Valve unit for diaphragm pump

Abstract

To provide a valve unit for a diaphragm pump.SOLUTION: A first discharge passage (23) is communicated with an outlet opening (25) disposed on a discharge side from an inlet opening (24) disposed on a suction side, and a second discharge passage (26) is communicated with an outlet opening (28) disposed the discharge side from an inlet opening (27) disposed on the suction side. A suction passage (30) has a first part (31) and a second part (32), the second part (32) has an outlet opening disposed on the suction side, and the first part (31) is extended at a prescribed angle with respect to the second part (32). The outlet opening of the second part (32) of the suction passage (30) is provided with a suction valve element (40), and the outlet opening (25) of the first discharge passage (23) is provided with a first discharge valve element (41).SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 8

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a valve unit for a diaphragm pump. Further, the present invention relates to a valve body of a valve of a diaphragm pump. Further, the present invention relates to a valve plate of a diaphragm pump. Further, the present invention relates to a diaphragm pump. Further, the present invention relates to a suction valve body specially equipped for a diaphragm pump. Further, the present invention relates to a method of operating a diaphragm pump.

Background Art

[0002] The diaphragm pumps known from German Patent Application Publication No. 10117531 and German Utility Model No. 202006020237 have a pump head coupled to a drive device. This pump head has a plurality of, for example, four pump chambers, and these pump chambers are each sealed from the drive chamber by a pump diaphragm. In this case, each pump diaphragm is coupled to a swash plate arranged in the drive chamber via a corresponding pump element. In this case, due to the rocking of the swash plate, the pump diaphragm is rocked axially so as to be periodically pumped. The swash plate is fitted to a drive pin of a drive shaft coupled to the drive device. In this case, the drive pin is inclined with respect to the longitudinal axis of the drive shaft and is coupled to the swash plate via a ball bearing. In the case of the diaphragm pump based on German Patent Application Publication No. 10117531 and German Utility Model No. 202006020237, the discharge chamber is arranged in the center, and the suction chamber is arranged concentrically with respect to the discharge chamber so as to surround the discharge chamber.

[0003] In the case of a diaphragm pump known from German Patent No. 102008035592, the suction chamber is centrally located, and the discharge chamber is concentrically located with respect to the suction chamber. The discharge chamber has a discharge passage in its vertically lower region. In this case, a valve plate having a pump chamber and a valve is positioned between an intermediate plate portion having a chamber and a diaphragm support portion supporting the pump diaphragm. A suction valve plate having a suction valve is supported facing the pump chamber in front of the suction chamber of the intermediate plate portion provided on the stepped portion of the valve plate.

[0004] Such pumps are used particularly in the fields of chemistry, pharmaceuticals, and biotechnology, where the medium to be pumped can be extremely expensive. Therefore, it is desirable that, after pumping, as little or no residual volume of the pumped medium as possible remains in the diaphragm pump. Furthermore, completely filling such a diaphragm pump with fluid without trapping air is advantageous in terms of pumping capacity.

[0005] From European Patent Application Publication No. 3327287, a diaphragm pump having at least one pump chamber is known, in which the pump chamber is connected to a suction chamber via a suction valve and to a discharge chamber via a discharge valve, in which the suction valve has an inlet opening that can be closed by a suction valve body, and the discharge valve has an outlet opening that can be closed by a discharge valve body. The diaphragm pump known from European Patent Application Publication No. 3327287 proposes that the outlet opening be formed to surround the inlet opening, or that the inlet opening be formed to surround the outlet opening. In this case, European Patent Application Publication No. 3327287 envisions that in one preferred embodiment, the outlet opening of the discharge valve is formed by at least two isolated outlet opening components that surround the inlet opening. In the embodiment shown in Figure 4 of European Patent Application Publication No. 3327287, a total of six outlet opening components are provided surrounding an inlet opening consisting of a number of individual holes. [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]

[0006] [Patent Document 1] German Patent Application Publication No. 10117531 [Patent Document 2] German Utility Model Specification No. 202006020237 [Patent Document 3] German Patent No. 102008035592 Specification [Patent Document 4] European Patent Application Publication No. 3327287 [Overview of the project] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0007] In light of this background, the fundamental problem of the present invention is to propose a means that allows for more freedom in configuring the arrangement of the suction section or suction chamber of a diaphragm pump, or the arrangement of the discharge section or discharge chamber of a diaphragm pump. Supplementary or optional, another problem of the present invention is to significantly create a low-flow pump. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] The aforementioned problems are solved by the valve unit described in claim 1, the valve body described in claim 8, the valve plate described in claim 10, the diaphragm pump described in claim 11, the use described in claim 13, and the method described in claim 14. Advantageous embodiments are described in the subordinate claims and the following description.

[0009] The present invention is based on the fundamental idea of ​​moving away from the continuous structure of diaphragm pumps, which are well known from the prior art, but which often have a suction chamber and a discharge chamber supported in front of the valve unit in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the diaphragm pump.

[0010] This structure often results in a discharge passage leading to a discharge valve and connecting, for example, the pump chamber via the discharge valve, or a suction passage closed by a suction valve and connecting the suction chamber to the pump chamber via the suction valve, being guided parallel to or at a small angle (less than 45°) to the longitudinal axis of the diaphragm pump. Based on this arrangement, the suction chamber and discharge chamber are positioned in front of the valve plate. This leads to an increase in the length of the pump. The present invention has therefore realized that several advantages can be achieved by changing the geometry of the suction passage, i.e., the suction passage is formed such that it has a first part and a second part following the first part, the second part having an outlet opening located on the suction side, and the first part extending at a predetermined angle to the second part. Such embodiments allow the suction chamber to protrude further towards the pump chamber, for example, when viewed in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the diaphragm. On the contrary, it is possible to cause the suction chamber or a portion of the suction chamber to penetrate into the valve plate, for example, into the center between a plurality of valve units arranged radially surrounding the center of the valve plate. The first portion of the suction passage, which extends at a predetermined angle to the second portion of the suction passage according to the present invention, enables the fluid to be pumped from the suction chamber to be guided first at a distinct angle with respect to the longitudinal axis of the diaphragm pump, for example, at an angle greater than 45° with respect to the longitudinal axis of the diaphragm pump, and then the fluid flow may be brought through the second portion following the first portion of the suction passage in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the diaphragm pump, or in a direction of flow extending at a small angle with respect to the diaphragm pump.

[0011] The present invention relates, at its core, to a valve unit for a diaphragm pump. A valve unit means a group of components comprising a suction side, a discharge side, a first discharge passage, a second discharge passage, a suction passage, a suction valve body, and one or more discharge valve bodies. The valve unit may have one or more bodies, each having a common side that can be called the suction side and a common other side that can be called the discharge side. The one or more bodies belonging to the valve unit may have a first discharge passage, a second discharge passage, and a suction passage formed thereon. Furthermore, the suction valve body may be coupled to one or more bodies of the valve unit so as to be movable between a closed position and an open position. Furthermore, one or more discharge valve bodies may be coupled to a body, or to a plurality of bodies forming the valve unit, such that the discharge valve body is movable between a closed position and an open position and is otherwise supported by one or more bodies. An embodiment in which the suction passage is formed in a dedicated body is conceivable. On the contrary, it is conceivable that the first discharge passage and the second discharge passage are formed in a single common body. Similarly, it is conceivable that the first discharge passage is formed in a dedicated body, and the second discharge passage is also formed in a dedicated body. In one preferred embodiment, when the valve unit is composed of multiple bodies, the individual bodies of the valve unit are preferably tightly coupled to one another, thereby forming a interconnected structure. However, in one preferred embodiment, the valve unit has a single body in which a first discharge passage, a second discharge passage, and a suction passage are formed. In one preferred embodiment, this single body is an integral component with a higher component. Thus, the present invention also proposes, for example, a valve plate having at least one valve unit according to the present invention. In such embodiments, the valve plate preferably has an integral base, in which case the body through which the first discharge passage, the second discharge passage, and the suction passage are guided is the lower region of the integral base.

