Pump assembly

Abstract

The invention relates to a pump assembly for a pressurized water circulation system (900) of a vehicle comprising a tank (910) and an operating assembly (920), wherein the pump assembly (1) is fluidically positionable between the tank (910) and an operating assembly (920). The pump assembly (1) comprises: i) a positive displacement pump (2) controllable in a first direction and a second direction; ii) an assembly body (3) comprising: - a pumping chamber (30), wherein said pumping chamber (30) comprises a water inlet space (31) and a water outlet space (32); - a first tank pipe (311) extending from the pumping chamber (30) to a first tank mouth (3110) connectable to the tank ( 910 ); - a second tank pipe (312) extending from the pumping chamber (30) to a second tank mouth (3120) connectable to the tank ( 910 ); - an operating assembly pipe (320) extending from the pumping chamber (30) to an operating assembly mouth (3200) connectable to the operating assembly (920); iii) a first check valve (41) housed in the first tank pipe (311) adapted to allow the flow of water from the first tank mouth (3110) to the pumping chamber (30) upon the actuation of the positive-displacement pump (2) in the first direction; iv) a second check valve (42) housed in the second tank pipe (312) adapted to allow the flow of water from the pumping chamber (30) to the second tank mouth (3120) upon the actuation of the positive displacement pump (2) in the second direction.

Description

"PUMP ASSEMBLY"DESCRIPTION

[0001] The present invention relates to a pump assembly for a pressurized water circulation system of a vehicle.The present invention also relates to a pressurized water circulation system of a vehicle which comprises said pump assembly.

[0002] The present invention is applicable to contexts in which there are pressurized water circulation systems.Preferably, the invention is applicable to the automotive field and has specific application in water circulation systems present in a vehicle. Preferably, said water circulation systems also include the water injection system, in which an injector assembly injects water into the injection chamber.

[0003] Hence, the presence of circulating water in the various pipes, at cold ambient temperatures, implies the risk of freezing resulting in obstruction and sometimes bursting of pipes. Hence, the presence of an amount of water in the pipes in situations in which the water circulation system is not in use is undesired.

[0004] In order to meet such first need, embodiments of pressurized water circulation systems suitable for performing water discharge operations are known from the prior art.

[0005] Another problem of the known pressurized water circulation systems is related to the need to be as ready-to-use as possible. In other words, the circulation system must control the water at the required and / or desired pressure upon a water injection request.

[0006] In order to meet such second need, embodiments of pressurized water circulation systems in which the actuator is kept running and / or the water is kept in recirculation are known from the prior art.

[0007] Hence, the aforesaid solutions of pressurized water circulation systems belonging to the prior art have complex fluid management and complex structure.

[0008] In addition, it is worth noting that solutions of pressurized water circulation systems which have attempted to solve both of the aforesaid needs are found to be particularly inefficient and particularly complex.

[0009] In particular, embodiments of pressurized water circulation systems comprising particularly inefficient and particularly complex pump assemblies are known.

[0010] Therefore, the need is strongly felt to provide a pressurized water circulation system in which the discharge of water is performed when necessary and is ready for use, at the same time. In particular, the need is strongly felt to provide a pump assembly of compact size and simplified geometry, at least at the fluidiclevel.

[0011] Hence, it is an object of the present invention to provide a pump assembly suitable for meeting all the aforesaid needs.

[0012] Such an object is achieved by the pump assembly according to claim 1. Such an object is also achieved by a pressurized water circulation system according to claim12.

[0013] The claims dependent thereon show preferred constructional variants implying further advantageous aspects.

[0014] Further features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the description below of preferred embodiments thereof, given by way of non- limiting example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0015] figure 1 schematically shows a pressurized water circulation system comprising a pump assembly of the present invention according to a preferred embodiment;

[0016] - figures 2’ and 2" shows two perspective views of the pump assembly of the present invention according to a preferred embodiment;

[0017] - figure 3rand 3" show two perspective views with separate parts of the pump assembly in figures 2* and 2";

[0018] figures 4a, 4b and 4c show three longitudinalcross-section views of the pump assembly in figures 2* and 2", taken along three distinct section planes.

