Water pump system and its abnormality troubleshooting method

Abstract

A water pump system and an abnormality troubleshooting method thereof, the water pump system comprising a heater, a temperature sensor, a water pump, and a controller. When the pump water heating program is activated, the controller controls the heater to heat up, and when the temperature sensor senses that the temperature of the heater has reached a predetermined operating temperature, controls the water pump to start operating at a first power. After the water pump has operated for a predetermined operating time, if it is determined that the temperature of the heater is less than or equal to a predetermined overheating temperature, the water pump is controlled to maintain the first power operation. Otherwise, the water pump is controlled to operate at a second power greater than the first power for a predetermined increased power time. This abnormality troubleshooting method design for the water pump system can indeed be used to troubleshoot operational abnormalities caused by prolonged non-use of the water pump, helping users to have a better user experience and thereby reducing return disputes arising from such abnormalities.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a water supply system and a control method thereof, in particular to a water pump system for electrical equipment requiring water heating treatment and a method for eliminating abnormalities thereof. Background Art

[0002] The water pump system is the basic structure of household appliances such as coffee machines, steam irons, and tea makers. The water pump system of the aforementioned household appliances generally consists of a heater, a water pump for pumping water to the heater for heating and raising the temperature, and a controller for controlling the operation of the water pump.

[0003] During the manufacturing process of these home appliances, the water pump is typically filled with liquid to ensure that it draws water at a stable pressure upon purchase. However, if the appliance is not used for an extended period, the liquid in the pump evaporates. When the pump is restarted, it may not pump water properly due to insufficient internal pressure or increased friction due to dry internal components. This often leads consumers to mistakenly believe the appliance is faulty and send it in for repair, causing significant friction for both manufacturers and consumers. Summary of the Invention

[0004] An object of the present invention is to provide a water pump system that ameliorates at least one disadvantage of the background art.

[0005] The water pump system of the present invention includes a heater, a temperature sensor for sensing the temperature of the heater, a water pump for pumping water to the heater, and a controller signal-connected to the heater, the temperature sensor, and the water pump. The controller controls the heater to increase its temperature when a water pump heating process is activated. When the temperature sensor senses that the heater temperature has reached a predetermined operating temperature, the controller controls the water pump to start operating at a first power. After the water pump has operated for a predetermined time, if the heater temperature is less than or equal to a predetermined overheating temperature, the controller controls the water pump to maintain the first power. Otherwise, the controller controls the water pump to switch to a second power greater than the first power for a predetermined increased power time.

[0006] In the water pump system of the present invention, the controller determines whether the temperature of the heater sensed by the temperature sensor is less than or equal to the predetermined overheating temperature within a judgment time.

[0007] In the water pump system of the present invention, the predetermined overheating temperature is the predetermined operating temperature.

[0008] In the water pump system of the present invention, the power increase time is 3 to 5 seconds.

[0009] In the water pump system of the present invention, the water intake of the water pump when operating at the first power is 0.2 to 0.3 times the water intake of the water pump when operating at the second power.

[0010] In the water pump system of the present invention, the second power is the maximum power of the water pump.

[0011] In the water pump system of the present invention, the water intake of the water pump when operating at the first power is 10-18 g / sec, and the water intake of the water pump when operating at the second power is 50-60 g / sec.

[0012] In the water pump system of the present invention, after the predetermined power increase time, if the controller determines that the temperature of the heater sensed by the temperature sensor is less than or equal to the predetermined operating temperature, the controller controls the water pump to resume operation at the first power; otherwise, the controller controls the heater and the water pump to stop operation.

[0013] Another object of the present invention is to provide a method for troubleshooting abnormalities in a water pump system that can improve at least one disadvantage of the background art.

[0014] The present invention provides a method for troubleshooting an abnormality in a water pump system, wherein the water pump system comprises a controller, a water pump, a heater, and a temperature sensor. The method comprises a heater preheating step, an initial first-power pumping step, a step of determining whether the water pump is abnormal, a step of maintaining the first-power pumping step, and a step of pumping at a second power.

[0015] During the heater preheating step, the controller controls the heater to heat up.

[0016] In the initial first power water pumping step, when the temperature sensor senses that the temperature of the heater has reached a predetermined operating temperature, the controller controls the water pump to operate at the first power for a predetermined operating time to pump water to the heater.

[0017] In the step of determining whether the water pump is abnormal, after the water pump has operated for a predetermined time, if the temperature of the heater is less than or equal to a predetermined overheating temperature, the controller executes the step of maintaining first-power pumping water, causing the controller to control the water pump to maintain the first power operation; otherwise, the controller executes the step of pumping water at a second power greater than the first power for a predetermined increased power time.

[0018] The abnormality troubleshooting method for the water pump system described in the present invention also includes a step of judging whether the water pump has returned to normal, a step of restoring the first power pumping water, and a step of stopping the pumping water. In the step of judging whether the water pump has returned to normal, the controller is made to judge whether the temperature of the heater sensed by the temperature sensor is less than or equal to the predetermined overheating temperature after the predetermined power increase time. If it is less than or equal to the predetermined overheating temperature, the step of restoring the first power pumping water is executed, so that the controller controls the water pump to operate at the first power. Otherwise, the step of stopping the pumping water is executed, so that the controller controls the heater and the water pump to stop operating.

