Diaphragm pump

Background of the Invention

a) Field of the invention

0001The present invention relates to a diaphragm pump according to the preamble part of claim 1.

b) Description of the prior art

0002A conventional diaphragm pump is configured as shown in <figref idref="f0001">Fig. 1</figref>. In this drawing, a reference numeral 21 represents a motor, a reference numeral 22 designates an output shaft of the motor 21, a reference numeral 23 denotes a crank base which is fixed to the output shaft 22, a reference numeral 24 represents a driving shaft which is fixed to the crank base 23 in an inclined condition, a reference numeral 26 designates a driving body which is rotatably attached to the driving shaft 24, a reference numeral 27 denotes a casing, a reference numeral 28 represents a cylinder member and a reference numeral 29 designates a valve housing. A reference numeral 31 represents a diaphragm member and a reference numeral 32 designates a cylindrical discharge valve; the diaphragm portion and the discharge valve 32 being integrated to compose a diaphragm main body 30. This diaphragm main body 30 is held by the cylinder member 28 and the valve housing 29. Furthermore, reference numerals 33 and 34 represent a valve chamber member (common chamber) and a discharge port which are formed integrally with the valve housing 29, a reference numeral 35 designates an air intake valve and a reference numeral 36 denotes an air intake port.

0003The diaphragm pump which has the above described configuration rotates the crank base 23 when the output shaft 22 is driven and rotated by the motor 21. Rotation of the crank base 23 changes a direction of inclination of the driving shaft 24 which is fixed to the crank base 23. Accordingly, a direction of inclination of the driving body 26 is also changed and a driving portion (piston) 31a of the diaphragm member 31 reciprocates, thereby performing a pumping action. When the driving portion 31a is raised like a diaphragm member on the right side in <figref idref="f0001">Fig. 1</figref>, a capacity of a pump chamber is reduced and a pressure is changed in this chamber, whereby the cylindrical discharge valve 32 is opened and a fluid is sent out of discharge port 34. When a driving portion is lowered like a left side diaphragm member, on the other hand, a capacity of a pump chamber for this diaphragm member is increased, whereby external fluid opens the air intake valve 35 and flows into the pump chamber.

0004The diaphragm pump performs a pumping action by changing capacities of the pump chambers as described above, thereby allowing the fluid to flow from outside into the pump chamber through the air intake valve, and then allowing the inflow fluid to open the discharge port and to be supplied from the discharge port.

0005Since the above described conventional diaphragm pump uses the cylindrical discharge valve which is formed integrally with the diaphragm member, a portion composing the valve chamber portion (common chamber) in which this cylindrical valve is disposed is similarly cylindrical, protrudes from a surface portion of a cover body, has a discharge port extending from an upper end surface of the valve chamber portion, and is used in a condition where a pipe or the like is connected to this discharge port for leading the fluid to a location of supply.

0006Since the conventional diaphragm pump protrudes outside from the above described cylindrical portion composing at least the valve chamber portion (common chamber), the conventional diaphragm pump is obliged to have a relatively large and stepped form. Accordingly, the diaphragm pump is limited in its location of installation in rare cases.

0007Furthermore, the conventional diaphragm pump which uses the cylindrical discharge valve has a defect that it allows the cylindrical discharge valve to be deformed during part custody, transportation and the like before assembling the pump after manufacturing the valve. Furthermore, the cylindrical valve is thin and therefore poses a problem associated with assembly that the pump required tedious works to insert the cylindrical valve into the valve chamber portion (common chamber) at a pump assembling stage and the like.

0008Document <patcit id="pcit0001" dnum="US5791882A"><text>US 5,791,882</text></patcit> discloses a diaphragm pump having a diaphragm main body and a discharge valve provided as separate members. The discharge valve is attached to a valve housing. For fixedly attaching the discharge valve to this valve housing, the discharge valve in a centre portion thereof comprises a cylindrical mounting portion having a radially enlarged end portion. This mounting portion is inserted into a central opening of the valve housing and the radially enlarged end portion provides a clamping function for ensuring that the discharge valve is kept attached to the valve housing.

0009Document <patcit id="pcit0002" dnum="US5466133A"><text>US 5,466,133</text></patcit> discloses a peristaltic pump having a shaft mounted within a housing and coupled with a rotor to induce nutation in a wobble plate. A pump diaphragm is located and fixed to one side of the wobble plate and at its periphery to the housing. A pump casing associated with the diaphragm defines a pump cavity with the pump diaphragm. An inlet and an outlet having ball check valves are provided in an end portion of the pump casing.

0010Taiwanese utility model publications <patcit id="pcit0003" dnum="TW448981"><text>448981 </text></patcit>and <patcit id="pcit0004" dnum="TW387509"><text>387509</text></patcit>, respectively disclose diaphragm pumps having an air collecting body, wherein discharge valves associated to individual pumping chambers are provided in a wall of the air collecting body.

0011It is an object of the present invention to provide a diaphragm pump having a compact arrangement and being easy to assemble. This object is solved by the diaphragm pump as defined in claim 1. Further advantageous embodiments of the present invention are defined in the subclaims.

Brief Description of the Drawings

0012<ul id="ul0001" list-style="none" compact="compact"><li><figref idref="f0001">Fig. 1</figref> is a sectional view showing a conventional diaphragm pump;</li><li><figref idref="f0002">Fig. 2</figref> is a sectional view showing a first embodiment of the present invention;</li><li><figref idref="f0003">Figs. 3A and 3B</figref> are diaphragms showing a configuration of a diaphragm main body according to the first embodiment;</li><li><figref idref="f0004">Figs. 4A and 4B</figref> are diagrams showing a configuration of a cylinder member according to the first embodiment;</li><li><figref idref="f0005">Fig. 5</figref> is a bottom view of a valve housing according to the first embodiment;</li><li><figref idref="f0005">Figs. 6A and 6B</figref> are diagrams showing a configuration of an air collecting body according to the first embodiment;</li><li><figref idref="f0006">Fig. 7</figref> is a sectional view showing a second embodiment of the present invention;</li><li><figref idref="f0007">Fig. 8</figref> is a sectional view showing a third embodiment of the present invention;</li><li><figref idref="f0008">Figs. 9A and 9B</figref> are diagrams showing a configuration of a cylinder member according to the third embodiment;</li><li><figref idref="f0009">Figs. 10A and 10B</figref> are diagrams showing a fourth embodiment of the present invention;</li><li><figref idref="f0010">Figs. 11</figref> and <figref idref="f0011">12</figref> are diagrams showing a diaphragm pump, which is not in line with the present invention;</li><li><figref idref="f0011">Fig. 13</figref> is a plan view of a diaphragm portion according to the diaphragm pump shown in <figref idref="f0010">Figs. 11</figref> and <figref idref="f0011">12</figref>;</li><li><figref idref="f0012">Fig. 14</figref> is a bottom view of a valve housing of the diaphragm pump shown in <figref idref="f0010">Figs. 11</figref> and <figref idref="f0011">12</figref>;</li><li><figref idref="f0013">Fig. 15</figref> is a sectional view showing a fifth embodiment of the present invention;</li><li><figref idref="f0014">Fig. 16</figref> is a sectional view showing a sixth embodiment of the present invention;</li><li><figref idref="f0015">Fig. 17</figref> is a sectional view showing a seventh embodiment of the present invention;</li><li><figref idref="f0016">Figs. 18A and 18B</figref> are diagrams showing a configuration of a diaphragm main body according to the seventh embodiment;</li><li><figref idref="f0017">Figs. 19A and 19B</figref> are diagrams showing a configuration of a cylinder portion according to the seventh embodiment;</li><li><figref idref="f0018">Fig. 20</figref> is a sectional view showing an eigth embodiment of the present invention;</li><li><figref idref="f0019">Figs. 21A, 21B</figref> and <figref idref="f0020">22</figref> are diagrams showing a configuration of a ninth embodiment of the present invention;</li><li><figref idref="f0021">Figs. 23A-I, 23A-II, 23B-I, 23B-II, 23C-I, 23C-II, 23D-I, 23D-II, 23E-I, 23E-II</figref>, <figref idref="f0022">23F-I, 23F-II, 23G-I, 23G-II, 23H-I, 23H-II, 23I-I and 23I-II</figref> are diagrams showing forms of discharge valves to be used in the diaphragm pumps according to the present invention;</li><li><figref idref="f0021">Figs. 24A-I, 24A-II</figref>, <figref idref="f0023">24B-I, 24B-II, 24C-I, 24C-II, 24D-I, 24D-II</figref>, <figref idref="f0023">24E-I, 24E-II</figref>, <figref idref="f0024">24F-I, 24F-II, 24G-I, 24G-II, 24H-I and 24H-II</figref> are diagrams showing forms of suction valves to be used in the diaphragm pumps according to the present invention.</li></ul>

Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments

0013Now, description will be made of the preferred embodiments of the diaphragm pump according to the present invention.

