JP4092348B2 - Tank integrated pump - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a pump used in a power steering device of an automobile, and more particularly to a tank-integrated pump in which a reservoir tank that stores hydraulic fluid is integrated with a pump housing.

  In this type of pump, a reservoir tank and a pump housing are usually formed separately, and both are connected together by welding or bolting.

As this related technique, for example, one described in Patent Document 1 below has been proposed.
JP-A-2-237867

  However, when the reservoir tank and the pump housing are joined by welding, the welding work is large and complicated, which increases the manufacturing cost, and the reservoir tank and the pump housing must both be made of a metal material. Therefore, a resin reservoir tank could not be used.

  In addition, when the reservoir tank and the pump housing are coupled by bolt coupling, although such a problem does not occur, a bolt coupling flange that projects outward from the reservoir tank and pump housing must be extended. As a result, the outer shape of the apparatus becomes larger, and the layout in a limited space such as in the engine room of the vehicle is limited.

  Accordingly, the present invention is intended to provide a tank-integrated pump capable of easily and surely coupling a reservoir tank and a pump housing without causing an increase in size of the outer shape or being restricted by the material of the reservoir tank. It is.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, in the tank-integrated pump in which the reservoir tank for storing the hydraulic fluid is integrally coupled to the pump housing, the reservoir tank is formed of a resin material and is opposed to the pump housing. The pump housing is formed of a metal material and is opposed to the reservoir tank and corresponds to the latch portion of the reservoir tank. A locking portion provided at a position where the locking portion of the reservoir tank and the locking portion of the pump housing are coupled by a clip straddling both the locking portions.

  Next, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

  In the drawings, reference numeral 1 denotes a tank-integrated pump according to the present invention in which a reservoir tank 2 and a pump housing 3 are integrally coupled. In this embodiment, the reservoir tank 2 is made of a resin material, and the pump housing 3 is made of a metal material. The main body 4 of the pump 1 accommodated in the pump housing 3 is constituted by a so-called vane type pump, and a rotor 6 supporting a plurality of vanes 5 is rotated in a cam ring 7, thereby causing adjacent vanes 5, 5. The volume between 5 is continuously changed to perform a pumping action. In the drawing, 8 is a drive shaft that supports the rotor 6, and 9 is a pulley that transmits power to the drive shaft 8.

  The pump housing 3 has a flat surface 10 formed on the upper surface near the center in the axial direction, and a plug connection hole 11 is formed in the center of the flat surface 10. The connection hole 11 is a portion where a suction plug 12 formed integrally with the reservoir tank 2 is fitted, and is connected to a suction passage 13 in the pump housing 3.

  A horizontal wall 15 of a bracket 14 having an L-shaped cross section is placed on the flat surface 10 of the pump housing 3, and in this state, a vertical wall 16 of the bracket 14 is coupled to a side surface of the pump housing 3 by a bolt 17. The horizontal wall 15 of the bracket 14 is formed to be substantially the same size as the bottom surface of the reservoir tank 2, and a through hole 18 that is continuous with the plug connection hole 11 of the pump housing 3 is formed in the central portion that is superimposed on the flat surface 10. Yes. A suction plug 12 is fitted into the plug connection hole 11 of the pump housing 3 through the through hole 18.

  Further, between the horizontal wall 15 of the bracket 14 and the upper surface of the pump housing 3, two left and right U-shaped depressions 19 and 20 are formed with the flat surface 10 interposed therebetween, as shown in FIG. 1. The right side recess 20 in this figure opens directly to the side of the pump housing 3, while the left side recess 19 in the figure passes through a slit hole 21 formed in the connecting corner of the horizontal wall 15 and the vertical wall 16 of the bracket 14. It opens to the side of the pump housing 3. The slit hole 21 and the left depression 19 together with the right depression 20 constitute a locking portion on the pump housing 3 side in the present invention. Furthermore, the base end side (left end portion side in FIG. 1) and the tip end side (right end portion side in FIG. 1) of the horizontal wall 15 of the bracket 14 are elongated holes at positions spaced from each end face by a predetermined distance. Stopper holes 30 and 31 (concave portions in the present invention) are formed.

