EP3001035B1 - Membrane pump - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a diaphragm pump with a pump housing, to which a disposable cell is releasably fixable, which has a first and a second cell wall, which define a working space between them, and with a working diaphragm, which is in driving connection with an oscillating lifting drive and on its remote from the lifting drive membrane flat side with the flexible first cell wall is detachably coupled.

Diaphragm pumps for conveying and dosing liquids are used in a wide variety of designs. Especially in applications in the health and research area high demands are placed on such diaphragm pumps.

In order to avoid cross-contamination of different fluids, clean and often germ-free Fluidpf ade are indispensable. In order to ensure the cleanliness and sterility of the fluid paths in the previously known diaphragm pumps, these diaphragm pumps must be laboriously cleaned or even sterilized. These cleaning and sterilization processes often present users with major challenges in particular because the effort for quality control is associated with enormous effort and residual uncertainty. The latter must be constantly monitored and reduced to a minimum with additional checks and random checks. The effort required for cleaning and sterilization can drive up the costs associated with the operation of such diaphragm pumps. The resulting interruptions in the production or research process are undesirable and should be reduced to a minimum.

An efficient way to replace the fluid-carrying paths of a pump system in a short time while ensuring that the entire pump system is clean and possibly even sterile ready, provides the use of fast-changing components, such as hoses, fittings and the fluid-carrying components the pump head of a diaphragm pump.

The market already offers a wide selection of hoses and accessories available as disposable components.

From the EP 0 307 069 B1 already a membrane pump of the type mentioned is known in the prior art, in which the fluid-carrying components of the diaphragm pump are provided in a rapidly exchangeable disposable or disposable cell. The previously known diaphragm pump has a pump housing to which the disposable cell is detachably fixable. This disposable cell has a first and a second cell wall, which define a working space between them. The previously known diaphragm pump has a working diaphragm, which is in drive connection with an oscillating lifting drive. This working diaphragm can be releasably coupled on its side facing away from the lifting drive membrane flat side with the flexible first cell wall. It looks one of the in EP 0 307 069 B1 illustrated versions of the prior art diaphragm pump, that the arranged between the working diaphragm and the first cell wall dead space is connected via a guided through the working membrane outlet with a arranged outside the diaphragm pump check valve. Although this check valve allows outflow of air compressed between the working membrane and the first cell wall, but at the same time prevents backflow of air in the remaining between the working membrane and the first cell wall dead space. Thus, the first cell wall of the disposable cell and the working membrane are held together by vacuum or by adhesive forces and coupled together. Since the discharge line led through the working membrane, which extends up to the non-return valve arranged outside the previously known diaphragm pump, is comparatively long, there is always a certain residual volume of air in this outlet line, which expands again during suction and is arranged in the between the working membrane and the first cell wall Dead space can get. As a result, not all, produced by the working membrane volume is drawn into the arranged between the cell walls of the disposable working space, which increases the efficiency and accuracy of EP 0 307 069 B1 Reduced previously known diaphragm pump and can also lead to this membrane pump can not even suck itself. However, self-priming capability is a significant advantage of diaphragm pumps as compared to, for example, centrifugal pumps.

The EP 0 055 467 is considered to be the closest prior art and discloses the features of the preamble of claim 1.

In the diaphragm pump mentioned above, therefore, one of the objects is to provide a diaphragm pump in which the harmful volume in the dead space between working diaphragm and flexible first cell wall as low as possible or practically zero.

The solution of this object is in the diaphragm pump of the type mentioned in particular that at least one outlet channel is provided with a arranged within the working membrane Rückflussbehinderer or backflow preventer in the working membrane for emptying the disposed between her and the first cell wall dead space.

The diaphragm pump according to the invention has a working diaphragm which has a reflux obstruction or backflow preventer within the at least one outlet channel arranged in the working diaphragm. The working diaphragm, which is separated from the fluid-carrying working space by the first cell wall of the disposable cell serving as a barrier membrane, is set into the suction stroke and the pressure stroke by the oscillating lifting drive. The first cell wall of the disposable cell serving as a barrier membrane rests directly on the surface of the working membrane and conforms to the membrane surface of the working membrane. During the pressure stroke, the flexible first cell wall is stretched to the top dead center by the upward movement of the working diaphragm, which is why it can optimally rest against the surface of the working diaphragm due to the resulting tensile stress. In order for the first cell wall to be able to optimally rest against the membrane surface of the working diaphragm, the air remaining in the intermediate dead space must be displaced or removed. For this purpose, there is at least one outlet channel in the working diaphragm, into which a backflow preventer or a backflow obstructer is interposed within the working diaphragm. While the Rückflussbehinderer delays the re-flow of air into the arranged between the working membrane and the first cell wall dead space, is by a backflow preventer, the re-flow of air in the Dead space effectively prevented. As a result, a negative pressure is created between the first cell wall and the working diaphragm which flatly couples these two flexible components of the membrane pump according to the invention to each other. Due to the negative pressure generated in the dead space, the first cell wall remains in the suction stroke of the working diaphragm at this fitting. An active pumping of the arranged between the working diaphragm and the first cell wall dead space is not mandatory. Since in the diaphragm pump according to the invention, the check valve is not arranged outside of the diaphragm pump, but rather within the working diaphragm, the remaining between the dead space and the check valve harmful volume can be kept relatively low. Therefore, the diaphragm pump according to the invention is characterized by a high performance and a reliable operation.

In order to be able to seal the working space in the disposable cell well with respect to the ambient air, it is advantageous if the first cell wall is clamped between the working membrane and the second cell wall in an edge region bounding the working space.

The handling of the membrane pump according to the invention and the assembly and disassembly of the disposable cell assigned to it are substantially facilitated if the first and the second cell walls are fluid-tightly interconnected in an edge region bounding the working space.