0014A configuration of a pump according to the first embodiment of the present invention is shown in <figref idref="f0002">Fig. 2</figref>, in which a reference numeral 1 represents a motor, a reference numeral 2 designates an output shaft of the motor 1, a reference numeral 3 denotes a crank base which is fixed to the output shaft 2, a reference numeral 4 represents a driving shaft which is fixed to the crank base 3 in a condition inclined relative to the output shaft 2, a reference numeral 6 designates a driving body which has a bearing portion 6a fitted over the driving shaft 4 to attach the driving body 6 rotatably to the driving shaft 4. A reference numeral 7 represents a case which has an air vent 7a, a reference numeral 8 designates a cylinder member, a reference numeral 9 denotes a valve housing, a reference numeral 10 represents an air collecting body, a reference numeral 11 designates a diaphragm main body which has a diaphragm portion 11a held by the cylinder member 8 and the valve housing, a reference numeral 12 denotes a pump chamber, a reference numeral 13 represents a discharge valve which is attached to the valve housing 9 and a reference numeral 14 designates a discharge port. The diaphragm pump according to the first embodiment of the present invention is assembled by combining the case 7, the cylinder member 8, the valve housing 9, the air collecting body 10, the discharge valve 13 and other parts as shown in <figref idref="f0002">Fig. 2</figref>.

0015The valve housing 11 of the pump according to the first embodiment is configured as shown in <figref idref="f0003">Figs. 3A and 3B; Fig. 3A</figref> being a plan view and <figref idref="f0003">Fig. 3B</figref> being a side view (sectional view). Furthermore, <figref idref="f0004">Figs. 4A and 4B</figref> are diagrams showing a form of the cylinder member 8; <figref idref="f0004">Fig. 4A</figref> being a plan view and <figref idref="f0007">Fig. 8B</figref> being a sectional view. Furthermore, <figref idref="f0005">Fig. 5</figref> is a plan view of the valve housing 9, whereas <figref idref="f0005">Figs. 6A and 6B</figref> are diagrams showing the air collecting body; <figref idref="f0005">Fig. 6A</figref> being a bottom view and <figref idref="f0005">Fig. 6B</figref> being a sectional view. Furthermore, the discharge valve 13 which is used in the pump according to the first embodiment illustrated in <figref idref="f0002">Fig. 2</figref> is configured as shown in <figref idref="f0021">Figs. 23A-I and 23A-II</figref>.

0016The diaphragm pump according to the present invention consists of the above described diaphragm portion and the like which are assembled as shown in <figref idref="f0002">Fig. 2</figref>.

0017Now, each of the parts composing the diaphragm pump according to the first embodiment and an overall configuration of an assembled condition of the parts will be described in detail.

0018First, the diaphragm main body 11 is made of an elastic material such as rubber, and configured as shown in <figref idref="f0003">Figs. 3A and 3B</figref>. That is, this diaphragm main body 11 consists of a plurality of diaphragm portions 11a (the diaphragm main body shown in <figref idref="f0002">Fig. 2</figref> consists of three diaphragm portions arranged at equal intervals on a circumference as shown in the plan view presented as <figref idref="f0003">Fig. 3A</figref>), and three thin valve portions 11c in shapes of planar plates disposed among the diaphragm portions 11a and each having a hole 11d.

0019Furthermore, formed in the cylinder portion 8 is a hole (suction port) 8b between a cylinder 8 and a cylinder 8 in which the diaphragm portions 11a are to be disposed.

0020Furthermore, the valve housing 9 has a shape shown in <figref idref="f0005">Fig. 5</figref>. The valve housing 9 as seen from downside of <figref idref="f0002">Fig. 2</figref> is shown in <figref idref="f0005">Fig. 5</figref>, in which a reference numeral 9a represent an air vent, a reference numeral 9b designates a groove and a reference numeral 9c denotes a valve mounting hole.

0021The cylinder member 8, the diaphragm main body 11 and the valve housing 9 which are described above are disposed so as to sandwich and hold the diaphragm main body 11 between the cylinder member 8 and the valve housing 9 as shown in <figref idref="f0002">Fig. 2</figref>.

0022The diaphragm pump according to the first embodiment of the present invention is configured to assemble the diaphragm main body 11 with the cylinder member 8 by inserting or disposing the diaphragm portion 11a into the cylinder 8a of the cylinder member 8. Furthermore, an assembly of the diaphragm main body 11 and the cylinder member 8 is attached to the case 7 of the cylinder member 8 for integration after a tip of the driving portion (piston) 11b which is assembled with the diaphragm portion 11a is fixed to a predetermined position of the driving body 6.

0023On the other hand, the discharge valve 13 is disposed in the valve housing 9 by pressing a mounting portion 13b of the discharge valve 13 into the valve mounting hole 9c of the valve housing 9. Furthermore, the air collecting body 10 is fixed to the valve housing 9, thereby assembling the valve housing 9 with the air collecting body 10 in a condition where the valve 13 is pressed and held by a valve clamp 10a of the air collecting body 10.

0024The pump is assembled as shown in <figref idref="f0002">Fig. 2</figref> by fixing an assembly of the valve housing 9 and the air collecting body 10 to the cylinder member 8 so as to sandwich the diaphragm main body 11.

0025Now, description will be made of functions of the diaphragm pump according to the first embodiment.

0026When the motor 1 is driven, this diaphragm pump rotates the output shaft 2, thereby rotating the crank base 2 which is fixed to the output shaft 2. Accordingly, the diaphragm pump changes an angle of inclination of the driving shaft 4 and an angle of inclination of the driving body 6, thereby moving up and down a driving portion 11b of the diaphragm portion 11a like the conventional pump shown in <figref idref="f0001">Fig. 1</figref>.

0027When the driving portion 11b is moved up and down, a capacity of the pump chamber 12 is changed. When the driving portion 11b of the diaphragm portion 11a is raised higher than a position shown in <figref idref="f0002">Fig. 2</figref>, the capacity of the pump chamber 12 is reduced and a pressure is enhanced in the pump chamber, whereby the valve 13 (a valve portion 13a between ribs 13c shown in <figref idref="f0021">Fig. 23A-I</figref>) is opened, and a fluid which is reserved in the pump chamber 12 is supplied outside from the discharge port 14 while flowing through a gap between the ribs 13c as well as a gap between the air collecting body 10 shown in <figref idref="f0005">Figs. 6A, 6B</figref> and the valve housing. At this time, discharge valves corresponding to the other diaphragm portions are kept closed.

0028When the driving portion 11b of the diaphragm portion 11a shown in <figref idref="f0002">Fig. 2</figref> is lowered and the capacity of the pump chamber 12 is increased, the pressure is lowered in the pump chamber and the discharge valve 13 is closed. Reversely, the thin planar portion (suction valve) 11c of the diaphragm main body 11 is deformed toward a space 15 and opened, whereby a fluid which is reserved in the cylinder member 8 and the case 7 is flowed from the hole 8b into a gap formed between the diaphragm main body and the cylinder member 8, and further into the diaphragm portion through a small hole lid and a groove 9b of the valve housing 9. At this time, a fluid flows from outside into the case 7 through the air vent 7a formed in the case 7.

