Fluid Pump System
A fluid pump system has a housing having a housing cover removably connected to a housing base. A plurality of fluid pump assemblies are inside of the housing. Each fluid pump assembly has an electric motor operatively connected to a fluid pump. Each fluid pump has a fluid inlet extending through a wall of the housing to an exterior of the housing and a fluid outlet extending through the wall of the housing to the exterior of the housing. An electrical component inside of the housing is electrically connected to each electric motor. The electrical component has an electrical connector extending through a wall of the housing to connect to a source of electrical power. The fluid pump system can dispense three different fluids, such as two detergents and a fabric softener in a laundry machine.
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This is a continuation of co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/283,930, titled “Fluid Pump System” and filed Sep. 17, 2008, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/197,381, titled “Peristaltic Pump,” filed Aug. 5, 2005 and now abandoned. Both applications are hereby incorporated by reference.
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention relates to fluid pump systems. In an embodiment, the present invention relates to a fluid pump system for laundry machines. The fluid pump system has a plurality of fluid pumps for dispensing fluids, for example, two detergents and a fabric softener. The invention also relates to peristaltic pumps. In an embodiment, a small peristaltic pump dispenses liquid detergent into a dish washing machine. In embodiments of the present invention the peristaltic pumps are snap-fit together.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONPeristaltic pumps are well known in the prior art and may be defined as pumps which produce pulse-like contractions that propel matter along inside a tube.
With reference to
Inside a casing 10, there is a pump 12 in which a triangular rotor 14 rotates to compress a flexible rubber tube 16 against a curved wall 30 at points A and B. These points A and B change along the length of the tube 16 as the rotor 14 rotates around its central axis 18. Three pins 20 hold three rollers 22 at tips X, Y and Z of the rotor 14 while four screws 24 hold front and back portions of the casing 10 together. The tube 16 has an inlet suction branch 16C and an outlet delivery branch 16D. Arrows I and O indicate the direction of flow of liquid detergent into and out of the tube 16. A clear, hard plastic cover 26 with a tab 28 allows a user to view and to have access to the interior of the casing 10 in order to replace or repair any parts of the pump 12 and the rotor 14 which may break.
One disadvantage of this prior art device is that the constant vibration of an industrial washing machine in which it is used tends over time to cause the screws 24 to work loose from the casing 10, thus causing the pump 12 inside to fail. Also, the constant vibration causes the pins 20 holding the rollers 22 in the rotor 14 to work loose and push up against the cover 26 until the cover 26 pops off. Once again the pump 12 fails. Thus, it is a problem in the prior art to develop a peristaltic pump which is resistant to constant vibrations that eventually caused earlier devices to become loose and fail.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention can be summarized as a fluid pump system which is capable of delivering a plurality of fluids on a predetermined schedule, as might be useful in, for example, a washing machine. The multiple fluids may be, for example, two detergents and one fabric softener. Generally speaking, the system comprises a housing, a plurality of pump assemblies, a single electrical component coupled to electric motors for each assembly, and a controller for operatively controlling each of the electric motors.
In a specific embodiment, a small screwless peristaltic pump is used which is resistant to constant vibrations caused by a machine to which it is attached so that the pump does not become loose and fall apart. An advantage of embodiments of the present invention can be to hold the pump together without screws when the pump is used in low torque and low vibration operations.
Another advantage of specific embodiments of the present invention can be to support a motor onto a rear casing portion of the housing.
Another advantage of embodiments of the present invention can be to make the pump, its internal rollers and a flexible tube impervious to deleterious ingredients contained in liquid detergent.
Another advantage of embodiments of the present invention can be that only a predetermined amount of the liquid detergent enters the pump because the synchronous motor, as controlled electronically, meters the detergent to prevent waste in the dish washing machine.
Yet another advantage of specific embodiments of the present invention can be to provide new fluid pump systems.
Another advantage of embodiments of the present invention can be to provide a fluid pump system having a plurality of fluid pumps for dispensing a plurality of fluids, for example two detergents and a fabric softener in a laundry machine.
