JP7602805B2 - pump - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a pump, and in particular to a pump that is equipped with an integral switching valve that switches the discharge port depending on the flow of fluid.

In recent years, heat exchange systems in automobiles have become more complex. This is because automobiles are becoming more electrified in order to achieve carbon neutrality, and the number of objects to be cooled has increased, including not only the interior of the vehicle but also motors and batteries.

In such heat exchange systems, a switching valve and a water pump are provided to switch the path for circulating the cooling water in various ways depending on the operating conditions, for efficient cooling (see, for example, Patent Documents 1 and 2 below).

The following Patent Document 3 discloses a pump equipped with an integral switching valve that switches the discharge port depending on the fluid flow.

JP 2004-116425 A JP 2008-213583 A JP 2011-98628 A

The switching valve and water pump are usually used together, but in EVs (electric vehicles) and hybrid vehicles, a heat exchange system is often constructed by incorporating multiple sets of the switching valve and water pump, and each switching valve and water pump is equipped with a control motor.

Therefore, there is room for improvement in current heat exchange systems, for example by integrating the switching valve and water pump to simplify the system and reduce space, or by using the flow of fluid to switch flow paths, thereby eliminating the need for a motor to control the switching valve and thus saving energy.

On the other hand, the above-mentioned Patent Document 1 shows a water pump with an integrated switching valve, which makes it possible to eliminate the need for a motor to operate the switching valve. However, it is difficult to use this pump as is in a heat exchange system for a vehicle because of the risk of valve leakage.

Specifically, the pump 1 described in Patent Document 1 is described as discharging fluid only from one of the outlet ports 12 (or 13) with one of the valve lids 24 (or 25) completely closing the other outlet port 12 (or 13) as long as the pump is in operation (see paragraphs 0023-0026 of the same document), but there is a risk that the valve lid in the closed state will fall (sway) due to its own weight (especially when the flow rate is low), resulting in valve leakage.

Furthermore, the pump described in Patent Document 1 is a pump used in a dishwasher, and because dishwashers are used as stationary appliances in kitchens and the like, no forces other than gravity act on them during use. In contrast, pumps mounted on automobiles are subject to vibrations and inertial forces acting on the valve cover when the vehicle travels on slopes or uneven roads, or when the vehicle accelerates or decelerates, and these effects may cause the valve cover on the closed side to open.

The object of the present invention is therefore to prevent valve leakage by making it possible to more reliably maintain a closed valve state in a pump equipped with a switching valve that switches the discharge port depending on the flow of fluid.

[First Invention]
In order to solve the above problems and achieve the object, a pump according to a first aspect of the present invention includes a pump chamber having a suction port for sucking in a fluid, a first discharge port for discharging the fluid, and a second discharge port for discharging the fluid, an impeller that is installed in the pump chamber and rotated by a rotary drive device to generate a rotational flow of the fluid in the pump chamber, and a changeover valve that oscillates (rotates) when receiving the rotational flow and discharges the fluid from either the first discharge port or the second discharge port depending on the rotation direction of the rotational flow, and the changeover valve includes a first valve cover that opens and closes the first discharge port, The pump has a second valve cover that opens and closes a second outlet port, and a valve stem portion that supports the first and second valve covers so that they can swing. When the rotating flow is in a first rotation direction, the pump swings under the pressure of fluid from the rotating flow, entering a first switching state in which the first valve cover closes the first outlet port and the second valve cover opens the second outlet port, while when the rotating flow is in a second rotation direction that is opposite to the first rotation direction, the pump swings under the pressure of fluid from the rotating flow, entering a second switching state in which the second valve cover closes the second outlet port and the first valve cover opens the first outlet port.

In this pump, the switching valve is provided with a first contact means that receives a swinging force from the impeller to return the switching valve to the first switching state by contacting the circumferential surface of the impeller when the switching valve in the first switching state swings toward the second switching state, and a second contact means that receives a force from the impeller to return the switching valve to the second switching state by contacting the circumferential surface of the impeller when the switching valve in the second switching state swings toward the first switching state.

The pump according to the first aspect of the invention switches the discharge port by the flow of fluid generated in the pump chamber by the impeller, and is equipped with a contact means that uses the rotation of the impeller to pull the valve cover back to the closed state (the state in which the discharge port is blocked) when the valve cover on the closed side (the side in the closed state with the discharge port closed) is accidentally opened.

Specifically, in this pump, a rotational flow of fluid (a flow of fluid that rotates in either a first rotational direction or a second rotational direction) is generated in the pump chamber by rotating an impeller installed in the pump chamber using a rotary drive device (e.g., an electric motor). Note that, for example, if the first rotational direction of the rotational flow is clockwise, the second rotational direction is counterclockwise.

When the direction of the rotating flow is the first rotational direction, the switching valve is pushed by the flow and swings (rotates), and the first valve cover comes into contact with and is pressed against the first outlet, blocking the first outlet. At this time, the second valve cover is separated from the second outlet, and the second outlet is opened. Therefore, the fluid that has flowed into the pump chamber from the suction port is discharged from the second outlet (first switching state).

When the switching valve receives some force (such as gravity or the vibration or inertial force caused by the vehicle traveling) in the first switching state and the first valve cover swings in the valve opening direction (away from the first discharge port), the first contact means also swings together with the first valve cover, and the first contact means comes into contact with the outer periphery of the rotating impeller. This contact causes the switching valve (and the first valve cover via the first contact means) to receive a force pulling the first valve cover back in the valve closing direction (toward the first discharge port). This force in the valve closing direction pulls the first valve cover back to the closed state in which it abuts against the first discharge port, making it possible to prevent fluid from leaking out of the first discharge port.

On the other hand, when the impeller is driven to rotate in the reverse direction and the rotating flow becomes the second rotation direction, the switching valve receives this flow and swings in the opposite direction to when the rotating flow was flowing in the first rotation direction, causing the second valve cover to come into contact with the second outlet port and be pressed against the second outlet port, blocking the second outlet port. At this time, the first valve cover is separated from the first outlet port, and the first outlet port is opened. Therefore, the fluid that has flowed into the pump chamber from the suction port is discharged from the first outlet port (second switching state).

When the switching valve receives some force in the second switching state and the second lid swings in the valve opening direction (away from the second outlet), the second contact means also swings together with the second lid, and the second contact means comes into contact with the outer periphery of the rotating impeller. This contact causes the switching valve (and the second lid via the second contact means) to receive a force pulling the second lid back in the valve closing direction (toward the second outlet). This force in the valve closing direction then pulls the second lid back to the closed state in which it abuts against the second outlet, preventing fluid from leaking out of the second outlet.

[First aspect of the first invention]
As a specific structure of the contact means, in the first aspect of the first invention, the first contact means is a first contact arm that extends from the second cover toward the circumferential surface of the impeller and receives a force returning to the first switching state by sliding against the circumferential surface of the impeller, and the second contact means is a second contact arm that extends from the first cover toward the circumferential surface of the impeller and receives a force returning to the second switching state by sliding against the circumferential surface of the impeller. Note that "sliding contact" means contact in a sliding state, that is, the contact arm contacts the circumferential surface of the impeller while the impeller is rotating (the same applies below).

It is preferable that the first and second contact arms are lower in height than the first and second valve covers so that the rotating flow hits the valve covers (first and second valve covers) and the switching valve operates more reliably (the same applies to the first and second contact rotors described below).

In addition, in the first invention, when the valve is completely closed, that is, in the first switching state where the first valve cover completely blocks the first outlet, and in the second switching state where the second valve cover completely blocks the second outlet, the contact means (the first contact means and the second contact means) do not come into contact with the impeller, and only come into contact with the impeller when they have swung a certain angle in the valve opening direction. This is to prevent wear on the contact means and the impeller. The smaller the certain angle (the amount of swing at which the contact means starts to come into contact with the impeller) is set, the greater the effect of preventing valve leakage.

