Patent ID: 12253070

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENT

FIG.1shows a pump10with a conveyor device12for at least conveying a (not-shown) fluid. The conveyor device12is designed for at least conveying a fluid, in particular as a result of an effect of a drive unit16of the pump10on the conveyor device12, particularly on an elastically deformable conveyor element22of the conveyor device12. The conveyor device12comprises at least one conveyor chamber18, at least one dimensionally stable conveyor chamber element20that at least partially delimits the conveyor chamber18and at least the elastically deformable, particularly annular, conveyor element22that delimits the conveyor chamber18together with the conveyor chamber element20and is arranged on the conveyor chamber element20(seeFIG.4). The conveyor element22preferably is designed in the form of a conveyor membrane. The conveyor chamber element20is at least mostly, in particular completely, made of a plastic, particularly an injection-molded plastic. However, it is also conceivable that the conveyor chamber element20is made of a different material deemed sensible by a person skilled in the art. The conveyor element22preferably is at least mostly, in particular completely, made of a rubber, particularly a synthetic rubber such as EPDM, FC, NBR or the like. However, it is also conceivable that the conveyor element22is made of a different material deemed sensible by a person skilled in the art.

The pump10comprises at least the drive unit16for acting upon the conveyor device12and at least one housing14for accommodating the conveyor device12. The drive unit16preferably comprises at least one driving element24for acting upon the conveyor device12(seeFIG.4). The driving element24preferably is designed in the form of an eccentric shaft. However, it is also conceivable that the drive unit24has a different design deemed sensible by a person skilled in the art, e.g. in the form of a rotationally symmetrical shaft, on which at least one cam for acting upon the conveyor device12is arranged, or the like. The driving element24may be connected to a drive shaft of a (not-shown) motor unit such as an electric motor, an internal combustion engine, a pneumatic engine or the like either directly, particularly in a rotationally fixed manner, or indirectly, e.g. by means of a gear unit or a means of at least one gearwheel element. The driving element24has a rotational axis26that extends transverse, particularly at least essentially perpendicular, to a principal conveying direction, along which a fluid can be conveyed through the conveyor chamber18.

The conveyor device preferably is at least mostly, in particular completely, arranged within the housing14. The conveyor device12is at least mostly, in particular completely, surrounded by the housing14. A person skilled in the art knows that the housing14particularly is intended for enveloping and/or supporting the conveyor device12and/or the drive unit16of the pump10at least partially, in particular completely. The housing14may be made of a plastic, a metal, a combination of plastic and metal or of a different material deemed sensible by a person skilled in the art. The housing14may have a shell design, a pot design, a combination of a shell design and a pot design or a different design deemed sensible by a person skilled in the art.

The housing14is formed at least separately from the conveyor chamber element20of the conveyor device12, particularly from the conveyor device12as a whole, namely in such a way that the conveyor chamber element20, particularly the conveyor device12as a whole, can be removed from the housing14. The conveyor chamber element20, particularly the conveyor device12as a whole, preferably can be removed from the housing14after the removal of an upper housing part36, particularly together with the conveyor element22arranged on the conveyor chamber element20. The conveyor device12preferably can be removed from the housing14as a whole, particularly after the removal of the upper housing part36of the housing14, such that it is decoupled from a removal of individual components of the conveyor device12. When the conveyor device12, particularly the conveyor device12as a whole, is arranged in the housing14, in particular, the housing14surrounds at least the conveyor chamber element20, particularly the conveyor device12, at least mostly along a circumferential direction extending in a plane that lies essentially perpendicular to a drive axis70of the drive unit16.

