Water pump operation method and device and control system

Abstract

The embodiment of the invention relates to the technical field of water pump control, and discloses a water pump operation method and device and a control system.The method comprises the steps that when the shutdown time of a water pump is larger than or equal to a first preset duration, the water pump is controlled to operate for a second preset duration according to a first control parameter in response to an operation instruction of the water pump; after the water pump runs for a second preset duration, the water pump is controlled to stop running; and after the water pump stops running for a third preset duration, controlling the water pump to run according to the second control parameter. By applying the technical scheme, the locked-rotor phenomenon during starting of the water pump can be effectively prevented, and the operation reliability and stability of the cooling system are improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of water pump control technology, specifically to a water pump operation method, device, and control system. Background Technology

[0002] In electric vehicle cooling systems, when the water pump is not running for extended periods, tiny impurities in the cooling circuit gradually settle and form larger crystals. These crystals easily adhere to the pump's bearings, causing blockage and preventing the pump from functioning properly. Currently, there is a lack of effective prevention and control measures to address this problem of water pump blockage due to tiny impurities, thus affecting system stability and user experience. Summary of the Invention

[0003] In view of the above problems, embodiments of the present invention provide a method, apparatus and control system for operating a water pump, which is used to solve the problem of start-up blockage caused by crystallization after shutdown in the prior art.

[0004] According to one aspect of the present invention, a method for operating a water pump is provided, the method comprising: when the water pump shutdown time is greater than or equal to a first preset duration, in response to a water pump operation command, controlling the water pump to operate for a second preset duration with first control parameters; after the water pump has operated for the second preset duration, controlling the water pump to stop operating; and after the water pump has stopped operating for a third preset duration, controlling the water pump to operate according to the second control parameters.

[0005] According to another aspect of the present invention, a pump operating device is provided, the device comprising: a first operating module, configured to control the pump to operate for a second preset duration with first control parameters in response to a pump operating command when the pump shutdown time is greater than or equal to a first preset duration; a stop operating module, configured to control the pump to stop operating after the pump has operated for the second preset duration; and a second operating module, configured to control the pump to operate according to second control parameters after the pump has stopped operating for a third preset duration.

[0006] According to another aspect of the present invention, a water pump control system is provided, comprising: a processor, a memory, a communication interface, and a communication bus. The processor, the memory, and the communication interface communicate with each other through the communication bus. The processor is communicatively connected to the water pump. A filter is provided at the inlet of the water pump, and the filter has a filter screen for covering the inlet. The memory is used to store at least one executable instruction, which causes the processor to execute the above-described method for operating the water pump.

[0007] According to another aspect of the present invention, a computer-readable storage medium is provided, wherein at least one executable instruction is stored in the storage medium, the executable instruction causing a control system / device of a water pump to perform the following operations: when the water pump shutdown time is greater than or equal to a first preset duration, in response to a water pump operation instruction, controlling the water pump to run with a first control parameter for a second preset duration; after the water pump has run for the second preset duration, controlling the water pump to stop running; and after the water pump has stopped running for a third preset duration, controlling the water pump to run according to a second control parameter.

[0008] This invention, through a method where the water pump is pre-run at a low speed for a period of time after a long period of shutdown to loosen any crystals that may form, before stopping operation and then starting the pump at the speed corresponding to the second control parameter, effectively avoids mechanical jamming during startup. This effectively prevents pump stalling during startup, improves the operational reliability and stability of the cooling system, and extends the service life of the water pump.

