EP3830421B1

EP3830421B1 - Pump group

Info

Publication number: EP3830421B1
Application number: EP19735406.1A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Giovanni Tebaldini
Original assignee: Industrie Saleri Italo SpA
Current assignee: Industrie Saleri Italo SpA
Priority date: 2018-08-03
Filing date: 2019-06-13
Publication date: 2023-05-03
Anticipated expiration: 2039-06-13
Also published as: EP3830421A1; WO2020026044A1; CN112543846B; MX2021001132A; US20210199116A1; IT201800007845A1; CN112543846A

Description

The present invention concerns a pump group for an engine cooling system of a vehicle. In particular, this cooling system is specific to cooling the engine, for example, but not necessarily, of the internal combustion type, of the vehicle.
In the state of the art there are many known embodiments of pump groups for an engine cooling system that differ from each other in dimensions and type of drive.
Specifically, the pump group object of the present invention is placed in this context, comprising a mechanical-type drive. In other words, the pump group object of the present invention comprises a mechanical drive which controls the rotary movement of the impeller comprised therein, thus controlling the movement of the cooling liquid which flows into the cooling system to which the pump group may be fluidically connected.
In the state of the art there are many technical solutions of pump groups in which said mechanical drive is suitable to receive a rotary control action from a group external to the pump group in turn comprised in the vehicle, for example by means of specific transmission elements, such as belts and/or chains, and transform it in turn into a rotary action of the impeller. Some examples of such known solutions are shown in documents EP3137748 A1 , DE102014223327 A1 , US2016/017894 A1 and US2002/012593 A1 .
According to some embodiments, the mechanical drive is a pulley, an electromagnetic pulley, a pulley containing a clutch group, for example a centrifugal clutch.
According to the preferred known embodiments, the mechanical drive is directly mounted on the shaft on which is mounted the impeller.
In the solutions of pump groups belonging to the state of the art, the problem is therefore encountered of needing a driving shaft that is suitable to support the forces and inertia of the mechanical drive.
The object of the present invention is to provide a pump group for an engine cooling system of a vehicle, for example for an internal combustion engine, which addresses the aforesaid problems. In particular, the object of the present invention must be contextualized to the sector of reference, i.e. the automotive sector, and thus provide a pump group with compact dimensions and simple production suitable to be housed in the vehicle, preferably near the engine comprised therein.
Such an object is achieved by a pump group according to claim 1. The claims dependent thereon refer to preferred variant embodiments, having further advantageous aspects.
The object of the present invention is hereinafter described in detail with the aid of the accompanying figures, wherein:

Figures 1a and 1b illustrate two perspective views of a pump group in accordance with the present invention, according to a possible embodiment;
Figure 2 shows a side view of the pump group as shown in Figures 1a and 1b;
Figure 3 shows a longitudinal section of the pump group in Figure 2;
Figure 4 illustrates a perspective view in separate parts of the pump group in Figures 1a and 1b;
Figure 5 illustrates a longitudinal sectional view in separate parts of the pump group in Figures 1a and 1b.

In the aforesaid figures, a pump group for an engine cooling system of a vehicle, preferably for cooling the engine, for example an internal combustion engine, is indicated collectively at reference number 1. Specifically, the pump group 1, object of the present invention, is suitable for moving a predefined quantity of cooling liquid in the ducts of an engine cooling system of an engine. Preferably said cooling liquid is a liquid solution based on water and glycol and/or oil. Specifically, the present invention is not limited to the nature of the type of cooling liquid.
The pump group 1, object of the present invention, preferably extends in length with respect to an axis X-X.
The pump group 1, object of the present invention, comprises an impeller 2 rotatable with respect to said axis X-X. In other words, said impeller 2 has a center of rotation that lies on said axis X-X.
Preferably, the impeller 2 is of the radial type, being specially shaped to perform a suction action on the cooling liquid, preferably in the axial direction, and to perform a thrust action, preferably in the radial direction.
In other words, the impeller 2 is specifically suited to move a quantity of cooling liquid in the engine cooling system.
According to the present invention, moreover, the pump group 1 comprises a shaft 3 extending in length along the axis X-X.
The shaft 3 comprises an impeller end 32 on which the impeller 2 is integrally mounted and a control portion 31 suitable to receive a rotary control action from a mechanical drive 5 which is in turn comprised in the pump group 1 as described in detail below.
According to the present invention, the pump group 1 comprises a pump body 4 supporting and housing the respective components of the pump group 1. In particular, in effect, the pump group 1 is suitable to be fluidically connected to the respective ducts of the engine cooling system of a vehicle.
According to the present invention, the pump body 4 is divided into a plurality of specific members/bodies:

an impeller body 42 which houses the impeller 2 in a specially shaped impeller chamber 42;
a shaft body 43 that partially accommodates and supports the driving shaft 3 in free rotation (which in the attached figures is shown comprising the respective shaft bearing assembly);
a control body 44 comprising a control cavity 44 through which the driving shaft 3 extends in such a way that the control end 31 thereof protrudes axially from said control body 44.