[Second aspect of the first aspect]
In a second aspect of the first invention, the first contact means is a first contact rotor that is rotatably held between the second valve cover and the circumferential surface of the impeller in the first switching state, and the first contact rotor rotates on its own axis by coming into contact with the circumferential surface of the impeller when the switching valve in the first switching state swings toward the second switching state, and receives a force from the impeller to return it to the first switching state, and the second contact means is a second contact rotor that is rotatably held between the first valve cover and the circumferential surface of the impeller in the second switching state, and the second contact rotor rotates on its own axis by coming into contact with the circumferential surface of the impeller when the switching valve in the second switching state swings toward the first switching state.

According to the second aspect, the contact means that comes into contact with the impeller rotates (spins on its axis), which makes it possible to further reduce wear on the contact means and the impeller compared to when the contact means comes into sliding contact with the impeller.

The contact rotors (first contact rotor and second contact rotor) may be, for example, cylindrical members or spheres. When the contact rotors are made of cylindrical members, the axis of the cylindrical member is provided in the switching valve so as to be parallel to the valve shaft of the switching valve and the rotation axis of the impeller.

The first invention described above is configured so that the contact means does not come into contact with the impeller in the fully closed state, but this application does not exclude a structure in which the contact means comes into contact with the impeller even in the fully closed state. This is because such a structure can also prevent the valve lid from accidentally opening when the valve is closed. The second invention described below has such a structure.

[Second Invention]
A pump according to a second aspect of the present invention includes a pump chamber having a suction port for sucking in a fluid, a first discharge port for discharging the fluid, and a second discharge port for discharging the fluid, an impeller that is disposed in the pump chamber and rotated by a rotary drive device to generate a rotational flow of the fluid in the pump chamber, and a changeover valve that oscillates upon receiving the rotational flow and discharges the fluid from either the first discharge port or the second discharge port depending on the rotation direction of the rotational flow, and the changeover valve has a first valve cover that opens and closes the first discharge port, and a second valve cover that opens and closes the second discharge port. and a valve stem portion supporting the first and second valve lids so that they can swing. When the rotating flow is in a first rotation direction, the pump swings under the pressure of fluid from the rotating flow, entering a first switching state in which the first valve lid closes the first outlet port and the second valve lid opens the second outlet port, while when the rotating flow is in a second rotation direction that is opposite to the first rotation direction, the pump swings under the pressure of fluid from the rotating flow, entering a second switching state in which the second valve lid closes the second outlet port and the first valve lid opens the first outlet port.

The pump has a switching valve that is provided with a first contact means that receives a force from the impeller to press the first valve cover against the first discharge port by contacting the peripheral surface of the impeller when the switching valve is in a first switching state, and a second contact means that receives a force from the impeller to press the second valve cover against the second discharge port by contacting the peripheral surface of the impeller when the switching valve is in a second switching state.

In the second aspect of the present invention, it is preferable that the contact means (first contact means and second contact means) and the impeller (particularly the peripheral surface with which the contact means come into contact) are made of a material with excellent wear resistance.

[First aspect of the second aspect of the invention]
Furthermore, in the first aspect of the pump according to the second invention, as in the pump according to the first invention, the first contact means is a first contact arm extending from the second lid toward the circumferential surface of the impeller and receiving a force from the impeller pressing the first lid against the first outlet port by coming into sliding contact with the circumferential surface of the impeller when in the first switching state, and the second contact means is a second contact arm extending from the first lid toward the circumferential surface of the impeller and receiving a force from the impeller pressing the second lid against the second outlet port by coming into sliding contact with the circumferential surface of the impeller when in the second switching state.

[Second aspect of the second invention]
In a second aspect of the second invention, the first contact means is a first contact rotor that is rotatably held between the second valve cover and the peripheral surface of the impeller, and rotates on its own axis by contacting the peripheral surface of the impeller in the first switching state and receives a force from the impeller pressing the first valve cover against the first outlet, and the second contact means is a second contact rotor that is rotatably held between the first valve cover and the peripheral surface of the impeller, and rotates on its own axis by contacting the peripheral surface of the impeller in the second switching state and receives a force from the impeller pressing the second valve cover against the second outlet.

[Specific aspects of the first and second inventions]
Furthermore, in the first and second inventions, as a more specific aspect, when, among the inner surfaces defining the pump chamber, one inner surface in the direction of the rotational axis of the impeller is defined as the bottom surface and the inner surface in the direction perpendicular to the rotational axis is defined as the circumferential surface, the suction port is formed in the bottom surface of the pump chamber, the first discharge port and the second discharge port are formed in the circumferential surface of the pump chamber, and a changeover valve is provided so that the valve shaft portion is parallel to the rotational axis of the impeller.

In this embodiment, the valve stem may be disposed on a line connecting the center between the first and second discharge ports and the rotation axis of the impeller, and the first and second valve covers may be configured so that their tips open in a V-shape toward the impeller, with the valve stem serving as the base end.

[Third Invention]
Furthermore, the pump according to the third invention of the present application does not open and close the first and second outlets (switching of the outlet) with a single switching valve as in the first and second inventions, but rather has two switching valves, namely a first switching valve that opens and closes the first outlet and a second switching valve that opens and closes the second outlet, and switches the outlet with these switching valves.

Specifically, the pump is equipped with a pump chamber having a suction port for sucking in a fluid, a first discharge port for discharging the fluid, and a second discharge port for discharging the fluid, an impeller that is installed in the pump chamber and rotated by a rotary drive device to generate a rotational flow of the fluid in the pump chamber, and a changeover valve that oscillates when it receives the rotational flow and discharges the fluid from either the first discharge port or the second discharge port depending on the rotation direction of the rotational flow, the changeover valve including a first changeover valve supported to be swingable on a first shaft portion and a second changeover valve supported to be swingable on a second shaft portion, the first changeover valve being subjected to the pressure of the fluid when the rotational flow is in a first rotation direction, The second switching valve includes a first valve cover that swings the first switching valve and closes the first outlet, and a first valve plate that swings the first switching valve under the pressure of the fluid when the rotating flow is in a second rotation direction opposite to the first rotation direction, thereby opening the first outlet that was closed by the first valve cover. The second switching valve includes a second valve cover that swings the second switching valve and closes the second outlet by the pressure of the fluid when the rotating flow is in the second rotation direction, and a second valve plate that swings the second switching valve under the pressure of the fluid when the rotating flow is in the first rotation direction, thereby opening the second outlet that was closed by the second valve cover.

Furthermore, in this pump, when the rotating flow is in a first rotation direction and the first valve cover closes the first outlet and the second valve cover opens the second outlet, the first switching state is a state in which the rotating flow is in a second rotation direction and the second valve cover closes the second outlet and the first valve cover opens the first outlet, the first switching valve has a first contact means that receives a force from the impeller to return in a direction to close the first outlet by contacting the circumferential surface of the impeller when the first switching valve in the first switching state swings in a direction to open the first outlet, and the second switching valve has a second contact means that receives a force from the impeller to return in a direction to close the second outlet by contacting the circumferential surface of the impeller when the second switching valve in the second switching state swings in a direction to open the second outlet.

According to the third invention, it is possible to increase the degree of freedom in the installation position of the outlet. That is, in the first and second inventions, since the outlet is switched by one switching valve, the first outlet and the second outlet must necessarily be located close to each other (within the range that the first and second valve covers of one switching valve can reach), but according to the third invention, the first outlet and the second outlet are opened and closed by switching valves that are not related to each other (provided separately), so the first outlet and the second outlet can be located more freely than in the first and second inventions. For example, according to the third invention, it is possible to place the second outlet on the opposite side of the impeller from the first outlet.

In the third invention, the first valve plate extends toward the circumferential surface of the impeller and has a first contact means at its tip, and the first contact means slides against the circumferential surface of the impeller to receive a force from the impeller to return to the first switching state, and the second valve plate extends toward the circumferential surface of the impeller and has a second contact means at its tip, and the second contact means slides against the circumferential surface of the impeller to receive a force from the impeller to return to the second switching state.

