Patent Publication Number: US-11661953-B2

Title: Pump

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENT APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119 to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2020-0019276 filed on Feb. 17, 2020, whose entire disclosure are hereby incorporated by reference. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present disclosure relates to a pump, and more particularly, to a pump for circulating water used in a laundry treatment apparatus or the like. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     In the case of a circulation pump, a separate chamber is provided in an upper space in which an impeller is disposed. In such a chamber, a separate apparatus for separating a gas or reducing a rotational component of a fluid, when the fluid is introduced and the fluid flows into the space in which the impeller is disposed, may be disposed. 
     Particularly, since the introduced fluid flows in along the outer circumferential surface of the chamber, it may be introduced into the chamber while having a rotational component. Such a rotational component may prevent fluid from flowing into a communication hole that is formed in the center of the chamber and communicates with the space in which the impeller is disposed 
     European Patent EP01024292B1 discloses that as a pump upper housing structure, an annular wall surface is installed for the purpose of bubble separation by dividing an inflow passage and a mesh structure is installed. 
     When such an annular wall surface is applied, swirl occurs in the chamber. This may greatly increase the rotational speed component in the flow of the fluid moving to the space where the impeller is disposed. This rotational speed component becomes a factor that reduces the lift head of the pump generated by the rotation of the impeller. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present disclosure has been made in view of the above problems, and provides a pump that smoothly moves the fluid sucked into a suction chamber to a discharge chamber in which an impeller is disposed. 
     The present disclosure further provides a pump that maximizes efficiency by reducing the rotational component of the fluid flowing into the suction chamber. 
     In accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure, a pump includes: a housing which forms a suction chamber and a discharge chamber therein; a suction nozzle which is disposed in one side of the housing, and communicates with the suction chamber; a discharge nozzle which is disposed in the other side of the housing, and communicates with the discharge chamber; a partition wall which partitions the suction chamber and the discharge chamber, and has a communication hole, which communicates the suction chamber and the discharge chamber, that is formed at a central portion; and a plurality of baffles which are disposed inside the suction chamber, and guide fluid introduced through the suction nozzle to the communication hole. 
     Here, the plurality of baffles have different lengths and are separated apart from each other in a circumferential direction in an upper side of the partition wall, thereby reducing the rotational force of the fluid introduced from the suction nozzle. 
     Length of each of the plurality of baffles is sequentially increased in a direction in which the fluid introduced into the suction nozzle flows, thereby reducing the rotational force of the fluid introduced from the suction nozzle. 
     The plurality of baffles forms a convex curved surface in the direction in which the fluid introduced into the suction nozzle flows, thereby reducing the rotational force of the fluid introduced from the suction nozzle. 
     In each of the plurality of baffles, one end portion, which is disposed adjacent to a center of the housing, is equally separated apart from the center of the housing in a radial direction. 
     In each of the plurality of baffles, a virtual line extending from one end portion disposed close to the center of the housing is formed to face the communication hole, thereby guiding the fluid flowing into the suction chamber toward the communication hole. 
     The housing includes: an upper housing forming the suction chamber; and a lower housing forming the discharge chamber, wherein the partition wall is formed between the upper housing and the lower housing to partition the suction chamber and the discharge chamber. 
     The upper housing includes a circumferential surface that has the same radius and extends in a vertical direction; and an upper surface that covers an upper side of the circumferential surface, wherein the suction nozzle is disposed in one side of the circumferential surface, thereby having a structure where the fluid flowing into the suction chamber has a rotating component, and minimizing the rotating component of the fluid sucked into the plurality of baffle structures of the present disclosure. 
     The plurality of baffles are extended upward from the partition wall to an upper surface of the upper housing, thereby guiding all of the fluid flowing into the suction chamber. 
