Apparatuses and methods for a pump

Abstract

A pump having a pump chamber and an impeller which rotates therein has an inlet leading into the pump chamber and an outlet leading out of the pump chamber, the pump having a pump motor having a rotor. The rotor and the impeller are connected to each other, the impeller being supported in an axial direction towards the inlet and an axial support being provided therefor against an axial bearing. In this instance, the axial bearing is located on a rotation axis of the rotor and includes a centrally supported concave bearing shell in which a convex-curved bearing projection of the impeller is in abutment.

That which is claimed: 
     
         1 . A pump comprising:
 a pump chamber and an impeller which rotates in said pump chamber; and   an inlet leading into said pump chamber and an outlet leading out of said pump chamber, said pump having a pump motor with a rotor for driving said impeller, wherein said rotor and said impeller are connected to each other, said impeller being supported in an axial direction towards said inlet and an axial support being provided therefor against an axial bearing, wherein said axial bearing is located on a rotation axis of said rotor.   
     
     
         2 . The pump according to  claim 1 , wherein said rotor and impeller are constructed as a structural unit even before said pump is assembled. 
     
     
         3 . The pump according to  claim 2 , wherein said rotor and impeller are produced as a structural unit in one piece. 
     
     
         4 . The pump according to  claim 3 , wherein said structural unit comprising said rotor and said impeller is produced in one piece from plastics material in a single plastics injection-moulding operation. 
     
     
         5 . The pump according to  claim 1 , wherein said rotor and said impeller are constructed as a structural unit without a pump chamber wall therebetween and are arranged in said pump. 
     
     
         6 . The pump according to  claim 1 , wherein said axial bearing is located in a continuation of said inlet, in said region thereof. 
     
     
         7 . The pump according to  claim 1 , wherein said axial bearing is located, when viewed radially, inside said impeller or at an axial height thereof. 
     
     
         8 . The pump according to  claim 1 , wherein said axial bearing is projected beyond by said impeller. 
     
     
         9 . The pump according to  claim 1 , wherein said axial bearing is located substantially freely in said inlet and is supported at said inlet by means of a plurality of supports. 
     
     
         10 . The pump according to  claim 9 , wherein said plurality of supports is arranged in a peripheral direction towards said pump housing. 
     
     
         11 . The pump according to  claim 1 , wherein said impeller has a tubular upper portion in a direction towards said inlet, said inlet having a collar which engages over said tubular upper portion of said impeller. 
     
     
         12 . The pump according to  claim 11 , wherein said collar forms a tapered portion of said inlet, said collar extending a little into said tubular upper portion of said impeller. 
     
     
         13 . The pump according to  claim 11 , wherein said supports according to  claim 9  for said axial bearing are arranged inside an tubular upper portion of said impeller. 
     
     
         14 . The pump according to  claim 1 , wherein said axial bearing has a friction-type bearing, which said impeller or said structural unit abuts. 
     
     
         15 . The pump according to  claim 14 , wherein a bearing projection is arranged on a projection inside said impeller for cooperation with said friction-type bearing of said axial bearing. 
     
     
         16 . The pump according to  claim 15 , wherein said friction-type bearing and said bearing projection are constructed in such a manner that they have a curvature and an indentation, which are placed one against the other and rotate one inside the other in such a manner for a centering of said structural unit on said rotation axis of said rotor. 
     
     
         17 . The pump according to  claim 15 , wherein said friction-type bearing on said axial bearing is curved in a concave manner away from said impeller and said bearing projection is curved in a convex manner away from said impeller. 
     
     
         18 . The pump according to  claim 15 , wherein said inwardly curved portion of the friction-type bearing or bearing projection is less curved than said other adjacent, outwardly curved portion. 
     
     
         19 . The pump according to  claim 14 , wherein a portion of said axial bearing comprises plastics material. 
     
     
         20 . The pump according to  claim 14 , wherein a portion of said axial bearing comprises metal. 
     
     
         21 . The pump according to  claim 14 , wherein at least said inwardly curved friction-type bearing comprises plastics material. 
     
     
         22 . The pump according to  claim 14 , wherein said friction-type bearing comprises plastics material and is injected on or in said pump housing. 
     
     
         23 . The pump according to  claim 15 , wherein the bearing projection adjoining said friction-type bearing comprises plastics material and is injected on or in said impeller. 
     
     
         24 . The pump according to  claim 2 , wherein said structural unit rotates on a fixed motor shaft, which is secured to an end facing away from said impeller. 
     
     
         25 . The pump according to  claim 24 , wherein said fixed motor shaft is secured in a motor housing or to a motor housing, wherein a bearing socket is arranged in said rotor which rotates on said fixed motor shaft.