Furthermore, in this third invention, it is possible to make the contact means contact the impeller and maintain the valve closed even in the fully closed state, as in the second invention. The following fourth invention has such a structure.

[Fourth Invention]
A pump according to a fourth aspect of the present invention is a pump comprising: a pump chamber having a suction port for sucking in a fluid, a first discharge port for discharging the fluid, and a second discharge port for discharging the fluid; an impeller that is disposed in the pump chamber and is rotated by a rotary drive device to generate a rotational flow of the fluid in the pump chamber; and a changeover valve that oscillates when it receives the rotational flow and discharges the fluid from either the first discharge port or the second discharge port depending on the rotational direction of the rotational flow, wherein the changeover valve includes a first changeover valve that is swingably supported on a first shaft portion, and a second changeover valve that is swingably supported on a second shaft portion, and the first changeover valve receives pressure of the fluid when the rotational flow is in a first rotation direction. the second switching valve comprises a first valve cover which oscillates the first switching valve and closes the first outlet, and a first valve opening plate which, when the rotating flow is in a second rotational direction that is opposite to the first rotational direction, oscillates the first switching valve under the pressure of the fluid, thereby opening the first outlet that was closed by the first valve cover; the second switching valve comprises a second valve cover which oscillates the second switching valve and closes the second outlet by the pressure of the fluid, when the rotating flow is in the second rotational direction, and a second valve opening plate which oscillates the second switching valve under the pressure of the fluid, when the rotating flow is in the first rotational direction, thereby opening the second outlet that was closed by the second valve cover.

The pump has a first switching state in which the rotating flow is in a first rotation direction and the first valve cover closes the first outlet port and the second valve cover opens the second outlet port, and a second switching state in which the rotating flow is in a second rotation direction and the second valve cover closes the second outlet port and the first valve cover opens the first outlet port.When the first switching valve is in the first switching state, the first switching valve has a first contact means that contacts the circumferential surface of the impeller to receive a force from the impeller to press the first valve cover against the first outlet port, and the second switching valve has a second contact means that contacts the circumferential surface of the impeller to receive a force from the impeller to press the second valve cover against the second outlet port, when the second switching valve is in the second switching state.

In the pump according to the fourth aspect of the invention, the first valve plate extends toward the circumferential surface of the impeller and has a first contact means at its tip, which receives a force from the impeller pressing the first valve cover against the first discharge port by sliding against the circumferential surface of the impeller, and the second valve plate extends toward the circumferential surface of the impeller and has a second contact means at its tip, which receives a force from the impeller pressing the second valve cover against the second discharge port by sliding against the circumferential surface of the impeller.

[Specific aspects of the third and fourth inventions]
In the third and fourth inventions, a valve open keeping arm may be further provided as a means for maintaining the open valve state, and the means (valve open keeping arm) may take either of the following forms (1) or (2).

(1) The first switching valve further includes a first open valve maintaining arm that receives a force from the impeller to fully open the first outlet by sliding against the circumferential surface of the impeller when the first switching valve in the second switching state swings in a direction to close the first outlet, and the second switching valve further includes a second open valve maintaining arm that receives a force from the impeller to fully open the second outlet by sliding against the circumferential surface of the impeller when the second switching valve in the first switching state swings in a direction to close the second outlet.

In this (1) embodiment, when the switching valve (first or second switching valve) in the open state swings in the closing direction, the open valve holding arm pulls it back to the open (fully open) state. On the other hand, in the next (2) embodiment, the open valve holding arm comes into contact with the impeller even in the fully open state, and receives a force from the impeller to maintain the fully open state.

(2) The first switching valve further includes a first open valve maintaining arm that receives a force from the impeller to oscillate the first valve cover in a direction to fully open the first discharge port by sliding against the circumferential surface of the impeller when the first switching valve is in the second switching state, and the second switching valve further includes a second open valve maintaining arm that receives a force from the impeller to oscillate the second valve cover in a direction to fully open the second discharge port by sliding against the circumferential surface of the impeller when the second switching valve is in the first switching state.

In the third and fourth inventions, when one of the inner surfaces defining the pump chamber in the direction of the rotation axis of the impeller is defined as the bottom surface and the inner surface in the direction perpendicular to the rotation axis is defined as the circumferential surface, the suction port may be formed in the bottom surface of the pump chamber, the first discharge port and the second discharge port may be formed in the circumferential surface of the pump chamber, a first switching valve may be provided so that the first shaft portion is parallel to the rotation axis of the impeller, and a second switching valve may be provided so that the second shaft portion is parallel to the rotation axis of the impeller.

According to the present invention, the valve can be more reliably maintained in a closed state to prevent valve leakage. In addition, according to the present invention, there is no need to provide a drive device (motor, etc.) to drive the switching valve, which allows for energy savings and simplifies the control unit of the heat exchange system by reducing the number of controlled objects.

Other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of the embodiments of the present invention based on the drawings. Note that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described below, and it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications can be made within the scope of the claims. In addition, the same reference numerals in each drawing indicate the same or equivalent parts.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the internal structure of a pump according to a first embodiment of the present invention (with a drive unit, a cover, and a top plate of an impeller removed). FIG. 2 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing the pump according to the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a plan view showing the internal structure of the pump according to the first embodiment (in a state in which the drive device, the cover, and the top plate of the impeller have been removed/first switching state). FIG. 4 is a plan view showing the internal structure of the pump according to the first embodiment (in a state in which the drive device, the lid, and the top plate of the impeller are removed/second switching state). FIG. 5 is an enlarged plan view showing a contact arm portion (first switching state) of the pump according to the first embodiment. FIG. 6 is an enlarged plan view showing a contact arm portion of the pump according to the first embodiment (a state in which the first valve cover of the switching valve in the first switching state swings in the valve opening direction and the first contact arm comes into contact with the impeller). FIG. 7 is a plan view showing the internal structure of a pump according to a second embodiment of the present invention (in a state in which a drive device, a lid, and a top plate portion of an impeller are removed/first switching state). FIG. 8 is a plan view showing the internal structure of the pump according to the second embodiment (a state in which the drive device, the cover, and the top plate of the impeller are removed/second switching state). FIG. 9 is an enlarged plan view showing a contact rotor portion (first switching state) of the pump according to the second embodiment. FIG. 10 is an enlarged plan view showing the contact rotor portion of the pump according to the second embodiment (a state in which the first valve cover of the switching valve in the first switching state swings in the valve opening direction and the first contact rotor comes into contact with the impeller). FIG. 11 is a plan view showing the internal structure of a pump according to a third embodiment of the present invention (in a state in which a drive device, a cover, and a top plate portion of an impeller are removed/first switching state). FIG. 12 is a plan view showing the internal structure of the pump according to the third embodiment (in a state in which the drive device, the lid, and the top plate of the impeller have been removed/second switching state). FIG. 13 is a plan view showing a modified example of the pump according to the third embodiment (in a state in which the drive device, the lid, and the top plate of the impeller are removed/first switching state).

First Embodiment
As shown in Figures 1 to 6, a pump 11 according to a first embodiment of the present invention includes a housing 12 having a pump chamber 14 therein, an impeller 18 rotatably installed within the pump chamber 14, a drive device (motor) 31 that rotates and drives the impeller 18, an intake port 15 that draws fluid into the pump chamber 14, two outlet ports 16, 17 (discharge pipes 16a, 17a) that discharge the fluid from the pump chamber 14, i.e., a first outlet port 16 (first discharge pipe 16a) and a second outlet port 17 (second discharge pipe 17a), a changeover valve 21 that switches between the outlet ports 16, 17 that discharge the fluid, and a lid 13 that closes the top surface of the housing 12.

In addition, each figure appropriately shows mutually orthogonal two-dimensional or three-dimensional coordinates representing the front-rear, left-right, and up-down directions, and the following explanation is based on these directions. However, the pump according to the present invention and each embodiment can be used in various positions other than those shown in the drawings, and the front-rear, left-right, up-down directions do not impose any limitations on the configuration of each part of the present invention.

