Control interface for a pump

Abstract

A control interface (150) for a pump (100). The control interface (150) includes a power source (130). The control interface (150) includes a controller (120) for activating an operational feature of the pump (100). The controller (120) is actuated by a user action (160). A feature of the control interface (150) is that the pumping action of the pump (100) is activated by a start signal provided by a sensing unit.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present disclosure relates to pumps. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to a control interface that allows safe and convenient operation of a pump, particularly a submersible pump. BACKGROUND

[0002] Pumps, such as submersible pumps, can include a control interface for operating the pump. The control interface includes one or more buttons, switches, and indicators to allow a user to interact with different modes and, more importantly, to initiate the pump. However, there are safety, legal, and implementation constraints in operating (i.e., turning on) the pump in a submerged state of the pump.

[0003] Further, there are concerns about operating or initiating the pump outside of water, which can lead to an empty running condition. Empty running can lead to undesirable damage and issues related to de-aeration if the pump is submerged in liquid while running

[0004] US 4021700 (hereinafter referred to as the '700 reference) provides one example of a submersible pump. The '700 reference provides a three-phase submersible pump motor that includes a time delay before shutdown to avoid undesirable and harmful shutdowns caused by transient or instantaneous conditions. When the pump motor is de-energized in response to an underload condition, it automatically restarts after a predetermined time delay. All delay functions are precisely determined by division of the power line frequency. Downhole pressure and temperature are also sensed and if they become excessive, the motor is automatically de-energized to prevent overheating. However, the '700 reference does not disclose a simple, safe interface that allows automatic initiation of the pump motor based on factors such as user-specified conditions.

[0005] US 5,190,442 reference (hereinafter referred to as the '442 reference) discloses an electronic pump control system that includes a vessel fluidly coupled to a plurality of pumps. The plurality of pumps are operable by a pump controller. Further, a processor is provided to initiate / stop one or more of the plurality of pumps based on programming between the pump controller and the processor. However, the '442 reference does not appear to recite automatic and time-based initiation of any of the pumps after a predetermined time of receiving power. Further, the '442 reference does not appear to have any features of the US 4,444,545 and US 4,705,456 references that allow time-based initiation of the pumps to be coupled with a liquid sensor. The lack of such a critical feature can lead to safety and efficiency constraints in the operation of the pumps. Further, the pumps of these references lack preset time-based pump operation, which can be prone to undesirable breakdowns and maintenance events that can even compromise the safety of the pumps and their users.

[0006] Accordingly, there is a need for an improved control interface for a pump that provides safe and user-friendly operation of the pump. SUMMARY

[0007] In view of the above, it is an object of the present invention to solve or at least reduce the above-mentioned drawbacks. This object is at least partly achieved by a control interface of a pump. The control interface comprises a power supply. The control interface comprises a controller to control the power supply and to activate an operational feature of the pump. The controller is actuated by a user action. It is a feature of the control interface that the controller comprises a determination unit, wherein a pumping action of the pump is activated by the controller providing power to a motor of the pump after receiving a start signal provided by the determination unit. Thus, the present disclosure provides a simple, user-friendly and effective control interface which allows to activate a pumping action safely based on a preset time period. This is achieved by avoiding unnecessary empty runs of the pump or the need to manipulate the pump when at least partially submerged.

[0008] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the preset time period is in the range of about 10 seconds to about 90 seconds. The countdown of this preset time period gives the operator of the pump the opportunity to perform an activity with the pump in case the pump has not performed a pumping action yet. The range of the preset time period can be any value based on the pump, user preferences or other implementation factors.

[0009] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the control unit further comprises a memory which stores a value representative of the time at which the pump receives power from the power supply. If the memory stores a value associated with a remaining time period in which the motor of the pump is not powered, it is possible to pause the process of automatically switching on the pumping action for an indefinite time and to resume the countdown at the pause position later. This can be started by a manual action of pressing a start / stop button. Alternatively, especially if the memory is permanent, the countdown can be paused when the pump is removed from the power supply and resumed when reconnected. It is thus avoided that after the pump is reconnected to the power supply the preset time period is supplied after which the determination unit provides the start signal to power the motor of the pump from scratch (thus ignoring the already existing time period of the countdown). Furthermore, this allows to apply benefits such as storing and checking the preset time period accurately by the memory unit.

[0010] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the count of the preset time period is displayed by one or more of an LED and an LCD arranged on one of the control interface and a separate location. This can be used as a visual indicator for the operator of the pump regarding the count of the preset time period.

[0011] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the user interface is integrated into the housing of the pump (100). This avoids the need for a separate component in addition to the pump housing, which makes the pump more sleek and user friendly. According to one embodiment of the present invention, the control interface comprises a memory unit associated with the power supply and the controller. This allows the benefit of accurately storing and checking the preset time period by the memory unit.