[0019] The beneficial effect of the present invention is that: through the design of the abnormality elimination method of the water pump system, it can indeed be used to eliminate the abnormal operation of the water pump caused by long-term non-use, which helps to provide users with a better experience and thus reduces the return disputes derived from such abnormal situations. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0020] Other features and effects of the present invention will be clearly presented in the embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0021] Figure 1 is a functional block diagram of an embodiment of a water pump system of the present invention; and

[0022] Figure 2 It is a flowchart of the steps of an embodiment of the abnormality troubleshooting method of the water pump system of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0023] See Figure 1 An embodiment of the water pump system 200 of the present invention is suitable for assembly and installation in electrical equipment (not shown) such as coffee machines, tea makers or steam irons that need to pump and heat water, and will be connected to a water tank of the electrical equipment.

[0024] The water pump system 200 includes a heater 3 for heating water and then outputting it at a higher temperature, a temperature sensor 4 for sensing the temperature of the heater 3, a water pump 5 connected to the heater 3 and capable of being controlled to start and pump the water in the water tank to the heater 3, and a controller 6 for signal connection between the heater 3, the temperature sensor 4 and the water pump 5.

[0025] The controller 6 has a built-in general water pumping mode and a boosted power mode. When executing the general water pumping mode, the controller 6 controls the water pump 5 to operate at a first power. When executing the boosted power water pumping mode, the controller 6 controls the water pump 5 to operate at a second power greater than the first power for a predetermined boosted power time, which is 3 to 5 seconds. The water intake of the water pump 5 when operating at the first power is 0.2 to 0.3 times the water intake when operating at the second power. In this embodiment, the water intake of the water pump 5 when operating at the first power is approximately 10 to 18 g / sec, and the water intake of the water pump when operating at the second power is approximately 50 to 60 g / sec. And during implementation, the second power is the maximum power of the water pump 5.

[0026] See Figure 1 、 2 The water pump system 200 of the present invention is used to be installed on an electrical device and, when it is operated to start a pump water heating program, executes an abnormality troubleshooting method. An embodiment of the abnormality troubleshooting method includes the following steps:

[0027] In the heater preheating step 901 , when the pump water heating program is started, the controller 6 controls the heater 3 to start heating and controls the temperature sensor 4 to start sensing the temperature of the heater 3 .

[0028] In the initial first power water pumping step 902, when the temperature sensor 4 senses that the temperature of the heater 3 has reached a predetermined operating temperature, the controller 6 starts to control the water pump 5 to start operating at the first power, and starts pumping water toward the heater 3, and at the same time senses the temperature change of the heater 3 through the temperature sensor 4.

[0029] In step 903 of determining whether the water pump is abnormal, the controller 6 controls the water pump 5 to operate at the first power for a predetermined working time, and then analyzes the temperature of the heater 3 sensed by the temperature sensor 4 to determine whether the water pump 5 is abnormal.

[0030] Preferably, when the water pump 5 is controlled to begin operation, if the water pump 5 operates normally, after the water pump 5 operates for the predetermined operating time, the amount of water pumped into the heater 3 will cause the temperature of the heater 3 to drop to less than or equal to a predetermined overheating temperature within a determination time. If the water pump 5 operates abnormally, that is, is unable to pump a normal amount of water into the heater 3, then after the water pump 5 operates for the predetermined operating time, the temperature of the heater 3 will not drop to the predetermined overheating temperature within the determination time and may continue to rise.

[0031] Therefore, in the step 903 of determining whether the water pump is abnormal, the controller 6 will determine that the water pump 5 is operating normally when analyzing that the temperature of the heater 3 has changed to less than or equal to the predetermined overheating temperature within the determination time, and will subsequently execute a step 904 of maintaining the first power pumping water; otherwise, it will be determined that the water pump 5 is operating abnormally, and will subsequently execute a step 905 of pumping water at a second power.

[0032] In the step 904 of maintaining the first power pumping, the controller 6 controls the water pump 5 to continuously operate at the first power until the pumping water heating process is completed.

[0033] In the second power water pumping step 905 , the controller 6 controls the water pump 5 to operate at the second power which is greater than the first power.

[0034] In step 906 of determining whether the water pump has returned to normal, the controller 6 controls the water pump 5 to operate at the second power for a predetermined increased power time, and then analyzes the temperature of the heater 3 sensed by the temperature sensor 4 to determine whether the water pump 5 has returned to normal.

[0035] Preferably, if within a confirmation time, the temperature of the heater has changed to less than or equal to the predetermined overheating temperature, it is determined that the water pump 5 has returned to normal, and a step 907 of restoring the first power pumping water is executed; otherwise, it is determined that the water pump 5 has not returned to normal, and a step 908 of stopping pumping water is executed.

