Pump device having a wear unit for wear monitoring, and method for producing a pump device

Abstract

The invention relates to a pump device (10) having at least one pump unit (12) and a wear unit (14) for monitoring wear during operation of the pump unit (12). According to the invention, in order to provide a generic device having improved properties in terms of design, the pump unit (12) is covered by the wear unit (14) in at least one cover region (16).

Description

[0001] Pump device with a wear unit for wear monitoring and method for manufacturing a pump device

[0002] State of the art

[0003] The invention relates to a pump device according to the preamble of claim 1 and a method for producing a pump device according to the preamble of claim 12.

[0004] Pump devices according to the preamble of claim 1 are already known from the prior art. Wear of a pump unit of the pump device depends on the medium to be transported, the solids contained therein, specifically the quantity of solids, and / or the degree of hardness and / or the size of the solids and / or the shape of the solids and / or the strength of the solids. The harder and / or more solid the medium, the greater the wear of the pump unit.

[0005] The object of the invention is, in particular but not limited to, to provide a generic device with improved structural properties. This object is achieved according to the invention by the features of claims 1 and 12, while advantageous embodiments and further developments of the invention can be found in the subclaims.

[0006] Advantages of the invention

[0007] The invention is based on a pump device with at least one pump unit and a wear unit for tracking wear during operation of the pump unit.

[0008] It is proposed that the pump unit be covered by the wear unit at least in one coverage area. Such a design allows for an improved construction. Furthermore, a particularly compact and user-friendly construction can be provided. In addition, a wear unit can enable efficient, fast, convenient and / or user-friendly analysis, detection and / or tracking of wear during operation of a pump unit. Furthermore, due to the tracking of wear, optimizations to the design can be made and thus the service life of a pump unit can be increased. Furthermore, efficiency in terms of product, labor, performance, cost and / or material efficiency can be increased.

[0009] The pump device can be part of a pump, specifically forming a subassembly of the pump. In particular, the pump device is a functional component, specifically a structural and / or functional component of the pump. It is also conceivable for the pump device to form the entire pump. The pump can be provided, without being limited thereto, for conveying and / or moving a medium to be transported. The medium to be transported can be fluids, specifically liquids, solids, and / or liquids containing solids. The solids can be natural materials, such as earth, wood, stone, gravel, mud, and / or sand, plastics, and / or metals, or the like. It is also conceivable for the solids to be foodstuffs, such as vegetables, fruit, or the like.Furthermore, the pump can also be a mine pump or the like. The pump is preferably intended for conveying liquids enriched with and / or mixed with solids, such as water. Alternatively and / or additionally, the pump can also be intended for conveying water mixed with fish or other living creatures, with the fish preferably surviving the transport alive, in particular at least substantially unharmed.

[0010] The pump device can be a radial pump device or an axial pump device. The pump device is preferably designed as a centrifugal pump device, in particular as a radial centrifugal pump device or possibly as an axial centrifugal pump device. The pump can be a radial pump or an axial pump. In particular, the pump is designed as a centrifugal pump, in particular as a radial centrifugal pump or axial centrifugal pump. The pump can be part of a pump system for conveying the medium to be transported. The pump system advantageously has at least one drive unit. The drive unit can, with at least one drive means, set a shaft of the pump device in rotation in at least one operating state. The shaft can be a drive shaft, preferably a pump shaft. In particular, the shaft is a rotating shaft.The drive means comprises, for example, at least one electric motor and / or combustion engine and / or a bearing block. Advantageously, the shaft is designed as an elongated element, and a longitudinal axis of the shaft is aligned parallel to the axial direction. The shaft can be rotatably mounted, specifically by means of at least one plain bearing and / or rolling bearing of the drive unit. Particularly preferably, the shaft performs a rotational movement along the circumferential direction, at least in the operating state. Advantageously, at least one impeller of the pump unit is arranged on the shaft.

[0011] In particular, for the analysis and / or reconstruction and / or detection of wear during operation of the pump unit, the wear unit is arranged in at least the cover region during operation of the pump unit. The wear unit can preferably be arranged on the pump unit before operation of the pump unit. After operation of the pump unit, the wear of the pump unit, preferably of the material of the pump unit, can be reproduced, analyzed and / or detected by means of the wear unit. It would also be conceivable for the wear of the pump unit to be recognizable and / or traceable during operation of the pump unit by means of detection and / or analysis of a condition of the wear unit. In particular, this can enable preventive maintenance and thus increase the service life of the pump unit.

