direction is a direction along the axis of the motor shaft 20 and is a direction away from the motor rotor 3. In the present embodiment, the inlet opening 51 and the outlet opening 52 are formed in the first cover 5B, which is arranged in the first direction as viewed from the first pump rotor 50. The inlet opening 51 and the outlet opening 52 of the present embodiment extend in the first direction and open at the end face of the first cover 5B. In a variation of this embodiment, the inlet opening 51 and the outlet opening 52 can, for example, be bent in an L-shape.In this case, the inlet opening 51 and the outlet opening 52 can be opened in a direction that intersects the first direction. Since the rotating motor rotor 3 is not present at the positions where the inlet opening 51 and the outlet opening 52 are located, the inlet opening 51 and the outlet opening 52 can be arranged simply.

[0051] In a modification of this embodiment, the inlet opening 51 and the outlet opening 52 can extend in a radial direction. The radial direction is a direction orthogonal to the axis of the motor shaft 20 and a direction away from the axis of the motor shaft 20. In this case, the inlet opening 51 and the outlet opening 52 each extend from the area between two adjacent first teeth 41 to the outside of the pump assembly 1.

[0052] In the pump assembly 1 of the present embodiment, the first pump 5 is arranged in the first interior space 21 of the motor 2. This means that the length of the pump assembly 1 of the present embodiment along the motor shaft 20 does not increase, even though the first pump 5 is present. Such a compact pump assembly 1 can easily be accommodated in a confined space, e.g., in the interior of a motor vehicle.

[0053] The first pump 5 generates operating noise. This operating noise includes, for example, contact noise between the outer gear 55 and the inner gear 56, as well as a pulsation noise generated when the fluid is pressurized. The outer gear 55 and the inner gear 56, which cause the operating noise, are enclosed within the pump housing 59. Furthermore, the first pump 5 is located inside the motor 2. Therefore, in the pump assembly 1 of the present embodiment, it is unlikely that the operating noise of the first pump 5 will penetrate to the outside. The pump assembly 1 of the present embodiment is particularly quiet.

[0054] Motor 2 generates heat during operation. The temperature of the first pump 5, located in the first chamber 21 of motor 2, is likely to rise due to the heat generated by motor 2. As the temperature of the first pump 5 increases, the temperature of the fluid within the first pump 5 also rises, and the fluid's viscosity decreases. Consequently, the load on motor 2 is reduced, and its power consumption decreases. In particular, after motor 2 starts, when the fluid temperature is low, the load on motor 2 can be easily reduced early on. Due to its design, the first pump 5, located in the first chamber 21, has a high heat capacity. Therefore, the first pump 5 can easily absorb the heat generated by motor 2 and suppress its heat generation. < <leckagekanal>>

[0055] The pump assembly 1 is provided with a leakage channel 8. The leakage channel 8 serves to intentionally drain a portion of the fluid flowing through the passage 5S into the motor housing 29.

[0056] As described above, in the present embodiment, the leakage channel 8 is formed by the gap between the through-hole 5h of the pump housing 59 and the motor shaft 20. The through-hole 5h is open from the through-chamber 5S to the motor rotor 3. Therefore, the leakage channel 8 is also open from the through-chamber 5S to the motor rotor 3. Since the leakage channel 8 is very narrow, the fluid does not leak excessively from the through-chamber 5S, and the pumping performance of the first pump 5 is not affected. As a modification of this embodiment, the leakage channel 8 can be a through-hole that penetrates the second cover 5C in one direction along its thickness. In this case, the leakage channel 8 is also open to the motor rotor 3. The inner diameter of the leakage channel 8 is dimensioned such that the pressure of the fluid in the through-chamber 5S is not excessively reduced.

[0057] In Fig. Figure 5 is an example of the corridors for the movement of the fluid exiting the motor housing 29 through the leakage channel 8, indicated by the bold straight arrow. The fluid in the passage 5S escapes through the leakage channel 8 to the motor rotor 3. In the present embodiment, the bearing 26 is located at the site of the leakage channel 8. Therefore, the fluid leaks, in particular, to the motor rotor 3 through a gap between the motor shaft 20 and the bearing 26, a gap inside the bearing 26, and the like.

[0058] The fluid escaping from the leakage channel 8 adheres to the base plate 30 of the motor rotor 3. Here, in Fig. 5, only the side surface of the magnet 31 is visible, which is located in an area further back in the paper than the cross-section of the base plate 30. As in Fig. As shown in Figure 3, the magnet 31 is not located in the central region of the base plate 30. Therefore, the fluid exiting the leakage channel 8 adheres to the base surface 30s of the base plate 30 and not to the magnet 31. The fluid adhering to the base surface 30s moves away from the axis of rotation of the motor rotor 3 due to the centrifugal force of the motor rotor 3. A portion of the moving fluid spreads into the first interior space 21 and adheres to the first stator 4. The dispersed fluid in the motor housing 29 draws heat from the components of the motor 2 and cools the motor 2. Although the pump assembly 1 of the present embodiment is not equipped with an additional cooling mechanism, it is therefore unlikely that a problem related to heat generation will occur. < <ablaufkanal>>

[0059] The pump assembly 1 of the present embodiment further comprises a drain channel 80, which is connected to the inside and outside of the motor housing 29. In the present embodiment, the drain channel 80 is provided in the first cover 5B. The drain channel 80 serves to drain the fluid in the motor housing 29 to the outside. If the viscosity of the fluid is high, the motor rotor 3 is difficult to rotate due to the fluid accumulating inside the motor 2. By draining the fluid in the motor housing 29 to the outside through the drain channel 80, the fluid prevents the rotation of the motor rotor 3 from being suppressed.