[0012] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the operational feature is one or more of activation of the pump, mode change, and timer mode. This can allow the control interface to activate different operational features or modes of the pump.

[0013] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the pump is a submersible pump. Submersible pumps generally pose safety issues related to activation in submerged conditions, which are safely and conveniently addressed by the control interface of the present disclosure.

[0014] Other features and aspects of the present invention will be apparent from the following description and the accompanying drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0015] The present invention will be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0016] Figure 1 a schematic diagram of a pump according to one embodiment of the present invention is shown;

[0017] Figure 2 a schematic diagram of a pump submerged in a liquid according to one embodiment of the present invention is shown;

[0018] Figure 3 a block diagram of a control interface of a pump according to one embodiment of the present invention is shown; and

[0019] Figure 4 a schematic diagram of a pump according to another embodiment of the present invention is shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0020] The present invention will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which example embodiments incorporating one or more aspects of the present invention are shown. This invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. For example, one or more aspects of the present invention can be utilized in other embodiments and even other types of structures and / or methods. In the drawings, the same reference numbers in different drawings indicate the same or similar elements.

[0021] Certain terminology is used herein for convenience only and is not to be taken as a limitation on the present application. For example, “upper,” “lower,” “front,” “back,” “side,” “longitudinal,” “lateral,” “transverse,” “upward,” “downward,” “forward,” “rearward,” “laterally,” “left,” “right,” “horizontal,” “vertical,” “upwardly,” “inwardly,” “outwardly,” “top,” “bottom,” “higher,” “above,” “below,” “center,” “middle,” “intermediate,” “between,” “end,” “adjacent,” “proximate,” “near,” “distal,” “remote,” “radial,” “circumferential,” and the like describe the configuration shown in the drawings. The components can be oriented in any direction and, therefore, should be understood as being constructed and utilized in any orientation, unless otherwise specified.

[0022] Figure 1 A pump 100 is shown having a control interface 150. The present disclosure shows a submersible pump, however, the present disclosure can be implemented with any other pump, such as but not limited to a pulse pump, a battery pump, a speed pump, a gravity pump, as the present disclosure is not limited in any way by the type / size / mechanism of the pump.

[0023] Figure 1 Figure 2 A pump 100 is shown before and after being submerged in a liquid 110. The liquid 110 can be water or any other liquid as used or known in the relevant art. The pump 100 includes a pump body 102. The pump body 102 forms a main compartment 104 having an inlet 106 (shown in Figure 2 ) and an outlet 108 (shown in Figure 2 ). The liquid 110 is pumped upward from the inlet 106 and out from the outlet 108. In one embodiment, the pump body 102 can also include a liquid sensor, or alternatively have a liquid sensor attached thereto. With this embodiment, the liquid sensor is able to detect the liquid when the pump is at least partially submerged in the liquid sensor.

[0024] Advantageously, the control interface 150 of the pump 100 includes one or more lighting units 152 (typically LEDs 152, and the two terms are used interchangeably hereinafter). The control interface 150 of the present disclosure can generally be an electronic screen having touch-sensitive LEDs 152 that detect user actions 160. The one or more lighting units 152 can be a sensing device that detects the user actions 160 and enables the pump 100 to operate after a preset period of time T based on the user actions 160. As referenced in conjunction with Figure 1 Figure 2 ​​It will be appreciated that the lighting unit 152 allows for adjustment of the maximum and minimum water levels controlled by the pumping action of the pump 100. The one or more lighting units 152 can be present between the top 112 and the bottom 114 of the pump body 102. The present disclosure illustrates lighting units 152 starting around the top 112 of the pump body 102, however actual implementations can have lighting units 152 in any location, orientation, style, component, etc. of the pump body 102. The present disclosure is directed to constraints related to handling, operating, running the pump 100 (particularly the submersible pump 100) before and during the submerged state in the liquid 110 as shown. As will be apparent, any interaction with the pump 100 in the submerged state can result in safety, operational, and other hazards to both the user and the pump 100. Figure 2 As will be apparent, any interaction with the pump 100 in the submerged state can result in safety, operational, and other hazards to both the user and the pump 100.

[0025] In one embodiment, the pump body 102 is made of any material, such as a waterproof material. Some parts or components of the pump body 102 can be made of a transparent material for aesthetic and implementation benefits. Further, the pump body 102 or any component of the pump 100 can be made of any one or a combination of metal and polymer or any other material as used or known in the relevant art.