Additional features and advantages of embodiments of the present invention are described in, and will be apparent from, the following Detailed Description of Preferred Embodiments and the appended drawing figures. The features and advantages may be desired, but, are not necessarily required to practice the present invention.
The invention and its other advantages may be best understood by reference to the accompanying drawings, a brief description of which is provided below for each figure, and the subsequent detailed description of the invention.
There are at least two basic preferred embodiments of the peristaltic pump: a first embodiment for low torque and low vibration operations; and a second embodiment for high torque and high vibration operations. An embodiment of the fluid pump system is described following the descriptions of the peristaltic pump.
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The motor 132 is rated at 120 volts of alternating current (AC) at 60 hertz (Hz). The rated current is 0.05 amps and the rated speed is 20 revolutions per minute (rpm), plus or minus 10%.
Pulse-like contractions are produced inside the flexible tube 116. These contractions propel the liquid detergent in spurts along the inside of the flexible tube 116 held in place at an outlet from the pump 112 by a U-shaped outlet channel 108 until the liquid detergent is dispensed by being squirted out of an outlet delivery branch 160 in a direction O into the dish washing machine (not shown). The U-shaped outlet channel 108 is formed integrally on a top surface of the front casing portion 100.
Instead of the metal pins used in the prior art device shown in
In
In
In
In
Note in
In
Pulse-like contractions are produced inside the flexible tube 116 as the rotor 114 rotates the rollers 122 along the curved wall 130 to compress the tube 116. These contractions propel the liquid detergent in spurts along the inside of the tube 116 which is held in place at the outlet from the pump 112 by the U-shaped channel 108 until the liquid detergent is dispensed by being squirted out of the delivery branch 160 in the direction O into the dish washing machine (not shown). The channel 108 is formed integrally on a top surface of the front casing portion 100.
Instead of the metal pins used in the prior art device shown in
In this second embodiment shown in
In
In
In
Referring to
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Each one of the three fluid inlets 218, 226, 232 can be fluidly connected to a separate source of fluid (not shown). For example, the fluid inlet 218 for the first fluid pump assembly can be connected to a first source of detergent, the fluid inlet 226 for the second fluid pump assembly can be connected to a second source of detergent, and the fluid inlet 232 can be connected to a source of fabric softener in a laundry machine. The fluid outlets 220, 228, 234 can be fluidly connected to the washing compartment in the laundry machine to dispense the detergents and fabric softener to wash soiled articles.
Each one of the fluid pump assemblies 210, 212, 214 has an electric motor 238 operatively connected to a fluid pump 240. Preferably, the fluid pumps 240 are peristaltic fluid pumps, such as the peristaltic pumps described above in
Referring also to
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The fluid outlet 220 of
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The external electrical circuit 310 can be a controller of a laundry machine, for example. The external electrical circuit 310 selectively supplies power to the appropriate positions 1-5 of the header T1. The electrical power is then supplied to the positions 1-2 of the desired header T2, T2, T2 to operate the desired pump motor MTR 1, MTR 2, MTR 3. Electrical power supplied to positions 2 and 3 of header T2 connected to the MTR 1 drives the MTR 1 clockwise CW when facing the motor shaft. Similarly, electrical power supplied to positions 2 and 3 of header T2 connected to the MTR 2 drives the MTR 2 clockwise CW when facing the motor shaft, and electrical power supplied to positions 2 and 3 of header T2 connected to the MTR 3 drives the MTR 3 clockwise CW when facing the motor shaft. The pump motor MTR 1, MTR 2, MTR 3 receiving the power operatively drives its fluid pump to pump fluid. In a laundry machine application, the pump motor MTR 1 may dispense a first detergent, the pump motor MTR 2 may dispense a second detergent, and the pump motor MTR 3 may dispense a fabric softener. The position 1 of the headers T2, T2, T2 could be used to drive the MTR 1, MTR 2, MTR 3 counterclockwise when facing the motor shafts if desired. However, in a laundry machine application reverse operation of the fluid pumps by driving the motors MTR 1, MTR 2, MTR 3 counterclockwise is not needed.
