PUMP DEVICE

Abstract

A pump device with at least one conveying device at least for a conveyance of a fluid, includes at least one drive unit for acting onto the conveying device. The conveying device includes at least one conveying space element, which at least partly delimits the conveying space and is embodied in a rigid fashion, and at least one elastically deformable conveying element, which forms the conveying space together with the conveying space element. The conveying element is embodied in a spring-elastic fashion, wherein the conveying element, following a deformation, automatically seeks to re-assume a basic shape, in particular a convexly curved basic shape of the conveying element, wherein, for a conveyance of a fluid, the conveying element is movable, starting from a convex curvature, which is oriented in a direction facing away from the conveying space element, towards the conveying space element, wherein at least the conveying space element and the conveying element together form an exchangeable unit.

Claims

1-5. (canceled)

6. A pump device with at least one conveying device at least for a conveyance of a fluid, and with at least one drive unit for acting onto the conveying device, wherein the conveying device comprises at least one conveying space element, which at least partly delimits the conveying space and is embodied in a rigid fashion, and at least one elastically deformable conveying element, which forms the conveying space together with the conveying space element, wherein the conveying element is embodied in a spring-elastic fashion, wherein the conveying element, following a deformation, automatically seeks to re-assume a basic shape, in particular a convexly curved basic shape of the conveying element, wherein, for a conveyance of a fluid, the conveying element is movable, starting from a convex curvature, which is oriented in a direction facing away from the conveying space element, towards the conveying space element, wherein at least the conveying space element and the conveying element together form an exchangeable unit, wherein the drive unit comprises at least one movably supported drive element, which encloses the conveying space, in particular the conveying device, at least to a large extent, wherein the drive unit comprises at least one force action element, which is configured to at least partly circulate around the conveying space for a conveyance of a fluid through the conveying space, wherein the conveying space is implemented in an annulus-shaped fashion, wherein the conveying space extends, viewed in a plane, about a center point which is arranged on an axis of rotation of the drive element, wherein the conveying space element comprises at least one concave recess for at least partly forming the conveying space.

7. (canceled)

8. (canceled)

9. The pump device according to claim 6, wherein the at least one force action element is embodied as a roller element, in particular as a sphere.

10. The pump device according to claim 6, wherein the at least one force action element is supported in a receiving element of the drive unit in a freely rotatable fashion.

11. The pump device according to claim 6, wherein the drive unit comprises a plurality of force action elements, which are arranged equally distributed around the conveying space.

12. The pump device according to claim 6, wherein the drive unit comprises a plurality of force action elements, which are supported in a receiving element of the drive unit in a freely rotatable fashion.

13. The pump device according to claim 6, wherein the drive unit, together with the conveying device, has a roller bearing-like, in particular ball bearing-like structure.

14. The pump device according to claim 6, wherein the spring-elastic conveying element comprises at least one conveying surface which has, viewed in a cross-section of the conveying element, a maximum transverse extent that is at least substantially equivalent to a maximum transverse extent of a rigid wall of the conveying space element which at least partly delimits the conveying space.

15. The pump device according to claim 6, wherein at least one two-dimensional geometry of an entire conveying contour of a rigid wall of the conveying space element, which at least partly delimits at least the conveying space, is at least largely equivalent to an at least two-dimensional geometry of at least one entire conveying surface of the spring-elastic conveying element in a state when the spring-elastic conveying element is deflected towards the rigid wall, and is in particular pre-determined by said later geometry.

Description

DRAWINGS

[0033] Further advantages emerge from the following description of the drawings. The drawings illustrate an exemplary embodiment of the invention. The drawings, the description and the claims contain numerous features in combination. A person skilled in the art will expediently also consider the features individually and combine these to form further meaningful combinations.

