Valve Pump Unit

Abstract

A valve pump unit having an electric motor, a reduction gearbox driven by the electric motor, a first pump stage driven by the electric motor, a second pump stage driven by the electric motor, a multiway valve adjusted via the reduction gearbox and having heat transport medium channels for providing at least two switching positions between a first heat transport medium circuit and a second heat transport medium circuit, and also a common housing section for accommodating the electric motor, the multiway valve, the reduction gearbox and also the first pump stage and the second pump stage. In pumping operation, the electric motor is rotated in a first direction, and the reduction gearbox is uncoupled from the electric motor via a freewheel. The reduction gearbox may be operated in a second direction of rotation of the electric motor, to adjust the multiway valve.

Claims

1. (canceled)

2. (canceled)

3. (canceled)

4. (canceled)

5. (canceled)

6. (canceled)

7. (canceled)

8. (canceled)

9. (canceled)

10. (canceled)

11. (canceled)

12. (canceled)

13. A valve pump unit (VPE) comprising: an electric motor; a reduction gearbox, which is driven by the electric motor; a first pump stage which is driven by the electric motor for conveying a heat transport medium in a first heat transport medium circuit; a second pump stage which is driven by the electric motor for conveying a heat transport medium in a second heat transport medium circuit; a multiway valve that is adjusted via the reduction gearbox, the multiway valve further comprising: a plurality of heat transport medium channels for providing at least two switching positions between the first heat transport medium circuit and the second heat transport medium circuit of a heat transport medium system; and a common housing section for accommodating the electric motor, the multiway valve, the reduction gearbox, the first pump stage, and the second pump stage; wherein, during a pumping operation, in a first direction of rotation of the electric motor, the reduction gearbox is uncoupled from the electric motor via a freewheel, and the reduction gearbox is operated in a second direction of rotation of the electric motor, opposite to the pumping operation, to adjust the multiway valve.

14. The valve pump unit of claim 13, wherein the multiway valve is joined to the electric motor in such a way that the multiway valve encloses the electric motor.

15. The valve pump unit of claim 13, the multiway valve further comprising: at least one section that is fixed in relation to the common housing section; and at least one section that is pivotable with respect to the common housing section.

16. The valve pump unit of claim 13, the plurality of heat transport medium channels further comprising individual channel sections arranged between the common housing section and the electric motor.

17. The valve pump unit of claim 13, further comprising: a clutch arranged between the electric motor and the second pump stage; wherein the clutch releasably connects the electric motor and the second pump stage to each other.

18. The valve pump unit of claim 17, wherein the clutch is an opening centrifugal force clutch.

19. The valve pump unit of claim 17, wherein the clutch is a closing centrifugal force clutch.

20. The valve pump unit of claim 13, wherein the electric motor is a dry-running motor.

21. The valve pump unit of claim 13, wherein the first pump stage is a radial pump stage.

22. The valve pump unit of claim 13, wherein the second pump stage is a radial pump stage.

23. A heat transport medium system for a vehicle, comprising: a first heat transport medium circuit; a second heat transport medium circuit; a valve pump unit provided between the two circuits, the valve pump unit further comprising: an electric motor; a reduction gearbox, which is driven by the electric motor; a first pump stage which is driven by the electric motor for conveying a heat transport medium in a first heat transport medium circuit; a second pump stage which is driven by the electric motor for conveying a heat transport medium in a second heat transport medium circuit; a multiway valve that is adjusted via the reduction gearbox, the multiway valve further comprising: a plurality of heat transport medium channels for providing at least two switching positions between the first heat transport medium circuit and a second heat transport medium circuit of a heat transport medium system; and a common housing section for accommodating the electric motor, the multiway valve, the reduction gearbox and also the first pump stage and the second pump stage; wherein, during a pumping operation, in a first direction of rotation of the electric motor, the reduction gearbox is uncoupled from the electric motor via a freewheel, and the reduction gearbox is operated in a second direction of rotation of the electric motor, opposite to the pumping operation, to adjust the multiway valve.

