ES2969297T3 - Flange connection for vacuum pumps - Google Patents

Abstract

A flange connection for mounting vacuum pumps comprising an upper body configured to receive at least two stators creating pump chambers in which respective rotors will be housed. The flange connection further comprises a lower body configured to receive a motor from each vacuum pump, at least one inlet port to suck air from a device where the pressure is intended to be lowered, and at least one conduit housed in the flange connection that is in fluid. communication with at least one input port. The upper body further comprises a respective inlet orifice fluidly communicable with each pump chamber and which is in fluid communication with at least one conduit. At least one conduit comprises flow control means configured to selectively pass air from at least one inlet port to at least one of the pump chambers. (Automatic translation with Google Translate, without legal value)

Description

DESCRIPTION

Flange connection for vacuum pumps

Technical field

This invention belongs to the field of vacuum systems for the automotive industry, preferably for brake boosters. More particularly, it relates to flange connections for vacuum pumps comprising a rotor with one or more vanes inserted therein, the rotor being contained in a stator where subspaces are created between the one or more vanes, the walls of the stator and the rotor when the rotor moves.

State of the art

Brake boosters are components used in braking systems in motor vehicles to provide assistance to the driver by reducing the braking effort the driver has to make to stop the vehicle. Brake boosters amplify/increase the mechanical effort of the brake pedal by using vacuum from a vacuum chamber that provides greater braking force.

Vacuum pumps are devices that remove fluid molecules, e.g. e.g., gas molecules such as air molecules, from a sealed volume to leave behind a partial vacuum. These vacuum pumps usually integrate a rotor housed within a casing so that, when the rotor rotates, the rotor vanes transport the fluid charge from the inlet of the casing to an outlet (exhaust) of the same casing creating an area low pressure.

Pump arrangements are known and are used to generate high or ultra-high vacuums for braking systems. The vacuum in the vacuum chamber of the brake boosters can be generated by these vacuum pumps. Vacuum pump arrangements with vacuum pumps connected in series or parallel are known. These known arrangements have the disadvantage that the required pressure or vacuum pressure is established only relatively slowly and/or a relatively large pump capacity is required.

Vacuum pump arrangements typically consist of a single vacuum pump and, exceptionally, two vacuum pumps that are independent of each other and connected to each other by vacuum lines. Depending on whether the vacuum pumps are connected in series or parallel, these vacuum lines can be designed as direct external connections between the vacuum pumps or as external branches, respectively. These external vacuum lines make the design of the vacuum pump arrangement more complex and less reliable, as the vacuum lines and their connections to the vacuum pumps can cause vacuum losses due to vacuum leaks.

On the other hand, the vacuum pump arrangements for the brake booster are critical elements in terms of user safety, since the braking of the vehicle, in the event of failure of the vacuum pump arrangements, can be seriously compromised.

Document CN206035815 U discloses an electric vacuum pump comprising a motor and a pump body. US2014/161640 A1 discloses a pump with a pump chamber, an electric motor, a silencer enclosing a volume in the area of the pump chamber, wherein the volume is in active connection with an outlet opening and a silencer front that is arranged inside the silencer. Document US2007/122298 A1 discloses an electrically driven pump having two hydraulic pumps and two electric motors that are adjusted in such a way as to make it possible to obtain the power of the unit by adding the power of the two motors. Document CN110466490 A describes a redundancy vacuum booster system for braking electric cars based on dual electric vacuum pumps.

Description of the invention

The invention provides a solution to the aforementioned problems by means of a flange connection for vacuum pumps according to claim 1. Preferred embodiments of the invention are defined in the dependent claims.

A first aspect of the invention relates to a flange connection for mounting a plurality of vacuum pumps, that is, two or more vacuum pumps. The plurality of vacuum pumps mounted on the flange connection can be operated individually or in combination based on the vacuum requirements of the device to which these vacuum pumps must provide vacuum. The flange connection comprises an upper body and a lower body. For example, the upper body may comprise a top wall and an upper side wall surrounding the outer edge of the top wall. Alternatively, the upper body may be just an upper wall configured to act as a cover for the lower body. The upper surface of the upper body is configured to receive a stator of each of the vacuum pumps to be mounted on the flange connection. Each stator creates, with the upper part of the body, the pump chamber of the corresponding vacuum pump. A rotor must be housed in each pump chamber. For example, the rotors may be circular rotors or elliptical rotors, among other types of rotors, with at least one slot and at least one vane, each vane being at least partially inserted into the at least one slot of the rotor. In turn, the lower body may further comprise a lower wall and a lower side wall surrounding the outer edge of the lower wall. The lower surface of the lower body is configured to receive a motor for each of the vacuum pumps. For example, the motors may be electric motors. The upper body and the lower body, and more specifically, the respective upper wall and the lower wall, of the flange connection have respective openings through which the respective drive shafts of the motors can be inserted, so that these shafts The drive elements must drive the rotors located in the pump chambers.

The flange connection also comprises at least one inlet port for drawing air from the device where the pressure is intended to be reduced, e.g. e.g., from a vacuum chamber of a brake booster, the flange connection is connected to or from an intermediate vacuum reservoir from which the brake boosters and other vehicle subsystems, such as the air conditioning system, etc., can receive vacuum . The flange connection may have one or more inlet ports for drawing air from the same device or for drawing air from different devices. The flange connection also comprises at least one conduit housed in the flange connection that is in fluid communication with the at least one inlet port. As an example, the flange connection may have a conduit fluidly communicating the one or more inlet ports with all of the vacuum pumps in the assembly or may have more than one conduit, each conduit fluidly communicating at least an inlet port with one or more vacuum pumps of the plurality of vacuum pumps in the assembly. For example, the inlet ports may be inlet tubes or inlet openings, etc.

The upper body also comprises at least one inlet orifice fluidly communicable with each pump chamber and which is in fluid communication with the at least one conduit. In turn, the at least one duct comprises flow control means configured to selectively allow air to pass from the at least one inlet port to at least one of the pump chambers of the respective vacuum pumps (front air flow). . These fluid control means are also configured to prevent the passage of air in the opposite direction (reverse air flow).