     The plurality of baffles include: a first baffle which is disposed in an upper side of the partition wall, has a certain length, and extends radially outwardly; a second baffle which is disposed in the upper side of the partition wall, has a length longer than that of the first baffle, and extends radially outwardly; and at least one third baffle which is disposed in the upper side of the partition wall, has a length longer than that of the first baffle and shorter than that of the second baffle, and extends radially outwardly, such that the first baffle, the third baffle, and the second baffle are disposed to increase in length sequentially. 
     An outer end of the second baffle is disposed in contact with a circumferential surface of the upper housing. 
     In a portion where the suction nozzle and the housing are connected, a suction nozzle communication hole for communicating a suction passage formed inside the suction nozzle and the suction chamber is formed, wherein the first baffle and the second baffle are disposed adjacent to the suction nozzle communication hole. 
     The suction nozzle communication hole is disposed between the first baffle and the second baffle. 
     The suction nozzle is extended in a direction opposite to a direction in which the first baffle is disposed such that fluid flows in the direction in which the first baffle is disposed. 
     The first baffle, the at least one third baffle, and the second baffle are sequentially disposed in a direction in which the fluid introduced from the suction nozzle to the suction chamber flows, from the suction nozzle communication hole, thereby increasing the length of the plurality of baffles sequentially. 
     The plurality of baffles comprises a plurality of third baffles having a length longer than that of the first baffle and shorter than that of the second baffle, wherein the plurality of third baffles have different lengths. 
     Each of the plurality of third baffles has a length that increases from the first baffle toward a direction in which the fluid which is introduced into the suction chamber from the suction nozzle flows, thereby sequentially increasing the length of the plurality of third baffles disposed between the first baffle and the second baffle. 
     The partition wall has a shape which is inclined in a suction chamber direction as it progresses from an outer end in contact with the housing toward one end in which the communication hole is formed. 
     The partition wall includes: a border which extends in a direction in which the communication hole is formed from an outer end in contact with a circumferential surface of the housing; an incline which is formed from the border toward the communication hole and inclined toward the suction chamber; and a discharge guider which is bent in a direction of the discharge chamber from the incline. 
     The first baffle is disposed in an upper side of the incline, and the second baffle and the third baffle are disposed throughout the border from the incline. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The above and other objects, features and advantages of the present disclosure will be more apparent from the following detailed description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: 
         FIG.  1    is a perspective view of a pump according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG.  2    is a plan view of a pump according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG.  3    is a front view of a pump according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG.  4    is a cross-sectional view taken along line IV-IV′ of  FIG.  2   ; 
         FIG.  5    is a perspective view of a partition wall and a plurality of baffles according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG.  6    is a plan view of a partition wall and a plurality of baffles according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG.  7    is a cross-sectional view taken along line VII-VII′ of  FIG.  4   ; and 
         FIG.  8    is a view showing a flow amount of a fluid inside a suction chamber according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure are described with reference to the accompanying drawings in detail. The same reference numbers are used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like parts. Detailed descriptions of well-known functions and structures incorporated herein may be omitted to avoid obscuring the subject matter of the present disclosure. 
     Hereinafter, referring to the accompanying drawings, a preferred embodiment of the present disclosure will be described as follows. 
     Hereinafter, the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings for describing a pump according to embodiments of the present disclosure. 
     The pump  10  includes a housing  12  that forms a suction chamber  14   a  and a discharge chamber  20   a  therein, a suction nozzle  50  that is disposed in one side of the housing  12  and communicates with the suction chamber  14   a , a discharge nozzle  62  that is disposed in one side of the housing  12  and communicates with the discharge chamber  20   a , a partition wall  24  that divides the suction chamber  14   a  and the discharge chamber  20   a , and has a communication hole  24   a , which is formed at the center thereof, that communicates the suction chamber  14   a  and the discharge chamber  20   a , a plurality of baffles  40 ,  42 ,  44   a ,  44   b ,  44   c ,  44   d ,  44   e  that are disposed inside the suction chamber  14   a  and guide the fluid flowing through the suction nozzle  50  to the communication hole  24   a , and an impeller  66  that is disposed in the discharge chamber  20   a  and flows the fluid inside the housing  12  by rotation. 
