JP7737709B2 - pump - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a pump, and in particular to a pump equipped with an integral switching valve for switching fluid flow paths.

In recent years, automotive heat exchange systems have become more complex. This is because, with the aim of achieving carbon neutrality, the electrification of automobiles has progressed, and the number of objects to be cooled has increased, not only within the vehicle interior but also to motors, batteries, and other areas.

Such heat exchange systems are equipped with a switching valve and a water pump to switch the cooling water circulation path depending on the operating conditions, ensuring efficient cooling (see, for example, Patent Documents 2 and 3 below).

Also, Patent Document 1 below is a document that discloses a pump that has a switching valve integrated into it and operates the switching valve using the driving force of an electric motor that drives an impeller.

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2007-113623 Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2008-213583 JP 2011-98628 A

By the way, switching valves and water pumps are usually used as a set, but in electric vehicles (EVs) and hybrid vehicles, heat exchange systems are often constructed by incorporating multiple sets of switching valves and water pumps, and each switching valve and water pump is equipped with a control motor.

Therefore, there is room for improvement in current heat exchange systems, such as integrating the switching valve and pump, or using a common motor to drive the switching valve and the pump, thereby simplifying the system and reducing space and energy consumption.

Meanwhile, Patent Document 1 above shows a pump equipped with an integrated switching valve. However, this pump is a two-position, three-way switching valve, and the switching valve is controlled between two positions: a default position and a full lift position. For this reason, the pump described in this document is limited to simply switching the outlet or suction port (selectively opening one of the two outlet or suction ports), and is not capable of more diverse control, such as simultaneously opening or closing two outlet ports, or having three or more outlet ports or two or more suction ports and switching the flow path between them.

Therefore, the object of the present invention is to enable more diverse flow path switching control in a pump with an integrated switching valve that switches flow paths using an electric motor that drives the pump.

[First Invention]
In order to solve the above problems and achieve the object, the pump of the first invention of the present application is a pump comprising: a pump chamber having an intake port for sucking in a fluid and two or more outlet ports for discharging the fluid; an electric motor capable of generating a rotational driving force in a first rotational direction and a rotational driving force in a second rotational direction that is opposite to the first rotational direction; an impeller rotatably provided within the pump chamber and driven to rotate by the electric motor, thereby generating a fluid flow that causes the fluid to flow from the intake port into the pump chamber and the fluid to flow out from the outlet port; and a switching valve having a valve body portion that opens and closes the outlet port and is driven to rotate by the electric motor via the impeller.

The valve body also has two or more blocking wall portions that close the discharge port and two or more openings that open the discharge port. These blocking wall portions and openings are arranged to surround the impeller and are arranged alternately circumferentially of the valve body so that the discharge port can be opened or closed depending on the rotational position (rotation angle) of the valve body. The two or more discharge ports are also formed on the inner surface of the pump chamber around the impeller, along the outer surface of the valve body. The pump also includes a one-way rotational transmission mechanism interposed between the impeller and the switching valve that transmits rotational drive force in the second rotational direction from the impeller to the switching valve, but does not transmit rotational drive force in the first rotational direction from the impeller to the switching valve.

The pump according to the first aspect of the present invention is a pump that is integrally equipped with a switching valve that switches the fluid flow path, and it is possible to drive the switching valve using the electric motor that drives the pump (impeller).

To drive the pump (impeller), the electric motor is rotated in a first rotational direction. The impeller receives rotational driving force from the electric motor and rotates in the first rotational direction. This rotation of the impeller draws fluid into the pump chamber through the intake port, and the drawn fluid is then discharged out of the pump chamber through the open discharge port. Note that this rotational driving force in the first rotational direction is not transmitted to the switching valve because a one-way rotation transmission mechanism is interposed between the impeller and the switching valve. Furthermore, in this application, rotation in the first rotational direction is sometimes referred to as "forward rotation," and rotation in the opposite second rotational direction is sometimes referred to as "reverse rotation."

To drive the switching valve (switch the flow path), the electric motor is rotated in the reverse direction (in the second rotation direction). When the electric motor is rotated in the reverse direction, the one-way rotation transmission mechanism interposed between the impeller and the switching valve transmits the rotational driving force in the second rotation direction from the impeller to the switching valve, causing the switching valve to rotate in the second rotation direction in response to this rotational driving force. This allows the flow path to be switched.

The valve body of the switching valve has a blocking wall portion that closes the discharge port and an aperture portion that opens the discharge port. These blocking wall portions and aperture portions are arranged to surround the impeller and are arranged (circumferentially) along the periphery of the valve body in a specific arrangement pattern (circumferential arrangement order, number of arrangements, and circumferential length of each blocking wall portion and aperture portion).

On the other hand, the discharge ports (two or more discharge ports) through which fluid flows out of the pump chamber are formed on the inner peripheral surface of the pump chamber around the impeller, along the outer peripheral surface of the valve body portion. The valve body portion rotates and slides while in contact with each discharge port (the edge of the discharge port); when the blocking wall portion faces the discharge port (when positioned where the discharge port is formed), the discharge port is closed, and when the opening portion faces the discharge port (when positioned where the discharge port is formed), the discharge port is opened.

The flow path switching state, i.e., which of the two or more outlets is open and which is closed, is determined by the rotational position (rotation angle) of the valve body. To detect the rotational position (rotation angle) of the valve body, a rotational angle sensor using, for example, a Hall element may be provided.

In addition, the type of switching state (multiple different switching states) that can be achieved can be set in various ways by changing the number of outlets and their positions, the number of blocking wall portions and aperture portions and their positions, the circumferential length of each blocking wall portion, etc.

For example, in the first embodiment described below, two discharge ports are provided at opposing positions across the rotation axis of the valve body, and the valve body is provided with three blocking wall portions and three aperture portions. This not only allows the fluid discharge port to be simply switched between the first discharge port and the second discharge port (realizing two switching states), but also allows four switching states to be realized: (1) a state in which the first discharge port is open and the second discharge port is closed (forming a flow path that discharges fluid that has flowed in from the suction port from the first discharge port); (2) a state in which the first discharge port is closed and the second discharge port is open (forming a flow path that discharges fluid that has flowed in from the suction port from the second discharge port); (3) a state in which both the first discharge port and the second discharge port are open (forming a flow path that discharges fluid that has flowed in from the suction port from both the first discharge port and the second discharge port); and (4) a state in which both the first discharge port and the second discharge port are closed (blocking of the flow path).