Viewed along a direction extending transverse to the drive axis70of the drive unit16, the conveyor chamber element20is arranged at least between the housing14and the conveyor element22of the conveyor device12, in particular directly adjacent to the housing14or directly abutting on the housing14(seeFIG.2). When the conveyor device12is arranged in the housing14, the conveyor device12at least essentially surrounds the drive unit16completely, particularly along a circumferential direction extending in a plane that lies at least essentially perpendicular to the drive axis70of the drive unit16. When the conveyor device12is arranged in the housing14, an outer side of the conveyor chamber element20is connected to an inner side of the housing in a frictionally engaged and/or form-fitting manner and, in particular, preferably abuts directly on the inner side of the housing14. When the conveyor device12, particularly the conveyor device12as a whole, is arranged in the housing14, the outer side of the conveyor chamber element20preferably abuts at least partially on the inner side of the housing14, particularly at least on an inner side of the lower housing part72of the housing14. The conveyor chamber element20preferably abuts on the inner side of the housing14, particularly on the inner side of the lower housing part72of the housing14, with more than 30%, preferably more than 40% and less than 95%, particularly between 40% and 60%, of the entire outer surface of its outer side. The housing14preferably has a recess, in which the conveyor device12can be arranged or particularly is arranged. The recess of the housing14, particularly of the lower housing part72, preferably is delimited by a collar-like extension in the interior of the housing14, particularly the lower housing part72. The collar-like extension extends over less than 360°, in particular, in order to allow the arrangement of an inlet and outlet region of the conveyor device12in the housing14, particularly in the lower housing part72.

The housing14furthermore comprises at least one receptacle32, particularly at least two receptacles32,34, for accommodating at least one fluid supply line adapter28and/or one fluid discharge line adapter30of the conveyor device12. The fluid supply line adapter28preferably is intended for being connected to a fluid line, particularly for realizing a supply of fluid to the conveyor chamber18. The fluid discharge line adapter30preferably is intended for being connected to a fluid line, particularly for realizing a discharge of fluid from the conveyor chamber18. The receptacle/s32,34preferably is/are arranged in the upper housing part36of the housing14(seeFIGS.1and3). However, it is also conceivable that the receptacle/s32,34is/are arranged in another component of the housing14, e.g. in the lower housing part72or the like. The fluid supply line adapter28and/or the fluid discharge line adapter30preferably is connected to the receptacle/s32,34, particularly fixed on the receptacle/s32,34, by means of a form-fitting and/or frictional connection. For example, the receptacle/s32,34comprises/comprise on an inner side an internal thread for fixing the fluid supply line adapter28and/or the fluid discharge line adapter30on the housing14, particularly on the upper housing part36(seeFIG.3). However, it is also conceivable that the fluid supply line adapter28and/or the fluid discharge line adapter30is/are arranged, particularly secured, on the receptacle/s32,34by means of a different connection, particularly a threadless form-fitting connection that is produced, e.g., by means of an insertion into the receptacle/s32,34. The receptacle/s32,34extends/extend continuously from an outer side of the housing14, particularly the upper housing part36, up to an inner side of the housing14, particularly the upper housing part36. The receptacle/s32,34preferably is/are designed in the form of a through-opening/through-openings from the outer side to the inner side of the housing14. When the conveyor device12is arranged in the housing14, the fluid supply line adapter28and/or the fluid discharge line adapter30extends/extend from the conveyor chamber element20at least up to, particularly beyond, the outer side of the housing14, particularly when a connecting piece38of the conveyor chamber element20is connected to the fluid supply line adapter28and/or when, in particular, an additional connecting piece40of the conveyor chamber element20is connected to the fluid discharge line adapter30(seeFIG.3).

The connecting piece38and/or, in particular, the additional connecting piece40respectively is/are arranged on at least one transverse extension60,62of the conveyor chamber element20, particularly designed integrally with the corresponding transverse extension60,62(seeFIGS.2,3,5and7). Viewed in a plane, particularly a plane extending at least essentially perpendicular to a rotational axis26of the driving element24, in particular to the drive axis70of the drive unit16, the conveyor chamber element20particularly has a cross-sectional shape that essentially is composed of a circular arc or an open ring, which extends along an angular range of less than 360° and, in particular, more than 90°, and the two transverse extension60,62, which extend transverse to the circular arc or the open ring and directly border on the circular arc or the open ring, particularly in end regions of the circular arc or the open ring. The connecting piece38and/or, in particular, the additional connecting piece40respectively has/have a principal axis64,66that extends transverse, particularly at least essentially perpendicular, to a principal plane of the at least one transverse extension60,62, particularly the respective transverse extension60,62. The principal axis/axes64,66of the connecting piece38and/or, in particular, the additional connecting piece40preferably extend transverse, particularly at least essentially perpendicular, to the principal conveying direction of the conveyor chamber18, along which a fluid can be conveyed through the conveyor chamber18. The principal axis/axes64,66of the connecting piece38and/or, in particular, the additional connecting piece40preferably extend at least essentially parallel to the plane that lies at least essentially perpendicular to the rotational axis26of the driving element24. The connecting piece38and, in particular, the additional connecting piece40are arranged on the side, particularly on the outer side, of the conveyor chamber element20facing away from the conveyor element22such that they are aligned differently, particularly in an opposed manner. The connecting piece38and, in particular, the additional connecting piece40preferably extend in different directions, particularly in opposite directions, starting from the outer side of the conveyor chamber element20. The connecting piece38and, in particular, the additional connecting piece40preferably extend in directions that face away from the conveyor chamber element20and are aligned in an opposed manner starting from the outer side of the conveyor chamber element20.