In accordance with the present invention, the control body 44 is integrally connected to the shaft body 43.
According to the present invention, the pump group 1 comprises a mechanical drive 5 having the purpose of controlling the rotation of the shaft 3 by receiving an external action from an external group, for example the motor group, to which it is connected by means of a transmission group or a transmission element, such as a belt, a chain or a kinematic gear mechanism.
In particular, as is clearly visible in the accompanying figures, said mechanical drive 5 is suitable to engage the shaft 3 being mounted on said control body 44.
The mechanical drive 5 in effect comprises:

l) a rotating member 51 mounted in free rotation on the control body 44 with respect to the axis X-X, wherein the rotating member 51 is suitable to receive an external action from an external group which moves it in rotation, for example from a transmission element, or belt;
m) a rotating drum 52 integrally connected to the control end 31 of the shaft 3;
n) a control device 53 configurable in an engagement configuration in which the rotating member 51 and the rotating drum 52 are mutually engaged to rotate together and a disengagement configuration wherein the rotating member 51 is separate from the rotating drum 52 rotating individually.

According to a preferred embodiment, the rotating member 51 has a substantially axial-symmetrical shape with respect to the axis X-X.
According to the present invention, the rotating member 51 has a substantially annular shape.
In particular, according to a preferred embodiment, the rotating member 51 comprises at a first axial end an operating cavity 510 in which the rotating drum 52 and partially the control device 53 are housed.
In addition, according to a preferred embodiment, the rotating member 51 comprises, at a second axial end, a body housing cavity 511, in which the control body 44 is at least partially housed. For example, in the accompanying figures, the entire control body 44 is housed in the body housing cavity 51.
According to a preferred embodiment, the rotating member 51 comprises a cap 518 suitable to close the operating cavity 510 preventing access thereto from the outside, for example protecting it from the elements.
According to a preferred embodiment, the rotating member 51 comprises an outer perimeter wall 515 that extends parallel to the axis X-X; this wall is thus located in a distal position from said axis X-X.
Preferably, the perimeter wall 515 is suitable to be engaged by an external group to receive the external rotational action; preferably on said perimeter wall 515 a drive belt may thus be wound.
According to the present invention, the rotating member 51 further comprises an inner wall 513 which extends parallel to the axis X-X suitable to engage the control body 44 by means of a bearing group 512 (preferably in turn comprised in the mechanical drive 5); thus, preferably, the inner wall 513 is in a position proximal to said axis X-X.
According to a preferred embodiment, the rotating member 51 comprises a radial wall 514 that extends radially to said axis X-X to join integrally the inner wall 513 with the outer perimeter wall 515.
In other words, the radial wall 514 axially separates the operating cavity 510 and the body housing cavity 511. The operating cavity 510 and the body housing cavity 511 are radially defined by the inner wall 513 and by the outer perimeter wall 515.
According to a preferred embodiment, the rotating drum 52 is integrally mounted on the shaft 3, on the control end 31 of the shaft 3, which protrudes from the control body 44.
Preferably, the rotating drum 52 has a substantially radial extension with respect to the shaft 3.
According to a preferred embodiment, the control device 53 performs an action in the axial direction which allows the configuration change between the engagement configuration and the disengagement configuration and vice versa.
According to a preferred embodiment, the control device 53 comprises first control members 531 housed in the control body 44 and second control devices 532 housed on the control drum 52.
Said first control members 531 and said second control members 532 are magnetically sensitive to each other.
Preferably, the first control members 531 are of the type comprising sensors or coils of electrical or electronic type adapted to produce a magnetic field, while the second members 532 are of the type comprising magnetically sensitive elements suitable to undergo the action of said magnetic field produced by the first control members 531.
According to a preferred embodiment, the second control members 532 comprise a disk element 532' fitted axially movable on the driving shaft 3.
According to a preferred embodiment, the second control members 532 comprise moving elements 532", housed on the drum element 52, which are magnetically sensitive.
Preferably, the moving elements 532" engage the disk element 532' in such a way as to control its axial position between an engagement position in which the rotating member 51 that drives it in rotation transmits via the moving elements 532" the rotary motion to the drum 52 (corresponding to the engagement configuration), and a disengagement position in which it is axially separated from the rotating member 51, which then rotates in solitary mode (corresponding to the disengagement configuration).