[0034] In the drawings:

[0035] FIG. 1 shows a pump device according to the invention with at least one conveying device according to the invention in a schematic illustration,

[0036] FIG. 2 shows a detail view of a part of a drive unit of the pump device according to the invention and of the conveying device according to the invention in a schematic illustration,

[0037] FIG. 3 shows a sectional view of the part of the drive unit of the pump device according to the invention and of the conveying device according to the invention in a schematic illustration,

[0038] FIG. 4 shows a detail view of the conveying device according to the invention in a schematic illustration,

[0039] FIG. 5 shows a sectional view of the conveying device according to the invention from FIG. 4 in a schematic illustration,

[0040] FIG. 6 shows a cross-section through a conveying space of the conveying device according to the invention in an unloaded state of a conveying element of the conveying device according to the invention in a schematic illustration, and

[0041] FIG. 7 shows a detail view of a geometrical design of the conveying element of the conveying device according to the invention and of a conveying space element of the conveying device according to the invention in a schematic illustration.

DESCRIPTION OF THE EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENT

[0042] FIG. 1 shows a pump device 28 with at least one conveying device 10 and with at least one drive unit 30 for acting on the conveying device 10. The pump device 28 comprises at least one housing 48, on and/or in which the conveying device 10 and/or the drive unit 30 can be arranged. The housing 48 at least partly encompasses the conveying device 10 and/or the drive unit 30. In particular, at least the drive unit 30 is fixable to the housing 48 by means of at least one fastening element (not illustrated in any more detail here) that appears expedient to a person skilled in the art. It is however also conceivable for the drive unit 30 to be fixable to the housing 48 merely by means of a form fit and/or a force fit. To generate a drive force, the drive unit 30 comprises at least one motor unit 52. The motor unit 52 is in the form of an electric motor unit, such as for example an electronically commutated electric motor unit (EC motor) or the like. The motor unit 52 is preferably in the form of a disk-rotor motor unit. It is advantageously possible to realize a pump device 28 of flat construction. It is however also conceivable for the motor unit 52 to be of some other design that appears expedient to a person skilled in the art, for example to be designed as a combustion engine unit, as a hybrid motor unit or the like. For control and/or regulation of the motor unit 52, the drive unit 30 comprises at least one control and/or regulation unit 50, which is of a design already known to a person skilled in the art.

[0043] The drive unit 30 has at least one movably supported drive element 32, 34 which encompasses at least a conveying space 12 of the conveying device 10, in particular the entire conveying device 10, at least to a large extent, in particular along at least a circumferential direction. The motor unit 52 is provided at least for a movement, in particular a rotation, of the at least one drive element 32, 34 of the drive unit 30. The drive unit 30 preferably comprises a drive shaft 54 which is provided for driving at least one drive element 32, 34. The drive shaft 54 is in particular connected to the at least one drive element 32, 34 by means of a force-fitting and/or form-fitting connection. In particular, the at least one drive element 32, 34 comprises at least one connection recess 56 (FIG. 3) which is provided for a connection to the drive shaft 54. It is however also conceivable for the pump device 28 to have, in addition to the drive unit 30, at least one gearing unit which is arranged between the drive shaft 54 and the at least one drive element 32, 34 and which is in particular connected in terms of drive to the drive shaft 54 and to the at least one drive element 32, 34. The at least one drive element 32, 34 has an annulus-shaped and/or disk-shaped design. The at least one drive element 32, 34 has, in particular, a receiving recess 60 in which at least the conveying device 10 can be arranged. The conveying device 10 can preferably be at least partly, in particular entirely, placed into the at least one drive element 32, 34 or arranged in the at least one drive element 32, 34, in particular in the receiving recess 60. The at least one drive element 32, 34 encompasses the conveying device 10 along a circumferential direction at least to a large extent, in particular entirely, in particular in a state in which the conveying device 10 and the drive unit 30 are arranged on the housing 48. The circumferential direction runs preferably in a plane extending at least substantially perpendicular to a drive axis 58 of the drive unit 30. The drive axis 58 of the drive unit 30 is preferably configured as an axis of rotation of the drive shaft 54. The drive unit 30 may have two drive elements 32, 34 which together form an annulus-shaped or disk-shaped drive element which is connected to the drive shaft 54 and which encompasses the conveying device 10 along the circumferential direction at least to a large extent. Further embodiments that appear expedient to a person skilled in the art are likewise conceivable.