Viewed along the principal axis/axes64,66of the connecting piece38and/or, in particular, the additional connecting piece40, the connecting piece38and/or, in particular, the additional connecting piece40is/are spaced apart from an inner wall of the housing14, particularly at least the upper housing part36and/or the lower housing part72, when the conveyor device12is arranged in the housing14(seeFIGS.2and3). The connecting piece38and/or, in particular, the additional connecting piece40preferably is spaced apart from the inner wall of the housing14, particularly from an inner side of the upper housing part36and/or an inner side of the lower housing part72, along an entire circumference of the connecting piece38and/or, in particular, the additional connecting piece40when the conveyor device12is arranged in the housing14. A minimum distance of the connecting piece38and/or, in particular, the additional connecting piece40from the inner wall of the housing14, particularly from the inner side of the upper housing part36and/or from the inner side of the lower housing part72, preferably is greater than 0.001 mm, particularly greater than 0.01 mm and especially greater than 0.1 mm and smaller than 10 mm. The minimum distance of the connecting piece38and/or, in particular, the additional connecting piece40from the inner wall of the housing14, particularly from the inner side of the upper housing part36and/or from the inner side of the lower housing part72, preferably has a value that lies in the range between 0.1 mm and 5 mm. In an alternative design of the pump10, however, it is also conceivable that the connecting piece38and/or, in particular, the additional connecting piece40abuts on the inner wall of the housing14, particularly on the inner side of the upper housing part36and/or the inner side of the lower housing part72, and is supported on the inner wall of the housing14, particularly on the inner side of the upper housing part36and/or the inner side of the lower housing part72, when the conveyor device12is arranged in the housing14.

The conveyor chamber element20comprises at least the connecting piece38for the fluid supply line adapter28, which particularly is designed to differ from a hose, and/or at least the additional connecting piece for the fluid discharge line adapter30, which particularly is designed to differ from a hose, wherein said connecting piece/s respectively is/are arranged on a side, particularly the outer side, of the conveyor chamber element20facing away from the conveyor element22(seeFIGS.2,3,5and7). The fluid supply line adapter28and/or the fluid discharge line adapter30preferably is/are designed in a tubular manner. The fluid supply line adapter28and/or the fluid discharge line adapter30preferably has/have a conically extending insertion end44,46(seeFIGS.3and10). The insertion end44,46of the fluid supply line adapter28and/or the fluid discharge line adapter30respectively is arranged in the connecting piece38or, in particular, in the additional connecting piece40when the fluid supply line adapter28and/or the fluid discharge line adapter is/are arranged on the conveyor chamber element20. The fluid supply line adapter28and/or the fluid discharge line adapter30preferably comprises/comprise a coupling end48,50for respectively being connected to a supply line or a discharge line for respectively supplying or discharging a fluid from or into the conveyor chamber18. It is also conceivable that the fluid supply line adapter28and/or the fluid discharge line adapter30is/are intended for producing a connection with different components deemed sensible by a person skilled in the art, e.g. fluid couplers, hose connectors or the like. The coupling end48,50is arranged on a side of the fluid supply line adapter28or the fluid discharge line adapter30that faces away from the insertion end44,46. The fluid supply line adapter28and the fluid discharge line adapter30preferably have an at least essentially identical design. However, it is also conceivable that the fluid supply line adapter28and the fluid discharge line adapter30are at least partially designed differently, e.g. in the form of a functional unit58or the like.