24. A vehicle comprising a heat transport medium system of claim 23.

25. An operating method for a valve pump unit claim 13, comprising the steps of: operating the electric motor in the first direction of rotation to drive the first pump stage and the second pump stage; and driving the reduction gearbox in the second direction of rotation, opposite to the pumping operation, to adjust the multiway valve, such that during the pumping operation, the reduction gearbox is uncoupled from the electric motor via the freewheel.

26. The operating method of claim 25, further comprising the steps of coupling or uncoupling the second pump stage via the clutch during pumping operation above a specific speed of rotation of the electric motor.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0035] The invention will be explained in detail below with reference to the illustrations in the figures. Further developments of the invention may be found in the following description of preferred embodiments. In this respect:

[0036] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a valve pump unit;

[0037] FIG. 2 shows the valve pump unit shown in FIG. 1 in a sectional view;

[0038] FIG. 3 shows a perspective sectional view with respect to the section line S.sub.1-S.sub.1 in FIG. 2;

[0039] FIG. 4 shows a perspective sectional view with respect to the section line S.sub.2-S.sub.2 in FIG. 2;

[0040] FIG. 5 shows a perspective sectional view with respect to the section line S.sub.3-S.sub.3 in FIG. 2; and

[0041] FIG. 6 shows an enlarged view of the clutch shown in FIG. 5.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0042] The following description of the preferred embodiment(s) is merely exemplary in nature and is in no way intended to limit the invention, its application, or uses.

[0043] FIG. 1 illustrates a proposed substantially cylindrical valve pump unit VPE, which is attached or connected hydraulically via a first connection end hAE.sub.1 to a first heat transport medium circuit (or cooling circuit) and hydraulically via a second connection end hAE.sub.2 to a second heat transport medium circuit (or cooling circuit) of a heat transport medium system (or thermal management system) of a vehicle.

[0044] This valve pump unit VPE provides two selective switching positions of a multiway valve MWV in the shape of a 4/2-way valve between the first circuit and the second circuit.

[0045] FIG. 2 illustrates which components of the first and second circuit are integrated into this valve pump unit VPE by a common housing section Gg. The housing section Gg thus has a centrally supporting and integrating function.

[0046] A single electric motor or E-motor EM designed as an internal rotor and a dry-running motor is joined to the multiway valve MWV in such a way that the multiway valve MWV encloses the E-motor EM annularlyfor example completely or in a circumferentially closed mannerwithin the common housing section Gg. The E-motor EM forms a central or centrally driving component of the valve pump unit VPE.

[0047] The stator S of the E-motor EM is arranged within a tubular section RA or an at least tube-like section RA, wherein this tubular section RA is sealed off adequately with respect to its periphery in a respectively associated area and thus forms a dry space for the stator S in the rotor R of the electric motor EM within the tubular section RA.

[0048] The multiway valve MWV joined to the tubular section RA has at least one section 2 that is fixed relative to the housing section Gg and at least one section 4 that is pivotable relative to the housing section Gg in a first or a second direction of rotation of the E-motor EM. Heat transport medium channels 6 (or liquid channels 6) in the multiway valve MWV extend between the housing section Gg and the E-motor EM.

[0049] The outer circumferential side of the individual sectors 2, 4 of the multiway valve MWV is cut away in some sections to save weight and, in conjunction with the common housing section Gg, form individual cavities, in which conveyed fluid or conveyed liquid may collect (FIG. 2).

[0050] The valve pump unit VPE has a first pump stage PS.sub.1, for example in the form of a flow pump stage, for example in the form of a radial pump stage, and a second pump stage PS.sub.2, for example in the form of a radial pump stage, which are each drivable via a drive shaft 8 of the E-motor EM.

[0051] The two pump stages PS.sub.1, PS.sub.2 each have at least a first and second housing section G.sub.1a, G.sub.1b and G.sub.2a, G.sub.2b. The two housing sections G.sub.1b, G.sub.2bwhich as such face the common housing section Ggare joined to the housing section or accommodated by the latter.

