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Pump comprising a moving wall and use of a pump of this typeRelated Patent Categories: Pumps, Expansible Chamber Type, Bellows-type ChamberPump comprising a moving wall and use of a pump of this type description/claimsThe Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20070196222, Pump comprising a moving wall and use of a pump of this type. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
[0001] The invention relates to a pump comprising a wall which forms a closed-off fluid volume and which can be moved by means of a first external force in the direction of a volume reduction and by means of a second force, after a preceding volume reduction, in the direction of a volume increase, and with an inlet valve which communicates with an inlet port and with an outlet valve in an outlet line in the fluid volume. [0002] The invention relates, furthermore, to a use of a pump of this type. [0003] Pumps of this type are known, for example, as hose pumps, in which the fluid is expressed from a fluid-filled hose by means of pressure rollers pressing the hose together and moved in a longitudinal direction of the hose. As a result of the movement of the roller, the upstream end of the hose is filled with fluid again when this end is connected to a fluid supply. The propulsive force for moving the rollers is generated by a motor which may be designed, for example, as an electric or hydraulic motor. Pumps of this type are used for conveying a volume in the pressure direction. [0004] Another kind of pump of the type initially mentioned is diaphragm pumps, in which the fluid volume is reduced by the diaphragm and moved back and forth by means of a connecting rod and is subsequently increased again. The connecting rod thus transmits both the first force for the volume reduction and the second force for the volume increase. [0005] In many instances, it is merely necessary to call up a pumping power only in specific operating states when movements, the force flux of which can be used for actuating a pump, take place in a device. Thus, it is known, for example, to evacuate the interspace between a patient's amputation stump and an airtight liner arranged above it, in order, by means of the vacuum formed, to ensure a firm fit of the liner connected to a prosthesis. For this purpose, a piston pump is used, which, when the patient treads on the ground by means of the prosthesis, exerts an evacuation stroke and is returned by means of a return spring. Pumps of this type are relatively bulky particularly because of the return mechanism required. [0006] The object on which the invention is based is, therefore, to design a pump of the type initially mentioned such that it can be implemented in a small space. [0007] To achieve this object, according to the invention, a pump of the type initially mentioned is characterized in that it is designed as a vacuum pump, the volume of which can be reduced by means of the external first force against an elastically deformable material, the return force of which forms, after the termination of the external force action, the second force acting counter to the generated vacuum. [0008] In the pump according to the invention, the working stroke by which the fluid, in particular air, is sucked away from a closed-off volume, is brought about by the return force of the elastically deformable material. Previous deformation for reducing the volume of the fluid material takes place by means of a first force acting externally. The pump according to the invention thus makes it possible to have a very uncomplicated and small-volume design, by means of which a low to medium vacuum can be generated. [0009] In a first preferred embodiment of the invention, the wall has two rigid walls lying opposite one another, the elastically deformable material being arranged in the interspace formed by the walls. In this case, the elastically deformable material may be formed by a sealing insert running around the edge and delimiting the fluid volume. This embodiment affords the advantage that the external force can act directly on one of the rigid walls. [0010] In another embodiment likewise having advantages, the wall is designed flexibly, the elastically deformable material bearing, preferably over a large area, against the flexible wall, In this case, a high return force sufficient for many applications can be generated by means of a relatively thin material layer. [0011] The elastic material may be an open-pored foam which is arranged within the fluid volume and which exerts the return force after a volume reduction has been carried out. The fluid, which is preferably air, accordingly flows through the foam. In this embodiment, the generation of the return force does not take up any additional space at all, since the fluid volume itself is utilized for this purpose. In this case, it is expedient if the foam completely fills the fluid volume, with the exception of residual volumes as a consequence of construction. An alternative elastic material which is capable of throughflow and which can be used for the invention is a wide-mesh knitted fabric. [0012] The pump according to the invention is implemented in a simple way if the elastic material is surrounded on all sides by the flexible wall. It is also possible, however, for the wall to be partially of rigid design and for a part of the wall such as is required for the volume reduction to be made flexible. [0013] The pump according to the invention can preferably be produced with a preferred large-area extent and with a thickness which is small, as compared with this, and can therefore in many instances be integrated into the structure of a device without difficulty. [0014] To press together the fluid volume, at least one pressure element bearing against the flexible wall over a large area is provided. In particular, the fluid volume with a flexible wall may be arranged between two large-area pressure elements. [0015] The valves may be arranged on the corresponding narrow sides of the flexible wall, but are preferably also arranged in recesses of one of the pressure elements or of both pressure elements, with the result that flexing actions of the flexible wall are reduced. [0016] The pump according to the invention can advantageously be integrated in the force flux of a system in which forces arise which are utilized to exert one of the two forces. The pump according to the invention is suitable particularly as a vacuum pump. [0017] In a special application, the pump constitutes part of a prosthesis for a lower extremity. Preferably, in this case, the force occurring due to body weight when a patient treads on the ground is utilized as the first force. The pump may be employed, in particular, for the vacuum assistance of a suction well of the prosthesis, in particular for evacuating the interspace between a liner and the prosthesis shank. A preferred place of use for the pump according to the invention is an artificial foot which makes it possible particularly effectively to have the large-area design of the pump perpendicularly to the force flux occurring during load caused by the body weight. [0018] The invention will be explained in more detail below by means of exemplary embodiments illustrated in the drawing in which: [0019] FIG. 1 shows a diagrammatic illustration of a pump in the initial state according to a first embodiment; [0020] FIG. 2 shows the pump according to FIG. 1 in the compressed state; [0021] FIG. 3 shows a pump in an initial state according to a second embodiment; [0022] FIG. 4 shows a pump in a third embodiment which is integrated into an artificial foot; [0023] FIG. 5 shows an arrangement of an elastically deformable material consisting of two layers with profilings which point toward one another and in the nonloaded state form a fluid space; [0024] FIG. 6 shows the arrangement according to FIG. 5 in a loaded state in which the compressed material of the layer completely fills the fluid space; Continue reading about Pump comprising a moving wall and use of a pump of this type... 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