[0012] The wear unit can cover an upper side, in particular a surface, of the pump unit in the covering region, at least in sections. In the covering region, the wear unit can cover and / or cover at least 20%, advantageously at least 50%, preferably at least 80%, and particularly preferably completely, of the upper side of the pump unit. It would also be conceivable for the pump unit to have additional covering regions in addition to the covering region, for example at least two covering regions or five covering regions, in which the pump unit is covered by the wear unit, at least in sections. The wear unit could possibly be plate-shaped, at least in sections.The term "plate-like" is to be understood as a three-dimensional object which, viewed in a developed view in a plane, has a non-circular cross-sectional area viewed in a cross-section perpendicular to the plane and, perpendicular to the plane, apart from individual recesses, in particular through holes and / or blind holes, has an at least substantially constant material thickness which amounts to less than 50%, preferably less than 25%, and particularly preferably less than 10% of a surface extension of the three-dimensional object parallel to the plane, in particular a smallest surface extension of the object parallel to the plane. The wear unit could be shell-like and / or bowl-shaped.Preferably, the material thickness of the shell-like and / or bowl-shaped object corresponds to a maximum of 50%, in particular a maximum of 20%, advantageously a maximum of 10%, preferably a maximum of 5%, of a longitudinal extent and / or a width extent of the object. The wear unit could be curved and / or flat, at least in sections.

[0013] "Intended" here and below means specifically programmed, designed, and / or equipped. The term "intended" for an object to perform a specific function means that the object fulfills and / or performs this specific function in at least one application and / or operating state.

[0014] It is further proposed that the wear unit rests against the pump unit in the cover area with a contact surface and follows a shape of the pump unit. This makes it possible to provide a particularly efficient, compact and / or user-friendly design. Advantageously, the wear unit adheres at least partially or completely to the pump unit. The wear unit can be bendable, flexible and / or elastic at least partially or completely. The “elastic element” in the present case is an element which can be repeatedly deformed by means of external force without the element being mechanically damaged or destroyed as a result, and which, in particular after deformation, independently returns to a basic shape, in particular a rest position. The wear unit is preferably deformable.When the wear unit is arranged on the pump unit in the cover area, the wear unit can be deformed and / or bent and / or adapted to the shape of the pump unit. Furthermore, the wear unit can directly contact the pump unit. The cover unit could possibly have different thicknesses, namely material thicknesses, in certain sections at least in the cover area. In order to provide a particularly efficient and user-friendly design, it is proposed that the wear unit have an at least substantially constant material thickness in the cover area. The material thickness is constant, in particular, regardless of manufacturing tolerances or within the range of standardized tolerances.The wear unit can have a material thickness of at least 0.5 mm, advantageously at least 1 mm and in particular of at most 10 mm, preferably of at most 5 mm and particularly preferably of at most 3 mm.

[0015] It would be conceivable for the wear unit to be connected to and fixed to the pump unit by means of a force-locking and / or form-locking connection, such as a snap-in connection and / or plug-in connection and / or rotary connection and / or screw connection and / or Velcro connection.

[0016] Furthermore, it is proposed that the wear unit be formed as a coating on the pump unit. This allows for a particularly compact and user-friendly design. Furthermore, the effort involved in arranging a wear unit on / at a pump unit can be reduced, and efficiency in terms of product, labor, performance, cost, and / or material efficiency can be further increased. Furthermore, a firm and / or stable connection and / or fixation between the wear unit and the pump unit can be provided.

[0017] Preferably, the pump unit is coated with the wear unit at least in the cover area. In particular, the wear unit is formed integrally with the pump unit. Advantageously, the wear unit is integrally connected to the pump unit. A material connection between the wear unit and the pump unit can be achieved, for example, by bonding, welding, and / or fusing. Particularly preferably, the wear unit is injection-molded onto the pump unit.

[0018] It is also proposed that the wear unit have at least two superimposed wear layers that differ with respect to at least one parameter. This can increase the efficiency and accuracy of the analysis when assessing wear on a pump unit. Depending on the wear, in particular the erosion, of wear layers on a wear unit, the severity of wear can be determined, assessed, detected, and / or analyzed more quickly, easily, conveniently, and / or simply.

