EP3438455B1 - Diaphragm pump and method of touch-free actuation of the membranes of multiple work chambers of a diaphragm pump - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a diaphragm pump for conveying a gaseous and / or liquid medium, with at least one deformable diaphragm for changing the size of a working space of the diaphragm pump and with at least one actuator unit for deforming the diaphragm by contactless application of the diaphragm by means of a magnetic field, the Membrane comprises a material and / or consists of a material that is magnetic and / or magnetizable, and the actuator unit has at least one magnetic and / or magnetizable actuator means. A magnetic field is formed between the material of the membrane and the actuator means, which leads to the deformation of the membrane.

In addition, the present invention relates to a method for the contactless actuation of the diaphragms of a plurality of working spaces of a diaphragm pump for conveying a gaseous and / or liquid medium.

Diaphragm pumps generally have at least one working space that is delimited by a deformable diaphragm to change the size of the working space and by a wall in which at least one inlet and at least one outlet are formed for a medium that flows through the inlet in a suction phase sucked into the expanding work space and expelled in a compression phase via the outlet from the shrinking work space. A controllable actuator or drive unit is provided for deforming the membrane.

In the DE 1 184 447 A1 it is proposed to use a connecting rod as an actuator unit. The free end of the connecting rod clamps the membrane between itself and an associated fastening disk. At its other end, the connecting rod is eccentrically mounted on a crankshaft, so that when such a diaphragm pump is operated, the diaphragm moves approximately vertically. The disadvantage of this diaphragm pump is that the diaphragm is exposed to permanent clamping load between the connecting rod and the fastening disk, which leads to high wear on the diaphragm.

An alternative drive concept is based on the EP 0 604 740 A1 emerged. Here, the deformation of a single membrane by contactless application of a magnetic field is proposed. For this purpose, the membrane is designed to be magnetically responsive on its side facing away from the working space. The membrane is deformed by a rotating disk on which permanent magnets are arranged. By rotating the disk or the permanent magnet arranged on it, a magnetic field circulating cyclically around a central axis of the diaphragm acts on the diaphragm, the fluid to be conveyed being conveyed in a rotational movement from the inlet to the outlet. In this way, a working space is formed on the membrane that runs cyclically around the central axis of the membrane, into which the fluid to be conveyed is sucked in via an inlet, conveyed around the central axis and finally released again via an outlet.

The disadvantage of this concept is that due to the cyclically rotating magnetic field, the membrane is exposed to a wave-like movement and thus a strong and large-area deformation, which is associated with high material wear and tear and costly maintenance. In addition, the rotating conveying movement is comparatively ineffective.

Diaphragm pumps are used, among other things, in the field of medical and / or analysis and / or environmental technology, for example in anesthesia devices or gas sensors. For the use of diaphragm pumps as precision pumps, a compact design is usually required, in particular if the diaphragm pumps used are integrated as sub-assemblies in corresponding medical and / or analysis devices. In addition, a high long-term stability of the membrane is essential.

Furthermore, low-pulsation operation of the diaphragm pump used is particularly desirable for medical technology applications and for gas analysis. The term “pulsation” is to be understood in particular as a sinusoidal delivery curve which can be attributed to the periodic change in volume of the working space or deformation of the membrane. The associated pressure pulses or pressure peaks can damage sensitive sensor devices or falsify the measurement results.

Finally, when using diaphragm pumps in a laboratory and / or patient environment, low-noise operation is desirable.

The DE 10 2013 000 765 A1 discloses a diaphragm pump with an electromagnetic armature drive for at least two diaphragms. The armature drive has at least one electromagnet and one armature, the armature being set into oscillation by changing magnetic fields of the electromagnet.

From the DE 41 18 628 A1 shows an electric diaphragm pump for conveying gaseous and / or liquid media. This diaphragm pump comprises a pump chamber which covers a diaphragm, the diaphragm being liftable and lowerable for conveying and the pumping movement being generated by an electric motor.

The present invention is based on the object of providing a diaphragm pump, in particular for use in the field of gas analysis and / or medical technology, which is characterized by a compact design and a low-wear, low-noise and / or low-pulsation, in particular pulsation-free, Allows operation with a high delivery volume at the same time. At the same time, the diaphragm pump according to the invention should meet further specific requirements, such as high long-term stability, cost sensitivity and / or valve density. In addition, the invention is based on the object of providing a method for the contactless actuation of the diaphragms of several working spaces of a diaphragm pump, which method allows the construction of a diaphragm pump with the aforementioned advantages.

The present invention is achieved by a diaphragm pump having the features of claim 1 and by a method having the features of claim 7. Advantageous further developments are the subject of the subclaims.

The invention enables a configuration of the diaphragm pump which permits low-pulsation to largely pulsation-free and / or low-wear and / or low-noise operation with a compact design and a small number of parts. Compared to vane pumps and eccentric diaphragm pumps, fewer wear points can be achieved, which leads to longer service lives and reduced maintenance costs. In particular, a Achieve high delivery rates of eccentric diaphragm pumps, for example, as well as significantly higher final pressures and higher pressure stability, for example compared to vane pumps. Further advantages of the diaphragm pump according to the invention can be a lower sensitivity to moisture and / or particles, in particular compared to vane pumps, and a high system and valve density, which are comparable with those of conventional pumps, in particular with eccentric diaphragm pumps. Furthermore, with the diaphragm pump according to the invention, in particular compared to vane pumps, lower speeds are possible to achieve a certain delivery pressure or delivery volume, which can be associated with a longer motor life and improved controllability of the pump. Finally, by adapting the magnetic forces, an internal pressure or vacuum limit can be implemented, whereby motor or system protection is possible without additional electronic measures.

The invention consequently proposes alternative or (drive) concepts developed further compared to the prior art for deforming at least one diaphragm of a diaphragm pump by contactless application of the diaphragm by means of a magnetic field, whereby the advantages described above can be realized in particular.

According to a first embodiment of the present invention it is provided that the actuator unit is rotatably mounted and the membrane is arranged on the circumference of the actuator unit, with the polarization direction of the magnetic field formed between the material of the membrane and the actuator means being aligned radially to the axis of rotation of the actuator unit in a dead center position of the membrane . In a dead center position of the membrane, the distance between the actuator means and the membrane preferably reaches an extreme value. In addition, the greatest attractive or the greatest repulsive magnetic force between the actuator means and the membrane material is achieved in this position, the (main) polarization direction of the magnetic field acting between the membrane and the actuator means being oriented essentially transversely or radially to the axis of rotation of the actuator unit .

In the context of the present invention, the term “(main) polarization direction of the magnetic field” means that the direction vector between magnetic poles is more opposite To understand polarity that are formed by the membrane material on the one hand and the actuator means on the other.

