Abstract
A conveying device at least for conveying a conveying medium, includes at least one first conveying space, with at least one second conveying space, with at least one elastically deformable conveying element which delimits at least the first conveying space, and with at least one third conveying space. The at least the conveying element is embodied in spring-elastic fashion.
Claims
1. A conveying device at least for conveying a conveying medium, with at least one first conveying space, with at least one second conveying space, with at least one elastically deformable conveying element which delimits at least the first conveying space, with at least one third conveying space, wherein at least the conveying element is embodied in spring-elastic fashion, wherein the first conveying space, the second conveying space and the third conveying space are embodied respectively spaced apart from each other, wherein, following a deformation, the conveying element automatically seeks to re-assume a convexly curved basic shape of the conveying element, and with at least one rigid conveying space element, which delimits at least the first conveying space, the second conveying space and/or the third conveying space together with the conveying element, wherein the conveying element is in a non-conveyance state arranged on the conveying space element in a convexly curved fashion, wherein the conveying space element comprises, for at least partly forming the first conveying space, the second conveying space and/or the third conveying space, at least one concave recess, wherein an inner surface of the conveying space element, which delimits the concave recess, forms a wall of the first conveying space, the second conveying space and/or the third conveying space, wherein, for a conveyance of a conveying medium, the conveying element is, starting from the convex curvature, which is oriented in a direction facing away from the conveying space element, towards the conveying space element, elastically deformable and at least partly movable into the concave recess of the conveying space element.
2. The conveying device according to claim 1, wherein the first conveying space has a maximum volume which differs from a maximum volume of the second conveying space and/or differs from a maximum volume of the third conveying space.
3. (canceled)
4. The conveying device according to claim 1, wherein the conveying element additionally delimits at least the second conveying space and/or the third conveying space.
5. (canceled)
6. The conveying device according to claim 1, wherein at least the first conveying space comprises at least two conveying space inlets.
7. The conveying device according to claim 1, wherein the conveying element comprises at least one conveying surface which, viewed in a cross-section of the conveying element, has a maximum transverse extent which is at least substantially equivalent to a maximum transverse extent of a rigid wall of the first conveying space, which delimits at least the first conveying space.
8. A pump device with at least one conveying device according to claim 1, and with at least one drive unit for driving the conveying device, wherein the drive unit comprises at least one drive element, which is at least partly enclosed at least by the first conveying space, the second conveying space and the third conveying space, wherein the conveying element is drivable via the drive unit in such a way that a conveyance of a conveying medium according to a traveling-wave principle may be facilitated.
9. The pump device according to claim 8, wherein the drive unit is implemented as a helical drive unit or as an eccentric drive unit.
10. (canceled)
11. The pump device according to claim 8, wherein the drive unit comprises at least one the drive element, which is configured to drive at least the conveying element of the conveying device, which is allocated at least to the first conveying space, at least one further conveying element of the conveying device, which is allocated to the second conveying space and at least one additional conveying element of the conveying device, which is allocated to the third conveying space.
Description
DRAWINGS
[0030] Further advantages emerge from the following description of the drawings. The drawings illustrate exemplary embodiments 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.
[0031] In the drawings:
[0032] FIG. 1 shows a pump device according to the invention with at least one conveying device according to the invention in a schematic illustration,
[0033] FIG. 2 shows a sectional view of the pump device according to the invention in a schematic illustration,
[0034] FIG. 3 shows a longitudinal section through a conveying space of the conveying device according to the invention, which conveying space is formed by a conveying element and by a conveying space element of the conveying device according to the invention, in a schematic illustration,
[0035] FIG. 4 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,
[0036] FIG. 5 shows a cross-section through a conveying space of the conveying device according to the invention in a loaded state of a conveying element of the conveying device according to the invention in a schematic illustration,
[0037] FIG. 6 shows an alternative pump device according to the invention with at least one conveying device according to the invention in a schematic illustration,
[0038] FIG. 7 shows a sectional view of the alternative pump device according to the invention in a schematic illustration,
[0039] FIG. 8 shows a further sectional view of the alternative pump device according to the invention during a conveying process, in particular from right to left, in a schematic illustration, and
[0040] FIG. 9 shows a detail view of a drive element of a drive unit of the alternative pump device according to the invention, in a schematic illustration.