0029This pump chamber repeats the above described operations to successively flow the liquid into and out of the pump chamber, thereby performing a pumping action.

0030The other diaphragm portions (pump chambers) which are not shown in <figref idref="f0002">Fig. 2</figref> also perform pumping actions by repeating quite the same operations. Moreover, the diaphragm pump shown in <figref idref="f0002">Fig. 2</figref> uses a driving mechanism which is configured as described above and continuously changes a direction of inclination of the driving body, thereby supplying the fluid nearly continuously by operating the diaphragm portions at a definite phase difference.

0031The diaphragm pump according to the first embodiment which is configured as described above uses both the suction valve and the discharge valve each consisting of a plurality of valves which are integrated with one another, a small number of parts and the discharge valve which is configured as a planar valve. Accordingly, this pump is capable of using an air collecting body which is nearly planar in place of the cylindrical portion which composes the common chamber of the conventional diaphragm pump shown in <figref idref="f0001">Fig. 1</figref>. As a result, the diaphragm pump shown in <figref idref="f0002">Fig. 2</figref> has a nearly cylindrical form from the case 7 to the air collecting body 10, except the discharge port 14 which is disposed to connect a pipe or the like for supplying a fluid, and is allowed to have a small height and can be configured compact. Furthermore, the diaphragm pump can be assembled easily since the discharge valve 13 can be mounted easily by pressing or drawing the convex portion 13b into the hole 9c of the valve housing, and the diaphragm portion, the diaphragm main body and other parts can easily be fixed by combining them consecutively.

0032Now, description will be made of a second embodiment of the diaphragm pump according to the present invention.

0033The second embodiment of the present invention is a diaphragm pump which is shown in <figref idref="f0006">Fig. 7</figref> and uses a discharge valve configured as shown in <figref idref="f0021">Figs. 23B-I and 23B-II</figref>. This discharge valve is configured in a form which has a concave portion (valve mounting concave portion) 13d formed at a center portion of the valve. On the other hand, a valve mounting convex portion 9d which is to fit into the concave portion 13d of the above described discharge valve is formed in a discharge port (on a side of an air collecting body) at a center of a valve housing as shown in <figref idref="f0003">Figs. 3A and 3B</figref> so that the discharge valve is disposed so as to fit the concave portion 13d over the convex portion 9d and fixed by clamping a rib portion 13c with the air collecting body 10. The diaphragm pump according to the second embodiment has a configuration which is substantially the same in other respects as that of the diaphragm pump according to the first embodiment.

0034The diaphragm pump according to the first embodiment uses the discharge valve which is configured as shown in <figref idref="f0021">Figs. 23A-I and 23A-II</figref>, whereas the diaphragm pump according to the second embodiment uses the diaphragm pump which is configured as shown in <figref idref="f0021">Figs. 23BI and 23B-II</figref> as described above.

0035Furthermore, it is conceivable to use, in addition to the above described discharge valves, those which are shown in <figref idref="f0021">Figs. 23C-I, 23C-II, 23D-I, 23D-II, 23E-I, 23E-II</figref> and the like.

0036Out of these discharge valves, the discharge valve which is shown in <figref idref="f0021">Figs. 23C-I and 23C-II</figref> is a valve formed to have a mounting convex portion 13e at a center of a bottom surface of the discharge valve. For use of this valve, it is sufficient to form at a center area of a valve housing a concave portion which is to fit over the convex portion of the valve, fit the convex portion of the valve into this concave portion and fix the valve by clamping the ribs with the air collecting body.

0037Furthermore, the discharge valve shown in <figref idref="f0021">Figs. 23D-I and 23D-II </figref>which is similar to that shown in <figref idref="f0021">Figs. 23C-I and 23C-II i</figref>s configured so that a portion 13a of the valve has a minimum area required to have a function of a valve which closes an air vent so that the valve can be opened and closed easily. That is, the discharge valve shown in <figref idref="f0021">Figs. 23D-I and 23D-II</figref> can be opened and closed with slight enhancement and reduction of a pressure in a pump chamber, and is usable, for example, in a more compact diaphragm pump.

0038In addition, the valves which are configured as shown in <figref idref="f0021">Figs. 23A-I, 23A-II, 23B-I </figref>and <figref idref="f0021">23B-II</figref> can be used in more compact pumps when valve portions are configured like a portion 13a of the valve shown in <figref idref="f0021">Figs. 23D-I and 23D-II.</figref>

0039Any discharge valve which is to be used by the diaphragm pump according to the present invention has a rib 13c as shown in <figref idref="f0021">Fig. 23A-I, 23A-II, 23B-I, 23B-II, 23C-I, 23C-II, 23D-I, 23D-II, 23E-I or 23E-II</figref>. However, it is not always necessary to form the rib 23c on the discharge valve. In this case, it is sufficient to form a valve clamp on the air collecting body so that the discharge valve is clamped and held by a portion other than the valve portion 13a functioning as a valve.

0040<figref idref="f0022">Figs. 23F-I, 23F-II, 23G-I, 23G-II, 23H-I, 23H-II, 23I-I and 23I-II </figref>are diagrams showing other discharge valves. Each of these valve has a surface which is concave as a whole on a side of the valve housing differently from the discharge valves which have been described above.

0041<figref idref="f0022">Figs. 23F-I, 23G-I, 23H-I </figref>and <figref idref="f0022">23I-I</figref> are diagrams as seen from bottoms (sides of the concave surfaces).

0042The discharge valves shown in <figref idref="f0022">Figs. 23F-I and 23F-II</figref> has a simple structure having a bottom surface 13g which is concave as a whole as described above and a concave portion 13i at a center of a valve mounting surface.

0043This discharge valve is configured to fix and hold the valve by pressing the valve with a valve clamp of the air collecting body after the concave portion 13i is fitted over a valve mounting convex portion which is formed on the valve housing. This valve is used in a condition where a location other than an air vent (a position corresponding to the rib 13c in <figref idref="f0021">Fig. 23A-I </figref> or the like) is pressed by the valve clamp of the air collecting body, thereby keeping the bottom surface of the valve in close contact with the valve housing.

0044The valve shown in <figref idref="f0022">Figs. 23F-I and 23F-II</figref> has a concave surface 13g which is a spherical surface. However, this concave surface is not limited to the spherical surface and may have another shape which is, for example, a shape of a curved surface close to the spherical surface or a surface of a circular cone. That is, the valve may have a section in a shape other than an arc shape and close to the arc shape, a triangular shape or the like. Anyway, the discharge valve is configured so as to be brought into close contact with the valve housing at least radially between the air vents of the valve housing, thereby shielding each air vent from the other air vents when the valve is pressed with the valve clamp. It is sufficient so far as the valve is configured to have shapes of the concave surface and the valve clamp which bring a circumference 13h of the valve is brought as a whole into close contact with the valve housing 9 when the valve is pressed.

0045The valve shown in <figref idref="f0022">Figs. 23G-I and 23G-II </figref>is different from the discharge valve shown in <figref idref="f0022">Figs. 23F-I and 23F-II</figref> in that the valve shown in <figref idref="f0022">Figs. 23G-I and 23G-II </figref>has a convex portion 13j formed at a center portion of a concave surface 13g.

0046In other words, the valve shown in <figref idref="f0022">Figs. 23G-I and 23G-II</figref> is disposed in the valve housing so that the convex portion 13j is fit into a concave portion formed at a position of the valve housing which corresponds to the convex portion 13j.

0047By pressing a valve 13 to the valve housing with a valve clamp, the concave surface 13g of the valve 13 is brought into close contact with a surface of the valve housing.

0048Like the valve shown in <figref idref="f0022">Figs. 23F-I and 23F-II</figref>, the valve shown in <figref idref="f0022">Figs. 23G-I and 23G-II </figref>can therefore be closed sufficiently under a low pressure.

0049The valve shown in <figref idref="f0022">Figs. 23H-I and 23H-II</figref> is has a configuration in which a rib 13k is formed between valve portions functioning as valves and bring a concave surface into close contact, for example, with a surface of the valve housing by pressing the rib 13k with a valve clamp of the air collecting body.