[0012] At its core, the present invention aims for a valve unit as defined in this way. This is because there are several possible configurations in which the valve unit is positioned at a considerable distance from the pump chamber of the diaphragm pump and / or at a considerable distance from the suction chamber or suction opening of the diaphragm pump and / or at a considerable distance from the discharge chamber or outlet opening of the diaphragm pump. That is, for example, an embodiment is conceivable in which the suction side forms the end of the passage, in which case the passage continues from the suction side to open into the pump chamber. Similarly, an embodiment is conceivable in which the discharge side forms the end of the passage, and the passage continues from the discharge side to, in some cases, open into the discharge chamber of the diaphragm pump or lead to the outlet opening of the diaphragm pump. The advantages of the present invention can already be realized by the special features of the valve unit as described in claim 1, without the specific relative position of the valve unit with respect to the pump chamber, suction chamber, inlet opening of the diaphragm pump, discharge chamber or outlet opening of the diaphragm pump being a problem. Therefore, at its core, the present invention aims for a valve unit formed in this way. In this case, the parallel claim describes specific components of a diaphragm pump, for example, a possible embedding of a valve unit within the valve plate of a diaphragm pump, or a specific embedding of such a valve unit within a diaphragm pump.

[0013] The valve unit has a suction side. As will be described in detail below, the valve unit has a suction passage, a first discharge passage, and a second discharge passage. That is, the valve unit is used to guide fluid to a predetermined location via the suction passage. This predetermined location is referred to as the suction side. Furthermore, the valve unit is used to supply the fluid located on the suction side to another location via the first discharge passage and the second discharge passage. This other location is the discharge side. In this case, the exact geometric shape of the suction side and the exact geometric shape of the discharge side are not important for achieving the results of the present invention. However, in one preferred embodiment, the suction side is a surface. In one preferred embodiment, the suction side is a circular or elliptical surface. In one preferred embodiment, the discharge side is a circular or elliptical surface. Furthermore, embodiments are conceivable in which the suction side and / or discharge side have rectangular, particularly preferably square, triangular, trapezoidal, or parallelogram faces, or polygonal, particularly preferably regular pentagonal, regular hexagonal, regular octagonal, or regular polygonal faces. In one preferred embodiment, the center point of the suction side face and the center point of the discharge side face are aligned, particularly preferably on a horizontal line.

[0014] In one preferred embodiment, the suction side extends parallel to the discharge side. If the suction side or discharge side is not formed flat, in particular, embodiments may be conceivable in which the suction side or discharge side is formed dome-shaped, or has a recessed area which is connected to the other region of the suction side or discharge side via a step, so the geometric description of the orientation of the suction side or discharge side relative to other objects is particularly related to the orientation of the substitute surface of the suction side or discharge side. A substitute surface means a flat surface which extends perpendicular to the perpendicular to the surface passing through the centroid of the surface of the suction side, and which is positioned such that the sum of all the shortest distances from every point on the suction side to any point on the substitute surface is minimized.

[0015] The valve unit according to the present invention has a first discharge passage. The first discharge passage extends from an inlet opening located on the suction side to an outlet opening located on the discharge side. Furthermore, the valve unit according to the present invention has a second discharge passage, which extends from an inlet opening located on the suction side to an outlet opening located on the discharge side. Embodiments are conceivable in which the valve unit has further other, for example, a third and / or fourth, but optionally a fifth, or yet other discharge passage, each of which discharge passages extends from an inlet opening on the suction side to an outlet opening on the discharge side.

[0016] In one preferred embodiment, the first discharge passage and / or the second discharge passage each extend along the longitudinal axis. Embodiments are also conceivable in which the first discharge passage and / or the second discharge passage do not extend along the longitudinal axis overall, or even at all in some cases. That is, a meandering configuration of the first or second discharge passage is also conceivable. However, the embodiment in which each discharge passage extends along the longitudinal axis is preferred. Such discharge passages can be manufactured particularly easily.

[0017] The valve unit according to the present invention further has a suction passage. The suction passage is formed from a plurality of parts. The suction passage has at least one first part and a second part following the first part. Thus, the fluid flowing through the suction passage first flows through the first part, and then through the second part following the first part. Embodiments in which the suction passage has other parts are conceivable. This may be a part supported on the upstream side of the first part in particular. Thus, in such embodiments, the fluid first flows through the other part of the suction passage, then flows into the first part of the suction passage, and after flowing through the first part, flows into the second part following the first part. The second part of the suction passage has an outlet opening located on the suction side. That is, with respect to the suction side, the second part of the suction passage constitutes the last part of the suction passage. In the present invention, it is assumed that the first part extends at a predetermined angle to the second part. In one preferred embodiment, the first portion of the suction passage extends along the longitudinal axis for at least a portion of its length, and the second portion of the suction passage extends along the longitudinal axis for at least a portion of its length. In this case, the angle between the first portion and the second portion provided according to the present invention is particularly preferably the angle between the two longitudinal axes. In one preferred embodiment, the entire first portion of the suction passage extends along the longitudinal axis. The second portion of the suction passage may not extend along the longitudinal axis for a portion of its length. In one preferred embodiment, at least the portion of the second portion of the suction passage that is in contact with the outlet opening of the second portion of the discharge passage is formed to extend along the longitudinal axis. An embodiment is conceivable in which the portion of the second portion of the suction passage that is in direct contact with the first portion of the suction passage is formed in a chamber shape. Such embodiments are particularly conceivable when, for example, a first portion of a suction passage extending along a longitudinal axis cannot be guided such that its longitudinal axis intersects with the longitudinal axis of a second portion of the suction passage, which extends entirely along a second longitudinal axis.That is, the first portion of the suction passage extends along the longitudinal axis, and the portion of the second portion of the suction passage that is in contact with the outlet opening extends along the longitudinal axis, provided that the other portion of the second portion of the suction passage can have any geometric shape, and an embodiment is conceivable in which a chamber is interposed between the first portion of the suction passage and the portion of the second portion of the suction passage that extends along the longitudinal axis. If neither the first portion nor the second portion of the suction passage extends along the longitudinal axis, then in order to determine the angle between the first and second portions, lines can be formed between the center point of the starting opening of each portion of the suction passage and the geometric center point of the ending opening, and the angle between these lines can be determined.

[0018] In one preferred embodiment, a first portion of the suction passage is followed by a single second portion of the suction passage. However, embodiments are also conceivable in which there are multiple second portions of the suction passage. In such embodiments, the suction passage has a first portion which branches into multiple second portions, each of which is followed by a first portion. When there are multiple second portions of the suction passage, each second portion of the suction passage has one outlet opening located on the suction side. Such branching embodiments may be used to distribute the outflow of fluid flowing through the suction passage on the suction side of the valve unit across the suction side. If there is only one second portion of the suction passage, there is also only one outlet opening, and the fluid flows out to only one location on the suction side. When a branching embodiment is selected, multiple outlet openings can be distributed across the suction side, thereby allowing the fluid to flow to multiple locations on the suction side.

[0019] The valve unit according to the present invention is assumed to have a suction valve body provided at the outlet opening of a second portion of the suction passage, with the suction valve body closing the outlet opening in the closed position and opening the outlet opening in the open position. Embodiments are conceivable in which the movement of the suction valve body from the closed position to the open position is rotational, for example, in these embodiments the suction valve body is a sphere with a through-hole. Particularly preferred are embodiments in which the movement from the closed position to the open position is a swirling or folding operation, in which a part of the valve is swirled or folded relative to the other part of the valve. In particular, in a particularly preferred embodiment in which the suction valve body is the valve body of a shut-off valve, the movement from the closed position to the open position involves a swirling or folding of the edge of the shut-off valve relative to the center of the shut-off valve. This movement is regularly generated by the fluid pressure applied to the closed valve body, while if a sufficiently high fluid pressure is insufficient, the elastic return force of the shut-off valve causes the edge of the shut-off valve to swivel or fold back to the closed position. In one other embodiment, the suction valve body moves linearly from a closed position to an open position. In one preferred embodiment, a second portion of the suction passage adjacent to the outlet opening extends along a longitudinal axis, in which case the movement of the suction valve body from the closed position to the open position is carried out along a line corresponding to the longitudinal axis, or extending parallel to this longitudinal axis, or extending at a small angle of less than 45°, particularly preferably less than 30°, and particularly preferably less than 20° with respect to this longitudinal axis. In one preferred embodiment, the suction valve body is held by a valve unit. Particularly preferably, the suction valve body has a pin-shaped portion, which is located in a tubular recess of the valve unit. In one preferred embodiment, one end of the pin is located at the end of the suction valve body, which closes the outlet opening in its closed position. This may be, for example, the shut-off portion of a shut-off valve. In one preferred embodiment, a sealing member is provided on the opposite side of the pin, which can restrain the position of the suction valve body to a closed position. In one embodiment of the suction valve body as a shut-off valve, the sealing member can, for example, restrain the position of the central part, and the edges perform a pivoting or folding motion relative to the central part to open the valve.In embodiments in which the suction valve body performs linear motion, the sealing member can, on the one hand, certainly allow the suction valve body to move from the closed position to the open position due to the movement of the pin in the pipe, but on the other hand, by blocking further movement of the pin along the pipe, it can prevent further movement of the suction valve body and thus restrain the suction valve body in the open position.