DESCRIPTION OF THE EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS
[0041] FIG. 1 shows a pump device 36a with at least one conveying device 10a and with at least one drive unit 38a for driving the conveying device 10a. For control and/or regulation of the drive unit 38a, the pump device 36a comprises at least one control and/or regulation unit (neither of which is illustrated here), which is of a design already known to a person skilled in the art. The drive unit 38a is embodied as a helical drive unit or as an eccentric drive unit. At least one drive axis 46a of a drive element 40a of the drive unit 38a runs at least substantially parallel to a conveying direction 48a of the conveying device 10a, in particular at least substantially parallel to a conveying direction 48a through at least one first conveying space 12a of the conveying device 10a. The drive element 40a is in the form of a drive helix or an eccentric shaft (FIG. 2). The drive element 40a is rotatably supported in a housing unit (not illustrated in any more detail here) of the pump device 36a in a manner already known to a person skilled in the art. The drive axis 46a is configured as an axis of rotation of the drive element 40a. The drive element 40a is provided for elastically deforming at least one conveying element 16a of the conveying device 10a, which conveying element is allocated at least to the first conveying space 12a, for a conveyance of a conveying medium. The conveying element 16a allocated at least to the first conveying space 12a is embodied in an elastically deformable fashion. The drive element 40a is provided for generating a traveling-wave movement of the conveying element 16a, which is allocated at least to the first conveying space 12a, along a longitudinal axis of the conveying element 16a allocated at least to the first conveying space 12a. Here, it is conceivable for the drive element 40a to act directly on the conveying element 16a allocated at least to the first conveying space 12a, or for an exciter element (not illustrated in any more detail here) of the conveying device 10a to be arranged between the drive element 40a and the conveying element 16a allocated at least to the first conveying space 12a, which exciter element is acted on directly by the drive element 40a, wherein the exciter element transmits an action of drive forces to the conveying element 16a allocated at least to the first conveying space 12a, which conveying element bears at least partly against the exciter element.
[0042] For a movement, in particular a rotation, of the drive element 40a, the drive unit 38a comprises at least one motor unit 50a. The motor unit 50a is formed as an electric motor unit. It is however also conceivable for the motor unit 50a 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. The drive element 40a may be connected directly, in particular rotationally conjointly, or indirectly, for example by means of a gearing unit of the conveying device 10a or by means of at least one toothed gear element of the conveying device 10a, to a rotor shaft 108a of the motor unit 50a (FIG. 2). The rotor shaft 108a has an axis of rotation which runs at least substantially parallel, in particular coaxially, with respect to the drive axis 46a of the drive element 40a.
[0043] The drive unit 38a comprises at least the drive element 40a, which is encompassed at least partly at least by the first conveying space 12a, by a second conveying space 14a of the conveying device 10a and by a third conveying space 18a of the conveying device 10a. The drive unit 38a comprises at least one drive element 40a, which is configured to drive at least the conveying element 16a of the conveying device 10a, which is allocated at least to the first conveying space 12a, at least one further conveying element 42a of the conveying device 10a, which is allocated to the second conveying space 14a, and at least one additional conveying element 44a of the conveying device 10a, which is allocated to the third conveying space 18a. The conveying element 16a of the conveying device 10a, which is allocated to the first conveying space 12a, the further conveying element 42a of the conveying device 10a, which is allocated to the second conveying space 14a, and the additional conveying element 44a of the conveying device 10a, which is allocated to the third conveying space 18a, are of at least substantially analogous design. It is thus the intention that a description of one of the conveying elements 16a, 42a, 44a is preferably transferable to all conveying elements 16a, 42a, 44a of the conveying device 10a.