[0009] The above description is merely an overview of the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention. In order to better understand the technical means of the embodiments of the present invention and to implement them in accordance with the contents of the specification, and to make the above and other objects, features and advantages of the embodiments of the present invention more apparent and understandable, specific embodiments of the present invention are described below. Attached Figure Description

[0010] The accompanying drawings are for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to limit the invention. Furthermore, the same reference numerals denote the same parts throughout the drawings. In the drawings: Figure 1 A flowchart illustrating a first embodiment of the water pump operation method provided by the present invention is shown; Figure 2 A flowchart illustrating a second embodiment of the pump operation method provided by the present invention is shown. Figure 3 A flowchart illustrating a third embodiment of the pump operation method provided by the present invention is shown. Figure 4 A schematic diagram of an embodiment of the water pump operating device provided by the present invention is shown; Figure 5 A schematic diagram of the filter connection of the water pump provided by the present invention is shown; Figure 6 A schematic diagram of the filter for the water pump provided by the present invention is shown; Figure 7 A schematic diagram of the filter screen of the water pump provided by the present invention is shown; Figure 8 A schematic diagram of an embodiment of the water pump control device provided by the present invention is shown. Detailed Implementation

[0011] Exemplary embodiments of the invention will now be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. While exemplary embodiments of the invention are shown in the drawings, it should be understood that the invention can be implemented in various forms and should not be limited to the embodiments set forth herein.

[0012] Figure 1 A flowchart illustrating a first embodiment of the pump operation method of the present invention is shown, the method being executed by the pump's control system. Figure 1 As shown, the method includes the following steps: Step 110: When the water pump shutdown time is greater than or equal to the first preset duration, in response to the water pump operation command, control the water pump to run for the second preset duration with the first control parameters.

[0013] The first preset duration includes the minimum time threshold at which the water pump stops and a specific startup strategy is required. This threshold is set based on the rate of impurity crystallization in the cooling circuit, for example, by determining a specific duration using experimental data. The first control parameter controls the motor to operate at a low speed below its normal operating speed. This can be achieved by adjusting the motor's output power or changing the power supply frequency, for example, by using a frequency converter to limit the motor speed to below 50% of its rated speed. The second preset duration refers to the length of time the water pump operates according to the first control parameter. This is achieved through a timer or a timing module in the control system, for example, by setting it to a fixed value between 10 and 30 seconds. The third preset duration refers to the time interval between when the water pump stops operating at low speed. This can also be achieved through a timing module, for example, by setting it to a fixed value between 5 and 15 seconds. The low-speed operation phase of the water pump can be controlled by the duty cycle of the PWM signal in the control circuit. For example, reducing the duty cycle reduces the input power to the motor, thereby achieving low-speed operation.

[0014] Step 120: After the water pump has been running for a second preset time, control the water pump to stop running.

[0015] The pump can be stopped by cutting off the power supply to the motor or by putting the motor into a free stop state, for example by disconnecting the power supply through a relay or by using a control algorithm to gradually decelerate the motor until it stops completely.

[0016] Step 130: After the water pump has stopped running for a third preset time, control the water pump to run according to the second control parameter. The water pump speed corresponding to the second control parameter is greater than the water pump speed corresponding to the first control parameter.

[0017] Specifically, when the pump stoppage time is greater than or equal to a first preset duration, in response to the pump's operating command, the pump is controlled to run at the first control parameters for a second preset duration. A low-speed water flow gently flushes the bearing area, loosening impurities that have crystallized and adhered to the bearing due to prolonged stoppage, effectively avoiding the risk of stalling that may occur when starting directly at high speed. Furthermore, after the pump has run for the second preset duration, it is controlled to stop, providing a brief settling period. This allows loosened impurities to partially detach from the bearing under gravity or water flow inertia, reducing resistance during subsequent startup. Subsequently, after the pump has stopped for a third preset duration, it is controlled to run according to the second control parameters, thus restoring normal operating conditions after the impurities have been effectively removed, ensuring stable operation of the pump without crystallization interference. The three stages of operation are closely linked. The low-speed operation stage corresponding to the first control parameter actively loosens impurities, the stop stage promotes the settling or movement of impurities, and the normal operation stage corresponding to the second control parameter achieves a stall-free start-up after the impurities are reduced. Together, they form a complete preventive start-up process, which fundamentally solves the stall problem caused by the crystallization and adhesion of impurities after a long period of shutdown.