[0020] The valve unit according to the present invention is assumed to have a discharge valve body provided at the outlet opening of a first discharge valve, the discharge valve body closing the outlet opening in the closed position and opening the outlet opening in the open position. Embodiments are conceivable in which the movement of the discharge valve body from the closed position to the open position is rotational, for example in these embodiments in which the discharge valve body is a sphere with a through hole passing through it. Particularly preferred are embodiments in which the movement from the closed position to the open position is a swirling or folding operation, in which a part of the valve is swirled or folded relative to the other part of the valve. In particular, in a particularly preferred embodiment in which the discharge valve body is the valve body of a shut-off valve, the movement from the closed position to the open position involves a swirling or folding at the edge of the shut-off valve relative to the center of the shut-off valve. This movement is regularly generated by the fluid pressure applied to the closed valve body, while if a sufficiently high fluid pressure is insufficient, the elastic return force of the shut-off valve causes the edge of the shut-off valve to swivel or fold back to the closed position. In one other embodiment, the discharge valve body moves linearly from a closed position to an open position. In one preferred embodiment, the first discharge passage extends along a longitudinal axis, in which case the movement of the discharge valve body from the closed position to the open position is carried out along a line corresponding to the longitudinal axis, or extending parallel to this longitudinal axis, or extending at a small angle of less than 45°, particularly preferably less than 30°, and particularly preferably less than 20° with respect to this longitudinal axis. In one preferred embodiment, the discharge valve body is held by a valve unit. Particularly preferably, the discharge valve body has a pin-shaped portion, which is located in a tubular recess of the valve unit. In one preferred embodiment, one end of the pin is located on the discharge valve body, which closes the outlet opening in its closed position. This may be, for example, the shut-off portion of a shut-off valve. In one preferred embodiment, the opposite end of the pin is provided with a sealing member that can restrain the position of the discharge valve body to the closed position. In one embodiment of the discharge valve body as a shut-off valve, the sealing member can, for example, restrain the position of its central part, and the edges perform a pivoting or folding motion relative to the central part to open the valve.In embodiments in which the discharge valve body performs linear motion, the sealing member can, on the one hand, certainly allow the discharge valve body to move from the closed position to the open position due to the movement of the pin within the pipe, but on the other hand, by blocking further movement of the pin along the pipe, it can prevent further movement of the discharge valve body and thus restrain the discharge valve body in the open position.

[0021] In the valve unit according to the present invention, it may be assumed that a dedicated discharge valve body (second discharge valve body) for the second discharge passage is provided, that is, a discharge valve body that closes the outlet opening of the second discharge passage in the closed position and opens the outlet opening of the second discharge passage in the open position. Embodiments in which the movement of the second discharge valve body from the closed position to the open position is rotational are conceivable, and in these embodiments, for example, the second discharge valve body is a sphere with a through hole. Particularly preferred are embodiments in which the movement from the closed position to the open position is a pivoting or folding operation, in which a part of the valve is pivoted or folded relative to the other part of the valve. In particular, in a particularly preferred embodiment in which the second discharge valve body is the valve body of a shut-off valve, the movement from the closed position to the open position involves pivoting or folding at the edge of the shut-off valve relative to the center of the shut-off valve. This movement is regularly generated by the fluid pressure applied to the closed valve body, while insufficient fluid pressure causes the elastic return force of the shut-off valve to cause the edge of the shut-off valve to swivel or fold back to the closed position. In one other embodiment, the second discharge valve body moves linearly from the closed position to the open position. In one preferred embodiment, the second discharge passage extends along a longitudinal axis, in which case the movement of the second discharge valve body from the closed position to the open position occurs along a line corresponding to the longitudinal axis, or extending parallel to this longitudinal axis, or extending at a small angle of less than 45°, particularly preferably less than 30°, and particularly preferably less than 20° with respect to this longitudinal axis. In one preferred embodiment, the second discharge valve body is held by a valve unit. Particularly preferably, the second discharge valve body has a pin-shaped portion, which is located in a tubular recess of the valve unit. In one preferred embodiment, a portion of the second discharge valve body that closes the outlet opening in its closed position is located at one end of the pin. This may be, for example, the shut-off portion of a shut-off valve. In one preferred embodiment, a sealing member is provided on the opposite side of the pin that can restrain the position of the second discharge valve body in the closed position.In one embodiment of the second discharge valve body as a shut-off valve, the blocking member can, for example, restrain the position of the central portion, and with respect to the central portion, the edge portion performs its pivoting operation or folding operation to open the valve. In an embodiment where the second discharge valve body performs a linear motion, the blocking member can, on the one hand, surely enable the movement of the second discharge valve body from the closed position to the open position by the movement of the pin in the pipe, but on the other hand, by blocking the further movement of the pin along the pipe, the further movement of the second discharge valve body can be blocked and thus the second discharge valve body can be restrained in the open position.

[0022] However, an embodiment of a valve unit is also conceivable in which a discharge valve body that closes the outlet opening of the first discharge passage in the closed position and opens the outlet opening of the first discharge passage in the open position also closes the outlet opening of the second discharge passage in the closed position where the outlet opening of the first discharge passage is closed. In this case, the discharge valve body also opens the outlet opening of the second discharge passage in the open position where the outlet opening of the first discharge passage is opened. Such an embodiment can be achieved, for example, by a valve body of a shut-off valve in which a first part of the blocking portion, particularly the first edge portion, can close the outlet opening of the discharge passage in the closed position of the discharge valve body, and the other part of the blocking portion, particularly the other edge portion, can close the outlet opening of the second discharge passage in the closed position.

[0023] In one preferred embodiment of the valve unit according to the present invention, the first discharge passage extends along the longitudinal axis, and the second discharge passage also extends along the longitudinal axis. In one particularly preferred embodiment, the angle between the longitudinal axis of the first discharge passage and the longitudinal axis of the second discharge passage is less than 90°, particularly preferably less than 45°, particularly less than 30°, particularly less than 20°, particularly less than 10°, particularly less than 5°. Particularly preferably, both longitudinal axes extend parallel to each other.

[0024] In one preferred embodiment, the first discharge passage extends along the longitudinal axis, and at least a part of the second portion of the suction passage extends along the longitudinal axis. In one preferred embodiment, the angle between the longitudinal axis of the first discharge passage and the longitudinal axis of the second portion of the suction passage is less than 90°, particularly preferably less than 45°, particularly less than 30°, particularly less than 20°, particularly less than 10°, particularly less than 5°. Particularly preferably, both longitudinal axes extend parallel to each other.

[0025] In one preferred embodiment, the second discharge passage extends along the longitudinal axis, and at least a part of the second portion of the suction passage extends along the longitudinal axis. In one preferred embodiment, the angle between the longitudinal axis of the second discharge passage and the longitudinal axis of the second portion of the suction passage is less than 90°, particularly preferably less than 45°, particularly less than 30°, particularly less than 20°, particularly less than 10°, particularly less than 5°. Particularly preferably, both longitudinal axes extend parallel to each other.

[0026] In one preferred embodiment of the valve unit according to the present invention, the first portion of the suction passage extends along the longitudinal axis, and at least a part of the second portion of the suction passage extends along the longitudinal axis. In one particularly preferred embodiment, the angle between the longitudinal axis of the first portion of the suction passage and the longitudinal axis of the second portion of the suction passage is less than 90°, particularly preferably less than 45°, particularly less than 30°, particularly less than 20°, particularly less than 10°, particularly less than 5°. In one particularly preferred embodiment, the angle between the longitudinal axis of the first portion of the suction passage and the longitudinal axis of the second portion of the suction passage is greater than 5°, particularly preferably greater than 10°, particularly greater than 20°, particularly greater than 30°, particularly greater than 45°, particularly greater than 90°.