     The housing  12  includes an upper housing  14  forming a suction chamber  14   a  and a lower housing  20  forming a discharge chamber  20   a . Referring to  FIG.  1   , the upper housing  14  and the lower housing  20  are formed in a single configuration. However, unlike this, it is also possible to have a structure in which the upper housing  14  and the lower housing  20  are connected as a separate configuration. 
     Between the upper housing  14  and the lower housing  20 , a partition wall  24  is formed to divide the suction chamber  14   a  and the discharge chamber  20   a.    
     The upper housing  14  may have a cylindrical shape. The upper housing  14  includes a circumferential surface  16  that has the same radius and extends in a vertical direction, and an upper surface  18  that covers an upper side of the circumferential surface  16 . In one side of the circumferential surface  16  of the upper housing  14 , the suction nozzle  50  is disposed. The upper surface  18  may have a dome shape that is convex upward. 
     The suction nozzle  50  is connected to one side of the circumferential surface  16  of the upper housing  14 . The suction nozzle  50  is formed in the tangential direction of the circumferential surface  16  at a portion connected to the circumferential surface  16  of the upper housing  14 . Accordingly, the fluid flowing from the suction nozzle  50  into the upper housing  14  may flow toward the inner surface of the circumferential surface  16  rather than the center of the suction chamber  14   a.    
     At one end of the suction nozzle  50 , a suction port  52  communicating with the outside is formed, and a suction passage  54  is formed in a direction perpendicular to an opening surface formed by the suction port  52 . The suction passage  54  formed in the suction nozzle  50  may be formed approximately in the same direction as the tangent line of the circumferential surface  16 , at a portion in contact with the circumferential surface  16 . 
     The suction nozzle  50  includes a suction nozzle circumferential surface  16  that has a cylindrical shape and forms a suction passage therein, and a suction nozzle end surface  58  that is disposed at the end of the suction nozzle circumferential surface  16  and forms a surface perpendicular to the suction nozzle circumferential surface  16 . The suction nozzle end surface  58  may be disposed perpendicular to a virtual tangent line formed on the circumferential surface  16  of the housing  12  to which the suction nozzle end surface  58  contacts. 
     The suction nozzle  50  is in contact with the circumferential surface  16  of the upper housing  14  at one side of the suction nozzle  50 . A suction nozzle communication hole  60  for communicating the suction passage  54  and the suction chamber  14   a  is formed at a portion where the suction nozzle  50  and the circumferential surface of the upper housing  14  are in contact with each other. The suction nozzle communication hole  60  is formed from one side of the suction nozzle end surface  58  to one side of the circumferential surface  16  of the suction nozzle. 
     The suction nozzle communication hole  60  is formed between a first baffle  40  and a second baffle  42  described below. The suction passage  54  is formed so that a fluid flows from a direction in which the second baffle  42  is disposed to a direction in which the first baffle  40  is disposed. Accordingly, the fluid flowing into the suction chamber  14   a  through the suction passage  54  flows in the direction in which the first baffle  40  is disposed. 
     The lower housing  20  is disposed below the upper housing  14 . The lower housing  20  forms a discharge chamber  20   a  in which the impeller  66  is disposed therein. The lower housing  20  may have an upper side in which the partition wall  24  is disposed, and an opened lower side. A motor (not shown) for rotating the impeller  66  may be disposed below the lower housing  20 . 
     A discharge nozzle  62  through which the fluid inside the discharge chamber  20   a  is discharged to the outside may be disposed in one side of the circumferential surface  16  of the lower housing  20 . The discharge nozzle  62  may be formed to extend from the rotational direction of the impeller  66 . Referring to  FIG.  2   , the discharge passage  64  may extend in a direction opposite to the suction passage  54 . 
     The impeller  66  is disposed below the communication hole  24   a , and may have a structure that moves the fluid of the suction chamber  14   a  downward and sends it in the radial direction. 