[0044] The drive unit 30 has at least one force action element 36, 38, 40, 42, 44 which is configured so as to circulate at least partly around the conveying space 12 for the purpose of conveying a fluid through the conveying space 12 (FIGS. 2 and 3). The at least one force action element 36, 38, 40, 42, 44 can preferably be driven by means of the at least one drive element 32, 34 of the drive unit 30. For a conveyance of a fluid through the conveying space 12, the at least one force action element 36, 38, 40, 42, 44 preferably circulates entirely around the conveying space 12, in particular through an angle range of 360°. It is preferably the case that, during a circulation about the conveying space 12, the at least one force action element 36, 38, 40, 42, 44 bears against a conveying element 16 at at least one side of the conveying element 16. In particular, during a circulation, the at least one force action element 36, 38, 40, 42, 44 slides on a surface, which is averted from the conveying space 12, of the conveying element 16 or rolls on the surface, which is averted from the conveying space 12, of the conveying element 16. The at least one force action element 36, 38, 40, 42, 44 may be provided for subjecting the conveying element 16 to a force which acts along an axis running in a central plane of the conveying space 12 and/or of the conveying device 10, or for subjecting the conveying element 16 to a force which acts along an axis which is angled relative to the central plane of the conveying space 12 and/or of the conveying device 10. The central plane and/or the axis along which a force can be exerted on the conveying element 16 by the at least one force action element 36, 38, 40, 42, 44 preferably run(s) at least substantially transversely, in particular at least substantially perpendicularly, with respect to the drive axis 58 of the drive unit 30. Furthermore, it is conceivable for the drive unit 30 to have at least one spring element (not illustrated in any more detail here) which is provided for subjecting the at least one force action element 36, 38, 40, 42, 44 to a spring force in the direction of the conveying element 16. The at least one force action element 36, 38, 40, 42, 44 is preferably embodied as a roller element, in particular as a sphere. It is however also conceivable for the at least one force action element 36, 38, 40, 42, 44 in the form of a roller element to have a design which differs from a sphere, and to be designed for example as a needle-type rolling element, as a roller-type rolling element, as a barrel-type rolling element or the like. The at least one force action element 36, 38, 40, 42, 44 is provided for generating a traveling-wave movement of the conveying element 16 along the circumferential direction. It is conceivable for the at least one force action element 36, 38, 40, 42, 44 to act directly on the conveying element 16 or for an exciter element (not illustrated in any more detail here) to be arranged between the at least one force action element 36, 38, 40, 42, 44 and the conveying element 16, which exciter element is acted on directly by the at least one force action element 36, 38, 40, 42, 44, wherein the exciter element bears against the conveying element 16 and transmits an action of drive forces to the conveying element 16.

[0045] The at least one force action element 36, 38, 40, 42, 44 is mounted in freely rotatable fashion in a receiving element 46 of the drive unit 30. The receiving element 46 has an annulus-shaped form. The receiving element 46 comprises at least one support recess 66, 68, 70, 72, 74 in which the at least one force action element 36, 38, 40, 42, 44 is arranged in a freely rotatable fashion. The receiving element 46 preferably comprises a plurality of support recesses 66, 68, 70, 72, 74 in which the force action elements 36, 38, 40, 42, 44 are arranged in freely rotatable fashion. In particular, a single force action element of the force action elements 36, 38, 40, 42, 44 is arranged in each of the support recesses 66, 68, 70, 72, 74 of the receiving element 46. The receiving element 46 is preferably in the form of a cage, in particular a roller bearing-like cage. The receiving element 46 encompasses the conveying space 12, in particular the conveying device 10, at least to a large extent, in particular entirely. The receiving element 46 is preferably arranged in the receiving recess 60 of the at least one drive element 32, 34 (FIG. 3). The drive unit 30 preferably comprises a plurality of force action elements 36, 38, 40, 42, 44 which are arranged equally distributed around the conveying space 12. In particular, the drive unit 30 has a plurality of force action elements 36, 38, 40, 42, 44 which are supported in the receiving element 46 of the drive unit 30 in freely rotatable fashion. The force action elements 36, 38, 40, 42, 44 are of at least substantially analogous design. In particular, the force action elements 36, 38, 40, 42, 44 are embodied as roller elements, in particular as spheres.