According to a preferred embodiment, said moving elements 532" comprise elastically resilient members adapted to perform normally an action on the disk element 532' in such a way as to keep it in the disengagement position, and adapted to perform an action on the disk element 532' which brings it into an engagement position only on command of the magnetic action produced by the first control members 531.
According to a preferred embodiment shown in the accompanying figures, the moving elements 532" are elastic wing elements.
According to a preferred embodiment, the disk element 532' in the engagement position, which corresponds to the engagement configuration, performs a friction action on the rotating member 51. In other words, the action of mutual engagement between the disk element 532' and the rotating member 51 is due to the friction between the two components. Preferably, the disk element 532' has portions with friction material specifically designed for this purpose.
Preferably, therefore, the mechanical drive 5 is suitable to be axially fitted on the control body 44 being specially shaped to accommodate and operate also with the control portion 31 of the shaft 3.
In particular, according to the invention, the control body 44 has a substantially asymmetrical shape comprising a central tubular portion 441 having axial extension, wherein within the central tubular portion 441 is obtained the control opening 440.
According to the invention, the control opening 440 is substantially complementary in dimension to the shaft 3. Preferably, due to the central tubular portion 441, the shaft 3 is maintained in the axis X-X by the walls that define said control opening 440.
According to the invention, the rotating member 51 is mounted outside the central tubular portion 441; in particular, the bearing unit 512 is housed on the central tubular portion 441.
Moreover, according to the invention, the control body 44 further comprises a support portion 443 distal from the axis X-X, suitable for engaging the shaft body 43.
According to a preferred embodiment, the support portion 443 has a dimension substantially complementary to the body housing cavity 511.
Moreover, according to the invention, the control body 44, further comprises a radial portion 442 extending substantially radially to said axis X-X to join integrally the central tubular portion 441 and the support portion 443.
According to a preferred embodiment, the control body 44 is a single piece. Preferably, the control body 44 is made as a single element out of steel alloy.
According to a preferred embodiment, the control body 44 has an increasing cross-section starting from the proximal portions to the axis X-X, i.e. from the central tubular portion 441, to the distal portions from the axis X-X, i.e. the support portion 443.
Preferably, the central tubular portion 441, the radial portion 442 and the support portion 443 are connected to each other with curved profiles. According to a preferred embodiment, the central tubular portion 441, the radial portion 442 and the support portion 443 do not have sharp edges.
Preferably, the first control members 531 are housed in said support portion 443.
According to the present invention, it is also possible to envisage embodiments of dual-type pump groups, i.e. including an electric drive in addition to the described mechanical drive.
According to this preferred embodiment, the electric control drive engages in turn the shaft 3 to guide it in rotation, preferably in a configuration wherein it is not driven in rotation by the mechanical drive 5 (preferably controlled in the disengagement configuration).
According to a preferred embodiment, said electric control drive, comprises an electric control motor and is positioned between the impeller 2 and the mechanical drive 5.
Preferably, the pump body 4 comprises an electric drive body that houses said electric motor, positioned between the shaft body and the control body or between the impeller body and the shaft body.
Innovatively, the pump group that is object of the present invention clearly satisfies the purpose of the present invention.
Advantageously, the pump group that is the object of the present invention comprises a mechanical drive and a pump body, respectively, specially shaped to prevent all the forces and inertia of the mechanical drive from being discharged on the shaft. Advantageously, the shaft may be sized according to the actions it must undergo. Advantageously, the shaft has dimensions, and in particular diameter, smaller than the shafts of the known pump groups.
Advantageously, the pump group has a simple and compact shape and dimensions.
Advantageously, in the pump group that is the object of the present invention, the pump body and mechanical drive are specially shaped in such a way that the mechanical drive is kept aligned along the axis.
Advantageously, the pump body has a high structural strength.
Advantageously, the control body is suitable to make full use of the space inside the rotating member, i.e. inside the mechanical drive.
Advantageously, the mechanical drive has a simple, precise and reliable operation when switching between the engagement configuration and the disengagement configuration.
Advantageously, an embodiment of a dual pump group that makes full use of the aforesaid advantages is foreseeable.