0050Since the valve shown in <figref idref="f0022">Figs. 23H-I and 23H-II </figref> is configured to press the rib 13k with the valve clamp, an opposite side of the rib 13k is always kept in close contact with the valve housing or the like. The portion 13k is always kept in close contact and airtight even when a circumferential portion 13h is opened due to deformation of a valve portion which is cause by a fluid flowing through an air vent. A section between the air vents is always kept in close contact and each air vent is partitioned in a sealed condition.

0051Since the opposite side of the rib 13k is always kept in close contact with the valve housing or the like in a valve 13 shown in <figref idref="f0022">Figs. 23H-I and 23H-II</figref>, it is not preferable for this valve to locate the air vent on the opposite side or in the vicinity of the opposite side.

0052This valve therefore requires positioning.

0053The valve shown in <figref idref="f0022">Figs. 23H-I and 23H-II</figref> is an example of discharge valve which is to be used in a diaphragm pump having three diaphragm portions (pump chambers), and has three valve portions and a triangular convex portion 131 for positioning. Formed on a valve housing is a triangular convex portion which is to be fitted into the triangular concave portion 131 of the valve 13 for positioning.

0054The valve shown in <figref idref="f0022">Figs. 23I-I and 23I-II</figref> is configured to have a rib 13k like the valve shown in <figref idref="f0022">Figs. 23H-I and 23H-II</figref>. However, the valve shown in <figref idref="f0022">Figs. 23I-I and 23I-II</figref> is characterized in that a rib 13m is formed also on a concave surface 13g.

0055The rib 13m of this valve is formed at a position corresponding to the rib 13k but has a relatively small height. The rib 13m formed on the inside concave surface serves for bringing at least an inside surface of the valve into close contact with a surface of the valve housing when the valve is pressed with a valve clamp. When the rib 13k is pressed, the concave surface 13g of the valve 13 is brought close to the surface of the valve housing and a circumferential portion 13h of the valve 13 is brought into close contact, whereby the valve 13 operates under a low pressure.

0056The valve shown in <figref idref="f0022">Figs. 23I-I and 23I-II</figref> must be configured so that the circumferential portion 13h of the valve is brought into close contact as described above when the valve is pressured. Therefore, it is not preferable for the valve to have the rib 13m which is too high (thick). In order to configure the valve so as to allow the circumferential portion 13h of the valve to be brought into close contact with the diaphragm portion when the valve is pressed, it is preferable to configure the rib 13m so as to extend inside the circumferential portion 13h as shown in <figref idref="f0022">Figs. 23I-I and 23I-II</figref>. When the rib 13m is configured as described above, the air vents are partitioned by the rib 13m and the circumferential portion 13h outside the rib 13m is brought as a whole into close contact with the valve housing when the valve is pressed. Accordingly, the valve is closed when a pressure is not applied to the valve from a fluid coming from the pump chamber. When a pressure is enhanced in the pump chamber, the circumferential portion 13h is opened by a pressure applied through the air vent corresponding to the pump chamber, thereby allowing the fluid to flow to the discharge port. Since the rib 13m is kept in close contact with the valve housing 9 at this time, the other air vents are partitioned in an airtight condition and no influence is produced on the other pump chambers.

0057Though each of the valves shown in <figref idref="f0022">Figs. 23G-I, 23G-II, 23H-I, 23H-II, 23I-I and 23I-II</figref> has the concave portion 13g having a shape of a spherical surface like the valve shown in <figref idref="f0022">Figs. 23F-I and 23F-II</figref>, the concave portion 13g is not limited to the spherical surface and may be a curved surface close to the spherical surface or a concave surface having s shape of a circular cone. That is, it is sufficient for the valve to have a form which allows the valve to be brought into close contact with the valve housing among the air bents of the valve housing to partition the air vents in an airtight condition and at the circumferential portion 13h when the valve is pressed by the valve clamp.

0058Furthermore, each of the valves shown in <figref idref="f0022">Figs. 23H-I, 23H-II, 23I-I and 23I-II</figref> has the rib 13k. The valve clamp of the air collecting body is therefore a valve clamp having a ring form and the object of the present invention can be accomplished by pressing the rib 13k.

0059Then, it is conceivable to use, in addition to those according to the above described first and second embodiments, suction valves having various forms in the diaphragm pump according to the present invention. That is, it is conceivable to use suction valves shown in <figref idref="f0023">Figs. 24A-I, 24A-II, 24B-I, 24B-II, 24C-I, 24C-II, 24D-I, 24D-II, 24E-I and 24E-II.</figref> Out of these drawings, <figref idref="f0023">Figs. 24A-I and 24A-II</figref> show the suction valve which is used in the embodiment illustrated in <figref idref="f0002">Fig. 2</figref>, whereas <figref idref="f0023">Figs. 24B-I, 24B-II, 24C-I, 24C-II, 24D-I, 24D-II, 24E-I and 24E-II</figref> show suction valves which have different forms. Out of these drawings, all of <figref idref="f0023">Figs. 24B-I, 24C-I, 24D-I and 24E-I</figref> are plan views, whereas all of <figref idref="f0023">Figs. 24B-II, 24C-II, 24D-II and 24E-II</figref> are sectional views.

0060Out of these suction valves, the valve shown in <figref idref="f0023">Figs. 24A-I and 24A-II</figref> is the valve which is used in the pump shown in <figref idref="f0002">Fig. 2</figref> as described above and has a thin circular portion 11c formed between diaphragm portion as well as a small hole 11d formed at a location not to be overlapped with the air vent so that the thin circular portion 11c is easily deformable and functions as a valve.

0061Furthermore, the suction valve shown in <figref idref="f0023">Figs. 24B-I and 24B-II</figref> is configured to be easily deformable by forming a ring-like slant portion 11e along a circumference of a thin circular portion 11c. A small hole 11d is formed also in this valve at a location similar to that of the valve shown in <figref idref="f0023">Figs. 24A-I and 24A-II</figref>.

0062The suction valve which is shown in <figref idref="f0023">Figs. 24C-I and 24C-II</figref> has a configuration in which a thin circular portion 11f composing a valve is held by a plurality of holding portions (three holding portions in <figref idref="f0023">Fig. 24C-I</figref>) 11g having a definite width and this thin portion 11f closes an air vent formed in the cylinder section, whereby a gap is formed along a circumference of the thin portion and it is unnecessary to form a small hole.

0063Furthermore, the valve shown in <figref idref="f0023">Figs. 24D-I and 24D-II</figref> has a circular opening 11i and a tongue-like thin portion 11h for closing the air vent in a cylinder portion which are formed at a planar portion of the diaphragm main body 11 so that the tongue like thin portion functions as a valve. Also for this example which forms a gap between the opening and the tongue-like thin portion, it is unnecessary to form a small hole.

0064Moreover, the valve shown in <figref idref="f0023">Figs. 24E-I and 24E-II</figref> consists of a circular opening 11j, an air vent closing circular portion 11m having a diameter smaller than that of the opening 11j, and a thin portion composed of a holding portion 11n extending in a vertical direction in the drawings which are formed at a planar portion of the diaphragm main body 11. In addition, a reference numeral 11p represents an arc-like opening which is formed between the opening 11j and thin portion 11m composing a valve.

0065The thin circular portion 11m having the small diameter of this suction valve composes a valve for closing the air vent. When the thin circular portion 11m having the small diameter is apart from a topside surface of the cylinder member 8 to open the air vent, a fluid which flows from the air vent comes into a concave portion through the circular opening 11j, passes through the groove 9b of the valve housing 9 and flows into the diaphragm portion 11a. It is therefore unnecessary to form the hole 11c which is formed in the suction valve shown in <figref idref="f0021">Figs. 23A-I and 23A-II </figref>or <figref idref="f0021">23B-I and 23B-II.</figref>

0066A third embodiment which is described later is an example in which the suction valve shown in <figref idref="f0023">Figs. 24E-I and 24B-II</figref> is used.