The conveyor device12comprises at least one functional unit58, particularly a filter unit and/or a valve unit, as well as the fluid supply line adapter28and/or the fluid discharge line adapter30, wherein the functional unit58is at least partially, in particular completely, arranged in the fluid supply line adapter28and/or in the fluid discharge line adapter30(seeFIGS.2,3and10). The functional unit58preferably is at least partially, in particular completely, integrated into the fluid supply line adapter28and/or into the fluid discharge line adapter30in a permanent manner or at least partially, in particular completely, arranged in the fluid supply line adapter28and/or in the fluid discharge line adapter30in an exchangeable manner. For example, the functional unit58may have one or, in particular, two filter and/or valve cartridge/s that respectively is/are arranged in the fluid supply line adapter28or in the fluid discharge line adapter30. Different designs or arrangements of the functional unit58deemed sensible by a person skilled in the art are likewise conceivable, e.g. an arrangement between the connecting piece38and the fluid supply line adapter28or between, in particular, the additional connecting piece40and the fluid discharge line adapter30or the like.

The fluid supply line adapter28and/or the fluid discharge line adapter30is/are arranged on the housing14, particularly on the upper housing part36and/or on the conveyor chamber element20, in a removable manner. The pump10comprises at least one securing unit42for securing the fluid supply line adapter28and/or the fluid discharge line adapter30on the housing14, particularly on the upper housing part36, by means of a form-fitting and/or frictional connection. The securing unit42preferably comprises an external thread, particularly two external threats, that particularly is/are arranged on an outer side of the receptacle/s32,34(seeFIG.1). It is conceivable that the securing unit comprises at least one (not-shown) screw cap, particularly two screw caps, that interacts/intact with the external thread/s and, in particular, firmly clamp a collar of the fluid supply line adapter28and/or the fluid discharge line adapter30in order to secure the fluid supply line adapter28and/or the fluid discharge line adapter30on the housing14. It is preferred that the securing unit42alternatively or additionally comprises at least the internal thread/s arranged on the receptacle/s32,34. It is furthermore conceivable that the securing unit42alternatively or additionally comprises different components deemed sensible by a person skilled in the art for securing the fluid supply line adapter28and/or the fluid discharge line adapter30on the housing14, particularly on the upper housing part36, by means of a form-fitting and/or a frictional connection, e.g. a securing ring, a securing pin or the like.

The conveyor device12comprises at least one movement compensation unit52that is at least intended for at least partially compensating and/or damping relative movements between the fluid supply line adapter28and the connecting piece38when the connecting piece38is connected to the fluid supply line adapter28and/or for at least partially compensating and/or damping relative movements between the fluid discharge line adapter30and, in particular, the additional connecting piece40when the additional connecting piece40is connected to the fluid discharge line adapter30(seeFIG.3). The movement compensation unit52preferably comprises at least one damping element54, particularly at least two damping elements54,56. The damping element/s preferably is/are designed in the form of an O-ring. However, it is also conceivable that the damping element/s54,56has/have a different design deemed sensible by a person skilled in the art, e.g. in the form of an elastomer disk, a hollow elastomer cylinder or the like. It is preferred that the damping element/s54,56respectively is/are arranged between the connecting piece38and the fluid supply line adapter28or between, in particular, the additional connecting piece40and the fluid discharge line adapter30. The damping element/s54,56particularly abuts/abut on an inner side of the connecting piece38and on an outer side of the insertion end44of the fluid supply line adapter28and/or on an inner side, in particular, of the additional connecting piece40and on an outer side of the insertion end46of the fluid discharge line adapter30. In addition to damping a movement, the damping element/s54,56preferably is/are also intended for respectively producing a fluidic seal between the connecting piece38and the fluid supply line adapter28and/or for producing a fluidic seal, in particular, between the additional connecting piece40and the fluid discharge line adapter30.

The conveyor element22comprises at least one base body76that particularly is at least essentially designed in an annular manner (seeFIGS.3and6), wherein said base body can be elastically deformed and has at least one conveying surface78that is arranged on a conveying side of the base body76. Furthermore, the conveyor element22preferably comprises at least one activation extension80, particularly a plurality of activation extensions80, for being connected to at least one transmission element82of the drive unit16, which interacts with the activation extension80, particularly with the plurality of activation extensions80, on an activation side of the base body76. The conveying side of the base body76preferably is arranged on the base body76on a side of the base body76that faces away from the activation side of the base body76. The conveying side particularly forms an outer side of the base body76. The activation side preferably forms an inner side of the base body76. The inner side of the base body76particularly is at least partially formed by the activation side. The activation extension80, particularly the activation extensions80, particularly is/are designed integrally with the base body76. However, it is also conceivable that the activation extension80, particularly the activation extensions80, is/are formed separately from the base body76and fixed on the base body76by means of a form-fitting and/or frictional connection deemed sensible by a person skilled in the art.

