Pump assembly

Abstract

The invention is a pump assembly (1) for a cooling system of an operating assembly of a vehicle, which extends with respect to an axis (X-X) and comprises: i) an impeller group (2) comprising a shaft (25) extending along the axis (X-X) and a vane impeller (20) integrally connected to the shaft; ii) an electric motor group (3) comprising a stator (31) and a rotor (32), wherein the rotor (32) is engaged with the shaft (25); iii) a container group (4) comprising a wet chamber (40), in which the vane impeller (20) is housed, comprising a pump inlet mouth (401) positioned on the axis (X-X) and a pump outlet mouth (402) positioned radially distal from the axis (X-X). Said container group (4) comprises: - an upper shell (41) comprising the pump inlet mouth (401) and pump outlet mouth (402), comprising a volute (415) shaped to convey incoming cooling liquid from the pump inlet mouth (401) to the pump outlet mouth (402); a lower shell (42) in which the electric motor group (3) is housed, wherein the lower shell (42) comprises a side wall (422) extending substantially parallel to the axis (X-X) and a bottom wall (423) extending substantially orthogonally to the axis (X-X). Moreover, the container group (4) comprises at least one cooling pipe (9) comprising a pipe inlet mouth (910) and a pipe outlet mouth (920) located proximal to the pump inlet mouth (401) so that the cooling liquid flows into the cooling pipe (9) when being sucked in. Said cooling pipe (9) extends from the pipe inlet mouth (910) along the flow direction comprising a vertical inlet segment (912) housed in the side wall (422), a vertical outlet segment (922) housed in the side wall (422), and an outlet connection segment (93) housed in the upper shell (41) extending to the pipe outlet mouth (920).

Description

PUMP ASSEMBLYDESCRIPTION

[0001] The present invention relates to a pump assembly of a cooling system of a vehicle .

[0002] In this disclosure, the term "vehicle" means any transport means , without any limitation related to type or size, i . e . , a motor vehicle or an articulated lorry .

[0003] In other words , the present invention relates to the automotive field, and in detail, to the heat management system of an operating assembly of a vehicle or a plurality of operating systems .

[0004] In particular, in the present disclosure, "operating assembly" means a component or group of specific components for carrying out a certain operation necessary for the motion of the vehicle . In a preferred embodiment , the "operating assembly" comprises the motor assembly, e . g . , of endothermic type, electric type, or hybrid type . In further constructional variants , the "operating assembly" comprises other vehicle components , of both mechanical type, such as a transmission assembly, and electric type, such as a "battery assembly" or an "electric motor group" , included in the vehicle .

[0005] Multiple embodiments of pump assemblies for cooling systems of one or more operating assemblies of a vehicle are known from the prior art . In particular, the pumpassemblies are intended to allow the circulation of a given cooling liquid to or from the operating assemblies .

[0006] In particular, the " cooling liquid" is a waterbased liquid, e . g . , a solution comprising water and glycol or a urea solution . In other embodiments , the " cooling liquid" is an oily solution (dielectric oil ) .

[0007] It is also known from the prior art to distinguish the pump assemblies as a function of the actuation type . For example, pump assemblies comprising an electric motor, and sometimes a command board, for rotationally actuating the impeller are known .

[0008] Such embodiments of pump assemblies feature the need to manage ( i . e . , dissipate ) the thermal energy emitted by said electrical and electronic parts .

[0009] In particular, the larger the power size of the pump assemblies , the greater the thermal energy to be dissipated . Often, natural convection, conduction and radiation are not sufficient for thermal energy dissipation .

[0010] The lack of dissipation or partial dissipation of heat results in malfunction, damage and potential breakage of the electrical and electronic parts of the pump assembly .

[0011] Therefore, it is the object of the present invention to provide a pump assembly for a cooling systemof an operating assembly of a vehicle which solves such a problem .

[0012] Such an object is achieved by a pump assembly according to claim 1 . The claims dependent thereon relate to preferred constructional variants having further advantageous aspects .