[0044] The conveying device 10a can be arranged, in particular detachably arranged, on the housing unit. Here, the conveying device 10a may be embodied as an exchangeable unit, in particular as an interchangeable unit or as a disposable article unit. The conveying device 10a is configured at least for conveying a conveying medium. The conveying device 10a comprises at least the first conveying space 12a, at least the second conveying space 14a and at least the elastically deformable conveying element 16a, which delimits at least the first conveying space 12a. Furthermore, the conveying device 10a comprises at least the third conveying space 18a. The first conveying space 12a has a maximum volume which differs from a maximum volume of the second conveying space 14a and/or differs from a maximum volume of the third conveying space 18a. The second conveying space 14a preferably has a maximum volume which differs from a maximum volume of the third conveying space 18a. It is however also conceivable, in an alternative embodiment of the conveying device 10a, for the first conveying space 12a, the second conveying space 14a and/or the third conveying space 18a to have at least substantially identical maximum volumes.
[0045] At least the first conveying space 12a comprises at least two conveying space inlets 22a, 24a. In the exemplary embodiment of the conveying device 10a illustrated in FIG. 1, the first conveying space 12a comprises a total of five conveying space inlets 22a, 24a, 26a, 28a, 30a. The number of conveying space inlets 22a, 24a, 26a, 28a, 30a of the first conveying space 12a may also differ from five. In particular, the number of conveying space inlets 22a, 24a, 26a, 28a, 30a is dependent on a number of conveying medium storage containers 62a, 64a, 66a, 68a, 70a of a conveying medium store unit of the conveying device 10a that are connectable to the conveying space inlets 22a, 24a, 26a, 28a, 30a. It is preferable for each conveying space 12a, 14a, 18a of the conveying device 10a to comprise at least five conveying space inlets 22a, 24a, 26a, 28a, 30a which are connectable to the conveying medium storage containers 62a, 64a, 66a, 68a, 70a. The conveying space inlets 22a, 24a, 26a, 28a, 30a of the first conveying space 12a are connectable to at least one of the conveying medium storage containers 62a, 64a, 66a, 68a, 70a in each case by means of a conducting element 52a, 54a, 56a, 58a, 60a of the pump device 36a. The conveying medium storage containers 62a, 64a, 66a, 68a, 70a are configured for storing conveying media. It is conceivable for the same conveying medium to be stored in each of the conveying medium storage containers 62a, 64a, 66a, 68a, 70a, or for different conveying media to be stored in each of the conveying medium storage containers 62a, 64a, 66a, 68a, 70a. Conveying media in the form of fluids, such as for example a liquid, a medicine constituent in liquid form, a foodstuff constituent in liquid form or the like, or other conveying media that appear expedient to a person skilled in the art, which are provided in particular for mixing, may be stored in the conveying medium storage containers 62a, 64a, 66a, 68a, 70a. The conveying medium storage containers 62a, 64a, 66a, 68a, 70a may be arranged on the housing unit of the pump device 36a, in particular in detachable or refillable fashion, or the conveying medium storage containers 62a, 64a, 66a, 68a, 70a may be positionable separately with respect to the housing unit.
