Liquid pump

A liquid pump for conveying a liquid may include a housing, in which a pump impeller is arranged for conveying the liquid, and a cover for covering the housing. The cover may include a main connector for supplying a main flow of the liquid to the pump impeller and an auxiliary connector for supplying an auxiliary flow of the liquid to the pump impeller. The housing may have an inlet opening for the liquid and an annular collar protruding from an edge of the inlet opening. The cover may lie axially against the annular collar. The annular collar and the cover may define an annular wall surrounding a flow path of the main flow of the liquid. The annular wall may have at least one radial opening connecting the flow path with an inflow space surrounding the annular wall. The auxiliary connector may be fluidically connected with the inflow space.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to International Patent Application No. PCT/EP2017/071984 filed on Sep. 1, 2017, and German Patent Application No. DE 10 2016 219 418.6 filed on Oct. 6, 2016, the contents of each are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a liquid pump for conveying a liquid, having a pump impeller arranged in a housing, and a cover for covering the housing.

BACKGROUND

In numerous applications, it is desirable, by means of a liquid pump, in addition to a main flow of a liquid, for example in a first circuit, to also convey an auxiliary flow of the liquid, for example in a second circuit. When the liquid pump is, for example, configured as a coolant pump, it is possible hereby to convey coolant from two different cooling circuits by means of the coolant pump.

Such a liquid pump, configured as a coolant pump, is known from DE 10 2014 113 412 B4. In this coolant pump, a pump impeller for conveying the coolant is arranged in a housing of the coolant pump, wherein the housing is covered by means of a cover. The cover is configured so as to be hemispherical or respectively bell-shaped and has a main connector for supplying a main flow of the coolant to the pump impeller, which protrudes axially from the cover on the side of the cover facing away from the housing. An auxiliary connector is provided spaced apart from the main connector and protruding radially from the cover, for supplying an auxiliary flow of the coolant to the pump impeller.

A disadvantage in such liquid pumps are, in particular, the high installation space requirement and the rigid specification of the arrangement of the auxiliary connector.

SUMMARY

The present invention is therefore concerned with the problem of indicating, for a liquid pump of the type mentioned in the introduction, an improved or at least different embodiment, which is distinguished by a reduced installation space requirement and/or more variable arrangement of the auxiliary connector.

This problem is solved according to the invention by the subject of the independent claim(s). Advantageous embodiments are the subject of the dependent claim(s).

The present invention is based on the general idea of realizing, at an inlet opening of a housing of a liquid pump for letting in a liquid which is to be conveyed, both the supplying of a main flow of the liquid and also the supplying of an auxiliary flow to the liquid to a pump impeller of the liquid pump. Hereby, the dimensioning of the liquid pump and therefore the required installation space can be distinctly reduced. It is also therefore possible to arrange on the housing an auxiliary connector for supplying the auxiliary flow of the liquid in any desired manner, at least with a greater variability.

According to the idea of the invention, the liquid pump therefore has the housing in which the pump impeller for supplying the liquid is arranged. The housing is covered by a cover, wherein the cover has a main connector for supplying the main flow of the liquid to the pump impeller, and the auxiliary connector for supplying the auxiliary flow of the liquid to the pump impeller. According to the invention, the housing has an annular collar which protrudes axially from an edge of the inlet opening, wherein the cover lies against the annular collar in the region of the main connector. Therefore, the annular collar and the cover form an annular wall, which surrounds a flow path of the main flow of the liquid. In the annular wall now at least one radial opening is formed, which connects the flow path of the main flow with an inflow space surrounding the annular wall, which inflow space is fluidically connected to the auxiliary connector. The auxiliary flow of the liquid therefore arrives via the auxiliary connector and the inflow space through the at least one opening to the main flow, so that in the region of the annular wall a total flow arises, which arrives at the pump impeller for the purpose of conveying the liquid.

The annular collar and the inlet opening can form here in particular a suction port of the liquid pump, through which the main flow and the auxiliary flow together arrive at the pump impeller.

The edge of the inlet opening, from which the annular collar protrudes, preferably adjoins radially the inlet opening. However, it is also conceivable to arrange the edge, and therefore the annular collar, spaced apart radially from the inlet opening.

The at least one opening can basically be arranged in any desired manner in the annular wall.

Embodiments are conceivable in particular in which at least one such opening is formed in the annular collar. Configurations are also conceivable in which at least one such opening is formed in the cover, in particular in the main connector. In addition, it is possible that at least one such opening is formed in the annular collar and in the cover, in particular in the main connector.

In advantageous embodiments, the inflow space, which fluidically connects at least one such opening with the auxiliary connector, is formed between the housing and the cover. The inflow space can therefore be formed in particular by a cavity provided between the housing the cover. Hereby, the liquid pump can be realized in a simple manner and/or at a favourable cist and/or in a space-saving manner.