[0060] The opening of the drain channel 80 faces outwards and points vertically downwards. Therefore, the liquid is quickly drained out of the drain channel 80 by gravity.

[0061] As a modification of this embodiment, the drain channel 80 can be provided in the circumferential wall section 2A. The drain channel 80 provided in the circumferential wall section 2A extends in a direction that intersects the motor shaft 20, for example, in a direction orthogonal to the motor shaft 20. In this case, the fluid can accumulate in the motor housing 29 up to the level of the drain channel 80, and the motor 2 is slightly cooled. Of course, the pump assembly 1 can also be arranged such that the motor shaft 20 extends in a horizontal direction, and the opening of the drain channel 80 can be directed vertically downwards to forcefully discharge the fluid from the motor housing 29. <<Rücklaufkanal> >

[0062] The pump assembly 1 can have a return channel 9, indicated by a two-point catenary. The return channel 9 connects the first interior space 21 with the inlet opening 51. The return channel 9 allows the fluid that has escaped into the motor housing 29 to be returned to the passage space 5S of the first pump 5. The in Fig. The return channel 9 shown in Figure 5 is provided in the pump housing 59. In particular, the first cover 5B is provided with the return channel 9. <zweite Ausführungsform>

[0063] The first pump 5 provided in the pump assembly 1 is not limited to an internal gear pump. For example, the first pump 5 can be an external gear pump, a vane pump, a diaphragm pump, a rotary vane pump, or a piston pump. In the second embodiment, the pump assembly 1, which has a rotary vane pump as the first pump 5, is described with reference to Fig. 6 described. The view of Fig. 6 is the same as the one from Fig. 4.

[0064] The vane pump comprises a first pump rotor 50 with a plurality of vanes 58. The vane 58 is designed to be moved forwards and backwards, for example, by a magnetic force or a centrifugal force. Viewed from the direction along the axis of the motor shaft 20, the shape of the inner circumferential surface of the pump housing 59, in which the first pump rotor 50 is housed, is essentially elliptical. As a modification of this embodiment, the shape of the inner circumferential surface of the pump housing 59 can be circular. When the first pump rotor 50 rotates, the end of the vane 58 comes into contact with the inner circumferential surface of the pump housing 59, and the vane 58 moves forwards or backwards.The fluid is located in the space enclosed by two adjacent vanes 58, 58, the inner circumferential surface of the pump housing 59, and the first pump rotor 50, and the fluid is conveyed in the direction of rotation of the first pump rotor 50 when the first pump rotor 50 rotates. The vane pump has excellent sealing performance and can therefore easily pump a gas, a liquid, or a mixture of a gas and a liquid.

[0065] The pump assembly 1 of the present embodiment comprises two inlet openings 51 and two outlet openings 52. The inlet openings 51 and the outlet openings 52 are arranged alternately around the axis of the motor shaft 20. One inlet port 51 and one outlet port 52 may be present. <Dritte Ausführungsform>

[0066] In the third embodiment, the pump assembly 1 is combined with the motor 2 in the form of a single rotor and a double stator with reference to Fig. 7 described. The view of Fig. 7 is similar to the one from Fig. 5. In Fig. Figure 7 does not show the details of the leakage channel 8 and the corridors for the movement of the fluid.

[0067] The motor 2 of the present embodiment further comprises a second stator 6, which clamps the motor rotor 3 between the first stator 4 and the second stator 6. The second stator 6 has the same configuration as the first stator 4. That is, the second stator 6 comprises a second yoke 60 with an annular shape, a plurality of second teeth 61, and a plurality of second coils 62. The second teeth 61 are arranged on a second surface 60s of the second yoke 60. The second surface 60s is a surface facing the first surface 40s of the first yoke 40. The end surface of the second teeth 61 has the same shape as the end surface of the first teeth 41 and is opposite the end surface of the first teeth 41. That is, the first stator 4 and the second stator 6 are arranged symmetrically with respect to the motor rotor 3.

[0068] The motor rotor 3 of the present embodiment also has a plurality of magnets 31 on the surface facing the second stator 6. In a modification of this embodiment, the magnet 31 can be embedded in the base plate 30. In this case, one magnet 31 corresponds to both the first stator 4 and the second stator 6.

[0069] A motor type 2 with one rotor and two stators is generally more space-saving than a motor type 2 with one rotor and one stator.