In order for the working diaphragm to be able to transfer its downward movement into the bottom dead center during the suction stroke to the first cell wall of the disposable cell, it is advantageous if the first cell wall lies flat against the bottom dead center on the working diaphragm during the downward movement of the working diaphragm.

In order to be able to couple the working membrane and the first cell wall of the membrane pump according to the invention well, it is advantageous if the first cell wall can be releasably coupled to the working membrane by means of negative pressure. In addition or instead, it may be expedient if the first cell wall can be detachably coupled by means of adhesion to the working membrane.

In contrast, a further embodiment according to the invention provides that the first cell wall can be releasably coupled to the working membrane by means of prestressing, and that the first cell wall for this purpose has an inherent elasticity biasing the first cell wall in the direction of the working membrane.

In order to noticeably retard recirculation of ambient air into the dead space arranged between the working membrane and the first cell wall, it is advantageous if the reflux obstruction provided in the at least one outlet channel is designed as a nozzle or as a cross-sectional constriction in the outlet channel restricted to the working membrane. While the air initially remaining in the dead space is pressed rapidly through the outlet channel during the pressure stroke of the diaphragm pump according to the invention, a re-flow of ambient air into the dead space during the suction stroke of the working diaphragm is substantially delayed.

Instead of a reflux obstructor in the working diaphragm, a preferred development according to the invention provides that the return flow preventer provided in the at least one outlet channel is designed as a check valve which opens from a closed position against a restoring force in the open direction opposite the dead space is movable.

It is expedient if the backflow preventer has a movable between the open and the closed position valve body.

A particularly simple in construction and manufacturing embodiment according to the invention provides that the valve body of the non-return valve is integrally connected to the elastic material of the working diaphragm.

A structurally particularly simple embodiment according to the invention is that the backflow preventer is designed as a duckbill or flutter valve.

With appropriate arrangement of the diaphragm pump according to the invention, it may be advantageous if the valve body of the backflow preventer remains due to its inertia in the downward movement of the working diaphragm to bottom dead center in its closed position and moves in the lifting movement to top dead center in the open position.

It is advantageous if the restoring force acting on the valve body is applied by at least one spring-elastic or rubber-elastic restoring element or by the inherent elasticity of the valve body.

In order to vary the restoring force when needed, it is advantageous if the at least one restoring element is designed as a compression spring.

A proven and particularly simple embodiment according to the invention provides that the lifting drive is designed as an eccentric drive.

It is also possible that the lifting drive is designed as a linear drive. In this case, the lifting drive can be designed as an electric or hydraulic lifting drive.

A development according to the invention provides that the lifting movement of the lifting drive is effected in the top dead center by means of at least one lifting magnet and the downward movement of the working diaphragm in the bottom dead center by means of a spring or rubber elastic return part. However, an embodiment is preferred in which the lifting movement of the lifting drive is brought into the top dead center by means of a spring or rubber elastic return part and the downward movement of the working diaphragm in the bottom dead center by means of at least one solenoid.

An easily manageable embodiment according to the invention provides that the second cell wall is formed by at least a portion of the first cell wall facing side wall of a dimensionally stable component of the disposable cell.

In this case, the dimensionally stable component of the disposable cell may be formed by a one-piece or multi-part plastic block. Such a plastic block can be produced inexpensively with relatively little effort.

In order to ensure the construction and production of a functionally reliable embodiment of the diaphragm pump according to the invention, it is advantageous if the dimensionally stable component has two interconnected sub-elements, which passes through the pump inlet and the pump outlet and that in the parting plane of the sub-elements, the at least one inlet valve and the at least one Exhaust valve are provided.

The simple design and manufacture of the diaphragm pump according to the invention is favored if the at least one inlet valve and / or the at least one outlet valve is designed as a flutter valve (s).

In order to promote a uniform pumping operation of the diaphragm pump according to the invention, it is advantageous if at least one pulsation damper is provided in the disposable cell in the pump inlet and / or in the pump outlet. In this case, a preferred embodiment according to the invention provides that the at least one pulsation damper is designed as at least one compensating diaphragm interposed in the pump inlet and / or the pump outlet.

In the diaphragm pump of the type mentioned above, a further object is, in particular, to provide a diaphragm pump which is characterized by a particularly simple handling.

The solution to this problem is in the diaphragm pump of the type mentioned in particular that the disposable cell by means of a clamping device without tools on the pump housing is releasably fixed.

In the diaphragm pump according to the invention, the disposable cell having the fluid-carrying working space can be detachably fixed to the pump housing without tools by means of a tensioning device. Since the disposable cell can be fixed releasably on the pump housing without tools, the disposable cell can also be detachably fixed to the pump housing by a non-technically trained user.

In this case, a preferred embodiment according to the invention in that the tensioning device has a pivoting lever, which is held pivotably on the pump housing and is movable between a release position and a holding position. Such a pivot lever, which is held pivotably on the pump housing and can be moved between a release and a holding position, is also manually operable alone.

It when the pump housing is designed to be divisible and has at least two housing parts, between which the disposable cell is releasably clamped is particularly advantageous. Many applications require a high level of cleanliness and possibly even sterility, as well as a high degree of safety with regard to the threat of cross-contamination of fluids. In the case of non-replaceable system components, time-consuming cleaning and possibly even sterilization processes must be carried out on the pump installation before a next process step can take place. Carrying out such cleaning and sterilization processes is time-consuming and requires comprehensive system know-how. A residual uncertainty regarding possibly still unclean games remains after each cleaning process still exist.

In order to be able to quickly and easily couple the disposable cell to the working diaphragm of the diaphragm pump according to the invention located in the pump housing, it is advantageous if the housing parts are movable by means of the clamping device between an approximated holding position and a release position spaced apart from each other.

A preferred embodiment according to the invention provides that a first, the lifting drive in receiving housing part and a second, designed as a cover of the diaphragm pump housing part is provided.