[0013] The object of the present invention will now be described in detail, with the aid of the accompanying drawings , in which :

[0014] - figures la, lb and lc show a first side view, a second side view, and a top view, respectively, of a pump assembly according to the present invention;

[0015] - figure 2 ' and 2" show a first and a second perspective view with separate parts of a pump as sembly according to the present invention;

[0016] - figure 3 shows a partially sectioned top view of a pump assembly according to the present invention;

[0017] - figure 3a is a side view of the pump as sembly in figure 3 ;

[0018] - figure 3a' is an section view taken along section plane A-A in figure 3 ;

[0019] - figure 3b is a section view taken along section plane B-B in figure 3a;

[0020] - figure 3c is a section view taken along section plane C-C in figure 3a' .

[0021] In the aforesaid drawings , reference numeral 1 indicates , as a whole, a pump assembly for a cooling system of an operating assembly of a vehicle .

[0022] The pump assembly 1 of the present invention extends mainly lengthwise with respect to an axis X-X .

[0023] The pump assembly 1 comprises an impeller group 2 comprising a shaft 25 extending along the axis X-X and a vane impeller 20 integrally connected to the shaft 25 . The controlled rotation of the shaft 25 corresponds to the rotation of the vane impeller 20 .

[0024] According to the present invention, the pump assembly 1 comprises an electric motor group 3 comprising a stator 31 and a rotor 32 .

[0025] Said rotor 32 is engaged with the shaft 25 . Indeed, the induced rotation of rotor 32 corresponds to the rotation of shaft 25 .

[0026] In an embodiment , the stator 31 contains the rotor 32 .

[0027] In an embodiment , the stator 31 axially faces the rotor 32 .

[0028] According to the present invention, the pump assembly 1 further comprises a container group 4 .

[0029] Preferably, the container group 4 is suitable for containing at least the majority of , preferably all, the components of the pump assembly 1 of the presentinvention, described below .

[0030] Preferably, the container group 4 is fluidly connectable to the pipes of the cooling system in which the cooling liquid, moved by the pump assembly 1 , flows .

[0031] According to the present invention, the container group 4 comprises a wet chamber 40 in which the vane impeller 20 is housed .

[0032] Moreover, the container group 4 comprises a pump inlet mouth 401 positioned on the axis X-X, and a pump outlet mouth 402 positioned radially distal from the axis X-X . In other words , the pump assembly 1 of the present invention is of the " radial pump" type .

[0033] According to the present invention, the container group 4 comprises an upper shell 41 and a lower shell 42 .

[0034] Note that "upper" and " lower" are used as a convention with respect to the accompanying figures and not as a limitation . In particular, "upper" and " lower" are not a limiting indication on the use of the pump assembly in the vehicle .

[0035] The upper shell 41 comprises the pump inlet mouth 401 and the pump outlet mouth 402 .

[0036] Moreover, the upper shell 41 comprises a volute 415 shaped to convey incoming cooling liquid from the pump inlet mouth 401 to the pump outlet mouth 402 .

[0037] The lower shell 42 houses the electric motor group3 comprising a side wall 422 extending substantially parallel to the axis X-X and a bottom wall 423 extending substantially orthogonally to the axis X-X .

[0038] According to a preferred embodiment , the upper shell 41 identifies the hydraulic part while the lower shell 42 identifies the dry control part .

[0039] According to a preferred embodiment , the lower shell 42 also comprises a head wall 421 substantially orthogonal to the axis X-X and suitable for delimiting the wet chamber 40 .

[0040] In other words , the wet chamber 40 is delimited by the volute 415 on the top and by the head wall 421 at the bottom .

[0041] According to a preferred embodiment , the upper shell 41 and the lower shell 42 engage with each other in the axial direction comprising respective upper horizontal engagement faces 417 , 427 .

[0042] According to a preferred embodiment , the container group 4 comprises an upper planar gasket 71 positioned between the upper horizontal engagement faces 417 , 427 .

[0043] Preferably, said upper planar gasket 71 is made of metal .

[0044] Preferably, said upper planar gasket 71 comprises faces having high roughness to improve the engagement with the upper horizontal engagement faces 417 , 427 .

[0045] According to a preferred embodiment , the lower shell 42 comprises a first lower half-shell 42 ' comprising the side wall 422 and a second lower halfshell 42" comprising the bottom wall 423 .