0067A suction valve which is shown in <figref idref="f0024">Figs. 24F-I and 24F-II</figref> is a valve which has a tongue-like thin portion (valve portion) like the suction valve shown in <figref idref="f0023">Figs. 24D-I and 24D-II</figref>. However, the suction valve shown in <figref idref="f0024">Figs. 24F-I and 24F-II</figref> is different in that a surface of the valve portion 11u which is on a side of the cylinder member (a right side surface in <figref idref="f0024">Fig. 24F-II</figref>) has a concave portion 11t.

0068Furthermore, a suction valve which is shown in <figref idref="f0024">Figs. 24G-I and 24G-II</figref> has a valve portion 11u which is coupled with 11v at the planar portion of the diaphragm main body like the suction valve shown in <figref idref="f0023">Figs. 24E-I and 24E-II</figref>. The valve shown in <figref idref="f0024">Figs. 24G-I and 24G-II</figref> also has a concave portion formed in a surface of the valve portion 11u on the side of the cylinder member.

0069Moreover, a suction valve which is shown in <figref idref="f0024">Figs. 24H-I and 24H-II </figref>uses a planar surface as a surface of a tongue-like valve portion 11r on the side of the cylinder member (a right side surface in <figref idref="f0024">Fig. 24H-II)</figref> and a convex portion 11x on a line surrounding a center of this surface.

0070Now, description will be made of a diaphragm pump according to a third embodiment of the present invention. The diaphragm pump according to the third embodiment has a configuration shown in <figref idref="f0007">Fig. 8</figref> which is fundamentally the same as those of the pump according to the first and second embodiments. However, the diaphragm pump according to the third embodiment is different in a configuration of a suction valve 11c. The suction valve 11c of the third embodiment remains unchanged from those of the first and second embodiments in that the pump is disposed at a planar area of a diaphragm main body 11, but the suction valve itself is configured as shown in <figref idref="f0023">Figs. 24E-I and 24E-II</figref>, therefore being different from those of the first and second embodiments.

0071Furthermore, formed in a cylinder member 8 are two suction ports 8b for each suction valve as shown in <figref idref="f0007">Figs. 8</figref>, <figref idref="f0008">9A and 9B</figref>. In other words, it is unnecessary for the suction valve of the third embodiment to form the hole 11d unlike the section valve shown in <figref idref="f0023">Figs. 24A-I and 24A-II</figref>. Therefore, it is unnecessary for the suction valve according to the third embodiment to form the hole 11d unlike the suction valve shown in <figref idref="f0023">Figs. 24A-I and 24A-II.</figref> Accordingly, it is unnecessary for the diaphragm pump according to the third embodiment to shift a location of the suction port 8b to be formed in the cylinder member 8 so that the location is not overlapped with a hole as in a case where a valve having the hole 11d like the valve shown in <figref idref="f0023">Figs. 24A-I and 24A-II</figref> is used. It is therefore preferable to locate the suction port 8b of the cylinder member 8 at a center of the suction valve 11c. Furthermore, two or more hole may be formed as in the pump according to the third embodiment.

0072Since the suction valve shown in <figref idref="f0023">Figs. 24E-I and 24E-II</figref> which is used in the third embodiment has a form to be held by the holding portions 11n, the valve can be opened and closed easily the securely.

0073<figref idref="f0009">Figs. 10A and 10B</figref> are diagrams illustrating a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

0074A diaphragm pump according to the fourth embodiment is different in a configuration of a discharge valve 13 from the diaphragm pumps according to first and second embodiments, but remains the same in other configurational respects.

0075Specifically speaking, the discharge valve 13 of the diaphragm pump according to the fourth embodiment has a fixing portion 13f which is formed at a center portion as shown in <figref idref="f0021">Figs. 23E-I and 23E-II</figref> to press and fix the valve, three ribs 13c which are formed radially from the fixing portion 13f, and a thin portion between adjacent ribs 13c which composes a valve 13a corresponding to each pump chamber 12.

0076In the fourth embodiment, the discharge valve shown in <figref idref="f0021">Figs. 23E-I and 23E-II</figref> has a valve clamp portion 10f which is formed at a center of an air collecting body 10 as shown in <figref idref="f0009">Fig. 10A</figref> in order to fix and hold the discharge valve 13 at a predetermined position by inserting the valve clamp portion into a concave portion composing the fixing portion 13f. This valve clamp portion 10b is supported by holding ribs 10c as shown in <figref idref="f0009">Fig. 10B</figref> on an enlarged scale and sections among the ribs 10c serve as air vents 10d.

0077The diaphragm pump according to the fourth embodiment securely holds and fixes the discharge valve 13 at the predetermined position owing to the valve clamp portion 10b which is formed on the air collecting body 10, and allows a fluid which flows from each pump chamber while opening the discharge valve 13 to be supplied outside with no hindrance at a pumping action time owing to the air vents 10d which are formed among the ribs 10c.

0078Fifth and sixth embodiments which are described below are different from the above described first, second, third and fourth embodiments in configurations of discharge valves and the like. Furthermore, the fifth and sixth embodiments use the valve shown in <figref idref="f0023">Figs. 24E-I and 24E-II </figref>as a suction valve.

0079<figref idref="f0010">Figs. 11</figref> and <figref idref="f0011">12</figref> show a configuration of a diaphragm pump which is not in line with the present invention: <figref idref="f0010">Fig. 11</figref> being s sectional view and <figref idref="f0011">Fig. 12</figref> being a sectional view taken in a direction perpendicular to the paper surface. In these drawings, a reference numeral 1 represents a motor, a reference numeral 2 designates an output shaft of the motor 1, a reference numeral 3 denotes a crank base which is fixed to the output shaft, a reference numeral 4 represents a driving shaft which is fixed to the crank base in a condition inclined relative to the output shaft 2 and a reference numeral 6 designates a driving body which is rotatably attached to the driving shaft 4 by inserting the driving shaft 4 into a bearing portion 6a of the driving body 6. A reference numeral 7 represents a case having an air vent 7a, a reference numeral 8 designates a cylinder member, a reference numeral 9 denotes a valve housing, a reference numeral 10 represents an air collecting body, a reference numeral 11 designates a diaphragm main body having a diaphragm 11a which is held by the cylinder member 8 and the valve housing 9, a reference numeral 12 denotes a pump chamber, a reference numeral 13 represents a discharge valve having a V shaped section which is disposed in a concave portion 9f having a V-shaped section of the valve housing 9 and a reference numeral 14 designates a discharge port which is formed in the air collecting body 10.

0080For assembling the pump shown in <figref idref="f0010">Figs. 11</figref> and <figref idref="f0011">12</figref>, a mounting portion (protrusion) 13b may be pressed into a mounting hole 9c by pressing the center portion 13p of the V-shaped valve 13 to the concave portion 9 having a V shaped section of the valve housing 9, but pump assembling works are practically made easier and more effective by a method which connects a string like member to a low point of the mounting portion (protrusion) 13b, pressing the mounting portion 13b by pulling the string like member downward and then disconnects the string-like member. This method fixes the air collecting body 10 to the valve housing 9 after pressing and fixing the discharge valve 13 to the valve housing 9. The pump shown in <figref idref="f0010">Fig. 11</figref> is assembled by forming an assembly of the valve housing 9, the air collecting body 10 and the V-shaped discharge valve 13, and then combining and fixing this assembly with and to an assembly of the case 7, the cylinder 8, the diaphragm main body 11 and other parts as in the first embodiment.

