DRIVE DEVICE FOR OSCILLATING POSITIVE-DISPLACEMENT MACHINES
The present invention concerns a drive mechanism for oscillating positive-displacement machines such as for example diaphragm pumps comprising an eccentric shaft and a plurality m of piston rods, wherein the piston rods are connected to the eccentric shaft in such a way that rotation of the eccentric shaft produces an oscillating linear movement of the piston rods. To provide a corresponding drive mechanism which avoids or at least reduces the described disadvantages it is proposed according to the invention that the eccentric shaft and the piston rod are connected together by way of a sliding unit guide.
1 . A drive mechanism for oscillating positive-displacement machines, comprising: an eccentric shaft and a plurality m of piston rods, wherein the piston rods are connected to the eccentric shaft in such a way that rotation of the eccentric shaft produces an oscillating linear movement of the piston rods, wherein the eccentric shaft and the piston rod are connected together by way of a sliding unit guide.
2 . A drive mechanism as set forth in claim 1 , wherein all piston rods are disposed in one plane.
3 . A drive mechanism as set forth in claim 1 , wherein the piston rods are arranged in a star configuration.
4 . A drive mechanism as set forth in claim 1 , wherein the eccentric shaft and the piston rods are connected together in positively locking relationship in a first direction in space, and also in a second direction in space arranged perpendicularly thereto, while a relative movement in a third direction in space which is arranged perpendicularly to the first and second directions in space is possible.
5 . A drive mechanism as set forth in claim 1 , wherein the sliding unit guide is in the form of a T-groove/groove block connection, wherein the piston rods have the T-groove and the groove blocks are fixed to the eccentric shaft.
6 . A drive mechanism as set forth in claim 5 wherein the eccentric shaft has a sliding element which has the T-grooves or the groove blocks, wherein T-grooves or groove blocks lie on the edges of a regular polygon with n corners.
7 . A drive mechanism as set forth in claim 6 wherein n is an integral multiple of m, wherein preferably n is equal to m.
8 . A drive mechanism as set forth in claim 5 , wherein the T-groove is made from hardened steel.
9 . A drive mechanism as set forth in claim 5 , wherein the groove block is made from a copper alloy, preferably from bronze.
10 . A drive mechanism as set forth in claim 5 , wherein the T-groove is formed by a pressure plate and a restraint claw fixed to the pressure plate.
11 . A drive mechanism as set forth in claim 10 , wherein the restraint claws are connected to the pressure plate of the piston rod by means of a bolt or a fitting screw, wherein the restraint claw is preferably rotatably movably connected to the pressure plate.