A preferred development according to the invention provides that the second housing part has a recess into which the disposable cell can be positively inserted. In order to prevent bursting of the disposable cell when opening the clamping device in the release position, it is advantageous if the disposable cell protrudes into the recess, as long as an overpressure is present in the working space.

In order to be able to always accurately couple the working membrane and the first cell wall of the disposable cell, it is advantageous if positioning aids are provided between the first housing part and the disposable cell, which secure a fixed relative position between the first housing part and the disposable cell. A preferred embodiment, in which the clamping device is securely fixed in the holding position, provides that the pivot lever of the clamping device is designed as a toggle lever. In this case, a preferred embodiment is that the lever designed as a toggle lever is held in the holding position of the clamping device on the dead center of the toggle lever mechanism in a self-locking pivoting position.

The pivot lever can be additionally secured in the holding position of the clamping device when the pivot lever is movable against the restoring force of at least one spring or rubber-elastic return element of the holding position in the release position of the clamping device.

The pivot lever can also be particularly well secured in the holding position of the clamping device when the pivot lever is pivotable about a pivot axis which is formed as an eccentric.

The tensioning device is able to hold the disposable cell particularly well on the pump housing when the pivot lever is configured bow-shaped and clamped in the holding position of the clamping device with the crossbar of the bracket shape the disposable cell on the pump housing or fixed.

A development according to the invention of its own worth-worth protection provides that the diaphragm pump has a pump control, and that on the disposable cell, a data memory for storing specific data of the disposable cell is provided, which cooperates with a reading unit in the pump housing, which reading unit with the pump control is in control connection.

In this case, preferred embodiments according to the invention provide for the data memory and the reading unit to interact in a wired or wireless manner with one another.

Further developments according to the invention will become apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the claims and the drawings. The invention will be described in more detail below with reference to preferred embodiments of the diaphragm pump according to the invention.

Fig. 1

eine Membranpumpe mit einem Pumpengehäuse, an dem eine Einwegzelle lösbar fixierbar ist, wobei im Pumpengehäuse ein hier als Linearantrieb ausgebildeter oszillierender Hubantrieb vorgesehen ist und wobei hier das Pumpengehäuse und die Einwegzelle getrennt voneinander dargestellt sind,

Fig. 2

eine mit Figur 1 vergleichbare und ebenfalls in einem seitlichen Längsschnitt dargestellte Membranpumpe, deren im Pumpengehäuse angeordneter Hubantrieb hier als Exzenterantrieb ausgebildet ist,

Fig. 3

die Membranpumpe aus Figur 1 in einem Längsschnitt durch das Pumpengehäuse und die damit verbundene Einwegzelle in einer dem unteren Totpunkt angenäherten Stellung des Hubantriebes vor der Entlüftung des Schadraums,

Fig. 4

die Membranpumpe aus den Figuren 1 und 3 in einer dem oberen Totpunkt angenäherten Position des Hubantriebes,

Fig. 5

die Membranpumpe aus den Figuren 1, 3 und 4 in einer dem unteren Totpunkt angenäherten Position des Hubantriebes,

Fig. 6

eine mit Figur 2 vergleichbare Membranpumpe, bei der ein in einer Arbeitsmembran vorgesehener Rückflussverhinderer als Rückschlagventil und insbesondere als Kugelventil ausgebildet ist,

Fig. 7

das Pumpengehäuse einer Membranpumpe, bei welcher der in der Arbeitsmembrane vorgesehene Rückflussverhinderer als Duckbill-Ventil ausgebildet ist,

Fig. 8

das in die Arbeitsmembrane integrierte DuckbillVentil der Membranpumpe aus Figur 7 in einem perspektivischen Detail-Längsschnitt,

Fig. 9

eine in einer Perspektivdarstellung gezeigte Membranpumpe mit einem teilbaren Pumpengehäuse, bei dem zwischen ein erstes und ein zweites Gehäuseteil eine Einwegzelle einspannbar und fixierbar ist, wobei zum Einspannen dieser Einwegzelle eine Spanneinrichtung mit einem Schwenkhebel vorgesehen ist, welcher Schwenkhebel um eine exzentrisch gelagerte Schwenkachse verdrehbar ist,

Fig. 10

die Membranpumpe aus Figur 9 in einer Seitenansicht in der Haltestellung der Spanneinrichtung,

Fig. 11

die Membranpumpe aus Figur 9 und 10 in einem Längsschnitt,

Fig. 12

die perspektivisch dargestellte Membranpumpe aus den Figuren 9 bis 11 in der Lösestellung ihrer Spanneinrichtung,

Fig. 13

die in einer Seitenansicht gezeigte Membranpumpe aus den Figuren 9 bis 12 in der Lösestellung der Spanneinrichtung,

Fig. 14

die Membranpumpe aus den Figuren 9 bis 13 in einem seitlichen Längsschnitt,

Fig. 15

die Membranpumpe aus den Figuren 9 bis 14 in einer längsgeschnittenen Seitenansicht bei in das Pumpengehäuse eingesetzter Einwegzelle, wobei die erste Zellwand infolge Überdruck im Arbeitsraum an die Arbeitsmembran gedrängt ist,

Fig. 16

eine in einer Perspektivdarstellung gezeigte Membranpumpe mit einem, den Hubantrieb aufweisenden ersten Gehäuseteil und einem, als schwenkbarer Deckel ausgebildeten zweiten Gehäuseteil, wobei zum Einspannen der Einwegzelle die Gehäuseteile gegeneinander mittels einer Spanneinrichtung verspannbar sind, die einen exzentrisch gelagerten Schwenkhebel umfasst,

Fig. 17

die perspektivisch dargestellte Membranpumpe aus Figur 16 in der Offenstellung der Spanneinrichtung, in welcher Offenstellung die Einwegzelle vom Pumpengehäuse lösbar ist,