[0046] According to a preferred embodiment , the first lower half-shell 42 ' and the second lower half-shell 42" engage with each other in the axial direction comprising respective lower horizontal engagement faces 428 ' , 428" .

[0047] According to a preferred embodiment , the container group 4 comprises a lower planar gasket 72 positioned between the lower horizontal engagement faces 428 ' , 428" .

[0048] Preferably, said lower planar gasket 72 is made of metal .

[0049] Preferably, said lower planar gasket 72 comprises faces with high roughness to improve the engagement with the lower horizontal engagement faces 428 ' , 428" .

[0050] Preferably, the upper planar gasket 71 and the lower planar gasket 72 comprise specific through openings required for the passage of the cooling liquid flow in the pipes described below .

[0051] According to a preferred embodiment , the pump assembly 1 further comprises a command board 10 suitable for commanding the actuation of the motor group 3 .

[0052] Preferably, the command board 10 is positioned proximal to the bottom wall 423 at the face opposite tothat facing the motor group 3 .

[0053] Preferably, the lower shell 42 comprises a motor chamber in which the motor group 3 is housed . Preferably, said motor chamber is housed in the first lower halfshell 42 ' .

[0054] Preferably, the lower shell 42 comprises a control chamber in which the command board 10 is housed . Preferably, said control chamber is housed in the second lower half-shell 42" .

[0055] According to a preferred embodiment , the body group 4 is made of metal, preferably aluminum.

[0056] According to a preferred embodiment , the body group 4 is manufactured by means of 3D printing operations .

[0057] According to a preferred embodiment , the body group 4 comprises a heat-transmitting paste coating in the inner faces of the aforesaid walls .

[0058] According to the present invention, the container group 4 comprises at least one cooling pipe 9 in which cooling liquid flows .

[0059] Preferably, the container group 4 comprises a plurality of cooling pipes 9 preferably angularly equidistant .

[0060] According to such a preferred embodiment , each cooling pipe 9 cools a portion, preferably a wedge, of the container group 4 .

[0061] Preferably, the container group 4 comprises a number of cooling pipes 9 equal to that of the poles of stator 31 .

[0062] According to the present invention, the cooling pipe 9 comprises a pipe inlet mouth 910 and a pipe outlet mouth 920 .

[0063] The pipe outlet mouth 920 is enclosed in the upper shell 41 located in a position proximal to the pump inlet mouth 401 so that the cooling liquid flows into the cooling pipe 9 when being sucked in .

[0064] In other words , the pipe outlet mouth 920 is positioned in a low-pressure zone, facing the inlet of the vane impeller 20 , thus being subjected to a suction action through the entire cooling pipe 9 .

[0065] Preferably, however, the pipe inlet mouth 910 is positioned in a high-pressure region, e . g . , in a cooling liquid outlet region, e . g . , frontally with respect to the region in which the vane impeller 20 radially pushes the cooling liquid .

[0066] According to a preferred embodiment , the pipe inlet mouth 910 is positioned on the head wall 421 .

[0067] Preferably, the pipe inlet mouth 910 is radially distal from the axis X-X .

[0068] According to the present invention, the cooling pipe 9 extends from the pipe inlet mouth 910 along theflow direction comprising a vertical inlet segment 912 housed in the side wall 422 , a vertical outlet segment 922 housed in the side wall 422 , and an outlet connection segment 93 housed in the upper shell 41 extending up to the pipe inlet mouth 920 .

[0069] According to a preferred embodiment , the cooling pipe 9 comprises a horizontal inlet segment 911 between the pipe inlet mouth 910 and the vertical inlet segment 912 .

[0070] According to a preferred embodiment , the outlet connection segment 93 extends into the volute wall 4150 which delimits the volute 415 .

[0071] Preferably, the volute wall 4150 comprises radial reinforcing ribs 4150 ' and the outlet connection segment 93 extends into said radial reinforcing ribs 4150 ' .

[0072] According to a preferred embodiment , the cooling pipe 9 comprises , between the vertical inlet segment 912 and the vertical outlet segment 922 , a horizontal inlet segment 913 and a horizontal outlet segment 923 housed in the bottom wall 423 .