The activation extension80, particularly the activation extensions80, is/are designed in the form of form-fit and/or frictional engagement element/s that interacts/intact with the transmission element82by means of a form-fitting and/or frictional connection, particularly a form-fitting and/or frictional connection that is not firmly bonded, in order to at least transmit a driving force acting in a direction facing away from the activation side. The activation extension80, particularly the activation extensions80, preferably is/are clamped between two transmission elements82, particularly transmission rings, that are arranged on the driving element24(seeFIG.4). Viewed along a circumferential direction extending around the drive axis70of the drive unit16, in particular, the activation extension80, particularly the activation extensions80, has/have a maximum longitudinal extent that is smaller than a maximum longitudinal extent of the base body76.

Viewed in a plane, particularly in a plane extending at least essentially perpendicular to the drive axis70, the base body76preferably has a cross-sectional shape that essentially is composed of a circular arc or an open ring and two inlet and/or outlet extensions that extend transverse to the circular arc or the open ring. The circular arc or the open ring of the cross-sectional shape of the base body76preferably extends along an angular range of less than 360° and, in particular, more than 90°. The inlet and/or outlet extensions of the cross-sectional shape of the base body76, which extend transverse to the circular arc or the open ring, preferably are arranged such that they directly border on the circular arc or the open ring, particularly in end regions of the circular arc or the open ring. The activation extension80, particularly the activation extensions80, preferably extends/extend along a closed circular ring, wherein the activation extension80, particularly the activation extensions80, may form the circular ring itself/themselves. A maximum extent of the activation extension80along a central axis of the base body76or an overall extent of the multiple successive activation extensions80along a central axis of the base body76particularly is at least 5% smaller, preferably at least 10% and especially at least 20% smaller, than a maximum longitudinal extent of the base body76. It is preferred that the activation extension80or the multiple successive activation extensions80altogether particularly extends/extend along an angular range of more than 270°, preferably less than 360° or 360°, on the activation side.

The conveyor chamber element20at least mostly surrounds the conveyor element22along a circumferential direction extending, in particular, in a plane that at least essentially lies perpendicular to the drive axis70of the drive unit16(seeFIGS.3and5). The conveyor chamber element20is designed in an annular manner. The conveyor chamber element20and the conveyor element22preferably have an at least essentially analog shape, particularly viewed in the plane extending at least essentially perpendicular to the drive axis70of the drive unit16. The conveyor chamber element20and the conveyor element22, in particular the base body76of the conveyor element22, particularly have a basic shape that resembles an uppercase Greek letter Omega, wherein the extensions of the conveyor chamber element20and the conveyor element22preferably are angled relative to extensions of the uppercase Greek letter Omega by 90°.

The conveyor chamber element20has a counter surface74that interacts with the conveying surface78of the conveyor element22in order to convey a fluid, wherein said counter surface faces the conveyor element22and has at least one elevation84,86that is oriented in the direction of the conveyor element22(seeFIGS.4,7and8). The counter surface74preferably comprises at least two elevations84,86that are oriented in the direction of the conveyor element22. Viewed along the circumferential direction, the elevation/s84,86extends/extend along an at least essentially entire inner side of the conveyor chamber element20, which particularly extends in the shape of a circular arc. The elevation/s84,86preferably extends/extend over the inner side of the conveyor chamber element20from one of the transverse extensions60,62to the other transverse extension60,62along the circular arc or the open ring.

The conveyor element22, particularly the base body76, has the conveying surface78, which viewed in a cross section of the conveyor element22, particularly in a cross section of the conveyor chamber18, has a maximum transverse extent that at least essentially, in particular completely, corresponds to a maximum transverse extent of the counter surface74of the conveyor chamber element20(seeFIGS.4and8). In order to convey a fluid into and/or through the conveyor chamber18, the conveying surface78particularly can be completely placed against the counter surface74of the conveyor chamber element20as a result of the effect of a driving force that can be generated by the drive unit16. Viewed in a cross section of the conveyor chamber element20, the counter surface74of the conveyor chamber element20has at least three successive circular arc sections. The circular arc sections form the counter surface74. Two of the three circular arc sections form the elevations84,86of the counter surface74and are arranged on the outside. One of the three circular arc sections forms a depression and is arranged on the inside, particularly between the elevations84,86. It is conceivable that the three circular arc sections have different or identical radii.