Fig. 18

die am Pumpengehäuse noch ungesichert aufliegende und in einer Seitenansicht gezeigte Einwegzelle in der Lösestellung der Spanneinrichtung,

Fig. 19

die Membranpumpe aus den Figuren 16 bis 18 in einem seitlichen Längsschnitt durch das Pumpengehäuse und die Spanneinrichtung,

Fig. 20

die Membranpumpe aus den Figuren 16 bis 19 in einer, zwischen Löse- und Haltestellung angeordneten Zwischenposition des Schwenkhebels,

Fig. 21

die in einer perspektivischen Ansicht gezeigte Membranpumpe aus den Figuren 16 bis 20 in der Haltestellung des Schwenkhebels,

Fig. 22

die in einer Seitenansicht gezeigte Membranpumpe aus den Figuren 16 bis 21 in der Haltestellung des Schwenkhebels,

Fig. 23

eine perspektivisch dargestellte Membranpumpe mit einer Spanneinrichtung, deren Schwenkhebel als Kniehebel ausgebildet ist, welcher Hebelarme hat, die miteinander und mit einem zweiten Gehäuseteil gelenkig verbunden sind, zwischen welchem zweiten Gehäuseteil und einem ersten Gehäuseteil des Pumpengehäuses eine Einwegzelle einspannbar ist, wobei die Spanneinrichtung hier in ihrer Lösestellung gezeigt ist,

Fig. 24

die Membranpumpe aus Figur 23 in einem auseinandergezogenen Längsschnitt einzelner Pumpenteile,

Fig. 25

die ebenfalls perspektivisch dargestellte Membranpumpe aus Figur 24 mit ihrer Spanneinrichtung, die hier in einer Zwischenstellung zwischen Halte- und Lösestellung der Spanneinrichtung gezeigt ist,

Fig. 26

die hier in einer Seitenansicht gezeigte Membranpumpe aus den Figuren 23 bis 25 in der Zwischenstellung aus Figur 25,

Fig. 27

die hier perspektivisch dargestellte Membranpumpe aus den Figuren 23 bis 26 in der Haltestellung ihrer Spanneinrichtung,

Fig. 28

die in der Haltestellung ihrer Spanneinrichtung dargestellte Membranpumpe aus den Figuren 23 bis 27 in einer Seitenansicht, und

Fig. 29

die in der Haltestellung der Spanneinrichtung gezeigte Membranpumpe aus den Figuren 23 bis 28, ohne die Einwegzelle, in einem Längsschnitt.

It shows:

Fig. 1

a membrane pump with a pump housing to which a disposable cell is detachably fixable, wherein in the pump housing an here designed as a linear drive oscillating lifting drive is provided and wherein here the pump housing and the disposable cell are shown separately from each other,

Fig. 2

one with FIG. 1 comparable and also in one lateral longitudinal section shown diaphragm pump whose arranged in the pump housing linear actuator is designed here as an eccentric drive,

Fig. 3

the diaphragm pump off FIG. 1 in a longitudinal section through the pump housing and the disposable cell connected thereto in a position of the lifting drive approximated to the bottom dead center before the venting of the dead space,

Fig. 4

the diaphragm pump from the FIGS. 1 and 3 in a position approximating top dead center of the lifting drive,

Fig. 5

the diaphragm pump from the FIGS. 1 . 3 and 4 in a position approximating the bottom dead center of the lifting drive,

Fig. 6

one with FIG. 2 Comparable membrane pump, in which a provided in a working membrane backflow preventer is designed as a check valve and in particular as a ball valve,

Fig. 7

the pump housing of a diaphragm pump, wherein the provided in the working diaphragm backflow preventer is designed as a duckbill valve,

Fig. 8

the Duckbill valve of the diaphragm pump integrated in the working diaphragm FIG. 7 in a perspective detail longitudinal section,

Fig. 9

a diaphragm pump shown in a perspective view with a divisible pump housing, in which between a first and a second housing part a disposable cell can be clamped and fixed, wherein for clamping this disposable cell a clamping device is provided with a pivoting lever, which pivoting lever is rotatable about an eccentrically mounted pivoting axis,

Fig. 10

the diaphragm pump off FIG. 9 in a side view in the holding position of the clamping device,

Fig. 11

the diaphragm pump off FIGS. 9 and 10 in a longitudinal section,

Fig. 12

the perspective view of the diaphragm pump from the FIGS. 9 to 11 in the release position of their clamping device,

Fig. 13

the diaphragm pump shown in a side view of the FIGS. 9 to 12 in the release position of the clamping device,

Fig. 14

the diaphragm pump from the FIGS. 9 to 13 in a lateral longitudinal section,

Fig. 15

the diaphragm pump from the FIGS. 9 to 14 in a longitudinal sectioned side view when inserted into the pump housing disposable cell, wherein the first cell wall is urged due to pressure in the working space to the working membrane,

Fig. 16

a diaphragm pump shown in a perspective view with a, the lifting drive having the first housing part and, designed as a pivotable lid second housing part, wherein for clamping the disposable cell, the housing parts against each other can be clamped by means of a clamping device which comprises an eccentrically mounted pivoting lever,

Fig. 17

the perspective view of the diaphragm pump FIG. 16 in the open position of the clamping device, in which open position the disposable cell is detachable from the pump housing,

Fig. 18

the disposable cell resting unsecured on the pump housing and shown in a side view in the release position of the clamping device,

Fig. 19

the diaphragm pump from the FIGS. 16 to 18 in a lateral longitudinal section through the pump housing and the clamping device,

Fig. 20

the diaphragm pump from the FIGS. 16 to 19 in a, between release and holding position arranged intermediate position of the pivot lever,

Fig. 21

the diaphragm pump shown in a perspective view of the FIGS. 16 to 20 in the holding position of the pivoting lever,

Fig. 22

the diaphragm pump shown in a side view of the FIGS. 16 to 21 in the holding position of the pivoting lever,

Fig. 23

a diaphragm pump shown in perspective with a clamping device whose pivot lever is designed as a toggle lever, which lever arms, which are hinged together and with a second housing part, between which second Housing part and a first housing part of the pump housing, a disposable cell is clamped, wherein the clamping device is shown here in its release position,

Fig. 24

the diaphragm pump off FIG. 23 in an exploded longitudinal section of individual pump parts,

Fig. 25

the diaphragm pump also shown in perspective FIG. 24 with its clamping device, which is shown here in an intermediate position between the holding and release position of the clamping device,

Fig. 26

the diaphragm pump shown here in a side view of the FIGS. 23 to 25 in the intermediate position FIG. 25 .