[0019] The wear unit can have a first wear layer, in particular a base layer. Advantageously, the first wear layer is arranged flush with the pump unit, in particular the top side of the pump unit. Furthermore, the wear unit can have a second wear layer, in particular a separating layer. The second wear layer can be free from direct, namely immediate contact with the pump unit. The second wear layer can contact the pump unit indirectly via the first wear layer and be arranged thereon. In particular, the second wear layer is arranged directly, namely directly flush with the first wear layer. Preferably, the wear unit has at least one third wear layer, in particular a cover layer. The third wear layer can be free from direct, namely immediate contact with the pump unit.The third wear layer can contact the pump unit indirectly via the second wear layer and / or the first wear layer. In particular, the third wear layer is arranged directly on the second wear layer, specifically flush with the contact. The individual wear layers of the wear unit are preferably bonded to one another. Advantageously, an uppermost wear layer of the wear layers can always be designated as the cover layer, regardless of the number of wear layers.

[0020] It would also be conceivable for the wear unit to have additional wear layers that are integrally bonded to the first wear layer, the second wear layer, and / or the third wear layer. Advantageously, all wear layers of the wear unit have a consistent material thickness in the covering area.

[0021] The individual superimposed wear layers, in particular the first wear layer, the second wear layer and / or the third wear layer, can differ, for example, in terms of material thickness. The parameter can be a material thickness parameter. At least one of the wear layers, in particular the first wear layer, the second wear layer and / or the third wear layer, can have a material thickness of at least 0.3 mm, advantageously at least 0.5 mm, preferably at least 1 mm and particularly preferably at most 5 mm, in particular at most 3 mm. A difference in material thickness between the wear layers, in particular the first wear layer, the second wear layer and / or the third wear layer, in particular the material thickness parameter, can be at least 0.1 mm, advantageously at least 0.3 mm and particularly advantageously at least 0.5 mm.

[0022] Preferably, all wear layers of the wear unit have at least substantially identical material thicknesses. "At least substantially" in this context means that a deviation from a predetermined value and / or orientation is less than 25%, preferably less than 10%, and particularly preferably less than 5% of the predetermined value and / or orientation.

[0023] It would be conceivable for the parameter to be a material-specific parameter and for the at least two wear layers to differ at least in terms of a material or material composition. At least one of the wear layers, in particular the first wear layer, the second wear layer and / or the third wear layer, can be formed at least largely or entirely from a natural product, a mineral, a metal, a plastic and / or a composite material. The expression “largely” is to be understood here as meaning, for example, at least 55%, advantageously at least 65%, preferably at least 75%, particularly preferably at least 85% and particularly advantageously at most 95% of a volume and / or mass fraction.Preferably, at least one of the wear layers, in particular the first wear layer, the second wear layer and / or the third wear layer, is formed at least to a large extent from at least one plastic, namely a thermoplastic, thermoset and / or elastomer, such as polyurethane (PU) and / or polypropylene (PP).

[0024] The parameter is preferably an optical parameter. This allows the detection and / or identification of different, superimposed wear layers of a wear unit to be optimized, made more convenient, simpler, and / or more efficient. Furthermore, it can increase efficiency with regard to the analysis, detection, tracking, and / or assessment of wear. In addition, a design can be improved. The optical parameter is preferably a parameter that is visible and / or recognizable with the human eye by at least one user and / or installer. The optical parameter can be a structural parameter that characterizes a structuring of at least one surface of one of the wear layers.

[0025] If the optical parameter is a color parameter, then tracking, detection, and / or assessment of wear can be made even more efficient, convenient, user-friendly, and faster. Furthermore, a particularly compact, cost-effective, and / or efficient design for tracking wear during operation of a pump unit can be provided.

[0026] The wear layers can each have different colors. Colors, in this context, also include color gradients and / or color structures. Advantageously, two wear layers of the wear unit that are directly superimposed on one another always have different colors. The first wear layer is preferably reddish in color. The second wear layer can have a different color than the first wear layer, for example, a yellowish or orange color. The third wear layer could possibly have a color that is at least substantially identical to the first wear layer.

[0027] Preferably, all wear layers of the wear unit have different colors from one another. The second wear layer can have a different color than the first wear layer and / or the second wear layer, for example, a green, brown, or black color. Preferably, at least one of the wear layers, advantageously always the uppermost wear layer of the wear layers, in particular the cover layer, has a color matched to a color and / or color design of the pump unit. The individual wear layers can each have any conceivable color that appears appropriate to a person skilled in the art.

