[0001] Vacuum, pressure or liquid pump, of the type that comprises driving means with a
shaft connected to an eccentric, at least two membranes that block a similar number
of apertures in a box, characterised in that it comprises: a connecting rod, in whose
centre houses a single bearing for each eccentric through which the referred shaft
passes and at least two actuators that join the membranes to the connecting rod, being
said actuators articulating with the connecting rod.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The use of pumps is known in the state of the art, with one or two heads, one on
each side of the motor, or even two on the same side (opposite with traditional connecting
rods and a similar number of bearings). If more extraction capacity is required additional,
heads can be added, or they can be over-dimensioned, which involves the use of as
many connecting rods, bearings and membranes as required heads, increasing sizes and
motor powers.
[0003] Thus, Spanish utility model 0244030 "A DEPRESSION OR VACUUM MEMBRANE PUMP" is known
from 1979, in the name of PIERBURG BMBH & CO.KG, which refers to a depression or vacuum
membrane pump, especially for conditioning automobile elements, such as servo brakes,
the membrane of which is operated from a main shaft via a connecting rod and the chamber
that is next to the head is sealed against the atmosphere, the chamber is connecting
with the atmosphere by means of at least one valve that allows access the air and
prevents the air exit from chamber to the atmosphere. In a similar fashion another
valve performs the same process to expulse the air.
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
[0004] This application is framed within the sector of vacuum, pressure and liquid pumps.
[0005] With this invention, the inventor intends to operate with a single connecting rod,
more heads, in other words, using a single connecting rod, be able to place as many
actuators with membranes as permitted the connecting rod size, so that, to larger
size of the connecting rod, greater number of actuators can be operate. This results
in economic savings for both the manufacturer and the end buyer.
[0006] This means that the need for independent regulation of force centring and work loads
is eliminated. Currently, each head incorporated into the pump requires a different
load point along the shaft for each one. This invention uses a single bearing for
each eccentric on which point all forces are balanced and stabilised. This is because
only one connecting rod is required independently of the number of heads.
[0007] Thus, greater performances are obtained with less space because a smaller pump can
provide identical or even better results than larger pumps. Similarly, this means
that this smaller size leads to significant space and weight savings.
[0008] In this way, the present pump can operate a determined number of membranes with the
same connecting rod and all forces caused by the heads and membranes are centred with
respect to each other at the same working point. When an expulsion force is generated,
another intake force is produced at the opposite point, with these being equal at
all cycle points.
[0009] One objective of this invention is a vacuum, pressure or liquid pump, of the type
comprising driving means with a shaft connected to an eccentric, at least two membranes
that block a similar number of apertures in a box, characterised in that it comprises:
a connecting rod, the centre of which houses a single bearing for each eccentric through
which the referred shaft passes and at least two actuators that join the membranes
to the connecting rod, with said actuators articulating with the connecting rod.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] In order to facilitate the description, this report is accompanied by four sheets
of drawings that represent a practical exemplary embodiment, which is given as an
example that does not limit the scope of this invention.
- Figure 1 is a general view of the invention, in which the membranes and heads have
been eliminated.
- Figure 2 is a close-up without the box, membranes and heads.
- Figure 3 is a close-up of an actuator, a part that is connected by means of a hinge
joint to the connecting rod.
- Figure 4 is a side view of the invention applied to an end product.
SPECIFIC EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENT OF THIS INVENTION
[0011] Thus, Figure 1 illustrates a box 1, driving means or motor 2, apertures in the box
4, which houses the membranes and heads, a shaft 5, an eccentric 8, a connecting rod
6, actuators 7 and the connecting rod pass-through orifices 10 (at the actuator 7
positions).
[0012] Figure 2 shows driving means 2, connecting rod 6, eccentric 8, shaft 5, connecting
rod pass-through orifices 10 and actuators 7.
[0013] Figure 3 illustrates the actuator 7 that is joined to the connecting rod via the
actuator pass-through orifice 11, with a pin to form a hinge joint.
[0014] Lastly, Figure 4 represents box 1, heads 3, box apertures 4, connecting rod 6, actuators
7, shaft 5, connecting rod pass-through orifices 10, pins 12 that form hinges joints
and a bearing 9 housing the eccentric.
[0015] Thus, in a specific exemplary embodiment, the product is basically configured as
follows: it comprises a box 1, driving means 2, with shaft 5 connected to eccentric
8, two membranes (as many as necessary, three, four, six, despite the fact that, although
there are two in this embodiment, they cannot be seen because they are housed inside),
which block the orifices in box 4 of cited box 1.
[0016] Regarding actuators 7 and the membranes, it is possible to configure as many as desired,
starting with two by taking into account the positions of actuators 7 so that they
compensate the forces as well as possible. For example, with three actuators 7, each
one could be positioned at 120°-, which would then largely balance the forces. Five
actuators would be positioned every 72°- and so on according to the desired number.
The idea is to divide the circumference by the desired number of actuators 7.
[0017] Unlike known pumps, this invention includes a single bearing 9 for each eccentric
8.
[0018] It also comprises connecting rod 6, the centre of which houses a single bearing 9,
through which the referred shaft 5 passes and at least two actuators 7 that connect
the membranes housed inside heads 3 to connecting rod 6, with said actuators 7 articulating
with connecting rod 6 by, for example, pins.
[0019] When motor 2 is switched on, it turns shaft 5 which, by means of eccentric 8 produces
a similar movement of connecting rod 6.
[0020] Actuators 7 are articulated to connecting rod 6 by joints that employ pins 12 in
this embodiment to form hinge joints.
[0021] Moreover, in this invention the connecting rods 6 partially house actuators 7 just
as shown in figures 1, 3 and 4. In this embodiment, connecting rod 6 articulates by
means of a first pass-through orifice 10 through which actuator 7 passes, facing it
via pin 12 (Figure 4), which passes through actuator 7, leaving both pass-through
orifices 10 and 11 aligned (Figures 1, 2 and 4).
[0022] This enables actuators 7 to continue pushing the membranes housed inside head 3 so
that they continue to block and unblock the respective entrances and exits inside
head 3. Even when the eccentric movement is produced, the connecting rod forces that
the movement on the membrane is linear because actuator 7 articulation on connecting
rod 6 allows any membranes position to be recovered while these maintain their respective
positions over apertures 4.
[0023] In fact, connecting rod 6 becomes the connection between actuator 7 and bearing 9
and eccentric 8, thus permitting the membranes to work and adapt to any position as
forced by the eccentric.
[0024] This invention patent describes a new vacuum, pressure or liquid pump. The exemplary
embodiments descried here do not limit this invention, which can have various applications
and/or adaptations within the scope of the following claims.
1. A vacuum, pressure or liquid pump, of the type comprising driving means (2), with
shaft (5), connected to an eccentric (8), at least two membranes that block a similar
number of apertures (4) in a box (1),
characterised in that it comprises:
- Connecting rod (6), the centre of which houses a single bearing (9) for each eccentric
(8), through which referred shaft (5) passes, and
- At least two actuators (7) that join membranes (3) to connecting rod (6), with said
actuators (7) articulated to connecting rod (6).
2. A pump, in accordance with claim 1 characterised in that connecting rod (6) partially houses actuators (7) and articulates with the same by
means of a first pass-through orifice (10), through which connecting rod (6) passes,
facing a second pass-through orifice (11), through which actuator (7) passes, so that
both pass-through orifices (10, 11) are joined by a pin (12).
3. A pump, in accordance with claim 1 characterised in that actuators (7) are articulated in an equidistant manner from each other to the connecting
rod (6).