Diaphragm for a diaphragm pump

Abstract

The invention relates to a diaphragm (12) for a diaphragm pump (2), wherein the diaphragm (12) has a lower face (12a) and an opposite upper face (12b), with a structure provided on at least one of said faces. i.e. the upper face (12b) and the lower face (12a) of the diaphragm (12). The invention also relates to a diaphragm pump (2) having a diaphragm (12) according to the invention and a movable support plunger (14), the movable support plunger (14) having a diaphragm contact surface (16) which is in contact with the lower face (12a) of the diaphragm (12). On or in the diaphragm contact surface (16) a complementary structure (22) is provided, corresponding to the structure provided on the lower face (12a) of the diaphragm (12).

Description

[0001] R.415082

[0002] - 1 -

[0003] Description

[0004] title

[0005] Diaphragm for diaphragm pump

[0006] The invention relates to a diaphragm for a diaphragm pump and a diaphragm pump for conveying gaseous and liquid fluids, which is equipped with a diaphragm according to the invention.

[0007] State of the art

[0008] Diaphragm pumps are known in the prior art, each having a diaphragm that is set in motion by a piston / plumb to pump a gaseous or liquid fluid.

[0009] During the operation of a diaphragm pump, relative movements occur between the diaphragm and the piston / plumb. These relative movements can result in material abrasion from the diaphragm, thus reducing its service life.

[0010] One objective of the invention is to reduce the abrasion of material from the diaphragm of a diaphragm pump and thus extend the service life of the diaphragm.

[0011] Disclosure of the invention:

[0012] The invention comprises a diaphragm for a diaphragm pump, wherein the diaphragm has a top and an opposite bottom, and wherein a structuring is formed on at least one of the top and bottom of the diaphragm.

[0013] The invention also includes diaphragm pumps for conveying gaseous and liquid fluids, comprising a diaphragm according to the invention and a movable support piston. A diaphragm pump according to the invention can, in particular, be designed to convey fluid coolants, such as isobutane. R.415082

[0014] - 2 -

[0015] The support stamp has a membrane contact surface that is in contact with the underside of the membrane. A complementary structure is formed on or in the membrane contact surface, which corresponds to a structure formed on the underside of the membrane.

[0016] By the interaction of the structuring formed on the underside of the diaphragm with the complementary structuring formed on or in the diaphragm contact surface of the support piston, the relative movements between the diaphragm and the diaphragm contact surface of the support piston that occur during the operation of the diaphragm pump can be significantly reduced.

[0017] By reducing the relative movements between the membrane and the membrane contact surface, the abrasion / wear of the membrane is reduced, and the service life of the membrane can be extended.

[0018] In one embodiment of a membrane according to the invention, the structuring formed on the top side of the membrane has at least one structure that extends radially outwards from a central area of ​​the membrane.

[0019] With such a structure, fluid that would otherwise remain and accumulate in the outer areas of the diaphragm can be directed to the central area of ​​the diaphragm, from where it can be pumped further. This improves the efficiency of the diaphragm pump.

[0020] In one embodiment, the structuring formed on the upper surface of the membrane has several structures that extend radially outwards from a central area of ​​the membrane. The multiple structures can, in particular, be arranged at constant angular intervals from one another.

[0021] With such a structure, fluid that would otherwise remain in the outer region of the membrane can be guided particularly efficiently to the central region of the membrane. R.415082

[0022] - 3 -

[0023] In one embodiment, each structure formed on the top of the membrane includes a depression.

[0024] In one embodiment, each depression formed on the upper surface of the membrane has a constant depth in the radial direction. A membrane with depressions having a constant depth is particularly easy and inexpensive to manufacture.

[0025] In one embodiment, each depression formed on the top of the membrane has a depth that decreases in the radial direction from the central region of the membrane to the outer circumference of the membrane, such that the depression at the outer circumference of the membrane has a shallower depth than in or at the central region of the membrane.