[0027] In one preferred embodiment, the first discharge passage extends along a longitudinal axis, and the first portion of the suction passage also extends along a longitudinal axis. In one preferred embodiment, the angle between the longitudinal axis of the first discharge passage and the longitudinal axis of the first portion of the suction passage is less than 90°, particularly preferably less than 45°, particularly less than 30°, particularly less than 20°, particularly less than 10°, and particularly less than 5°. In one particularly preferred embodiment, the angle between the longitudinal axis of the first portion of the suction passage and the longitudinal axis of the first discharge passage is greater than 5°, particularly preferably greater than 10°, particularly greater than 20°, particularly greater than 30°, particularly greater than 45°, and particularly greater than 90°.

[0028] In one preferred embodiment, the second discharge passage extends along the longitudinal axis, and the first portion of the suction passage also extends along the longitudinal axis. In one preferred embodiment, the angle between the longitudinal axis of the second discharge passage and the longitudinal axis of the first portion of the suction passage is less than 90°, particularly preferably less than 45°, particularly less than 30°, particularly less than 20°, particularly less than 10°, and particularly less than 5°. In one particularly preferred embodiment, the angle between the longitudinal axis of the first portion of the suction passage and the longitudinal axis of the second discharge passage is greater than 5°, particularly preferably greater than 10°, particularly greater than 20°, particularly greater than 30°, particularly greater than 45°, and particularly greater than 90°.

[0029] In one preferred embodiment, the first discharge passage is located above the second discharge passage. This configuration of the valve unit can be used in the integration of such a valve unit into a diaphragm pump to allow special air venting and / or special de-evacuation of the pump chamber of the diaphragm pump. When the shape of the pump chamber of the diaphragm pump in which the valve unit of this embodiment is used is matched to the valve unit, the inlet opening of the first discharge passage forms the uppermost point of the pump chamber and / or the inlet opening of the second discharge passage forms the lowermost point of the pump chamber, thereby allowing any air to flow out of the pump chamber through the first discharge passage, which is positioned considerably higher, thus resulting in complete air venting of the pump chamber, or allowing any residual liquid to flow out of the pump chamber through the second discharge passage, which is positioned particularly lower, thus allowing the pump chamber to be completely emptied.

[0030] In one preferred embodiment, the second portion of the suction passage is located between the first discharge passage and the second discharge passage. In one particularly preferred embodiment, the first discharge passage is located above the second portion of the suction passage, and / or the second portion of the suction passage is located above the second discharge passage. Such embodiments allow the outlet opening of the suction passage to be formed in the central region on the suction side, while the inlet openings of the first discharge passage and the second discharge passage are located in the edge region on the suction side. Such embodiments increase the design freedom of the suction valve body, as it can be designed with less consideration for the inlet openings of the first discharge passage and the second discharge passage with respect to closing the outlet opening of the suction passage. In such embodiments, the risk of the suction valve body covering the inlet opening of the first discharge passage or the inlet opening of the second discharge passage can be reduced.

[0031] In one preferred embodiment, the first portion of the suction passage extends from a location below a horizontal plane, where it intersects with the lowest point of the discharge passage located at the bottom of both discharge passages (the first discharge passage and the second discharge passage), to a location above this horizontal plane.

[0032] In one preferred embodiment, the first portion of the suction passage extends from a location above a horizontal plane that intersects with the highest point of one of the two discharge passages (the first discharge passage and the second discharge passage), which is located at the highest point of both discharge passages, to a location below this horizontal plane.

[0033] In one preferred embodiment, a first portion of the suction passage leads from a location outside the assumed area into the assumed area, in which case, particularly preferably, a transition from the first portion of the suction passage to a second portion of the suction passage is located in the assumed area, and the assumed area is defined by a suction side on one side, a discharge side on the other side, and a surrounding portion of the edges of the suction side and the discharge side. If the suction side is formed, for example, in a circular shape and the discharge side is also formed in a circular shape, the surrounding portion has the shape of the side of a cylinder (if the suction side and the discharge side are of equal size) or the shape of the side of a frustocone (if the suction side and the discharge side are of equal size).

[0034] In one preferred embodiment, a suction valve body is assumed to be connected to a discharge valve body that closes the outlet opening of the first discharge passage in the closed position and opens the outlet opening of the first discharge passage in the open position.

[0035] The connection may be a rigid connection, particularly preferably. Particularly preferably, the connection is made such that the suction valve body is coupled to the discharge valve body via a rigid component. In one preferred embodiment, the suction valve body is formed as the shut-off portion of a shut-off valve, thereby allowing the pin of the shut-off portion to be used for such a connection. It is conceivable that a "double shut-off valve" is formed, in which the suction valve body is formed in the form of a shut-off valve by a shut-off portion and a pin, and the discharge valve body is also formed in the form of a shut-off valve by using a similar pin by providing another shut-off portion at the opposite end.

[0036] However, embodiments in which the connection is elastic are also conceivable. Particularly preferably, the connection is made such that the suction valve body is coupled to the discharge valve body via an elastic component. In one preferred embodiment, the suction valve body is formed as the shut-off portion of a shut-off valve, thereby allowing the pin of the shut-off portion to be used for such a connection, for example, if the pin is manufactured from an elastomer. It is conceivable that a "double shut-off valve" is formed, in which the suction valve body is formed in the form of a shut-off valve by a shut-off portion and a pin, and the discharge valve body is also formed in the form of a shut-off valve by using a similar pin, with another shut-off portion provided at the opposite end. By using an elastomer for the pin, the preload pressing the shut-off portion of the shut-off valve against the surface to be sealed by the shut-off portion can be adjusted.

[0037] The coupling can result in the suction valve being in the closed position when the discharge valve, which closes the outlet opening of the first discharge passage in the closed position and opens the outlet opening of the first discharge passage in the open position, is in the open position. Supplementarily or selectively, the coupling can result in the suction valve being in the open position when the discharge valve, which closes the outlet opening of the first discharge passage in the closed position and opens the outlet opening of the first discharge passage in the open position, is in the closed position. Such coupling offers several advantages in the control of a diaphragm pump, because it can guarantee that the suction valve is in the closed position when the discharge valve, which closes the outlet opening of the first discharge passage in the closed position and opens the outlet opening of the first discharge passage in the open position, is in the open position. Such coupling offers several advantages in the control of a diaphragm pump. This is because this connection ensures that when the discharge valve, which closes the outlet opening of the first discharge passage in the closed position and opens the outlet opening of the first discharge passage in the open position, is in the closed position, the suction valve is in the open position. If two discharge valves are provided, a connection between the suction valve and the two discharge valves can also be considered, and this connection synchronizes the movement of the suction valve with the movement of the two discharge valves.

[0038] In one preferred embodiment, the suction valve body and / or discharge valve body are valve bodies of a shut-off valve. In one preferred embodiment, the valve bodies are manufactured from an elastomer, preferably from ethylene propylene diene rubber.

[0039] In the present invention, it is recognized that a valve body according to the present invention for a diaphragm pump can offer several advantages if the valve body is formed as a shut-off portion, in which case the shut-off portion has the shape of a circle with at least one circular portion removed, or the shut-off portion has the shape of an ellipse with at least one elliptical portion removed. Such a valve body is suitable for closing the outlet opening of a suction passage in the closed position. However, the circular portion or elliptical portion removed according to the present invention creates space in which an inlet opening for a discharge passage can be located. That is, such a valve body makes it possible to position the outlet opening of the suction passage closer to the inlet opening of the discharge passage. In one preferred embodiment, the shut-off portion is formed in the shape of a circle, in which case two circular portions located on opposite sides are removed. This makes it possible to position the inlet opening of the discharge passage closer to the outlet opening of the suction passage when the outlet opening of the suction passage is located between the inlet openings of a first discharge passage and a second discharge passage, which are arranged vertically. In one preferred embodiment, the shut-off section is formed in an elliptical shape, in which case two elliptical portions located on opposite sides are removed. This makes it possible to bring the inlet opening of the discharge passage closer to the outlet opening of the suction passage when the outlet opening of the suction passage is located between the inlet openings of the first and second discharge passages, which are arranged vertically. In one preferred embodiment, the shut-off section is formed in a square shape, in which case two rectangular portions located on opposite sides are removed, so the shut-off section has a rectangular shape. This makes it possible to bring the inlet opening of the discharge passage closer to the outlet opening of the suction passage when the outlet opening of the suction passage is located between the inlet openings of the first and second discharge passages, which are arranged vertically.

[0040] In one preferred embodiment, the suction valve body of the valve unit according to the present invention is formed in the form of a valve body according to the present invention.