[0018] It is understood that this invention solves the problem of pump stalling caused by impurities crystallizing and adhering to the bearing position in the cooling circuit after a long period of shutdown by using a phased startup method. Specifically, in the low-speed operation phase corresponding to the first control parameter, the gentle water flow loosens the crystallized impurities, avoiding startup failure due to crystal adhesion when starting directly at high speed. The shutdown phase provides a short settling period, allowing the loosened impurities to partially detach from the bearing position under the action of gravity or water flow inertia, reducing obstacles during subsequent startup. In the normal operation phase corresponding to the second control parameter, the pump returns to normal operating conditions after the impurities are effectively removed, ensuring stable operation of the pump without crystallization interference. Through this phased control strategy, the startup reliability of the pump in complex cooling circuit environments is significantly improved.

[0019] Figure 2 A flowchart illustrating another embodiment of the pump operation method of the present invention is shown, which is executed by the pump's control system. Figure 2 As shown, the method includes the following steps: Step 210: When the pump stop time is greater than or equal to the first preset duration, in response to the pump's operation command, control the pump to run at the first control parameters for the second preset duration. Specifically, refer to the relevant description of step 210. Figure 1 Step 110 shown will not be repeated here.

[0020] Step 220: After the water pump has run for a second preset period of time, control the water pump to stop running. For a detailed description of step 220, please refer to [link / reference needed]. Figure 1Step 120 shown will not be repeated here.

[0021] Step 230: After the water pump has stopped running for a third preset time, control the water pump to run according to the second control parameters. Specifically, refer to the relevant description of step 230. Figure 1 Step 130, as shown, will not be repeated here.

[0022] Step 240: Count the number of times the water pump stalls, and perform the first operation on the water pump based on the results of the stall count.

[0023] The stall frequency statistics refer to recording the frequency and number of stalls that occur by monitoring the pump's operating status in real time. This can be achieved by collecting pump operating data through sensors and combining it with algorithmic analysis, such as using current fluctuation detection, vibration signal analysis, or speed anomaly detection to identify stall events. This provides quantitative data for the system to accurately determine whether the pump is experiencing continuous operational problems due to impurity crystallization. The first operation includes pump speed adjustment, which involves dynamically changing the pump's operating parameters based on the stall frequency statistics. When the statistics indicate that the stall frequency exceeds the safe range, the pump's control parameters are automatically adjusted to increase the pump speed to overcome the crystallization resistance. The speed adjustment mechanism can be executed by the controller.

[0024] Specifically, firstly, by statistically analyzing the number of pump stalls, the system can continuously collect stall event data based on time or event cycles, thus avoiding misjudgments of instantaneous anomalies. This ensures the accuracy and reliability of the statistical data, providing an objective basis for subsequent decision-making. Secondly, based on the stall count statistics, the system performs a first operation on the pump, using the threshold value of the statistical results to trigger dynamic speed changes. When the stall frequency exceeds the set safety range, the system automatically increases the pump speed from the speed corresponding to the second control parameter to a higher speed to overcome crystallization resistance with higher torque. After a fourth preset time, the system restores the pump to the speed corresponding to the second control parameter, thus completing one closed-loop control cycle. This embodiment not only effectively solves the problem of repeated stalls caused by the crystallization of residual impurities in the cooling circuit, but also improves the stability and reliability of the system by introducing a quantitative monitoring and adaptive adjustment mechanism. Furthermore, this solution, combined with the aforementioned pump downtime and low-speed start-up strategy corresponding to the first control parameter, further optimizes the overall operating performance of the pump in complex environments, ensuring the continuity of cooling function and equipment safety.

[0025] In one example, a vehicle has been parked for over 12 hours (meeting the "first preset duration" condition), during which time the antifreeze in the cooling system is stagnant, and some small impurities may have settled near or inside the water pump. When the water pump starts, the control system does not immediately run the pump at full speed, but first drives the pump at a low duty cycle of 10% for 60 seconds. During this phase, the water pump generates a slow and steady flow of water, sufficient to agitate and flush away the small impurities that have settled inside the pump impeller, bearings, or housing during the long period of inactivity, removing them from critical areas.