Fig. 27

the diaphragm pump shown in perspective from the FIGS. 23 to 26 in the holding position of their tensioning device,

Fig. 28

the diaphragm pump shown in the holding position of their clamping device from the FIGS. 23 to 27 in a side view, and

Fig. 29

the diaphragm pump shown in the holding position of the clamping device from the FIGS. 23 to 28 , without the disposable cell, in a longitudinal section.

In the FIGS. 1 to 29 different versions 101, 102, 107, 109, 116 and 123 of a diaphragm pump are shown. The various embodiments 101, 102, 107, 109, 116 and 123 of the diaphragm pump have in common that they are a pump housing 1, where a disposable cell 2 is releasably fixable. In order to achieve clean or germ-free fluid paths in these membrane pumps 101, 102, 107, 109, 116 and 123 and to avoid cross-contamination of various, promoted in these diaphragm pumps fluids, these disposable cells 2 can be detached from the pump housing 1 and replaced if necessary.

Each of the disposable cells 2 has a first and a second cell wall 3 and 4, respectively, which delimit a working space 5 between them. In the pump housing 2 of the diaphragm pumps 101, 102, 107, 109, 116 and 123, a working diaphragm 6 is provided, which is in drive connection with an oscillating lifting drive and which is detachably couplable to the flexible first cell wall 3 on its side facing away from the lifting drive membrane flat side. Each disposable cell 2 of the membrane pumps 101, 102, 107, 109, 116 and 123 has a pump inlet 7 opening into the working space 5 with at least one inlet valve 8 and a pump outlet 9 connected to the working space 5 with at least one outlet valve 10. By the oscillating movement of the working diaphragm 6, a suction and a pressure stroke is performed. In contrast to conventional diaphragm pumps, the working diaphragm 6 is not in direct contact with the fluid to be delivered. Rather, the working diaphragm 6, approximately at the largest diameter of the working space 5, is hermetically separated from the fluid-carrying working space 5 by a flexible and foil-like first cell wall 3 of the disposable cell serving as a barrier membrane. Due to their arrangement in the pump head serving as barrier membranes first cell wall 3 is flat on the surface of the working diaphragm 6 and clings to the membrane surface of the working diaphragm 6 at. During the pressure stroke, the first cell wall is stretched by the upward movement of the working diaphragm 6, which is why it is affected by the resulting tensile stress can create optimal to the membrane surface of the working diaphragm 6. The air which initially remains in the dead space 11 arranged between the working membrane 6 and the first cell wall 3 can flow out through an outlet channel 12 arranged in the working membrane 6 and limited to the cross section of the working membrane 6. For emptying the dead space 11 arranged between the working diaphragm 6 and the first cell wall 3 of the disposable cell 2, the outlet channel 12 with a reflux obstruction or a backflow preventer 13 is provided in the working diaphragm 6.

In the case of the diaphragm pumps 101, 102, 107, 109, 116 and 123 shown here, a non-return valve 13 is provided, which only permits the outflow of fluid from the dead space 11, while, on the other hand, recirculation of ambient air or the like fluid into the dead space 11 is prevented.

In the in the FIGS. 3, 4 . 6 . 9 to 11 . 15 . 21, 22 and 27 shown stops the disposable cell 2 on the pump housing 1 is the flexible or elastic configured first cell wall 3 between the working diaphragm 6 and the second cell wall 4 clamped in a working space 5 bounding edge region. In order to facilitate the handling and thus the assembly and disassembly of the disposable cell 2 on the pump housing 1, the embodiment shown here is preferred in which the first and the second cell wall 3, 4 are fluid-tightly interconnected in the edge region bounding the working space 5.

By provided in the working diaphragm 6 outlet channel 12 can escape after the application of the disposable cell 2 on the pump housing 1 possibly in the dead space 11 remaining air, while a re-flow of air into the dead space 11 simultaneously prevented or at least delayed becomes. Between the working diaphragm 6 and the first cell wall 3, this creates a negative pressure which couples the working diaphragm 6 and the first cell wall 3 together and holds them together in a planar manner. Thanks to the negative pressure generated thereby, the first cell wall 3 of the disposable cell 2 remains at the working diaphragm 6 during the suction stroke. In order to generate the required negative pressure in the dead space 11 between the working membrane 6 and the first cell wall 3, an additional vacuum pump or an active external vacuum generation is not absolutely necessary.

Since the first cell wall 3 rests flat against the working diaphragm 6 during the downward movement of the working diaphragm 6 toward the bottom dead center, the first cell wall 3 can here be detachably coupled, preferably by means of negative pressure or by means of adhesion to the working diaphragm 6.

In the embodiments 101, 102, 107, 109, 116 and 123 of the diaphragm pump provided in the at least one outlet 12 backflow preventer 13 is designed as a check valve that from a closed position against a restoring force in the dead space 11 opposite direction opening open position movable is.

The designed as a check valve backflow preventer 13 has a movable between the open and the closed position valve body. At the in FIG. 6 shown diaphragm pump 106, this check valve is designed as a ball valve and the valve body as a valve ball 14. Here, the force acting on the valve body restoring force is applied here by at least one resilient return element. The restoring element is designed here as a compression spring 15.