The circumferential arrangement of the diaphragm relative to the actuator unit allows a very space-saving design of the diaphragm pump according to the invention. In particular, a working space of the diaphragm pump can be arranged within the axial longitudinal dimension of the actuator unit, which results in an overall very compact design of the diaphragm pump according to the invention. When the actuator unit rotates, according to the invention, a cyclically rotating magnetic field is formed and the membrane pumping only linearly, which in comparison to that from FIG EP 0 604 740 A1 known wave-shaped deformation of the membrane leads to a significantly lower material wear and thus to a high long-term stability and ensures a high valve density.

The term “dead center position of the diaphragm” can encompass both an “outer dead center position” and an “inner dead center position”. A dead center position of the diaphragm is reached when the actuator unit assumes a certain rotational position in which a magnetic pole of the actuator unit is preferably directly opposite a magnetic pole of the diaphragm. In the outer dead center position, the distance between the magnetic material of the membrane on the one hand and the actuator means on the other hand is minimal. In this case, the membrane is maximally attracted or deformed in the direction of the actuator means. Correspondingly, an inner dead center position is to be understood as a state in which the distance between the magnetic material of the membrane on the one hand and the actuator means on the other hand is maximum. In this case, the membrane is maximally repelled by the actuator means or maximally deformed away from the actuator means. Between the two dead center positions, the membrane can assume a rest position in which no or only a slight magnetic force acts on the membrane. In both dead center positions, according to the invention, the (main) polarization direction or the direction vector between poles of opposite polarity runs transversely - that is, radially - to the axis of rotation of the actuator unit. The membrane is preferably located directly opposite the actuator means in a dead center position.

The actuator means can be held on a radial circumferential surface of the actuator unit and / or at least partially inserted into the actuator unit on the circumference be. The actuator means can form at least part of the circumferential surface of the actuator unit.

In order to ensure sufficient deformation of the diaphragm for the pumping movement by contactless application of the diaphragm by means of a magnetic field, the surface normal in the central area of a working surface of the diaphragm can be oriented perpendicular or radially to the axis of rotation of the actuator unit.

Two work spaces, four work spaces or integer multiples of two work spaces can be provided, with a separate pump head preferably being assigned to each work space. The working spaces are in particular offset from one another or arranged downstream in the circumference of the actuator unit and in the direction of rotation of the actuator unit. In this way, a compact arrangement of several working spaces is also possible, in particular within the axial longitudinal dimension of the actuator unit. The working spaces are preferably evenly distributed over the circumference of the actuator unit, which results in a small structural volume of the pump according to the invention. The diaphragms of several working spaces are then subsequently actuated during the rotary movement of a common actuator unit, which leads to a small number of components in the diaphragm pump and simplifies the assembly of the pump as a whole.

A pump head of the pump, together with the membrane, delimits a working space and has at least one inlet through which the medium to be conveyed is sucked into the working space in a suction phase. In addition, at least one outlet is provided, via which the medium to be conveyed is discharged from the shrinking working space in a pressure phase. The maintenance outlay is reduced by a number of separate pump heads, whereby, for example, defective membranes can be exchanged if necessary by loosening the respective pump head.

The actuator unit can have one or more actuator means. Each actuator means can be formed by one or more permanent magnets. For example, a diametrically magnetized ring magnet can be provided as the actuator means. The actuator unit then preferably has two opposing magnetic poles in the direction of rotation, which are polarized in opposite directions. Alternatively, an actuator means also be formed by a group of outwardly equally polarized permanent magnets. Disc or bar magnets are preferably used.

According to a second, alternative and not claimed embodiment of the present invention, the actuator unit is rotatably mounted and the membrane is arranged on the front side of the actuator unit, in particular in the form of a disk or plate, with the (main) direction of polarization between the material of the membrane and the membrane in a dead center position of the membrane the actuator means formed magnetic field is oriented essentially in the direction of the axis of rotation of the actuator unit or parallel to it and wherein an axis of rotation of the actuator unit is laterally offset and, preferably, is arranged parallel to a central diaphragm axis of the diaphragm, so that the actuator means cyclically on the rotation of the actuator unit Membrane is moved past and cyclically crossed the membrane. The actuator means is preferably moved past the membrane along a circular path.

When the diaphragm is cyclically crossed, a magnetic field is formed between the actuator means and the diaphragm, which leads to the cyclical deformation of the diaphragm. In particular, the actuator means sweeps over the area of the central axis of the membrane. Furthermore, in particular, the maximum deflection of the membrane in the suction or pressure phase is in a central region of the membrane surface or in the region of the central axis of the membrane. This allows an effective and gentle pumping operation.

In this second embodiment it is preferably provided that the diaphragms of several working spaces of the diaphragm pump are subsequently deformed by rotation of the common actuator unit. This in turn enables a very compact design of the diaphragm pump according to the invention with a small number of individual components. Each membrane is arranged at a distance from the axis of rotation of the actuator unit with respect to its central axis, so that at least one actuator means is cyclically and subsequently moved past or crosses each membrane during the rotation of the actuator unit. In this case, each membrane is subsequently maximally deflected in the region of its central axis and deformed in the direction of the axis of rotation or parallel to the axis of rotation of the actuator unit. The surface normal in the central area of a working surface of the membrane is preferably aligned in the direction of the axis of rotation of the actuator unit or parallel thereto.

Structurally, it is preferred that the actuator means is held on an axial end face of the actuator unit and / or at least partially inserted into an axial end face of the actuator unit.

In this embodiment of the invention, the actuator unit is preferably designed in the form of a disk and has at least one actuator means arranged and / or inserted at the end. A plurality of actuator means are also preferably provided, each actuator means being able to be formed by a group of disk or bar magnets and the magnets of a group being equally polarized towards the outside. In this way an optimal contactless actuation of the membranes is guaranteed.

Several, preferably four, membranes with associated working spaces can be provided, the working spaces being arranged opposite an axial end face of the actuator unit and opposite the actuator means. In this way, an effective magnetic interaction between the membranes and the actuator unit is achieved.

It is useful if several working spaces are assigned to a common pump head. In this case in particular, the pump head has at least one collecting space for the parallel merging of the inlets and / or outlets of the working spaces. This allows a structurally simple design and a compact design of the diaphragm pump according to the invention.

In this embodiment too, the actuator unit can have one or more actuator means. Each actuator means can be formed by one or more permanent magnets. An actuator means is preferably formed by a group of permanent magnets with the same polarization to the outside. Disc or bar magnets are preferably used.

The following statements can be implemented in both of the above-described concepts for deforming a membrane by contactless application of the membrane by means of a magnetic field, without this being expressly mentioned below.