[0026] After the pre-flushing is complete, the water pump will stop running for 30 seconds. This time allows any agitated impurities to settle further in the cooling circuit or be absorbed by other non-critical areas of the system, preventing them from accumulating again just before the pump restarts. After the 30-second wait, the water pump will start and run continuously at its normal duty cycle according to the actual needs of the vehicle's cooling system. At this point, due to the filtration of the hardware filter and the cleaning effect of the software pre-flushing strategy, impurities inside the water pump have been effectively treated, reducing the risk of stalling and ensuring stable and reliable operation.

[0027] In some alternative implementations, such as Figure 3 As shown, step 240 above includes: Step 310: When the water pump is running according to the second control parameters, the number of times the water pump stalls is counted at the first preset cycle.

[0028] The first preset period refers to the time interval used to monitor pump stall events. This period can be set to a fixed length, such as several seconds or minutes, depending on the actual application scenario. The selection of this period must balance real-time performance with computational resource consumption, ensuring timely detection of stall events without overloading the system due to excessively frequent detection. The number of stall occurrences refers to the cumulative number of times the pump stalls within a specific time period, which can be analyzed and determined using data collected by sensors.

[0029] Step 320: If the number of stalls within the first preset cycle is greater than or equal to the first threshold, then change the water pump from the second control parameter to the third control parameter.

[0030] The pump speed corresponding to the third control parameter is higher than that corresponding to the second control parameter. This is used to generate a stronger flushing force by increasing the speed, thereby removing impurities and blockages attached to the bearing.

[0031] Step 330: After the fourth preset time, restore the water pump from the third control parameter to the second control parameter.

[0032] The fourth preset duration refers to the length of time the water pump maintains high speed operation, and its setting takes into account the balance between blockage removal efficiency and energy consumption.

[0033] Specifically, during the operation of the water pump according to the second control parameter, the system monitors the pump's operating status at a fixed first preset cycle and counts the number of stalls that occur during this period. When the statistical results indicate that the number of stalls reaches or exceeds a first threshold, the system determines that the current water pump has a high risk of clogging and immediately triggers a speed adjustment mechanism, increasing the pump's operating speed from the speed corresponding to the second control parameter to the speed corresponding to the third control parameter. Utilizing the fluid dynamics effect generated by the high speed, impurities that may adhere to the bearing location are quickly removed. After a fourth preset period of high-speed operation, the system restores the pump's speed back to the speed corresponding to the second control parameter to restore normal operation. The dynamic adjustment mechanism in this embodiment not only effectively addresses the stall problem caused by impurity deposition but also avoids the additional energy consumption and mechanical wear caused by long-term high-speed operation.

[0034] In one example, the first control parameter, the second control parameter, and the third control parameter each include at least one of the following parameters: current, voltage, pulse width modulation duty cycle, and pulse width modulation frequency.

[0035] In one example, when the water pump is running at the speed corresponding to the second control parameter, it may still stall for some reason (e.g., due to stubborn impurities). The system continuously monitors the number of stalls. If the number of stalls reaches or exceeds 6 within 60 seconds, the system immediately confirms a water pump malfunction, reports a Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC), and sets the cooling circuit status to Failure after a 100-second delay. Simultaneously, it attempts to increase the water pump duty cycle to 90% and maintain this for 90 seconds for a powerful flush to try and clear the blockage. If the flush is successful, and the number of stalls is less than 6 within the subsequent 90 seconds after the cooling circuit status is set to Failure, the system determines that the fault has been resolved, and the cooling circuit status returns to normal. If the flush fails, the system sets the cooling circuit status to Failure and prompts the user to perform maintenance. This embodiment effectively prevents water pump stalling due to impurities, improving the reliability of the electric vehicle cooling system and the user experience.

[0036] Furthermore, the technical solution in this embodiment, combined with the aforementioned low-speed start-up strategy for prolonged pump downtime, forms a comprehensive fault prevention and handling system. By introducing targeted technical measures at different stages, the risk of impurity deposition can be reduced in the initial stage of pump startup, and timely responses to stall events can be made during operation, thereby significantly improving the overall stability and reliability of the cooling system.