[0041] In one preferred embodiment, the outlet opening of the suction passage is formed in the shape of a circle, an ellipse, or an arc segment. An embodiment is conceivable in which the outlet opening of the suction passage is formed by a plurality of outlet opening components. The outlet opening components themselves may also be formed in the shape of a circle, an ellipse, or an arc segment, for example. For example, the outlet opening of the suction passage may be formed in a plate fitted over a body on which the second portion of the suction passage is formed. This plate may have a plurality of openings formed on it, distributed across the cross-section of the second portion of the suction passage formed in the body, as exemplified here, and these openings together form the outlet opening of the suction passage. The second portion of the suction passage has a filter or a perforated plate as its end. This embodiment is alternatively suitable for a branched suction passage, in which the suction passage branches downstream of the first portion of the suction passage into a plurality of parallel, extending second portions, in which case each second portion is formed with a dedicated outlet opening on the suction side of the valve unit.

[0042] In one preferred embodiment, the inlet opening and / or outlet opening of the first discharge passage are formed in the shape of a circle, an ellipse, or an arc segment. An embodiment is conceivable in which the outlet opening of the first discharge passage is formed by a plurality of outlet opening segments. These outlet opening segments themselves may also be formed in the shape of a circle, an ellipse, or an arc segment, for example. This embodiment is suitable as an alternative to another possible embodiment in which a plurality of narrow discharge passages are provided, extending parallel from the suction side to the discharge side of the valve unit. In one embodiment, the first discharge passage is a passage that ends at a filter or perforated plate on the discharge side. In other embodiments, a plurality of parallel passages are provided that extend from the suction side to the discharge side. Particularly preferred is the embodiment in which a plurality of narrow discharge passages are provided, extending parallel from the suction side to the discharge side of the valve unit.

[0043] In one preferred embodiment, the inlet opening and / or outlet opening of the second discharge passage are formed in the shape of a circle, ellipse, or arc segment. An embodiment is conceivable in which the outlet opening of the second discharge passage is formed by a plurality of outlet opening segments. These outlet opening segments themselves may also be formed in the shape of a circle, ellipse, or arc segment, for example. This embodiment is suitable as an alternative to another possible embodiment in which a plurality of narrow discharge passages are provided, extending parallel from the suction side to the discharge side of the valve unit. In one embodiment, the first discharge passage is a passage that ends at a filter or perforated plate on the discharge side. In other embodiments, a plurality of parallel passages are provided that extend from the suction side to the discharge side.

[0044] In one preferred embodiment, the first discharge passage has the same cross-sectional shape at least partially, but preferably over its entire longitudinal length. Preferably, this cross-sectional shape is circular or elliptical. In one preferred embodiment, the second discharge passage has the same cross-sectional shape at least partially, but preferably over its entire longitudinal length. Preferably, this cross-sectional shape is circular or elliptical. In one preferred embodiment, the first portion of the suction passage has the same cross-sectional shape at least partially, but preferably over its entire longitudinal length. Preferably, this cross-sectional shape is circular or elliptical. In one preferred embodiment, the second portion of the suction passage has the same cross-sectional shape at least partially, but preferably over its entire longitudinal length. Preferably, this cross-sectional shape is circular or elliptical.

[0045] The valve plate of the diaphragm pump according to the present invention has a valve unit and / or a valve body according to the present invention incorporated into the valve plate.

[0046] Diaphragm pumps, as known from the prior art, for example from German Patent No. 102008035592 or European Patent Publication No. 3327287, are often constructed by arranging multiple plates in contact with each other. The diaphragm pump shown in Figure 1 of European Patent Publication No. 3327287 has, for example, a front plate, an intermediate plate also called a chamber casing, a valve plate, and an end plate also called a diaphragm support, which is equipped with a pump diaphragm, and the pump diaphragm is coupled to a rotating swash plate (not shown in Figure 1 of European Patent Publication No. 3327287) via a pump element. The present invention has noticed that in such a diaphragm pump structure, the advantages of the present invention can already be obtained by equipping the valve plate with the valve unit according to the present invention. By replacing the valve plate, the advantages of the present invention can already be obtained in existing prior art diaphragm pumps as well. Therefore, the valve plate is a independently marketable product that can be sold, for example, for retrofitting to existing diaphragm pumps.

[0047] In one preferred embodiment, the valve plate according to the present invention has a single base body into which a first discharge passage, a second discharge passage, and a suction passage are introduced. This may be done, for example, by cutting or etching. The base body of the valve plate may also be manufactured by casting, in which case the first discharge passage, the second discharge passage, and the suction passage may be introduced into the base body later, for example, by cutting, or may be formed during casting based on the geometric shape of the mold. The valve plate may also be manufactured by additive manufacturing, particularly preferably by 3D printing.

[0048] In one preferred embodiment, the valve plate has a chamber side. The chamber side is the side facing the pump chamber, or the side on which part or all of the pump chamber is formed, if the pump chamber is formed on a separate plate in contact with the valve plate. In one preferred embodiment, the suction side of the valve unit according to the present invention forms part of the chamber side of the valve plate according to the present invention. In one preferred embodiment, the suction side of the valve unit according to the present invention may form the bottom of a recess introduced into the chamber side of the valve plate according to the present invention. That is, part or even the entire pump chamber may be formed in the valve plate itself. The recess introduced into the chamber side of the valve plate according to the present invention, which forms the pump chamber, may be closed by a diaphragm in contact with the chamber side of the valve plate, and the movement of the diaphragm can generate a pump stroke.

[0049] In one preferred embodiment, the valve plate has an intake / discharge side. The intake / discharge side is the side facing the intake and discharge volumes, if the intake and discharge volumes are formed on separate plates in contact with the valve plate, or the side on which part or all of the discharge volume or part or all of the intake volume is formed. In one preferred embodiment, the discharge side of the valve unit according to the present invention forms a part of the intake / discharge side of the valve plate according to the present invention. In one preferred embodiment, the discharge side of the valve unit according to the present invention may form the bottom of a recess introduced into the intake / discharge side of the valve plate according to the present invention.

[0050] In one preferred embodiment, the valve plate has a plurality of valve units or valve bodies according to the present invention incorporated into the valve plate. In one preferred embodiment, the valve plate has two, three, four, five, six, or even seven or more valve units or valve bodies according to the present invention incorporated into the valve plate. In one preferred embodiment, in a plurality of valve units according to the present invention provided on a valve plate according to the present invention, these valve units are evenly distributed on a ring surrounding a single point, preferably the center point of the valve plate. In one preferred embodiment, in a plurality of valve units according to the present invention incorporated on a valve plate according to the present invention, the position of the first discharge passage relative to the second discharge passage, and / or the position of the first discharge passage relative to the second portion of the suction passage are the same for all valve units. Particularly preferably, in all valve units according to the present invention incorporated on a valve plate according to the present invention, the first discharge passage is located above the second portion of the suction passage, and / or the second portion of the suction passage is located above the second discharge passage. In one preferred embodiment, in all valve units of the valve plate according to the present invention, the first discharge passage is positioned vertically directly above the second discharge passage. However, an embodiment is also conceivable in which the inlet opening of the first discharge passage and the inlet opening of the second discharge passage of each valve unit are aligned on a line, and all these lines intersect at a single point on the valve plate (radial arrangement).

[0051] In one preferred embodiment, the valve plate according to the present invention has a plurality of through holes. These through holes may be guided by screws, for example, that can connect individual plates of a diaphragm pump to one another.

[0052] In one preferred embodiment, the valve plate according to the present invention has a suction chamber. The suction chamber may be formed particularly preferably as a bowl-shaped recess extending into the interior of the valve plate from the suction / discharge side. In one preferred embodiment, a first portion of the suction passage leads from the suction chamber to a second portion of the suction passage. In one preferred embodiment, if the valve plate according to the present invention is provided with a plurality of valve units according to the present invention, in one preferred embodiment, each first portion of each suction passage leads from the suction chamber to each second portion of each suction passage. In one preferred embodiment, each first portion of the plurality of suction passages is formed to lead out radially from the suction chamber. In one preferred embodiment, the suction chamber is located at the center point of the valve plate.

[0053] In one preferred embodiment, the suction / discharge side of the valve plate according to the present invention has an annular groove for mounting a seal. In one preferred embodiment, two annular grooves formed concentrically with respect to each other are provided for mounting one seal ring each. The first annular groove extends around the suction chamber provided in this preferred embodiment. The second annular groove extends around the outer circumference of the valve unit according to the present invention provided on the valve plate according to the present invention.

[0054] In one preferred embodiment, an annular groove for attaching a seal is provided on the diaphragm-side surface of the valve chamber.