In some embodiments, the upper body of the flange connection further comprises at least one outlet orifice located in correspondence with each of the pump chambers, so that these outlet orifices are fluidly communicable with the pump chambers. corresponding pump. In turn, the upper body and the lower body define an intermediate chamber into which the air coming out of the pump chambers enters through the outlet holes. Additionally, the flange connection may comprise at least one outlet port through which air located in the intermediate chamber exits the flange connection. In this way, the at least one outlet port can communicate fluidly with the intermediate chamber, so that the compressed air exiting the pump chambers of the vacuum pumps that are currently being operated through the respective outlet ports enter the intermediate chamber and then exit the flange connection through the outlet ports. Alternatively, the outlet ports may be located directly on the stators, so that the compressed air exits directly from the vacuum pumps through the outlet ports without first entering the flange connection. For example, the outlet ports may be outlet tubes or outlet openings, etc.

In some embodiments, the flow control means is configured to pass air from the at least one inlet port to at least one of the pump chambers based on the operation of the corresponding vacuum pumps. Therefore, the flow control means will only allow air flow to pass into those pump chambers of the vacuum pumps that are operational at a particular time.

In some embodiments, the flow control means is at least one non-return valve (NRV) configured to open, allowing air flow, when the pressure at the inlet of the non-return valve (upstream side of the VRN in fluid communication with the device where the pressure is intended to be reduced) is greater than the pressure at the outlet of the non-return valve (downstream side of the NRV in fluid communication with the vacuum chamber) and to close, preventing air from flowing in the direction opposite, when the pressure at the outlet of the check valve is equal to or greater than the pressure at the inlet of the check valve. The operation of the rotor of a particular vacuum pump generates a pressure reduction, that is, a partial vacuum, at the outlet (downstream side of the VRN) of the non-return valve interposed between the corresponding pump chamber and the device to which the vacuum pump is providing vacuum. A pressure difference will then be created between the inlet and outlet of the NRV. This pressure difference between the inlet and outlet of the check valve causes the check valve to open allowing air to pass into the pump chamber of that particular vacuum pump. Depending on the structural characteristics of the check valves, this pressure difference between the inlet and the outlet will have to be greater or less to open or close the check valve.

In some other embodiments, the flow control means may be switching valves, bypass valves, or electronic valves, among other types of valves, that are capable of selectively passing air from the device to which vacuum is to be provided to the corresponding vacuum pumps. For example, there could be a single valve to control air flow to all vacuum pumps attached to the flange connection or there could be a respective valve to control air flow to each vacuum pump.

In some embodiments, the flange connection may comprise a check valve located in a portion of the at least one conduit between the at least one inlet port and each of the inlet ports. Thus, each check valve may be configured to control air flow from the at least one inlet port toward the pump chamber to which the corresponding inlet port is fluidly communicable.

Alternatively, all of these valves, i.e. check valves, switching valves, bypass valves or electronic valves, among other types of valves, instead of being located in the conduits at the flange connection, can be located in the ports inlet of the flange connection or in the vacuum lines that fluidly communicate the vacuum pumps with the device where the pressure is intended to be reduced.

In some embodiments, the flange connection comprises an inlet portion comprising at least a portion of the conduit. As used herein, the inlet portion may refer to an element that may be attached to the flange connection or that may be an integral part of the flange connection. Furthermore, the inlet portion may fully integrate the duct or may integrate part of the duct while the remainder of the duct may be integrated into the flange connection, e.g. e.g., on the upper or lower body of the flange connection.

In some embodiments, the inlet portion may be coupled to the lower surface of the upper wall and a portion of the upper side wall of the upper body in correspondence with the at least one inlet port. The inlet portion may integrate the conduit which may be in fluid communication with the at least one inlet port and with the inlet orifices in the upper wall of the upper body by interposing respective expansion chambers. This inlet portion may be an integral part of the flange connection.

In some embodiments, the inlet portion may be removably attached to the bottom surface of the upper wall of the upper body in correspondence with the at least one inlet port. The inlet portion, which is an independent element of the upper and lower bodies, may comprise the at least one conduit, inlet openings corresponding to the at least one inlet port and which are in fluid communication with the at least one conduit. , expansion chambers in correspondence with the inlet holes in the upper wall of the upper body and in fluid communication with the at least one conduit and means for joining the inlet portion to the lower surface of the upper body, e.g. e.g. screw elements. Furthermore, the inlet portion may comprise respective sealing gaskets surrounding the inlet openings and expansion chambers to ensure that there are no vacuum leaks in these connection areas. In such embodiments, the flange connection may comprise guide means, e.g. e.g., pins extending from the bottom surface of the top wall and a guide passage in the inlet portion to receive the guide pin, to facilitate positioning of the inlet portion with respect to the flange connection. Other means of guidance could also be used.

In some embodiments, the inlet portion may be attached to a bottom surface of the top wall and to a portion of the top side wall in correspondence with the at least one inlet port. In turn, the conduit may comprise a tube having inlet openings for communicating with the at least one inlet port, conduit portions located in the inlet portion wherein each conduit portion is in fluid communication with an inlet port. respective through corresponding expansion chambers and with one end of the tube. In such embodiments, the flange connection may have a check valve located in each conduit portion of the inlet portion. In such embodiments, the inlet portion may be an integral part of the flange connection while the tube may be an element external to the inlet portion and connectable to the inlet portion.

In some embodiments, the inlet portion may comprise an upper portion coupled to the lower surface of the upper wall and positioned in correspondence with the at least one inlet port and a lower portion removably attached to the upper portion. For example, the upper portion and the lower portion of the inlet portion may be symmetrical to each other. In such embodiments, the upper portion may be an integral part of the flange connection, while the lower portion may be a separate element that can be removably attached to the upper portion.