0081The diaphragm pump shown in <figref idref="f0010">Figs. 11</figref> and <figref idref="f0011">12</figref> is different from the diaphragm pumps according to the first, second, third and fourth embodiment in that the diaphragm pump shown in <figref idref="f0010">Figs. 11</figref> and <figref idref="f0011">12</figref> uses the valve having the V-shaped section as the discharge valve. Furthermore, the pump shown in <figref idref="f0010">Figs. 11</figref> and <figref idref="f0011">12</figref> is different from the first, second, third and fourth embodiment in that the concave portion having the V-shaped section (conical concave portion) is formed in the valve housing to dispose the discharge valve having the V shaped section in the pump shown in <figref idref="f0010">Figs. 11</figref> and <figref idref="f0011">12</figref>. However, the pump shown in <figref idref="f0010">Figs. 11</figref> and <figref idref="f0011">12</figref> is fundamentally the same as these embodiments with respect to forms of the other parts. The pump shown in <figref idref="f0010">Figs. 11</figref> and <figref idref="f0011">12</figref> is the same in particular as the above described embodiment in that the pump shown in <figref idref="f0010">Figs. 11</figref> and <figref idref="f0011">12</figref> uses the valve shown in <figref idref="f0023">Figs. 24E-I and 24E-II </figref>as the suction valve.

0082Furthermore, the diaphragm pump shown in <figref idref="f0010">Figs. 11</figref> and <figref idref="f0011">12</figref> has a configuration in which two diaphragm portions are disposed an a circumference at locations 180 degrees apart from each other as shown in <figref idref="f0010">Figs. 11</figref> and <figref idref="f0011">12</figref>. The suction valves are disposed 180 degrees apart from each other at middle locations between both the diaphragm portions. In other words, two diaphragm portions 11a (pump chambers 12) are disposed so as to be at right and left side locations symmetrical with regard to an extension line of the output shaft 2 of the motor 1 as shown in <figref idref="f0011">Fig. 13</figref>. Furthermore, the pump shown in <figref idref="f0010">Figs. 11</figref> and <figref idref="f0011">12</figref> has a configuration in which two suction valves (either shown in <figref idref="f0023">Figs. 24E-1 and 24E-II</figref>) are disposed at the upper and lower locations symmetrical with regard to an extension line of the output shaft 2 of the motor 1 as shown in <figref idref="f0011">Fig. 13</figref> which is the sectional view taken in the direction perpendicular to the paper surface. Furthermore, the valve housing 9 has a bottom surface shown in <figref idref="f0012">Fig. 14</figref> in which two vent holes 9a and two grooves 9b are formed.

0083<figref idref="f0013">Fig. 15</figref> is a diagram illustrating a fifth embodiment of the diaphragm pump according to the present invention.

0084A diaphragm pump according to the fifth embodiment is different from the pump shown in <figref idref="f0010">Figs. 11</figref> and <figref idref="f0011">12</figref> in that the pump according to the fifth embodiment uses a discharge valve 13 having a V shaped section which has no mounting portion and a valve clamp portion 10a which is formed at a root of a discharge port 14 of an air collecting body (cover body) 10.

0085The diaphragm pump according to the fifth embodiment is different from the pump shown in <figref idref="f0010">Figs. 11</figref> and <figref idref="f0011">12</figref> in mounting of the discharge valve in a valve housing and configured to be assembled more easily.

0086In <figref idref="f0013">Fig. 15</figref>, a reference numeral 1 represents a motor, a reference numeral 2 designates an output shaft of the motor 1, a reference numeral 3 denotes a crank base, a reference numeral 4 represents a driving shaft which is attached to the crank base 3, a reference numeral 6 designates a driving body which is slidably attached to the driving shaft 4, a reference numeral 7 denotes a case, a reference numeral 8 represents a cylinder member, a reference numeral 9 designates a valve housing, a reference numeral 10 denotes an air collecting body (cover body), a reference numeral 11 represents a diaphragm main body which has a diaphragm portion 11a, a reference numeral 12 designates a pump chamber and a reference numeral 13 denotes a conical discharge valve (having a V-shaped section): these parts being substantially the same as those of the pump shown in <figref idref="f0010">Fig. 11</figref>, except for a clamp portion 10a of the air collecting body 10 and a fixing portion 13a of the discharge valve which are configured differently. In addition, a reference numeral 10b represents an air vent formed in the clamp portion of the air collecting body 10.

0087The diaphragm pump according to the fifth embodiment is different in that the discharge valve 13 is configured in a simple form which has only a central fixing portion 13p with no mounting portion (protrusion) 13b and that the air collecting body 10 has a clamp portion 10a which presses the fixing portion 13p of the discharge valve 13 to the air collecting body 10 for holding and fixing the discharge valve.

0088In addition, a reference numeral 10f represents a hole formed in the clamp portion 10e.

0089In addition, the suction valve has a configuration which is substantially the same as that in the pump according to the pump shown in <figref idref="f0010">Figs. 11</figref> and <figref idref="f0011">12</figref>.

0090Specifically speaking, the diaphragm pump according to the fifth embodiment is configured to sandwich and hold a diaphragm main body 11 between the cylinder member 8 and the valve housing 9, dispose the discharge valve 13 having the V-shaped section in a V shaped concave portion 9d of the valve housing 9 and fix the air collecting body 10 to the valve housing 9. The discharge valve 13 having the V-shaped section is fixed so as not to move by pressing a fixing portion 13c at a center of the discharge valve 13 having the V-shaped section with a valve clamp (clamp portion) 10e which is disposed at a center portion of the air collecting body 10 and extends downward.

0091The diaphragm pump according to the fifth embodiment has a configuration which is different only in a method to fix the discharge valve described above and the same as that of the diaphragm pump shown in <figref idref="f0010">Figs. 11</figref> and <figref idref="f0011">12</figref> in other respects. Furthermore, the diaphragm pump according to the fifth embodiment has functions which are the same as those of the diaphragm pump shown in <figref idref="f0010">Figs. 11</figref> and <figref idref="f0011">12</figref>.

0092Since the diaphragm pump according to the fifth embodiment is different in the method to fix the discharge valve 13 from the diaphragm pump shown in <figref idref="f0010">Figs. 11</figref> and <figref idref="f0011">12</figref> as described above, the diaphragm pump according to the fifth embodiment is assembled by a method which is slightly different. A method desirable for assembling the diaphragm pump according to the fifth embodiment is to dispose the discharge valve 13 in a concave portion 9d of the valve housing 9, and integrate the valve housing 9 with the air collecting body 10 by fixing these parts to each other. At this stage, the air collecting body 10 is disposed to hold the discharge valve 13 securely at a predetermined position in the concave portion 9d of the valve housing 9. The diaphragm main body 11 is assembled so as to be sandwiched between the cylinder member 8 and an assembly which consists of the valve housing 9 and the air collecting body 10 integrated with each other.

0093Now, <figref idref="f0014">Fig. 16</figref> is a diagram illustrating a sixth embodiment of the diaphragm pump according to the present invention.

0094The diaphragm pump according to the sixth embodiment uses a discharge valve 13 which has a U-shaped section and a valve housing 9 which has a concave portion 9e having the same U-shaped section, therefore being different from the diaphragm pump shown in <figref idref="f0010">Figs. 11</figref> and <figref idref="f0011">12</figref> and the pump according to the fifth embodiment.

0095In the sixth embodiment, the discharge valve 13 having the U-shaped section is disposed in the concave portion 9e having the U-shaped section of the valve housing 9. Then, an air collecting body 10 is attached to the valve housing 9, thereby pressing and fixing the discharge valve 13 with a valve clamp 10e of the air collecting body 10.

0096Each of the diaphragm pumps shown in <figref idref="f0010">Figs. 11</figref> and <figref idref="f0011">12</figref> and according to the above described fifth and sixth embodiments of the present invention is configured to have two diaphragm portions (two pump chambers). However, a diaphragm pump which has three or more diaphragm portions (pump chambers) like that according to the first, second or third embodiment may be adequately configured to have diaphragm portions disposed at equal internals on a circumference around a center of the pump. Arrangement of paths and grooves to be disposed in a valve housing as well as that of suction valves and the like to be formed in a diaphragm main body may be modified in conjunction with disposed locations of the diaphragm portions.