In addition to the first embodiment described above, according to the present invention (when the term "the present invention" is used in this application, it includes both the first invention described above and the second invention described below), various switching states other than the four switching states described above can be achieved, for example, by providing three or more outlets, providing four or more blocking wall portions or openings, or changing the length (circumferential length) of each blocking wall portion. For example, it is possible to provide three outlets and discharge fluid from any one, two, or three of these outlets, or to provide two or more suction ports and switch the suction port through which fluid flows in, as in the second invention and second embodiment described below.

The switching valve may have a support part that supports the valve disc part and rotates together with the valve disc part, and the one-way rotation transmission mechanism may be a one-way clutch (e.g., a cam clutch) located between the support part and the impeller. The one-way rotation transmission mechanism referred to in this invention is not limited to any particular type. In addition to one-way clutches, the one-way rotation transmission mechanism of this invention may be, for example, a ratchet mechanism or any other mechanism that transmits rotational force in one direction but not in the opposite direction.

In addition, in the first invention, it is preferable to provide a one-way rotation prevention mechanism that allows the switching valve to rotate in the second rotation direction while preventing it from rotating in the first rotation direction. This is to more reliably maintain the switching valve in a stopped state and maintain the current flow path switching state. More specifically, when the electric motor rotates in the first rotation direction to drive the pump (impeller), the rotational drive force in the first rotation direction is not transmitted to the switching valve due to the presence of the one-way rotation transmission mechanism. However, due to frictional forces generated between the impeller and the switching valve, the rotating impeller may drag the switching valve, causing it to rotate in the first rotation direction, and changing the flow path switching state. Therefore, to prevent this, it is preferable to provide the one-way rotation prevention mechanism.

In this aspect, the switching valve may include a support portion that supports the valve body portion and rotates together with the valve body portion, and the one-way rotation prevention mechanism may be provided between the support portion and the inner surface of the pump chamber. A ratchet mechanism, for example, may be used as the one-way rotation prevention mechanism.

In addition, in the first invention described above, the impeller and valve body portion may be arranged coaxially (in other words, the rotation axis of the impeller and the rotation axis of the valve body portion may be aligned).

Furthermore, in a typical embodiment of the first invention, the discharge port comprises a first discharge port and a second discharge port, each arranged at a position opposite to each other across the rotation axis of the valve body portion; the valve body portion has a first opening portion, a second opening portion, and a third opening portion as the aperture portion; and a first blocking wall portion, a second blocking wall portion, and a third blocking wall portion as the shielding wall portion; the first opening portion and the third opening portion are formed at positions opposite to each other across the rotation axis of the valve body portion; the second opening portion is formed between the first opening portion and the third opening portion in the circumferential direction of the valve body portion; the first blocking wall portion extends between the first opening portion and the second opening portion; the second blocking wall portion extends between the second opening portion and the third opening portion; and the third blocking wall portion extends between the third opening portion and the first opening portion.

In addition, in the first invention described above, when the direction parallel to the rotation axis of the impeller is defined as the up-down direction, the suction port may be provided on the bottom surface of the pump chamber below the impeller, and the electric motor may be provided above the impeller.

[Second Invention]
A pump according to a second aspect of the present invention has two or more suction ports for drawing fluid into a pump chamber, and is capable of opening, closing, or switching not only the discharge port but also these two or more suction ports.

Specifically, the pump includes a pump chamber having two or more intake ports for sucking in a fluid and two or more discharge ports for discharging the fluid, an electric motor capable of generating a rotational driving force in a first rotation direction and a rotational driving force in a second rotation direction opposite to the first rotation direction, an impeller rotatably provided within the pump chamber and driven to rotate by the electric motor to generate a flow of fluid that causes the fluid to flow from the intake port into the pump chamber and the fluid to flow out from the discharge port, and a switching valve having a first valve body portion for opening and closing the discharge port and a second valve body portion for opening and closing the intake port, the switching valve being driven to rotate by the electric motor via the impeller, and the first valve body portion having two valve bodies for closing the discharge port. the pump has the above-mentioned blocking wall portion and two or more openings that open the discharge port, the two or more blocking wall portions and the two or more openings are arranged to surround the impeller and are arranged alternately in the circumferential direction of the valve body portion so that the discharge port can be opened or closed depending on the rotational position of the valve body portion, the two or more discharge ports are formed on the inner peripheral surface of the pump chamber around the impeller so as to follow the outer peripheral surface of the valve body portion, the second valve body portion opens and closes the suction port by rotating together with the first valve body portion, and the pump is provided with a one-way rotation transmission mechanism that is interposed between the impeller and the switching valve and transmits the rotational driving force in the second rotation direction from the impeller to the switching valve, but does not transmit the rotational driving force in the first rotation direction from the impeller to the switching valve.

In the pump according to the second aspect of the present invention, the switching valve may have a support portion that supports the first and second valve portions and rotates together with them, and the one-way rotation transmission mechanism may be configured as a one-way clutch interposed between the support portion and the impeller.

Furthermore, for the same reasons as in the first invention, it is preferable that this second invention also include a one-way rotation prevention mechanism that allows the switching valve to rotate in the second rotation direction while preventing the switching valve from rotating in the first rotation direction.

In this case, the switching valve may have a support portion that supports the first and second valve portions and rotates together with the first and second valve portions, and the one-way rotation prevention mechanism may be constituted by a ratchet mechanism interposed between the support portion and the inner surface of the pump chamber.

Furthermore, the impeller, first valve body portion, and second valve body portion may be arranged coaxially (the rotation axis of the impeller, the rotation axis of the first valve body portion, and the rotation axis of the second valve body portion may be aligned).