The impeller 18 is installed in the center of the pump chamber 14 so that the central axis A, which serves as the center of rotation, is parallel to the vertical direction, and the suction port 15 is formed below it (at the center of the bottom surface of the pump chamber 14). Meanwhile, a drive unit 31 that drives the impeller 18 is installed above the impeller 18. The drive unit 31 has a rotor 32 with the impeller 18 connected to its lower end, a shaft 35 that rotatably supports the rotor 32, and a stator 33 that includes a coil 34 and generates a magnetic field that rotates the rotor 32.

The rotor 32 is housed in a cylindrical portion 13a formed to protrude upward from the center of the cover 13 that closes the top surface (upper surface) of the pump chamber 14 in a watertight manner, and a stator 33 is provided on the outside of the cylindrical portion 13a. The shaft 35 extends upward from the center of the impeller 18 along the central axis (rotation axis) A of the impeller 18 that extends in the vertical direction, and its upper end is fixed to the upper surface of the cylindrical portion 13a of the cover 13, while its lower end is fixed to a bearing member 19 arranged in the center of the suction port 15. The bearing member 19 is supported on the inner surface of the suction port 15 by a number of legs 19a.

The impeller 18, which is driven to rotate by the drive unit 31, has a plurality of blades 18a extending radially from the central axis A between the bottom plate portion 18b and the top plate portion 18c. A hole is formed in the center of the bottom plate portion 18b to connect the inside of the impeller 18 (the space between the bottom plate portion 18b and the top plate portion 18c) to the suction port 15. Fluid flows into the inside of the impeller 18 from the suction port 15 through this hole, and the centrifugal force of the rotating impeller 18 releases the fluid between the blades 18a into the pump chamber 14, generating a rotating flow of fluid around the impeller 18 (along the inner circumferential surface 14a of the pump chamber 14). The direction of rotation of the rotating flow coincides with the direction of rotation of the impeller 18. In addition, a hole for connecting the rotor 32 is provided in the center of the top plate portion 18c, and the rotor 32 and the impeller 18 are connected by fitting the lower end of the rotor 32 into this hole.

The first and second discharge ports 16 and 17 are formed on the front peripheral surface of the pump chamber 14 so as to be aligned to the left and right, and discharge pipes (first and second discharge pipes 16a and 17a) are integral with the housing 12 so that fluid can be discharged from each of the discharge ports 16 and 17. A switching valve 21 is disposed at the intermediate position between the first and second discharge ports 16 and 17. The switching valve 21 has a valve stem 22 whose lower end is swingably (rotatably) supported by the housing 12 and whose upper end is swingably (rotatably) supported by the lid 13 so as to extend in the vertical direction, and two flat valve lids (first and second valve lids 23 and 24) that are provided to extend horizontally (perpendicular to the vertical direction) from the peripheral surface of the middle part of the valve stem 22.

These two valve lids 23, 24 have a V-shaped planar shape that opens out (opens) toward the impeller 18 at a certain angle (obtuse angle) to each other, and are configured to swing left and right around the valve stem 22 so that when the first valve lid 23 closes the first outlet port 16, the second valve lid 24 opens the second outlet port 17, and when the second valve lid 24 closes the second outlet port 17, the first valve lid 23 opens the first outlet port 16.

Furthermore, the rear side of each valve cover 23, 24 is provided with a contact arm 25, 26 that pulls the outlet back to the closed state if it begins to open unintentionally.

Specifically, the first contact arm 25, which prevents valve leakage from the first discharge port 16, extends from the rear surface (rear face) of the tip of the second valve cover 24 toward the impeller 18 (rearward) while curving (drawing an arc) so as to be convex toward the impeller 18, and has a curved outer circumferential surface.

In addition, in the first switching state (see FIG. 3) in which the first valve cover 23 closes the first discharge port 16, the first contact arm 25 is not in contact with the impeller 18 and is separated from the impeller 18 as shown in FIG. 5. However, when the switching valve 21 swings so that the first valve cover 23 moves away from the first discharge port 16 in this first switching state (see arrow C1 in FIG. 5), the first contact arm 25 comes into contact with the outer circumferential surface of the impeller 18 as shown in FIG. 6 (the contact portion is shown by the symbol P). Then, due to this contact, the first contact arm 25 receives a force C2 from the impeller 18 rotating in the direction shown by the arrow R1 in FIG. 6, and this force C2 causes the switching valve 21 to swing in the direction of the arrow C3, and the first valve cover 23 returns to the first switching state in which the first discharge port 16 is completely closed. In this way, it is possible to prevent fluid from leaking from the first discharge port 16.

The extent to which the switching valve 21 must swing from the first switching state before the first contact arm 25 comes into contact with the impeller 18 (the amount of swing at which this contact begins is called the "contact swing amount," and the part of the contact arm at which this contact begins is called the "contact point" (denoted by the symbol P)) can be determined by the shape of the outer circumferential surface (rear surface) of the first contact arm 25, but the smaller the contact swing amount is set, the more completely valve leakage can be prevented.

For example, in the present invention, the first contact arm 25 may be in contact with the impeller 18 in the first switching state (a state in which the first valve cover 23 completely closes the first discharge port 16), in which case the contact swing amount is zero and the valve leakage amount is minimized. However, from the viewpoint of preventing wear of the contact arm 25 and the impeller 18, it is preferable to have a structure in which the contact arms 25, 26 do not come into contact with the impeller 18 in the first switching state as in this embodiment and in the second switching state described below.

The shape of the contact arm outer circumferential surface 25a (see FIG. 6) on the tip side of the contact point P may be a curved shape that continues to be in contact with the impeller 18 when the switching valve 21 further swings in the direction of the arrow C1 (the direction in which the opening of the first discharge port 16 becomes larger), or it may be a curved shape that loses contact with the impeller 18 (moves away from the outer circumferential surface of the impeller 18). However, the shape of the outer circumferential surface of the contact arm 25 is a shape that does not impede the swinging action of the switching valve 21 from the first switching state to the second switching state when the rotation of the impeller 18 is reversed to switch the discharge ports 16, 17 (the same applies to the second contact arm 26 described next).

The second contact arm 26, which prevents valve leakage from the second discharge port 17, has a structure similar to that of the first contact arm 25. That is, the second contact arm 26 extends from the rear surface (rear surface) of the tip of the first valve cover 23 toward the impeller 18 while curving (drawing an arc) so as to be convex (toward the rear) toward the impeller 18, and has a curved outer circumferential surface. In the second switching state (see FIG. 4) in which the second valve cover 24 closes the second discharge port 17, the second contact arm 26 is separated from the impeller 18 without contacting the impeller 18, but when the switching valve 21 swings so that the second valve cover 24 moves away from the second discharge port 17 in this second switching state, the second contact arm 26 comes into contact with the outer circumferential surface of the impeller 18. This contact causes the second contact arm 26 to receive a force from the impeller 18 rotating in the direction indicated by the arrow R2 in FIG. 4. When this force is received, the switching valve 21 is pulled back to the second switching state, thereby preventing fluid from leaking out of the second outlet 17.

The height of both the first contact arm 25 and the second contact arm 26 is kept lower than the valve covers 23, 24 so that the rotating flow hits the rear surfaces of the valve covers 23, 24 and the switching valve 21 operates more reliably (see Figures 1 and 2).

The operation of the pump 11 in this embodiment will be explained.

As shown in FIG. 3, when the motor 31 is driven to rotate the impeller 18 in the clockwise direction R1, fluid is sucked into the pump chamber 14 from the suction port 15 on the bottom surface of the pump chamber 14, and a rotational flow (flow of rotating fluid) in the same clockwise direction as the rotational direction of the impeller 18 is generated in the pump chamber 14. The first valve cover 23 of the switching valve 21 receives this rotational flow on its back surface (rear surface), and the force of the rotational flow causes the switching valve 21 to swing counterclockwise, and the first valve cover 23 is pressed against the front inner peripheral surface of the pump chamber 14 to close the first discharge port 16. At this time, the second valve cover 24 moves away from the second discharge port 17, opening the second discharge port 17, and the fluid that has flowed into the pump chamber 14 from the suction port 15 is discharged from the second discharge port 17 through the second discharge pipe 17a to the outside of the pump 11 (see arrows W1 and W2 in FIG. 2).

