Membrane pump

Abstract

Diaphragm pump with at least one pump chamber, wherein the pump chamber is connected to an inlet chamber via an inlet valve and to an outlet chamber via two outlet valves, wherein the inlet valve has an inlet opening that can be closed by an inlet valve body and the outlet valves each have an outlet opening that can be closed by an outlet valve body, wherein the two outlet valves and the inlet valve form a triangle in a projection onto a projection plane transverse to the longitudinal axis of the pump chamber.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a diaphragm pump with a pump chamber, wherein the pump chamber is connected to an inlet chamber via an inlet valve and to an outlet chamber via an outlet valve. The invention also relates to a device for pumping fluids with a diaphragm pump.

[0002] Diaphragm pumps are known from DE 101 17 531 A1 and DE 20 2006 020 237 U1, which have a pump head essentially connected to a drive. The pump head has several, for example four, pump chambers, each sealed against a drive chamber by means of a pump diaphragm. The respective pump diaphragm is connected to a swashplate located in the drive chamber via an associated pumping element. A wobbling motion of the swashplate sets the pump diaphragm into a wobbling, axially periodic pumping motion. The swashplate sits on a drive journal of a drive shaft connected to the drive. The drive journal is inclined relative to the longitudinal axis of the drive shaft and connected to the swashplate via a ball bearing.In the diaphragm pumps according to DE 101 17 531 A1 and DE 20 2006 020 237 U1, an outlet chamber is arranged centrally and an inlet chamber is arranged concentrically around the outlet chamber.

[0003] From EP 3 327 287 A1, a diaphragm pump with at least one pump chamber is known. The pump chamber is connected to an inlet chamber via an inlet valve and to an outlet chamber via an outlet valve, wherein the inlet valve has an inlet opening that can be closed by an inlet valve body and the outlet valve has an outlet opening that can be closed by an outlet valve body. The outlet opening surrounds the inlet opening or the inlet opening surrounds the outlet opening.

[0004] Diaphragm pumps are used particularly in the chemical, pharmaceutical, and biotechnology industries, where the pumped media are sometimes very expensive. Therefore, it is desirable that as little or no residual volume of the pumped medium as possible remains in the diaphragm pump after the pumping process. Furthermore, complete filling of such diaphragm pumps with the fluid without air inclusions is advantageous for the pumping performance.

[0005] A disadvantage of the diaphragm pumps known from DE 101 17 531 A1 and DE 20 2006 020 237 U1, which have generally proven successful, is that they have a central inlet chamber. This results in a relatively large residual volume of the pumped medium remaining in the inlet chamber after the pumping process has ended, due to the external outlet chamber being arranged essentially concentrically to the inlet chamber. Furthermore, air usually remains in the upper pump chambers of the pump, which generally has a negative impact on both the pumping stability (pulsation) and the pumping performance.A disadvantage of the diaphragm pump known from EP 3 327 287 A1, which has also proven itself in principle, is that providing an outlet opening that surrounds the inlet opening or providing an inlet opening that surrounds the outlet opening places relatively high demands on the design of the diaphragm pump, in particular on the design of individual inlet chambers that are connected to an inlet valve.

[0006] The object of the present invention is therefore to improve the known diaphragm pumps with regard to residual emptying and / or venting of the pump chambers, whereby a simple design and / or a simple configuration is sought.

[0007] This problem is solved by the subject matter of the independent patent claims. Advantageous embodiments are described in the dependent claims and the following description.

[0008] The invention is based on the fundamental idea of ​​more effectively positioning two outlet valves and one inlet valve within the pump chamber to improve residual emptying and / or venting, while also simplifying the overall design. The invention is the first to recognize that providing two outlet valves in addition to the inlet valve can lead to a simpler design if the two outlet valves and the inlet valve are arranged at the corners of an arbitrary triangle. Previously, it was assumed that a direct spatial relationship between outlet and inlet openings was necessary, for example, by the inlet being surrounded by the outlet. The invention, among other things, breaks with the misconception that an offset arrangement of the outlet valves relative to the inlet valve does not improve the diaphragm pump.The invention focuses primarily on a substantially specific arrangement of an inlet valve and two outlet valves within a pump chamber, rather than on a general arrangement of inlet / outlet openings. This arrangement allows for the reduction of the residual quantity of pumped medium and the amount of air remaining in the pump chamber after the pumping process has ended, and even enables complete emptying. One of the outlet valves can be located in the upper region of the pump chamber relative to the direction of gravitational acceleration, and the other outlet valve in the lower region relative to gravitational acceleration. The inlet valve is offset from the outlet valves of each pump chamber, allowing for advantageous placement of the outlet valves. For example, the inlet valve can be located next to or to the side of the lower of the two outlet valves.In addition to the possibility that the diaphragm pump empties and / or vents itself almost entirely automatically, improved flow distribution can be achieved with a simpler design of the diaphragm pump.