[0046] The drive unit 30 furthermore comprises at least one guiding element 62 which is provided at least for guiding the at least one force action element 36, 38, 40, 42, 44, in particular the force action elements 36, 38, 40, 42, 44. The guiding element 62 is arranged on the at least one drive element 32, 34 (FIG. 3). The guiding element 62 is in particular of annulus-shaped form. The guiding element 62 encompasses the conveying device 10 along the circumferential direction at least to a large extent, in particular entirely, in particular in a state in which the conveying device 10 is arranged on the at least one drive element 32, 34. The guiding element 62 is preferably arranged in the receiving recess 60 of the at least one drive element 32, 34 (FIG. 3). The guiding element 62 is fixed to the at least one drive element 32, 34 by means of a force-fitting and/or form-fitting connection, in particular by means of an interference fit. It is however also conceivable for the guiding element 62 to be formed in one piece with the at least one drive element 32, 34. The guiding element 62 comprises at least one guiding track 64 on which the at least one force action element 36, 38, 40, 42, 44, in particular the force action elements 36, 38, 40, 42, 44, slide(s) or on which the at least one force action element 36, 38, 40, 42, 44, in particular the force action elements 36, 38, 40, 42, 44, roll(s). The at least one guiding track 64 is preferably arranged on a side, facing toward the conveying device 10, of the guiding element 62. The at least one guiding track 64 encompasses the conveying device 10 preferably in an annulus-shaped fashion. It is however also conceivable for the guiding element 62 to have a number of guiding tracks 64 which differs from one, in particular a number of guiding tracks 64 which is dependent on an arrangement of the force action elements 36, 38, 40, 42, 44.

[0047] In a state in which the conveying device 10 is arranged on the drive unit 30, individual elements of the drive unit 30 and/or of the conveying device 10 are preferably arranged as follows, in particular proceeding from the drive axis 58 as viewed along a direction running at least substantially perpendicular to the drive axis 58: the conveying device 10, the force action elements 36, 38, 40, 42, 44, which are arranged in particular in the receiving element 46, the guide element 62 and the at least one drive element 32, 34. It is however also conceivable for the individual elements of the drive unit 30 and/or of the conveying device 10 to have some other arrangement that appears expedient to a person skilled in the art. It is particularly preferable for the conveying device 10, the force action elements 36, 38, 40, 42, 44, the receiving element 46 and the guiding element 62 to be arranged at least to a large extent in the at least one drive element 32, 34, in particular in the receiving recess 60 of the at least one drive element 32, 34. At least the drive unit 30, together with the conveying device 10, has a roller bearing-like, in particular ball bearing-like structure (FIGS. 2 and 3). The entire conveying device 10 is preferably implemented in an annulus-shaped fashion.

[0048] The at least one drive element 32, 34 can be driven in rotation by means of the motor unit 52, in particular by means of the drive shaft 54. As a result of a rotation of the at least one drive element 32, 34 and a fixed connection between the at least one drive element 32, 34 and the guiding element 62, the at least one drive element 32, 34 and the guiding element 62 can be jointly driven in rotation about the drive axis 58. The at least one force action element 36, 38, 40, 42, 44, in particular the force action elements 36, 38, 40, 42, 44, is/are driven in rotation about the drive axis 58, in particular during a rotation of the at least one drive element 32, 34 and of the guiding element 62 about the drive axis 58, owing to friction between the guiding element 62 and the at least one force action element 36, 38, 40, 42, 44, in particular the force action elements 36, 38, 40, 42, 44. The at least one force action element 36, 38, 40, 42, 44, in particular the force action elements 36, 38, 40, 42, 44, circulate about the conveying device 10, in particular the conveying space 12, such that, as a result of an exertion of force on the conveying element 16 by the force action element 36, 38, 40, 42, 44, in particular the force action elements 36, 38, 40, 42, 44, a fluid is conveyed through the conveying space 12, in particular by means of a spring-elastic deformation of the conveying element 16 (FIG. 3).