In a typical embodiment of the second invention, the discharge port comprises a first discharge port and a second discharge port, each arranged at a position facing each other across the rotation axis of the first valve body portion; the first valve body portion has a first opening portion, a second opening portion, and a third opening portion as opening portions; and a first closing wall portion, a second closing wall portion, and a third closing wall portion as blocking wall portions; the first opening portion and the third opening portion are formed at positions facing each other across the rotation axis of the valve body portion; the second opening portion is formed between the first opening portion and the third opening portion in the circumferential direction of the valve body portion; the first blocking wall portion extends between the first opening portion and the second opening portion; the second blocking wall portion extends between the second opening portion and the third opening portion; and the third blocking wall portion extends between the third opening portion and the first opening portion.

In another aspect of the second invention, the second valve body has a cylindrical shape and is arranged coaxially with the first valve body, and has one or more blocking walls that close the suction port and one or more openings that open the suction port, with the blocking walls and openings arranged circumferentially of the second valve body so that the suction port can be opened or closed depending on the rotational position of the second valve body, and the pump has a cylindrical suction chamber that slidably and rotatably houses the second valve body, and the two or more suction ports open on the inner surface of the suction chamber.

In another aspect of the invention, when the direction parallel to the rotation axis of the impeller is defined as the up-down direction, the suction chamber may be provided on the underside of the pump chamber, and the electric motor may be provided above the impeller.

This invention enables more diverse flow path switching control in pumps with integrated switching valves that use an electric motor to drive the pump to switch flow paths.

Other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of the preferred embodiments of the present invention, which is based on the drawings. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the present invention is not limited to the following embodiments, and 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 a pump according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing the pump according to the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a horizontal end view (an end view taken along the line X1-X1 in FIG. 2) showing the pump according to the first embodiment. FIG. 4 is a horizontal end view (an end view taken along the line X2-X2 in FIG. 2) showing the pump according to the first embodiment. FIG. 5 is a horizontal end view (an end view taken along the line X1-X1 in FIG. 2) showing a first switching state by the switching valve of the pump according to the first embodiment. FIG. 6 is a horizontal end view (an end view taken along the line X1-X1 in FIG. 2) showing the second switching state of the switching valve of the pump according to the first embodiment. FIG. 7 is a horizontal end view (an end view taken along the line X1-X1 in FIG. 2) showing a third switching state by the switching valve of the pump according to the first embodiment. FIG. 8 is a horizontal end view (an end view taken along the line X1-X1 in FIG. 2) showing a fourth switching state by the switching valve of the pump according to the first embodiment. FIG. 9 is a horizontal end view (an end view taken along X1-X1 in FIG. 2) showing a modification of the pump according to the first embodiment. FIG. 10 is a horizontal end view (an end view taken along X1-X1 in FIG. 2) showing another modified example of the pump according to the first embodiment. FIG. 11 is a horizontal end view (an end view taken along X1-X1 in FIG. 2) showing yet another modified example of the pump according to the first embodiment. FIG. 12 is a perspective view showing a pump according to a second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 13 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing the pump according to the second embodiment. FIG. 14 is a horizontal end view (an end view taken along the line X3-X3 in FIG. 13) showing the first switching state by the switching valve of the pump according to the second embodiment. FIG. 15 is a horizontal end view (an end view taken along the line X3-X3 in FIG. 13) showing the second switching state of the switching valve of the pump according to the second embodiment. FIG. 16 is a horizontal end view (an end view taken along the line X3-X3 in FIG. 13) showing a third switching state by the switching valve of the pump according to the second embodiment. FIG. 17 is a horizontal end view (an end view taken along the line X3-X3 in FIG. 13) showing a fourth switching state by the switching valve of the pump according to the second embodiment. FIG. 18 is a horizontal end view (an end view of the X3-X3 cross section in FIG. 13) showing the first switching state by the switching valve of the modified example of the pump according to the second embodiment. FIG. 19 is a horizontal end view (an end view of the X3-X3 cross section in FIG. 13) showing the second switching state by the switching valve of the modified example of the pump according to the second embodiment. FIG. 20 is a horizontal end view (an end view of the X3-X3 cross section in FIG. 13) showing a third switching state by the switching valve of the modified example of the pump according to the second embodiment.

First Embodiment
As shown in FIGS. 1 to 4 , a pump 11 according to a first embodiment of the present invention includes a housing 12 having a pump chamber 13 therein, an impeller 21 rotatably installed inside the pump chamber 13, a suction pipe 15 for drawing fluid into the pump chamber 13, two discharge pipes (a first discharge pipe 16 and a second discharge pipe 17) having discharge ports P21 and P22 for discharging the fluid from the pump chamber 13, a changeover valve 31 for opening and closing the discharge ports P21 and P22, an electric motor 41 for driving the impeller 21 and the changeover valve 31 to rotate, a one-way clutch (one-way rotation transmission mechanism) 51 interposed between the impeller 21 and the changeover valve 31, a ratchet mechanism (one-way rotation prevention mechanism) 61 interposed between the changeover valve 31 and the housing 12 (an inner circumferential surface 13 a of the pump chamber 13), and a lid 14 for closing the top surface of the pump chamber 13.

The pump chamber 13 has a circular planar shape and a vertically rising annular inner peripheral surface 13a surrounding the impeller 21. The first discharge pipe 16 and the second discharge pipe 17 are arranged opposite each other with the pump chamber in between, and the first discharge port P21, which is the opening of the first discharge pipe 16 to the pump chamber 13, and the second discharge port P22, which is the opening of the second discharge pipe 17 to the pump chamber 13, are formed on the inner peripheral surface 13a of the pump chamber 13 so as to face each other with the central axis A of the pump chamber 13 in between.

The impeller 21 is positioned in the center of the pump chamber 13 so that its rotation axis A is vertical (vertical in Figure 2), and an intake port P11, which is the opening of the intake pipe 15 to the pump chamber 13, is formed below the impeller 21 (at the center of the bottom of the pump chamber 13). In this embodiment, the central axis A of the pump 11, the central axis A of the pump chamber 13, the central axis A of the intake pipe 15 (and intake port P11), the rotation axis A of the impeller 21, the rotation axis A of the rotor 42 (described below), and the rotation axis A of the switching valve 31 all extend vertically and coincide (overlap) with one another when viewed from a plane (vertical direction).