[0009] According to a first aspect of the invention, the diaphragm pump has at least one pump chamber, the pump chamber being connected to an inlet chamber via an inlet valve and to an outlet chamber via two outlet valves. The inlet valve has an inlet opening that can be closed by an inlet valve body. Each outlet valve has an outlet opening that can be closed by an outlet valve body. Two outlet valves are provided for the pump chamber, and the two outlet valves and the inlet valve form a triangle when projected onto a plane transverse to the longitudinal axis of the pump chamber. The offset arrangement of the inlet valve and the two outlet valves allows for optimal placement within the pump chamber. In particular, one outlet valve can be located in the lower region and another outlet valve in the upper region of the pump chamber, independent of the arrangement of the inlet valve within the pump chamber.The inlet valve can be located in the lower part of the pump chamber. The inlet valve can be positioned closer to the central axis of the diaphragm pump than the outlet valves. This arrangement of the two outlet valves and the inlet valve allows for a simple diaphragm pump design. By arranging the two outlet valves and the inlet valve in a triangular configuration, projections of a straight line connecting each of the two outlet valves to the inlet valve of the pump chamber onto a projection plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis (where the projection plane shares a point with the longitudinal axis) can form an angle other than 0 degrees between them.

[0010] For the purposes of this description, the term "central axis" or "central axis" of the diaphragm pump comprises an axis that extends substantially transversely to the front plate, the valve plate, and / or the end plate (the central axis or central axis may extend substantially parallel to the normal of the front plate, the valve plate, and / or the end plate) and may be arranged substantially centrally to one of the plates. In a preferred embodiment, the central axis or central axis may pass centrally through an inlet, which is arranged particularly centrally, especially in a front plate.

[0011] For the purposes of this description, the term "longitudinal axis" of the pump chamber encompasses an axis that runs transversely to the valve plate (essentially parallel to the normal of the valve plate). The longitudinal axis is located essentially centrally to the pump chamber, and in particular, essentially centrally to the pump diaphragm. The longitudinal axis of the pump chamber runs essentially parallel to the central axis of the diaphragm pump.

[0012] In a second aspect of the invention, the diaphragm pump has at least one pump chamber, wherein the pump chamber is connected to an inlet chamber via an inlet valve and to an outlet chamber via two outlet valves. The inlet valve has an inlet opening that can be closed by an inlet valve body, and each outlet valve has an outlet opening that can be closed by an outlet valve body. Two outlet valves are provided for the pump chamber. A projection of straight connecting lines, each linking adjacent outlet valves, onto a projection plane transverse to the longitudinal axis of the pump chamber does not intersect with any inlet valves.It is possible that, although two outlet valves are provided per pump chamber, the outlet valves are arranged in relation to the inlet valve in such a way that, in addition to the desired residual emptying, venting of the pump chamber and pumping stability as well as pumping performance, a simple design can be achieved with regard to the inlet chamber and outlet chamber fluidically connected to the inlet valves and the outlet valves, by combining the inlet valves in a common inlet chamber and / or the outlet valves in a common outlet chamber.

[0013] In a third aspect of the invention, the diaphragm pump has at least two pump chambers, each pump chamber being connected to a respective inlet chamber via a respective inlet valve and to a respective outlet chamber via two outlet valves. Each inlet valve has an inlet opening that can be closed by a respective inlet valve body, and each outlet valve has an outlet opening that can be closed by a respective outlet valve body. The inlet valves are arranged in a common inlet chamber. This simplifies the design and / or construction; in particular, for modular diaphragm pumps, it is possible to use a plate that has already been used for diaphragm pumps.It is possible to achieve improvements in residual emptying, venting, and / or pulsation simply by changing the arrangement of the inlet and / or outlet valves of the pump chamber, without having to modify the plates forming the inlet and / or outlet chambers. Furthermore, the effort required to seal a single inlet chamber can be reduced compared to providing multiple inlet chambers. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the inlet chamber can be located essentially centrally.

[0014] The aforementioned aspects of the invention can be freely combined with one another, and further improvements may result.