In this first switching state, when the switching valve 21 swings clockwise, the first valve cover 23 moves away from the first discharge port 16, but the first contact arm 25 comes into contact with the rotating impeller 18, pushing the switching valve 21 back counterclockwise, and the first valve cover 23 is again pressed against the front inner circumferential surface of the pump chamber 14, closing the first discharge port 16 and preventing valve leakage from the first discharge port 16.

On the other hand, when the motor 31 is rotated in the reverse direction to rotate the impeller 18 in the counterclockwise direction R2 as shown in FIG. 4, fluid is sucked into the pump chamber 14 from the suction port 15 on the bottom surface of the pump chamber 14, and a counterclockwise rotational flow (flow of rotating fluid) in the same direction as the rotational direction of the impeller 18 is generated in the pump chamber 14. The second valve cover 24 of the switching valve 21 receives this rotational flow on its back surface (rear surface), and the force of the rotational flow causes the switching valve 21 to swing clockwise, and the second valve cover 24 is pressed against the front inner peripheral surface of the pump chamber 14 to close the second discharge port 17. At this time, the first valve cover 23 moves away from the first discharge port 16, opening the first discharge port 16, and the fluid that has flowed into the pump chamber 14 from the suction port 15 is discharged from the first discharge port 16 to the outside through the first discharge pipe 16a.

In addition, in this second switching state, when the switching valve 21 swings counterclockwise, the second valve cover 24 moves away from the second discharge port 17, but the second contact arm 26 comes into contact with the rotating impeller 18, pushing the switching valve 21 back clockwise, and the second valve cover 24 is again pressed against the front inner circumferential surface of the pump chamber 14, closing the second discharge port 17 and preventing valve leakage from the second discharge port 17.

Second Embodiment
7 to 10, a pump 41 according to a second embodiment of the present invention, like the pump 11 according to the first embodiment, includes a housing 12 having a pump chamber 14 therein, an impeller 18 installed in the pump chamber 14, a drive device for rotating the impeller 18, an intake port 15 for drawing fluid into the pump chamber 14, two outlet ports (a first outlet port 16 and a second outlet port 17) for discharging the fluid from the pump chamber 14, a switching valve 21 for switching between the outlet ports 16 and 17, and a cover for closing the top surface of the housing 12, and includes contact means for maintaining the switching state of the switching valve 21 by contacting the rotating impeller 18, but the structure of the contact means is different. Hereinafter, the same reference numerals are used for configurations similar to those of the first embodiment, and duplicated descriptions are omitted, and the differences are mainly described (the same applies to the third embodiment described later).

In this embodiment, instead of the contact arm, the contact means is provided with two rotors 43, 44 that are rotatably (self-rotating) held between the first valve cover 23 and the second valve cover 24. These rotors 43, 44 are cylindrical members that are rotatably (self-rotating) held on a fan-shaped flange portion 42 formed between the first valve cover 23 and the second valve cover 24. For the same reason as in the first embodiment (to apply a rotating flow to the rear surfaces of the valve covers 23, 24 to operate the switching valve 21 more reliably), the two rotors 43, 44 and the flange portion 42 that holds them are both made lower in height than the first valve cover 23 and the second valve cover 24.

Furthermore, of the two rotors, the first rotor (corresponding to the first contact rotor of the present invention) 43 is disposed near the back surface (rear surface) of the second lid 24 and such that its central axis 43a is located to the right (closer to the first lid 23) of the line B connecting the central axis of the impeller 18 and the valve shaft portion 22 (the central axis of the changeover valve 21) in the first switching state in which the first lid 23 closes the first discharge port 16 as shown in FIG. 9 (see symbol d). In the first switching state, the first rotor 43 does not come into contact with the impeller 18, but when the changeover valve 21 swings in the direction in which the first lid 23 moves away from the first discharge port 16 as shown in FIG. 10 (see arrow C1 in FIG. 9 ), the first rotor 43 comes into contact with the outer circumferential surface of the rotating impeller 18 (see arrow R1) and receives a force from the impeller 18 to pull the changeover valve 21 back to the first switching state (see arrow C2 in FIG. 10 ), and pushes the first lid 23 back to the position where it closes the first discharge port 16. The contact point of the first rotor 43 with the impeller 18 is indicated by the symbol P.

On the other hand, the second rotor 44 (corresponding to the second contact rotor of the present invention) is disposed near the back surface (rear surface) of the first valve cover 23 and so that in the second switching state in which the second valve cover 24 closes the second outlet port 17, its central axis is located to the left (closer to the second valve cover 24) of the line connecting the central axis of the impeller 18 and the valve shaft portion 22 (central axis of the switching valve 21). Like the first rotor 43, in the second switching state in which the second valve cover 24 completely closes the second outlet port 17, it does not come into contact with the impeller 18. However, when the switching valve 21 swings in the direction in which the second valve cover 24 moves away from the second outlet port 17, it comes into contact with the outer circumferential surface of the rotating impeller 18 (rotating in the opposite direction to the first switching state) and receives a force from the impeller 18 that pulls the switching valve 21 back to the second switching state, pushing the second valve cover 24 back to a position in which the second outlet port 17 is closed.

The advantage of this embodiment is that when the first rotor 43 and the second rotor 44 come into contact with the impeller 18, they rotate (spin) within the retaining hole 42a of the flange portion 42. Therefore, according to this embodiment, the rotation of the contact means (rotating bodies 43, 44) can prevent wear on the impeller 18, compared to the structure in which the contact means (contact arm) comes into sliding contact with the rotating impeller 18 as in the first embodiment.

Third Embodiment
As shown in Figures 11 and 12, a pump 51 according to the third embodiment of the present invention is configured with two switching valves, namely, a first switching valve 52 that opens and closes the first outlet port 16 and a second switching valve 53 that opens and closes the second outlet port 17.

Specifically, in the pump 51 according to this embodiment, a first outlet 16 and a second outlet 17 are arranged side by side on the front inner peripheral surface of the pump chamber 14, as in the first embodiment, and a first switching valve 52 and a second switching valve 53 are disposed between these outlets 16, 17.

More specifically, if the rotation direction of the rotating flow generated inside the pump chamber 14 by the impeller 18 is clockwise R1 (as shown in FIG. 11) is the first rotation direction, if the rotation direction is counterclockwise R2 (as shown in FIG. 12) is the second rotation direction, the forward direction of the rotating flow is downstream, and the rearward direction of the rotating flow is upstream, then the first switching valve 52 is positioned upstream of the first discharge port 16 when the rotating flow is in the first rotation direction (downstream when the rotating flow is in the second rotation direction), and the second switching valve 53 is positioned downstream of the second discharge port 17 when the rotating flow is in the first rotation direction (upstream when the rotating flow is in the second rotation direction).

The first switching valve 52 also has a first shaft portion 61 that extends vertically parallel to the rotation axis of the impeller 18 and supports the first switching valve 52 so that it can swing, a flat first valve cover 62 that extends horizontally from the outer circumferential surface of the first shaft portion 61 so as to open and close the first discharge port 16, and a flat first valve opening plate 63 that extends horizontally from the outer circumferential surface of the first shaft portion 61 toward the impeller 18.

The first valve cover 62 and the first valve plate 63 are arranged to have a V-shaped planar shape that opens from the first shaft portion 61 toward the impeller 18 (widening toward the rear), and are arranged so that when the rotating flow is in the first rotation direction, the first valve cover 62 is on the downstream side and the first valve plate 63 is on the upstream side as shown in FIG. 11 (when the rotating flow is in the second rotation direction, the first valve cover 62 is on the upstream side and the first valve plate 63 is on the downstream side).