[0019] In the accompanying figures, reference numeral 1 indicates a pump assembly according to the present invention.

[0020] Moreover, the present invention also relates to a pressurized water circulation system indicated by reference numeral 900 and schematically shown in accompanying Figure 1.

[0021] The pressurized water circulation system 900 comprises a tank 910 and an operating assembly 920 in addition to the pump assembly 1.

[0022] According to a preferred embodiment, the operating assembly 920 is an injector assembly, and therefore, the pressurized water circulation system is a water injection system.

[0023] According to the present invention, the pump assembly 1 is fluidically positionable between the tank910 and the operating assembly 920.

[0024] In particular, the pump assembly 1 is fluidically positioned between the tank 910 and the operating assembly 920 so that, in use mode, it draws water from the tank 910 to push it, preferably inject it, into the operating assembly 920, while in discharge mode, i.e., in a mode opposite to the use mode, it draws water towardsthe tank 910, reversing the water flow direction.

[0025] The pump assembly 1 comprises a positive displacement pump 2 comprising a reversible control member 20 and a member actuator 25 described in detail below. Specifically, the reversible control member 20 is suitable for operating in a first direction and is suitable for operating in a second direction. The first direction corresponds to the water suction action and the pressure thrust thereof. The second direction corresponds to the water discharge. Preferably, the first direction and the second direction are mutually opposite.

[0026] Moreover, the pump assembly 1 comprises a body assembly 3 fluidically connectable to the tank 910 and the operating assembly 920, suitable for containing the positive displacement pump 2.

[0027] The body assembly 3 comprises a pumping chamber 30 in which the reversible control member 20 is housed. Said pumping chamber 30 comprises a water inlet space 31 and a water outlet space 32. In other words, also as a function of the relative position of the reversible control member20 in the pumping chamber 30, a space is identified in which water is being drawn, i.e., the water inlet space31, and a space in which water is being delivered, i.e., the water outlet space 32.

[0028] Conventionally, in the present disclosure,reference will be made to these spaces according to the use mode of the pump assembly 1, in which water is delivered towards the operating assembly 920, i.e., with the reversible control member 20 operating in the first direction. Indeed, in the accompanying figures, reference numerals 31 and 32, for the water inlet space and the water outlet space, respectively, are used according to such a convention.

[0029] Intuitively, the inlet space and the outlet space are reversed with the reversible control member 20 operating in the second direction. Indeed, in discharge use mode, the water inlet space corresponds to the one which, in the use mode in which water is delivered towards the operating assembly 920, was referred to as the water outlet space and vice versa.

[0030] According to the present invention, the body assembly 3 comprises a first tank pipe 311, which extends from the pumping chamber 30 to a first tank mouth 3110, connectable to the tank 910, e.g., by means of an appropriate system pipe.

[0031] According to the present invention, the body assembly 3 comprises a second tank Pipe 312, which extends from the pumping chamber 30 to a second tank mouth 3120, connectable to the tank 910, e.g., by means of an appropriate system pipe.

[0032] In other words, two separate pipes connect the pumping chamber 30 to the tank 910.

[0033] Preferably, as described in detail below, in the operating mode of the positive displacement pump 2 with reversible control member 20 in the first direction, water is drawn from the tank 910 through the first tankPipe 311 to the pumping chamber 30, while in the discharge mode of the positive displacement pump 2 with reversible control member 20 in the second direction, water is delivered from the pumping chamber 30 through the second tank pipe 312 to the tank 910.

[0034] According to a preferred embodiment, according to the aforesaid convention, the first tank pipe 311 and the second tank pipe 312 extend to and / or from the water inlet space 31.

[0035] According to the present invention, the body assembly 3 also comprises an operating assembly pipe 320, which extends from the pumping chamber 30 to an operating assembly mouth 3200 connectable, e.g., by means of an appropriate system pipe, to the operating assembly 920.