[0055] The diaphragm pump according to the present invention has a valve unit and / or a valve plate and / or a valve body according to the present invention.

[0056] In one preferred embodiment, the diaphragm has a front plate. The front plate may have an inlet opening and an outlet opening, provided on the front side or around the front plate. The back side of the front plate may have a discharge volume and a suction volume. A passage formed in the front plate connects the outlet opening to the discharge volume. A passage provided in the front plate connects the inlet opening to the suction volume. Particularly preferred, the suction volume is formed in the center and surrounded by an annularly formed discharge volume.

[0057] In one preferred embodiment, the valve plate according to the present invention abuts against the back side of the front plate. The discharge side of the valve unit according to the present invention, provided on the valve plate according to the present invention, is in contact with the discharge volume of the front plate, or, according to one preferred embodiment, the discharge side forms the bottom of a bowl-shaped recess in the valve plate, and the bowl-shaped recess in the valve plate, where the discharge side of the valve unit is located at the bottom, opens to the discharge volume.

[0058] In one preferred embodiment, each first portion of the suction passage of each valve unit is connected to a suction volume. This may be done by having each first portion of the suction passage directly open to the suction / discharge side of the valve plate, and thus, when the valve plate contacts the back side of the front plate, it opens to a suction volume provided on the back side of the front plate. In one optional embodiment, it may be assumed that the valve plate has a bowl-shaped recess on its suction / discharge side that opens to the suction volume when the valve plate contacts the back side of the front plate. As described above, each first portion of a plurality of suction passages may be led out from such a bowl-shaped suction chamber.

[0059] In one preferred embodiment, the valve plate is followed by an end plate, also called a diaphragm support, on the side of the valve plate opposite to the front plate (the diaphragm side of the valve plate), which is equipped with a pump diaphragm. In one preferred embodiment, the pump chambers are formed in the valve plate as bowl-shaped recesses, which extend from the diaphragm side of the valve plate toward the inside of the valve plate, with the suction side of each valve unit located at the bottom of the bowl-shaped recesses. These bowl-shaped pump chambers can be closed by the diaphragm contacting the diaphragm side of the valve plate. In this case, one diaphragm is provided for each pump chamber. Each pump diaphragm may be connected to a rotating swash plate located in the drive chamber of the diaphragm pump via a pump element corresponding to each pump diaphragm. In this case, the oscillation of the rotating swash plate can cause the pump diaphragm to oscillate axially, thereby producing a periodic pumping motion. The rotating swash plate may be fitted to a drive pin of a drive shaft coupled to a drive unit.

[0060] In one preferred embodiment, the diaphragm pump according to the present invention has a plurality of valve units according to the present invention, a plurality of valve bodies according to the present invention, or a plurality of valve plates according to the present invention.

[0061] In one preferred embodiment, the line connecting the center point of the suction side surface to the center point of the discharge side surface is parallel to the longitudinal axis of the diaphragm pump, or is located at a small angle with respect to the longitudinal axis of the diaphragm pump, particularly preferably less than 45°, particularly preferably less than 30°, and particularly preferably less than 25°. In one preferred embodiment, the suction side forms part of the wall defining the pump chamber in the diaphragm pump. In one preferred embodiment, the suction side is located on the side opposite to the diaphragm that defines the pump chamber.

[0062] The longitudinal axis of a diaphragm pump is, particularly preferably, the axis that extends parallel to the direction in which the diaphragm performs its pumping stroke. In the case of a valve plate formed to be rotationally symmetric, the longitudinal axis of the diaphragm pump may be the axis that gives rise to the rotational symmetry of the valve plate.

[0063] The present invention further proposes the use of a suction valve body connected to a discharge valve body in a diaphragm pump. In this case, the connection between the suction valve body and the discharge valve body causes the movement of the suction valve body to cause the movement of the discharge valve body. In the case of a diaphragm pump, such a connection can ensure the reliable simultaneous opening and closing of the outlet opening of the suction passage and the outlet opening of the discharge passage.

[0064] The present invention further proposes a method for operating a diaphragm pump, in which the diaphragm pump has a pump chamber, a movable diaphragm is in contact with the pump chamber, the volume of the pump chamber increases when the diaphragm moves in a first direction called the suction direction, and decreases when the diaphragm moves in the opposite direction called the discharge direction, the diaphragm pump has a valve unit according to the present invention, the suction side of the valve unit is in contact with the pump chamber. In this method, the diaphragm is moved in the suction direction, and when the diaphragm moves in the suction direction, the suction valve body is pulled in the direction of its open position. Furthermore, this method assumes that the diaphragm is moved in the discharge direction, and when the diaphragm moves in the discharge direction, the suction valve body is pressed in the direction of its closed position.

[0065] The diaphragm pump according to the present invention is particularly preferably used in the fields of chemistry, pharmaceuticals, and biotechnology, where the medium to be pumped may be extremely expensive. Therefore, it is desirable that, after pumping, as little or no residual volume of the pumped medium remains in the diaphragm pump as possible. Furthermore, completely filling such a diaphragm pump with fluid without trapping air is advantageous in terms of pumping capacity. Possible application fields include tangential flow filtration and chromatography.

[0066] Next, the present invention will be described in more detail based on drawings that merely illustrate examples. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0067] [Figure 1] This is a perspective view showing a diaphragm pump. [Figure 2] Figure 1 is an exploded view of the diaphragm pump shown. [Figure 3] Figure 1 is a perspective view of the front panel of the diaphragm pump, seen from the rear. [Figure 4] Figure 1 is a front view perspective of the valve plate of the diaphragm pump shown. [Figure 5] Figure 1 is a front view of the valve plate of the diaphragm pump. [Figure 6] Figure 1 is a rear-view perspective of the valve plate of the diaphragm pump shown. [Figure 7] This is a rear view of the diaphragm pump shown in Figure 1. [Figure 8] This is a cross-sectional view of the diaphragm pump shown in Figure 1, along line AA shown in Figure 7. [Figure 9] Figure 5 shows the valve plate as viewed from the front. [Figure 10] This is a cross-sectional view of the valve plate shown in Figure 7, along line BB shown in Figure 9. [Figure 11] Figure 9 is a partially transparent perspective view of the valve plate shown. [Figure 12] Figure 9 is a lateral cross-sectional view of the valve plate of the valve. [Figure 13] This is a perspective view of the valve body according to the present invention. [Figure 14] This is a perspective view of the valve body according to the present invention. [Figure 15] This is a perspective view of the valve body according to the present invention. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0068] In particular, the diaphragm pump 1 shown in Figures 1, 2, and 8 has a front plate 2, a valve plate 3, and a diaphragm plate 4. The front plate 2, valve plate 3, and diaphragm plate 4 are fastened to each other by four screws 13.

[0069] The suction connection member 5 and the discharge connection member 6 are screw-fastened to the front side of the front plate 2. In this configuration, the suction connection member 5 and the discharge connection member 6 enable easy and secure attachment and retention of the hose. However, other connection types, such as smart couplings, are also possible. An O-ring seal seals the suction connection member 5 and the discharge connection member 6 to the base of the front plate 2.

[0070] A suction volume 7 is formed on the back side of the front plate 2 (see Figure 3). Part of the suction volume 7 extends into the valve plate 3 (see Figures 2, 4, 5, 8, 9, 10, and 11). The suction volume 7 is surrounded by a seal 17. Furthermore, a discharge volume 8 is formed on the back side of the front plate 2 (see Figure 3). The discharge volume 8 is surrounded by a seal 18.

[0071] The diaphragm plate 4 has three openings 9. A diaphragm 10 is placed inside each opening 9. As shown in the cross-sectional view of Figure 8, each diaphragm 10, which has an annular protrusion 11, is located in a recess 12 formed on the front side of the diaphragm plate 4, where it is held by screw fastening (screws 13) between the diaphragm plate 4 and the valve plate 3. Each diaphragm 10 has a drive pin 14. Each drive pin 14 has a male thread, which causes the drive pin 14 to be screwed into the female thread of an opening 15 provided in the support ring 16. The support ring 16 may be oscillated by a drive device (not shown), and this oscillation may cause the drive pin 14 of the diaphragm 10 to move alternately toward the rear (away from the valve plate 3) or toward the front (towards the valve plate 3). This generates a pump stroke for each diaphragm 10. Due to the oscillation, each pumping stroke is staggered in time, resulting in more uniform pumping by the diaphragm pump, thus avoiding or reducing pulsation in the pumped fluid.