In so far as the annular wall has at least two such openings, it is preferred if these openings are arranged spaced apart, preferably spaced apart uniformly, in a circumferential direction of the annular wall, in particular of the annular collar. Hereby, a uniform mixing of the main flow and of the auxiliary flow of the liquid can be already achieved in the region of the annular wall.

The housing in which the pump impeller is arranged can basically be formed in any desired manner. It is conceivable in particular to form the housing in a spiral shape or as a spiral housing, in which the pump impeller is arranged and to which the liquid is supplied substantially axially and from which the liquid is discharged substantially radially. The spiral-shaped design of the housing leads in particular to a reduced installation space requirement of the liquid pump.

The inflow space, as mentioned above, fluidically connects at least one such opening with the auxiliary connector. Basically, the inflow space can be in fluidic contact here directly with the auxiliary connector. It is also conceivable to provide an intermediate duct between the inflow space and the auxiliary connector, which intermediate duct fluidically connects the inflow space with the auxiliary connector. The inflow space can therefore be, in particular, a component of an auxiliary duct which alongside the inflow space has a radial section adjoining at the inflow space and running radially, wherein the radial section fluidically connects the inflow space with the auxiliary connector. The auxiliary duct makes it possible here to provide the auxiliary connector in any desired manner on the housing. It is particularly preferred here if the auxiliary duct is formed entirely between the housing and the cover.

The cover can basically have any desired shape. It is preferred if the cover has a flat, radially extending wall on the side facing away from the housing, from which wall the main connector and/or the auxiliary connector protrude(s).

It is preferred if the main connector protrudes axially from the cover. Hereby, the connection possibility to the main connector for connecting the main connector, for example with an associated circuit, therefore the corresponding installation, is simplified.

It is preferred, in addition, if the auxiliary connector is arranged spaced apart from the main connector. Hereby, also, the corresponding installation on the main connector and the associated installation on the auxiliary connector, for example for connecting the auxiliary connector with an associated circuit, is facilitated.

It is also advantageous if the auxiliary connector runs in an inclined manner to the main connector.

According to advantageous variants, the housing has an axially protruding housing collar, which is arranged radially on the outside of the annular collar. The housing collar can be configured so as to be closed and encircling in circumferential direction. The cover lies here axially against the housing collar. Therefore, in particular a connection of the cover with the housing, in particular the installation and/or aligning of the cover on the housing, is simplified.

Embodiments prove to be advantageous, in which the cover has an axially protruding cover collar, which lies radially on the outside of the annular collar against the housing. The cover collar is advantageously configured so as to be encircling in circumferential direction and closed. The cover collar enables a simplified connection of the cover with the housing, in particular a simplified installation and/or aligning on the housing.

An advantageous embodiment of the liquid pump is achieved in that the housing collar of the housing is provided with a step on which a seal is arranged, and is pressed by the cover against the step for the purpose of sealing. Here, the seal can be arranged radially on the outside of the cover collar. It is particularly preferred if the seal is formed as a ring seal.

The cover can be produced in a one piece with the main connector and with the auxiliary connector, in particular from a single material, for example from plastic. In particular, it is conceivable to produce the cover as an injection-moulded part. The housing can also be produced in one piece, in particular from a single material, for example from plastic.

The liquid pump can basically be used for conveying any desired liquid. The liquid pump is used in particular in a motor vehicle for conveying a liquid in the motor vehicle. The use of the liquid pump is to be considered here for conveying a coolant, wherein the liquid pump conveys the coolant of a first cooling circuit, fluidically connected with the main connector, or of a main cooling circuit, and the coolant of a second cooling circuit or auxiliary cooling circuit, fluidically connected with the auxiliary connector.

Further important features and advantages of the invention will emerge from the subclaims, from the drawings and from the associated figure description with the aid of the drawings.

It shall be understood that the features mentioned above and to be explained further below are able to be used not only in the respectively indicated combination, but also in other combinations or in isolation, without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Preferred example embodiments of the invention are illustrated in the drawings and are explained further in the following description, wherein the same reference numbers refer to identical or similar or functionally identical components.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

InFIG. 1a section can be seen through a liquid pump1for conveying a liquid, which can be configured here as a coolant pump1′ for the conveying of coolant. The liquid pump1has a housing2and a cover3for covering the housing2. Here inFIG. 2a three-dimensional view of the cover2onto the side facing the housing2is illustrated, whereas inFIG. 3a three-dimensional view of the liquid pump1onto the side facing the cover3can be seen, but without cover3. A liquid, in particular coolant, is conveyed by the liquid pump1. For this, a pump impeller4, which is illustrated only symbolically inFIG. 1, is arranged in the housing2. The pump impeller4conveys the liquid by a turning or respectively rotation about a rotation axis5. This rotation axis5defines an axial direction of the pump1.