The conveyor chamber element20has at least one connecting region, particularly at least one connecting groove, preferably a sealing groove88, which is arranged, in particular, on the inner side of the conveyor chamber element20, wherein at least an edge region of the conveyor element22, particularly an extension, preferably a sealing extension90, of the conveyor element22arranged on the edge of the conveyor element22engages into said sealing groove, particularly in a sealing manner, when it is arranged on the conveyor chamber element20(seeFIGS.4and8). The conveyor element22has at least the sealing extension90, which is designed integrally with the base body76of the conveyor element22and at least partially arranged in the sealing groove88of the conveyor chamber element20when the conveyor element22is arranged on the conveyor chamber element20. The sealing groove88is designed in such a way that the sealing extension90and an edge region92of the conveyor chamber element20delimiting the sealing groove88flatly abut on one another. The sealing groove88and the edge region92of the conveyor chamber element20delimiting the sealing groove88, which is arranged on a side of the sealing groove88facing the conveying surface78of the base body76of the conveyor element22, are designed in such a way that the sealing extension90flatly abuts on the edge region92of the conveyor chamber element20delimiting the sealing groove88and on a groove base94of the sealing groove88. The sealing groove88extends completely around the counter surface74of the conveyor chamber element20, which interacts with the conveying surface78of the base body76of the conveyor element22in order to convey a fluid, and delimits the counter surface74. The sealing groove88preferably extends on the transverse extensions60,62of the conveyor chamber element20around a respective inlet or outlet opening in the respective transverse extension60,62and transforms, particularly in a seamless manner, into the annular inner side of the conveyor chamber element20in order to delimit the counter surface74. The sealing groove88preferably extends along an entire inner edge region of the conveyor chamber element20. The conveyor chamber element20has the counter surface74for interacting with the conveying surface78of the base body76of the conveyor element22in order to convey a fluid, wherein said counter surface extends over at least three circular arc sections that are arranged successively, particularly when viewed in a cross section, wherein at least the edge region92of the conveyor chamber element20delimiting the sealing groove88is arranged such that it borders, in particular directly, on at least one of the three circular arc sections, particularly on an outer circular arc section.

The sealing extension90extends completely around the conveying surface78of the base body76of the conveyor element22and delimits the conveying surface78. The sealing extension90preferably extends along an entire outer circumference of the base body76. The sealing extension90preferably extends around the inlet and/or outlet extensions of the base body76and transforms, particularly in a seamless manner, into the annular basic shape of the base body76in order to delimit the conveying surface78. The sealing extension90preferably has a transition region90atoward an edge region90bof the base body76of the conveyor element22, wherein a cross section of said transition region90adiffers from a cross section of an additional transition region90cof the sealing extension90toward the conveying surface78of the base body76(seeFIG.8).

The conveyor device12furthermore comprises at least one pressing unit96that has at least one pressing element98,100, particularly at least one clamping ring, which is designed for acting upon the sealing extension90with a pressing force in the direction of the conveyor chamber element20and for compressing the sealing extension90at least in the region of the sealing groove88(seeFIGS.4,5and9). The sealing extension90extends over the conveying surface78along a direction extending transverse, particularly at least essentially perpendicular, to the conveying surface78of the base body76of the conveyor element22. At least in a non-conveying state of the conveyor element22, in particular, the pressing unit96is intended for generating an inhomogeneous pressing force at least in a sealing region102between the conveyor element22and the conveyor chamber element20along a maximum overall extent of the sealing region102, particularly along a maximum circumferential extent between the conveyor element22and the conveyor chamber element20. The sealing region102preferably is formed due to an interaction of the sealing groove88and the sealing extension90. The pressing unit96preferably is intended for generating an inhomogeneous pressing force distribution along a sealing line of the conveyor element22, which particularly extends along a circumferential direction of the conveyor element22. The sealing line preferably is formed by the sealing extension90.