Claims

Pump group (1), for an engine cooling system of a vehicle, comprising:
- an impeller (2) rotatable with respect to an axis (X-X) suitable to move a quantity of cooling liquid into the engine cooling system;

- a shaft (3) extending in length along the axis (X-X) comprising an impeller end (32) on which the impeller (3) is mounted and a control end (31) adapted to receive a rotary control action;

- a pump body (4) which comprises:
i) an impeller body (42) which houses the impeller (2) in an impeller chamber (420);

ii) a shaft body (43) which partially houses and supports the shaft (3) in free rotation;

iii) a control body (44) integrally connected to the shaft body (43) comprising a control opening (440) through which the shaft (3) extends in such a way that the control end (31) protrudes axially from said control body (44); wherein the control body (44) is substantially axial-symmetrical in shape and comprises:
- a central tubular portion (441) having axial extension, wherein inside the central tubular portion (441) the control opening (440) is obtained, with a dimension substantially complementary to the shaft (3), such that the shaft (3) is kept in axis (X-X) by the walls defining said control opening (440);

- a support portion (443) positioned in a distal position from the axis (X-X) adapted to engage the shaft body (43);

- a radial portion (442) extending substantially radially to said axis (X-X) to join integrally the central tubular portion (441) and the support portion (443) ;

- a mechanical drive (5) that controls the rotation of the shaft (3) comprising:
l) a rotating member (51) mounted on the control body (44) outside the central tubular portion (441), in free rotation with respect to the axis (X-X), wherein the rotating member (51) is suitable to receive an external rotary action from an external group comprised in the vehicle, for example from a transmission element;

m) a rotating drum (52) integrally connected to the control end (31) of the shaft (3);

n) a control device (53) configurable in an engagement configuration in which the rotating member (51) and the rotating drum (52) are mutually engaged to rotate together and a disengagement configuration wherein the rotating member (51) is separate from the rotating drum (52) and rotates individually.
Pump group (1) according to claim 1, wherein the rotating member (51) is substantially axial-symmetrical in shape in relation to the axis (X-X) and comprises, at a first axial end, an operating cavity (510) in which the rotating drum (52) and, partially, the control device (53) are housed and, at a second axial end, a body housing cavity (511) in which the control body (44) is at least partially housed.
Pump group (1) according to claim 2, wherein the rotating member (51) comprises a plug (518) adapted to close the operating cavity (510) preventing access from the outside.
Pump group (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the rotating member (51) comprises:
- an outer perimeter wall (515), positioned in a distal position from the axis (X-X), extending parallel to the axis (X-X), wherein said perimeter wall (515) is suitable to be engaged by an outer unit to receive an external rotational action;

- an inner wall (513), positioned in a position proximal to the axis (X-X), extending parallel to the axis (X-X), wherein said inner wall (513) engages the control body (44) by means of a bearing group (512);

- a radial wall (514) extending substantially radially to said axis (X-X) to join integrally the inner wall (513) with the outer perimeter wall (515).
Pump group (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said support portion (443) has a dimension substantially complementary to the body housing cavity (511).
Pump group (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the control device (53) performs an action in the axial direction which allows the configuration change between the engagement configuration and the disengagement configuration and vice versa.
Pump group (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the control device (53) comprises first control members (531) housed in the control body (44) and second control members (532) housed on the control drum (52) wherein the first control members (531) and the second control members (532) are magnetically sensitive to each other.
Pump group (1) according to claim 7, wherein the first control members (531) are of the type comprising electronic sensors suitable to produce a magnetic field, while the second members (532) are of the type comprising magnetically sensitive elements suitable to undergo the action of said magnetic field produced by the first control members (531).
Pump group (1) according to claim 8, wherein said second control members (532) comprise a disk element (532') fitted axially movable on the driving shaft (3) and moving elements (532") housed on the drum element (52), magnetically sensitive, engaging said disk element (532') in such a way as to control its axial position between an engagement position, in which the rotating member (51) drives it in rotation transmitting via the moving elements (532") the rotary motion to the drum (52), and a disengagement position in which it is axially separated from the rotating member (51).
Pump group (1) according to claim 9, wherein said moving elements (532") comprise elastically resilient members adapted to normally perform an action on the disk element (532') in such a way as to keep it in a disengagement position, and adapted to carry out an action on the disk element (532') which brings it into an engagement position only on command of the magnetic action produced by the first control members (531).
Pump group (1) according to any one of claims 9 or 10, wherein the disk element (532') in the engagement position, which corresponds to the engagement configuration, performs a friction action on the rotating member (51).
Pump group (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising an electric control drive, adapted to engage the shaft (3) to guide it in rotation, wherein said electric control drive comprises an electric control motor and is positioned between the impeller (2) and the mechanical drive (5), wherein the pump body (4) comprises an electric drive body housing said electric motor, positioned between the shaft body and the control body or between the impeller body and the shaft body.