[0073] Preferably, the horizontal inlet segment 913 and the horizontal outlet segment 923 extend in a radial direction with respect to the axis X-X .

[0074] In other words , a wedge is substantially identified between the horizontal inlet segment 913 and thehorizontal outlet segment 923 .

[0075] According to a preferred embodiment , the cooling pipe 9, and in particular the respective segments thereof , extend into the aforementioned walls , i . e . , are enclosed in the thickness of the walls .

[0076] According to the embodiment , where the upper shell 41 and the lower shell 42 engage with each other in the axial direction, comprising respective upper horizontal engagement faces 417 , 427 , the vertical outlet segment 922 and the outlet connection segment 93 have respective axially facing openings .

[0077] According to the embodiment , where the first lower half-shell 42 ' and the second lower half-shell 42" engage with each other in the axial direction, comprising respective lower horizontal engagement faces 428 ' , 428" , the vertical inlet segment 912 and the horizontal inlet segment 913 have respective axially facing openings , and the vertical outlet segment 922 and the horizontal outlet segment 923 have respective axially facing openings .

[0078] According to a preferred embodiment , some vertical pipe segments and / or some horizontal pipe segments are shaped comprising enlarged regions .

[0079] In particular, the section of the pipe segments at said enlarged regions is flattened so that a larger surface is lapped by the cooling liquid flow .

[0080] Preferably, the section area of the cooling pipe 9 along the different segments is constant . In other words , the section area of the cooling pipe 9 measured at a substantially circular segment and measured at an enlarged region is substantially the same .

[0081] Preferably, some vertical pipe segments comprise enlarged regions .

[0082] Preferably, the vertical outlet segment 922 comprises an enlarged region 9220 .

[0083] Preferably, some horizontal pipe segments comprise enlarged regions .

[0084] Preferably, the horizontal pipe segments comprise an enlarged region at the mutual connection between a horizontal inlet segment 913 and a horizontal outlet segment 923 .

[0085] Innovatively, the pump assembly largely fulfills the intended purpose by overcoming the typical problems of the prior art .

[0086] Advantageously, the pump assembly utilizes the movement of the cooling fluid towards the operating assembly to the benefit of the heat removal of the pump assembly itself .

[0087] Advantageously, the pump assembly comprises a motor group, and a command board if any, suitable for operating under optimal thermal conditions .

[0088] Advantageously, the pump assembly comprises a motor group, and a command board if any, suitable for operating under optimized thermal conditions during use . Indeed, the pump assembly advantageously increases the cooling action as the impeller action increases .

[0089] Advantageously, each cooling pipe is suitable for cooling a respective portion of the body group .

[0090] Advantageously, the cooling action is performed passively by takin advantage of the impeller action itself . Advantageously, the increase in the impeller action corresponds to a greater pressure difference, and thus to a greater cooling liquid flow in the cooling pipes .

[0091] Advantageously, the pump assembly of large size and power ratings is effectively cooled by cooling the electric motor and / or the command board, which are not effectively cooled by natural convection, conduction, and radiation .

[0092] Advantageously, the pipe segments are fluidly positioned to have the cooling liquid at low temperature at components requiring high heat removal . Advantageously, the command board is effectively cooled : the cooling liquid is brought to the vicinity of the command board as fast as possible .

[0093] Advantageously, the pipe segments are shaped insection so to offer larger heat exchange surfaces where necessary .

[0094] Advantageously, the pump assembly has a simple construction .

[0095] Advantageously, the containment group is simple to assemble and construct , having specific planar engagement walls .

[0096] Advantageously, the containment group comprises planar gaskets , not requiring specific operations to insert specific O-rings , for example .

[0097] Advantageously, the pump assembly is easy to assemble .

[0098] It is apparent that , in order to meet contingent needs , those skilled in the art may make changes to the above-described invention, all contained within the scope of protection as defined by the following claims .