[0028] It is further proposed that the pump unit comprise at least one impeller and / or at least one pump housing and / or at least one pump cone and / or at least one inlet element, in particular a wear ring, over which the cover region extends at least partially. This allows a design to be improved and tracking of wear on an impeller and / or a pump housing and / or a pump cone and / or an inlet element to be provided. Furthermore, the service life of at least the impeller and / or the pump housing and / or the pump cone and / or the inlet element can be increased, thus in turn increasing efficiency.

[0029] The impeller can have at least one flow engagement element and / or a conveying element for conveying the medium to be transported. The impeller preferably has at least one impeller blade. In the present case, an “impeller” is understood to mean an element that is intended to set the medium to be transported into conveying motion by means of a rotational movement. The impeller is advantageously arranged and / or fixed to the shaft. In particular, at least the impeller is arranged in a receiving area of ​​the pump housing. The impeller can be enclosed by the pump housing, at least in sections and advantageously completely in the circumferential direction. The impeller is advantageously mounted so as to be rotatable and / or pivotable in the receiving area of ​​the pump housing.

[0030] The medium to be transported can enter through the inlet element during operation of the pump unit. The impeller can receive the medium to be transported from the inlet element and transport it further. The inlet element is preferably a wear ring. In particular, the impeller is provided to transport the medium to be transported from the inlet element to an outlet element of the pump unit. Preferably, the cover area extends at least partially over the outlet element. Advantageously, the impeller is arranged between the inlet element and the outlet element. The outlet element can be arranged behind the impeller in the axial direction, so that the inlet element, the impeller, and the outlet element are arranged one behind the other in a line.If the pump device is designed as a radial pump device, the outlet element can be arranged at least substantially perpendicular to the inlet element, wherein an angle between the inlet element and the outlet element deviates from a right angle by at most 5°, preferably by at most 2°, and particularly advantageously by at most 1°. Advantageously, the medium to be transported can exit radially, namely at least substantially perpendicular to the inlet element. In this context, “at least substantially perpendicular” should be understood to mean an angle between 85° and 95°, preferably between 88° and 92°, and particularly advantageously 90°. The pump cone can be connected to the inlet element or formed integrally, in particular in one piece, with the inlet element. Advantageously, the pump cone has the shape of a cone or a truncated cone.The pump cone can extend from the inlet element in the direction of the impeller as viewed in the axial direction. The impeller can contact the pump cone at least in sections, in particular in the receiving area, and / or at least in sections bear against the pump cone. Preferably, a gap, in particular a sealing gap, is present at least in sections between the pump cone and the impeller. It would be conceivable for the pump unit to have at least one further pump cone in addition to the pump cone already mentioned. Alternatively and / or additionally, the drive unit could have at least one cone. Advantageously, the drive unit has at least one drive cone which is arranged on a side of the impeller opposite the pump cone. The drive cone can contact the impeller at least in sections.Advantageously, a further gap, in particular a further sealing gap, is present at least in sections between the drive cone and the impeller. The gap and / or the sealing gap could have a width, in particular a distance, between the pump cone and the impeller and / or the drive cone and the impeller of at most 5 mm, advantageously at most 1 mm, preferably at most 0.5 mm, and particularly preferably at most 0.1 mm.

[0031] It would be conceivable for the inlet element, the pump cone, and / or at least the outlet element to each form subassemblies of the pump housing. The inlet element, the pump cone, and / or the outlet element can be formed at least partially or completely in one piece, in particular as one piece with the pump housing. "Integral" is understood to mean at least materially connected, for example, by an adhesive process, an injection molding process, and / or a welding process and / or another process deemed appropriate by a person skilled in the art. Furthermore, "one-piece" is understood to mean formed in one piece.Preferably, this one piece is produced from a single blank, a mass and / or a casting, particularly preferably in an injection molding process, in particular a single and / or multi-component injection molding process, and / or a sand casting process and / or in a punching process and / or in a sheet metal bending process and / or in a printing process, for example a 3D printing process, and / or by means of thermoforming and / or by means of a deep-drawing process and / or another process that appears appropriate to the person skilled in the art from the single blank.

[0032] Furthermore, other components and / or elements of the pump unit, such as seals, screws, joints, grooves, and / or adjusting units, or the like, can be covered at least partially with the wear unit. Any conceivable component and / or element of the pump unit that appears appropriate to a person skilled in the art can be covered at least partially with the wear unit.