A motor 41 is provided above the impeller 21 to drive the impeller 21 and the switching valve 31. The motor 41 has a rotor 42 with the impeller 21 integrally attached to its lower end, and a stator 43 that includes a coil 44 and generates a magnetic field to rotate the rotor 42; these are covered by a resin molded cover 45 formed on the top surface of the lid 14. The rotor 42 is housed in a cylindrical portion 14a that protrudes upward from the center of the lid 14, which watertightly closes the top surface (upper surface) of the pump chamber 13, and the stator 43 is positioned outside the cylindrical portion 14a.

The rotor 42, impeller 21, and switching valve 31 are rotatably supported by a shaft 46 that extends vertically along the central axis A of the pump 11. This shaft 46 passes through the centers of the rotor 42, impeller 21, and switching valve 31. The upper end of the shaft 46 is fixed to the upper surface of the cylindrical portion 14a of the lid 14, and the lower end of the shaft 46 is fixed to a bearing member 47 located in the center of the suction port P11. The bearing member 47 is supported by legs 48 on the upper inner surface of the suction pipe 15.

The impeller 21 has a plurality of blades 24 extending radially from the rotation axis A between the bottom plate 23 and the top plate 22, and a cylindrical, bottomless, and open-topped base 25 extending vertically downward at the center of the underside of the bottom plate 23. The top plate 22, the bottom plate 23, and the blades 24 between them are referred to as the impeller main body.

A central hole communicating with the plateau 25 is formed in the center of the bottom plate 23, and the plateau 25 connects the interior of the impeller body (the space between the bottom plate 23 and the top plate 22) to the suction port P11. Therefore, fluid drawn into the pump chamber 13 from the suction port P11 as the impeller 21 rotates (see arrow W1 in Figure 2) flows through the plateau 25 and the central hole in the bottom plate 23 into the interior of the impeller body (the space between the bottom plate 23 and the top plate 22). The centrifugal force of the rotating impeller 21 causes the fluid to be expelled between the blades 24 toward the inner circumferential surface 13a of the pump chamber 13, and then discharged to the outside through the open discharge ports P21, P22 and the discharge pipes 16, 17 (see arrow W2 in Figure 2).

A switching valve 31 is provided around the impeller 21. The switching valve 31 has a cylindrical valve body 32 that surrounds the impeller main body, a support portion 33 that is cylindrical and surrounds the elevated portion 25, supporting the valve body 32 from below, and an arm portion 34 that extends from the lower end of the support portion 33 toward the shaft 46 and rotatably supports the support portion 33 (switching valve 31) on the shaft 46.

The valve body 32 typically has a cylindrical shape as in this embodiment, but may also have a truncated cone shape or a flattened barrel shape, for example. In that case, the pump chamber inner circumferential surface 13a around the valve body where the discharge ports P21, P22 are formed may have a shape that corresponds to the circumferential shape of the valve body 32 (expanding along the outer circumferential surface of the valve body 32) so that the valve body 32 can open and close the discharge ports P21, P22.

The valve body 32 has multiple blocking wall portions 26 (26a, 26b, 26c) and multiple openings 27 (27a, 27b, 27c) arranged circumferentially, and opens and closes the discharge ports P21 and P22 by sliding and rotating against the inner circumferential surface 13a of the pump chamber 13 as the switching valve 31 rotates (rotating while in contact with the inner circumferential surface 13a of the pump chamber 13).

More specifically, this embodiment includes three blocking wall portions 26 that close the discharge ports P21 and P22, namely, first blocking wall portion 26a, second blocking wall portion 26b, and third blocking wall portion 26c, and three opening portions 27 that open the discharge ports P21 and P22, namely, first opening portion 27a, second opening portion 27b, and third opening portion 27c. The first opening portion 27a and the third opening portion 27c are formed at opposing positions across the rotation axis A of the valve body portion 32, and the second opening portion 27b is formed between the first opening portion 27a and the third opening portion 27c in the circumferential direction of the valve body portion 32.

Furthermore, the first blocking wall portion 26a extends between the first opening portion 27a and the second opening portion 27b, the second blocking wall portion 26b extends between the second opening portion 27b and the third opening portion 27c, and the third blocking wall portion 26c extends between the third opening portion 27c and the first opening portion 27a. When the blocking wall portion 26 faces the discharge ports P21 and P22, the discharge ports are closed, and when the opening portion 27 faces the discharge ports P21 and P22, the discharge ports are opened. The opening and closing operation of the discharge ports P21 and P22 by the switching valve 31 will be described in detail later with reference to Figures 5 to 8.

The one-way clutch 51 interposed between the impeller 21 and the switching valve 31 allows both the impeller 21 and the switching valve 31 to be driven by a common motor 41; in this embodiment, a cam clutch is used (see Figure 4). More specifically, the cam clutch 51 is provided on the support portion 33 so as to be interposed between the plateau portion 25 of the impeller 21 and the support portion 33 surrounding the plateau portion 25, and transmits rotational force from the plateau portion 25 to the support portion 33 in the second rotational direction R2, but does not transmit rotational force in the first rotational direction R1.

Therefore, when the motor 41 is rotated forward and the impeller 21, which is integrated with the rotor 42, is rotated in the first rotational direction R1 (when the pump is driven), the rotational drive force of the motor 41 is not transmitted from the impeller 21 (base portion 25) to the switching valve 31 (support portion 33). However, when the motor 41 is rotated reversely and the impeller 21 is rotated in the second rotational direction R2 (when the switching valve 31 is driven/when the flow path is switched), the rotational drive force of the motor 41 is transmitted from the impeller 21 (base portion 25) to the switching valve 31 (support portion 33), and the switching valve 31 (and therefore the valve body portion 32) can be rotated in the second rotational direction R2.

On the other hand, the ratchet mechanism 61 interposed between the switching valve 31 and the inner surface 13a of the pump chamber 13 prevents the switching valve 31 from rotating in the first rotation direction R1.