0097A configuration of a diaphragm pump according to a seventh embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in <figref idref="f0015">Fig. 17</figref>, in which a reference numeral 1 represents a motor, a reference numeral 2 designates an output shaft of the motor 1, a reference numeral 3 denotes a crank base which is fixed to the output shaft 2, a reference numeral 4 represents a driving shaft which is fixed to the crank base 3 in a condition inclined relative to the output shaft 2 and a reference numeral 6 designates a driving body which is rotatably attached to the driving shaft 4 by inserting the driving shaft 4 into a bearing portion 6a of the driving body 6. A reference numeral 7 denotes a case which has an air vent 7a, a reference numeral 8 represents a cylinder member, a reference numeral 9 designates a valve housing, a reference numeral 10 denotes an air collecting body, a reference numeral 11 represents a diaphragm main body which has a diaphragm portion 11a held by the cylinder member 8 and the valve housing 9, a reference numeral 12 designates a pump chamber, a reference numeral 13 denotes a discharge valve which is attached to the valve housing 9 and a reference numeral 14 represents a discharge port. The above described parts assembly is the same as that in the first embodiment shown in <figref idref="f0002">Fig. 2</figref>. The seventh embodiment is similar in a fundamental configuration to the first embodiment shown in <figref idref="f0002">Fig. 2</figref> as described above, but different in a diaphragm main body 11, in a composition of a suction in particular, which is described below.

0098In the seventh embodiment, the diaphragm main body 11 is configured as shown in <figref idref="f0016">Figs. 18A and 18B</figref> which are a plan view and a side view (sectional view) respectively. A form of the cylinder member 8 is shown in <figref idref="f0017">Figs. 19A and 19B</figref> which are a plan view and a sectional view respectively. In addition, the valve housing 9 and the air collecting body 10 are substantially the same as those of the diaphragm pump according to the first embodiment which are illustrated in <figref idref="f0005">Fig. 5 and Figs. 6A, 6B </figref>respectively. Furthermore, used as the discharge valve 13 is a valve shown in <figref idref="f0022">Figs. 23A-I and 23A-II </figref>which is the same as that used in the first embodiment.

0099Now, detailed description will be made of parts which compose the diaphragm pump according to the seventh embodiment and an overall configuration of these parts in an assembled condition.

0100First, the diaphragm main body 11 has a configuration illustrated in <figref idref="f0016">Figs. 18A and 18B</figref> which consists of a plurality of diaphragm portions 11a (the diaphragm main body shown in <figref idref="f0016">Figs. 18A and 18B</figref> consists of three diaphragm portions disposed at equal intervals along a circumference as shown in the plan view presented as <figref idref="f0016">Fig. 18A</figref>) and three thin planar suction valves 11c formed among these diaphragm portion 11a. The suction valve used in the seventh embodiment has a form which is shown in <figref idref="f0024">Figs. 24F-I and 24F-II.</figref> In other words, this suction valve is configured to have a thin valve portion 11r which extends into a circular opening 11s from a planar portion of the diaphragm main body 11 as shown in <figref idref="f0015">Figs. 17</figref>, <figref idref="f0024">24F-I and 24F-II.</figref> The suction valve is further configured to have a concave portion 11t having a gently curved surface 11t which is formed in a bottom surface of the valve portion 11r and a circular portion around the curved surface which is to be brought into close contact with a surface the cylinder member 8 on a side of the diaphragm main body. The valve is closed in a condition where a circumferential portion of the thin valve portion 11r is kept in close contact with a surface of the cylinder member 8, whereas the valve is opened when the circumferential portion is apart from the surface of the cylinder member 8. The diaphragm main body 11 is held by the cylinder member 8 and the valve housing 9 as shown in <figref idref="f0015">Fig. 17</figref>.

0101Furthermore, formed in the cylinder member 8 are holes (suction ports) 8b as shown in <figref idref="f0017">Figs. 19A and 19B</figref> among cylinders 8a in which diaphragm portions 8a are to be disposed.

0102Furthermore, the valve housing 9 has a form which is substantially the same as that shown in <figref idref="f0005">Fig. 5</figref>, and has air vents 9a, groves 9b and a valve mounting hole 9c.

0103Furthermore, the discharge valve used in the diaphragm pump according to the seventh embodiment is the same as that in the first embodiment as described above, and has ribs 13c which extend in three directions from a center as shown n <figref idref="f0021">Figs. 23A-I and 23A-II </figref>as well as sections composing valves among the ribs. In addition, a reference numeral 13 represents a convex portion (fixed portion).

0104The cylinder member 8, and the diaphragm main body 11 are attached to the case 7 as shown in <figref idref="f0015">Fig. 17</figref>.

0105After the diaphragm main body 11 is held as described above, the discharge valve 13 is set by pressing the convex portion 13b into the valve mounting hole 9c of the valve housing 9 and the air collecting body 10 having the discharge port 14 is attached or integrated to or with the valve housing 9. An assembly of the valve housing 9, the discharge valve 13 and the air collecting body 10 is attached to an assembly of the case 7, the cylinder member 8 and the diaphragm main body 11.

0106The diaphragm pump according to the seventh embodiment of the present invention illustrated in <figref idref="f0015">Fig. 17</figref> is assembled as described above.

0107When the motor 1 is driven, the diaphragm pump according to the seventh embodiment also rotates the output shaft 2, thereby rotating the crank base which is fixed to the output shaft 2. Accordingly, the driving shaft 4 changes its direction of inclination and a direction of inclination of the driving body 6, thereby moving up and down the driving portion 11b of the diaphragm portion 11a like that of the conventional pump.

0108A capacity of the pump chamber 12 is changed when the driving portion 11b is moved up and down. When the driving portion of the driving portion 11b is raised higher than a position shown in <figref idref="f0015">Fig. 17</figref>, the capacity of the pump chamber 12 is reduced and a pressured is enhanced, whereby a fluid opens the discharge valve 13 (the valve portion 13a between the ribs 13c shown in <figref idref="f0021">Fig. 23A-I</figref>), passes between the ribs 13c, flows through a gap between the air collecting body 10 and the valve housing, and is supplied outside from the discharge port 14. At this time discharge valves corresponding to other diaphragm portions are closed.

0109When the driving portion 11b of the diaphragm portion 11a on the right side in <figref idref="f0015">Fig. 17</figref> is lowered and the capacity of the pump chamber 12 is increased, the pressure is lowered in the pump chamber 12 and the discharge valve 13 is closed. Reversely, a pressure is lowered in a space 15 and the valve portion 11r of the thin planar portion (suction valve) 11c of the diaphragm main body (suction valve) is opened, whereby a fluid reserved in the cylinder member 8 and the case 7 flows from the suction port 8b of the cylinder member 8 into the diaphragm portion through the groove 9b of the valve housing 9 shown in <figref idref="f0004">Fig. 4</figref>. At this time, a fluid flows from outside into the case 7 through the air vent 7a formed in the case 7. Accordingly, a space formed by the case 7, the cylinder member 8 and the like is always filled with air.

0110The pumping chamber successively flows the fluid into and out of the pump chamber by repeating the above described operations, thereby performing a pumping action.

0111Furthermore, the other diaphragm portions (pump chambers) also perform pumping actions by quite the same operations. Moreover, the pump shown in <figref idref="f0015">Fig. 17</figref> which uses a driving mechanism configured as described above continuously changes the direction of inclination of the driving body and supplies the fluid nearly continuously by operating the diaphragm portions with a definite phase difference.

0112The diaphragm pump according to the seventh embodiment of the present invention uses a suction valve configured to have a concave portion 11t which is formed at least in a surface of a thin valve portion on a side to be brought into contact with a cylinder portion as shown in <figref idref="f0024">Figs. 24F-I and 24F-II.</figref> Accordingly, the suction valve is configured so that only a marginal portion of the thin valve portion which surrounds the concave portion is to be brought into contact with a surface of the suction port at a location which surrounds the suction port of the cylinder member. When the suction valve is closed, the valve therefore completely shuts up the suction port which is formed in the cylinder member, thereby being capable of opening and closing without fail. Furthermore, the suction valve is partically brought into contact with the surface of the cylinder member only around the concave portion, thereby being capable of preventing noise from being produced.