The actuator unit preferably has a plurality of oppositely polarized outer magnetic poles of the number n which act on the membrane. Alternatively, the actuator unit can have a plurality of oppositely polarized magnetic pole groups of the number n, with each magnetic pole group only consisting of identically polarized outer magnetic poles and with n being greater than or equal to two. The oppositely polarized magnetic poles or magnetic pole groups are preferably arranged one after the other in the direction of rotation of the actuator unit, it being possible for the magnetic poles or magnetic pole groups to be arranged offset from one another by 360 ° / n in the direction of rotation of the actuator unit. The membrane also has an outer magnetic pole directed towards the actuator unit, or possibly also a group of equally polarized outer magnetic poles. In this way, when the actuator unit is rotated, the membrane can be brought alternately into the outer dead center position and into the inner dead center position.

In the context of the present invention, the term "magnetic pole" of the actuator unit is preferably to be understood as a circumferential or frontal outer area of the actuator unit, in the vicinity of which the magnetic field strength is particularly high, since this is where the field lines of the magnetic field enter or exit. The direction vector of the magnetic field is formed between the magnetic poles of the actuator unit and the membrane. In the embodiments alternatively proposed according to the invention, the direction vector can run either radially or transversely or axially in the direction or parallel to the axis of rotation of the actuator unit.

In the case of a diaphragm pump with several working spaces which are arranged downstream in the direction of rotation of the actuator unit, the diaphragms can form the same or the same magnetic poles on the actuator side. This can be achieved, for example, by aligning the magnetic means in the membranes in the same way. By rotating the common actuator unit, diaphragms arranged subsequently can be brought into the inner or outer dead center position subsequently and cyclically from several working spaces. This ensures a directed suction or pressure flow via interconnected working spaces within the diaphragm pump. Alternatively, however, it is also possible for the diaphragms of two working spaces, which are preferably offset from one another by 180 ° in the direction of rotation of the actuator unit, to form magnetic poles that are different or not of the same name on the actuator unit side.

The actuator means of the actuator unit and / or the magnet means of the membrane is preferably a permanent magnet. In this way, a particularly strong magnetic interaction between the actuator means and the membrane is ensured. The actuator means can be, for example, a diametrically magnetized ring magnet. The north pole is then on one half and the south pole on the other half of the ring magnet. The ring magnet can be mounted on a magnet carrier of the actuator means and can be arranged rotatably about an axis of rotation extending through the ring magnet in the axial direction. The actuator means can also be a bar magnet or a disk magnet. An actuator means can also be formed by a group of rod-shaped or disk-shaped permanent magnets. For example, the actuator unit can have two groups of bar magnets or disk magnets arranged offset from one another by preferably 180 ° in the direction of rotation of the actuator unit. The magnets of a group are preferably aligned in the same direction, so that the actuator unit in the area of the group only has magnetic poles of the same name on the membrane side.

It is further preferred that areas of the actuator unit which are on the outside in the direction of rotation between the magnetic poles or magnetic pole groups are provided which are less magnetized or not magnetized at all. In particular, the actuator unit can have at least two, preferably only two, non-magnetic external areas arranged offset from one another at regular intervals, further preferably offset from one another by 180 ° in the direction of rotation of the actuator unit. In this way, magnetic poles or magnetic pole groups arranged in the direction of rotation of the actuator unit - that is, magnetic areas - alternate with non-magnetic or only weakly magnetic areas. In this way, when the actuator unit is rotated, the membrane can alternately be brought into an outer dead center position when an oppositely polarized magnetic pole is opposite the membrane, or into an inner dead center position when an equally polarized magnetic pole is opposite the membrane. If, on the other hand, a non-magnetic or only weakly magnetic area is opposite the diaphragm, the diaphragm then preferably assumes a rest position that lies between the two dead center positions.

In particular, several work spaces can be present, which are arranged either on the circumference or on the front side of the actuator unit. A membrane is assigned to each work space. The number m of working spaces is preferably greater than or equal to the number of actuator means of the actuator unit. In particular, the working spaces can be arranged offset from one another by 360 ° / m in the direction of rotation of the actuator unit. In this case, the magnetic means of all the membranes can be oriented in the same direction, so that the membranes on the actuator side only have magnetic poles of the same name or of the same polarity. Alternatively, however, it is also possible to align the magnetic poles of the diaphragms that follow in the direction of rotation of the actuator unit with opposite poles. This is discussed in detail below.

Particularly preferably, the polarization of the outer magnetic poles of the actuator unit on the one hand and the polarization of the outer magnetic poles of the magnetic means of the membranes on the other hand, and possibly non-magnetic or only weakly magnetic areas between the outer magnetic poles of the actuator unit, ensure that there is no rotational position of the actuator unit, the diaphragms of all working spaces of the pump are located simultaneously at the same inner or outer dead center or all simultaneously in the same, preferably undeflected position between the dead centers. This enables very low-pulsation operation.

At a certain rotational position of the actuator unit, in which the diaphragms of preferably two working spaces are in a preferably not or only slightly deformed position between the dead centers, which is reached during a suction phase or pressure phase, at least the diaphragm of a third working space can then be in an inner Dead center position and at least the diaphragm of a fourth working space can be arranged in an outer dead center position. The inner dead center position can mark the beginning of the suction phase and the outer dead center position can mark the beginning of the pressure phase.

It can also be useful if, in a specific rotational position of the actuator unit, the number of membranes in the rest position corresponds to the total number of membranes in an inner or outer dead center position.

For example, the actuator unit can have two oppositely polarized outer magnetic poles or outer magnetic pole groups offset from one another in the direction of rotation by 180 °, and four working spaces can be provided, each offset from one another by 90 ° in the direction of rotation of the actuator unit. The membranes of the working spaces preferably have outer magnetic poles that are equally polarized on a side facing the actuator unit. In this way, with a certain rotational position of the actuator unit, the diaphragms of two preferably opposite working spaces are in a non-deflected or slightly deflected position between the dead centers, while the diaphragm of a third working chamber has an outer dead center position and the diaphragm of a fourth preferably opposite the third working chamber Working area reached an inner dead center position. This results in low or pulsation-free operation of the diaphragm pump.

In order to further improve the compact design of the diaphragm pump according to the invention, at least one common collecting inlet space and / or at least one common collecting outlet space can be provided, via which inlets or outlets of the working spaces are fluidically connected to one another. As a result, the inlet and outlet flows from each working space are fluidically merged, whereby the structural design of the diaphragm pump is simplified and the fluid flows drawn in and discharged are made more uniform. The collecting spaces are designed in particular to bring the inlets or outlets of the respective working spaces together in parallel. An external merging of the inlets and outlets of the working spaces outside of the diaphragm pump is therefore not necessary. This allows the diaphragm pump according to the invention to be easily integrated into higher-level devices, for example in medical and / or (gas) analysis devices.