[0049] The conveying device 10 for conveying a fluid comprises at least the conveying space 12, at least one conveying space element 14, which at least partly delimits the conveying space 12 and is embodied in a rigid fashion, and at least the elastically deformable conveying element 16, which forms the conveying space 12 together with the conveying space element 14 (FIGS. 3 and 5 to 7). The conveying space 12 is preferably implemented in an annulus-shaped fashion. Viewed in at least one plane, the conveying space 12 extends along an angle range of more than 180° along the circumferential direction, in particular along an angle range of more than 270° along the circumferential direction. The conveying element 16 is embodied in a spring-elastic fashion, wherein at least the conveying space element 14 and the conveying element 16 together form an exchangeable unit 18. The spring-elastic conveying element 16 comprises at least one conveying surface 20 which, viewed in a cross-section of the conveying element 16, has a maximum transverse extent 22 which is at least substantially, in particular entirely, equivalent to a maximum transverse extent 24 of a rigid wall 26 of the conveying space element 14, which wall at least partly delimits at least the conveying space 12 (FIGS. 3, 6 and 7). It is preferable if at least one two-dimensional geometry of an entire conveying contour of the rigid wall 26 of the conveying space element 14, which wall at least partly delimits at least the conveying space 12, is at least largely, in particular entirely, equivalent to an at least two-dimensional geometry of the at least one entire conveying surface 20 of the spring-elastic conveying element 16 in a state when the spring-elastic conveying element 16 is deflected towards the rigid wall 26. In particular, the at least one two-dimensional geometry of the entire conveying contour of the rigid wall 26 of the conveying space element 14, which wall at least partly delimits at least the conveying space 12, is at least largely, in particular entirely, predetermined by the at least two-dimensional geometry of the at least one entire conveying surface 20 of the spring-elastic conveying element 16 in a state when the spring-elastic conveying element 16 is deflected towards the rigid wall 26.

[0050] The pump device 28 and/or the conveying device 10 preferably comprises at least one conveying medium store unit (not illustrated in any more detail here) for storing a fluid. It is conceivable for the conveying medium store unit to be formed separately from the conveying device 10 or for the conveying medium store unit to form the exchangeable unit 18 together with the conveying space element 14 and the conveying element 16. In the case of a conveying medium store unit formed separately from the conveying device 10, it is conceivable for the conveying medium store unit to be fluidically connectable, in particular detachably connectable, to the conveying space 12 by means of a conveying line, for example by means of a hose, of the pump device 28 and/or of the conveying device 10, and to be removable from the housing 48 separately from the exchangeable unit 18.

[0051] The conveying element 16 is provided for sealing off at least one edge region, which delimits the conveying space 12, of the conveying space element 14 (FIGS. 4 to 7). A fluid which can be conveyed in and/or through the conveying space 12 by means of an interaction of the conveying space element 14 and of the conveying element 16 can be introduced into the conveying space 12 via a conveying space inlet 76 of the conveying device 10 (FIGS. 2, 4 and 5). The conveying space inlet 76 is arranged on the conveying space element 14, and is in particular formed in one piece with the conveying space element 14. The conveying space inlet 76 is fluidically connectable to the conveying medium store unit, and in particular is fluidically connectable to a storage space outlet (not illustrated in any more detail here) of the conveying medium store unit. A fluid can be conveyed in and/or through the conveying space 12 by means of a reversible deformation of the conveying element 16. A fluid can be conveyed from the conveying space inlet 76 through the conveying space 12 to a conveying space outlet 78 of the conveying device 10 by means of a reversible deformation of the conveying element 16. The conveying space outlet 78 is arranged on the conveying space element 14, and is in particular formed in one piece with the conveying space element 14. The conveying space outlet 78 is fluidically connected to a further unit (not illustrated in any more detail here). The further unit may in this case be a part of the pump device 28, a part of an administration device on which the pump device 28 is arranged, a part of a household appliance on which the pump device 28 is arranged, a part of a motor vehicle injection device on which the pump device 28 is arranged, or the like. In an embodiment of the pump device 28 as part of an administration device, it is in particular conceivable for the further unit to be in the form of an injection unit, in particular in the form of a needle or syringe unit. The further unit may be directly connected to the conveying space outlet 78, or the further unit may be fluidically connected to the conveying space outlet 78 by means of a separate conveying line, for example a hose. Further fluidic connections of the further unit to the conveying space outlet 78 that appear expedient to a person skilled in the art are likewise conceivable.