[0026] In one embodiment, each depression has a depth in the range of 0.1 mm to 0.5 mm.

[0027] With depressions designed in this way, fluid can be guided particularly efficiently from the outer circumference of the membrane to the central area of ​​the membrane.

[0028] In one embodiment, the structuring formed on the underside of the membrane has at least one structure that extends in a ring shape around a central area of ​​the membrane.

[0029] The structuring on the underside of the membrane can, in particular, consist of several structures that extend in a ring-like fashion around a central area of ​​the membrane. These multiple structures can, in particular, be arranged concentrically to one another.

[0030] Such a structure, formed on the underside of the membrane, allows for particularly efficient reduction of unwanted relative movements between the membrane and the membrane contact surface of the support piston. R.415082

[0031] - 4 -

[0032] In one embodiment, each structure formed on the underside of the membrane comprises a depression, wherein the depression in particular has a depth in the range of 0.1 mm to 0.5 mm.

[0033] In one embodiment, each structure formed on the underside of the membrane comprises a protrusion, wherein the protrusion in particular has a height in the range of 0.1 mm to 1 mm.

[0034] In one embodiment, structures extending in a radial direction are formed on the underside of the membrane.

[0035] In one embodiment, ring-shaped structures are formed on the upper side of the membrane.

[0036] An embodiment of the invention is described below with reference to the accompanying figures.

[0037] Brief description of the characters

[0038] Figure 1 shows a schematic sectional view of a fluid conveying area of ​​a diaphragm pump equipped with a diaphragm according to the invention.

[0039] Figure 2 shows an enlarged section of the fluid delivery area of ​​the diaphragm pump shown in Figure 1.

[0040] Figure 3 shows a top view of the underside of a membrane designed according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0041] Figure 4 shows a top view of the upper surface of a membrane designed according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0042] Figure 1 shows a schematic sectional view of a fluid conveying area of ​​a diaphragm pump 2, which is equipped with a diaphragm 12 according to the invention. R.415082

[0043] - 5 -

[0044] The diaphragm pump 2 comprises a pump body 4 in which a pump volume 6 is formed. Fluid can flow into the pump volume 6 through an inlet valve 8 designed as a one-way valve, and fluid can flow out of the pump volume 6 through an outlet valve 10 designed as a one-way valve.

[0045] The pump volume 6 is limited on one side by the membrane 12, so that the volume of the pump volume 6 can be varied by moving the membrane 12.

[0046] The diaphragm 12 is attached to a support piston 14 using a fastening element 18, so that the diaphragm 12 can be moved by moving the support piston 14 to vary the volume of the pump volume 6.

[0047] To operate the diaphragm pump 2, the support piston 14 is moved upwards and downwards by a drive not shown in Figure 1, perpendicular to the plane in which the diaphragm 12 is stretched, in order to draw fluid into the pump volume 6 through the inlet valve 8 in a suction stroke and to expel the fluid from the pump volume 6 through the outlet valve 10 in a delivery stroke.

[0048] The upper side of the support piston 14 facing the diaphragm 12 is a diaphragm contact surface 16 which, during operation of the diaphragm pump 2, is at least partially in contact with an underside 12a of the diaphragm 12 facing the support piston 14.

[0049] Since the diaphragm 12 deforms during the suction stroke due to the tensile stress occurring and during the delivery stroke due to the compressive forces occurring, relative movements occur between the underside 12a of the diaphragm 12 and the diaphragm contact surface 16 of the support piston 14 during the operation of the diaphragm pump 2.

[0050] These relative movements can result in material abrasion from the diaphragm 12, thereby reducing the service life of the diaphragm 12. R.415082

[0051] - 6 -

[0052] The underside 12a of a membrane 12 facing the support punch 14 is therefore designed with a structure and the membrane contact surface 16 of the support punch 14 is designed with a complementary structure.