According to a further, alternative and unclaimed embodiment of the invention, at least two working spaces are provided which are offset from one another by 160 ° to 200 °, preferably by 180 °, in the direction of rotation of the actuator unit, the membranes of the working spaces having unequal magnetic poles or magnetic pole groups on the actuator side and the The actuator unit on the membrane side has at least two unequal magnetic poles or magnetic pole groups arranged offset from one another in the direction of rotation of the actuator unit by 160 ° to 200 °, preferably by 180 °. In a certain rotational position of the actuator unit in which the If the magnetic poles of the diaphragms interact with the magnetic poles of the actuator unit, the diaphragms of the two opposing working spaces are either drawn towards the actuator unit at the same time or pushed away from the actuator unit at the same time.

In other words, in any rotational position of the actuator unit, a state is reached in which the diaphragm of one working chamber is in an inner dead center position and the diaphragm of an opposite, second working chamber is in an outer dead center position. Both opposite diaphragms are either in the inner dead center position or in the outer dead center position. It is thereby achieved that the magnetic forces and / or moments acting on the actuator unit during pumping operation cancel each other out, so that the mechanical load on the actuator unit decreases. This enables the use of inexpensive components. A combination of the embodiment of the invention described above with the embodiments of the invention described above is also possible and advantageous.

Preferably n-pairings of work spaces are provided, each pairing having two work spaces offset from one another or opposite one another by 160 ° to 200 °, preferably 180 °, in the direction of rotation of the actuator unit with diaphragms polarized opposite one another on the actuator unit side.

According to a further alternative and also not claimed embodiment of the present invention it is provided that the actuator unit is rotatably mounted and a stator unit is provided for generating a rotating magnetic field, the rotating magnetic field generated by the stator unit being designed to drive the actuator unit in a rotary manner. The stator unit is particularly preferably designed in the form of a plate and / or in particular implemented in addition to the embodiments described above.

As a result, the drive of the actuator unit via the stator unit allows a further reduction in the structural volume required by the diaphragm pump, since the stator unit can have a significantly smaller volume than conventional drive devices, for example electric motors.

In the sense of this embodiment of the invention, the actuator unit is driven in particular according to the principle of a brushless direct current motor. The actuator unit ultimately functions as a rotor, which is driven by the rotating magnetic field generated by the stator unit. The stator unit has coils for generating the rotating magnetic field. The coils are controlled or commutated to one another by a suitable circuit in such a way that they generate a rotating magnetic field, as a result of which the actuator unit is pulled or driven in the direction of rotation.

In this embodiment of the invention in particular, a ring segment-shaped design of the actuator means can be preferred. In this way, in particular, optimal interaction with the stator unit and thus a high degree of efficiency of the diaphragm pump according to the invention are ensured.

The actuator means is preferably an integral part of the actuator unit, the geometry of the actuator unit being able to be supplemented on the periphery and / or on the front side by the actuator means, for example to form a disk shape. The actuator means can be inserted, in particular glued, into an end-face and / or circumferential complementary recess of the actuator unit so as to be flush with the surface. In this way, a compact design can be achieved, an optimal action or interaction between the actuator unit on the one hand and the stator unit on the other hand being made possible.

Particularly preferably, the actuator means forms a magnetic pole on an outer side of the actuator unit facing a working space for acting on a membrane and, on an opposite outer side facing the stator unit, a preferably oppositely polarized magnetic pole for interaction with the stator unit in the rotating magnetic field. Here, the actuator unit can preferably have magnetic poles with opposite polarity on two opposite end faces in the direction of the axis of rotation, whereby two functions are fulfilled: On the one hand, the actuator unit interacts with the rotating magnetic field via one end face, which realizes the rotary drive of the actuator unit. At the same time, on the other hand, the magnetic effect is converted to the at least one membrane via the opposite end face, whereby the pumping or suction effect is ensured.

The distance between the actuator means and the magnetic means of the membrane can, in particular axially, be adjustable, which is particularly easy to achieve in those embodiments of the invention in which the actuator unit and working space or membrane are axially one behind the other in the direction of the axis of rotation of the actuator unit are arranged. Here it is possible to vary the width of the air gap between the actuator means and the magnetic material of the membrane by axially adjusting the position of the working space and / or the position of the actuator unit relative to one another, thus influencing the strength of the magnetic coupling between the membrane and the actuator means . This aspect of the invention has an inventive significance of its own.

According to a further, alternative and not claimed embodiment of the present invention, it is provided that the working space, viewed spatially, is provided between the membrane and the actuator means. The working space is limited on one side by the membrane and on the other side by a housing part of the pump. In this embodiment of the invention, direct contact between the diaphragm and the actuator means is prevented in every dead center position of the diaphragm. If, on the other hand, the membrane is directly adjacent to the actuator means, in an outer dead center position of the membrane the membrane and the actuator means may touch, which is associated with undesirable and cyclically recurring noises. The arrangement according to the invention of the working space between the membrane and the actuator means overcomes this problem and ensures low-noise operation.

In terms of construction, a housing part of the pump is located between the membrane and the actuator means and delimits the working space towards the actuator means. The housing part can have a smaller wall thickness adjacent to the actuator means and / or consists of a material such that contactless deformation of the membrane is possible through the housing part by means of the magnetic field formed between the membrane and the actuator means. It is expedient if the magnetic field is only slightly influenced by the housing part, so that the membrane can be deformed by the contactless application of the magnetic field.

According to the method, it is proposed to solve the problems set out at the beginning that the membranes of at least two, preferably four, working spaces be deformed without contact by applying a magnetic field, the magnetic field being formed between the membranes and at least one magnetic and / or magnetizable actuator means of a rotatable actuator unit, and membranes arranged one after the other in the direction of rotation of the actuator unit being deformed without contact by magnetic interaction with the actuator means.

It goes without saying that the features of the different embodiments of the invention described above and described and shown below with reference to the drawing can be combined with one another if necessary, even if this is not expressly mentioned in detail. Individual features can be used in isolation from other features described or shown to further develop the invention. The selected paragraph formatting does not prevent a combination of characteristics from different paragraphs.

Fig. 1

eine perspektivische Ansicht einer erfindungsgemäßen Membranpumpe gemäß einer ersten Ausführungsform,

Fig. 2

eine Querschnittsansicht der Membranpumpe aus Fig. 1 entlang der Schnittlinie II - II,

Fig. 3

eine explosionsartige, perspektivische Darstellung einer erfindungsgemäßen Membranpumpe gemäß einer nicht beanspruchten zweiten Ausführungsform,

Fig. 4

eine weitere explosionsartige, perspektivische Darstellung der erfindungsgemäßen Membranpumpe aus Fig. 3,

Fig. 5

eine Querschnittsansicht der Membranpumpe aus Fig. 3 entlang der Schnittlinie V - V aus Fig. 4,

Fig. 6

eine explosionsartige, perspektivische Darstellung einer erfindungsgemäßen Membranpumpe gemäß einer nicht beanspruchten dritten Ausführungsform,

Fig. 7

eine Querschnittsansicht der Membranpumpe aus Fig. 6,

Fig. 8

eine perspektivische Ansicht einer erfindungsgemäßen Membranpumpe gemäß einer weiteren, nicht beanspruchten Ausführungsform,

Fig. 9

eine erste Querschnittsansicht der Membranpumpe aus Fig. 8 entlang der Schnittlinie IX - IX,

Fig. 10

eine weitere, zweite Querschnittsansicht der Membranpumpe aus Fig. 8 entlang der Schnittlinie X - X und

Fig. 11

eine explosionsartige, perspektivische Ansicht der Membranpumpe aus Fig. 8.