Specifically, the ratchet mechanism 61 consists of multiple teeth 33a formed on the outer peripheral surface of the support portion 33 and a locking pin 62 extending from the inner peripheral surface 13a of the pump chamber 13 toward the support portion 33. When the support portion 33 rotates in the second rotational direction R2, the locking pin 62 moves outward and does not engage with the teeth 33a, allowing the support portion 33 (switching valve 31) to rotate in the second rotational direction R2. However, when the support portion 33 rotates in the first rotational direction R1, the locking pin 62 engages with the teeth 33a, preventing the support portion 33 (switching valve 31) from rotating in the first rotational direction R1.

By interposing the cam clutch 51 between the impeller 21 and the switching valve 31, the rotational driving force of the motor 41 is not transmitted to the switching valve 31 when the pump is operating (when the motor 41 is rotating forward). However, if only the cam clutch 51 were used, there is a risk that the switching valve 31 would be dragged by the rotating impeller 21 and rotate due to the friction between the impeller 21 and the switching valve 31 (cam clutch 51). In contrast, by providing the ratchet mechanism 61, it is possible to reliably maintain the switching valve 31 in a stopped state when the pump is operating, thereby maintaining the flow path switched state.

Furthermore, the teeth 33a of the ratchet mechanism 61 are configured to engage exactly with the locking pin 62 in each of the multiple switching states (first to fourth switching states) of the switching valve 31 described below.

The operation of the pump 11 according to this embodiment will be explained with reference to Figures 5 to 8.

[First switching state]
5 shows the first switching state of the pump 11 according to this embodiment, in which the second opening 27b of the valve body 32 faces directly opposite the first discharge port P21, thereby opening the first discharge port P21, and the third blocking wall 26c of the valve body 32 closes the second discharge port P22. Therefore, when the pump 11 is driven in this first switching state (the motor 41 is rotated forward), the rotation of the impeller 21 causes fluid to be sucked into the pump chamber 13 from the suction port P11, and the fluid passes through the second opening 27b and the first discharge port P21 and is discharged from the first discharge pipe 16 (see arrow W2).

Note that Figure 5 includes a small schematic diagram showing the flow path in the upper right corner, which shows that a flow path is formed from the intake port P11 to the first discharge port P21 (similar schematic diagrams are also shown in Figures 6 to 8 and Figures 14 to 20 of the second embodiment, which will be described later).

Furthermore, while Figures 2 and 3 show a structure in which the valve body portion 32 (shielding wall portion 26) contacts not only the edges of the discharge ports P21 and P22 but also the inner circumferential surface 13a between the first discharge port P21 and the second discharge port P22, Figures 5 to 8 show a structure in which the edges of the discharge ports P21 and P22 protrude toward the center of the pump chamber 13, and the valve body portion 32 (shielding wall portion 26) contacts only the edges of the discharge ports and does not contact other parts of the pump chamber inner circumferential surface 13a (the inner circumferential surface 13a between the first discharge port P21 and the second discharge port P22), but either of these structures may be adopted in the present invention, this embodiment, and the second embodiment described below.

However, when adopting a structure in which the valve body 32 contacts only the edges of the discharge ports P21, P22 as shown in Figures 5 to 8, in order to prevent some of the fluid flowing from the opening 27 toward the discharge ports P21, P22 from leaking into the gap between the valve body 32 and the pump chamber inner circumferential surface 13a, it is preferable to configure the opening 27 of the valve body 32 to be smaller than the discharge ports P21, P22 and to be located inside the edges of the discharge ports P21, P22 when facing them.

Furthermore, in the first switching state, the locking pin 62 of the ratchet mechanism 61 described above is engaged with the teeth 33a (as shown in Figure 4), and the switching valve 31 (support portion 33) does not rotate in the first rotation direction R1 even when the impeller 21 (high base portion 25) rotates. The same applies to the second to fourth switching states described below.

[Second switching state]
FIG. 6 shows the second switching state of the pump 11 according to this embodiment. This second switching state is a state in which the switching valve 31 is rotated 180° counterclockwise (toward the second rotation direction R2) from the first switching state.

To rotate the switching valve 31, the motor 41 is driven in the reverse direction as described above, causing the impeller 21 to rotate in the second rotation direction R2. This causes the cam clutch 51 provided between the platform 25 (impeller 21) and the support portion 33 (switching valve 31) to transmit the rotational drive force in the second rotation direction R2 from the platform 25 to the support portion 33, causing the switching valve 31 (valve body portion 32) to rotate counterclockwise. When the switching valve 31 is driven, an angle sensor (not shown) detects the rotation angle of the switching valve 31, and the driving of the motor 41 is stopped when the switching valve 31 has rotated 180°.

In this second switching state, the second opening 27b faces the second discharge port P22, opening the second discharge port P22, and the third blocking wall 26c closes the first discharge port P21, forming a flow path from the suction port P11 to the second discharge port P22. When the pump 11 is driven in this second switching state, fluid is sucked into the pump chamber 13 from the suction port P11, passes through the second opening 27b and the second discharge port P22, and is discharged from the second discharge pipe 17 (see arrow W3).

[Third switching state]
Figure 7 shows the third switching state of the pump 11 according to this embodiment. In this third switching state, the switching valve 31 is rotated 270° counterclockwise (towards the second rotation direction R2) from the first switching state.

In this third switching state, the first opening 27a faces the first discharge port P21 and the third opening 27c faces the second discharge port P22, opening both the first discharge port P21 and the second discharge port P22, forming a flow path from the suction port P11 to both the first discharge port P21 and the second discharge port P22. Therefore, when the pump 11 is driven in this third switching state, fluid drawn into the pump chamber 13 from the suction port P11 is discharged from both the first discharge pipe 16 and the second discharge pipe 17 (see arrows W2 and W3).

[Fourth switching state]
Figure 8 shows the fourth switching state of the pump 11 according to this embodiment. This fourth switching state is a state in which the switching valve 31 is rotated 210° counterclockwise (towards the second rotation direction R2) from the first switching state.

In this fourth switching state, the first discharge port P21 is closed by the first blocking wall portion 26a, and the second discharge port P22 is closed by the third blocking wall portion 26c, resulting in a closed valve state in which the flow path is blocked.