[0033] Furthermore, the invention is based on a method for producing a pump device, in particular the pump device already mentioned, with at least one pump unit and a wear unit for tracking wear during operation of the pump unit.

[0034] It is proposed that the pump unit be covered by the wear unit in at least one covering area in a single processing step. Such a manufacturing method can increase process efficiency and provide a compact and efficient design.

[0035] The method can comprise multiple method steps and / or method sub-steps. The processing step can comprise at least one chemical, mechanical, thermal, and thermomechanical process for covering the pump unit with the wear unit. Preferably, in the processing step, the pump unit is coated with the wear unit at least in the covering area. The wear unit can be integrally connected to the pump unit in the processing step, namely by a material fit. The wear unit can, for example, be glued, welded, and / or fused to the pump unit in the processing step. In particular, the processing step is a surface coating step for coating the pump unit with the wear unit.

[0036] Particularly preferably, the wear unit is injection-molded onto the pump unit at least in sections. This can further increase efficiency with regard to process, material, cost, effort and / or product efficiency and provide a particularly stable construction. The wear layer could be injection-molded onto the pump unit using a thermal spraying process. For preparation, namely in order to ensure uniform application of a wear unit to a pump unit, it is proposed that material be removed from the pump unit at least in sections in a preparatory step. In addition, the wear unit can be applied to the pump unit efficiently without increasing the overall material thickness of the pump device in a covering area.

[0037] The preparation step preferably takes place before the processing step in terms of timing. In particular, in the preparation step, material in the covering area of ​​the pump unit is removed, specifically only at those locations where the wear unit is intended to cover the pump unit. In addition, however, it would also be conceivable for further material of the pump unit outside the covering area to be removed in the preparation step. A material layer at least 1 mm, advantageously at least 3 mm, preferably at least 5 mm thick can be removed from the pump unit in the preparation step. The material removal can take place, for example, by means of grinding, laser processing, in particular laser grinding, electron beam processing, etching, in particular plasma etching, milling, cutting, electrochemical removal and / or water jet cutting or the like.In particular, material is removed from the top side, in particular the surface, of the pump unit, preferably evenly.

[0038] It would also be conceivable to omit the preparation step and, in the machining step, apply the wear unit directly to the pump unit in the cover area without prior machining, i.e., without removing material from the pump unit. Particularly in the case of series production of pumps, the preparation step can be omitted, thus increasing efficiency, at least in terms of process, labor, cost, and / or material efficiency.

[0039] Furthermore, it is proposed that, in a post-processing step, material be removed from at least some sections of the wear unit. This allows for rework and / or improvements to the dimensions of a pump device design, as well as for the final dimensions of the design to be specified, prior to delivery to at least one customer and / or prior to use of the pump unit. Furthermore, this can increase efficiency in terms of process, labor, cost, and / or product efficiency.

[0040] The post-processing step preferably takes place after the processing step in terms of timing. In particular, in the post-processing step, material in the covering area of ​​the wear unit is removed, specifically only at those locations where the wear unit covers the pump unit. A material layer at least 0.1 mm, advantageously at least 0.3 mm, preferably at least 0.5 mm thick can be removed from the wear unit in the post-processing step. The material removal can take place, for example, by grinding, laser processing, in particular laser grinding, electron beam processing, etching, in particular plasma etching, milling, cutting, electrochemical removal and / or water jet cutting or the like. In particular, material is removed, preferably uniformly, from an upper side, in particular a surface, of the wear unit.

[0041] It would also be conceivable that the post-processing step could be omitted. Particularly in the case of series production of pumps, the post-processing step could be omitted, thus increasing efficiency, at least in terms of process, labor, cost, and / or material efficiency.

[0042] The pump device and / or method is / are not intended to be limited to the application and embodiment described above. In particular, the pump device and / or method may have a number of individual elements, components, units, and method steps that differs from the number stated herein to fulfill a functionality described herein. Furthermore, within the value ranges specified in this document, values ​​within the stated limits are also to be considered disclosed and can be used arbitrarily.