[0072] The illustrated diaphragm pump 1 is formed with three pump chambers. The diaphragm pump according to the present invention may be formed with two pump chambers, but also, particularly preferably, with more than three pump chambers, for example, four, five, six, seven, or even more. The more pump chambers used, the greater the structural height and the number of parts to be attached, but more pulsation in the fluid being pumped can also be avoided or reduced.

[0073] Three additional holes in the support ring 16 can be used to accommodate pins located on the driven swash plate, which prevent relative rotation of the swash plate.

[0074] The valve plate 2 has three valve units 20 according to the present invention. Each valve unit 20 has a suction side 21 facing the diaphragm plate 4 and a discharge side 22 facing the front side 2. Each valve unit 20 has a first discharge passage 23, which extends from an inlet opening 24 located on the suction side 21 and corresponding to the first discharge passage 23, to an outlet opening 25 located on the discharge side 22 and corresponding to the first discharge passage 23. Each valve unit has a second discharge passage 26, which extends from an inlet opening 27 located on the suction side 21 and corresponding to the second discharge passage 26, to an outlet opening 28 located on the discharge side 22 and corresponding to the second discharge passage 26. Each first discharge passage 23 is located above the second discharge passage 26.

[0075] Each valve unit 20 has a suction passage 30. Each suction passage 30 has a first portion 31 and a second portion 32 that follows the first portion 31. The second portion 32 has an outlet opening 33 located on the suction side 21. The first portion 31 extends at a predetermined angle relative to the second portion 32. The second portion 32 of the suction passage 30 is located between the first discharge passage 23 and the second discharge passage 26 when viewed vertically.

[0076] A suction valve body 40 is provided at the outlet opening 33 of the second portion 32 of the suction passage 30. The suction valve body 40 closes the outlet opening 33 in the closed position (see Figure 12) and opens the outlet opening 33 in the open position.

[0077] A discharge valve body 41 is provided at the outlet opening 25 of the first discharge passage 23. The discharge valve body 41 closes the outlet opening 25 in the closed position and opens the outlet opening 25 in the open position. The discharge valve body 41, which closes the outlet opening 25 of the first discharge passage 23 in the closed position and opens the outlet opening 25 of the first discharge passage 23 in the open position, is formed such that when the discharge valve body 41 is in the closed position, it also closes the outlet opening 28 of the second discharge passage 26, and when the discharge valve body 41 is in the open position, it also opens the outlet opening 28 of the second discharge passage 26.

[0078] The first discharge passage 23 extends along the longitudinal axis (see Figures 8 and 10). The second discharge passage 26 extends along the longitudinal axis (see Figures 8 and 10). The angle between the longitudinal axis of the first discharge passage 23 and the longitudinal axis of the second discharge passage 26 is less than 90°, i.e., approximately 20° (see Figure 10).

[0079] The second portion 32 of the suction passage 30 extends along its longitudinal axis for at least a portion of its length. The angle between the longitudinal axis of the first discharge passage 23 and the longitudinal axis of the second portion 32 of the suction passage 30 is less than 90°, i.e., about 10° (in this embodiment, the longitudinal axis of the second portion 32 of the suction passage 30 extends substantially horizontally (see Figure 8), and the longitudinal axis of the first discharge passage 23 extends at about 10° with respect to the horizontal). The angle between the longitudinal axis of the second discharge passage 26 and the longitudinal axis of the second portion 32 of the suction passage 30 is less than 90°, i.e., about 10° (in this embodiment, the longitudinal axis of the second portion 32 of the suction passage 30 extends substantially horizontally (see Figure 8), and the longitudinal axis of the second discharge passage 26 extends at about 10° to the horizontal). The first portion 31 of the suction passage 30 extends along its longitudinal axis. The angle between the longitudinal axis of the first portion 31 of the suction passage 30 and the longitudinal axis of the second portion 32 of the suction passage 30 is greater than 90° (see Figure 8). The angle between the longitudinal axis of the first discharge passage 23 and the longitudinal axis of the first portion 31 of the suction passage 30 is greater than 90° (see Figure 8). The angle between the longitudinal axis of the second discharge passage 26 and the longitudinal axis of the first portion 31 of the suction passage 30 is greater than 90° (see Figure 8).

[0080] Each valve unit 20 is connected to its suction valve body 40 and discharge valve body 41. This connection ensures that when the discharge valve body 41 is in the open position, the suction valve body 40 is in the closed position. The connection is made possible by a web 42. The suction valve body 40 is formed as a shut-off valve having a shut-off section 43 and a web 42. The shut-off section 43 is formed in a circular shape, in which case the upper and lower circular portions 44 have been removed. The discharge valve body 41 is formed as a shut-off valve having a circular shut-off section 45 and a web 42. That is, the web 42 forms both the portion of the suction valve body 40 and the portion of the discharge valve body 41.

[0081] The first portion 31 of the suction passage 30 has an inlet opening 34. The inlet opening 34 is provided in the portion of the suction volume 7 located on the valve plate 3. That is, as can be seen in Figures 9 and 11, there are three inlet openings 34 in the portion of the suction volume 7 located on the valve plate 3, i.e., for each first portion 31 of each suction passage 30 of the three valve units 20.

[0082] For clarity, Figure 11 shows only one valve unit 20 equipped with an inlet valve body 40 and a discharge valve body 41. For the other two valve units 20, the inlet valve body 40 and discharge valve body 41 are omitted to allow for better illustration of the guidance of the first discharge passage 23, the second discharge passage 26, and the inlet passage 30. For clarity, Figure 9 shows only two valve units 20 equipped with an inlet valve body 40. For the third valve unit 20, the inlet valve body 40 is omitted to allow for better illustration of the guidance of the first discharge passage 23, the second discharge passage 26, and the inlet passage 30.

[0083] When the diaphragm pump is in operation, as the diaphragm 10 retracts (moves away from the valve plate 3), negative pressure is created in the pump chamber formed between the suction valve body 40 and the diaphragm 10. This negative pressure pulls the suction valve body 40 to its open position (away from the front plate 2) and the discharge valve body 41 to its closed position (away from the front plate 2). This opens the outlet opening 33 of the suction passage 30. The negative pressure forces the fluid to be pumped from the suction volume 7 through the inlet opening 34 to the first section 31 of the suction passage 30, from there to the second section 32 of the suction passage 30, and out of the suction passage 30 through the opened outlet opening 33. In this part of the pump cycle, the fluid to be pumped cannot flow out of the pump chamber. This is because both the outlet opening 25 of the first discharge passage 23 and the outlet opening 28 of the second discharge passage 26 are closed by the discharge valve body 41. This fluid operation is indicated by the arrows shown at the bottom of Figure 10 and the arrows shown in Figures 5 and 11.

[0084] The arrows in Figures 5, 10, and 11, which indicate the fluid suction operation, are used solely to illustrate the fluid flow operation during each suction operation of each valve unit 20. As mentioned above, since the suction operations of each valve unit 20 are staggered in time, each flow operation is naturally also staggered in time. The representation format chosen for Figures 5, 10, and 11 does not indicate that the suction operations are performed simultaneously (even though arrows are shown for all valve units in Figures 5 and 11, for example). The arrows are used solely to represent the flow operation during each suction operation and do not intend to suggest that these suction operations are performed simultaneously. The suction operations are naturally staggered in time. In Figure 10, the arrows shown therein indicate, for example, that the lower valve unit 20 is performing a suction operation (fluid is drawn from the suction volume 7 into the pump chamber), while the upper valve unit 20 is performing a discharge operation (fluid is pumped into the discharge volume 8 via the first discharge passage 23 and the second discharge passage 26).

[0085] When the diaphragm pump is in operation, the diaphragm 10 is pushed out (movement of the diaphragm 10 toward the valve plate 3), which creates excess pressure in the pump chamber formed between the suction valve body 40 and the diaphragm 10. Due to the excess pressure, the suction valve body 40 is pushed toward its closed position (towards the front plate 2), and the discharge valve body 41 is pushed toward its open position (towards the front plate 2). As a result, the outlet opening 33 of the suction passage 30 is closed. The outlet opening 25 of the first discharge passage 23 and the outlet opening 28 of the second discharge passage 26 are opened. The fluid to be pumped is pumped from the pump chamber into the first discharge passage 23 through the inlet opening 24 due to excess pressure, then pumped from the first discharge passage 23 into the discharge volume 8 through the outlet opening 25, and also pumped into the second discharge passage 26 through the inlet opening 27, and then pumped from the second discharge passage 26 into the discharge volume 8 through the outlet opening 28. This fluid movement is indicated by the arrows shown at the top of Figure 10.