[0046] Furthermore, the conveying device 10a comprises at least one valve unit 72a which is provided for metering an introduction of conveying medium into the conveying spaces 12a, 14a, 18a of the conveying device 10a. The valve unit 72a is preferably actuable by means of the control and/or regulation unit. The valve unit 72a comprises at least one valve element 74a, 76a, 78a, 80a, 82a per conveying space inlet 22a, 24a, 26a, 28a, 30a. In the exemplary embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1, the valve unit 72a has at least five valve elements 74a, 76a, 78a, 80a, 82a per conveying space 12a, 14a, 18a. It is however also conceivable for the valve unit 72a to have a number of valve elements 74a, 76a, 78a, 80a, 82a per conveying space 12a, 14a, 18a which differs from five. The valve elements 74a, 76a, 78a, 80a, 82a are arranged in terms of flow between the respective conducting element 52a, 54a, 56a, 58a, 60a and the respective conveying space 12a, 14a, 18a (FIG. 2). The valve elements 74a, 76a, 78a, 80a, 82a are arranged in each case on a conveying space element 20a, 84a, 86a, which delimits the corresponding conveying space 12a, 14a, 18a, of the conveying device 10a. The conveying space elements 20a, 84a, 86a of the conveying device 10a are embodied in a rigid fashion. Furthermore, the conveying space elements 20a, 84a, 86a, which are embodied in a rigid fashion, of the conveying device 10a delimit, together with the respective elastically deformable conveying element 16a, 42a, 44a, the corresponding conveying space 12a, 14a, 18a of the conveying device 10a. The conveying device 10a comprises at least the elastically deformable conveying element 16a, which is allocated to the first conveying space 12a and which, at least together with the conveying space element 20a which is embodied in a rigid fashion, delimits or forms the first conveying space 12a. Furthermore, the conveying device 10a comprises the further elastically deformable conveying element 42a, which is allocated to the second conveying space 14a and which, together with the further conveying space element 84a which is embodied in a rigid fashion, delimits or forms the second conveying space 14a. Furthermore, the conveying device 10a comprises the additional elastically deformable conveying element 44a, which is allocated to the third conveying space 18a and which, together with the additional conveying space element 86a which is embodied in a rigid fashion, delimits or forms the third conveying space 18a.
[0047] FIG. 3 shows, for one embodiment of the conveying spaces 12a, 14a, 18a of the conveying device 10a by way of example, a longitudinal section through the first conveying space 12a of the conveying device 10a, which is formed at least by the elastically deformable conveying element 16a allocated to the first conveying space 12a and by the conveying space element 20a, which is embodied in a rigid fashion, of the conveying device 10a. The conveying element 16a allocated to the first conveying space 12a is provided for sealing off at least one edge region, which delimits the first conveying space 12a, of the conveying space element 20a. A conveying medium which can be conveyed in and/or through the first conveying space 12a by means of an interaction of the conveying space element 20a and of the conveying element 16a allocated to the first conveying space 12a can be introduced into the first conveying space 12a via one of the conveying space inlets 22a, 24a, 26a, 28a, 30a of the conveying device 10a. The conveying space inlets 22a, 24a, 26a, 28a, 30a are arranged on the conveying space element 20a, and in particular are formed in one piece with the conveying space element 20a. A conveying medium can be conveyed in and/or through the first conveying space 12a by means of a reversible deformation of the conveying element 16a allocated to the first conveying space 12a. A conveying medium can be conveyed from one of the conveying space inlets 22a, 24a, 26a, 28a, 30a of the conveying device 10a through the first conveying space 12a to a conveying space outlet 88a of the conveying device 10a by means of a reversible deformation of the conveying element 16a allocated to the first conveying space 12a. The conveying space outlet 88a is arranged on the conveying space element 20a, and is in particular formed in one piece with the conveying space element 20a. The conveying space outlet 88a is fluidically connectable 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 36a, a part of an administration device on which the pump device 36a is arranged, a part of a household appliance on which the pump device 36a is arranged, or the like. In an embodiment of the pump device 36a 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 88a, or the further unit may be connected in terms of flow to the conveying space outlet 88a by means of a separate conveying line, for example a hose. Further connections of the further unit to the conveying space outlet 88a in terms of flow that appear expedient to a person skilled in the art are likewise conceivable. The conveying device 10a preferably comprises at least one conveying space outlet 88a, 90a (only two of the three conveying space outlets 88a, 90a are illustrated in FIG. 1), which is connectable to the further unit, per conveying space 12a, 14a, 18a. In each case one of the conveying space outlets 88a, 90a is arranged on one of the conveying space elements 20a, 84a, 86a, in particular is formed in one piece with the respective conveying space element 20a, 84a, 86a.