The invention is explained in more detail below in conjunction with the drawing on the basis of preferred embodiments. Show it

Fig. 1

a perspective view of a diaphragm pump according to the invention according to a first embodiment,

Fig. 2

a cross-sectional view of the diaphragm pump Fig. 1 along the section line II - II,

Fig. 3

an exploded, perspective view of a diaphragm pump according to the invention according to a second embodiment not claimed,

Fig. 4

a further exploded, perspective view of the diaphragm pump according to the invention Fig. 3 ,

Fig. 5

a cross-sectional view of the diaphragm pump Fig. 3 along the section line V - V Fig. 4 ,

Fig. 6

an exploded, perspective view of a diaphragm pump according to the invention according to a third embodiment not claimed,

Fig. 7

a cross-sectional view of the diaphragm pump Fig. 6 ,

Fig. 8

a perspective view of a diaphragm pump according to the invention according to a further, not claimed embodiment,

Fig. 9

a first cross-sectional view of the diaphragm pump Fig. 8 along the section line IX - IX,

Fig. 10

a further, second cross-sectional view of the diaphragm pump Fig. 8 along the section line X - X and

Fig. 11

an exploded, perspective view of the diaphragm pump Fig. 8 .

The Figures 1 and 2 show a diaphragm pump 1 for conveying a (not shown) gaseous and / or liquid medium. The diaphragm pump 1 has several, in the illustrated example four, deformable diaphragms 2 for changing the size of four working spaces 3 of the diaphragm pump 1.

A pumping process consists of a suction phase and a pressure phase, the medium being sucked into an expanding working space 3 in the suction phase and expelled again from a decreasing working space 3 in a compression phase or pressure phase. The membranes 2 are designed to be at least partially, in particular elastically, deformable for increasing or reducing the size of the working space 3.

To deform the diaphragms 2, the diaphragm pump 1 has an actuator unit 4 which is rotatably mounted or driven (cf. Fig. 2 ). To drive the actuator unit 4, a drive device 5, preferably an electric motor, is provided. The deformation of the membranes 2 takes place by contactless application of magnetic fields, wherein the membranes 2 comprise a material or consist of a material that is magnetic and / or magnetizable. In the illustrated example, each membrane 2 has a permanent magnet as the magnetic means 6, which is let in or received in a central region of the membrane 2. In this case, the magnetic means 6 of all the membranes 2 are preferably aligned with the same polarity as the actuator unit 4.

In the illustrated example, the actuator unit 4 has only one actuator means 7, which is designed as a diametrically magnetized ring magnet with two oppositely polarized magnetic poles. For this purpose, the actuator unit 4 has a circumferentially encircling receiving area 4a in which the actuator means 7 is received and held. The actuator unit 4 can in particular be configured in several parts in order to enable the actuator means 7 to be pushed onto the receiving area 4a. In particular, the actuator unit 4 consists of two components that can be screwed to one another or plugged into one another, each having a radial projection, between which the actuator means 7 is held axially in the receiving area 4a. However, other constructive solutions are also possible.

Between the actuator means 7 on the one hand and the magnetic means 6 of the associated diaphragms 2 on the other hand, a magnetic field (not shown) directed radially to an axis of rotation 8 of the actuator unit 4 is formed in order to deform the diaphragms 2 without contact.

The actuator unit 4 is in the in Fig. 2 embodiment shown sleeve-shaped or wave-shaped.

In the illustrated embodiment, the two outer magnetic poles of the actuator means 7 are arranged offset from one another by 180 ° in the direction of rotation of the actuator unit 4 and the four working spaces 3 are arranged offset from one another by 90 ° in the direction of rotation of the actuator unit 4.

As in particular in Fig. 2 As can be seen, the membranes 2 with the associated working spaces 3 are arranged within the longitudinal dimension of the actuator unit 4. In Fig. 2 a rotary position of the actuator unit 4 is shown, in which the membranes 2 of two opposite working spaces 3 are simultaneously deformed due to the magnetic field. The membrane 2 is a first in Fig. 2 shown upper working space 3 repelled by the south pole S of the actuator means or ring magnet and pushed into an inner dead center position (not shown), while the

Membrane 2 of a second in Fig. 2 The lower working space 3 shown is attracted by the north pole N of the ring magnet or actuator means 7 and is pushed into an outer dead center position (not shown). The magnetically repelled membrane 2 and the magnetically attracted membrane 2 are arranged offset from one another by 180 ° in the direction of rotation of the actuator unit 4. In this rotational position of the actuator unit 4, the membranes 2 of the other two working spaces 3 are at most subjected to a slight magnetic interaction with the actuator means 7 and are in a non-deformed rest position. This is due to the fact that the magnetic means 6 of these membranes 2 in the rotational position shown areas (cf. Fig. 4 , Areas 7c) of the actuator unit 4, which are not or only slightly magnetic. Accordingly, there is no or at most only a slight magnetic interaction between the magnetic means 6 and these areas of the actuator unit 4.

When the actuator unit 4 is rotated, FIG Fig. 2 subsequently the membranes 2 of the working spaces 3 arranged downstream in the direction of rotation of the actuator unit 4 are actuated without contact by the moving magnetic poles of the actuator unit 4. Preferably, when the actuator unit 4 is not in any rotational position, the membranes 2 of all the working spaces 3 are simultaneously at the same inner or outer dead center or all are simultaneously in the same non-deflected or slightly deflected position between the dead centers. For example, with a certain rotational position of the actuator unit 4, only the diaphragm 2 of a first working space 3 can be in an inner dead center position, only the diaphragm 2 of a second working space 3 can be in an outer dead center position and the diaphragms 2 of further working spaces 3 can preferably not or only little deformed position are located between the dead centers, which is reached during a suction phase or pressure phase. In this way, very low-pulsation operation of the diaphragm pump 1 according to the invention is made possible. The course of movement of the membranes 2 can be described as a sine curve, the course of movement of the membranes 2 of the four working spaces 3 being described by sine curves offset from one another, and the course of movement of the membranes 2 being superimposed. The cycle of the membrane movement can thus be idealized as a sinusoid.