     Inside the housing  12 , a partition wall  24  is formed that partitions the suction chamber  14   a  and the discharge chamber  20   a . In the center of the partition wall  24 , a communication hole  24   a  having a circular shape is formed. The communication hole  24   a  communicates the suction chamber  14   a  and the discharge chamber  20   a.    
     The partition wall  24  includes a border  26  extended in the direction in which the communication hole  24   a  is formed from the outer end in contact with the circumferential surface  16  of the upper housing  14 , an incline  28  formed in the direction of the communication hole  24   a  from the border  26  portion and inclined in the direction of the suction chamber  14   a , and a discharge guider  30  bent in the direction of the discharge chamber  20   a  from the incline  28 . The border  26  may form a surface perpendicular to the circumferential surface  16  of the upper housing  14 . The width  28 W formed by the incline  28  in the radial direction is formed to be larger than the width  26 W formed by the border  26  in the radial direction. The inclination angle formed by the incline  28  with the border  26  may be formed in a range of 5 to 30 degrees. 
     Each of the plurality of baffles  40 ,  42 ,  44   a ,  44   b ,  44   c ,  44   d , and  44   e  has a different length. The plurality of baffles  40 ,  42 ,  44   a ,  44   b ,  44   c ,  44   d , and  44   e  form a convex curved surface in a direction in which the fluid flowing into the suction nozzle  50  flows. Here, the direction in which the fluid flowing into the suction nozzle  50  flows means a direction in which most of the fluid flowing into the suction chamber  14   a  through the suction nozzle communication hole  60  flows. Since the suction nozzle  50  has a structure extended in the opposite direction in which the first baffle  40  described below is disposed, most of the fluid flowing into the suction chamber  14   a  through the suction nozzle communication hole  60  may flow in the direction in which the first baffle  40  is disposed. 
     The plurality of baffles  40 ,  42 ,  44   a ,  44   b ,  44   c ,  44   d ,  44   e  extend upward from the partition wall  24  and may be connected to the upper surface  18  of the upper housing  14 . The plurality of baffles  40 ,  42 ,  44   a ,  44   b ,  44   c ,  44   d ,  44   e  and the partition wall  24  may be formed in a single configuration. The plurality of baffles  40 ,  42 ,  44   a ,  44   b ,  44   c ,  44   d ,  44   e  are mainly disposed on the incline  28 . The first baffle  40  is disposed in the incline  28 . The second baffle  42  and the plurality of third baffles  44   a ,  44   b ,  44   c ,  44   d ,  44   e  may be disposed in the incline  28  and the border  26 . 
     The incline  28  may form a side parallel to the border  26  at one end in contact with the discharge guider  30 . 
     The discharge guider  30  may have a hollow cylindrical shape. The discharge guider  30  is provided with a communication hole  24   a  for communicating the suction chamber  14   a  and the discharge chamber  20   a . The discharge guider  30  may send the fluid of the suction chamber  14   a  to the upper side of the impeller  66 . 
     The plurality of baffles  40 ,  42 ,  44   a ,  44   b ,  44   c ,  44   d ,  44   e  are formed by extending upward from the partition wall  24 . Each of the plurality of baffles  40 ,  42 ,  44   a ,  44   b ,  44   c ,  44   d ,  44   e  has a lower end connected to the partition wall  24  and an upper end connected to the upper surface  18  of the upper housing  14 . The plurality of baffles  40 ,  42 ,  44   a ,  44   b ,  44   c ,  44   d ,  44   e  are formed radially from the center of the partition wall  24 . The plurality of baffles  40 ,  42 ,  44   a ,  44   b ,  44   c ,  44   d ,  44   e  are separated apart at certain intervals in the circumferential direction. 
     The plurality of baffles  40 ,  42 ,  44   a ,  44   b ,  44   c ,  44   d ,  44   e  form a convex curved surface in one direction. The plurality of baffles  40 ,  42 ,  44   a ,  44   b ,  44   c ,  44   d ,  44   e  may form a convex curved surface in a direction in which fluid flows from the suction nozzle  50 . The plurality of baffles  40 ,  42 ,  44   a ,  44   b ,  44   c ,  44   d ,  44   e  may form a convex curved surface in the same direction. 