At the in FIGS. 7 and 8 illustrated diaphragm pump 107, the check valve is designed as duckbill or duckbill valve, wherein the duckbill valve body 16 may be integrally connected to the elastic material of the working diaphragm 6.

The diaphragm pumps 101, 102, 109, 116 and 123, in contrast, have a check valve, which is designed as a flutter valve 17. The valve body of this in the FIGS. 1 to 5 For example, flutter valve 17 shown only by way of example could for example also be integrally connected to the elastic material of the working diaphragm 6. In the case of the diaphragm pumps 101, 102, 107, 109, 116 and 123 shown here, the valve body of these flutter valves 17 is produced from an originally separate strip of material.

The lifting drive of the diaphragm pumps 101, 107, 109 and 123 is designed as an oscillating linear drive 18. This designed as a linear actuator 18 lifting drive could be designed as an electric or hydraulic lifting drive. It is also conceivable that the lifting movement of the lifting drive is effected in the top dead center by means of at least one solenoid and the downward movement of the working diaphragm 6 in the bottom dead center by means of a spring or rubber elastic return part. However, an embodiment is preferred in which the lifting movement of the lifting drive is brought into the top dead center by means of a spring or rubber elastic return part and the downward movement of the working diaphragm 6 in the bottom dead center by means of a solenoid.

In contrast, the lifting drive of the diaphragm pump 102 is designed as an eccentric drive 19. This eccentric drive 19 has a connecting rod 20 articulated to the working diaphragm 6 on, with its working diaphragm 6 facing away from the connecting rod end is rotatably mounted on an eccentric 21 such that the rotational movement of the eccentric 21 is converted into an oscillating linear movement of the working diaphragm 6.

In the Figures 1 and 2 is particularly well recognizable that the second cell wall 4 is formed by a portion of the first cell wall 3 facing side wall of a dimensionally stable and formed here by a single or multi-part plastic block component of the disposable cell 2. This dimensionally stable component has here two interconnected sub-elements 22, 23, which passes through the pump inlet 7 and the pump outlet 9, wherein in the parting plane of the sub-elements 22, 23, the at least one inlet valve 8 and the at least one outlet valve 10 are provided. It can be seen in the figures that the at least one inlet valve 8 and the at least one outlet valve 10 are likewise designed here as flutter valves.

In order to even out the fluid delivery of the diaphragm pumps 101, 102, 107, 109, 116 and 123 shown here, it is expedient if at least one pulsation damper is provided in the disposable cell 2 in the pump inlet 7 and / or in the pump outlet 9 , This pulsation damper can be designed as at least one compensating diaphragm interposed in the pump inlet 7 and / or the pump outlet 9. In the FIGS. 9 to 29 can be seen that the disposable cell 2 by means of a clamping device without tools on the pump housing 1 is releasably fixed. In the FIGS. 9 to 29 Different versions 209, 216 and 223 of such a tensioning device are shown. The tensioning device 209, 216, 223 have a manually operable pivoting wing 24, which is held pivotably on the pump housing 1 and between a release position and a Haltestellung is movable. In this case, the pump housing 1 is configured divisible and has at least two housing parts 25, 26, between which the disposable cell 2 is releasably clamped. The housing parts 25, 26 are movable by means of the clamping device between an approximated holding position and a release position spaced apart from each other.

While the first housing part 25 receives the lifting drive in itself, the second housing part 26 is designed as a lid. In this second housing part 26, a recess 27 is provided, in which the disposable cell 2 can be positively inserted. In this case, the disposable cell 2 protrudes into the recess 27 as long as there is an overpressure in the working space 5. Positioning aids are provided between the first housing part 25 and the disposable cell 2, which secure a fixed relative position between the first housing part 25 and the disposable cell 2. These positioning aids may be formed by positioning pins 28 which project on the first housing part 25 or on the disposable cell 2 and project into positioning recesses in the respective other component 2, 25.

To insert the disposable part 2, the clamping device must be open and in its release position, in which release position, the position designation "off" on the crossbar of the bow-shaped pivot lever 24 can be seen. The disposable cell 2 is placed on a Vorpositionierfläche 31 and inserted into the opening formed in the release position between the housing parts 25, 26 opening. In this release position, the second housing part 26, which serves as a cover, has sufficient distance to the first housing part 25, which contains the lifting drive, so that the disposable cell can be inserted transversely thereto. Subsequently, the pivot lever 24 of the clamping device is pivoted from the position "off" against the position "on". As shown by the clamping devices 209 and 216 in the FIGS. 9 to 22 can be seen, the pivot lever 24 is pivotable about a pivot axis 29 which is formed as an eccentric.

In the FIGS. 9 to 12 it can be seen that the pivot lever 24 can be moved in the clamping device 209 against the restoring force of at least one resilient return element 30 from the holding position to the release position of the clamping device 209. The elastic restoring elements 30 of the tensioning device 209, which are designed as return springs, on the one hand have the task of pushing the second housing part 26 as far as possible away from the first housing part 25 receiving the lifting drive and, on the other hand, generate a specific friction moment on the eccentric pivot axis 29 that the pivot lever 24 stops in any position and does not fall due to gravity in an end position. If pressure is still to be present in the tubes or in the disposable cell 2 when the clamping device 209 is opened, the first cell wall 3 of the disposable cell 2 serving as a blocking membrane would be pressed outwards and the disposable cell accordingly pressed into the recess 27 provided in the housing part 26. This rear grip of the disposable cell 2 in the recess 27 of the second housing part 26 prevents unintentional withdrawal of the disposable cell 2 from the second housing part 26. The first cell wall 3 is then still largely on the working diaphragm 6 and is thus protected from bursting. In this way, an uncontrolled disassembly of the disposable cell 2 is prevented under pressure load, which is used for safety and health and safety.