[0036] In other words, in the operating mode of the positive displacement pump 2, water is delivered towards the operating assembly 920 through the operating assemblyPipe 320, through the operating assembly mouth 3200, starting from the pumping chamber 30, while in thedischarge mode of the positive displacement pump, water is drawn from the operating assembly pipe 320, through the operating assembly mouth 3200, towards the pumping chamber 30.

[0037] According to a preferred embodiment, in accordance with the aforesaid convention, the operating assembly pipe 320 extends from, and / or until, the water outlet space 32.

[0038] According to the present invention, the assembly body 3 comprises a first check valve 41 housed in the first tank pipe 311 positioned so as to prevent the flow of water from the pumping chamber 30 to the first tank mouth 3110 and so as to allow it from the first tank mouth 3110 to the pumping chamber 30 upon the actuation of the reversible control member 20 in the first direction.

[0039] Moreover, according to the present invention, the assembly body 3 comprises a second check valve 42 housed in the second tank pipe 312 positioned so as to prevent the flow of water from the second tank mouth 3120 to the pumping chamber 30 and so as to allow it from the pumping chamber 30 to the second tank mouth 3120 upon the actuation of the reversible control member 20 in the second direction.

[0040] In other words, the first check valve 41 and thesecond check valve 42 are positioned so as to operate in opposite directions.

[0041] In particular, the check valves are valve elements which prevent the flow passage in one direction and allow it, by opening, in an opposite direction only when given conditions occur.

[0042] Preferably, the check valves are one- way / unidirectional .

[0043] Moreover, according to a preferred embodiment, the action required to open the first valve is different from the action required to open the second valve.

[0044] According to a preferred embodiment, the first check valve 41 opens with a corresponding suction pressure, and the second check valve 42 opens with a corresponding discharge pressure, where the discharge pressure is higher than the suction pressure.

[0045] According to a preferred embodiment, the suction pressure is indicatively 5%-15% higher, preferably 10% higher, than the tank pressure value.

[0046] According to a preferred embodiment, the discharge pressure is indicatively 20%-40% higher, preferably 30% higher, than the value of the thrust pressure towards the operating assembly 920.

[0047] According to a preferred embodiment, the body assembly 3 comprises a bypass pipe 330, which extendsbetween the water inlet space 31 and the water outlet space 32 of the pumping chamber 30.

[0048] Moreover, according to a preferred embodiment, the assembly body 3 comprises a bypass check valve 43 housed in the bypass pipe 330 positioned so as to prevent the flow of water from the water inlet space 31 to the water outlet space 32 and so as to allow it from the water outlet space 32 to the water inlet space 31 with a corresponding overpressure in the water outlet space 32.

[0049] In particular, the bypass check valve 43 allows the flow of water when a water overpressure value between20%-40% higher than the value of the thrust pressure to the operating assembly 920 is exceeded.

[0050] In particular, the bypass check valve 43 is a valve element which prevents the flow passage in one direction and allows it, by opening, in an opposite direction only when given conditions occur.

[0051] Preferably, the bypass check valve is one- way / unidirectional .

[0052] Hence, the bypass pipe 330 and the bypass check valve 43 are preferably suitable for managing overpressures in the water outlet space 32 to avoid the circumstance in which, in the operating mode of the positive displacement pump 2, said excessive pressures reach the operating assembly 920.

[0053] According to a preferred embodiment, the reversible control member 20 is of the rotary type, and the member actuator 25 controls the reversible control member 20 in a primary rotary direction, in which water is drawn from the first tank pipe 311 through the first check valve 41 and pushed out through the operating assembly pipe 320, and in a secondary rotary direction, in which water is discharged into the second tank pipe 312 through the second check valve 42. In other words, the primary rotary direction corresponds to the operation mode, while the secondary rotary direction corresponds to the discharge mode.

[0054] According to a preferred embodiment, the reversible control member 20 extends about a pump axis X-X.