[0052] A three-stage reduction gearbox RG for the selective adjustment of the multiway valve MWV is, for example, provided and arranged between the pump stage PS.sub.1 and the E-motor EM. The sectional illustration in FIG. 4 (corresponding to a section through the section line or plane S.sub.1-S.sub.1 in FIG. 2) illustrates the gear wheels Z.sub.1, Z.sub.2, Z.sub.3 of the first and second gearbox stage, and the sectional illustration in FIG. 2 (corresponding to a section through the section line or plane S.sub.2-S.sub.2 in FIG. 2) illustrates the gear wheel Z.sub.4 of the fourth gearbox stage. The gear wheel Z.sub.4 meshes with internal toothing 24 formed on the pivotable section 4 of the multiway valve MWV, so that the section 4 functions with the effect of a ring gear, which is pivoted selectively via the gear wheel Z.sub.4. In the present embodiment of the reduction gearbox RG, the section 4 pivots in a direction of rotation of the E-motor EM which corresponds to the pumping operation of the E-motor EM. In an alternative embodiment of the reduction gearbox RG, however, the section 4 may also pivot in a direction of rotation of the E-motor which is opposite to that in pumping operation.

[0053] Provided and arranged between the drive shaft 8 and the gear wheel Z.sub.1 is a freewheel FLfor example in the form of a clamping roller freewheelwhich transmits torque to the reduction gearbox RG only in the direction of rotation that is opposite to the pumping operation of the electric motor EM, and thus permits the selective adjustment of the multiway valve MWV into at least two switching positions (FIG. 4, FIG. 2). Alternatively, the freewheel FL could also be arranged at a different point of the reduction gearbox RG.

[0054] In the direction of the pump stage PS.sub.1 the drive shaft 8 extends through a rolling-contact bearing arrangementin the form of an overhung bearingto accommodate the drive shaft 8 in the housing section Gg, the freewheel FL, a seal 12, a sliding bearing 16, and as far as into a metallic bush 20, e.g. a brass bush, on which the impeller of the pump stage PS.sub.1 is seated.

[0055] On the other hand, in the direction of the pump stage PS.sub.2, the drive shaft 8 extends into a hub section N of a centrifugal force clutch K via which the pump stage PS.sub.2 is attached to the E-motor EM. On the drive slide, a drive shaft 10 extends from this centrifugal clutch K through a seal 14, a sliding bearing 18 and as far as into a metallic bush 22, e.g. a brass bush, on which the impeller of the pump stage PS.sub.2 is seated. The centrifugal force clutch K is designed in the sense of an opening clutch which, starting from a specific rotational speed of the drive shaft 8, opens and as a result releases the operative connection of the E-motor EM to the pump stage PS.sub.2. Thus, in pumping operation, if necessary in a corresponding operating mode of the E-motor EM, the pump stage PS.sub.2 is uncoupled or released by the centrifugal force clutch.

[0056] The centrifugal force clutch K is arranged within the tubular section RA between the E-motor and the pump stage PS.sub.2. The two seals 12, 14 contribute to keeping the reduction gearbox RG, the centrifugal force coupling K and the E-motor EM dry.

[0057] The sectional illustrations in FIGS. 5 and 6 (corresponding to a section through the section line or plane S.sub.3-S.sub.3 in FIG. 2) illustrate the aforesaid centrifugal force clutch K, which includes a closed revolving disk section 34 molded on the hub section N and a closed revolving ring section 32 molded on the disc section 34. Molded on the front face of the disk section 34 in addition are three arcuate claws 30 spaced apart uniformly from one another in the circumferential direction of the centrifugal force clutch K to accommodate a closed revolving spring element 28.

[0058] With respect to their extent in the circumferential direction of the centrifugal force clutch K, these claws 30 are spaced apart radially relative to the ring section 32 in such a way that, with the ring section 32, they form an arcuate gap, into which an associated spring element 28 is inserted.