[0015] The diaphragm pump has one pump chamber, preferably two, and particularly preferably three, four, or more pump chambers. The volume of this pump chamber or the multiple pump chambers can, and especially preferably, be changed cyclically, and in particular periodically, by an external force. Particularly preferably, at least one wall of the chamber volume is formed by a diaphragm, which is preferably made of one or more elastic materials, for example, plastic, rubber, elastomer, silicone, or an equivalent material, and which may also include one or more composite materials for increased stability and service life.If the wall formed by the diaphragm is designed to completely compress the space intended for the pump chamber, its maximum volume can be dimensioned so that this maximum volume exactly corresponds to the fluid volume to be pumped within a single pumping stroke. However, significantly larger pump chambers are also conceivable, which can, for example, improve the flow characteristics, the efficiency of the diaphragm pump, or reduce production costs.

[0016] A valve body as described can be formed, in particular, by an elastic diaphragm, which typically opens the valve opening associated with the valve body at least partially when a suitable pressure differential is applied. Materials for the valve body can include, for example, metals, but also, in particular, plastics, rubber, elastomers, silicone, or an equivalent material, which may also include or be composed of one or more composite materials. When a pressure differential is applied in the opposite direction, the valve body closes the valve opening and / or a spring element is provided which acts on the valve body and, when it is outside the closed position in which the valve body closes the valve opening, biases it into the closed position.In this context, a membrane is understood to be, in particular, a plate that typically exhibits elastic and / or resilient properties, whereby these elastic and / or resilient properties may also be present only in certain sections, for example, at the edges. The membrane may be flat in certain sections, but in a preferred embodiment, it is curved in the sections where it seals a pump chamber, with the curved section being adapted to the stroke. Furthermore, a valve control system can regulate the opening and closing of the valves or influence the optimization of the pumping process.

[0017] Particularly preferably, the inlet valve and / or the exhaust valve is a shield valve. A shield valve is understood to be a valve in which the valve body is formed by a shield.

[0018] Within the context of the description, mentioning a number implies the provision of precisely the number of elements indicated by that number, although further identical or similar elements are not excluded. For example, if the description states that a pump chamber has two exhaust valves, the pump chamber can have exactly two, but also three, four, or more exhaust valves. The same applies to the intake valve. A pump chamber can have exactly one intake valve, two, but also three, four, or more intake valves. It is possible for pump chambers to have a different number of intake and / or exhaust valves.

[0019] An inlet chamber, as described, serves to hold the fluid to be pumped. The inlet opening can be formed directly in a wall of the inlet chamber. This allows for a compact design of the diaphragm pump, particularly if, in a further preferred embodiment, the inlet opening opens directly into the pump chamber. It is possible to provide an inlet channel between the inlet chamber and the pump chamber, connecting them. This allows for greater flexibility in positioning the inlet chamber within the diaphragm pump relative to the pump chamber. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the inlet chamber is connected directly to the pump chamber via the inlet opening without the need for an inlet channel, thus eliminating the need for an additional inlet channel.

[0020] An outlet chamber, as described, serves to collect and concentrate the pumped fluid, particularly for conveyance to a central outlet of the diaphragm pump, especially in the case of multiple pump chambers and / or outlet valves. The outlet opening can be formed directly in a wall of the outlet chamber. This allows for a compact design of the diaphragm pump, particularly if, in a further preferred embodiment, the outlet opening opens directly into the pump chamber. It is possible to provide an outlet channel between the outlet chamber and the pump chamber, connecting them. This allows for greater flexibility in positioning the outlet chamber within the diaphragm pump relative to the pump chamber.In a particularly preferred embodiment, the outlet chamber is directly connected to the pump chamber via the outlet opening without the need for an intermediate outlet channel, which can simplify the design of the diaphragm pump.

[0021] In a preferred embodiment, an outlet valve is arranged in one edge region of the pump chamber and an outlet valve in the opposite edge region of the pump chamber. This allows the outlet valves to be effectively positioned to achieve improved residual fluid drainage and venting. One of the edge regions can be an "upper region" of the pump chamber and the other an "lower region" of the pump chamber. For the purposes of this description, the terms "upper region" and "lower region" encompass two regions of the pump chamber located in opposite edge regions. The term "upper region" functionally includes the placement of the outlet valve such that at least one outlet opening is provided, which is arranged as close as possible to the upper edge of the pump chamber. The directional designation "upper" or "lower region" refers to the position of the outlet valve in the upper region of the pump chamber."Upper" refers to the direction of gravitational acceleration when the diaphragm pump is installed and in operating position. The directional designation "upper" describes a peripheral area of ​​the pump chamber that is further away in the direction of gravitational acceleration than the "lower area." The arrangement of the outlet valves in the upper or lower area involves positioning them such that one or more outlet openings associated with the outlet valve are located in the upper or lower peripheral area of ​​the pump chamber, respectively.