[0055] According to a preferred embodiment, the reversible control member 20 comprises a pair of gears.

[0056] According to a preferred embodiment, the reversible control member 20 comprises an inner gear 21 which is rotatable concentrically to said pump axis X-X and an outer gear 22 which is rotatable offset to the pump axisX-X. In other words, the inner gear 21 is housed in the outer gear 22.

[0057] According to a preferred embodiment, the pumping chamber 30 comprises a member space 33 in which the reversible control member 20 is housed, and axiallyfrontally to the member space 33, the pumping chamber 30 comprises the water inlet space 31 and the water outlet space 32.

[0058] Preferably, the water inlet space 31 and the water outlet space 32 are in the form of segments, preferably arched, facing the member space 33.

[0059] In addition, the water inlet space 31 and the water outlet space 32 are preferably at least partially located in the space between the inner gear 21 and the outer gear22, i.e., they are at least partially located inside the member space 33.

[0060] According to a preferred embodiment, the member actuator 25 comprises a shaft 250 engaged with the reversible control member 20 and an electric motor 255 suitable for driving the shaft 250 to rotate.

[0061] According to a preferred embodiment, the body assembly 3 comprises a first half-body assembly 3A and a second half-body assembly 3B, which define the pumping chamber 30 when coupled.

[0062] Preferably, the first half-body assembly 3A houses the positive displacement pump 2 and the second half-body assembly 3B houses the first tank pipe 311 and the second tank pipe 312.

[0063] According to a preferred embodiment, the second assembly half-body 3B comprises the bypass pipe 330.

[0064] Preferably, the first tank pipe 311 and the second tank Pipe 312 extend in length over a distance substantially equal to, or slightly greater than, the overall size of the first check valve 41 and the second check valve 42.

[0065] Preferably, the bypass pipe 330 extends in length over a distance substantially equal to, or slightly greater than, the overall size of the bypass check valve43.

[0066] Innovatively, the pump assembly fulfills the object of the present invention overcoming the typical problems of the prior art. Innovatively, the typical problems of the prior art are also solved by the pressurized water circulation system which comprises said pump assembly.

[0067] Advantageously, the pump assembly operates highly effectively both performing water delivery operations and performing water discharge operations.

[0068] Advantageously, the pump assembly operates in delivery in a very responsive manner, performing a rapid pressure rise in a short time. Advantageously, the pump assembly has a response to injection of the order of a few tenths of a second.

[0069] Advantageously, the pump assembly is configurable in a standby configuration in which the positive displacement pump is off, while keeping water at a presetpressure, by virtue of the presence, selection, and positioning of the check valves.

[0070] Advantageously, the pump assembly is also suitable for managing water overpressures thus avoiding them from reaching the operating assembly.

[0071] Advantageously, the pump assembly comprises check valves positioned so as to act passively being normally closed and open only when required.

[0072] Advantageously, the pump assembly is compact in size having small water pipes and housing the check valves therein.

[0073] Advantageously, the pump assembly contains very small volumes of water therein.

[0074] Advantageously, the pump assembly has very low consumption .

[0075] Advantageously, the pump assembly has optimized power consumption, requiring low energy to operate and especially being substantially off when needed.Advantageously, for example, if the injector assembly does not need water, the member actuator is off.

[0076] Advantageously, the pump assembly has a longer life cycle than the life cycles of other solutions.

[0077] Advantageously, the pump assembly performs effective water discharge operations while being ready to perform a delivery action.

[0078] Advantageously, the pump assembly is particularly quiet.

[0079] Advantageously, all the aforesaid advantages of the pump assembly are present in the pressurized water circulation system.