0113As a discharge valve of the diaphragm pump according to the seventh embodiment of the present invention, it is conceivable to use the valve shown in <figref idref="f0021">Figs. 23B-I and 23B-II, Figs. 23C-I and 23C-II or Figs. 23D-I and 23D-II</figref> in addition to that shown in <figref idref="f0021">Fig. 23A-I and 23A-II.</figref>

0114As a suction valve of the diaphragm pump according to the seventh embodiment of the present invention, it is conceivable to use one of valves having various forms, that is, valves shown in <figref idref="f0024">Figs. 24G-I and 24G-II</figref>, and <figref idref="f0023">Figs. 24C-I and 24C-II</figref> in addition to that shown in <figref idref="f0024">Figs. 24F-I and 24F-II.</figref>

0115The suction valve shown in <figref idref="f0024">Figs. 24G-I and 24G-II</figref> consists of a circular opening 11i, a circular portion 11u (valve portion) for closing the suction port and having a diameter smaller than that of the opening 11i, and a thin portion consisting of a holding portion 11v extending in a vertical direction in the drawing from the circular portion 11u which are formed on the planar portion of diaphragm main body 11. Furthermore, a reference numeral 11w represents an arc-like opening which is formed between the opening 11i and the thin portion 11 composing the valve. This suction vale also has a form which has the concave portion 11t formed in a surface of the a valve portion to be brought into contact with the surface of the cylinder member.

0116The suction valve shown in <figref idref="f0023">Figs. 24C-I and 24C-II </figref> is configured so as to have a thin valve composing circular portion 11f which is held by three holding portions 11g and serves for closing the air vent formed in the cylinder member, and a gap (opening) which is formed around the thin portion. A valve portion of the suction valve shown in <figref idref="f0023">Figs. 24C-I and 24C-II</figref> has a form which is curved as a whole so as to be concave on a side of the cylinder member. Accordingly, the suction valve has a concave portion 11f at least on the side of the cylinder member and is configured to be bought into contact with the surface of the cylinder member at a circumference around this concave portion. This valve therefore provides an effect to prevent noise from being produced at an opening time and a closing time of the valve like the suction valve according to the seventh embodiment of the present invention.

0117Now, description will be made of an eighth embodiment of the diaphragm pump according to the present invention.

0118The eighth embodiment of the present invention is a diaphragm pump which has a configuration shown in <figref idref="f0018">Fig. 20</figref>, uses a discharge valve configured as shown in <figref idref="f0021">Figs. 23B-I and 23B-II</figref>, and is similar in the configuration to the second embodiment illustrated in <figref idref="f0006">Fig. 7</figref>. Furthermore, the eighth embodiment uses a suction valve which is the same as that of the seventh embodiment and shown in <figref idref="f0024">Figs. 24F-I and 24F-II</figref>.

0119<figref idref="f0019">Figs. 21A and 21B</figref> are diagrams illustrating a ninth embodiment of the present invention.

0120A diaphragm pump according to the ninth embodiment uses a discharge valve 13 which is configured to have a fixing portion 13f formed at a center portion as shown in <figref idref="f0021">Figs. 23E-I and 23E-II </figref>for pressing and fixing the valve, three ribs 13c radially extending from the fixing portion 13f and a thin portion between adjacent ribs 13c for composing a valve 13a corresponding to each pump chamber 12. Furthermore, used as a suction valve 14 is the valve which is used in the seventh and eighth embodiments, and shown in <figref idref="f0024">Figs. 24F-I and 24F-II</figref>.

0121<figref idref="f0020">Fig. 22</figref> shows a diaphragm pump having a configuration which is the same as that shown in <figref idref="f0010">Fig. 11</figref>. except for the suction valve which is replaced with the suction valve shown in <figref idref="f0024">Figs. 24F-I and 24F-II</figref>. <figref idref="f0020">Fig. 22</figref> is a sectional view taken in a direction perpendicular to the paper surface.

0122It is possible also for the diaphragm pumps shown in <figref idref="f0013">Figs. 15</figref> and <figref idref="f0014">16</figref> to use the suction valve shown in <figref idref="f0024">Figs. 24F-I and 24F-II</figref>.

0123All of the diaphragm pumps according to the above described seventh, eighth and ninth embodiments are the same in fundamental configurations as the pumps according to the first, second and fourth embodiments (embodiments illustrated in <figref idref="f0002">Figs. 2</figref>, <figref idref="f0006">7</figref>, <figref idref="f0009">10A and 10B</figref>) respectively. The diaphragm pumps according to seventh, eighth and ninth embodiments are different in a configuration of the diaphragm main body from the first, second and fourth embodiments. In other words, the seventh, eighth and ninth embodiments are characterized in that the diaphragm main body has the suction valve shown in <figref idref="f0024">Figs. 24F-I and 24F-II.</figref>

0124Furthermore, it is possible for the diaphragm pumps shown in <figref idref="f0010">Figs. 11</figref>, <figref idref="f0011">12</figref> and <figref idref="f0013">15</figref> which use the V shaped discharge valves having the V shaped discharge valve to use the suction valve shown in <figref idref="f0024">Figs. 24F-I and 24F-II.</figref>

0125Though each of the above described first through ninth embodiments uses the driving mechanism having a configuration in which the bearing portion of the driving body is rotatably attached to the driving shaft 4 fixed to the crank base in an inclined condition, it is possible to reciprocate driving portions of a plurality of diaphragm portions at a definite phase difference as in the first, second and third embodiments, thereby performing a pumping action.

0126Furthermore, it is possible to use any driving mechanism other than that shown in <figref idref="f0002">Fig. 2</figref> so far as the driving mechanism provides an equalled function, in other words, a driving mechanism is sufficiently usable so far as the mechanism can reciprocate the driving portion of the diaphragm portion, thereby changing the capacity of the pump chamber.

0127Furthermore, a location of the air vent formed in the case 7 is not limited to that shown in the drawing. That is, the diaphragm pump according to each of the above described embodiments is of a type which is used for supplying a gas or the like, or supplying air which flows into the case 7 through the above described air vent 7a from the discharge port by the above described operations. However, the diaphragm pump can be used for supplying a fluid such as a liquid other than the gas when a fluid inflow port is formed at an appropriate location.

0128Furthermore, though the diaphragms pump each having two or three diaphragm portions (pump chambers) are described as the embodiments, the present invention is applicable also to pumps each having four or more diaphragm portions (pump chambers). Similarly, the diaphragm pump according to the present invention can be configured so as to have a diaphragm portion (pump chamber).

0129Each of the suction valves shown in <figref idref="f0023">Figs. 24C-I, 24C-II</figref>, <figref idref="f0024">24F-I, 24F-II, 24G-I and 24G-II</figref> is characterized in that the spherical concave portion is formed in the surface on the side of the cylinder member. The suction valve which has the concave portion is characterized in that only the circular portion around the concave portion is brought into contact with the surface of the cylinder member and the valve prevents noise from being produced at the valve opening time and the valve closing time.

0130However, a section valve is not limited to the valve having the spherical concave portion but sufficiently usable so far as the valve is configured to be brought into close contact with the surface of the cylinder member only at the portion surrounding a suction port formed in the cylinder member, thereby completely closing the suction port when the valve is closed.

0131Therefore, a suction valve may be a valve which has no concave portion in its surface on the side of the cylinder member and configured as described below.

0132A suction valve may have a planar surface on the side of the cylinder member and a slight protrusion along a line surrounding the suction port.

0133This valve is configured so that an opening 11s is formed around a thin portion (valve portion) 11r, the valve portion 11r has a planar surface on a side of a piston portion and a convex portion 11x protruding on a side of a piston portion is formed on this planar surface so as to surround a suction port formed in the diaphragm portion as shown in <figref idref="f0024">Figs. 24H-I and 24H-II</figref>.

0134A pump which has a diaphragm main body integrally connected at a planar portion to a diaphragm portion forming a pump chamber and performs a pumping action by reciprocating a driving portion disposed integrally with the diaphragm portion; the pump being configured compact by disposing a suction valve at the planar portion of the diaphragm main body and further using a planar discharge valve.