It is not shown that the two in Fig. 2 Opposite membranes 2 shown on the left and right with reference to the outside facing the actuator unit 4 can also be polarized opposite to one another or have unequal magnetic poles. When the actuator unit 4 rotates, this leads to the diaphragms 2 of the two opposite working spaces being forced either into an inner dead center position or into an outer dead center position by the magnetic poles of the actuator unit 4. It can thereby be achieved that the magnetic forces and / or moments acting on the actuator unit 4 cancel each other out, so that the mechanical load on the actuator unit 4 is correspondingly reduced.

In the embodiment shown, a separate pump head 9 is provided for each membrane 2. The pump heads 9 are accordingly arranged offset from one another by 90 ° in the direction of rotation of the actuator unit 4. The pump heads 9 each have an inner housing part 10 and an outer housing part 11. In the inner housing part 10, a chamber wall 12 is formed, through which the corresponding working space 3 is delimited on the upper side.

The diaphragm pump 1 has an actuator housing 13 for receiving the actuator unit 4. The pump heads 9 are screwed to the actuator housing 13, it being possible for the membranes 2 to be clamped in a sealing manner at their edge regions between the actuator housing 13 on the one hand and the pump heads 9 on the other hand.

Each pump head 9 can have valves (cf. Fig. 5 ), preferably check valves, in order to prevent the medium from being discharged from an inlet in the pressure phase and sucked in via an outlet in the suction phase (cf. Fig. 4 , Inlet 17, outlet 18).

The drive device 5 is also screwed to the actuator housing 13. For this purpose, the drive device 5 has a flange plate 14. The actuator unit 4 is arranged non-rotatably on a drive journal 15 of the drive device 5.

At least one inlet and at least one outlet are arranged in each chamber wall 12 (cf. Fig. 4 , Inlet 17, outlet 18). In the suction phase, the medium is sucked into the working chamber 3 via the inlet and expelled again from the working chamber 3 via the outlet in the pressure phase.

The medium to be conveyed is sucked into the diaphragm pump 1 via a suction line 19. The medium is guided via the suction line 19 into a collecting inlet space 20, the medium being fed from the collecting inlet space 20 to the inlets of the respective working spaces 3. In addition, a collecting outlet space 21 is provided in which the medium expelled from the working spaces 3 via the outlets is collected before it leaves the diaphragm pump 1 via a pressure line 22. In the illustrated example, the collecting inlet space 20 and the collecting outlet space 21 are arranged on the front side of the actuator unit 4 and opposite to the drive device 5. The collecting inlet space 20 and the collecting outlet space 21 are formed by a preferably multi-part collecting housing 23, a separate housing part being provided for each collecting space 20, 21. The collecting housing 23 is screwed to the actuator housing 13. The drive device 5, the actuator housing 13 and the collecting housing 23 lie one behind the other in the direction of the axis of rotation 8 of the actuator unit 4, so that a compact design results.

In the Figs. 3 to 11 alternative embodiments of diaphragm pumps 1 are shown. Functionally identical components of the diaphragm pumps 1 shown are identified by the same reference symbols.

From the Figs. 3 to 5 it can be seen that a drive device 5, an actuator housing 13 and a pump head 9 of this embodiment are arranged axially one behind the other in the direction of the axis of rotation 8 of an actuator unit 4 and are screwed together.

The pump head 9, the actuator housing 13 and the flange plate 14 have an identical outer contour. In particular, apart from fluid and / or power connections, no components are provided that protrude beyond this outer contour. This enables a compact and, in particular, flat construction of the diaphragm pump 1.

In this embodiment, the actuator unit 4 is designed as a rotating disk or plate-shaped, the actuator housing 13 having a corresponding disk-shaped recess 24 in which the actuator unit 4 is received (cf. Fig. 4 ).

In the embodiment shown, a common pump head 9 is provided for all four working spaces 3. The pump head 9 has a cover 25 which has the suction line 19 and the pressure line 22 (cf. Fig. 3 ). In addition, the pump head 9 has an inner housing part 10 and an outer housing part 11. Each working space 3 is delimited by a chamber wall 12 of the inner housing part 10 and a membrane 2. Each membrane 2 has a magnetic means 6.

The actuator unit 4 has according to Fig. 4 two actuator means 7 recessed at the end, which are each formed by a group of permanent magnets 7a, 7b which are polarized identically to the outside. The actuator means 7 or the permanent magnets 7a, 7b arranged in groups are arranged offset from one another by 180 ° in the direction of rotation of the actuator unit 4. In the circumferential or direction of rotation of the actuator unit 4, areas 7c are provided between the permanent magnets 7a, 7b which are not or at most weakly magnetic.

The actuator unit 4 also has, on its end face facing the drive device 5, a bore 26 corresponding to a drive pin 15 of the drive device 5. The actuator unit 4 is non-rotatably connected to the drive pin 15. In addition, a circular recess 27 for receiving a circular projection 16 of the drive device 5 is provided on this end face of the actuator unit 4. In this way, secure storage of the actuator unit 4 is ensured.

How out Fig. 5 As can be seen, a collecting inlet space 20 and a collecting outlet space 21 are formed by the outer housing part 11 of the pump head 9. The collecting spaces 20, 21 are closed on the top by the cover 25 of the pump head 9.

The pump head 9 has valves 28 (only indicated schematically), in particular check valves. This prevents the medium from being discharged from an inlet 17 in the pressure phase and from being sucked in via an outlet 18 in the suction phase. The valves 28 are preferably arranged between the inner housing part 10 and the outer housing part 11.

As also from Fig. 5 As can be seen, the membranes 2 with the associated working spaces 3 are arranged (directly) opposite one end of the actuator unit 4. The membranes 2 are arranged essentially in a common plane. It is in Fig. 5 a rotational position of the actuator unit 4 is shown, in which the membranes 2 are simultaneously deformed by two working spaces 3 offset from one another by 180 ° in the direction of rotation of the actuator unit 4 due to the magnetic field present.

The central axes M of the membranes 2 run laterally offset to the axis of rotation 8 of the actuator unit 4. The magnetic means 6 of the membranes 2 are arranged centrally in the area of the membrane axis M. When the actuator unit 4 is rotated, the actuator means 7 of the actuator unit 4 are moved on a circular path past the magnetic means 6 of the membranes 2, which leads to the cyclic deflection of the membranes 2.

According to Fig. 5 the membrane 2 of a first in Fig. 5 The working space 3 shown on the left is repelled by the south pole of a permanent magnet 7a of the first actuator means 7 and pushed into an inner dead center position (not shown), while the membrane of a second in FIG Fig. 5 Working space 3 shown on the right is attracted by the north pole of a permanent magnet 7b of the second actuator means 7 and is pushed into an outer dead center position (not shown). To achieve pulsation-free operation of the diaphragm pump 1, it is provided that the diaphragms 2 of the two other working spaces 3 in this rotational position of the actuator unit 4 are at most subject to a slight magnetic interaction, since in the shown rotational position of the actuator unit 4 they are not magnetic or at most weakly magnetic formed areas 7c are arranged.