[0043] Drawings

[0044] Further advantages will become apparent from the following description of the drawings. The drawings illustrate an embodiment of the invention. The drawings, the description, and the claims contain numerous features in combination. Those skilled in the art will conveniently consider the features individually and combine them into useful further combinations. They show:

[0045] Fig. 1 shows a pump system comprising a pump and a drive unit for conveying a medium to be transported,

[0046] Fig. 2 is a detailed view of a pump device of the pump with a pump unit and a wear unit which covers the pump unit at least in a covering area,

[0047] Fig. 3 is a close-up view of a section of the wear unit arranged on the pump unit comprising at least two superimposed wear layers,

[0048] Fig. 4 is a sectional view of the pump device according to Figure 2 and

[0049] Fig. 5 is a schematic process flow diagram of a process for manufacturing the pump device.

[0050] Description of the embodiment

[0051] The following figures are schematic representations and not to scale. Unless otherwise indicated, only one of the objects shown is provided with a reference symbol.

[0052] Figure 1 shows a pump system 60 with a pump 50, which is intended for conveying a medium to be transported. In this exemplary embodiment, the pump 50 is designed as a centrifugal pump. The pump 50 comprises a pump device 10. Accordingly, the pump device 10 is designed as a centrifugal pump device. It would also be conceivable for the pump device 10 to form the entire pump 50. The pump 50 is intended, without being limited thereto, for conveying and / or moving the medium to be transported. The medium to be transported in the present case is liquids mixed with solids. The solids can be natural materials, such as earth, wood, stone, gravel, mud and / or sand, plastics and / or metals or the like. In the present case, the pump 50 is intended for conveying liquids enriched and / or mixed with solids, such as water.The medium to be transported can be natural materials, such as earth, wood, stone and / or sand, plastics and / or metals, or the like. Alternatively and / or additionally, the pump 50 is intended for conveying fluids, in particular liquids, or fluids mixed with objects, in particular liquids.

[0053] The pump system 60 has at least one drive unit 62. The drive unit 62 is provided with at least one drive means for rotating a shaft 64 of the pump device 10 in at least one operating state. In this case, the shaft 64 is a pump shaft. The drive means is, for example, at least one electric motor and / or internal combustion engine.

[0054] Figure 2 shows a detailed view of the pump device 10. Furthermore, Figure 4 shows a section of at least the pump device 10. The pump device 10 has a pump unit 12. The pump unit 12 has a pump housing 30. Furthermore, the pump unit 12 in this case has an impeller 28. The impeller 28 is at least one flow engagement element and / or a conveying element for conveying the medium to be transported. At least the impeller 28 is arranged in a receiving area 52 of the pump housing 30. For transporting and / or conveying the medium to be transported, the impeller 28 is rotatably and / or rotatably mounted in the receiving area 52 of the pump housing 30. The impeller 28 is arranged and / or fixed to the shaft 64.

[0055] The pump unit 12 has an inlet element 32. In the present case, the inlet element 32 is designed as a wear ring. The medium to be transported enters through the inlet element 32 during operation of the pump unit 12. The impeller 28 is provided to receive the medium to be transported from the inlet element 32 and to transport it further. According to Figures 2 and 4, it can be seen that the impeller 28 is provided to transport the medium to be transported from the inlet element 32 to an outlet element 38 of the pump unit 12. In this exemplary embodiment, the outlet element 38 is arranged at least substantially perpendicular to the inlet element 32. The medium to be transported exits radially, at least substantially perpendicular to the inlet element 32.

[0056] Furthermore, the pump unit 12 has at least one pump cone 34. In this exemplary embodiment, the pump cone 34 is formed integrally, in particular as a single piece, with the inlet element 32. The pump cone 34 has the shape of a cone or truncated cone. In the present case, a gap, namely a sealing gap, exists at least in sections between the pump cone 34 and the impeller 28. Alternatively and / or additionally, the impeller 28 could contact the pump cone 34 at least in sections. The pump unit 12 can have at least one further pump cone in addition to the pump cone 34 already mentioned. Furthermore, the drive unit 62 has at least one cone, namely at least one drive cone 36, which is arranged on a side of the impeller 28 opposite the pump cone 34. The drive cone 36 can contact the impeller 28 at least in sections.In this case, an additional gap, in particular an additional sealing gap, is present at least partially between the drive cone 36 and the impeller 28. The gap and the additional gap are spaced apart, specifically a standard distance of 1 mm in this case. The distance depends on the pump size, the application, and / or the thickness of the material used. In this exemplary embodiment, the inlet element 32, the pump cone 34, and at least the outlet element 38 are at least partially formed integrally with the pump housing 30.