[0022] In a preferred embodiment, the inlet valve is arranged closer to the central axis of the diaphragm pump than the two outlet valves. This allows the inlet chamber to be centrally located and surrounded by the outlet chamber, enabling the outlet chamber to be positioned below the inlet chamber relative to the direction of gravitational acceleration, thereby further improving the complete emptying of the entire diaphragm pump.

[0023] In a preferred embodiment, two outlet valves are provided for the pump chamber, offset from each other with respect to a vertical axis. This allows for variability in the arrangement of the outlet and inlet valves, which, in addition to having a beneficial effect on residual emptying, venting, and delivery stability, also affects the pumping performance and leads to a simpler design of the diaphragm pump. Within the scope of the invention, a vertical axis describes a line that runs transversely to the central axis of the diaphragm pump or transversely to the longitudinal axis of the pump chamber; in particular, the vertical axis can run parallel to the axis of gravitational acceleration, with the diaphragm pump being considered in its installed and operational state.

[0024] In a preferred embodiment, the inlet valve of the pump chamber is arranged off-center within the cross-section of the pump chamber. This allows for an offset of the inlet valve, which enables a more flexible choice of arrangement for the two outlet valves. Essentially, the inlet valve can be offset to a specific area within the pump chamber, allowing for improved positioning of the outlet valves and simultaneously improving the connection between the pump chamber and the inlet and outlet chambers via the outlet valves and the inlet valve. For the purposes of this description, the term "off-center" refers to a position that essentially corresponds to the center point and / or the centroid of the cross-section, taking into account the longitudinal axis of the diaphragm pump. This means that the inlet valve is not located on an axis through the center point of the cross-section.lies on an axis through the center of gravity of the cross-section.

[0025] In a preferred embodiment, the outlet valves are arranged circularly or in circular segments. The outlet valves can be arranged essentially circularly or in circular segments on a valve plate, which simplifies the manufacture of the diaphragm pump. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the outlet valves are arranged circularly or in circular segments around a central axis of the diaphragm pump. The circular or circular segment arrangement of the outlet valves can lead to a less complex design of the outlet chamber. A circular (segment) design allows the outlet chamber to exhibit rotational invariance.

[0026] In a preferred embodiment, the diaphragm pump has more than one pump chamber, wherein the arrangement of the inlet valve and the two outlet valves of the pump chambers exhibits essentially rotational invariance with respect to an angle of less than 360° about the central axis of the diaphragm pump. If multiple pump chambers are used, rotational invariance can be achieved that, in addition to a simple design and construction, also enables simple handling and assembly of the diaphragm pump. For example, it can be provided that a rotational invariance of 360° / number of pump chambers can be achieved.

[0027] In a preferred embodiment, an outlet chamber is provided, which is designed in an annular shape. This makes it possible to construct a simple diaphragm pump; in particular, the outlet chamber can surround the inlet chamber, and the sealing of the outlet chamber can be limited to a single chamber. Especially with two or more pump chambers, a common outlet chamber and a common inlet chamber can be provided, wherein the outlet chamber surrounds the inlet chamber and no portion of the outlet chamber is located between two inlet chambers. The shape of the outlet chamber and / or inlet chamber can be simple.

[0028] In a preferred embodiment, the cross-section of the pump chamber has at least one straight section on a side wall. This allows for a larger pump chamber compared to a completely curved side wall. While a completely curved side wall in the upper or lower region directly provides positioning options for the outlet valves, with one inlet valve at the highest point and the other outlet valve at the lowest point of the pump chamber, air tends to collect or fluid flows to these points, venting and residual drainage are also possible with straight sections. Despite the obvious advantage of a completely curved side wall, it was recognized that the offset arrangement also allows for a larger pump chamber by incorporating straight sections of the side wall, particularly in the upper and / or lower region.

[0029] In a preferred embodiment, several pump chambers are provided and arranged in a grid of columns and rows. The pump chambers can also be configured on different planes. This grid-like arrangement of the pump chambers, essentially above and below one another, allows for an arrangement in which the inlet valve can be offset from a central area to effectively position the two outlet valves.

[0030] The invention also provides a device for pumping fluids with a diaphragm pump as described in the description and / or the claims, wherein a pump head with a drive chamber and a drive element is provided, and the pump chamber is sealed against the drive chamber by means of a pump diaphragm. If two or more pump chambers are provided, each pump chamber can be sealed against the drive chamber by means of a pump diaphragm. In a preferred embodiment, the pump diaphragm can be set into a periodic axial pumping motion by means of an associated pumping element.