In some embodiments, both the upper portion and the lower portion of the inlet portion comprise an inlet recess corresponding to the at least one inlet port and slots defining the at least one conduit. The slots communicate the inlet recesses and, therefore, the at least one inlet port, with the inlet holes through the respective expansion chambers. The inlet portion may further comprise means for joining the lower portion to the upper portion, such as screw elements or the like. Furthermore, the inlet portion may comprise respective sealing gaskets surrounding the inlet recesses and grooves to ensure that no vacuum leaks occur in these contact areas. In such embodiments, the upper portion and the lower portion of the inlet portion may comprise guide means to facilitate positioning of the lower portion with respect to the upper portion. For example, the upper portion may comprise guide pins that fit within the guide passages in the lower portion or have a particular geometry that fits the geometry of the lower portion.

In some embodiments, the upper body may comprise a plurality of mounting brackets coupled to the upper side wall, the mounting brackets having recesses to accommodate rubber studs. The rubber studs can be inserted into recesses in the mounting brackets along with sleeve elements to be assembled into the mounting brackets. These mounting brackets allow the flange connection to attach to the vehicle structure within its engine compartment. Alternatively, the lower body may comprise mounting brackets.

In some embodiments, the inlet portion may be coupled to the lower surface of the upper wall and a portion of the upper side wall of the upper body in correspondence with the at least one inlet port. The upper body may be a substantially planar upper wall configured to act as a cover for the lower body. The inlet portion may integrate the duct for which the upper body may also act as a cover. This inlet portion may be an integral part of the flange connection or may be a separate attachable part, e.g. e.g., by means of screws, to the lower part of the body. The inlet portion may comprise seals surrounding the conduit to ensure that no vacuum leaks occur between the conduit and the upper body. In some embodiments, the flange connection may comprise a mounting portion to which an electronic computing unit (ECU) is to be coupled. The mounting portion may be attached to the flange portion by fastening parts such as mounting brackets, clamps, etc. For example, the mounting portion may be coupled to at least one mounting bracket of the upper body, and more preferably to two mounting brackets. As used herein, ECU may refer to any combination of hardware and software logic for controlling the operation of the vacuum pumps coupled to the flange connection. The ECU may also implement a combination of hardware and software logic to control other components in the vehicle, such as engine actuators, the anti-lock braking system (ABS), or the vehicle's A/C system, among other subsystems. .

A second aspect of the invention relates to a vacuum assembly comprising a flange connection as described above and at least two vacuum pumps. The stators of the at least two vacuum pumps are coupled to the upper surface of the top wall to create respective pump chambers in which the corresponding rotors of the vacuum pumps are housed. Furthermore, the motor of each vacuum pump is coupled to the lower surface of the lower wall of the lower body and the respective drive shafts of the motors are inserted into the openings of the upper wall and the lower wall to drive the rotors in the pump chambers.

The flange connection for vacuum pumps presents several advantages and/or differences compared to previous devices. It provides a compact solution that allows vacuum pumps to be installed in residual spaces in the engine compartment, using the available space in the vehicle in a more efficient way. The shape and geometry of the flange connection may be different depending on the availability of space and the arrangement of the rest of the elements in the engine compartment of the vehicle. Additionally, the intermediate chamber in which compressed air enters the pump chambers before exiting the flange connection through the outlet ports significantly simplifies the layout design and reduces the number of components to communicate. fluidly the vacuum pumps. It also avoids the use of vacuum lines, such as hoses and pipes, and their corresponding connections that can cause vacuum losses that can compromise the safety and reliability of the braking system. The flange connection is also low cost and makes installation on the vehicle easier. It also allows redundant vacuum systems to be designed with two or more vacuum pumps ensuring that at least one vacuum pump will be available at any time.

Brief description of the drawings

To complete the description and to provide a better understanding of the invention, a set of drawings is provided. Said drawings form an integral part of the description and illustrate an embodiment of the invention, which is not to be construed as a restriction of the scope of the invention, but only as an example of how the invention can be carried out.

The drawings, where like reference numerals designate like structural elements, comprise the following figures:

Figures 1A and 1B show different perspective views of an illustrative vacuum assembly comprising two vacuum pumps and a flange connection.

Figure 2 shows a perspective view of an illustrative lower body of the flange connection of the vacuum assembly of Figure 1.

Figures 3A, 3B and 3C show different views of a first upper body illustrative of a flange connection.

Figures 4A, 4B, 4C and 4D show different views of a second upper body illustrative of a flange connection.

Figures 5A, 5B and 5C show different views of a third upper body illustrative of a flange connection.

Figures 6A, 6B, 6C and 6D show different views of a fourth upper body illustrative of a flange connection.

Figure 7 shows a top perspective view of a fifth upper body illustrative of a flange connection.

Figure 8 shows a perspective view of a vacuum assembly with the upper body of Figure 7.

Figures 9A-9D show different views of another illustrative vacuum assembly comprising two vacuum pumps and a flange connection with a flat upper body.

Detailed description of the invention

Figures 1A and 1B show different perspective views of an illustrative vacuum assembly 100 comprising two vacuum pumps 102, 103 and a flange connection 101. Specifically, Figure 1A shows a top front perspective view of the vacuum assembly 100 and Figure 1B shows a lower front perspective view of the vacuum assembly 100. It should be understood that the vacuum assembly 100 depicted in Figure 1 may include additional components and that some of the components described herein may be removed and/or or modified without going beyond the scope of the vacuum assembly 100.

The vacuum assembly 100 is formed by two vacuum pumps 102-103 that are mounted on the flange connection 101. These two vacuum pumps 102-103 can be operated individually or simultaneously, providing individual or combined vacuum generation capability to the vacuum chamber of the brake booster (not shown) to which they are connected. Each vacuum pump 102-103 comprises a pump chamber defined by the flange connection 101 which acts as the base of the pump chambers and a respective stator 105. The stators 105 are attached to the flange connection 101 by screw elements 106. The pump chambers house a respective rotor (not shown), e.g. e.g., a circular or elliptical rotor. These rotors comprise at least one slot and at least one vane that is at least partially inserted into the slot of the rotor.

Each vacuum pump 102-103 also comprises a respective motor 107, e.g. e.g., an electric motor, which has a drive shaft (not shown in this figure) to drive the corresponding rotors. Flange connection 101 is positioned between the pump chambers and motors 107. Flange connection 101 comprises an upper body 108 and a lower body 109 defining an intermediate chamber (not shown in this figure). The upper body 108 has an upper wall 110 that defines the base of the pump chambers and an upper side wall 111 that surrounds the upper wall 110 and the lower body 109 has a lower wall 112 and a lower side wall 113 that surrounds the wall lower 112.