[0057] The pump device 10 has a wear unit 14 for tracking wear during operation of the pump unit 12. The pump unit 12 is covered by the wear unit 14 at least in a covering area 16. After operation of the pump unit 12, the wear of the pump unit 12, specifically the wear of material of the pump unit 12, can be tracked, analyzed, and / or detected by means of the wear unit 14. It would also be conceivable for the wear of the pump unit 12 to be detectable and / or tracked during operation of the pump unit 12 by detecting and / or analyzing a state of the wear unit 14.

[0058] The wear unit 14 is arranged on an upper side, specifically a surface of the pump unit 12. In the cover region 16, the wear unit 14 rests against the pump unit 12 with a contact surface and follows a shape of the pump unit 12. The wear unit 14 is deformable and / or flexible and / or bendable and, when arranged on the pump unit 12 in the cover region 16, can be adapted to the shape of the pump unit 12. In the present case, the wear unit 14 contacts the pump unit 12 directly. In this exemplary embodiment, the wear unit 14 is formed as a coating on the pump unit 12. Figure 3 shows a sectional view of the wear unit 14 arranged on the pump unit 12. It can be seen that the wear unit 14 has at least two superimposed wear layers 18, 20, 26.In this exemplary embodiment, the wear unit 14 has at least three wear layers, namely a first wear layer 18, a second wear layer 20, and at least one third wear layer 26. It would also be conceivable for the wear unit 14 to have additional wear layers. The wear unit 14 has an at least substantially constant material thickness in the cover region 16. In the present case, all wear layers 18, 20, 26 of the wear unit 14 have a constant material thickness, wherein the material thickness is constant regardless of manufacturing tolerances or within the range of standardized tolerances. In this exemplary embodiment, the wear unit 14 has a material thickness of at least 3 mm.

[0059] The first wear layer 18 is a base layer in the present case, which is arranged flush with the pump unit 12, specifically the top side of the pump unit 12. The second wear layer 20 forms a separating layer. The second wear layer 20 is free from direct, namely immediate, contact with the pump unit 12. The second wear layer 20 contacts the pump unit 12 indirectly via the first wear layer 18 and is arranged directly, specifically flush with the first wear layer 18. The third wear layer 26 is a cover layer in the present case. The third wear layer 26 is free from direct, namely immediate contact with the pump unit 12. The third wear layer 26 contacts the pump unit 12 indirectly via the second wear layer 20 and / or the first wear layer 18.The third wear layer 26 is arranged directly, specifically flush with the second wear layer 20. The individual wear layers 18, 20, 26 of the wear unit 14 are each bonded to one another.

[0060] The wear layers 18, 20, 26 differ with respect to at least one parameter. It would be conceivable for the wear layers 18, 20, 26 to differ with respect to at least one material thickness. In the present case, all wear layers 18, 20, 26 of the wear unit 14 have at least substantially identical material thicknesses. The first wear layer 18, the second wear layer 20, and the third wear layer 26 have a material thickness of at least 1 mm. The parameter can be a material-specific parameter. In order to optimize the detection and / or identification of different, superimposed wear layers 18, 20, 26 of the wear unit 14, to make it more convenient, simpler, and / or more efficient, the parameter is an optical parameter. The optical parameter is a parameter that is visible and / or recognizable with the human eye by at least one user and / or installer.Furthermore, the parameter is a color parameter. Alternatively and / or additionally, the parameter can be a structure parameter that characterizes a structuring of at least one surface of one of the wear layers.

[0061] The wear layers 18, 20, 26 each have different colors. In the present case, two wear layers 18, 20, 26 of the wear unit 14 that are directly superimposed always have different colors. In this exemplary embodiment, the first wear layer 18 has a reddish color. The second wear layer 20 has a different color than the first wear layer 18, for example, a yellowish or orange color. The third wear layer 26 has a different color than the first wear layer 18 and / or the second wear layer 20, for example, a green, blue, or black color. Furthermore, the individual wear layers 18, 20, 26 can each have any conceivable color that appears appropriate to a person skilled in the art.In the present case, the wear layer formed as a cover layer, in this case the third wear layer 26, has a color adapted to a color and / or color design of the pump unit 12.

[0062] The cover area 16 extends at least partially over the impeller 28, the pump housing 30, the inlet element 32 and at least the pump cone 34. Furthermore, the cover area extends at least partially over the outlet element 38 and the drive cone 36 (see Figure 4).