[0031] In this description, the term "outlet opening" refers not only to a single opening but also to a collection of distinct individual openings. According to a preferred embodiment, the outlet opening is segmented into several opening sections spaced apart from one another with respect to the projection plane transverse to the longitudinal axis of the pump chamber. The outlet opening sections of an outlet valve can preferably be circular or circular segments. In a preferred embodiment, the outlet opening sections are grouped together as an outlet valve by closing them with a common valve body. The outlet opening or outlet opening sections can extend in a direction such that the extent of the outlet opening orThe area containing the outlet opening sections of an outlet valve essentially corresponds to 1 / 5 to 1 / 3 of the width and / or height of the pump chamber. This allows for a high pump flow rate.

[0032] For the purposes of this description, the term "inlet opening" does not refer to a single opening, but can be formed by inlet opening sections that are delimited from one another. According to a preferred embodiment, the inlet opening is segmented into several inlet opening sections, which are spaced apart from one another in a projection plane transverse to the longitudinal axis of the pump chamber. The inlet opening sections can preferably be arranged circularly or in circular segments in a projection plane transverse to the longitudinal axis of the pump chamber. In a preferred embodiment, the inlet opening sections are associated with an inlet valve by being closed by a common valve body.

[0033] According to a preferred embodiment, the inlet chamber has a wall at its lower vertical end, which is designed such that the wall is essentially flush with the lower part of the inlet opening of at least one inlet valve. In particular, one or more of the lowest-lying inlet valves transition into the wall of the inlet chamber with their respective lower portions of their respective inlet openings in such a way that the inlet chamber can empty completely via the inlet valves and any remaining fluid is transferred from the inlet to the outlet chamber during the pumping process.

[0034] According to a preferred embodiment, the outlet chamber has a wall in its lower, vertically directed region, which is designed such that the wall is essentially flush with the lower part of the outlet opening of at least one outlet valve. In particular, one or more of the lowest-lying outlet valves transition into the wall of the outlet chamber with their respective lower regions of their respective outlet openings in such a way that the outlet chamber can empty completely via the outlet valves and any remaining fluid is pumped from the outlet chamber out of the diaphragm pump during the pumping process.

[0035] In a preferred embodiment, several, in particular all, outlet valves of the diaphragm pump are designed identically and preferably have the same shape of the outlet opening and / or the same shape of the valve body. In a preferred embodiment, several, in particular all, inlet valves of the diaphragm pump are designed identically to each other and preferably have the same shape of the inlet opening and / or the same shape of the valve body.

[0036] In a preferred embodiment, an inlet valve plate is provided in or on which the inlet valves are arranged spatially separated. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the diaphragm pump has four pump chambers. In a preferred embodiment, the inlet valve plate has four spatially separated inlet valves. In a most particularly preferred embodiment, the inlet valve plate has four spatially separated inlet valves arranged in a ring.

[0037] In a preferred embodiment, an outlet valve plate is provided in or on which the outlet valves are arranged spatially separated. In a preferred embodiment, the diaphragm pump has four pump chambers. In a preferred embodiment, the outlet valve plate has eight spatially separated outlet valves. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the outlet valve plate has eight spatially separated outlet valves arranged in a ring.

[0038] In a particularly preferred embodiment, a valve plate is provided in or on which both the inlet valves and the outlet valves are designed.

[0039] According to a preferred embodiment, a front plate, also referred to as a pump housing, and a valve plate are provided. The valve plate can be arranged between the front plate on one side and a diaphragm support part carrying the pump diaphragm, for example, a diaphragm housing cover, on the other side. The inlet chamber(s) can be at least partially formed in the front plate. The inlet chamber(s) are formed by the front plate and valve plate being in contact, with the recesses formed in the front plate being covered from behind by the valve plate. The outlet chamber can also be at least partially formed in the front plate. The outlet chamber(s) are formed by the front plate and valve plate being in contact, with the recesses formed in the front plate being covered from behind by the valve plate. The inlet valve can be mounted on the valve plate.The inlet and exhaust valves are arranged in the valve plate. The pump chamber(s) may be at least partially formed in the valve plate. For simple and cost-effective manufacturing, the valve plate can be essentially flat. Edge profiling, particularly to interact with a corresponding profile on the front plate, may be provided.