When the rotational flow is in the second rotation direction (see FIG. 12), the first valve opening plate 63 receives the pressure (flow) of the fluid and swings the first switching valve 52 (first valve cover 62) in the valve opening direction (the direction in which the first valve cover 62 moves away from the first discharge port 16). The first valve opening plate 63, which is pushed by the fluid rotating in the second rotation direction and swings in the valve opening direction, stops by abutting against the inner peripheral surface of the pump chamber 14, and the first switching valve 52 is in the fully open state (the state in which the first valve cover 62 is furthest from the first discharge port 16).

The tip of the first valve opening plate 63 is provided with a first valve closing maintaining portion 64 (corresponding to the first contact means of the present invention) that maintains the first switching valve 52 in a closed state when the first switching valve 52 is in a first switching state (a state in which the first switching valve 52 closes the first discharge port 16 and the second switching valve 53 opens the second discharge port 17). In the present embodiment, the first valve closing maintaining portion 64 comes into sliding contact with the outer circumferential surface of the impeller 18 when the first switching valve 52, which is in a closed state in the first rotational direction of the rotating flow, swings toward the valve opening direction (the direction in which the first valve cover 62 moves away from the first discharge port 16), and receives a force from the impeller 18 via the first valve opening plate 63 and the first shaft portion 61 to push the first valve cover 62 back into contact with the first discharge port 16.

In addition, by making the first closed valve maintaining portion 64 slide against the outer circumferential surface of the impeller 18 even when the first switching valve 52 is in a fully closed state (a state in which the first valve cover 62 is in contact with the first discharge port 16), it is possible to configure the first closed valve maintaining portion 64 to receive a force from the impeller 18 pressing the first valve cover 62 against the first discharge port 16 via the first valve open plate 63 and the first shaft portion 61.

The first valve cover 62 is further provided with a first open valve maintaining arm 65 that extends from the back surface (rear surface) of the first valve cover 62 toward the impeller 18 to maintain the first switching valve 52 in an open (fully open) state. When the first switching valve 52, which is in a fully open state in the second rotational direction of the rotating flow as shown in FIG. 12, swings toward the closing direction, the first open valve maintaining arm 65 slides against the outer circumferential surface of the impeller 18 and receives a force from the impeller 18 that pushes the first switching valve 52 back toward the fully open state.

It is also possible to configure the first open valve maintaining arm 65 so that it receives a force from the impeller 18 to maintain the first switching valve 52 in a fully open state (pressing the first open valve plate 63 against the inner surface 14a of the pump chamber 14) by sliding against the outer circumferential surface of the impeller 18 even when the first switching valve 52 is in a fully open state.

On the other hand, the second switching valve 53 has a second shaft portion 71 that extends vertically parallel to the rotation axis of the impeller 18 and supports the second switching valve 53 so that it can swing, a flat second valve cover 72 that extends horizontally from the outer circumferential surface of the second shaft portion 71 so as to open and close the second discharge port 17, and a flat second valve opening plate 73 that extends horizontally from the outer circumferential surface of the second shaft portion 71 toward the impeller 18.

The second valve cover 72 and the second valve plate 73 are arranged to have a V-shaped planar shape that opens from the second shaft portion 71 toward the impeller 18 (widening toward the rear) like the first changeover valve 52, but are arranged in the opposite direction to the first changeover valve 52, so that when the rotational flow is in the first rotational direction (see Figure 11), the second valve cover 72 is on the upstream side and the second valve plate 73 is on the downstream side (when the rotational flow is in the second rotational direction, the second valve cover 72 is on the downstream side and the second valve plate 73 is on the upstream side).

When the rotating flow becomes the first rotation direction, the second valve opening plate 73 receives the pressure (flow) of the fluid and swings the second switching valve 53 (second valve cover 72) in the valve opening direction (the direction in which the second valve cover 72 moves away from the second discharge port 17). The second valve opening plate 73, which is pushed by the fluid rotating in the first rotation direction and swings in the valve opening direction, stops by abutting against the inner circumferential surface 14a of the pump chamber 14, and the second switching valve 53 becomes fully open (the state in which the second valve cover 72 is furthest from the second discharge port 17).

The tip of the second valve opening plate 73 is provided with a second valve closing maintaining portion 74 (corresponding to the second contact means of the present invention) that maintains the second valve 53 in a closed state when the second switching state (a state in which the first switching valve 52 opens the first outlet 16 and the second switching valve 53 closes the second outlet 17) is in the second switching state. In the present embodiment, this second valve closing maintaining portion 74 slides against the outer circumferential surface of the impeller 18 when the second switching valve 53 in the closed state in the second rotational direction of the rotating flow swings toward the valve opening direction (the direction in which the second valve cover 72 moves away from the second outlet 17), and receives a force from the impeller 18 via the second valve opening plate 72 and the second shaft portion 71 to push the second valve cover 72 back to a state in contact with the second outlet 17.

It is also possible to configure the second closed valve maintaining portion 74 to be in sliding contact with the outer circumferential surface of the impeller 18 even when the second switching valve 53 is in a fully closed state (a state in which the second valve cover 72 is in contact with the second discharge port 17), so that the second closed valve maintaining portion 74 receives a force from the impeller 18 pressing the second valve cover 72 against the second discharge port 17 via the second valve opening plate 73 and the second shaft portion 71.

The second valve cover 72 is further provided with a second open valve maintaining arm 75 that extends from the back surface (rear surface) of the second valve cover 72 toward the impeller 18 to maintain the open (fully open) state of the second changeover valve 53. When the second changeover valve 53, which is in the fully open state in the first rotational direction of the rotating flow as shown in FIG. 11, swings toward the closing direction, the second open valve maintaining arm 75 slides against the outer circumferential surface of the impeller 18 and receives a force from the impeller 18 that pushes the second changeover valve 53 back toward the fully open state.

It is also possible to configure the second open valve maintaining arm 75 so that it receives a force from the impeller 18 to maintain the second switching valve 53 in a fully open state (pressing the second open valve plate 73 against the inner surface 14a of the pump chamber 14) by sliding against the outer circumferential surface of the impeller 18 even when the second switching valve 53 is in a fully open state.

The operation of the pump 51 in this embodiment will be explained.

First, as shown in FIG. 11, when the motor is driven to rotate the impeller 18 in the clockwise direction R1, fluid is sucked into the pump chamber 14 from the suction port 15 on the underside of the pump chamber 14, and a rotational flow in the same clockwise direction as the rotational direction R1 of the impeller 18 is generated inside the pump chamber 14. The first valve cover 62 of the first switching valve 52 receives this rotational flow and is pushed by the rotational flow to swing counterclockwise around the first shaft portion 61, and the first valve cover 62 is pressed against the front inner peripheral surface of the pump chamber 14, closing the first discharge port 16.

Meanwhile, the second switching valve 53 receives the rotating flow at the second valve opening plate 73 and is pushed by the rotating flow, causing it to swing counterclockwise around the second shaft portion 71, and the second valve cover 72 enters an open state in which it opens the second discharge port 17, and the fluid that has flowed into the pump chamber 14 from the suction port 15 is discharged from the second discharge port 17 to the outside through the second discharge pipe 17a.

In this first switching state, when the first changeover valve 52 swings clockwise, the first valve cover 62 moves away from the first discharge port 16, but the first valve closed maintaining portion 64 comes into contact with the rotating impeller 18, pushing the first changeover valve 52 (first valve cover 62) back counterclockwise, and the first valve cover 62 is again pressed against the front inner peripheral surface of the pump chamber 14, closing the first discharge port 16. This makes it possible to prevent valve leakage from the first discharge port 16.

In addition, in the first switching state, when the second switching valve 53 swings clockwise, the second valve cover 72 approaches the second discharge port 17, but the second valve open maintenance arm 75 comes into contact with the rotating impeller 18, causing the second switching valve 53 (second valve cover 72) to swing counterclockwise and be pushed back to the fully open state. This maintains the second discharge port 17 in the fully open state.