  On the other hand, the bottom surface of the reservoir tank 2 is formed substantially flat except for the projecting portion of the suction plug 12 and is in close contact with the upper surface of the horizontal wall 15 of the bracket 14. In the case of this embodiment, the bottom surface of the reservoir tank 2 and the top surface of the horizontal wall 15 of the bracket 14 form a coupling surface on the reservoir tank 2 side and the pump housing 3 side. Then, depressions 22 and 23 having a predetermined width are formed in the vicinity of the bottom surface of the left and right side surfaces of the reservoir tank 2 toward the inside of the reservoir tank 2. These recesses 22 and 23 constitute a locking portion on the reservoir tank 2 side in the present invention, and are substantially symmetrical positions with the recesses 19 and 20 on the pump housing 3 side with the contact surface of the reservoir tank 2 and the bracket 14 interposed therebetween. Is arranged.

  The reservoir tank 2 and the pump housing 3 are connected by a pair of clips 24 and 24. As shown in FIG. 4, the clip 24 has bifurcated leg portions 25 and 26 having elasticity, and the upper leg portion 25 is formed in the recess 22 (23) on the reservoir tank 2 side, and the lower leg portion 26 is provided. Are inserted and engaged with the recesses 19 (20) on the pump housing 3 side. The lower leg portion 26 of the clip 24 is inserted through the slit hole 21 into the left side recess 19 in FIG. The tip of the upper leg portion 25 has a bent portion 27 having a substantially right angle, and the lower leg portion 26 is formed to extend longer than the upper leg portion 25, and on the upper side near the tip portion. The protruding projection 28 is bent.

  When actually connecting the reservoir tank 2 to the pump housing 3, the bracket 14 is first integrally connected to the pump housing 3 by the bolt 17, and in this state, the suction plug 12 is connected to the connection hole 11 of the pump housing 3. The reservoir tank 2 is placed on the horizontal wall 15 of the bracket 14 by fitting. Then, the leg portions 25 and 26 of each clip 24 are slightly expanded from this state and are slid into the recesses 19 (20) and 22 (23) on the reservoir tank 2 side and the pump housing 3 side.

  When each clip 24 is pushed inward from the outer surface of the reservoir tank 2 and the pump housing 3 by a predetermined amount, the tip (bending portion 27) of the upper leg 25 abuts against the bottom of the recess 22 (23). At the same time, the protrusion 28 of the lower leg 26 is engaged in the stopper hole 30 (31) of the bracket 14 as shown in FIG. At this time, since the protrusion 28 suddenly falls into the hole 30 (31) from the edge of the stopper hole 30 (31), the operator can surely feel that the insertion of the clip 24 is completed.

  Thus, when the leg portions 25 and 26 of each clip 24 are inserted into the recesses 19 (20) and 22 (23), the bifurcated base portion 29 of each clip 24 connects the bracket 14 and the edge of the reservoir tank 2. As a result, the reservoir tank 2 is pressed from above and below, and as a result, the reservoir tank 2 and the pump housing 3 are firmly coupled.

  Since each clip 24 is inserted into the recesses 19 (20) and 22 (23) at the ends of the legs 25 and 26 and hardly protrudes outwardly from the reservoir tank 2 and the pump housing 3, the reservoir tank The outer shape of the pump 1 is not increased due to the connecting portion structure of the pump housing 3 and the pump housing 3. Therefore, when this pump 1 is employed, the degree of freedom of layout in a limited space such as an engine room is increased.

  In addition, since the pump 1 has a bracket 14 attached to the pump housing 3 and a recess 19 (20) on the pump housing 3 side is formed between the bracket 14 and the pump housing 3, internal piping or the like Therefore, it is easier to manufacture compared to the case where the recess is directly formed in the pump housing 3 having many restrictions, and it is possible to easily cope with various specifications of the pump housing 3.

  Further, in the case of the pump 1, a protrusion 28 is formed on the leg portions 25 and 26 of the clip 24 so that the protrusion 28 is engaged with the stopper hole 30 (31) of the bracket 14 when the mounting of the clip 24 is completed. Therefore, the clip 24 once mounted does not easily fall off due to vibration or the like.