[0040] The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to two exemplary embodiments of the invention, illustrated by drawings. These show: Fig. 1 a front view of a pump head of a diaphragm pump according to the invention (without drive); Fig. 2 a sectional side view along line AA of the Fig. 1 ; Fig. 3 a rear view of a valve plate of the diaphragm pump; Fig. 4 a rear view of a line along AA in the Fig. 4 cut valve plate; and Fig. 5a device for conveying a fluid.

[0041] Fig. 1 Figure 1 shows the pump head 2 of a diaphragm pump 1. The diaphragm pump 1 forms part of a device for pumping a fluid.

[0042] Again Fig. 2 As can be seen, the pump head 2 has a front plate 3, which can also be described as a chamber housing, a valve plate 4 and an end plate 5, which can also be described as a diaphragm carrier, with pump diaphragms 6, which are connected via pump elements with a Fig. 2 are connected to the swashplate not shown.

[0043] In this embodiment, a central inlet 7 is provided on the front panel 3, which opens into a central inlet chamber 8. An outlet 9 is provided on the front panel 3, which is connected to an outlet chamber 10 that, in this embodiment, is annular and surrounds the inlet chamber 8.

[0044] The valve plate 4 is arranged between the front plate 3 and the end plate 5. The valve plate 4 has four pump chambers 12 on its rear side 11 facing the end plate 5. The pump chambers 12, which are open towards the end plate 5, are each closed or bounded by a pump diaphragm 6. The pump diaphragms 6 are arranged between the end plate 5 and the valve plate 4. In this embodiment, an annular bead 13 of the pump diaphragm 6 is arranged in a groove 14 of the valve plate 4 that surrounds the pump chamber 12.

[0045] Valve plate 4 closes the inlet chamber 8 of front plate 3 and the outlet chamber 10 of front plate 3. Valve plate 4 has four inlet valves 15, which are designed as umbrella valves. The inlet chamber 8 is connected to the pump chamber 12 via an inlet opening 16 associated with the inlet valve 15. The inlet opening 16 is segmented and has several inlet opening sections 16a.

[0046] The valve plate 4 seals the annular outlet chamber 10 of the front plate 3. The valve plate 4 is essentially flat and has eight outlet valves 17 corresponding to the outlet chamber 10, which are also designed as umbrella valves. The outlet opening 18 of the outlet valve 17 is formed by outlet opening sections 19.

[0047] Each pump chamber 12 is provided with an inlet valve 15. Each pump chamber 12 has two outlet valves 17.

[0048] The two outlet valves 17 and the inlet valve 15 form a triangle in a projection onto a projection plane transverse to the longitudinal axis L of the pump chamber 12, which runs essentially parallel to a central axis M of the diaphragm pump 1, as shown in Fig. 3 is shown.

[0049] The Fig. 3It can also be seen that adjacent exhaust valves 17 on the valve plate 4 can be connected with straight connecting lines and that a projection of these onto a projection plane transverse to the longitudinal axis L of the pump chamber 12 is free of intersection with the inlet valves 15.

[0050] The two outlet valves 17 of a pump chamber are arranged in opposite edge regions of the pump chamber 12. One of the two outlet valves 17 is located in an upper region of the pump chamber 12, while the other is located in a lower region. The upper outlet valve 17 allows for venting of the pump chamber 12. The lower outlet valve 17 allows for residual emptying. The inlet valve 15 of a pump chamber 12 is arranged laterally offset from one of the two outlet valves 17. The inlet valves 15 are arranged closer to the central axis M of the diaphragm pump 1 than the outlet valves 17 of the pump chambers 12.

[0051] The two outlet valves 17 of a pump chamber 12 are arranged offset from each other with respect to a vertical line that runs essentially along or parallel to section AA. The inlet valve 15 is arranged off-center with respect to the cross-section of the pump chamber 12.

[0052] The outlet valves 17 of the diaphragm pump 1 are arranged in a circle around the central axis M of the diaphragm pump 1.

[0053] Regarding the valve plate 4, there is a rotational invariance of 90° about the central axis M of the diaphragm pump 1. As the Fig. 3 It can also be seen that the four pump chambers 12 are arranged in a grid of columns and rows, with the pump chambers 12 arranged above and next to each other.

[0054] The Fig. 4 is opposite to Fig. 3The differently designed cross-section of the pump chambers 12 for another embodiment of the diaphragm pump 1 can be seen in the figure. Apart from the cross-section of the pump chambers 12, the embodiments are otherwise identical and correspond to each other, so that no repetition is necessary here. The cross-section of the pump chamber 12 in the figure Fig. 4 The illustrated embodiment has straight sections 20 on the side wall of the pump chamber 12, which intersect with the vertical and / or horizontal of a cross-section of the pump chamber 12.