The flange connection 101 also comprises an inlet tube 114 for drawing air from the vacuum chamber of the brake booster. The inlet tube 114 is in fluid communication with at least one vacuum connection of the brake booster via a vacuum line, e.g. e.g., a pipe or hose. In some other embodiments, the flange connection 101 may have more than one inlet tube for drawing air from the brake booster. The inlet tube 114 is coupled to the upper side wall 111 of the flange connection 101 and is in fluid communication with the inlet ports (not shown) of the pump chambers through at least one conduit (not shown) housed at least partially in the intermediate chamber of the flange connection 101. The inlet holes are placed in the area of the upper wall 110 of the upper body 108 that constitutes the bases of the pump chambers. In some other embodiments, the inlet tube 114 may be coupled to the lower side wall 113 of the lower body 109.

The flange connection 101 further comprises an outlet tube 115 in fluid communication with the respective outlet ports (not shown) of the pump chambers. The outlet tube 115 fluidly communicates with the intermediate chamber defined in the flange connection 101. The intermediate chamber cushions the compressed air exiting the pump chambers of the corresponding vacuum pumps 102-103 through the orifices outlets (not shown in this figure) located in the areas of the upper wall 110 of the upper body 108 that constitutes the base of the respective pump chambers. While the example flange connection 101 in Figures 1A and 1B shows an outlet pipe 115, the flange connection 101 may comprise two outlet pipes with one outlet pipe in fluid communication with each pump chamber of the respective pumps. vacuum 102-103.

The flange connection 101 further comprises three mounting brackets 116a-c with recesses 117 into which rubber studs 118 are inserted respectively. Specifically, the flange connection 101 has a first mounting bracket 116a and a second mounting bracket 116b located on either side of the inlet pipe 114 and a third mounting bracket 116c located on the opposite edge of the flange connection 101 and on correspondence with the inlet tube 114. The rubber studs 118 are inserted into the recesses 117 of the mounting brackets 116a-c together with the sleeve elements 119 to be assembled on the mounting brackets 116a-c. These sleeve elements 119 are for inserting screws, bolts or the like, to couple the flange connection 101 to the structure of the vehicle on which it is to be mounted.

Furthermore, the upper body 108 and the lower body 109 come into contact with each other through the free edges of the upper side wall 111 and the lower side wall 113, respectively, and may have a seal between these free edges of the upper side wall 111 and lower side wall 113 to prevent vacuum leaks. The upper body 108 and the lower body 109 are attached to each other with screws 120. The covers 121 for the motors 107 are an integral portion of the lower body 109 while the outer casing of the motors 107 is attached to the respective covers 121 by screws 122.

Figure 2 shows a perspective view of an example lower body 209 of the flange connection of the vacuum assembly of Figure 1. It should be understood that the lower body 209 depicted in Figure 2 may include additional components and that some of the Components described herein can be removed and/or modified without leaving the scope of the lower body 209.

In said example, the lower body 209 comprises the lower wall 212 and the lower side wall 213. The lower body 209 of the flange connection has a substantially elliptical shape (although the lower body may have any other shape) with two openings 223 substantially located at the focus of the ellipse. The two openings 223 are to allow the respective drive shafts 224 of the motors 207 to pass through to drive the corresponding rotors. The top wall of the upper body of the flange connection will also have these two openings in corresponding locations.

The lower wall 212 has openings 225 that communicate the outlet tube 215 with the intermediate chamber 226 which, in turn, is in fluid communication with the one or more outlet orifices (not shown in this figure) of the pump chambers. In this way, the compressed air in the pump chambers leaves through the respective outlet holes and enters the intermediate chamber 226 leaving the flange connection through the opening 225 towards the outlet pipe 215. In some others embodiments, the flange connection may not have the intermediate chamber and the outlet tubes may be attached directly to the stators of the vacuum pumps.

Figures 3A, 3B and 3C show different views of a first upper body 308 illustrative of a flange connection. Specifically, Figure 3A shows a top front perspective view of the illustrative upper body 308, Figure 3B shows a bottom front perspective view of the illustrative upper body 308, and Figure 3C shows a bottom plan view of the illustrative upper body 308 a along the X-X cutting plane. It should be understood that the upper body 308 depicted in Figures 3A-C may include additional components and that some of the components described herein may be removed and/or modified without going beyond the scope of the upper body 308.

The upper body 308 of the flange connection has the upper wall 310 and the upper side wall 311. The upper body 308 has a substantially elliptical shape (although the upper body may have any other shape) with two openings 327 located substantially at the center. of the ellipse. The two openings 327 are to allow the respective drive shafts of the motors (not shown in this figure) to pass through to drive the corresponding rotors. The upper body 308 also integrates the three mounting brackets 316a-c with the recesses 317 into which the rubber studs are to be inserted.

The upper body 308 comprises the inlet tube 314 for drawing air from the vacuum chamber of a brake booster or any other vacuum reservoir or device (not shown). The inlet tube 314 is coupled to the upper side wall 311 of the upper body 308 and is in fluid communication with the inlet ports 328 of the two pump chambers (not shown), through the conduit 329 housed at least partially in the intermediate chamber 326. While in Figure 3B the conduit 329 is completely housed in the upper body 308, in some other embodiments, the conduit 329 may be partially housed in the upper body 308 and partially housed in the lower body of the connection. flange.

The upper body 308 further comprises outlet ports 330 that are in fluid communication with their respective pump chambers and with the intermediate chamber 326. Preferably, the intermediate chamber 326 is positioned below and in front of the outlet ports 330, so that the outlet ports 330 open directly into this intermediate chamber 326. The inlet ports 328, the openings 327 and the outlet ports 330 are all located in correspondence with the respective pump chambers.