The cover3has, on the side facing away from the housing2, a flat end wall6, from which a main connector7and an auxiliary connector8protrude. The housing2has an inlet opening9, from the edge of which an annular collar10protrudes axially. The main connector7protrudes axially from the cover3and is aligned substantially with the annular collar10. The cover3lies in the region of the main connector7, in particular with the main connector7, axially against the annular collar10, wherein the annular collar10and the cover3, in particular in the contact region of the annular collar10with the main connector7, form an annular wall11. The auxiliary connector8is arranged spaced apart from the main connector7and runs in an inclined manner to the main connector7, wherein the auxiliary connector8is arranged radially on the edge side of the cover3. The main connector7serves for the supplying of a main flow12of the liquid to the pump impeller4, whereas the auxiliary connector8serves for the supplying of an auxiliary flow13of the liquid to the pump impeller4. With the liquid pump1, it is therefore possible via the main connector7to convey liquid of a first circuit, in particular coolant in a first cooling circuit, and liquid via the auxiliary connector8in a second circuit, in particular coolant in a second cooling circuit. In the present case, the main connector7is concentric to the rotation axis5, whereas the auxiliary connector8is eccentric thereto.

As can be seen in particular fromFIG. 1, the annular wall11surrounds a flow path14of the main flow12of the liquid, delimits this in particular radially. In the annular wall10at least one radial opening15is formed, wherein in the example which is shown three such radial openings15are provided. The at least one radial opening15is fluidically connected with an inflow space16surrounding the annular wall11, which inflow space fluidically connects the at least one opening15with the auxiliary connector8. Accordingly, the main flow12and the auxiliary flow13are guided together in the region of the annular wall11or respectively of the at least one opening15, and are guided via the shared inlet opening9to the pump impeller4. Hereby, a total flow29of the liquid is produced, which is composed of the main flow12and of the auxiliary flow13.

In the example which is shown, the openings15are formed in the annular collar10, wherein the openings15are arranged spaced apart in a circumferential direction17and preferably distributed in a uniform manner. In addition, the inflow space16is formed between the cover3and the housing2. In the example which is shown, the inflow space16forms an auxiliary duct18, which is connected directly fluidically with the auxiliary connector8.

The housing2has a housing collar19, which surrounds the annular collar10radially externally, and is formed so as to be closed in the circumferential direction17. In the example which is shown, the housing collar19is configured here so as to be oval (cf.FIG. 3). The cover3has a cover collar20protruding axially in the direction of the housing2and lying axially against the housing2, which cover collar surrounds the annular collar10radially externally and is arranged radially between the housing collar19and the annular collar10. The cover collar20delimits in addition the inflow space16radially externally. The cover collar20is arranged here radially inwardly offset on the cover3, so that radially on the outside of the cover collar20a radial shoulder21of the cover3, running in circumferential direction17, is formed. The cover collar20has a complementary shape to the housing collar19, is therefore in particular shaped so as to be oval (cf. in particularFIG. 2). Here, the cover3lies with its shoulder21axially against the housing collar19. The cover collar20lies axially against the housing2, wherein radially between the cover collar20and the housing collar19a seal22, in particular a ring seal23, is arranged. The seal22lies on a step24of the housing collar19, wherein the seal22is compressed by the housing collar19and by the cover collar20, in particular radially, in order to achieve a sealing of the liquid.

As can be seen in particular fromFIG. 3, on the side of the inlet opening9facing away axially from the main connector7, a tripod25is arranged, which outside the openings15is mechanically connected by legs26with the annular collar10. The tripod25serves to receive an, in particular stationary, axis, which is not shown, which can serve for the mounting of the pump impeller4. For this, the tripod25has a central opening27. In addition, the tripod25can serve to receive or fasten an axial thrust bearing, which is not shown. In addition, the tripod25leads to a stabilizing of the housing2in the region of the inlet opening9.

As can be seen in particular inFIG. 3, the housing3is configured in a spiral shape or respectively as a spiral housing28. The liquid arrives here through the inlet opening9axially into the housing and is conveyed radially outwards by the pump impeller4. The liquid which is thus conveyed arrives into an outlet duct30, radially surrounding the pump impeller4, which outlet duct runs in a spiral shape and is fluidically connected with the outlet connector31, such that the conveyed liquid can be discharged via the outlet connector31by the liquid pump1.

It can be seen fromFIGS. 2 and 3that the housing2and the cover3have complementary connection openings32, which serve for the mechanical connection of the cover3with the housing2. In the example which is shown, this mechanical connection takes place through respectively a screw33guided through the associated connection openings32(cf.FIG. 1), wherein also other connection means are conceivable. Here, in the example which is shown, respectively three such connection openings32are provided, which form the corners of a virtual triangle which is not illustrated.

Radially on the outside of the connection openings32the housing2has further connection structures34, which in the example which is shown are also formed as openings. The connection structures34serve for connecting the liquid pump1with an associated application, for example with an associated motor vehicle, which is otherwise not shown. It is also conceivable to use the connection structures34for connecting the housing2with further components of the liquid pump1, which are not shown.

The cover3is produced in one piece with the main connector7and the auxiliary connector8, in particular from a single material, for example from plastic. The housing2can also be produced in one piece, in particular from a single material, for example from plastic.