[0048] FIG. 4 shows, for one embodiment of the conveying spaces 12a, 14a, 18a of the conveying device 10a by way of example, a cross-section through the first conveying space 12a, wherein the conveying element 16a allocated to the first conveying space 12a is illustrated in an unloaded state. In particular, no conveyance of a conveying medium occurs in an unloaded state of the conveying element 16a allocated to the first conveying space 12a. The conveying element 16a allocated to the first conveying space 12a can be arranged at least partly in convexly curved fashion on the conveying space element 20a. The conveying element 16a allocated to the first conveying space 12a 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 38a, arranged at least partly in convexly curved fashion on the conveying space element 20a. The conveying space element 20a has at least one concave recess 94a for at least partly delimiting and/or for at least partly forming the first conveying space 12a. An inner surface, which delimits the recess 94a, of the conveying space element 20a forms a rigid wall 34a of the first conveying space 12a. The conveying element 16a which is allocated to the first conveying space 12a is deformable such that, for a conveyance of a conveying medium, the conveying element 16a allocated to the first conveying space 12a is movable in the direction of the recess 94a, and is in particular movable at least partly into said recess (FIG. 5). The conveying element 16a allocated to the first conveying space 12a is embodied in a spring-elastic fashion. The conveying element 16a which is allocated to the first conveying space 12a is connected at least substantially non-detachably to the conveying space element 20a, in particular in an edge region, which delimits the recess 94a, of the conveying space element 20a. The at least substantially non-detachable connection of the conveying element 16a which is allocated to the first conveying space 12a to the conveying space element 20a forms, in particular, a seal between the conveying element 16a, which is allocated to the first conveying space 12a, and the conveying space element 20a. It is however also conceivable for an additional seal element of the conveying device 10a to be arranged between the conveying element 16a, which is allocated to the first conveying space 12a, and the conveying space element 20a. The first conveying space 12a can preferably be sealed off in fluid-tight fashion preferably as a result of a connection and/or arrangement of the conveying element 16a, which is allocated to the first conveying space 12a, to and/or on the conveying space element 20a.
[0049] The conveying element 16a which is allocated to the first conveying space 12a comprises at least one conveying surface 32a which, viewed in a cross-section of the conveying element 16a which is allocated to the first conveying space 12a, in particular in a cross-section of the first conveying space 12a, has a maximum transverse extent which is at least substantially equivalent to a maximum transverse extent of the rigid wall 34a, which delimits the conveying space 12a, of the first conveying space 12a, in particular of the inner surface, which delimits the recess 94a, of the conveying space element 20a (FIGS. 4 and 5). It is particularly preferable if the conveying element 16a comprises at least one conveying surface 32a which, viewed in a cross-section of the conveying element 16a, has a maximum transverse extent which is equivalent to a maximum transverse extent of a rigid wall 34a of the conveying space element 20a, which wall at least partly delimits at least the conveying space 12a. For a conveyance of a conveying medium in and/or through the first conveying space 12a, the conveying surface 32a can, as a result of an action of a drive force that can be generated by the drive unit 38a, be caused to bear, in particular be caused to bear entirely, against the wall 34a of the first conveying space 12a, which wall delimits the first conveying space 12a, in particular against the inner surface, which delimits the recess 94a, of the conveying space element 20a (FIG. 5). For a conveyance of a conveying medium in and/or through the first conveying space 12a, a traveling-wave movement can be generated by means of an action of a drive force, which can be generated by the drive unit 38a, on the conveying element 16a which is allocated to the first conveying space 12a. A conveyance of a conveying medium is realized at least substantially analogously in the case of all conveying elements 16a, 42a, 44a. The conveying medium can be conveyed out of at least the conveying medium storage containers 62a, 64a, 66a, 68a, 70a, through the conducting elements 52a, 54a, 56a, 58a, 60a and into and/or through the conveying spaces 12a, 14a, 18a, in particular owing to a negative pressure, by means of an action of a drive force, which can be generated by the drive unit 38a, on the conveying elements 16a, 42a, 44a. Furthermore, the conveying medium can be conveyed out of the conveying spaces 12a, 14a, 18a through the conveying space outlets 88a, 90a to a further unit by means of an action of a drive force, which can be generated by the drive unit 38a, on the conveying elements 16a, 42a, 44a.