The upper body 308 also comprises an inlet portion 331 joined to the lower surface of the upper wall 310 and to a portion of the upper side wall 311 in correspondence with the inlet tube 314. The inlet portion 331 integrates the conduit 329 which is in fluid communication with the inlet tube 314 and with the inlet orifices 328. This inlet portion 331 is an integral part of the upper body 308. The inlet portion 331 further comprises a respective expansion chamber 332 in correspondence with the inlet ports 328 such that the duct 329 communicates with the expansion chambers 332 and the expansion chambers 332 communicate with the inlet ports 328.

The conduit 329 comprises a first check valve 333a located in a portion of the conduit 329 between the inlet tube 314 and the first inlet port 328 and a second check valve 333b located in a portion of the conduit 329 between the inlet tube 314 and the second inlet port 328, the first non-return valve 333a to allow the air flow from the inlet tube 314 to the first pump chamber and prevent air flow in the opposite direction and the second non-return valve 333b to allow pass the air flow from the inlet tube 314 towards the second pump chamber and prevent air flow in the opposite direction.

Figures 4A, 4B, 4C and 4D show different views of a second upper body 408 illustrative of a flange connection. Specifically, Figure 4A shows an upper front perspective view of the illustrative upper body 408, Figure 4B shows an exploded perspective view of the illustrative upper body 408, Figure 4C shows a lower plan view of the illustrative upper body 408 along along the cutting plane document can be deleted and/or modified without leaving the scope of the upper body 408.

The upper body 408 of the flange connection has the upper wall 410 and the upper side wall 411. The upper body 408 has a substantially elliptical shape (although the upper body may have any other shape) with two openings 427 located substantially at the focus. of the ellipse. The two openings 427 are to allow the respective drive shafts of the motors (not shown in this figure) to pass through to drive the corresponding rotors. The upper body 408 also integrates the three mounting brackets 416a-c with the recesses 417 into which the rubber studs are to be inserted.

The upper body 408 comprises the inlet tube 414 which is connected to the upper side wall 411 of the upper body 408 and which is in fluid communication with the inlet ports 428 of the two pump chambers (not shown), through the conduit 429 housed at least partially in the input portion 431.

The upper body 408 further comprises outlet ports 430 that are in fluid communication with their respective pump chambers and with the intermediate chamber 426. The inlet ports 428, the openings 427 and the outlet ports 430 are all located in correspondence with the respective pump chambers.

The upper body 408 also comprises the inlet portion 431 which can be attached to the lower surface of the upper wall 410 and located in correspondence with the inlet tube 414. Although Figure 4 shows a particular example in which the inlet portion may be attached to the upper body, in some other examples, the inlet portion may be attached to the lower body of the flange connection. The inlet portion 431, which is an independent element of the upper body 408, comprises the conduit 429, an inlet opening 434 corresponding to the inlet tube 414 and which is in fluid communication with the conduit 429, respective expansion chambers 432 with openings 435 in correspondence with the entrance holes 428 in the upper wall 410 of the upper body 408 and which are in fluid communication with the conduit 429, and screws 436 for joining the entrance portion 431 to the upper wall 410 of the upper body 408 .

The inlet portion 431 further comprises respective expansion chambers 432 in correspondence with each of the inlet ports 428 such that the conduit 429 communicates with the expansion chambers 432 and the expansion chambers 432 communicate with the inlet ports 428. Additionally, the inlet portion 431 may comprise respective sealing gaskets surrounding the inlet opening 434 and the openings 435 of the expansion chambers 432 to ensure that there are no vacuum leaks in these connection areas. The upper body 408 may comprise guide pins extending from the lower surface of the upper wall 410 and corresponding guide passages in the inlet portion 431 to receive the guide pins that may facilitate positioning of the inlet portion 431 with relative to the upper body 408. Additionally, the geometry of the inlet portion 431 can fit within the geometry of the upper body 408 such that the inlet portion 431 can be easily and properly positioned with respect to the upper body 408.

The conduit 429 comprises a first check valve 433a located in a portion of the conduit 429 between the inlet tube 414 and the first inlet port 428 and a second check valve 433b located in a portion of the conduit 429 between the inlet tube 414 and the second inlet port 428, the first non-return valve 433a to control the flow of air from the inlet tube 414 towards the first pump chamber and the second non-return valve 433b to control the flow of air from the inlet tube 414 towards the second pump chamber.

Figures 5A, 5B and 5C show different views of a third upper body 508 illustrative of a flange connection. Specifically, Figure 5A shows a top front perspective view of the illustrative upper body 508, Figure 5B shows an exploded perspective view of the illustrative upper body 508, and Figure 5C shows a bottom plan view of the illustrative upper body 408 along along the X-X cutting plane. It should be understood that the upper body 508 depicted in Figures 5A-C may include additional components and that some of the components described herein may be removed and/or modified without departing from the scope of the upper body 508.

The upper body 508 has the upper wall 510 and the upper side wall 511 and a substantially elliptical shape (although the upper body may have any other shape) with two openings 527 located substantially at the focus of the ellipse. The two openings 527 are to allow the respective motor drive shafts (not shown in this figure) to pass through to drive the corresponding rotors. The upper body 508 also integrates the three mounting brackets 516a-c with the recesses 517 into which the rubber studs are to be inserted.

The upper body 508 comprises the inlet tube 514 which is connected to the upper side wall 511 of the upper body 508 and is in fluid communication with the inlet ports 528 of the two pump chambers (not shown), through the housed conduit. at least partially in the intermediate chamber 526. In said example, the conduit is formed by the tube 537 and the conduit portions 538a-b.

The upper body 508 further comprises outlet ports 530 that are in fluid communication with their respective pump chambers and with the intermediate chamber 526. The inlet ports 528, the openings 527 and the outlet ports 530 are all located in correspondence with the respective pump chambers.