[0055] The in Fig. 5The swashplate 21 shown is connected to a journal 23 of a drive shaft 24 via a ball bearing 22. The journal 23 is inclined relative to the longitudinal axis 25 of the drive shaft 24 to generate a wobbling motion of the swashplate 21. The connection between the drive shaft and the swashplate 21 is located in the area of ​​a drive chamber 26 upstream of the end plate 5. The inlet chamber 8 is sealed from the outlet chamber 10 by a seal 27, which in this example is designed as a cord seal. The outer boundary of the outlet chamber 10 is sealed by a seal 28, which in this example is also designed as a cord seal.

[0056] By rotating the drive shaft 24 about its longitudinal axis 25, the swashplate 21 is set into a rotating wobble motion due to the inclination of the pin 23, without rotating with the drive shaft 24. This wobble motion of the swashplate 21 sets the pump diaphragms 6 into a periodic axial pumping motion, which alternately generates a vacuum in the pump chambers 12 during the intake stroke by moving towards the drive chamber 26 and a positive pressure during the exhaust stroke by moving towards the front plate 3.

[0057] Due to the downstream arrangement of the valve shield of the inlet valve 15, the inlet valve 15 opens automatically and the corresponding outlet valve 17 closes automatically when there is a vacuum in the associated pump chamber 12. When there is a positive pressure in the pump chamber 12, the associated inlet valve 15 closes automatically and the corresponding outlet valve 17 opens automatically. This causes the pumped medium to be conveyed from the pump chamber 12 through the outlet chamber 10 to the outlet 9. Examples of implementation

[0058] Although the present invention has been described above and defined in the claims, it should be understood that the invention can alternatively also be defined according to the following embodiments: 1. Diaphragm pump (1) with at least one pump chamber (12), wherein the pump chamber (12) is connected via an inlet valve (15) to an inlet chamber (8) and via two outlet valves (17) to an outlet chamber (10), wherein the inlet valve (15) has an inlet opening (16) that can be closed by an inlet valve body and each outlet valve (17) has an outlet opening (18) that can be closed by a respective outlet valve body, wherein the two outlet valves (17) and the inlet valve (15) form a triangle in a projection onto a projection plane transverse to the longitudinal axis (L) of the pump chamber (12). 2.Diaphragm pump (1), particularly according to embodiment 1, with at least one pump chamber (12), wherein the pump chamber (12) is connected to an inlet chamber (8) via an inlet valve (15) and to an outlet chamber (10) via two outlet valves (17), wherein the inlet valve (15) has an inlet opening (16) that can be closed by an inlet valve body and each outlet valve (17) has an outlet opening (18) that can be closed by a respective outlet valve body, wherein a projection of straight connecting lines that connect adjacent outlet valves (17) onto a projection plane transverse to the longitudinal axis (L) of the pump chamber (12) is free from intersection with inlet valves (15). 3.Diaphragm pump (1), particularly according to embodiments 1 or 2, with two pump chambers (12), wherein the pump chambers (12) are each connected to a common inlet chamber (8) via an inlet valve (15) and to an outlet chamber (10) via two outlet valves (17), wherein the inlet valve (15) has an inlet opening (16) that can be closed by an inlet valve body and each outlet valve (17) has an outlet opening (18) that can be closed by a respective outlet valve body. 4. Diaphragm pump (1) according to one of embodiments 1 to 3, wherein an outlet valve (17) is arranged in a peripheral region of the pump chamber (12) and an outlet valve (17) is arranged in the opposite peripheral region of the pump chamber (12). 5. Diaphragm pump (1) according to one of embodiments 1 to 4, wherein the inlet valve (15) is arranged closer to the central axis (M) of the diaphragm pump (1) than the two outlet valves (17). 6.Diaphragm pump (1) according to one of embodiments 1 to 5, wherein the two outlet valves (17) provided for the pump chamber (12) are arranged offset from each other with respect to a vertical plane. 7. Diaphragm pump (1) according to one of embodiments 1 to 6, wherein the inlet chamber (8) and outlet chamber (10) are at least partially formed in a front plate (3). 8. Diaphragm pump (1) according to one of embodiments 1 to 7, wherein the pump chamber (12) has an inlet valve (15) which is arranged off-center in the cross-section of the pump chamber (12). 9. Diaphragm pump (1) according to one of embodiments 1 to 8, wherein the outlet valves (17) are arranged in a circular or circular segment shape. 10.Diaphragm pump (1) according to one of embodiments 1 to 9, wherein more than one pump chamber (12) is provided, and the arrangement of the respective inlet valve (15) and the respective two outlet valves (17) of the respective pump chambers (12) exhibits essentially rotational invariance with respect to an angle of less than 360° about the central axis (M). 11. Diaphragm pump (1) according to one of embodiments 1 to 10, wherein an outlet chamber (10) is annular in shape. 12. Diaphragm pump (1) according to one of embodiments 1 to 11, wherein the cross-section of the pump chamber (12) has at least one substantially straight section on a side wall. 13. Diaphragm pump (1) according to one of embodiments 1 to 12, wherein several pump chambers (12) are provided, which are arranged in a grid of columns and rows. 14.Device for conveying fluids with a diaphragm pump (1) according to one of the embodiments 1 to 13, wherein a pump head (2) is provided with a drive chamber (26) and a drive, wherein the pump chamber (12) is sealed against the drive chamber (26) by means of a pump diaphragm (6).