The pressing unit96preferably is designed in such a way that the conveyor element22has an inhomogeneous compression, particularly at least in a non-conveying state of the conveyor element22, along the maximum overall extent of the sealing region102or the sealing line, particularly along a maximum circumferential extent of the annular conveyor element22. The pressing unit96has at least one pressing element98,100, particularly at least one clamping ring, wherein the conveyor element22is designed in an annular manner and pressed against an inner circumference of the annular conveyor chamber element20by means of the pressing element98,100. The pressing unit96preferably comprises at least two pressing elements98,100, particularly two clamping rings, between which the conveyor element22is arranged within the conveyor chamber element20. The conveyor element22preferably can be pressed against the inner circumference of the annular conveyor chamber element20by means of the pressing elements98,100. The sealing extension90particularly is pressed into the sealing groove88due to the effect of the pressing element98,100on the conveyor element22. The pressing unit96has at least the pressing element98,100, particularly at least the clamping ring, wherein the conveyor element22has at least the sealing extension90, and wherein the pressing element98,100presses the sealing extension90against the conveyor chamber element20, in particular, at least along a circumferential direction of the conveyor chamber element20, particularly with an inhomogeneous pressing force along the circumferential direction. The pressing unit96has at least the pressing element98,100, particularly at least the clamping ring, that has a pressing surface104, wherein said pressing surface has a varying level, particularly a varying distance from a surface, particularly an inner surface, of the pressing element98,100facing the pressing surface104, along a maximum longitudinal extent of the pressing surface104extending, in particular, along a circumferential direction of the pressing elements98,100. The varying level of the pressing surface104preferably is formed by different maximum heights of the pressing surface104along the circumferential direction. As an example,FIG.9shows with broken lines three different positions106,108,110on the pressing element98, in which the pressing surface104is intended for generating different degrees of compression of the sealing extension90. The pressing surface104particularly has in the three different positions106,108,110different maximum heights that can be formed in various ways, e.g. by varying a maximum thickness of the pressing element98in the three positions106,108,110in comparison with other positions of the pressing element98, by varying a geometric extent of the pressing surface104on a side of the pressing element98facing the conveyor element22or in a different way deemed sensible by a person skilled in the art. For example, the sealing extension90is compressed to different degrees in the positions106,108,110as a result of the varying level. In position106, for example, the sealing extension90is compressed, in particular, by more than 10%, preferably more than 15%, particularly more than 20%, and especially more than 22%, of a maximum thickness68of the sealing extension90. In position108, for example, the sealing extension90is compressed, in particular, by more than 5%, preferably more than 10%, particularly more than 15% and especially more than 19%, of the maximum thickness68of the sealing extension90. In position110, for example, the sealing extension90is compressed, in particular, by more than 4%, preferably more than 8%, particularly more than 14% and especially more than 16%, of the maximum thickness68of the sealing extension90.

The pressing unit96has at least the pressing element98, particularly at least the clamping ring, and at least one additional pressing element100, particularly at least one additional clamping ring, wherein the conveyor element22is designed in an annular manner and pressed against an inner circumference of the annular conveyor chamber element22by means of the pressing element98and the additional pressing element100, and wherein the pressing element98and the additional pressing element100are arranged on the conveyor element22on opposite sides of the conveyor element22. The pressing element98and the additional pressing element100of the pressing unit96preferably have an at least essentially analogous design. The pressing element98and the additional pressing element100are arranged on the conveyor chamber element20mirror-symmetrical, particularly in order to press the conveyor element22against the conveyor chamber element20and to press the sealing extension90into the sealing groove88. The conveyor chamber element20has at least the groove, preferably the sealing groove88, which particularly extends along an inner circumference of the annular conveyor chamber element20and into which at least the sealing extension90of the particularly annular conveyor element22is pressed by means of the pressing element98, particularly the clamping ring, and/or by means of the additional pressing element100of the pressing unit96, wherein a compression of the sealing extension90is inhomogeneous along a maximum longitudinal extent of the sealing extension90, particularly along a circumferential direction of the conveyor element22. Alternatively or additionally to a varying level of the pressing surface104of the pressing element98and/or the additional pressing element100, it is conceivable that the conveyor element22has at least the sealing extension90, which is pressed against an inner circumference of the annular conveyor chamber element20by means of the pressing unit96and has a varying maximum thickness68along the maximum longitudinal extent of the sealing extension90, particularly along a circumferential direction of the conveyor element22. Different designs of the pressing unit96deemed sensible by a person skilled in the art for generating an inhomogeneous compression of the sealing extension90along the circumferential direction in the sealing region102are likewise conceivable.