[0053] The two structures work together in such a way that they reduce the undesired relative movements between the underside 12a of the membrane 12 and the membrane contact surface 16 during operation of the membrane pump 2.

[0054] Figure 2 shows an enlarged section of an area of ​​the diaphragm pump 2 in which the underside 12a of the diaphragm 12 contacts the diaphragm contact surface 16 of the support piston 14.

[0055] Figure 3 shows a top view of the underside 12a of a membrane 12 according to the invention.

[0056] In the embodiment shown in the figures, the membrane 12 is a circular membrane 12. The membrane 12 can, for example, have a diameter D in the range of 40 to 80 mm.

[0057] In the embodiment shown in Figures 2 and 3, the structuring formed on the underside 12a of the membrane 12 comprises several structures 20, which are formed as elevations or projections in a ring shape around a central area 12c of the membrane 12.

[0058] The structures 20 can in particular be circular and concentric around the central region 12c of the membrane 12.

[0059] In the embodiment shown in Figures 2 and 3, three structures 20 are formed concentrically around the central region 12c of the membrane 12.

[0060] The structures 20 can, for example, be spaced between 5 mm and 10 mm apart.

[0061] For example, structures 20 can have a height between 0.1 mm and 1.0 mm. R.415082

[0062] - 7 -

[0063] In further embodiments not explicitly shown in the figures, the membrane 12 can also have more or fewer than three structures 20 and the structures 20 can be arranged in arrangements other than in concentric rings.

[0064] A complementary structure is formed in the membrane contact surface 16 of the support punch 14, comprising several, in the illustrated embodiment three, complementary structures 22, in particular recesses. The complementary structures 22 are designed to receive the structures 20 formed on the underside 12a of the membrane 12, as shown in Figure 2.

[0065] Through the interaction of the structures 20, which are formed on the underside 12a of the diaphragm 12, with the complementary structures 22, which are formed in the diaphragm contact surface 16 of the support piston 14, unwanted friction between the underside 12a of the diaphragm 12 and the diaphragm contact surface 16 of the support piston 14, which can result in rapid wear of the diaphragm 12, can be reduced or even avoided during operation of the diaphragm pump 2.

[0066] Furthermore, the structures 20 formed on the underside 12a of the membrane 12 reinforce the membrane 12 at specific points and can thus increase the resistance of the membrane 12 to pressure loads.

[0067] The interlocking connection between the membrane 12 and the support stamp 14, created by the interaction between the structures 20 and the complementary structures 22, significantly reduces the risk of pressure bubbles and / or unwanted bulging of the membrane 12.

[0068] In an alternative embodiment, not explicitly shown in the figures, recesses may also be formed in the underside 12a of the membrane 12 and corresponding protrusions or projections on the membrane contact surface 16 of the support punch 14. R.415082

[0069] - 8 -

[0070] Figure 4 shows a top view of a top surface 12b of a membrane 12, which is designed according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0071] A structuring is formed on the upper surface 12b of the membrane 12 shown in Figure 4.

[0072] The structuring on the upper surface 12b of the membrane 12 includes in particular several depressions 24 or channels which extend radially outwards from the central area 12c of the membrane 12 in a star shape.

[0073] In the embodiment shown in Figure 4, eight recesses 24 or channels are formed on the upper surface 12b of the membrane 12, which are arranged at equal angular intervals of 45° to each other.

[0074] In alternative embodiments not explicitly shown in the figures, more or fewer than eight recesses 24 or channels can be formed on the upper surface 12b of the membrane 12. The recesses 24 or channels can be arranged at equal or different angular intervals from each other.

[0075] The recesses 24 can in particular have a depth in the range of 0.1 mm to 0.5 mm.