[0059] Radially on the inner side, each of these spring elements 28 carries what is known as a clutch lining element 26, which is molded so as to correspond or be complementary to the section of the driveshaft 10 illustrated in FIG. 5. This clutch lining element 26 may be an element composed of a suitable frictional and bonding element or else an element including such a frictional and bonding element. The clutch lining element 26 may also be formed from an elastomer or else include such an elastomer. The clutch lining element 26 forms a form and force fit with the aforesaid output shaft section (FIG. 5).

[0060] In a further embodimentnot illustrated hereit is proposed to design the clutch in the form of a closing centrifugal force clutch.

[0061] The E-motor EM of the valve pump unit VPE is operable in two directions of rotation: [0062] a) in a first direction of rotation in the aforesaid pumping operation, and [0063] b) to drive the reduction gearbox RG in a second direction of rotation, opposite to the pumping operation, to adjust the multi-way valve MWV.

[0064] In pumping operation, the reduction gearbox RG is uncoupled from the E-motor EM via the freewheel FL.

[0065] The adjustment of the pivotable or rotatably adjustable multiway valve MWV is carried out step-by-step or in a staggered manner or else continuously from one switching position to another switching position of the multiway valve MWV.

[0066] In FIG. 2, one of two switching positions of the 4/2 multi way valve MWV is seen, in which an outlet or outlet connection A.sub.PS2 of the pump stage PS.sub.2 or of the second circuit has a fluid connection or flow connection to the pump stage PS.sub.1 via an associated channel 6.

[0067] FIG. 2 illustrates a series connection of the two aforementioned circuitsi.e. of the first and second heat transport medium circuitin which the outlet A.sub.PS2 is fluidly connected to a feed Z.sub.PS1not shown in FIG. 2of the pump stage PS.sub.1 or of the first circuit. The same is also true of an outlet or outlet connection A.sub.PS1not illustrated in FIG. 2of the pump stage PS.sub.1 or of the first circuit, which has a fluid connection to a feed Z.sub.PS2not illustrated in FIG. 2of the pump stage PS.sub.2 or of the second circuit.

[0068] By contrast, in a parallel connection-not illustrated hereof the two aforementioned circuits, on one hand the outlet A.sub.PS1 has a fluid connection to the feed Z.sub.PS1 and on the other hand the outlet A.sub.PS2 is connected to the feed Z.sub.PS2, specifically each via an associated channel 6 in the multiway valve MWV. This means that conveyed fluid or conveyed liquid is accordingly redirected in the multiway valve MWV.

[0069] FIG. 5 illustrates the outlet A.sub.PS2 and the feed Z.sub.PS2 of the second circuit.

[0070] In addition, between this series and parallel connection of the two circuits, various mixed positions of the section 4 or the multiway valve MWV are possible. For this purpose, the multiway valve MWV may have an arrangement of appropriately formed channels 6not illustrated here, which bring about or effect such mixed states within the multiway valve MWV.

[0071] In a further embodimentnot illustrated here, further freewheels may also be provided, specifically on the pump stage PS.sub.1 between the metallic bush 20 and the driveshaft 8 and/or on the pump stage PS.sub.2 between the metallic bush 22 and the drive shaft 10. Therefore, the conveyed fluid is not braked in the direction of rotation of the E-motor EM that is opposed to pumping operation but, instead, may continue to flow because of its mass moment of inertia.

[0072] Because of the proposed valve/pump unit, the aforementioned heat transport medium circuits or such a heat transport medium system having such heat transport medium circuits is simplified highly.

[0073] Individual, previously necessary, components may be saved and, concomitantly, also weight, overall space and costs.

[0074] Although exemplary embodiments are explained in the preceding description, it should be pointed out that a large number of modifications is possible. It should be noted, furthermore, that the exemplary embodiments are merely examples which are in no way intended to limit the scope of protection, the applications, and the structure. Instead, the above description gives a person skilled in the art a guideline for the implementation of at least one exemplary embodiment, it being possible to make various changes, especially with regard to the function and arrangement of the component parts described, without departing from the scope of protection as emerges from the combinations of features that are equivalent thereto.

[0075] The description of the invention is merely exemplary in nature and, thus, variations that do not depart from the gist of the invention are intended to be within the scope of the invention. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of the invention.