[0080] It is apparent that, in order to meet contingent needs, those skilled in the art may make changes to the above-described invention, all falling within the scope of protection as defined by the following claims.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A pump assembly (1), for a pressurized water circulation system (900) of a vehicle comprising a tank(910) and an operating assembly (920), wherein the pump assembly (1) is fluidically positionable between the tank(910) and an operating assembly (920), wherein the pump assembly (1) comprises: i) a positive displacement pump (2) comprising a reversible control member (20) and a member actuator (25) to actuate the reversible control member (20) in a first direction and a second direction; ii) an assembly body (3) comprising:- a pumping chamber (30) in which the reversible control member (20) is housed, wherein said pumping chamber (30) comprises a water inlet space (31) and a water outlet space (32); a first tank pipe (311) extending from the pumping chamber (30) to a first tank mouth (3110) connectable to the tank (910); a second tank pipe (312) extending from the pumping chamber (30) to a second tank mouth (3120) connectable to the tank (910); an operating assembly pipe (320) extending from the pumping chamber (30) to an operating assembly mouth(3200) connectable to the operating assembly (920);iii) a first check valve (41) housed in the first tank pipe (311) positioned so as to prevent the flow of water from the pump chamber (30) to the first tank mouth (3110) and so as to allow it from the first tank mouth (3110) to the pumping chamber (30) upon the actuation of the reversible control member (20) in the first direction; iv) a second check valve (42) housed in the second tank pipe (312) positioned so as to prevent the flow of water from the second tank mouth (3120) to the pumping chamber(30) and so as to allow it from the pumping chamber (30) to the second tank mouth (3120) upon the actuation of the reversible control member (20) in the second direction.

2. Pump assembly (1) according to the preceding claim, wherein the first check valve (41) opens with a corresponding suction pressure, wherein the second check valve (42) opens with a corresponding discharge pressure, wherein the discharge pressure is higher than the suction pressure.

3. Pump assembly (1) according to claim 2, wherein the suction pressure is indicatively 5%-15% higher, preferably 10% higher, than the value of the tank pressure, wherein the discharge pressure is indicatively20%-40% higher, preferably 30% higher, than the value of the thrust pressure towards the operating assembly (920).

4. Pump assembly (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the assembly body (3) comprises a bypass pipe (330) extending between the water inlet space (31) and the water outlet space (32) of the pumping chamber (30) and a bypass check valve (43) housed in the bypass pipe (330) positioned so as to prevent the flow of water from the water inlet space (31) to the outlet space(32) and so as to allow it from the outlet space (32) to the water inlet space (31) with a corresponding overpressure in the outlet space (32).

5. Pump assembly (1) according to claim 4, wherein the bypass check valve (43) opens with a corresponding overpressure value indicatively 20%-40% higher than the value of the thrust pressure towards the operating assembly (920).

6. Pump assembly (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the reversible control member(20) is of the rotary type, and the member actuator (25) drives it to rotate in a first rotary direction, and in a second rotary direction.

7. Pump assembly (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the reversible control member(20) extends about a pump axis (X-X) comprising an inner gear (21) rotatable concentrically to said pump axis (X-X) and an outer gear (22) rotatable offset to the pump axis (X-X).

8. Pump assembly (1) according to claim 6 or claim 7, wherein the pumping chamber (30) comprises a member space(33) in which the reversible control member (20) is housed, and axially frontally to the member space (33), the pumping chamber (30) comprises the water inlet space(31) and the water outlet space (32).

9. Pump assembly (1) according to claim 7 or claim 8, wherein the member actuator (25) comprises a shaft (250) engaged with the reversible control member (20) and an electric motor (255) adapted to drive the shaft (250) to rotate.

10. Pump assembly (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the body assembly (3) comprises a first half-body (3A) and a second half-body (3B), which define the pumping chamber (30) when coupled, wherein the first half-body (3A) houses the positive displacement pump (2) and the second half-body (3B) houses the first tank pipe (311) and the second tank pipe (312).

11. Pump assembly (1) according to claim 10 in combination with claim 4, wherein the second half-body(3B) comprises the bypass pipe (330).

12. A pressurized water circulation system (900) of a vehicle comprising a tank (910), an operating assembly(920), preferably an injector assembly, and a pump assembly (1), according to any one of the preceding claims, fluidically positioned between the tank (910) and the operating assembly (920).

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