In the in the FIGS. 16 to 22 shown embodiment 216 of the clamping device, the pivot lever 24 must in the in FIG 16 to 19 shown pivot position, so that the disposable cell 2 can be placed on the first housing part 25 projecting positioning pin 28. By pivoting the pivot lever 24 in the in FIG. 20 shown intermediate position, serving as a lid second housing part 26 is pushed over the disposable cell 2. If the pivot lever 24 is now in the in the FIGS. 21 and 22 pivoted shown holding position of the clamping device 216, the clamping device 216 can press the disposable cell 2 with its first cell wall 3 on the working membrane 6, wherein the disposable cell 2 rests securely on the first housing part 25 and is fixed. The end position of the eccentric pivot axis of the pivot lever 24 is again arranged slightly above the dead center, so that the clamping device 216 is closed self-locking. To remove or replace the disposable cell 2 and the pivot lever 24 of the clamping device 216 of the in FIGS. 21 and 22 shown holding position in the in FIG. 20 shown intermediate position to be moved. Is still in this intermediate position pressure in the tubes and in particular in the working space 5 of the disposable cell 2, prevents between the second housing part 26 and located in the recess 27 of the second housing part 26 disposable cell 2 rear handle causes Weiterverschwenken the pivot lever 24 and the pivoting away as Cover serving second housing part 26th

The in the FIGS. 23 to 29 shown clamping device 223 has a pivot lever 24 which is designed as a toggle lever. Here, the trained as a toggle lever 24 of the clamping device 223 in the in FIGS. 27 to 29 shown holding position over the dead center of the toggle mechanism in a self-locking pivot position. The insertion of the disposable cell 2 takes place in the in the Figures 23 to 29 shown tensioning device 223 approximately as well as the tensioning device 216 according to the FIGS. 16 to 22 , However, the second housing part 26 remains in the intermediate position according to the FIGS. 25 to 26 on the one hand and in the holding position according to the FIGS. 27 to 29 on the other hand unchanged on the swing radius. Because in the FIGS. 27 to 29 the smaller lever arm of the toggle lever in turn is slightly above its dead center, the clamping device 223 is locked self-locking in the holding position.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

pump housing

2

disposable cell

3

first cell wall

4

second cell wall

5

working space

6

working diaphragm

7

pump inlet

8th

intake valve

9

pump outlet

10

outlet valve

11

dead space

12

exhaust port

13

Backflow preventer

14

valve ball

15

Duckbill valve

16

duckbill-shaped valve body

17

flutter valve

18

linear actuator

19

eccentric

20

pleuel

21

eccentric

22

first subelement

22

second subelement

24

pivoting lever

25

first housing part

26

second housing part

27

recess

28

positioning

29

(eccentric) pivot axis

30

Return element

31

Vorpositionierfläche

101

Diaphragm pump (according to the FIGS. 1 and 3 to 5 )

102

Diaphragm pump (according to FIG. 2 )

106

Diaphragm pump (according to FIG. 6 )

107

Diaphragm pump (according to FIGS. 7 and 8 )

109

Diaphragm pump (according to the FIGS. 9 to 15 )

116

Diaphragm pump (according to the FIGS. 16 to 22 )

123

Diaphragm pump (according to the FIGS. 23 to 29 )

209

Clamping device (according to the FIGS. 9 to 15 )

216

Clamping device (according to the FIGS. 16 to 22 )

223

Clamping device (according to the FIGS. 23 to 29 )

Claims (41)