[0026] Referring to Figure 1 , the pump 100 is set for a preset time period T by interacting with the control interface 150. This can be required due to safety, legal, and implementation constraints of operating the pump 100 in the submerged state. The control interface 150 of the present disclosure allows the user to safely set the pump 100 for the preset time period T before placing the pump 100 within the liquid 110 as shown. Figure 2 The control interface 150 only allows the preset time period T to begin after detecting power from the power source 130 (shown) connected to the pump 100. This can ensure additional safety and checks to allow the pump 100 to run based on the preset time period T and power from the power source 130. Figure 3

[0027] ​In some embodiments, any number of checks and safety precautions can be set up with the pump 100, according to user preferences or application requirements. In a non-limiting example, the pump 100 can start operating after a preset time period T based on detection of the liquid 110 or rather a sufficient level of the liquid 110 to ensure safety and efficiency of operation. Thus, the controller comprising the determining unit to provide the activation signal to activate the pumping action of the pump 100 by providing power to the motor of the pump 100 can function in different ways. That is, for example, the determining unit provides the activation signal after a preset time period T has passed for the controller 120 to receive power from the power source 130. In another example, the pump 100 further comprises a liquid sensor, and the determining unit provides the activation signal if this liquid sensor detects liquid. Or alternatively, both of the aforementioned conditions must be met, i.e. only if the preset time period T has passed and liquid is detected, the activation signal is provided.

[0028] Furthermore, the control interface 150 can allow providing a visual, audio, notification or any other alert about the end of the preset time period T to the user, which will also signal the activation / operation of the pump 100.

[0029] The pump 100 can have a preset gesture for setting the preset time period T. The preset gesture can comprise pressing any one of the one or more lighting units 152 of the control interface 150, as shown by the user action 160 in Figure 1 However, the actual implementation of the present disclosure can have any other type / position / setting for the preset gesture, i.e. the user action 160.

[0030] The pump 100 can be equipped with an indicator 154, which is one or more lighting units (e.g. LEDs) or an LCD display that allows showing the preset time period T and its running count, which is set (e.g. with the hand) after the user action 160. The one or more indicators 154 dynamically show the current count of the preset time period T and make it more visible and more apparent to the user. In the implementation, the pump 100 only starts operating after the end of the preset time period T, as will be indicated by the lighting or display state.

[0031] Figure 3 The control interface 150 of the pump 100 is shown. The control interface 150 comprises the power source 130. The control interface 150 comprises the controller 120 to activate the operational features of the pump 100 by supplying power to the motor of the pump 100. In some embodiments, the operational features are one or more of activation, mode change and timer mode of the pump 100. This can allow the control interface 150 to activate different operational features of the pump 100. The controller 120 is activated by the user action 160 Figure 1The control interface 150 of the present disclosure allows activation of the pumping action of the pump 100 by supplying power to the motor of the pump after a preset time period T after receiving power from the power source 130. In another possible implementation, the motor is supplied with power after a liquid sensor on the pump 100 has detected liquid. In yet another implementation, the controller 120 supplies power to the motor of the pump 100 only after a preset time period T after receiving power from the power source 130 and if a liquid sensor on the pump 100 has detected liquid.

[0032] Thus, the present disclosure provides a simple, user-friendly and efficient control interface 150 which allows safe activation of the pump 100 based on a preset time period T. Further, the control interface 150 comprises a memory unit 140 associated with the power source 130 and the controller 120. This allows the memory unit 140 to store and check the preset time period T and / or the power from the power source 130. It is advantageous if this memory stores the current value even after removal of the power source. In this case, after the pump 100 is reconnected to the power source, it is possible to count down the remaining part of the preset time period T, avoiding the case where the complete preset time period T comes into effect.

[0033] In some implementations, one or more pumping actions or operating features of the pump 100 are activated based on the detection of the power source 130 by the memory unit 140 of the pump 100. This allows activation of the pump 100 only after a safety check of the detection of the power source 130 and after the user can verifiably count the preset time period T. The present disclosure shows the pump 100 as a submersible pump 100, however, the control interface 150 can be easily applied to any pump without any limitation.

[0034] Figure 4 A pump 100 with a control interface 150 according to an implementation of the present disclosure is shown. The control interface 150 allows different levels or modes of control of the pump 100. The control interface 150 can allow performing various levels of control of the pump 100, for example, but not necessarily, overall control of the pump 100, wherein the control interface 150 can be used to control any function of the pump 100 without any limitation. Further, there can be cases where the control interface 150 can be able to control the pump 110 with some limitations for any reason, for example, power control of the pump 100 only. As shown, the control interface 150 comprises a control button 156 and an indicator 154, for example, an LCD display. The present disclosure provides a control interface 150 with a compact, user-friendly and aesthetically pleasing arrangement without compromising the ease of use and convenience of application of the control interface 150. The present disclosure further avoids the need for multiple levers, buttons, etc. to perform changes to various modes, parameters, which can be operated by the control interface 150 of the pump 100. This allows an ordinary user to easily operate and set up the pump 100 to run in a submerged state.