The upper body 508 also comprises an inlet portion 531 attached to a lower surface of the upper wall 510 and to a portion of the upper side wall 511 in correspondence with the inlet tube 514. The inlet portion 531 is an integral part of the body upper 508. In turn, the duct, which is partially housed in the inlet portion 531, is formed by a tube 537 external to the inlet portion 531 and a first duct portion 538a and a second duct portion 538b housed in the inlet portion 531. Thus, the inlet portion 531 is an integral portion of the upper body 508 while the tube 537 is an element external to the inlet portion 531 and connectable to the inlet portion 531. A central portion of the tube 537 is in fluid communication with the inlet tube 514 through an opening while one of the ends of the tube 537 is connected to the first conduit portion 538a and the opposite end of the tube 537 is connected to the second conduit portion 538b . In turn, the first portion of conduit 538a is in fluid communication with the first inlet port 528 through the interposition of an expansion chamber 532 and the second portion of conduit 538b is in fluid communication with the second inlet port 528 through the interposition of another expansion chamber 532.

In such an embodiment, the inlet portion 531 also has a first check valve 533a located in the first conduit portion 538a and a second check valve 533b located in the second conduit portion 538b, the first non-return valve 533a to allow the air flow pass from the inlet tube 514 to the first pump chamber and prevent air flow in the opposite direction and the second non-return valve 533b to allow the air flow to pass from the inlet tube 514 to the second chamber of the pump and avoid air flow in the opposite direction. Alternatively, check valves 533a-b may be mounted on tube 537 and located near its ends.

Figures 6A, 6B, 6C and 6D show different views of a fourth upper body 608 illustrative of a flange connection. Specifically, Figure 6A shows an upper front perspective view of the illustrative upper body 608, Figure 6B shows an exploded perspective view of the illustrative upper body 608, Figure 6C shows a lower plan view of the illustrative upper body 608 along along the X-X cutting plane and Figure 6D shows a perspective view of the inlet portion 629b. It should be understood that the upper body 608 depicted in Figures 6A-D may include additional components and that some of the components described herein may be removed and/or modified without going beyond the scope of the upper body 608.

The upper body 608 of the flange connection has the upper wall 610 and the upper side wall 611. The upper body 608 has a substantially elliptical shape (although the upper body may have any other shape) with two openings 627 located substantially at the focus. of the ellipse. The two openings 627 are to allow the respective drive shafts of the motors (not shown in this figure) to pass through to drive the corresponding rotors. The upper body 608 also integrates the three mounting brackets 616a-c with the recesses 617 into which the rubber studs are to be inserted.

The upper body 608 comprises the inlet tube 614 which is connected to the upper side wall 611 of the upper body 608 and which is in fluid communication with the inlet ports 628 of the two pump chambers (not shown), through the conduit 629 housed at least partially in the input portion 631a-b.

The upper body 608 further comprises outlet ports 630 that are in fluid communication with their respective pump chambers and with the intermediate chamber 626. The inlet ports 628, the openings 627 and the outlet ports 630 are all located in correspondence with the respective pump chambers.

In said example, the upper body 608 also comprises an upper inlet portion 631a attached to the lower surface of the upper wall 610 in correspondence with the inlet tube 614 and a lower inlet portion 631b that can be attached to the inlet portion superior 631a. While the upper inlet portion 631a is an integral part of the upper body 608, the lower inlet portion 631b is an independent member of the upper body 608 and can be attached thereto. While in this embodiment the inlet portion is formed by an upper inlet portion 631a and a lower inlet portion 631b, in some other embodiments, the inlet portion may be a single portion that may be attached to the upper body 608 as shown. shown in figure 4 or to the lower body. The upper inlet portion 631a comprises a first inlet recess 639a in a lower surface of the upper inlet portion 631a and in correspondence with the inlet tube 614 and an upper groove 640a in the lower surface of the upper inlet portion 631a. In turn, the lower inlet portion 631b comprises a second inlet recess 639b in an upper surface of the lower inlet portion 631b and in correspondence with the inlet tube 614 and a lower groove 640b in the upper surface of the portion of lower entrance 631a. The first entry recess 639a and the second entry recess 639b define the entry opening 634 of the entry portion while the first entry recess 639a, the second entry recess 639b, the upper groove 640a and the lower groove 640b form conduit 629.

The slots 640a-b communicate the opening 634, and therefore the inlet tube 614, with the first inlet hole 628 and the second inlet hole 628 in the upper wall 610 of the upper body 608 through respective chambers. expansion 632. Additionally, the upper and lower inlet portions 631a-b may comprise respective sealing gaskets surrounding the inlet opening 634 and the openings 635 of the expansion chambers 632 to ensure that there are no vacuum leaks in these areas of Connection. On the other hand, there could be an additional sealing gasket located in the contact area between the upper inlet portion 631a and the lower inlet portion 631b.

In some examples, the upper body 608 may comprise guide pins extending from the lower surface of the upper wall 610 or in the upper entry portion 631a itself and the lower entry portion 631b may have a shape adapted to receive said pins. guide to facilitate positioning of the lower entry portion 631b with respect to the upper entry portion 631a.

The slots 640a-b comprise respective recesses 641 to accommodate a first check valve 633a located in a portion of the conduit 629 between the inlet tube 614 and the first inlet port 628 and a second check valve 633b located in a portion of the conduit 629 between the inlet tube 614 and the second inlet port 628, the first non-return valve 633a to allow air flow to pass from the inlet tube 614 to the first pump chamber and prevent air flow in the opposite direction and the second non-return valve 633b to allow air flow to pass from the inlet tube 614 into the second pump chamber and prevent air flow in the opposite direction.

Figure 7 shows a top perspective view of a fifth example of upper body 708 of a flange connection. It should be understood that the upper body 708 depicted in Figures 7 may include additional components and that some of the components described herein may be removed and/or modified without going beyond the scope of the upper body 708.

The upper body 708 has the upper wall 710 and the upper side wall 711. The upper body 708 has two openings 727 that allow the respective drive shafts of the motors (not shown in this figure) to pass through to drive the corresponding rotors. .

The upper body 708 comprises the inlet tube 714 for drawing air from the brake booster (not shown). The inlet tube 714 is connected to the upper side wall 711 of the upper body 708 and is in fluid communication with the inlet ports 728 of the two pump chambers (not shown).

The upper body 708 further comprises outlet ports 730 that are in fluid communication with their respective pump chambers and with the intermediate chamber 726. The inlet ports 728, the openings 727 and the outlet ports 730 are all located in correspondence with the respective pump chambers.