In this way, according to this embodiment, it is not only possible to simply switch the flow path (outlet) between the first outlet P21 and the second outlet P22, but it is also possible to simultaneously eject fluid from both the first outlet P21 and the second outlet P22 (third switching state) or to block the flow path (fourth switching state).

The discharge ports (discharge pipes) can be arranged in various positions, such as when the first discharge port P21 (first discharge pipe 16) and the second discharge port P22 (second discharge pipe 17) are arranged at a 90° angle to each other as shown in Figure 9, or when they are arranged at an angle less than or greater than 90°. The number of discharge ports (discharge pipes) can also be varied, for example, with three discharge ports P21, P22, and P23 as shown in Figure 10, or four discharge ports P21, P22, P23, and P24 as shown in Figure 11, or five or more discharge ports.

Furthermore, by appropriately modifying the valve body portion 32, such as increasing or decreasing the number of blocking wall portions 26 and aperture portions 27 or changing the circumferential length of the blocking wall portion 26, depending on the combination of flow paths (switching states) to be formed, it is possible to construct pumps based on the present invention that have various switching states in addition to this embodiment and the second embodiment described below.

Second Embodiment
As shown in FIGS. 12 to 17, a pump 71 according to a second embodiment of the present invention, like the pump 11 of the first embodiment, comprises a housing 12 having a pump chamber 13 therein, an impeller 21 rotatably installed inside the pump chamber 13, two discharge pipes (a first discharge pipe 16 and a second discharge pipe 17) having discharge ports P21 and P22 for discharging fluid from the pump chamber 13, a switching valve 31 for opening and closing the discharge ports P21 and P22, a motor 41 for rotating the impeller 21 and the switching valve 31, and a valve 31 interposed between the impeller 21 and the switching valve 31. The pump 11 of the first embodiment is equipped with a one-way clutch 51, a ratchet mechanism interposed between the switching valve 31 and the housing 12 (the inner peripheral surface 13a of the pump chamber 13), and a cover 14 that closes the top surface of the pump chamber 13, thereby enabling switching between the discharge ports P21 and P22. However, unlike the pump 11 of the first embodiment, the pump 11 of the second embodiment is equipped with a plurality of suction pipes 73 and 74 (two in this embodiment) that draw fluid into the pump chamber 13, enabling switching between the plurality of suction ports P11 and P12 that correspond to these plurality of suction pipes 73 and 74. Hereinafter, the same components as those of the first embodiment will be assigned the same reference numerals, and redundant explanations will be omitted, with the differences being mainly described.

In this embodiment, the switching valve 31 has a first valve body 32 that has a structure similar to the valve body 32 in the first embodiment and is therefore capable of opening and closing the first discharge port P21 and the second discharge port P22. In addition, the switching valve 31 has a second valve body 35 that opens and closes the suction ports P11 and P12. The bottom of the pump chamber 13 is provided with a suction chamber 72 that communicates with the pump chamber 13, and the second valve body 35 is disposed within this suction chamber 72. Furthermore, in this embodiment, a shaft 46 extends to the bottom of the suction chamber 72 and passes through the second valve body 35 to rotatably support the second valve body 35. The lower end of the shaft 46 is supported on the bottom of the suction chamber 72.

The second valve body 35 has a cylindrical shape with one blocking wall 75 and one opening 76. It is integral with the first valve body 32 and the support member 33 and rotates together with the first valve body 32. The suction chamber 72, on the other hand, is cylindrical with a bottom and no lid, and has a vertically extending inner circumferential surface 72a. The inner circumferential surface 72a of the suction chamber 72 is formed with a first suction port P11 and a second suction port P12, which face each other across the central axis of the suction chamber 72. The first suction port P11 and the second suction port P12 are opened and closed as the second valve body 35 slides and rotates within the suction chamber 72. That is, when the opening 76 of the second valve body 35 faces the suction ports P11 and P12, the suction ports are opened. When the blocking wall 75 of the second valve body 35 faces the suction ports P11 and P12, the suction ports are closed.

The suction chamber 72 and second valve body 35 are arranged coaxially with the pump chamber 13, impeller 21, rotor 42, and first valve body 32, and the central axis of the suction chamber 72 and the rotation axis A of the second valve body 35 both extend vertically and coincide with the central axis A of the pump chamber 13 and the rotation axes A of the impeller 21, rotor 42, and first valve body 32 when viewed from a plan view (vertically).

The first and second suction pipes 73 and 74 extend vertically downward from the outer circumferential surfaces of both radial ends of the suction chamber 72, with the upper ends of each suction pipe 73, 74 fixed to the outer circumferential surface of the suction chamber 72. At these fixed portions, holes formed to penetrate horizontally through the side walls of the suction pipes 73, 74 are connected to holes formed to penetrate horizontally through the side wall of the suction chamber 72, thereby communicating the suction pipes 73, 74 with the suction chamber 72. The suction ports P11 and P12 are formed by the holes formed to penetrate the side walls of the suction chamber 72.

The operation of the pump 71 in this embodiment is as follows:

[First switching state]
14 shows the first switching state of the pump 71 according to this embodiment, in which the opening 76 of the second valve body 35 faces the first suction port P11, thereby opening the first suction port P11, and the blocking wall 75 of the second valve body 35 faces the second suction port P12, thereby closing the second suction port P12. In this first switching state, the first valve body 32 is in the first switching state shown in FIG.

Therefore, when the pump 71 is driven (the motor 41 is rotated forward) in this first switching state, fluid is drawn into the pump chamber 13 from the first suction port P11 (first suction pipe 73) through the suction chamber 72 (see arrow W4), and the fluid is discharged from the first discharge pipe 16 through the second opening 27b (see Figure 5) of the first valve body 32 and the first discharge port P21.

[Second switching state]
15 shows a second switching state of the pump according to this embodiment, in which the switching valve 31 is rotated 180° counterclockwise (in the second rotation direction R2) from the first switching state. When the switching valve 31 is driven, the rotation angle of the switching valve 31 is detected by an angle sensor (not shown) as in the first embodiment, and the driving of the motor 41 is stopped at the position where the switching valve 31 is rotated 180°.