On the other hand, when the motor is rotated in the reverse direction as shown in FIG. 12 to rotate the impeller 18 in the counterclockwise direction R2, fluid is sucked into the pump chamber 14 from the intake port 15 on the underside of the pump chamber 14, and a counterclockwise rotational flow, which is the same as the rotational direction of the impeller 18, is generated inside the pump chamber 14. The second valve cover 72 of the second switching valve 53 receives this rotational flow and is pushed by the rotational flow to swing clockwise, and the second valve cover 72 closes the second discharge port 17. The first switching valve 52 also swings clockwise as the first valve opening plate 63 receives the rotational flow, and the first valve cover 62 is opened away from the first discharge port 16, and the fluid that has flowed into the pump chamber 14 from the intake port 15 is discharged from the first discharge port 16 to the outside through the first discharge pipe 16a.

In addition, in this second switching state, when the second changeover valve 53 swings counterclockwise, the second valve cover 72 moves away from the second discharge port 17, but the second valve closed maintaining portion 74 comes into contact with the rotating impeller 18, pushing the second changeover valve 53 (second valve cover 72) back counterclockwise, and the second valve cover 72 is again pressed against the front inner circumferential surface of the pump chamber 14, closing the second discharge port 17. This makes it possible to prevent valve leakage from the second discharge port 17.

In addition, in the second switching state, when the first switching valve 52 swings counterclockwise, the first valve cover 62 approaches the first discharge port 16, but the first open valve maintaining arm 65 comes into contact with the rotating impeller 18, pushing the first switching valve 52 (first valve cover 62) back to the fully open state. This maintains the first discharge port 16 in the fully open state.

The advantage of this embodiment is that the switching valve for switching between the discharge ports 16 and 17 is composed of two independent switching valves (first switching valve 52 and second switching valve 53), which increases the degree of freedom in the placement of the discharge ports 16 and 17.

In the first and second embodiments, switching is performed by a single switching valve 21, so the two discharge ports 16, 17 must be located relatively close to each other. However, according to this embodiment, it is possible to arrange the first discharge port 16 and the second discharge port 17 at any position on the periphery of the pump chamber, for example, on the opposite side of the impeller 18 from the first discharge port 16, as shown in FIG. 13, and the discharge direction of the fluid can be set in various directions.

A central axis (rotation axis)
B Line connecting the central axis of the impeller and the valve shaft portion (oscillating central axis of the changeover valve) P Contact point W1, W2 Fluid flow 11, 41, 51 Pump 12 Housing 13 Cover 13a Cylindrical portion 14 Pump chamber 14a Inner peripheral surface of pump chamber 15 Suction port 16 First discharge port 16a First discharge pipe 17 Second discharge port 17a Second discharge pipe 18 Impeller 18a Blades 18b Bottom plate portion 18c Top plate portion 19 Bearing member 19a Leg portion 21 Changeover valve 22 Valve shaft portion 23, 62 First valve cover 24, 72 Second valve cover 25 First contact arm 26 Second contact arm 31 Drive device (motor)
32 Rotor
33 Stator
34 Coil 35 Shaft 42 Flange portion 42a Holding hole 43 First rotating body 43a Central axis (rotation central axis) of first rotating body
44 Second rotating body 52 First changeover valve 53 Second changeover valve 61 First shaft portion 63 First valve opening plate 64 First valve closed maintaining portion 65 First valve open maintaining arm 71 Second shaft portion 73 Second valve opening plate 74 Second valve closed maintaining portion 75 Second valve open maintaining arm

Claims (17)