[0076] The structuring of the upper surface 12b of the diaphragm 12 shown in Figure 4 makes it possible to avoid an undesirable accumulation of fluid in the area marked "A" in Figure 2 during operation of the diaphragm pump 2 and to "push" the fluid towards the center of the diaphragm 12 and the inlet and outlet valves 8, 10. This applies in particular if the diaphragm 12 were to press against the pump body 4 in the area marked "B" in Figure 2, thus enclosing fluid remaining in area "A" and isolating it from the pump volume 6.

[0077] Each of the depressions 24 formed on the upper surface 12b of the membrane 12 can have a constant depth along its radial extent. R.415082

[0078] - 9 -

[0079] In an alternative embodiment, the depth of the depressions 24 can decrease in the radial direction from the central region 12c of the membrane 12 to the outer circumference of the membrane 12, so that the depressions 24 are wedge-shaped in a cross-section through the membrane 12.

[0080] Through such well-formed depressions 24, the fluid can be guided particularly efficiently from outer areas of the membrane 12 towards the central area 12c of the membrane.

[0081] In further embodiments not explicitly shown in the figures, additionally or alternatively to the depressions 24, elevations or protrusions can also be formed on the upper surface 12b of the membrane 12 in order to guide the fluid flow along the upper surface 12b of the membrane 12 along the elevations or protrusions.

[0082] In further embodiments not explicitly shown in the figures, radially extending structures, as shown in Figure 4, can also be formed on the underside 12a of the membrane 12; and / or ring-shaped structures, as shown in Figure 3, can be formed on the upper side 12b of the membrane 12.

Claims

R.415082 - 10 - 1. Membrane (12) for a diaphragm pump (2), wherein the membrane (12) has a bottom surface (12a) and an opposite top surface (12b) and wherein a structure is formed on at least one of the top surface (12b) and the bottom surface (12a) of the membrane (12).

2. Membrane (12) according to claim 1, wherein the structuring formed on the underside (12a) of the membrane (12) has at least one structure (20) which extends in a ring shape around a central area of ​​the membrane (12).

3. Membrane (12) according to claim 2, wherein the structuring formed on the underside (12a) of the membrane (12) has several structures (20) which extend in a ring shape around a central area of ​​the membrane (12); wherein the several structures (20) are in particular concentric.

4. Membrane (12) according to claim 2 or 3, wherein each structure (20) formed on the underside (12a) of the membrane (12) comprises a depression (20), wherein the depression (20) in particular has a depth in the range of 0.1 mm to 0.5 mm; and / or wherein each structure formed on the underside (12a) of the membrane (12) comprises a protrusion (20), wherein the protrusion (20) in particular has a height in the range of 0.1 mm to 1 mm. R.415082 - 11 - 5. Membrane (12) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the structuring formed on the upper surface (12b) of the membrane (12) has at least one structure (24) extending radially outwards from a central region (12c) of the membrane (12).

6. Membrane (12) according to claim 5, wherein the structuring formed on the upper surface (12b) of the membrane (12) comprises several structures (24) which extend radially outwards from the central region (12c) of the membrane (12); wherein the several structures (24) are in particular arranged at constant angular intervals to each other.

7. Membrane (12) according to claim 5 or 6, wherein each structure (24) formed on the top (12b) of the membrane (12) comprises a recess (24).

8. Membrane (12) according to claim 7, wherein each depression (24) formed on the upper surface (12b) of the membrane (12) has a constant depth in the radial direction, or wherein the depth of each depression (24) decreases in the radial direction from the central region of the membrane (12) to the outer circumference of the membrane (12).

9. Membrane (12) according to claim 8, wherein each depression (24) has a depth in the range of 0.1 mm to 0.5 mm.

10. Diaphragm pump (2) with a diaphragm (12) according to one of claims 1 to 9, and a movable support piston (14), R.415082 - 12 - wherein the movable support piston (14) has a membrane contact surface (16) which is in contact with the underside (12a) of the membrane (12), and wherein on or in the membrane contact surface (16) a complementary structuring (22) is formed which corresponds to the structuring formed on the underside (12a) of the membrane (12).

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