In this second switching state, the opening 76 of the second valve body 35 faces the second suction port P12, opening the second suction port P12, and the blocking wall 75 of the second valve body 35 faces the first suction port P11, closing the first suction port P11. Furthermore, since the first valve body 32 and the second valve body 35 rotate integrally (together), in this second switching state the first valve body 32 is in the second switching state shown in FIG. 6 above.

When the pump 71 is driven in this second switching state, fluid is drawn into the pump chamber 13 through the second intake port P12 (second intake pipe 74) and the intake chamber 72 (see arrow W5), and the fluid is discharged from the second discharge pipe 17 through the second opening 27b (see Figure 6) of the first valve body 32 and the second discharge port P22.

[Third switching state]
Figure 16 shows the third switching state of the pump 71 according to this embodiment. This third switching state is a state in which the switching valve 31 is rotated 270° counterclockwise (towards the second rotation direction R2) from the first switching state.

In this third switching state, the opening 76 of the second valve body 35 opens both the first intake port P11 and the second intake port P12. The first valve body 32 is also in the third switching state shown in Figure 7 above.

When the pump 71 is driven in this third switching state, fluid is drawn into the pump chamber 13 through the suction chamber 72 from both the first suction port P11 (first suction pipe 73) and the second suction port P12 (second suction pipe 74) (see arrows W4 and W5), and the fluid is discharged from both discharge pipes 16 and 17. In other words, fluid is discharged from the first discharge pipe 16 through the first opening 27a (see FIG. 7) of the first valve body 32 and the first discharge port P21, and fluid is discharged from the second discharge pipe 17 through the third opening 27c of the first valve body 32 and the second discharge port P22.

[Fourth switching state]
Figure 17 shows the fourth switching state of the pump according to this embodiment, and this fourth switching state is a state in which the switching valve 31 is rotated 210° counterclockwise (towards the second rotation direction R2) from the first switching state.

In this fourth switching state, the second intake port P12 is open, but the first valve body 32 is in the fourth switching state shown in Figure 8, the first discharge port P21 is closed by the first blocking wall 26a, and the second discharge port P22 is closed by the third blocking wall 26c, resulting in a closed valve state in which all flow paths are blocked.

Figures 18 to 20 show modified examples of this embodiment.

In this modified example, the relative positional relationship (rotational positional relationship) between the first valve body portion 32 and the second valve body portion 35 is changed, so that when the first valve body portion 32 is in the first switching state shown in Figure 5, the second valve body portion 35 is rotated 90 degrees counterclockwise relative to the second embodiment (Figure 14), as shown in Figure 18.

According to this modified example, in the first switching state shown in FIG. 18, both suction ports P11 and P12 are open, and fluid flows into the pump chamber 13 from both suction pipes 73 and 74 (see arrows W4 and W5). Then, fluid is discharged from the first discharge pipe 16 through the second opening 27b (see FIG. 5) of the first valve body 32 and the first discharge port P21.

Furthermore, in the second switching state in which the switching valve 31 is rotated 180° counterclockwise (in the second rotation direction R2) from the first switching state, as shown in FIG. 19, both suction ports P11, P12 are opened, and fluid flows into the pump chamber 13 from both suction pipes 73, 74 (see arrows W4, W5), just as in the first switching state. However, the discharge port has been switched to the second discharge port P22 by the first valve body portion 32 (see FIG. 6), which is in the second switching state, and fluid is discharged from the second discharge pipe 17.

Furthermore, in the third switching state, which is obtained by rotating the valve 270° counterclockwise (in the second rotation direction) from the first switching state, the first intake port P11 is open and the second intake port P12 is closed, as shown in FIG. 20. The first valve body 32 is also in the third switching state (see FIG. 7) in which both outlet ports P21, P22 are open. Therefore, fluid flows from the first intake pipe P11 into the pump chamber 13 (see arrow W4) and is discharged from both discharge pipes (the first discharge pipe 16 and the second discharge pipe 17).

In the fourth switching state, which is achieved by rotating 210° counterclockwise (in the second rotation direction) from the first switching state, both discharge ports P21, P22 are closed by the first valve body (see Figure 8), resulting in a closed valve state in which the flow path is blocked, similar to the second embodiment.

In this way, by changing the relative positional relationship between the first valve body 32 that opens and closes the discharge ports P21 and P22 and the second valve body 35 that opens and closes the suction ports P11 and P12, it is possible to configure a pump that can achieve different switching states.

A rotation axis (central axis)
P11 Inlet (1st inlet)
P12 Second intake port P21 First discharge port P22 Second discharge port P23, P24 Discharge ports W1, W2, W3, W4, W5 Fluid flow 11, 71 Pump 12 Housing 13 Pump chamber 13a Inner peripheral surface of pump chamber 14 Lid 14a Cylindrical portion of lid 15 Suction pipe 16 First discharge pipe 17 Second discharge pipe 21 Impeller 22 Top plate portion 23 Bottom plate portion 24 Blades 25 Platform portion 26, 75 Shielding wall portion 26a First shielding wall portion 26b Second shielding wall portion 26c Third shielding wall portion 27, 76 Opening portion 27a First opening portion 27b Second opening portion 27c Third opening portion 31 Switching valve 32 Valve body portion (first valve body portion)
33 Support portion 33a Teeth 34 Arm portion 35 Second valve body portion 41 Electric motor
42 rotor
43 Stator
44 Coil 45 Resin mold cover 46 Shaft 47 Bearing member 48 Leg 51 One-way clutch (cam clutch)
61 Ratchet mechanism 62 Locking pin 72 Suction chamber 73 First suction pipe 74 Second suction pipe