     The plurality of baffles  40 ,  42 ,  44   a ,  44   b ,  44   c ,  44   d ,  44   e  may have different lengths. Each of the plurality of baffles  40 ,  42 ,  44   a ,  44   b ,  44   c ,  44   d ,  44   e  has one end portion  401 ,  421 ,  44   a   1 ,  44   b   1 ,  44   c   1 ,  44   d   1 ,  44   e   1 , which is disposed close to the center of the housing  12 , that is equally separated in the radial direction from the center of the housing  12 . 
     Therefore, in each of the plurality of baffles  40 ,  42 ,  44   a ,  44   b ,  44   c ,  44   d ,  44   e  that have the other end portion  402 ,  422 ,  44   a   2 ,  44   b   2 ,  44   c   2 ,  44   d   2 ,  44   e   2  disposed adjacent to the circumferential surface of the housing  12 , the distance of the other end portion  402 ,  422 ,  44   a   2 ,  44   b   2 ,  44   c   2 ,  44   d   2 ,  44   e   2  separated from the center of the housing  12  in the radial direction may be formed to be different from each other. 
     In each of the plurality of baffles  40 ,  42 ,  44   a ,  44   b ,  44   c ,  44   d ,  44   e , a virtual line extended from one end portion  401 ,  421 ,  44   a   1 ,  44   b   1 ,  44   c   1 ,  44   d   1 ,  44   e   1  disposed close to the center of the housing  12  is formed to face the communication hole  24   a . A virtual line extended from one end portion  401 ,  421 ,  44   a   1 ,  44   b   1 ,  44   c   1 ,  44   d   1 ,  44   e   1  of each of the plurality of baffles  40 ,  42 ,  44   a ,  44   b ,  44   c ,  44   d ,  44   e  may be disposed to face the center of the communication hole  24   a.    
     The plurality of baffles  40 ,  42 ,  44   a ,  44   b ,  44   c ,  44   d ,  44   e  includes a first baffle  40  that is disposed in an upper side of the partition wall  24 , has a certain length, and extends radially outwardly, a second baffle  42  that is disposed in an upper side of the partition wall  24 , has a length longer than that of the first baffle  40 , and extends radially outwardly, and at least one third baffle that is disposed in an upper side of the partition wall  24 , has a length longer than that of the first baffle  40  and shorter than that of the second baffle  42 , and extends radially outwardly. 
     The plurality of baffles  40 ,  42 ,  44   a ,  44   b ,  44   c ,  44   d ,  44   e  includes a first baffle  40  that is disposed perpendicular to the partition wall  24 , and has a radial outer end portion separated at a certain interval from the circumferential surface  16  of the upper housing  14 , a second baffle  42  that is disposed perpendicular to the partition wall  24 , and has a radial outer end portion in contact with the circumferential surface  16  of the upper housing  14 , and a plurality of third baffles that are disposed between the first baffle  40  and the second baffle  42  in the circumferential direction, and have a length longer than the first baffle  40  and shorter than the second baffle  42 . 
     The first baffle  40  and the second baffle  42  are disposed closer to the suction nozzle communication hole  60  than the plurality of third baffles  44   a ,  44   b ,  44   c ,  44   d ,  44   e . The first baffle  40  is separated apart from the suction nozzle communication hole  60  in a first circumferential direction. The second baffle  42  is separated apart from the suction nozzle communication hole  60  in a second circumferential direction. Here, the first circumferential direction and the second circumferential direction mean a circumferential direction formed based on the center of the housing  12 , or may mean the opposite direction. That is, referring to  FIG.  7   , the first circumferential direction may be set to a clockwise direction, and the second circumferential direction may be set to a counterclockwise direction. The second baffle  42  is disposed in the second circumferential direction of the first baffle  40 . A plurality of third baffles  44   a ,  44   b ,  44   c ,  44   d ,  44   e  are disposed in the first circumferential direction of the first baffle  40 . 