[0037] In some embodiments, the present invention further proposes a method that, after counting the number of stall cycles of the water pump at a first preset period when the water pump is running according to the second control parameters, includes: Step a1: If the number of stalls within the first preset cycle is greater than or equal to the first threshold, report the cooling circuit fault information after a fifth preset time delay.

[0038] The first threshold refers to the maximum number of allowed stall cycles, and its setting takes into account the pump's operating environment and reliability requirements. The fifth preset time is the waiting time reserved between detecting an anomaly and finally reporting the fault information, which serves to provide a buffer period for the system to automatically adjust.

[0039] Specifically, during pump operation, the system continuously monitors its working status and statistically analyzes the blockage situation according to a first preset cycle. When the statistical results show that the number of blockages reaches or exceeds a first threshold, the system does not immediately report a fault. Instead, it starts a timer for a fifth preset duration. During this period, the system continues to implement the automatic adjustment measures described in the aforementioned scheme, such as increasing the pump speed to the speed corresponding to the third control parameter to attempt to clear any potential blockages. This delayed processing mechanism avoids false alarms caused by momentary interference and allows for timely reporting of fault information if the problem is confirmed to persist. Furthermore, this scheme, combined with the aforementioned speed adjustment mechanism, forms a complete fault handling process, effectively solving the problem of lacking a fault reporting mechanism and improving the system's reliability and maintainability.

[0040] In one example, the system continuously monitors the number of times the water pump stalls. If the number of stall waveforms detected reaches or exceeds 6 within 60 seconds, the system will immediately confirm the water pump failure, report a diagnostic fault code (DTC), and set the cooling circuit status to Failure after a 100-second delay.

[0041] In some embodiments, the present invention further proposes that after restoring the water pump from the third control parameter to the second control parameter after a fourth preset time period, the method further includes: Step b1: The number of times the water pump stalls is counted again during the second preset cycle.

[0042] Step b2: If the number of stalls within the second preset cycle is less than the first threshold, then report the information to resolve the cooling circuit fault.

[0043] The second preset period refers to a statistical time interval independent of the initial fault detection. It is achieved by extending the statistical duration or adjusting the statistical frequency to filter out instantaneous fluctuations and ensure that the statistical results reflect the long-term operating status of the system. The cooling circuit fault clearance information is a notification signal issued by the system after confirming that the fault has been eliminated. It is implemented by sending a specific formatted data packet to the user terminal or maintenance system through the communication interface to promptly inform the user of changes in the fault status.

[0044] Specifically, after a fourth preset time period, the water pump is restored from the third control parameter to the second control parameter before subsequent operations are performed. Based on the time dependence of fault handling, this ensures that after the water pump runs at increased speed for a sufficient period, the system has a sufficient window to flush out or stabilize potential blockages, avoiding misjudgments due to insufficient processing time. Furthermore, by counting the number of stalls in the water pump again at a second preset period, using optimized period parameters, the statistical results better reflect the true operating state of the system. If the number of stalls within the second preset period is less than a first threshold, the reporting mechanism for releasing the cooling circuit fault information is triggered. Threshold constraints ensure that the fault state is only released when the system operates stably and the stall phenomenon is significantly lower than the critical level, effectively preventing continuous or repeated false alarms. The technical solution of this embodiment, combined with the fault detection and speed adjustment mechanisms in the aforementioned water pump operation method, forms a complete closed-loop verification process, improving the diagnostic accuracy and operational stability of the system.

[0045] In one example, after the water pump returns to the speed corresponding to the second control parameter, if the number of stall waveforms detected is less than 6 within the following 90 seconds, the fault is considered to be resolved, the cooling circuit fault is cleared, and the cooling circuit state is restored to Normal.