Claims

CLAIMS1. A pump assembly (1) , for a cooling system of an operating assembly of a vehicle, extending with respect to an axis (X-X) and comprising: i) an impeller group (2) comprising a shaft (25) extending along the axis (X-X) and a vane impeller (20) integrally connected to the shaft; ii) an electric motor group (3) comprising a stator (31) and a rotor (32) , wherein the rotor (32) is engaged with the shaft (25) ; iii) a container group (4) comprising a wet chamber (40) , in which the vane impeller (20) is housed, comprising a pump inlet mouth (401) positioned on the axis (X-X) and a pump outlet mouth (402) positioned radially distal from the axis (X-X) , wherein the container group (4) comprises :- an upper shell (41) comprising the pump inlet mouth (401) and pump outlet mouth (402) , comprising a volute (415) shaped to convey incoming cooling liquid from the pump inlet mouth (401) to the pump outlet mouth (402) ;- a lower shell (42) in which the electric motor group (3) is housed, wherein the lower shell (42) comprises a side wall (422) extending substantially parallel to the axis (X-X) and a bottom wall (423) extending substantially orthogonally to the axis (X-X) ;wherein the container group (4) comprises at least one cooling pipe (9) comprising a pipe inlet mouth (910) and a pipe outlet mouth (920) , wherein the pipe outlet mouth (920) is enclosed in the upper shell (41) located in a position proximal to the pump inlet mouth (401) so that the cooling liquid flows into the cooling pipe (9) when being sucked in, wherein the cooling pipe (9) extends from the pipe inlet mouth (910) along the flow direction comprising a vertical inlet segment (912) housed in the side wall (422) , a vertical outlet segment (922) housed in the side wall (422) , and an outlet connection segment (93) housed in the upper shell (41) extending up to the pipe outlet mouth (920) .

2. A pump assembly (1) according to claim 1, wherein the outlet connection segment (93) extends into the volute wall (4150) delimiting the volute (415) .

3. A pump assembly (1) according to claim 2, wherein the volute wall (4150) comprises radial reinforcing ribs (4150') and the outlet connection segment (93) extends into said radial reinforcing ribs (4150') .

4. A pump assembly (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the lower shell (42) also comprises a head wall (421) substantially orthogonal to the axis (X-X) and suitable for delimiting the wet chamber (40) , wherein the pipe inlet mouth (910) ispositioned on the head wall (421) .

5. A pump assembly (1) according to claim 4, wherein the cooling pipe (9) comprises a horizontal inlet segment (911) between the pipe inlet mouth (910) and the vertical inlet segment (912) .

6. A pump assembly (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the upper shell (41) and the lower shell (42) engage each other in an axial direction comprising respective upper horizontal engagement faces (417, 427) , wherein the vertical outlet segment (922) and the outlet connection segment (93) have respective axially facing openings, wherein the container group (4) comprises an upper planar gasket (71) , preferably made of metal, positioned between the upper horizontal engagement faces (417, 427) .

7. A pump assembly (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the cooling pipe (9) further comprises, between the vertical inlet segment (912) and the vertical outlet segment (922) , a horizontal inlet segment (913) and a horizontal outlet segment (923) housed in the bottom wall (423) .

8. A pump assembly (1) according to claim 7, wherein the horizontal inlet segment (913) and the horizontal outlet segment (923) extend in a radial direction with respect to the axis (X-X) .

9. A pump assembly (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a command board (10) positioned to be proximal to the bottom wall (423) at the face opposite that facing the motor group (3) .

10. A pump assembly (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the lower shell (42) comprises a first lower half-shell (42') comprising the side wall (422) and a second lower half-shell (42") comprising the bottom wall (423) .

11. A pump assembly (1) according to claim 10, wherein the first lower half-shell (42') and the second lower half-shell (42") mutually engage in the axial direction comprising respective lower horizontal engagement faces (428', 428") , wherein the vertical inlet segment (912) and the horizontal inlet segment (913) have respective axially facing openings, and wherein the vertical outlet segment (922) and the horizontal outlet segment (923) have respective axially facing openings, wherein the container group (4) comprises a lower planar gasket (72) , preferably made of metal, positioned between the lower horizontal engagement faces (428', 428") .

12. A pump assembly (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein some pipe segments, preferably some vertical pipe segments and / or some horizontal pipe segments, for example the vertical outlet segment (922)and / or the horizontal outlet segment (923) , are shaped comprising enlarged regions.

13. A pump assembly (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the container group (4) comprises a plurality of cooling pipes (9) , preferably angularly equally spaced apart .

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