[0052] FIG. 6 shows a cross-section through the conveying space 12, wherein the conveying element 16 is illustrated in an unloaded state. In particular, no conveyance of a fluid occurs in an unloaded state of the conveying element 16. The conveying element 16 can be arranged at least partly in convexly curved fashion on the conveying space element 14. The conveying element 16 is, at least in an unloaded state, in particular in a state in which it is not loaded by the action of a drive force that can be generated by means of the drive unit 30, arranged at least partly in convexly curved fashion on the conveying space element 14. The conveying space element 14 has at least one concave recess 80 for at least partly delimiting and/or for at least partly forming the conveying space 12. An inner surface, which delimits the recess 80, of the conveying space element 14 forms the rigid wall 26 of the conveying space element 14. The conveying element 16 is deformable such that, for a conveyance of a fluid, the conveying element 16 is movable in the direction of the recess 80 and is in particular movable at least partly into said recess (FIG. 3), in particular as a result of an exertion of force on the conveying element 16 by at least one of the force action elements 36, 38, 40, 42, 44. The conveying element 16 is of spring-elastic form. The conveying element 16 is connected at least substantially non-detachably to the conveying space element 14, in particular in an edge region, which delimits the recess 80, of the conveying space element 14. The at least substantially non-detachable connection of the conveying element 16 to the conveying space element 14 forms, in particular, a seal between the conveying element 16 and the conveying space element 14. It is however also conceivable for an additional seal element of the conveying device 10 to be arranged between the conveying element 16 and the conveying space element 14. The conveying space 12 can preferably be sealed off in fluid-tight fashion preferably as a result of a connection and/or arrangement of the conveying element 16 to and/or on the conveying space element 14, in particular when the conveying space inlet 76 and the conveying space outlet 78 are in a closed state.

[0053] The conveying element 16 comprises at least the conveying surface 20 which, viewed in a cross-section of the conveying element 16, in particular in a cross-section of the conveying space 12, has a maximum transverse extent 22 which is at least substantially, in particular entirely, equivalent to the maximum transverse extent 24 of the wall 26 of the conveying space element 14, which wall delimits the conveying space 12, in particular to the inner surface, which delimits the recess 80, of the conveying space element 14 (FIGS. 6 and 7). For a conveyance of a fluid in and/or through the conveying space 12, the conveying surface 20 can, as a result of an action of a drive force that can be generated by the drive unit 30, be caused to bear, in particular be caused to bear entirely, against the wall 26 of the conveying space element 14, which wall delimits the conveying space 12, in particular against the inner surface, which delimits the recess 80, of the conveying space element 14 (FIG. 3).

[0054] FIG. 7 shows a schematic illustration of a geometrical design of the conveying element 16 of the conveying device 10 and of the conveying space element 14 of the conveying device 10. The conveying element 16, in particular the conveying surface 20 of the conveying element 16, has, in an unloaded state, as viewed in a cross-section of the conveying element 16, at least one circular arc segment 82 which has a maximum length 84 which is made up of a sum of maximum lengths 86, 88, 90 of circular arc segments 92, 94, 96 of the rigid wall 26 of the conveying space element 14. Viewed in the cross-section of the conveying element 16, the conveying surface 20 of the conveying element 16 extends from a fastening region of the conveying element 16, which fastening region bears against the conveying space element 14 at all times when the conveying element 16 is in a state arranged on the conveying space element 14, to a further fastening region of the conveying element 16, which fastening region is arranged at an end of the conveying element 16 which is averted from the fastening region.