Claims

1. Diaphragm pump (1) with at least one pump chamber (12), wherein the pump chamber (12) is connected to an inlet chamber (8) via an inlet valve (15) and to an outlet chamber (10) via two outlet valves (17), wherein the inlet valve (15) has an inlet opening (16) that can be closed by an inlet valve body and each outlet valve (17) has an outlet opening (18) that can be closed by a respective outlet valve body, wherein the two outlet valves (17) and the inlet valve (15) form a triangle in a projection onto a projection plane transverse to the longitudinal axis (L) of the pump chamber (12).

2. Diaphragm pump (1) according to claim 1, with at least one pump chamber (12), wherein the pump chamber (12) is connected to an inlet chamber (8) via an inlet valve (15) and to an outlet chamber (10) via two outlet valves (17), wherein the inlet valve (15) has an inlet opening (16) that can be closed by an inlet valve body and each outlet valve (17) has an outlet opening (18) that can be closed by a respective outlet valve body, wherein a projection of straight connecting lines connecting adjacent outlet valves (17) onto a projection plane transverse to the longitudinal axis (L) of the pump chamber (12) is free from intersection with inlet valves (15).

3. Diaphragm pump (1), according to claim 1 or 2, with two pump chambers (12), wherein the pump chambers (12) are each connected to a common inlet chamber (8) via an inlet valve (15) and to an outlet chamber (10) via two outlet valves (17), wherein the inlet valve (15) has an inlet opening (16) that can be closed by an inlet valve body and each outlet valve (17) has an outlet opening (18) that can be closed by a respective outlet valve body.

4. Diaphragm pump (1) according to one of claims 1 to 3, wherein an outlet valve (17) is arranged in a marginal region of the pump chamber (12) and an outlet valve (17) is arranged in the opposite marginal region of the pump chamber (12).

5. Diaphragm pump (1) according to one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the inlet valve (15) is arranged closer to the central axis (M) of the diaphragm pump (1) than the two outlet valves (17).

6. Diaphragm pump (1) according to one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the two outlet valves (17) provided for the pump chamber (12) are arranged offset from each other with respect to a vertical, wherein the vertical runs transversely to the central axis of the diaphragm pump or transversely to the longitudinal axis of the pump chamber, wherein the diaphragm pump is considered in the installed and ready-to-operate state.

7. Diaphragm pump (1) according to one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the inlet chamber (8) and outlet chamber (10) are at least partially formed in a front plate (3).

8. Diaphragm pump (1) according to one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the pump chamber (12) has an inlet valve (15) which is arranged off-center in the cross-section of the pump chamber (12).

9. Diaphragm pump (1) according to one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the outlet valves (17) are arranged in a circular or circular segment shape.

10. Diaphragm pump (1) according to one of claims 1 to 9, wherein more than one pump chamber (12) is provided, and the arrangement of the respective inlet valve (15) and the respective two outlet valves (17) of the respective pump chambers (12) has essentially a rotational invariance with respect to an angle of less than 360° about the central axis (M).

11. Diaphragm pump (1) according to one of claims 1 to 10, wherein an outlet chamber (10) is designed in an annular shape.

12. Diaphragm pump (1) according to one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the cross-section of the pump chamber (12) has at least one substantially straight section on a side wall.

13. Diaphragm pump (1) according to one of claims 1 to 12, wherein several pump chambers (12) are provided which are arranged in a grid of columns and rows.

14. Device for conveying fluids with a diaphragm pump (1) according to one of claims 1 to 13, wherein a pump head (2) is provided with a drive chamber (26) and a drive, wherein the pump chamber (12) is sealed against the drive chamber (26) by means of a pump diaphragm (6).

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