  FIG. 5 shows another embodiment of the present invention. In the pump 101 of this embodiment, the protrusion 128 formed on the leg portion 126 of the clip 124 is directed from the top portion 32 toward the distal end side of the leg portion 126. The guide slope 33 is inclined, and the vertical surface 34 is suspended toward the top 32 of the guide slope 33. The guide slope 33 functions to engage with the horizontal wall 15 of the bracket 14 when the clip 124 is inserted to gradually push the leg portions 125 and 126 of the clip 124 open, and the vertical surface 34 has completed the mounting of the clip 124. Thus, the clip 124 is prevented from coming off by making surface contact with the inner surface of the stopper hole 30 (31) of the bracket 14.

  Therefore, in the case of the pump 101 of this embodiment, the clip 124 can be inserted more easily, and the clip 124 can be more reliably prevented from coming off.

  The embodiment of the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment. For example, in contrast to the above-described embodiment, the protrusion is formed on the depression (locking portion) side, and the stopper hole (recess portion) is formed on the clip side. You may make it form in.

  The technical ideas other than the invention described in the claims, as grasped from the embodiment, will be described below.

  (1) In the tank-integrated pump in which the reservoir tank for storing the hydraulic fluid is integrally coupled to the pump housing, the reservoir tank and the pump housing are disposed at positions sandwiching the coupling surfaces of both the reservoir tank side and the pump housing side. A tank-integrated pump characterized in that an engaging portion that is recessed inward from each outer surface side is provided, and the reservoir tank and the pump housing are coupled by a clip that straddles the engaging portion of both.

  According to the present invention, the engaging portion that is recessed inward from the outer side of each of the reservoir tank and the pump housing is provided at a position sandwiching the coupling surface between the reservoir tank side and the pump housing side. Since the pump housing is connected by a clip that straddles both locking portions, the reservoir tank and the pump housing can be easily and reliably connected without being restricted by the material of the reservoir tank, Since the clip that connects the two is inserted into the locking part that is recessed inward of the reservoir tank or pump housing, the amount of protrusion of the reservoir tank or pump housing in the outward direction is extremely small, enabling downsizing of the device. become. Therefore, according to the present invention, the degree of freedom of layout in a limited space such as an engine room is greatly improved.

  (2) A bracket that contacts the reservoir tank is integrally coupled to the pump housing, and a locking portion that is recessed inward from the outer surface side of the pump housing is provided between the bracket and the pump housing. The tank-integrated pump according to claim 1, wherein the tank-integrated pump is provided.

  According to the present invention, in the invention of claim (1), the bracket that abuts the reservoir tank is integrally coupled to the pump housing, and the space between the bracket and the pump housing is inward from the outer surface side of the pump housing. Since the locking portion that is recessed toward the pump housing is provided, the locking portion can be easily formed on the pump housing side without directly processing the locking portion in the pump housing, and the manufacturing cost is not increased. It is possible to easily cope with various specifications.

  (3) Protrusions projecting in a direction intersecting the clip insertion direction are provided on one side of the clip and the locking portion, and a recess capable of engaging with the protrusion is provided on the other side of the clip and the locking portion. The tank-integrated pump according to claim (1) or (2).

  According to this invention, in the invention of claim (1) or (2), the protrusion protruding in the direction intersecting the clip insertion direction is provided on one side of the clip and the locking portion, and the other of the clip and the locking portion. Since the concave portion that can be engaged with the protrusion is provided on the side, it is possible to reliably prevent the clip from coming off due to vibration or the like by coupling the protrusion and the concave portion.

  (4) The projection has a configuration including a guide slope that guides insertion of a clip, and a vertical surface that engages with the recess on the top side of the guide slope. The tank-integrated pump according to 3).

  According to this invention, in the invention of claim (3), the projection is provided with a guide slope that guides insertion of the clip, and a vertical face that engages with the recess on the top side of the guide slope. The clip can be easily inserted, and the clip can be reliably prevented from being detached after the clip is once mounted.