     In the plurality of baffles  40 ,  42 ,  44   a ,  44   b ,  44   c ,  44   d ,  44   e , the first baffle  40 , the plurality of third baffles  44   a ,  44   b ,  44   c ,  44   d ,  44   e , and the second baffle  42  are sequentially disposed in the first circumferential direction based on the suction nozzle communication hole  60 . The length of each of the plurality of third baffles  44   a ,  44   b ,  44   c ,  44   d ,  44   e  is increased gradually in the first circumferential direction. 
     The plurality of baffles  40 ,  42 ,  44   a ,  44   b ,  44   c ,  44   d ,  44   e  form a convex curved surface in the first circumferential direction. The first baffle  40  forms a curved surface in which the first surface  40   a  contacting the fluid introduced through the suction nozzle communication hole  60  is convex toward the second surface  40   b . The fluid flowing into the suction chamber  14   a  through the suction nozzle communication hole  60  moves in the first circumferential direction. The plurality of baffles  40 ,  42 ,  44   a ,  44   b ,  44   c ,  44   d ,  44   e  form a convex curved surface in the first circumferential direction in which the washing water in the suction chamber  14   a  flows. 
     Referring to  FIG.  8   , fluid flowing into the suction chamber  14   a  through the suction nozzle  50  may flow along a first surface of each of the plurality of baffles  40 ,  42 ,  44   a ,  44   b ,  44   c ,  44   d ,  44   e . At this time, since the length of the plurality of baffles  40 ,  42 ,  44   a ,  44   b ,  44   c ,  44   d ,  44   e  is formed to increase sequentially, the amount of fluid that moves along the plurality of baffles  40 ,  42 ,  44   a ,  44   b ,  44   c ,  44   d ,  44   e  may be similarly formed. That is, the rotational component of the fluid introduced through the suction nozzle  50  is reduced while moving along the plurality of baffles  40 ,  42 ,  44   a ,  44   b ,  44   c ,  44   d ,  44   e , and the fluid may move to the communication hole  24   a.    
     The plurality of third baffles  44   a ,  44   b ,  44   c ,  44   d , and  44   e  may have different lengths. Each of the plurality of third baffles  44   a ,  44   b ,  44   c ,  44   d ,  44   e  increases in length from the first baffle  40  in the first circumferential direction. The rate of increase in length according to the disposition of the plurality of third baffles  44   a ,  44   b ,  44   c ,  44   d ,  44   e  may be set in consideration of a difference between the length of the first baffle  40  and the length of the second baffle  42 , and the number of the plurality of third baffles. Referring to  FIGS.  5  to  6   , in the present disclosure, the third baffle may be composed of total five ones. However, this is just an embodiment, and the number of third baffles may vary depending on the size of the pump. 
     According to the pump of the present disclosure, one or more of the following effects are provided. 
     First, since it has a structure that length is sequentially increased so that a plurality of baffles guide the fluid flowing from the suction nozzle, the rotational component of the fluid flowing into the suction chamber is reduced. Accordingly, there is an advantage in that the fluid flowing into the suction chamber can smoothly flow into the discharge chamber where the impeller is disposed. 
     Second, since the plurality of baffles have a convex shape in a direction opposite to the direction in which the fluid flows, there is also an advantage of maximizing a reduction in the rotational component of the fluid. 
     Third, the plurality of baffles have a structure that extends in the vertical direction inside the suction chamber, thereby generally guiding the fluid flowing into the suction chamber. 
     Although the exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure have been disclosed for illustrative purposes, those skilled in the art will appreciate that various modifications, additions and substitutions are possible, without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention as disclosed in the accompanying claims. Accordingly, the scope of the present disclosure is not construed as being limited to the described embodiments but is defined by the appended claims as well as equivalents thereto.