[0063] Figure 5 schematically shows a process flow diagram of a method for producing the pump device 10. The method for producing the pump device 10 in the present case has at least one preparation step 98. In the preparation step 98, material is removed from the pump unit 12, at least in sections. In this exemplary embodiment, in the preparation step 98, a layer of material at least 3 mm thick is removed from the pump unit 12, specifically in the cover area 16. The material is removed evenly from the pump unit 12. This ensures even application of the wear unit 14 in the cover area 16. It would also be conceivable for material from the pump unit 12 to be additionally removed outside the cover area 16. Alternatively, the preparation step 98, specifically the material removal, can be omitted.In particular, in the production of series pumps, preparation step 98 is omitted due to process-related reasons.

[0064] In a processing step 100, the pump unit 12 is covered by the wear unit 14, at least in the covering area 16. With regard to the temporal progression of the method, the processing step 100 takes place after the preparation step 98 (see Figure 5). In the processing step 100, the wear unit 14 is integrally connected to the pump unit 12, namely by a material bond. The processing step 100 is a surface coating step for coating the pump unit 12 with the wear unit 14. In this exemplary embodiment, the wear unit 14 is injection-molded onto the pump unit 12, at least in sections.

[0065] The method for manufacturing the pump device 10 includes a post-processing step 102. With regard to the temporal progression of the method, the post-processing step 102 occurs after the processing step 100 (see Figure 5). In the post-processing step 102, material is removed from the wear unit 14, at least in sections. A material layer at least 0.1 mm thick is removed from the wear unit 14 in the post-processing step. In the present case, the material is removed evenly from an upper side of the wear unit 14. This allows for rework and / or improvement in the dimensioning of a design of the pump device 10, and for final dimensions of the design to be specified.

[0066] Reference symbol

[0067] 10 Pump device

[0068] 12 Pump unit

[0069] 14 Wear unit

[0070] 16 Coverage area

[0071] 18 Wear layer

[0072] 20 Wear layer

[0073] 26 Wear layer

[0074] 28 wheel

[0075] 30 pump housing

[0076] 32 Inlet element

[0077] 34 Pump cone

[0078] 36 drive cone

[0079] 38 Exit element

[0080] 50 pump

[0081] 52 Recording area

[0082] 60 pump system

[0083] 62 drive unit

[0084] 64 Wave

[0085] 98 Preparation step

[0086] 100 processing steps

[0087] 102 Post-processing step

Claims

Claims 1 . Pump device (10) with at least one pump unit (12) and a wear unit (14) for tracking wear during operation of the pump unit (12), characterized in that the pump unit (12) is covered by the wear unit (14) at least in a covering area (16).

2. Pump device (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that the wear unit (14) in the cover area (16) rests against the pump unit (12) in a contact-like manner and follows a shape of the pump unit (12).

3. Pump device (10) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the wear unit (14) in the cover area (16) has an at least substantially constant material thickness.

4. Pump device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the wear unit (14) is formed as a coating on the pump unit (12).

5. Pump device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the wear unit (14) has at least two superimposed wear layers (18, 20, 26) which differ with respect to at least one parameter.

6. Pump device (10) according to claim 5, characterized in that the parameter is an optical parameter.

7. Pump device (10) according to claim 6, characterized in that the optical parameter is a color parameter.

8. Pump device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the pump unit (12) has an impeller (28) over which the cover area (16) extends at least partially.

9. Pump device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the pump unit (12) has a pump housing (30) over which the cover area (16) extends at least partially.

10. Pump device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the pump unit (12) has an inlet element (32), in particular a wear ring, over which the cover area (16) extends at least partially.

11. Pump device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the pump unit (12) has a pump cone (34) over which the cover area (16) extends at least partially.

12. Method for producing a pump device (10), in particular according to one of claims 1 to 11, with at least one pump unit (12) and a wear unit (14) for tracking wear during operation of the pump unit (12), characterized in that the pump unit (12) is covered by the wear unit (14) at least in a covering area (16) in a processing step (100).

13. Method according to claim 12, characterized in that the wear unit (14) is injection-molded at least in sections onto the pump unit (12).

14. Method according to claim 12 or 13, characterized in that in a preparatory step (98) material is removed from the pump unit (12) at least in sections.

15. The method according to claim 14, characterized in that in a post-processing step (102) at least portions of material are removed from the wear unit (14).

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