[0070] The motor 2 has a second interior chamber 22, surrounded by a plurality of second teeth 61. A second pump 7 is arranged in the second interior chamber 22. That is, the first pump 5 and the second pump 7 are arranged symmetrically with respect to the motor rotor 3. The second pump 7 is independent of the first pump 5. The second pump 7 has the same configuration as the first pump 5. That is, the second pump 7 is an internal gear pump with an external gear 75 and an internal gear 76. The external gear 75 is a second pump rotor 70, designed to be rotated by the motor rotor 3. In particular, the second pump rotor 70 is coaxially connected to the motor shaft 20. That is, the motor shaft 20 serves as the rotating shaft for the first pump rotor 50 and the second pump rotor 70. The external gear 75 and the internal gear 76 are arranged in a pump housing 79.In a variation of this embodiment, the first pump 5 and the second pump 7 can be pump types other than the internal gear pump. The first pump 5 and the second pump 7 can be different types of pumps. For example, the first pump 5 can be an internal gear pump and the second pump 7 a vane pump.

[0071] An inlet port 71 and an outlet port 72 extend along the axis of the motor shaft 20. The opening of the inlet port 71 and the opening of the outlet port 72 are arranged at positions away from the motor rotor 3. Since the rotating motor rotor 3 is not present at the positions where the inlet port 71 and the outlet port 72 are located, the inlet port 71 and the outlet port 72 can be arranged simply.

[0072] The circumferential wall section 2A of the motor housing 29 is large enough to accommodate both the first pump 5 and the second pump 7. Therefore, the pump assembly 1 of the present embodiment is compact, even though it has two pumps.

[0073] In the present embodiment, a drain channel 80 is provided in the circumferential wall section 2A. The pump assembly 1 is arranged such that the drain channel 80 points vertically downwards, allowing the liquid in the motor housing 29 to be easily drained outwards.

[0074] The first cover 2B of the motor housing 29 of the present embodiment has the same configuration as the first cover 2B of the first embodiment. The second cover 2C of the motor housing 29 of the present embodiment has the same configuration as the first cover 2B. Although part of the pump housing 79 penetrates the second cover 2C, the pump housing 79 therefore does not project beyond the end face of the second cover 2C. As a modification of this embodiment, the pump housing 59 can project from the end face of the first cover 2B, and the pump housing 79 can project from the end face of the second cover 2C.

[0075] The pump assembly 1 of the present embodiment with the configuration described above can pump the fluids of two independent systems under pressure. LIST OF REFERENCE MARKS 1 Pump assembly 2 axial gap motors, motor 20 Motor shaft 21 first interior 22 second interior 25, 26 storage 29 Engine housing 2A Perimeter wall section 2B first lid 2C second lid 3 Motor rotor 30 Base plate 30s base area 31 Magnet 4 first stator 40 first yoke 40s first area 41 first teeth 42 first coil 5 first pump 5h through hole, 5S Through hole 50 first pump rotor 51 Entrance opening 52 Outlet opening 55 Outer gear 56 Internal gear 58 sliders 59 Pump housings 5A Perimeter wall section 5B first lid 5C second lid 5D cutout 6 second stator 60 second yoke 60s second surface 61 second teeth 62 second coil 7 second pump 70 second pump rotor 71 Entrance 72 Outlet opening 75 Outer gear 76 Internal gear 79 Pump housings 8 Leakage channel 80 Drainage channel 9 Return channel QUOTES INCLUDED IN THE DESCRIPTION

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

[0000] JP 2022-202208

[0001] JP 2020-182269

[0004] < / ablaufkanal> < / leckagekanal> < / motor>

Claims

[1] Pump assembly comprising: an axial gap motor with a stator, a motor rotor and a motor shaft; and a pump with a pump rotor designed to be rotated by the motor rotor, and a pump housing designed to accommodate the pump rotor, the stator includes: a yoke that has a ring-shaped form, and a multitude of teeth arranged on a first surface of the yoke, wherein the pump is arranged in an interior space surrounded by the multitude of teeth, and the pump housing features: a passageway formed inside the pump housing, and a leakage channel that opens from the passageway to the motor rotor. [2] Pump assembly according to claim 1, wherein the pump housing has a through-hole that connects to the inside and an outside of the pump housing, wherein a section of the motor shaft is arranged inside the pump housing by extending through the through hole, and the leakage channel is formed from a gap between the through-hole and the motor shaft. [3] Pump assembly according to claim 1 or claim 2, the pump has an inlet port and an outlet port, wherein the inlet opening and the outlet opening are arranged in a first direction, as seen from the pump rotor, and where the first direction is a direction along an axis of the motor shaft and a direction away from the motor rotor. [4] Pump assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the axial gap motor has a motor housing, and wherein the motor housing has a drain channel which is connected to an interior and an exterior of the motor housing. [5] Pump assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the pump is an internal gear pump with an external gear and an internal gear, and where the outer gear is the pump rotor. [6] Pump assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 4, the pump is a vane pump, and the pump rotor has a multitude of blades. [7] Pump assembly according to claim 3, wherein the pump housing has a return channel which is designed to allow a connection between the interior and the inlet opening.

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