[0055] Viewed in a cross-section, the rigid wall 26 of the conveying space element 14 has the at least three successive circular arc segments 92, 94, 96. The circular arc segments 92, 94, 96 of the rigid wall 26 of the conveying space element 14 are part of the inner surface of the conveying space element 14. The inner surface of the conveying element 16 is arranged on a side, facing toward the conveying element 16, of the conveying space element 14. Viewed in a cross-section, the rigid wall 26 of the conveying space element 14 has at least the three circular arc segments 92, 94, 96, wherein at least two of the three circular arc segments 92, 94, 96 have different radii 98, 100, 102. Two of the three circular arc segments 92, 94, 96 of the rigid wall 26 of the conveying space element 14 have equal radii 98, 102. Said two of the three circular arc segments 92, 94, 96 of the rigid wall 26 of the conveying space element 14 are arranged at the outside. One of the three circular arc segments 92, 94, 96 of the rigid wall 26 of the conveying space element 14 has a radius 100 which differs from the radii 98, 102 of said two of the three circular arc segments 92, 94, 96 of the rigid wall 26 of the conveying space element 14 which are arranged at the outside. That one of the three circular arc segments 92, 94, 96 of the rigid wall 26 of the conveying space element 14 which has a different radius 100 in relation to said two of the three circular arc segments 92, 94, 96 of the rigid wall 26 of the conveying space element 14 is, as viewed along an at least substantially perpendicular to a conveying direction running through the conveying space 12, arranged between said two of the three circular arc segments 92, 94, 96 of the rigid wall 26 of the conveying space element 14 which have equal radii 98, 102. It is however also conceivable for all three circular arc segments 92, 94, 96 of the rigid wall 26 of the conveying space element 14 to have different or equal radii 98, 100, 102. Further embodiments of the radii 98, 100, 102 of the circular arc segments 92, 94, 96 of the rigid wall 26 of the conveying space element 14 that appear expedient to a person skilled in the art are likewise conceivable. The conveying element 16, in particular the conveying surface 20 of the conveying element 16, has, at least in an unloaded state of the conveying element 16, the at least one circular arc segment 82, which has a radius 104 which is greater than a radius 98, 100, 102 of at least one of the three circular arc segments 92, 94, 96 of the rigid wall 26 of the conveying space element 14.

[0056] It is preferable for at least the sum of the maximum lengths 86, 88, 90 of the three circular arc segments 92, 94, 96 of the rigid wall 26 of the conveying space element 14 to be equal to the maximum length 84 of the circular arc segment 82 of the conveying element 16, in particular of the conveying surface 20 of the conveying element 16. In the geometrical design of the conveying element 16 and of the conveying space element 14, the condition preferably applies that a distance between points A.sub.1 and A.sub.2 along the circular arc segment 82 of the conveying element 16 is, with regard to a length, equal to a distance between points A.sub.1, T.sub.1, T.sub.2, T.sub.3, T.sub.4 and A.sub.2 along the three circular arc segments 92, 94, 96 of the rigid wall 26 of the conveying space element 14. The maximum transverse extent 22 of the conveying surface 20 is particularly preferably equivalent to a length of the distance between the points A.sub.1 and A.sub.2. The maximum transverse extent 24 of the rigid wall 26 of the conveying space element 14, which wall at least partly delimits at least the conveying space 12, is preferably equivalent to a length of the distance between the points A.sub.1, T.sub.1, T.sub.2, T.sub.3, T.sub.4 and A.sub.2.

[0057] Viewed in the cross-section, the rigid wall 26 of the conveying space element 14 has at least the two directly successive circular arc segments 92, 94, 96, which are arranged so as to join one another at an inflection point 106, 108. Those two of the three circular arc segments 92, 94, 96 of the rigid wall 26 of the conveying space element 14 which are arranged at the outside are, in each case at an inflection point 106, 108, arranged so as to directly join that one of the three circular arc segments 92, 94, 96 of the rigid wall 26 of the conveying space element 14 which is arranged between said two of the three circular arc segments 92, 94, 96 of the rigid wall 26 of the conveying space element 14 which are arranged at the outside.

[0058] The conveying device 10 comprises a maximum conveying space height 110 between the conveying element 16 and the conveying space element 14, which conveying space height is smaller than a radius 98, 100, 102 of at least one of the three circular arc segments 92, 94, 96 of the rigid wall 26 of the conveying space element 14 and/or is smaller than the radius 104 of at least the circular arc segment 82 of the conveying element 16, in particular of the conveying surface 20 of the conveying element 16.