[0036] In the step 907 of restoring the first power water pumping, the controller 6 controls the water pump 5 to resume operating at the first power until the water pump heating process is completed.

[0037] In the water pumping stop step 908 , the controller 6 controls the heater 3 and the water pump 5 to stop operating, and the controller 6 issues a warning message indicating that the water pump is abnormal.

[0038] In summary, through the design of the abnormality elimination method of the water pump system 200, once the water pump system 200 installed in the electrical equipment has been idle for too long and has not been used, so that the water liquid inside the water pump 5 has dried up, and the water pump system 200 is started again and an abnormality in the water pumping function occurs, it can automatically try to eliminate the problem by increasing the operating power of the water pump 5. If the abnormality elimination method is executed and the abnormal state of the water pump 5 cannot be eliminated, it can be determined that the water pump 5 is indeed abnormal, and the controller 6 will issue a warning message to remind the user to send it for repair. Therefore, the water pump system 200 of the present invention and its abnormality elimination method can indeed be used to eliminate the abnormal operation of the water pump 5 caused by long-term non-use, can optimize the control logic of the manufactured electrical equipment, help users have a better experience, and thus can reduce the return disputes derived from such abnormalities. It can indeed achieve the purpose of the present invention.

[0039] The above descriptions are merely embodiments of the present invention and should not be used to limit the scope of the present invention. Any simple equivalent changes and modifications made according to the claims and description of the present invention still fall within the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A method for troubleshooting an abnormality in a water pump system, the water pump system comprising a controller, a water pump, a heater, and a temperature sensor, comprising a heater preheating step and an initial first-power water pumping step. In the heater preheating step, the controller controls the heater to heat up. In the initial first-power water pumping step, when the temperature sensor senses that the temperature of the heater has reached a predetermined operating temperature, the controller controls the water pump to operate at a first power for a predetermined operating time to pump water into the heater. The method is characterized in that: The method for troubleshooting abnormalities in the water pump system further includes a step of determining whether the water pump is abnormal, a step of maintaining a first power pumping, and a step of pumping at a second power. In the step of determining whether the water pump is abnormal, after the water pump has operated for a predetermined working time, if the temperature of the heater is less than or equal to a predetermined overheating temperature, the controller executes the step of maintaining the first power pumping, so that the controller controls the water pump to maintain the first power operation; otherwise, the controller executes the step of pumping at the second power, so that the controller controls the water pump to operate at a second power greater than the first power for a predetermined increased power time.

2. The method for troubleshooting an abnormality in a water pump system according to claim 1, wherein: The method for troubleshooting abnormalities in the water pump system also includes a step of determining whether the water pump has returned to normal, a step of restoring the first power pumping, and a step of stopping pumping. In the step of determining whether the water pump has returned to normal, the controller determines whether the temperature of the heater sensed by the temperature sensor is less than or equal to the predetermined overheating temperature after the predetermined power increase time. If it is less than or equal to the predetermined overheating temperature, the step of restoring the first power pumping is executed, so that the controller controls the water pump to operate at the first power. Otherwise, the step of stopping pumping is executed, so that the controller controls the heater and the water pump to stop operating.

3. A water pump system comprising a heater, a temperature sensor for sensing the temperature of the heater, a water pump for pumping water to the heater, and a controller for signal connection between the heater, the temperature sensor, and the water pump, characterized in that: The controller controls the heater to increase temperature when the pump water heating program is activated, and controls the water pump to start operating at a first power when the temperature sensor senses that the temperature of the heater has reached a predetermined operating temperature. After the water pump has operated for a predetermined operating time, if the temperature of the heater is less than or equal to a predetermined overheating temperature, the water pump is controlled to maintain the first power operation; otherwise, the water pump is controlled to operate at a second power greater than the first power for a predetermined increased power time.

4. The water pump system according to claim 3, characterized in that: The controller determines whether the temperature of the heater sensed by the temperature sensor is less than or equal to the predetermined overheating temperature within a determination time.

5. The water pump system according to claim 3, characterized in that: The predetermined overheating temperature is the predetermined operating temperature.

6. The water pump system according to claim 3, characterized in that: The power increase time is 3 to 5 seconds.

7. The water pump system according to claim 3, characterized in that: The water intake of the water pump when operating at the first power is 0.2 to 0.3 times the water intake of the water pump when operating at the second power.

8. The water pump system according to claim 7, characterized in that: The second power is the maximum power of the water pump.

9. The water pump system according to claim 8, characterized in that: When the water pump operates at the first power, the water intake is 10 to 18 g / sec. When the water pump operates at the second power, the water intake is 50 to 60 g / sec.

10. The water pump system according to claim 3, characterized in that: After the predetermined power-up time, if the controller determines that the temperature of the heater sensed by the temperature sensor is less than or equal to the predetermined operating temperature, the controller controls the water pump to resume operation at the first power; otherwise, the controller controls the heater and the water pump to stop operation.

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