Claims

1. A valve unit for a diaphragm pump, wherein the valve unit has a suction side and a discharge side. A first discharge passage is provided, and the first discharge passage extends from an inlet opening located on the suction side, corresponding to the first discharge passage, to an outlet opening located on the discharge side, corresponding to the first discharge passage. A second discharge passage is provided, and the second discharge passage extends from an inlet opening corresponding to the second discharge passage, located on the suction side, to an outlet opening corresponding to the second discharge passage, located on the discharge side. A suction passage is provided having a first portion and a second portion that is continuous with the first portion, the second portion having an outlet opening located on the suction side, and the first portion extending at a predetermined angle relative to the second portion. A suction valve body is provided at the outlet opening of the second portion of the suction passage, the suction valve body closes the outlet opening in the closed position and opens the outlet opening in the open position, the suction valve body is formed as a shut-off portion, (a) the shut-off portion has the shape of a circle with at least one arc-shaped portion removed, or (b) the shut-off portion has the shape of an ellipse with at least one arc-shaped portion removed, A discharge valve is provided at the outlet opening of the first discharge passage, and the discharge valve closes the outlet opening in the closed position and opens the outlet opening in the open position. A dedicated discharge valve body is provided at the outlet opening of the second discharge passage, and the dedicated discharge valve body closes the outlet opening in the closed position and opens the outlet opening in the open position, or closes the outlet opening of the first discharge passage in the closed position and opens the outlet opening of the first discharge passage in the open position, and the discharge valve body is formed to close the outlet opening of the second discharge passage when the discharge valve body is closed at the closed position of the first discharge passage and to open the outlet opening of the second discharge passage when the discharge valve body is open at the open position of the first discharge passage. Valve unit for diaphragm pumps.

2. The first discharge passage extends along its longitudinal axis, The second discharge passage extends along its longitudinal axis, The second portion of the suction passage has at least a portion of its extending length that extends along the longitudinal axis of the second portion, The angle between the longitudinal axis of the first discharge passage and the longitudinal axis of the second discharge passage is less than 90° in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the diaphragm pump, and / or The angle between the longitudinal axis of the first discharge passage and the longitudinal axis of the second portion of the suction passage is less than 90° in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the diaphragm pump, and / or The angle between the longitudinal axis of the second discharge passage and the longitudinal axis of the second portion of the suction passage is less than 90° in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the diaphragm pump. The valve unit according to claim 1.

3. The first portion of the suction passage has at least a portion of its extending length that extends along the longitudinal axis of the first portion, The angle between the longitudinal axis of the first portion of the suction passage and the longitudinal axis of the second portion of the suction passage is greater than 90° in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the diaphragm pump, and / or The angle between the longitudinal axis of the first discharge passage and the longitudinal axis of the first portion of the suction passage is greater than 90° in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the diaphragm pump, and / or The angle between the longitudinal axis of the second discharge passage and the longitudinal axis of the first portion of the suction passage is greater than 90° in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the diaphragm pump. The valve unit according to claim 2.

4. The angle between the longitudinal axis of the first portion of the suction passage and the longitudinal axis of the second portion of the suction passage is greater than 90° in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the diaphragm pump. The valve unit according to claim 1.

5. The angle between the longitudinal axis of the first discharge passage and the longitudinal axis of the first portion of the suction passage is greater than 90° in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the diaphragm pump. The valve unit according to claim 1.

6. The angle between the longitudinal axis of the second discharge passage and the longitudinal axis of the first portion of the suction passage is greater than 90° in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the diaphragm pump. The valve unit according to claim 1.

7. The angle between the longitudinal axis of the first portion of the suction passage and the longitudinal axis of the second portion of the suction passage is greater than 90° in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the diaphragm pump, and The angle between the longitudinal axis of the first discharge passage and the longitudinal axis of the first portion of the suction passage is greater than 90° in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the diaphragm pump, and The angle between the longitudinal axis of the second discharge passage and the longitudinal axis of the first portion of the suction passage is greater than 90° in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the diaphragm pump. The valve unit according to claim 3.

8. The longitudinal axis of the diaphragm pump extends along a horizontal line, The first discharge passage is located above the second discharge passage in the vertical direction, and / or The valve unit according to claim 1, wherein the second portion of the suction passage is arranged vertically between the first discharge passage and the second discharge passage.

9. The valve unit according to claim 1, further comprising a connecting portion for connecting the suction valve body with a discharge valve body that closes the outlet opening of the first discharge passage in the closed position and opens the outlet opening of the first discharge passage in the open position.

10. The valve unit according to claim 9, wherein the connecting portion is a rigid connecting portion.

11. It is a diaphragm pump, The diaphragm pump is provided with a valve unit having a suction side and a discharge side, and the valve unit includes, A first discharge passage is provided, and the first discharge passage extends from an inlet opening located on the suction side, corresponding to the first discharge passage, to an outlet opening located on the discharge side, corresponding to the first discharge passage. A second discharge passage is provided, and the second discharge passage extends from an inlet opening corresponding to the second discharge passage, located on the suction side, to an outlet opening corresponding to the second discharge passage, located on the discharge side. A suction passage is provided having a first portion and a second portion that is continuous with the first portion, the second portion having an outlet opening located on the suction side, and the first portion extending at a predetermined angle relative to the second portion. A suction valve body is provided at the outlet opening of the second portion of the suction passage, the suction valve body closes the outlet opening in the closed position and opens the outlet opening in the open position, the suction valve body is formed as a shut-off portion, (a) the shut-off portion has the shape of a circle with at least one arc-shaped portion removed, or (b) the shut-off portion has the shape of an ellipse with at least one arc-shaped portion removed, A discharge valve is provided at the outlet opening of the first discharge passage, and the discharge valve closes the outlet opening in the closed position and opens the outlet opening in the open position. The outlet opening of the second discharge passage is provided with a dedicated discharge valve that closes the outlet opening in the closed position and opens the outlet opening in the open position, or The discharge valve body that closes the outlet opening of the first discharge passage in the closed position and opens the outlet opening of the first discharge passage in the open position is formed such that, in the closed position when the outlet opening of the first discharge passage is closed, the outlet opening of the second discharge passage is also closed, and in the open position when the outlet opening of the first discharge passage is opened, the outlet opening of the second discharge passage is also opened. Diaphragm pump.

12. The diaphragm pump according to claim 11, further comprising a plurality of the valve units.

13. A method for operating a diaphragm pump, wherein the diaphragm pump has a pump chamber, and a movable diaphragm is in contact with the pump chamber. (a) When the diaphragm moves in a first direction called the suction direction, the volume of the pump chamber increases, and (b) when the diaphragm moves in the opposite direction called the discharge direction, the volume of the pump chamber decreases. The diaphragm pump has a valve unit having a suction side and a discharge side, The valve unit includes: A first discharge passage is provided, and the first discharge passage extends from an inlet opening located on the suction side, corresponding to the first discharge passage, to an outlet opening located on the discharge side, corresponding to the first discharge passage. A second discharge passage is provided, and the second discharge passage extends from an inlet opening corresponding to the second discharge passage, located on the suction side, to an outlet opening corresponding to the second discharge passage, located on the discharge side. A suction passage is provided having a first portion and a second portion that is continuous with the first portion, the second portion having an outlet opening located on the suction side, and the first portion extending at a predetermined angle relative to the second portion. A suction valve body is provided at the outlet opening of the second portion of the suction passage, the suction valve body closes the outlet opening in the closed position and opens the outlet opening in the open position, the suction valve body is formed as a shut-off portion, (a) the shut-off portion has the shape of a circle with at least one arc-shaped portion removed, or (b) the shut-off portion has the shape of an ellipse with at least one arc-shaped portion removed, A discharge valve is provided at the outlet opening of the first discharge passage, and the discharge valve closes the outlet opening in the closed position and opens the outlet opening in the open position. The suction side of the valve unit is in contact with the pump chamber, and when the diaphragm moves in the suction direction, the suction valve body is pulled toward its open position, and when the diaphragm moves in the discharge direction, the suction valve body is pressed toward its closed position.

14. Furthermore, by connecting the suction valve body and the discharge valve body, the movement of the suction valve body causes the movement of the discharge valve body. The method according to claim 13.

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