Sectional drawing which shows one Example of this invention. The side view which shows the Example. The front view which shows the Example. The expanded sectional view of the principal part which shows the same Example. The expanded sectional view which shows the principal part of the other Example of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

1,101 ... Tank integrated pump,
2 ... reservoir tank,
3 ... Pump housing,
14 ... Bracket,
19, 20, 22, 23 ... hollow (locking part),
21 ... slit hole (locking part),
24, 124 ... clips,
28, 128 ... projections,
30, 31 ... stopper hole (concave),
32 ... top,
33 ... Guide slope,
34 ... Vertical surface

Claims (3)

A rotor fixed to the outer peripheral side of the drive shaft and supporting a plurality of vanes;
A cam ring that is disposed on the outer peripheral side of the rotor and rotatably accommodates the rotor;
A pump housing made of a metal material and having a main body for accommodating the cam ring and the rotor;
A reservoir tank that is formed of a resin material and stores hydraulic oil to be supplied to the pump housing;
A pair of first and second locking portions provided on the side of the reservoir tank facing the pump housing;
A suction plug provided between the pair of first locking portions and the second locking portion, and formed integrally with the reservoir tank, for supplying hydraulic oil in the reservoir tank to the pump housing;
A pair of third and fourth locking portions that are provided opposite to each other on the side of the pump housing facing the reservoir tank and that have indentations recessed inward from the outer surface side of the pump housing;
A plug connection hole provided on a side of the pump housing facing the reservoir tank and into which the suction plug is fitted;
A first clip for coupling the pump housing and the reservoir tank via the first locking portion and the third locking portion;
A second clip for coupling the pump housing and the reservoir tank via the second locking portion and the fourth locking portion,
Opposing inner end edges of the recesses of the third locking portion and the fourth locking portion are disposed on the inner side of the main body portion of the pump housing, and the distance between the inner end edges is determined by the distance between the inner end edges. A tank-integrated pump characterized by being set smaller than the outer dimension of the main body in the direction in which the edges face each other. The first locking portion and the second locking portion are formed to be recessed from the outer surface side of the reservoir tank toward the inner side,
The first clip and the second clip are provided at a bifurcated base portion and both distal ends of the bifurcated base portion, and the first and second engaging portions of the reservoir tank and the third and fourth engagements of the pump housing. The tank-integrated pump according to claim 1, wherein the tank-integrated pump is constituted by leg portions inserted and engaged with the stop portions. A rotor fixed to the outer peripheral side of the drive shaft and supporting a plurality of vanes;
A cam ring that is disposed on the outer peripheral side of the rotor and rotatably accommodates the rotor;
A pump housing formed of a metal material and having a main body portion for accommodating the cam ring and the rotor, and having a flat surface on the outer surface;
A plug connection hole drilled in the flat surface of the pump housing and supplying hydraulic oil to the pump housing;
A reservoir tank that is formed of a resin material, has a flat portion facing the flat surface of the pump housing, and stores hydraulic oil to be supplied to the pump housing;
A pair of first and second locking portions disposed opposite to each other on the flat surface side of the reservoir tank;
Projecting on the flat surface portion so as to be positioned between the pair of first locking portions and the second locking portion, and connecting to the plug connection hole to supply hydraulic oil in the reservoir tank to the pump housing A suction plug to supply to,
A third engaging member provided on the flat surface side of the pump housing and having a contact surface that contacts the first locking portion and a recess that is recessed inward from the outer surface side of the pump housing. Stop and
A contact surface that is provided on the flat surface side of the pump housing and contacts the second locking portion; and a recess that is recessed inward from the outer surface side of the pump housing. A fourth locking portion disposed opposite to the three locking portions;
A first clip for coupling the pump housing and the reservoir tank via the first locking portion and the third locking portion;
A second clip for coupling the pump housing and the reservoir tank via the second locking portion and the fourth locking portion,
The opposed inner end edges of the respective recesses of the third locking portion and the fourth locking portion are disposed inside the main body portion of the pump housing, and the distance between the inner end edges is set to A tank-integrated pump characterized in that it is set smaller than the outer dimension of the main body in the direction in which the edges are opposed.

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