[0050] FIGS. 6 to 9 show a further exemplary embodiment of the invention. The following descriptions and the drawings are restricted substantially to the differences between the exemplary embodiments, wherein, with regard to components with identical designation, in particular with regard to components with the same reference numerals, reference may basically also be made to the drawings and/or to the description of the other exemplary embodiments, in particular of FIGS. 1 to 5. To distinguish between the exemplary embodiments, the alphabetic character a has been added as a suffix to the reference numerals of the exemplary embodiment in FIGS. 1 to 5. In the exemplary embodiments of FIGS. 6 to 9, the alphabetic character a has been replaced by the alphabetic character b.
[0051] FIG. 6 shows an alternative pump device 36b with at least one conveying device 10b and with at least one drive unit 38b for driving the conveying device 10b. The drive unit 38b at least partially illustrated in FIGS. 6 to 9 is of an at least substantially analogous design to the drive unit 38a illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 5. The drive unit 38b comprises at least one drive element 40b, in particular a drive element 40b embodied as a drive helix or as an eccentric shaft (FIG. 9), which drive element is at least partially encompassed by at least one first conveying space 12b of the conveying device 10b, by a second conveying space 14b of the conveying device 10b and by a third conveying space 18b of the conveying device 10b. In an embodiment as a drive helix, the drive element 40b may have one or more helix elements which has/have for example a circular-segment-like cross-section, an undulating cross-section, in particular an undulating cross-section with at least two undulation peaks and one undulation trough, wherein the undulation peaks may have identical or different maximum heights. The one or more helix elements may be formed from a resiliently elastic material or may be formed from the same material as a main body of the drive element 40b. Further refinements of the drive element 40b that appear expedient to a person skilled in the art are likewise conceivable.
[0052] The drive element 40b is provided for driving at least one conveying element 16b of the conveying device 10b, which conveying element is allocated at least to the first conveying space 12b. The conveying element 16b of the conveying device 10b is allocated to the first conveying space 12b, to the second conveying space 14b and to the third conveying space 18b. Here, it is conceivable for the drive element 40b to act directly on the conveying element 16b, or for an exciter element of the conveying device 10b to be arranged between the drive element 40b and the conveying element 16b, which exciter element is acted on directly by the drive element 40b, wherein the exciter element transmits an action of drive forces to the conveying element 16b allocated at least to the first conveying space 12b, which conveying element bears at least partly against the exciter element. The exciter element may be of any design that appears expedient to a person skilled in the art. In the embodiment of the conveying device 10b illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7, the exciter element is illustrated by way of example as a rib, in particular as a rib formed in one piece with the conveying element 16b, wherein, in particular, at least one exciter element embodied as a rib is arranged on the conveying element 16b in a region, which is allocated to each conveying space 12b, 14b, 18b, of the conveying element 16b.
[0053] The conveying device 10b comprises at least the first conveying space 12b, at least the second conveying space 14b and at least the elastically deformable conveying element 16b, which delimits at least the first conveying space 12b. Furthermore, the conveying device 10b comprises at least the third conveying space 18b. The conveying element 16b delimits the first conveying space 12b, the second conveying space 14b and/or the third conveying space 18b. The conveying device 10b furthermore comprises at least one conveying space element 20b, which is embodied in a rigid fashion and delimits, together with the conveying element 16b, at least the first conveying space 12b and the second conveying space 14b. The conveying space element 20b delimits, together with the conveying element 16b, at least the first conveying space 12b, the second conveying space 14b and the third conveying space 18b. Altogether, in the embodiment of the conveying device 10b illustrated in FIGS. 6 to 8, the conveying element 16b and the conveying space element 20b together delimit at least five conveying spaces 12b, 14b, 18b, 96b, 98b, 106b. It is however also conceivable for the conveying element 16b and the conveying space element 20b to delimit or form a number of conveying spaces 12b, 14b, 18b, 96b, 98b, 106b of the conveying device 10b which differs from six. The conveying space element 20b encompasses the conveying element 16b at least partly, in particular entirely, as viewed along a direction of rotation of the drive element 40b.