1. Diaphragm pump (101, 102, 107, 109, 116, 123) comprising a pump housing (1) on which a disposable cell (2) can be releasably fixed, the disposable cell having a first cell wall (3) and a second cell wall (4) which define an operating space (5) therebetween, and an operating diaphragm (6) drivingly connected to an oscillating stroke drive, which operating diaphragm (6) can be releasably coupled with the flexible first cell wall (3) on its diaphragm flat side remote from the stroke drive, characterised in that at least one outlet port (12) provided with a return flow obstructer or a return flow preventer is provided in the operating diaphragm (6) for evacuating the dead space (11) arranged between the operating diaphragm and the first cell wall (3).
2. Diaphragm pump as claimed in claim 1, characterised in that the first and the second cell walls (3, 4) are clamped in an edge region which defines the operating space (5).
3. Diaphragm pump as claimed in claim 1 or 2, characterised in that the first and the second cell walls (3, 4) are connected together so as to be fluid-tight in an edge region which defines the operating space (5).
4. Diaphragm pump as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3, characterised in that the first cell wall (3) abuts flatly against the operating diaphragm (6) during the downwards movement of the operating diaphragm (6) to the bottom dead centre.
5. Diaphragm pump as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4, characterised in that the first cell wall (3) can be releasably coupled with the operating diaphragm (6) by means of negative pressure.
6. Diaphragm pump as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 5, characterised in that the first cell wall (3) can be releasably coupled with the operating diaphragm (6) by means of adhesion.
7. Diaphragm pump as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 6, characterised in that the first cell wall (3) can be releasably coupled with the operating diaphragm (6) by means of pretensioning and for that purpose the first cell wall (3) has its own elasticity which pretensions the first cell wall (3) in the direction of the operating diaphragm (6).
8. Diaphragm pump as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 7, characterised in that the return flow obstructer provided in the at least one outlet port (12) is formed as a nozzle or as a narrowing of a cross-section in the outlet port (12).
9. Diaphragm pump as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 7, characterised in that the return flow preventer provided in the at least one outlet port (12) is designed as a non-return valve which can be moved from a closed position against a restoring force to the open position which opens in a direction opposite the dead space (11).
10. Diaphragm pump as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 9, characterised in that the return flow preventer has a valve body which can be moved between the open position and the closed position.
11. Diaphragm pump as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 10, characterised in that the valve body of the return flow preventer is connected integrally to the elastic material of the operating diaphragm (6).
12. Diaphragm pump as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 11, characterised in that the return flow preventer is designed as a duckbill valve or as a flutter valve.
13. Diaphragm pump as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 12, characterised in that the valve body of the return flow preventer remains in its closed position during the downwards movement of the operating diaphragm (6) to the bottom dead centre by reason of its mass inertia and is moved to the open position during the stroke movement towards the top dead centre.
14. Diaphragm pump as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 13, characterised in that the restoring force acting upon the valve body is applied by at least one resiliently elastic or rubber-elastic restoring element or by the elasticity of the valve body itself.
15. Diaphragm pump as claimed in claim 14, characterised in that the at least one restoring element is designed as a compression spring (15).
16. Diaphragm pump as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 15, characterised in that the stroke drive is designed as an eccentric drive.
17. Diaphragm pump as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 16, characterised in that the stroke drive is designed as a linear drive.
18. Diaphragm pump as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 17, characterised in that the stroke drive is designed as an electric or hydraulic stroke drive.
19. Diaphragm pump as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 17, characterised in that the stroke movement of the stroke drive into the top dead centre is effected by at least one lifting magnet and the downwards movement of the operating diaphragm (6) into the bottom dead centre is effected by means of a resiliently elastic or rubber-elastic restoring part.
20. Diaphragm pump as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 17, characterised in that the stroke movement of the stroke drive into the top dead centre is effected by means of a resiliently elastic or rubber-elastic restoring part and the downwards movement of the operating diaphragm (6) into the bottom dead centre is effected by means of at least one lifting magnet.
21. Diaphragm pump as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 20, characterised in that the second cell wall (4) is formed by at least one part region of the side wall, facing the first cell wall (3), of a dimensionally stable component of the disposable cell (2).
22. Diaphragm pump as claimed in claim 21, characterised in that the dimensionally stable component of the disposable cell (2) is formed by a single-part or multiple-part plastics material block.
23. Diaphragm pump as claimed in claim 21 or 22, characterised in that the dimensionally stable component (2) has mutually connected part elements (22, 23) through which the pump inlet (7) and the pump outlet (9) pass, and the at least one inlet valve (8) and the at least one outlet valve (10) are provided in the separating plane of the part elements (22, 23).
24. Diaphragm pump as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 23, characterised in that the at least one inlet valve (8) and/or the at least one outlet valve (10) is/are designed as a flutter valve / as flutter valves.
25. Diaphragm pump as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 24, characterised in that at least one pulsation damper is provided in the disposable cell (2) in the pump inlet (7) and/or in the pump outlet (9).
26. Diaphragm pump as claimed in claim 25, characterised in that the at least one pulsation damper is designed as at least one compensating diaphragm which is interposed in the pump inlet (7) and/or the pump outlet (9).
27. Diaphragm pump as claimed in the preamble of claim 1, in particular as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 26, characterised in that the disposable cell (2) can be releasably fixed on the pump housing (1) without any tools by means of a clamping device (209, 216, 223).
28. Diaphragm pump as claimed in claim 27, characterised in that the clamping device (209, 216, 223) has a pivot lever (24) which pivot lever (24) is held so as to be pivotable on the pump housing (1) and can be moved between a release position and a holding position.
29. Diaphragm pump as claimed in claim 27 or 28, characterised in that the pump housing (1) is configured so as to be separable and has at least two housing parts (25, 26), between which the disposable cell (2) can be releasably clamped.
30. Diaphragm pump as claimed in any one of claims 27 to 29, characterised in that the housing parts (25, 26) can be moved by means of the clamping device (209, 216, 223) between a holding position where they are brought closer together and a release position where they are correspondingly spaced apart from one another.
31. Diaphragm pump as claimed in any one of claims 27 to 30, characterised in that a first housing part (25) which receives the stroke drive therein, and a second housing part (26) which is configured as a cover of the diaphragm pump are provided.
32. Diaphragm pump as claimed in any one of claims 27 to 31, characterised in that the second housing part (26) has a recess (27), into which the disposable cell (2) can be inserted in a form-fitting manner.
33. Diaphragm pump as claimed in claim 32, characterised in that the disposable cell (2) protrudes into the recess (27) as long as overpressure is present in the operating space (5).
34. Diaphragm pump as claimed in claims 27 to 33, characterised in that positioning aids which secure an established relative position between the first housing part (25) and the disposable cell (2) are provided between the first housing part (25) and the disposable cell (2).
35. Diaphragm pump as claimed in any one of claims 27 to 34, characterised in that the pivot lever (24) of the clamping device (223) is configured as a toggle lever.
36. Diaphragm pump as claimed in claim 35, characterised in that the pivot lever (24) which is designed as a toggle lever is held in a self-locking pivot position above the dead centre of the toggle lever mechanism in the holding position of the clamping device (223).
37. Diaphragm pump as claimed in any one of claims 27 to 36, characterised in that the pivot lever (24) can be moved from the holding position to the release position of the clamping device (209, 216) against the restoring force of at least one resiliently elastic or rubber-elastic restoring element (30).
38. Diaphragm pump as claimed in any one of claims 27 to 37, characterised in that the pivot lever (24) can be pivoted about a pivot axis (29) which is formed as an eccentric.
39. Diaphragm pump as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 38, characterised in that the pivot lever (24) is configured in a bow-shaped manner and clamps or fixes the disposable cell (2) on the pump housing (1) with the cross web of the bow form in the holding position of the clamping device (209, 216, 233).
40. Diaphragm pump as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 39, characterised in that the diaphragm pump has a pump control, and a data storage unit is provided on the disposable cell (2) for storing specific data of the disposable cell (2) and cooperates with a reader unit in the region of the pump housing (1), which reader unit is in control-communication with the pump control.
41. Diaphragm pump as claimed in claim 40, characterised in that the data storage unit and the reader unit cooperate with one another in a wired or wireless manner.

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