[0046] In some embodiments, the present invention further proposes that when counting the number of pump stalls at a first preset period or a second preset period, the number of pump stalls is confirmed by the number of stall waveforms sent by the pump; wherein, when the cumulative number of pump stalls is less than or equal to a first stall count threshold, the pump does not send a stall waveform; wherein, when the cumulative number of pump stalls is greater than or equal to a second stall count threshold and less than or equal to a third stall count threshold, the pump sends a stall waveform and restarts the pump once after the stall waveform has been sent a first preset number of times; wherein, when the cumulative number of pump stalls is greater than or equal to a fourth stall count threshold and less than or equal to a fifth stall count threshold, the pump is restarted according to a third preset period.

[0047] The stall waveform refers to the specific physical signal generated by the pump during operation due to a stall event. It can be detected using hardware sensors or extracted using signal processing algorithms. This provides an objective standard for quantifying the number of stall occurrences, avoiding statistical biases caused by software counting. The first, second, third, fourth, and fifth stall occurrence thresholds are used to delineate different degrees of stalling, and can be flexibly set according to the pump performance and cooling circuit characteristics in the actual application scenario.

[0048] Specifically, the technical solution in this embodiment uses the stall waveform as the core basis for confirming the number of stalls, combined with a multi-level threshold response mechanism, to achieve precise control of pump stalling. First, the generated stall waveform signal is used to quantify and statistically analyze stall events. When the cumulative number of stalls does not exceed the first stall threshold, the system determines it as a slight fluctuation, requiring no additional operation, thus maintaining the continuity of normal operation. When the number of stalls is between the second and third stall thresholds, the system sends a stall waveform and limits the number of restarts, notifying the control system to intervene while protecting the equipment from the effects of frequent restarts. For more severe stalling situations, i.e., when the number of stalls reaches the range of the fourth to fifth stall thresholds, the system adopts a fixed-period restart strategy, continuously attempting to restore operation while avoiding energy waste or equipment overheating problems that may result from uncontrolled restarts. This embodiment, combined with the aforementioned control mechanism based on stall count statistics, further improves the stability and reliability of the system, solves the technical problem of pump stalling caused by the sedimentation of fine impurities, and optimizes the user experience.

[0049] In one example, the transmission of the stall waveform is performed according to the following strategy: For 1-9 stalls, the pump does not send stall waveforms, lasting approximately 80 seconds. For 10-16 stalls, it begins sending stall waveforms (1.5 seconds low, 1 second high), restarting after 8 cycles of the waveform. The restart waveform consists of 0.5 seconds low and 4.5 seconds high, for a total duration of approximately 170 seconds. For 17-27 stalls, the pump restarts every 120 seconds. For example, suppose the pump experiences a brief stall due to a tiny particle or impurity in the coolant. If the system detects only 5 stalls, according to this strategy, the pump will not send stall waveforms and will run for 80 seconds, avoiding reporting the fault to the user or higher-level systems. However, if stalling continues, reaching 12 times, the system will begin sending 8 cycles of a specific stall waveform followed by a restart, repeating this process three times to clear the blockage. If the system detects 17-27 stalls, the pump will restart every 120 seconds.

[0050] In some embodiments, the present invention further includes a filter screen at the inlet of the water pump, and the method further includes: Step c1: Detect the usage time of the filter. If the usage time meets the replacement conditions, report the filter replacement information.

[0051] The filter screen is a physical barrier used to prevent fine impurities in the cooling circuit from entering the water pump. It can be made of metal mesh or other materials with filtration functions, reducing the possibility of impurities entering the pump at the source. Monitoring filter screen usage time involves tracking the actual working time using a timer or time recording module. This indirectly reflects the degree of impurity accumulation based on the objective law that filter performance declines over time. Reporting filter screen replacement information involves sending a reminder message to the maintenance system when the filter screen usage time reaches a preset threshold. This promptly reminds maintenance personnel to replace the filter screen, preventing pump malfunctions due to filter clogging.