Claims (15)

a pump chamber having an intake port for sucking in a fluid and two or more discharge ports for discharging the fluid;
an electric motor capable of generating a rotational driving force in a first rotational direction and a rotational driving force in a second rotational direction opposite to the first rotational direction;
an impeller that is rotatably provided within the pump chamber and is rotationally driven by the electric motor to cause the fluid to flow from the suction port into the pump chamber and then flow out of the fluid from the discharge port;
a switching valve having a valve body portion that opens and closes the discharge port and that is rotationally driven by the electric motor via the impeller,
The valve body portion is
two or more blocking wall portions that close the discharge port;
and two or more openings that open the discharge port,
the two or more blocking wall portions and the two or more opening portions are arranged so as to surround the impeller, and are arranged alternately in a circumferential direction of the valve body portion so as to open or close the discharge port depending on a rotational position of the valve body portion,
the two or more discharge ports are formed on an inner peripheral surface of the pump chamber around the impeller so as to follow an outer peripheral surface of the valve body portion,
The pump
a one-way rotation transmission mechanism interposed between the impeller and the switching valve, which transmits the rotational drive force in the second rotation direction from the impeller to the switching valve, but does not transmit the rotational drive force in the first rotation direction from the impeller to the switching valve. the switching valve has a support portion that supports the valve body portion and rotates together with the valve body portion,
The pump according to claim 1 , wherein the one-way rotation transmission mechanism is a one-way clutch provided between the support portion and the impeller. The pump according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising a one-way rotation prevention mechanism that allows the switching valve to rotate in the second rotation direction, but prevents the switching valve from rotating in the first rotation direction. the switching valve has a support portion that supports the valve body portion and rotates together with the valve body portion,
The pump according to claim 3 , wherein the one-way rotation prevention mechanism is a ratchet mechanism provided so as to be interposed between the support portion and the inner surface of the pump chamber. The pump according to claim 1 , wherein the impeller and the valve body are arranged coaxially. the discharge port includes a first discharge port and a second discharge port, which are respectively disposed at positions opposite to each other across the rotation axis of the valve body portion;
The valve body portion is
The openings include a first opening, a second opening, and a third opening,
The shielding wall portion includes a first shielding wall portion, a second shielding wall portion, and a third shielding wall portion,
the first opening and the third opening are formed at positions opposite to each other across a rotation axis of the valve body,
the second opening is formed between the first opening and the third opening in the circumferential direction of the valve body,
the first shielding wall portion extends between the first opening portion and the second opening portion,
the second shielding wall portion extends between the second opening portion and the third opening portion,
The pump according to claim 1 , wherein the third blocking wall portion extends between the third opening and the first opening. When the direction parallel to the rotation axis of the impeller is defined as the up-down direction,
The suction port is provided on a bottom surface of the pump chamber below the impeller,
The pump according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the electric motor is provided above the impeller. a pump chamber having two or more intake ports for sucking in a fluid and two or more discharge ports for discharging the fluid;
an electric motor capable of generating a rotational driving force in a first rotational direction and a rotational driving force in a second rotational direction opposite to the first rotational direction;
an impeller that is rotatably provided within the pump chamber and is rotationally driven by the electric motor to cause the fluid to flow from the suction port into the pump chamber and then flow out of the fluid from the discharge port;
a switching valve having a first valve body portion that opens and closes the discharge port and a second valve body portion that opens and closes the suction port, the switching valve being rotationally driven by the electric motor via the impeller,
The first valve body portion is
two or more blocking wall portions that close the discharge port;
and two or more openings that open the discharge port,
the two or more blocking wall portions and the two or more opening portions are arranged so as to surround the impeller, and are arranged alternately in a circumferential direction of the valve body portion so as to open or close the discharge port depending on a rotational position of the valve body portion,
the two or more discharge ports are formed on an inner peripheral surface of the pump chamber around the impeller so as to follow an outer peripheral surface of the valve body portion,
the second valve body portion rotates together with the first valve body portion to open and close the suction port;
The pump
a one-way rotation transmission mechanism interposed between the impeller and the switching valve, which transmits the rotational drive force in the second rotation direction from the impeller to the switching valve, but does not transmit the rotational drive force in the first rotation direction from the impeller to the switching valve. the switching valve has a support portion that supports the first valve body portion and the second valve body portion and rotates together with the first valve body portion and the second valve body portion,
The pump according to claim 8 , wherein the one-way rotation transmission mechanism is a one-way clutch provided so as to be interposed between the support portion and the impeller. The pump according to claim 8 or 9, further comprising a one-way rotation prevention mechanism that allows the switching valve to rotate in the second rotation direction, but prevents the switching valve from rotating in the first rotation direction. the switching valve has a support portion that supports the first valve body portion and the second valve body portion and rotates together with the first valve body portion and the second valve body portion,
The pump according to claim 10, wherein the one-way rotation prevention mechanism is a ratchet mechanism provided so as to be interposed between the support portion and the inner surface of the pump chamber. The pump according to any one of claims 8 to 11, wherein the impeller, the first valve body portion, and the second valve body portion are arranged coaxially. the discharge port includes a first discharge port and a second discharge port, which are respectively arranged at positions opposite to each other across the rotation axis of the first valve body portion;
The first valve body portion is
The openings include a first opening, a second opening, and a third opening,
The shielding wall portion includes a first shielding wall portion, a second shielding wall portion, and a third shielding wall portion,
the first opening and the third opening are formed at positions opposite to each other across a rotation axis of the valve body,
the second opening is formed between the first opening and the third opening in the circumferential direction of the valve body,
the first shielding wall portion extends between the first opening portion and the second opening portion,
the second shielding wall portion extends between the second opening portion and the third opening portion,
The pump according to any one of claims 8 to 12, wherein the third blocking wall portion extends between the third opening and the first opening. The second valve body portion is
It has a cylindrical shape,
The valve body is provided coaxially with the first valve body portion,
the air intake includes one or more blocking wall portions that close the air intake port and one or more opening portions that open the air intake port;
the blocking wall portion and the opening portion are arranged along the circumferential direction of the second valve body portion so as to open or close the suction port depending on the rotational position of the second valve body portion;
the pump has a cylindrical suction chamber that accommodates the second valve body portion so as to be slidable and rotatable,
The pump according to any one of claims 8 to 13, wherein the two or more suction ports open to an inner circumferential surface of the suction chamber. When the direction parallel to the rotation axis of the impeller is defined as the up-down direction,
The suction chamber is provided on a lower surface of the pump chamber,
The pump according to claim 14, wherein the electric motor is provided above the impeller.