The magnetic means 6 of two diaphragms 2 arranged offset from one another or opposite one another in the direction of rotation of the actuator unit 4 or opposite one another (for example the magnetic means 6 of the in FIG Fig. 5 The diaphragms 2) shown on the left and right can deviate from the actuator side Fig. 5 also be polarized opposite to each other or form magnetic poles of different names. In this case, the magnetic means 6 are arranged such that the membrane 2 of a working space 3 on the side of the actuator unit 4 (outside) has a south pole and the membrane 2 of the opposite working space 3 on the side of the actuator unit 4 has a north pole. When the actuator unit 4 is in a certain rotational position, the opposite Diaphragms 2 are drawn towards the actuator unit 4 at the same time or repelled from the actuator unit 4 or the diaphragms 2 lying opposite are at the same time in an inner dead center position or in an outer dead center position. It can thereby be achieved that the magnetic forces acting on the actuator unit 4 on both sides of the axis of rotation 8 of the actuator unit 4 balance each other out and a torque equilibrium is achieved. In this way, imbalances, which can lead to vibrations and increased wear, can be avoided.

The following is based on the Figs. 6th and 7th another, alternative embodiment of a diaphragm pump described. It is not shown that a pump head is provided which, together with four membranes 2 clamped between the pump head and an actuator housing 13, forms four working spaces. The design of the pump head can be that in the Figs. 3 to 5 embodiment shown correspond.

In this embodiment, a drive device 5 is provided for an actuator unit 4, which is designed as a plate-shaped stator unit 29 with a plurality of coils 30. The coils 30 are preferably arranged concentrically and at regular intervals in the stator unit 29, offset from one another in the direction of rotation of the actuator unit 4. The diaphragm pump 1 has control electronics (not shown) which are designed to control the change in polarity of the coils 30. In this case, the rotational position of the actuator unit 4 is preferably detected, the polarity of the coils 30 being reversed as a function of this rotational position in order to generate a rotating magnetic field. The actuator unit 4 is then driven or rotated on the basis of the rotating magnetic field generated by the coils 30.

The stator unit 29 is preferably designed for the rotary mounting of the actuator unit 4. For this purpose, a preferably centrally arranged bearing bore 31 is provided. Accordingly, the actuator unit 4 has a centrally arranged bearing journal 32, which in particular can be introduced into the bearing bore 31 with an accurate fit. The stator unit 29 is connected to an actuator housing 13.

In addition, two actuator means 7 are provided in the illustrated embodiment, each designed as a circular ring segment-shaped permanent magnet with axial magnetization. The actuator means 7 are in the direction of rotation of the actuator unit 4 arranged offset from one another by 180 ° and preferably extend over 90 ° in the direction of rotation of the actuator unit 4. In this way, an effective magnetic interaction with the stator unit 29 and a high degree of efficiency of the diaphragm pump 1 are made possible.

The actuator means 7 are an integral part of the actuator unit 4 and complement it circumferentially and at the front to form a disk shape, as is particularly clear Fig. 6 emerges. The actuator means 7 each form a magnetic pole N, S on an end face of the actuator unit 4 facing away from the drive unit 5 for acting on an opposite membrane 2 and on the other end face of the actuator unit 4 an oppositely polarized magnetic pole S, N for interaction with the stator unit 29. Regarding Fig. 7 it is also the case in this embodiment that the membranes 2 are arranged on the end opposite to the actuator unit 4 and essentially lying in a common plane.

In order to enable low-pulsation operation of the diaphragm pump 1, an in Fig. 7 The specific rotational position of the actuator unit 4 shown in FIG Fig. 7 Diaphragm 2 of a working space arranged on the left is attracted by the north pole N of the first circular segment-shaped actuator means 7 and pushed into an outer dead center position (not shown), while the diaphragm 2 of a working chamber arranged on the right is repelled by the south pole S of the second circular segment-shaped actuator means 7 and into an inner dead center position being pushed (not shown). The magnetically repelled membrane 2 and the magnetically attracted membrane 2 are arranged offset from one another by 180 ° in the specific rotational position of the actuator unit. The membranes 2 of two further working spaces are correspondingly assigned to areas 7c which are not magnetized or at most weakly magnetized in the specific rotational position and are therefore in a non-deformed position between the dead center positions. Analogous to the previous exemplary embodiments, at no point in time, that is, with no rotational position of the actuator unit 4, the membranes 2 of all working spaces are simultaneously in the same inner or outer dead center position or in the same, preferably not or slightly deflected position between the dead center positions. In the specific rotational position of the actuator unit 4, only the diaphragm 2 of one working space is preferably in the inner dead center position, only the diaphragm 2 of a second working space is in the outer dead center position and the diaphragms 2 of two further working spaces can preferably be in one are not or only slightly deformed position, which is reached during a suction phase or pressure phase and lies between the dead center positions. Corresponding advantages can be realized in this way.

Based on Figures 8 to 11 Another, alternative embodiment of a diaphragm pump 1 is described. A drive device for driving an actuator unit 4 is not shown. According to the embodiments described above, the drive device can be designed as an electric motor or as a brushless DC motor.

How out Fig. 8 As can be seen, the diaphragm pump 1 has an actuator housing 13, an inner housing part 10 and an outer housing part 11. The actuator housing 13, the inner housing part 10 and the outer housing part 11 are arranged with respect to an axis of rotation 8 of the actuator unit 4 ( Fig. 9 ) arranged axially one behind the other and screwed together. The drive device is preferably fastened to the actuator housing 13. For this purpose, the actuator housing 13 has corresponding connecting means, in particular threaded and / or receiving bores (schematically in FIG Fig. 8 indicated). In particular, the actuator housing 13 has a through hole 13a through which a drive pin of the drive device for driving the actuator unit 4 can be passed.

The actuator housing 13, the inner housing part 10 and the outer housing part 11 have an approximately complementary and matching, in particular rectangular or square, outer contour.

In the embodiment shown, four separate pump heads 9 are provided, each of which is arranged and fastened on an outer side of the housing of the diaphragm pump 1. Each pump head 9 has a suction line 19 and a pressure line 22, the fluid to be conveyed being sucked into the pump head 9 via the suction line 19 and conveyed out of the pump head 9 via the pressure line 22.

The membranes 2 are clamped at the edge between the inner housing part 10 and the outer housing part 11 (cf. Fig. 9 ). In this embodiment too, the actuator unit 4 is designed as a rotating disk. In addition, each membrane 2 has, for example, a magnetic means designed as a permanent magnet 6 on. Each working space 3 is delimited by a chamber wall 12 on the one hand and the membrane 2 on the other hand, the chamber wall 12 being formed by a region of the inner housing part 10. The actuator unit 4 has actuator means 7, which are designed as permanent magnets 7a, 7b arranged in groups (corresponding to Fig. 4 ). The unequal magnetic poles or magnetic pole groups formed on the membrane side by the permanent magnets 7a, 7b are arranged offset from one another by 180 ° in the direction of rotation of the actuator unit 4. In the circumferential or direction of rotation of the actuator unit 4 are between the permanent magnets 7a, 7b as in the case of FIG Fig. 4 Embodiment shown areas are provided which are not or at most weakly magnetic.