The embodiment of the upper body 708 shown in Figure 7 may correspond substantially to any of the upper bodies shown in Figures 3-6 but comprising four mounting brackets 716a-d with recesses 717 into which rubber studs are to be inserted. . These mounting brackets 716a-d are respectively located at the corners of the upper body 708.

Figure 8 shows a top perspective view of a vacuum assembly 800 with the upper body of Figure 7. It should be understood that the vacuum assembly 800 depicted in Figure 8 may include additional components and that some of the components described in the This document can be deleted and/or modified without going beyond the scope of the vacuum assembly 800.

The upper body 808 comprises four mounting brackets 816a-d with recesses 817 into which rubber studs 818 are inserted. These mounting brackets 816a-d are respectively located at the corners of the upper body 808. Specifically, the flange connection 801 has two mounting brackets 816a-b located on either side of the inlet pipe 814 and two other mounting brackets 816c-d at opposite corners of the flange connection 801. The rubber studs 818 are attached to the mounting brackets 816a -d by sleeve elements 819 which are also used to couple the flange portion to the vehicle.

The flange connection 801 further comprises a mounting portion 842 into which an ECU 843 is to be coupled. The mounting portion 842 is attached to the mounting brackets 816c-d by corresponding sleeves 819. The electronics of the ECU 843 is inside a housing 844 and has a connector 845 for connecting the electronic components of the ECU 843 to the electric motors 807 of the vacuum pumps 802-803, to sensors in the brake booster, to the vehicle battery and to some others. sensors and devices inside the vehicle. Alternatively, the ECU may be mounted directly to the flange connection, for example, to the upper body of the flange connection, by means of screws or the like without interposition of a mounting portion or the like.

Although the ECU is shown mounted on the flange connection of Figure 8, the ECU could also be mounted on any of the embodiments shown in Figures 1 to 7 and 9.

Figures 9A-9D show different views of another example of vacuum assembly 900 comprising two vacuum pumps 902-903 and a flange connection 901 with a flat upper body 908. It should be understood that the vacuum assembly 800 depicted in the figure 8 may include additional components and that some of the components described herein may be removed and/or modified without going beyond the scope of the vacuum assembly 800.

Figure 9A shows a top perspective view of the vacuum assembly 900. The lower body 909, which is formed by the lower wall 912 and the lower side wall 913, comprises four mounting brackets 916a-d with recesses 917 in which insert rubber studs 918. The upper body 908 is a flat wall that acts as a cover for the lower body 909. Specifically, the dimensions of the upper body 908 are such that they correspond to the upper surface of the lower body 909 without including the mounting brackets 916a-d. The upper body 908 is attached to the lower body by screws 946.

Figure 9B shows a top perspective view of the vacuum assembly 900 of Figure 9A without the upper body 908 and the stators 905. The lower body 909 integrates an inlet portion 931 which may be an integral part of the lower body 909 or which may be removably attached to the lower body 909. In said example, the inlet portion 931 is coupled to the upper surface of the lower wall 912 and to a portion of the lower side wall 913 in correspondence with the inlet tube 914. The Inlet portion 931 has a slot 948 that with the upper body 908 defines the conduit 929 that is in fluid communication with the inlet tube 914 and with the inlet orifices 928. The inlet portion 931 further comprises a respective chamber of expansion 932 in correspondence with the inlet ports 928 in such a way that the duct 929 communicates with the expansion chambers 932 and the expansion chambers 932 communicate with the inlet ports 928.

The inlet portion 931 further comprises a seal 947 located in correspondence with its outer edge so that when the upper body 908 is screwed onto the lower body 909, the pressure exerted by the lower surface of the upper body 908 on the Gasket 947 ensures that there will be no vacuum leaks between the upper body 908 and the lower body 909.

The slot 948 comprises respective recesses 949 to accommodate a first check valve 933a located in a portion of the conduit 929 between the inlet tube 914 and the first inlet port 928 and a second check valve 933b located in a portion of the conduit 929 between the inlet tube 914 and the second inlet port 928, the first non-return valve 933a to allow the air flow to pass from the inlet tube 914 towards the first pump chamber and prevent air flow in the opposite direction and the second non-return valve 933b to allow air flow to pass from the inlet tube 914 into the second pump chamber and prevent air flow in the opposite direction.

Figure 9C shows a top view of the lower body 909 of Figure 9B, and Figure 9D shows a top perspective of the upper body 908 of Figure 9A. The upper body 908 and the lower body 909 define the intermediate chamber 926 in which the compressed air in the pump chambers enters through the outlet holes 930 and leaves the flange connection 900 through the respective outlet tube 915 The inlet ports 928, the openings 927 for the rotor shafts and the outlet ports 930 are all located in correspondence with the respective pump chambers.

Although the embodiments shown in Figures 1 to 9 show the mounting brackets located in specific positions on the upper part of the body, these mounting brackets can be located in different positions and in a different number on the flange connection.

Additionally, while the embodiments shown in Figures 1 to 9 show a flange connection for two vacuum pumps and with a substantially oval shape, the number of vacuum pumps mounted on the flange connection may be greater and the shape of the flange connection can be any other shape whose design could be based on the vacuum requirements of the vehicle and therefore the number and size of vacuum pumps mounted on the flange connection and the space requirements of the vehicle .

The upper bodies shown in Figures 3 to 8 can also be combined with the lower body shown in Figure 2 to create the intermediate chamber. Alternatively, these upper bodies can be combined with other lower bodies in which the upper side walls and the respective lower side walls coincide with each other to define an intermediate chamber.

In this text, the term "comprises" and its derivatives (such as "understanding", etc.) should not be understood in an exclusive sense, that is, these terms should not be interpreted as excluding the possibility that what is described and defines, may include other elements, stages, etc. It should also be understood that, although the terms first, second, third, etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, these elements should not be limited by these terms, as these terms are only used to distinguish one element from another unless otherwise indicated or the context indicates otherwise. The term "other" as used herein is defined as at least one second or more. The term "coupled", as used herein, is defined as connected, either directly without intermediate elements or indirectly with at least one intermediate element, unless otherwise indicated. Two elements can be coupled mechanically, joined electrically or communicatively through a communication channel, route, network or system.