Referring to
It should be understood that various changes and modifications to the presently preferred embodiments described herein will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Such changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention and without diminishing its intended advantages. It is therefore intended that such changes and modifications be covered by the appended claims.
Claims
1. A fluid pump system for delivering multiple fluids to an operation, the system comprising:
- a housing having a cover removably connected to a base;
- a plurality of fluid pump mounting locations integral to the housing base;
- a plurality of fluid pump assemblies, with one fluid pump assembly positioned on each of the fluid pump mounting locations within the housing, each fluid pump assembly comprising an electric motor operatively connected to a fluid pump, wherein the fluid pump is resistant to constant vibration and comprises: a pump casing having front and rear portions, an inlet, and an outlet; a flexible tube passing through the pump casing with a first end extending from the inlet of the casing and a second end extending from the outlet of the casing;
- a plurality of fluid ports passing through the housing, with one of the plurality of ports connecting to a first end of the flexible tube to create an inlet fluid port and one of the plurality of ports connecting to a second end of the flexible tube to create a corresponding outlet fluid port for each fluid pump;
- a fluid source coupled to each fluid port connected to the first end of the flexible tube for each fluid pump assembly;
- an electrical component inside of the housing and electrically connected to each electric motor of the plurality of fluid pump assemblies, the electrical component having an electrical connector extending through the wall of the housing to the exterior of the housing; and
- a controller connected to the electrical component via the electrical connector, wherein the controller directs power from a source to each of the electric motors to cause operation of the fluid pump and delivery of a fluid from the fluid source to a corresponding outlet fluid port.
2. The fluid pump system of claim 1, wherein the electrical component is a circuit board having a common lead electrically connected to all of the electric motors and having separate power leads, wherein each power lead is electrically connected to one electrical motor.
3. The fluid pump system of claim 1, wherein the front and rear casing portions of the fluid pump comprise snap-fitting devices for snap-fitting securely together.
4. The fluid pump system of claim 3, wherein the snap-fitting devices comprise:
- a plurality of open-ended boxes on one of either the front casing portion and the rear casing portion; and,
- a plurality of spring clip pairs on the other of the front casing portion and the rear casing portion, wherein each of the plurality of spring clip pairs is snap-fitted into a corresponding one of the plurality of open-ended boxes;
- at least one sleeve on one of either the front casing portion and rear casing portion; and,
- at least one boss on the other of the front casing portion and rear casing portion, wherein the at least one sleeve receives and engages the at least one boss.
5. The fluid pump system of claim 4, wherein the snap-fitting devices further comprise a tongue on one of the front and rear casing portions and a mating recess in the other of the front and rear casing portions, the tongue extending into the recess and forming a seal.
6. The fluid pump system of claim 1, wherein the fluid pump for each of the plurality of fluid pump assemblies comprises a peristaltic fluid pump.
7. The fluid pump system of claim 6, wherein each of the peristaltic fluid pumps comprises a rotor confined between the front and rear portions of the casing, the rotor having a front face with three tips and a rear face with three tips, each tip of the front face aligned with a corresponding tip of the rear face, and the rotor having a roller mounted at each aligned front and rear face tip.
8. The fluid pump system of claim 7, wherein the flexible tube passing through the pump casing is compressed by the rotor within the casing at at least one point.
9. The fluid pump system of claim 1, wherein the housing base has a fluid drain passage through the wall of the housing for allowing fluid leaking from a pump assembly to drain from inside of the housing to outside of the housing.
10. The fluid pump system of claim 1, wherein the outlet fluid port is slidably mounted to the housing and is slidable relative to the fluid pump.
11. The fluid pump system of claim 10, wherein the outlet fluid port includes a guide notch and the fluid pump system further comprises a tab positioned in the guide notch and the outlet fluid port slides back and forth along the tab.