[0054] The conveying element 16b can be arranged on the conveying space element 20b, in particular can be fixed to an inner surface of the conveying space element 20b, by means of a fastening unit 100b of the conveying device 10b. The fastening unit 100b comprises at least one fastening element 102b for an arrangement of the conveying element 16b on the conveying space element 20b. Furthermore, the fastening unit 100b comprises at least one further fastening element 104b for an arrangement of the conveying element 16b on the conveying space element 20b. In particular as viewed in a plane running at least substantially perpendicular to a drive axis 46b of the drive unit 38b, the fastening element 102b and the further fastening element 104b are arranged at edge regions, which delimit at least one of the conveying spaces 12b, 14b, 18b, 96b, 98b, of the conveying element 16b. Thus, in each case one of the conveying spaces 12b, 14b, 18b, 96b, 98b, 106b is arranged between two fastening elements 102b, 104b as viewed along the direction of rotation of the drive element 40b. The fastening elements 102b, 104b are provided for a form-fitting and/or force-fitting fastening of the conveying element 16b to the conveying space element 20b. In particular, the fastening elements 102b, 104b are formed as fastening webs which are formed in one piece with the conveying element 16b and which engage in each case into a fastening recess, which is arranged on the conveying space element 20b, of the fastening unit 100b (FIGS. 6 and 7). It is however also conceivable for the fastening elements 102b, 104b to be of some other design that appears expedient to a person skilled in the art. Altogether, the fastening unit 100b has six fastening elements 102b, 104b, wherein, in particular, in each case one of the conveying spaces 12b, 14b, 18b, 96b, 98b, 106b is arranged between two of the fastening elements 102b, 104b as viewed along the direction of rotation of the drive element 40b.
[0055] The conveying element 16b has an annulus-shaped cross section, in particular as viewed in the plane running at least substantially perpendicular to the drive axis 46b of the drive unit 38b. The conveying spaces 12b, 14b, 18b are arranged between the conveying element 16b and the conveying space element 20b as viewed along a direction running at least substantially perpendicular to the drive axis 46b of the drive unit 38b. The conveying space element 20b has a polygonal design, in particular as viewed in the plane running at least substantially perpendicular to the drive axis 46b of the drive unit 38b. The conveying space element 20b is embodied in a hollow fashion. The drive element 40b and the conveying element 16b are arranged in an interior space of the conveying space element 20b. The conveying space element 20b can be arranged rotationally fixedly in a housing unit (not illustrated in any more detail here) of the pump device 36b in a manner already known to a person skilled in the art. The drive element 40b can be supported rotatably in the housing unit.
[0056] The conveying device 10b comprises at least one conveying space inlet 22b, 24b, 26b per conveying space 12b, 14b, 18b, 96b, 98b, 106b (only three conveying space inlets 22b, 24b, 26b are illustrated in FIG. 6). Furthermore, the conveying device 10b comprises at least one conveying space outlet 88b, 90b, 92b per conveying space 12b, 14b, 18b, 96b, 98b, 106b (only three conveying space outlets 88b, 90b, 92b are illustrated in FIG. 6). For a conveyance of a conveying medium in and/or through the conveying spaces 12b, 14b, 18b, 96b, 98b, 106b, a traveling-wave movement can be generated by means of an action of a drive force, which can be generated by the drive unit 38b, on the conveying element 16b (FIG. 8). With regard to further features and functions of the conveying device 10b and of the pump device 36b, reference may be made to the conveying device 10b and the pump device 36a described in the description of FIGS. 1 to 5.