[0035] like Figure 4 As shown, the count of the preset time period T is displayed by one or more indicators 154 or any display device provided on the control interface 150. This can be used as a visual indicator for the user regarding the count of the preset time period T. The indicator 154 of this disclosure is preferably positioned around the top 112 of the pump body 102 for easy access, visibility, and attention by the user. In a non-limiting example, the preset time period T is in the range of approximately 10 seconds to approximately 90 seconds. The range of the preset time period T can be any value based on the pump 100, user preferences, or other implementation factors. The preset time period T can generally be based on the user safely and conveniently removing the pump 100 from a dry state (e.g., Figure 1 (As shown) Move and set to be immersed in liquid 110 (as shown) Figure 2 The preset time period T is determined by the capabilities shown. Furthermore, the preset time period T can be easily configured and modified through interaction between the user and the control interface 150 of the pump 100.

[0036] In some implementations, control button 156 operates pump 100 based on user action 160. Additionally, indicator 154 can indicate one or more operating characteristics (or parameters) of pump 100, for example, through different colors, patterns, and other indicators. This implementation makes control interface 150 safe and convenient to use, while providing the benefits of ease of operation and aesthetics for the application of control interface 150. In this case, based on the safety provided by the preset time period T of pump 100, different operations such as "on," "off," and mode changes can be performed by different actions taken by different users on control interface 150.

[0037] In some implementations, the control interface 150 may be adapted to interact with a user's portable device (e.g., a smartphone, tablet, etc.) to transmit any messages / notifications / alarms to the user's portable device in real time or according to user-defined preferences regarding mode changes, operating characteristics, or time periods. By applying the user's portable device, the control interface 150 may also allow activation, switching between different modes, and operating characteristics. This arrangement is for illustrative purposes only, and this disclosure can be readily used with any wireless device to transmit messages / notifications / alarms, as known or used in the art.

[0038] The control interface 150 of the present disclosure allows interaction and activation of the pumping action of the pump 100 using one or more of electronics (lighting unit 152), indicators 154, mechanical means (control buttons 156) or wireless means (user portable device etc.). Furthermore, the control interface 150 allows safe, user-friendly activation of the pump 100 by making use of a buffer preset time period T activated after the supply of power 130 to the pump 100. The control interface 150 also provides visual indication and / or alarm to the user about the counting of the preset time period T through one or more indicators 154.

[0039] In the drawings and specification, there have been disclosed preferred embodiments and examples of the invention and, although specific terms are employed, the terms are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation of the scope of the invention being set forth in the following claims.

[0040] List of elements

[0041] 100 pump

[0042] 102 pump body

[0043] 104 main compartment

[0044] 106 inlet

[0045] 108 outlet

[0046] 110 liquid

[0047] 112 top

[0048] 114 bottom

[0049] 120 controller

[0050] 130 power supply

[0051] 140 memory unit

[0052] 150 control unit

[0053] 152 lighting unit / LED

[0054] 154 indicator

[0055] 156 control button

[0056] 160 user action

[0057] T preset time period

Claims

1. A device comprising a control interface (150) of a pump (100) and a pump body (102), the control interface (150) comprising: a power supply (130); and a controller (120) configured to control the power supply (130) and to activate an operating feature of the pump (100), wherein the controller (120) is configured to be actuated by a user action (160), the controller (120) comprises a determination unit, the pump comprises a liquid sensor, wherein a pumping action of the pump (100) is activated by the controller (120) by supplying power to a motor of the pump (100) after receiving a start signal provided by the determination unit, characterized in that: the liquid sensor is comprised in or attached to the pump body (102), wherein the determination unit provides the start signal in case of: a pre-set time period (T) has elapsed after the controller (120) receives power from the power supply (130), and / or the liquid sensor detects liquid. the pre-set time period (T) is in the range of 10 to 90 seconds.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein, the controller (120) further comprises a memory storing a value representing a time of receiving power by the controller (120) of the pump (100) from the power supply (130).

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein, a count of the pre-set time period (T) is displayed by one or more of an LED and an LCD (154) provided on the control interface (150).

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein, the control interface (150) is integrated in the pump body (102) of the pump (100).

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein, the operating feature is one or more of an activation, a mode change and a timer mode of the pump (100).

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein, the pump (100) is a submersible pump (100).

7. A pump (100) having an arrangement according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein, ​

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