The present invention is obviously not limited to the specific embodiments described herein, but also encompasses any variations that any person skilled in the art may consider (for example, regarding the choice of materials, dimensions, components, configuration , etc.), within the general scope of the invention as defined in the claims.

Claims (15)

1. A flange connection (101) for mounting vacuum pumps (102, 103), comprising an upper body (108) configured to receive at least two stators (105), each stator (105) being configured to create a pump chamber in which a respective rotor is to be housed, and each stator (105) corresponding to a particular vacuum pump (102, 103); a lower body (109) configured to receive a motor (107) of each vacuum pump (102, 103), wherein the upper body (108) and the lower body (109) have openings (223) through which the respective drive shafts (224) of the motors (107), the drive shafts (224) can be inserted to drive the rotors in the pump chambers; at least one inlet port (114) for drawing air from a device where the pressure is intended to be reduced; and at least one conduit (329, 429) housed in the flange connection (101) that is in fluid communication with the at least one inlet port (114); wherein the upper body (108) further comprises a respective inlet orifice (328, 428, 528) fluidly communicable with each pump chamber, the inlet orifices (328, 428, 528) being in fluid communication with the at least one conduit (329, 429); and wherein the at least one conduit (329, 429) comprises flow control means configured to selectively allow air to pass from the at least one inlet port to at least one of the pump chambers. 2. The flange connection (101) according to claim 1, wherein the upper body (108) comprises a respective outlet hole (330, 430, 530) located in correspondence with each pump chamber, each hole being outlet (330,430,530) fluidly communicable with the corresponding pump chamber, and where the upper body (108) and the lower body (109) define an intermediate chamber (226) into which the air coming out of the chambers enters. pump through the outlet holes (330, 430, 530). 3. The flange connection (101) according to claim 2, comprising at least one outlet port (115) through which air that has entered the intermediate chamber (226) from the pump chambers exits the flange connection (101). 4. The flange connection (101) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the flow control means is configured to allow air to pass from the at least one inlet port (114) to at least one of the pump chambers depending on the operation of the corresponding vacuum pumps (102, 103). 5. The flange connection (101) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the flow control means is at least one non-return valve (333a, 333b; 433a, 433b; 533a, 533b) configured to open when the pressure at the inlet of the check valve (333a, 333b; 433a, 433b; 533a, 533b) is greater than the pressure at the outlet of the check valve (333a, 333b; 433a, 433b; 533a, 533b). 6. The flange connection (101) according to claim 5, comprising a non-return valve (333, 433, 533) located in a portion of the at least one conduit (329, 429) between the at least one inlet port (114) and each of the inlet ports (328, 428, 528), each non-return valve (333, 433, 533) to control the air flow from the at least one inlet port (114) towards the chamber pump to which the corresponding inlet port (328, 428, 528) is fluidly communicable. 7. The flange connection (301) according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising an inlet portion (331, 431, 531) comprising at least a portion of the conduit (329, 429). 8. The flange connection (301) according to claim 7, wherein the inlet portion (331) is coupled to a lower surface of an upper wall (310) of the upper body (308) and to a portion of a wall upper side (311) of the upper body (308) in correspondence with the at least one inlet port (314), the inlet portion (331) comprising the at least one conduit (329) that is in fluid communication with the at least an inlet port (314) and with the inlet holes (328) in the upper wall (310) of the upper body (308) by interposing the respective expansion chambers (332). 9. The flange connection (401) according to claim 7, wherein the inlet portion (431) is removably attached to a lower surface of an upper wall (410) of the upper body (408) in correspondence with the at least one input port (414), the input portion (431) comprising: the at least one conduit (429); inlet openings (434) in correspondence with the at least one inlet port (414) and in fluid communication with the at least one conduit (429); expansion chambers (432) in correspondence with the inlet holes (428) in the upper wall (410) and in fluid communication with the at least one duct (429); and means for attaching the inlet portion (431) to the lower surface of the upper wall (410). 10. The flange connection (501) according to claim 7, wherein the inlet portion (531) is coupled to a lower surface of an upper wall (510) of the upper body (508) and to a portion of a wall upper side (511) of the upper body (508) in correspondence with the at least one inlet port (514), where the duct comprises: a tube (537) having inlet openings for communicating with the at least one inlet port (514); and conduit portions (538a, 538b) in the inlet portion (531), each conduit portion (538a, 538b) being in fluid communication with a respective inlet port (528) through an expansion chamber (532) corresponding and with one end of the tube (537). 11. The flange connection (501) according to claim 10, wherein there is a non-return valve (533a, 5331b) located in each conduit portion (538a, 538b) of the conduit. 12. The flange connection (601) according to claim 7, wherein the inlet portion (631) comprises an upper portion (631a) coupled to a lower surface of an upper wall (610) of the upper body (608) and located in correspondence with the at least one inlet port (614) and a lower portion (631b) removably attached to the upper portion (631b). 13. The flange connection (601) according to claim 12, wherein the upper portion (631a) and the lower portion (631b) respectively comprise: an entry recess (639a, 639b) corresponding to the at least one entry port (614); slots (640a, 640b) that define the at least one conduit (629) and where the slots (640a, 640b) communicate the entry recess (639a, 639b) with the entry holes (628) through respective chambers expansion (632); and means for joining the lower portion (631b) to the upper portion (631a). 14. The flange connection (801) according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising a mounting portion (842) to which an electronic computing unit (843) is to be coupled, the mounting portion being ( 842) attached to the flange connection. 15. A vacuum assembly comprising: a flange connection as described in any one of claims 1 to 14; and at least two vacuum pumps (102, 103); wherein the stators (105) of the at least two vacuum pumps (102, 103) are coupled to the upper surface of the upper wall (110) to create a respective pump chamber in which a corresponding rotor is housed; and wherein the motor (107) of each vacuum pump (102, 103) is coupled to the lower surface of the lower wall (112) and the respective drive shafts (224) of the motors (107) are inserted into the openings (223) of the upper wall (110) and the lower wall (112) to drive the rotors in the pump chambers.