12. A fluid pump system for delivering multiple fluids to an operation, the system comprising:
- a housing having a cover removably connected to a base;
- a plurality of fluid pump mounting locations integral to the housing base;
- a plurality of fluid pump assemblies, with one fluid pump assembly positioned on each of the fluid pump sites within the housing, each fluid pump assembly comprising an electric motor operatively connected to a peristaltic fluid pump, wherein the peristaltic fluid pump is resistant to constant vibration and comprises: a pump casing having front and rear portions, an inlet, and an outlet; a rotor confined between the front and rear portions of the casing, the rotor having a front face with three tips and a rear face with three tips, each tip of the front face aligned with a corresponding tip of the rear face, and the rotor having a roller mounted at each aligned front and rear face tip; and a flexible tube passing through the pump casing with a first end extending from the inlet of the casing and a second end extending from the outlet of the casing and the flexible tube being compressed by the rotor within the casing at at least one point;
- a plurality of fluid ports passing through the housing, with one of the plurality of ports connecting to a first end of the flexible tube to create an inlet fluid port and one of the plurality of ports connecting to a second end of the flexible tube to create a corresponding outlet fluid port for each fluid pump;
- a fluid source coupled to each fluid port connected to the first end of the flexible tube for each fluid pump assembly;
- an electrical component inside of the housing and electrically connected to each electric motor of the plurality of fluid pump assemblies, the electrical component having an electrical connector extending through the wall of the housing to the exterior of the housing;
- a controller connected to the electrical component via the electrical connector, wherein the controller directs power from a source to each of the electric motors to cause operation of the fluid pump and delivery of a fluid from the fluid source to a corresponding outlet fluid port.
13. The fluid pump system of claim 12, wherein the electrical component is a circuit board having a common lead electrically connected to all of the electric motors and having separate power leads, wherein each power lead is electrically connected to one electrical motor.
14. The fluid pump system of claim 12, wherein the front and rear casing portions of the fluid pump comprise snap-fitting devices for snap-fitting securely together.
15. The fluid pump system of claim 14, wherein the snap-fitting devices comprise:
- a plurality of open-ended boxes on one of either the front casing portion and the rear casing portion; and,
- a plurality of spring clip pairs on the other of the front casing portion and the rear casing portion, wherein each of the plurality of spring clip pairs is snap-fitted into a corresponding one of the plurality of open-ended boxes;
- at least one sleeve on one of either the front casing portion and rear casing portion; and, at least one boss on the other of the front casing portion and rear casing portion, wherein the at least one sleeve receives and engages the at least one boss.
16. The fluid pump system of claim 15, wherein the snap-fitting devices further comprise a tongue on one of the front and rear casing portions and a mating recess in the other of the front and rear casing portions, the tongue extending into the recess and forming a seal.
17. The fluid pump system of claim 12, further comprising a plurality of mated inserts and barrels formed integrally on the rotor and carrying the rollers.
18. The fluid pump system of claim 17, further comprising a dowel mounted inside the rotor and inserted into a bore such that the plurality of mated inserts and barrels are aligned with each other.
19. The fluid pump system of claim 12, further comprising a T-shaped support on at least one of the front and rear faces of the rotor.
20. The fluid pump system of claim 12, further comprising:
- a barrel having a motor shaft bore on one of the front and rear faces of the rotor;
- a first support extending from the barrel in a first direction and being connected to one of the front and rear faces; and
- a second support extending from the first support in a second direction and being connected to one of the front and rear faces.
21. The fluid pump system of claim 20, wherein the first support and the second support form a T-shape.
Type: Application
Filed: May 13, 2013
Publication Date: Sep 26, 2013
Applicant: Molon Motor and Coil Corporation (Arlington Heights, IL)
Inventors: Emilio A. Ramirez, JR. (Roselle, IL), Ronald A. Glaser (Arlington Heights, IL), Ralph A. Bley (McHenry, IL)
Application Number: 13/892,463
International Classification: F04B 17/03 (20060101);