a pump chamber having a suction port for sucking in a fluid, a first discharge port for discharging the fluid, and a second discharge port for discharging the fluid;
an impeller that is disposed in the pump chamber and that generates a rotational flow of the fluid in the pump chamber by being rotated by a rotary drive device;
a switching valve that oscillates when receiving the rotating flow and discharges the fluid from either the first discharge port or the second discharge port depending on a rotation direction of the rotating flow,
The switching valve is
a first valve cover for opening and closing the first discharge port;
a second valve cover for opening and closing the second discharge port;
a valve stem portion that supports the first valve cover and the second valve cover so as to be able to swing;
When the rotating flow is in a first rotation direction, the valve swings under pressure of the fluid caused by the rotating flow, and enters a first switching state in which the first valve cover closes the first outlet port and the second valve cover opens the second outlet port.
a pump which oscillates under pressure of the fluid caused by the rotating flow when the rotating flow is in a second rotation direction opposite to the first rotation direction, and which enters a second switching state in which the second valve cover closes the second outlet port and the first valve cover opens the first outlet port,
a first contact means that, when the switching valve in the first switching state is swung toward the second switching state, comes into contact with a peripheral surface of the impeller, thereby receiving a force from the impeller to return the switching valve to the first switching state;
and second contact means that, when the changeover valve in the second switching state swings toward the first switching state, comes into contact with a peripheral surface of the impeller, thereby receiving a force from the impeller to return the changeover valve to the second switching state. The first contact means is
a first contact arm that extends from the second valve cover toward a peripheral surface of the impeller and receives a force to return to the first switching state by slidingly contacting the peripheral surface of the impeller;
The second contact means is
2. The pump according to claim 1, further comprising: a second contact arm extending from the first valve cover toward a peripheral surface of the impeller and receiving a force returning the impeller to the second switching state by sliding against the peripheral surface of the impeller. The pump according to claim 2 , wherein the first contact arm and the second contact arm are both lower in height than the first valve cover and the second valve cover. the first contact means is a first contact rotor that is rotatably held between the second valve cover and a peripheral surface of the impeller in the first switching state,
the first contact rotor rotates about its axis by contacting a peripheral surface portion of the impeller when the switching valve in the first switching state swings toward the second switching state, and receives a force from the impeller to return the first switching state;
the second contact means is a second contact rotor that is rotatably held between the first valve cover and a peripheral surface of the impeller in the second switching state,
2. The pump according to claim 1, wherein the second contact rotor rotates on its axis by coming into contact with a peripheral surface of the impeller when the switching valve in the second switching state swings toward the first switching state, and receives a force from the impeller to return the valve to the second switching state. The pump according to claim 4 , wherein the first contact rotor and the second contact rotor are both lower in height than the first valve cover and the second valve cover. a pump chamber having a suction port for sucking in a fluid, a first discharge port for discharging the fluid, and a second discharge port for discharging the fluid;
an impeller that is disposed in the pump chamber and that generates a rotational flow of the fluid in the pump chamber by being rotated by a rotary drive device;
a switching valve that oscillates when receiving the rotating flow and discharges the fluid from either the first discharge port or the second discharge port depending on a rotation direction of the rotating flow,
The switching valve is
a first valve cover for opening and closing the first discharge port;
a second valve cover for opening and closing the second discharge port;
a valve stem portion that supports the first valve cover and the second valve cover so as to be able to swing;
When the rotating flow is in a first rotation direction, the first valve cover swings under pressure of the fluid caused by the rotating flow, and enters a first switching state in which the first valve cover closes the first outlet port and the second valve cover opens the second outlet port.
a pump which oscillates under pressure of the fluid caused by the rotating flow when the rotating flow is in a second rotation direction opposite to the first rotation direction, and which enters a second switching state in which the second valve cover closes the second outlet port and the first valve cover opens the first outlet port,
a first contact means that, when the switching valve is in the first switching state, comes into contact with a peripheral surface of the impeller, thereby receiving a force from the impeller that presses the first valve cover against the first discharge port;
and second contact means that receives a force from the impeller pressing the second valve lid against the second discharge port by contacting a peripheral surface of the impeller when the changeover valve is in the second changeover state. The first contact means is
a first contact arm extending from the second valve cover toward a peripheral surface of the impeller and receiving a force from the impeller pressing the first valve cover against the first discharge port by slidingly contacting the peripheral surface of the impeller when the impeller is in the first switching state;
The second contact means is
7. The pump according to claim 6, further comprising a second contact arm extending from the first valve cover toward a peripheral surface of the impeller and receiving a force from the impeller pressing the second valve cover against the second discharge port by sliding against the peripheral surface of the impeller when the pump is in the second switching state. The first contact means is
a first contact rotor that is rotatably held between the second valve cover and a peripheral surface of the impeller, and that rotates on its own axis by contacting the peripheral surface of the impeller in the first switching state and receives a force from the impeller that presses the first valve cover against the first discharge port,
The second contact means is
7. The pump according to claim 6, further comprising a second contact rotor that is rotatably held between the first valve cover and a peripheral surface of the impeller, and that rotates on its own axis by contacting the peripheral surface of the impeller in the second switching state and receives a force from the impeller pressing the second valve cover against the second discharge port. Among the inner surfaces defining the pump chamber, when one inner surface in the direction of the rotation axis of the impeller is defined as a bottom surface and the inner surface in the direction perpendicular to the direction of the rotation axis is defined as a peripheral surface,
The suction port is formed on a bottom surface of the pump chamber,
The first discharge port and the second discharge port are formed in a peripheral surface of the pump chamber,
The pump according to claim 1 , wherein the changeover valve is provided so that the valve shaft portion is parallel to a rotation axis of the impeller. the valve shaft portion is disposed on a line connecting a substantial center between the first discharge port and the second discharge port and a rotation axis of the impeller,
The pump according to claim 9 , wherein the first valve cover and the second valve cover are provided so that their tips open in a V-shape toward the impeller, with the valve stem portion being a base end. a pump chamber having a suction port for sucking in a fluid, a first discharge port for discharging the fluid, and a second discharge port for discharging the fluid;
an impeller that is disposed in the pump chamber and that generates a rotational flow of the fluid in the pump chamber by being rotated by a rotary drive device;
a switching valve that oscillates by receiving the rotating flow and discharges the fluid from either the first discharge port or the second discharge port depending on a rotation direction of the rotating flow,
The switching valve is
A first switching valve supported to be swingable by a first shaft portion;
a second switching valve supported swingably on the second shaft portion,
The first switching valve is
a first valve cover that receives pressure of the fluid when the rotational flow is in a first rotation direction, thereby swinging the first switching valve and closing the first discharge port;
a first valve plate that receives pressure of the fluid and swings the first switching valve when the rotational flow is in a second rotational direction that is opposite to the first rotational direction, thereby opening the first discharge port that has been closed by the first valve lid,
The second switching valve is
a second valve cover that receives pressure of the fluid when the rotational flow is in the second rotation direction, thereby swinging the second switching valve and closing the second discharge port;
a second valve plate that receives pressure of the fluid and swings the second switching valve when the rotational flow is in the first rotation direction, thereby opening the second discharge port that has been closed by the second valve lid,
When a state in which the rotating flow is in the first rotation direction and the first valve cover closes the first outlet port and the second valve cover opens the second outlet port is defined as a first switching state, and when a state in which the rotating flow is in the second rotation direction and the second valve cover closes the second outlet port and the first valve cover opens the first outlet port is defined as a second switching state,
The first switching valve is
a first contact means that, when the first switching valve in the first switching state swings in a direction to open the first discharge port, comes into contact with a peripheral surface of the impeller, thereby receiving a force from the impeller to return the first discharge port in a direction to close the first discharge port,
The second switching valve is
a second contact means that receives a force from the impeller to return the second discharge port in a direction to close the second discharge port by coming into contact with a peripheral surface of the impeller when the second switching valve in the second switching state swings in a direction to open the second discharge port. the first valve plate extends toward a peripheral surface of the impeller and includes the first contact means at a tip thereof,
the first contact means receives a force from the impeller to return the impeller to the first switching state by slidingly contacting a peripheral surface of the impeller,
the second valve plate extends toward a peripheral surface of the impeller and includes the second contact means at a tip thereof,
The pump according to claim 11, wherein the second contact means receives a force from the impeller to return the impeller to the second switching state by slidingly contacting a peripheral surface of the impeller. a pump chamber having a suction port for sucking in a fluid, a first discharge port for discharging the fluid, and a second discharge port for discharging the fluid;
an impeller that is disposed in the pump chamber and that generates a rotational flow of the fluid in the pump chamber by being rotated by a rotary drive device;
a switching valve that oscillates by receiving the rotating flow and discharges the fluid from either the first discharge port or the second discharge port depending on a rotation direction of the rotating flow,
The switching valve is
A first switching valve supported to be swingable by a first shaft portion;
a second switching valve supported swingably on the second shaft portion,
The first switching valve is
a first valve cover that receives pressure of the fluid when the rotational flow is in a first rotation direction, thereby swinging the first switching valve and closing the first discharge port;
a first valve plate that receives pressure of the fluid and swings the first switching valve when the rotational flow is in a second rotational direction that is opposite to the first rotational direction, thereby opening the first discharge port that has been closed by the first valve lid,
The second switching valve is
a second valve cover that receives pressure of the fluid when the rotational flow is in the second rotation direction, thereby swinging the second switching valve and closing the second discharge port;
a second valve plate that receives pressure of the fluid and swings the second switching valve when the rotational flow is in the first rotation direction, thereby opening the second discharge port that has been closed by the second valve lid,
When a state in which the rotating flow is in the first rotation direction and the first valve cover closes the first outlet port and the second valve cover opens the second outlet port is defined as a first switching state, and when a state in which the rotating flow is in the second rotation direction and the second valve cover closes the second outlet port and the first valve cover opens the first outlet port is defined as a second switching state,
The first switching valve is
a first contact means that, when the first changeover valve is in the first changeover state, comes into contact with a peripheral surface of the impeller to receive a force from the impeller pressing the first valve cover against the first discharge port,
The second switching valve is
a second contact means that, when the second changeover valve is in the second changeover state, comes into contact with a peripheral surface of the impeller, thereby receiving a force from the impeller pressing the second valve lid against the second discharge port. the first valve plate extends toward a peripheral surface of the impeller and includes the first contact means at a tip thereof,
the first contact means receives a force from the impeller pressing the first valve cover against the first discharge port by slidingly contacting a peripheral surface of the impeller,
the second valve plate extends toward a peripheral surface of the impeller and includes the second contact means at a tip thereof,
The pump according to claim 13, wherein the second contact means receives a force from the impeller pressing the second valve cover against the second discharge port by slidingly contacting a peripheral surface of the impeller. The first switching valve is
a first valve open maintaining arm that receives a force from the impeller to fully open the first discharge port by sliding against a peripheral surface of the impeller when the first switching valve in the second switching state swings in a direction to close the first discharge port,
The second switching valve is
15. The pump according to claim 11, further comprising: a second open valve maintaining arm that receives a force from the impeller to pull the second discharge port in a direction to fully open the second discharge port by sliding against a peripheral surface of the impeller when the second switching valve in the first switching state swings in a direction to close the second discharge port. The first switching valve is
a first valve open maintaining arm that receives a force from the impeller to swing the first valve lid in a direction to fully open the first discharge port by slidingly contacting a peripheral surface portion of the impeller when the first changeover valve is in the second changeover state,
The second switching valve is
15. The pump according to claim 11, further comprising: a second open valve maintaining arm that receives a force from the impeller to oscillate the second valve lid in a direction to fully open the second discharge port by slidingly contacting a peripheral surface portion of the impeller when the second changeover valve is in the first changeover state. Among the inner surfaces defining the pump chamber, when one inner surface in the direction of the rotation axis of the impeller is defined as a bottom surface and the inner surface in the direction perpendicular to the direction of the rotation axis is defined as a peripheral surface,
The suction port is formed on a bottom surface of the pump chamber,
The first discharge port and the second discharge port are formed in a peripheral surface of the pump chamber,
The first shaft portion is provided in parallel with a rotation axis of the impeller, and the first switching valve is provided.
The pump according to claim 11 , further comprising the second switching valve arranged so that the second shaft portion is parallel to a rotation axis of the impeller.

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