The working spaces 3 are arranged between the membranes 2 and the permanent magnets 7a, 7b of the actuator unit 4. The membranes 2 are structurally separated from the actuator unit 4 and thus from the actuator means 7 via the chamber walls 12 of the inner housing part 10. The inner housing part 10 consists, at least in the area of the chamber walls 12, of a material, for example a plastic material, which does not oppose the magnetic coupling between the actuator means 7 and the magnetic means 6 of the membranes 2 and allows the membranes 2 to be deformed without contact by the actuator means 7.

In all the embodiments shown and described, the membranes 2 can have a round, preferably circular, outer contour. The preferably cylindrical magnetic means 6 are arranged and held in particular in a central region of the membranes 2 or in the region of the central axes M. In order to avoid contact of the magnetic means 6 with a conveyed fluid, the magnetic means 6 can be arranged on a side of the membranes 2 facing away from the working space 3. For this purpose, the membranes 2 can be designed to be thickened in their middle regions compared to their edge regions, wherein depressions or receiving regions for the magnetic means 6 can be formed in the membranes 2. The magnetic means 6 are then fastened to the membranes 2 by pushing the magnetic means 6 into the receiving areas and, if necessary, by gluing them.

In the case of the Figures 8 to 11 The embodiment shown has the advantage that when the diaphragm pump 1 is in operation, contact between the actuator means 7 of the actuator unit 4 and the magnetic means 6 of the diaphragms 2 is reliably excluded is. This leads to a significant reduction in interfering noises when operating the diaphragm pump 1.

It should be noted that the membranes 2 are preferably thin-walled in their edge regions in order to enable simple deformability. The membranes 2 are preferably only deformed in their edge regions during pumping operation, whereas the central regions - reinforced by the rigid magnetic means 6 - remain essentially dimensionally stable.

The pump heads 9 are laterally connected to the working spaces 3 (cf. Fig. 10 ). Each pump head 9 has a base plate 33 and a head part 34. The suction line 19 and the pressure line 22 are formed by the head part 34. The base plate 33 is arranged, in particular screwed, on the actuator housing 13 and on the outer housing part 11. Valves 28 in the form of an inlet valve 35 and an outlet valve 36 are provided between the base plate 33 and the head part 34 (cf. Fig. 11 ).

In the pumping operation, the fluid to be delivered is sucked in via the suction line 19 of a pump head 9 in the suction phase. After passing through the inlet valve 35, the fluid reaches the working space 3 via the inner housing part 10. In the pressure phase, the fluid is also expelled from the working space 3 via the inner housing part 10.

Next is off Fig. 11 It can be seen that the actuator unit 4 has a plurality of preferably cylindrical recesses 37 which are arranged downstream in the direction of rotation and into which the magnets 7a, 7b are inserted.

It goes without saying that the embodiments described above are not limited to the configuration of the diaphragm pump 1 with four working spaces 3. In addition, the features of the embodiments described above can be combined with one another if necessary, even if this is not expressly described or shown in detail.

List of reference symbols:

1 Diaphragm pump 18th Outlet 2 membrane 19th Suction line 3 working space 20th Collective inlet space 4th Actuator unit 21st Collective outlet space 4a Recording area 22nd Pressure line 5 Drive device 23 Collecting housing 6th Magnetic means 24 Recess 7th Actuator means 25th cover 7a magnet 26th drilling 7b magnet 27 deepening 7c Area 28 Valves 8th Axis of rotation 29 Stator unit 9 Pump head 30th Kitchen sink 10 Housing part 31 Bearing bore 11 Housing part 32 Journal 12th Chamber wall 33 Base plate 13th Actuator housing 34 Headboard 13a Through hole 35 Inlet valve 14th Flange plate 36 outlet valve 15th Drive journal 37 Recess 16 head Start 17th inlet

Claims (7)

1. Diaphragm pump (1) for conveying a gaseous and/or liquid medium, comprising at least one deformable diaphragm (2) for changing the size of a working space (3) of the diaphragm pump (1) and at least one actuator unit (4) for deforming the diaphragm (2) by contactless application of a magnetic field to the diaphragm (2), the diaphragm (2) comprising a material or consisting of a material which is magnetic and/or magnetisable, and accordingly the actuator unit (4) comprises at least one magnetisable and/or magnetic actuator means (7), characterized in that the actuator unit (4) is rotatably mounted and the diaphragm (2) is arranged circumferentially relative to the actuator unit (4), wherein in a dead-centre position of the diaphragm (2) the polarisation direction of the magnetic field formed between the material of the diaphragm (2) and the actuator means (7) is aligned radially relative to the axis of rotation of the actuator unit (4).
2. Diaphragm pump (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that two, preferably four, working chambers (3) are provided, each working chamber (3) being assigned a separate pump head (9).
3. Diaphragm pump (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that several diaphragms (2) arranged in succession in the direction of rotation of the actuator unit (4) can be deformed without contact by the actuator means (7).
4. Diaphragm pump (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the actuator unit (4) has a plurality of oppositely polarised magnetic poles of the number n and/or a plurality of oppositely polarised magnetic pole groups of the number n acting on the diaphragm (2), each magnetic pole group consisting only of equally polarised magnetic poles and n being greater than or equal to two and the magnetic poles being formed by one or more actuator means (7).
5. Diaphragm pump according to claim 4, characterized in that oppositely polarized magnetic poles and/or oppositely polarised magnetic pole groups of the actuator unit (4) are arranged successively in the direction of rotation of the actuator unit (4), wherein, further preferably, the magnetic poles or magnetic pole groups are arranged offset from one another by 360°/n in the direction of rotation of the actuator unit (4).
6. Diaphragm pump (1) according to one of the preceding claims 4 or 5, characterized in that several working chambers (3) of the number m are provided, wherein a diaphragm (2) is associated with each working chamber (3), wherein m is preferably greater than or equal to n and wherein, further preferably, the working chambers (3) are arranged offset relative to one another by 360°/m in the direction of rotation of the actuator unit (4).
7. Method for contactless actuation of the diaphragms (2) of the working chambers (3) of a diaphragm pump (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the diaphragms (2) of at least two, preferably four, working chambers (3) are deformed without contact by the application of a magnetic field, wherein the magnetic field is formed between the diaphragms (2) and at least one magnetic and/or magnetisable actuator means (7) of a rotatable actuator unit (4) and wherein diaphragms (2) arranged successively in the direction of rotation of the actuator unit (4) are deformed without contact by magnetic interaction with the actuator means (7).

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