Vane pump

Abstract

A vane pump has a pump flange, a cam ring, a pressure plate and at least one pin extending axially through the pump flange, the cam ring and the pressure plate, the pin being preloaded in an axial direction thereof by means of at least one spring element.

Claims

1. A vane pump having a pump flange, a cam ring, a pressure plate as well as at least one pin extending axially through the pump flange, the cam ring and the pressure plate, the pin being preloaded in an axial direction thereof by at least one spring element, wherein the pin has a pin flange, and the spring element is disposed between the pin flange and the pump flange or, the spring element is on one side supported by the pin flange, and on the other side by the pump flange, the axial preload on the pin being based on the spring element being compressed between the pin flange and the pump flange, wherein the pressure plate includes a first side facing the cam ring and an opposite second side, the vane pump further including a retainer coupling the pin to the second side of the pressure plate to react the axial preload.

2. The vane pump according to claim 1, wherein the spring element is a disc spring or cup spring.

3. The vane pump according to claim 1, wherein one end of a pump shaft is enclosed by the pressure plate.

Description

DRAWINGS

(1) FIG. 1 shows a pump cartridge.

(2) FIG. 2 shows a top perspective view of the pump cartridge shown in FIG. 1.

(3) FIG. 3 shows a bottom perspective view of the pump cartridge shown in FIG. 1; and

(4) FIG. 4 shows a rear side of the pressure plate of a pump cartridge according to the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(5) As can be seen in FIG. 1, the vane pump described herein is typically provided as a cartridge 10 comprising a flange 12, a pressure plate 14, a cam ring 16 and a rotor 18 having a shaft 20. The cartridge 10 is, in use, mounted to a housing (not shown), which is typically provided from the customer side. For example, the housing can be integrated into a transmission, in particular, the control unit or a partition plate thereof.

(6) As can be seen in FIG. 1, in the embodiment shown, two pins 24 are provided axially, i.e. parallel to the shaft 20 and retained, in the case shown, at the side of the pressure plate, by means of snap rings or retainers 26. On the other side, i.e. at the side of the flange 12, the pins are provided with a pin flange 28 each, in order to clamp a disc spring 30 between the pin flange 28 and the pump flange 12. Since the springs 30 are clamped in a preloaded manner, the above-mentioned components of the pump are held together with preload, both for transport and handling and for operation.

(7) FIG. 2 additionally shows, in a perspective view from the side of the pump flange 12, the disc springs 30 and the end of the pump shaft 20.

(8) In FIG. 3, the side of the pressure plate 14 including the ends of the pins 24 locked by retainers 26 can be seen. It should be noted that the retainers 26 or any other means for locking the pins 24 can be provided at the side of the pump flange 12, and the disc springs 30 or any other suitable spring elements can be provided at the side of the pressure plate 14.

(9) As can additionally be seen in FIG. 1, the end of the pump shaft 20 at the side of the pressure plate 14 is enclosed by pressure plate 14, in other words, accommodated in a recess thereof and does not extend through the pressure plate 14, so that it cannot be used for providing the necessary preload.

(10) In FIG. 4, the rear side of the pressure plate 14 including the end of the pins 24 and the retainers 26 provided therefor are illustrated. Moreover, a seal 32 and pressure kidneys 34 can be seen. Against the background that installation space is necessary for the seal 32 and the pressure kidneys 34, it is obvious that it is advantageous to provide the springs 30 at the side of the flange 12 so as to create the necessary installation space at the rear side shown in FIG. 4. As already stated above, the recognizable two halves of the seal 32 enclose two surfaces so that two pump halves can be operated at different pressures, which can be used e.g. in a switching pump.