[0052] Specifically, the technical solution of this embodiment, by installing a filter screen at the water pump inlet, can effectively block fine impurities in the coolant from entering the water pump, thereby reducing the risk of impurities depositing and crystallizing at the bearing location. Furthermore, by detecting the usage time of the filter screen and combining it with preset replacement conditions, a replacement reminder can be triggered when the filter screen fails. This avoids the lag of manual inspection and ensures that the filter screen is replaced in a timely manner.

[0053] Figure 4 A schematic diagram of an embodiment of the operating device for the water pump of the present invention is shown. (See attached diagram.) Figure 4 As shown, the pump operating device 400 includes: a first operating module 410, a stop operating module 420, and a second operating module 430.

[0054] The first operating module 410 is used to control the water pump to run for a second preset time with first control parameters in response to the water pump's operating command when the water pump's shutdown time is greater than or equal to a first preset duration.

[0055] The stop module 420 is used to control the water pump to stop running after the water pump has been running for a second preset time.

[0056] The second operation module 430 is used to control the water pump to run according to the second control parameters after the water pump stops running for a third preset time.

[0057] In an optional embodiment, the device 400 further includes a speed adjustment module 440, used to count the number of times the water pump stalls, and to perform a first operation on the water pump based on the results of the stall count.

[0058] In some alternative embodiments, the speed adjustment module 440 includes: The stall counting unit is used to count the number of stalls of the water pump at a first preset cycle when the water pump is running according to the second control parameters.

[0059] The speed increase unit is used to change the water pump from the second control parameter to the third control parameter if the number of stalls within the first preset cycle is greater than or equal to the first threshold.

[0060] The speed recovery unit is used to restore the water pump from the third control parameter to the second control parameter after a fourth preset time period.

[0061] In an optional embodiment, the pump operating device is further configured to report cooling circuit fault information after a fifth preset time delay if the number of stalls within a first preset period is greater than or equal to a first threshold.

[0062] In one optional embodiment, the pump operating device is further configured to count the number of times the pump stalls again at a second preset period; if the number of stalls within the second preset period is less than a first threshold, then the cooling circuit fault information is reported to be resolved.

[0063] In one optional embodiment, the pump operating device is further configured to count the number of times the pump stalls again at a second preset period; if the number of stalls within the second preset period is less than the first threshold, then the cooling circuit fault information is reported to be resolved.

[0064] It is understood that the technical solution in this embodiment significantly improves the start-up reliability of the water pump in complex cooling circuit environments through a phased control strategy.

[0065] This invention also discloses a water pump control system, including: a processor, a memory, a communication interface, and a communication bus. The processor, memory, and communication interface communicate with each other through the communication bus. The processor is communicatively connected to the water pump. The water pump inlet is equipped with a filter, and the filter has a filter screen for covering the inlet. The memory is used to store at least one executable instruction, which causes the processor to execute the aforementioned water pump operation method.

[0066] By coordinating the hardware architecture (processor, memory, communication interface, and communication bus) with software instructions, and combining this with a filter and screen at the water pump inlet, the impact of small impurities in the cooling circuit on the bearing position is reduced at the source. Simultaneously, an optimized startup strategy is implemented using a control program embedded in memory, effectively solving the problem of impurity crystallization and adhesion to the bearing position after prolonged water pump shutdown. This design not only ensures system stability and reliability but also significantly improves the water pump's startup performance in complex cooling circuit environments.

[0067] like Figure 5The diagram shows the filter connection for the water pump. Figure 6 The diagram shows a filter. Figure 7 The diagram shows a filter screen.

[0068] In some embodiments, the present invention further proposes that the filter adopt a semi-transparent PP material. The semi-transparent PP material refers to a polypropylene material with partial light transmittance, which can be produced by injection molding or extrusion molding. In practical applications, this material is chosen to provide a solution that combines chemical stability and visibility, thereby meeting the dual requirements of cooling systems for material durability and user visibility.

[0069] Specifically, by using semi-transparent PP material to manufacture the filter, the problem of difficult filter condition monitoring can be effectively solved. In the aforementioned water pump operation method and device, the filter, as a key component, is placed at the water pump inlet to cover the inlet and filter impurities in the cooling circuit. Due to the excellent chemical stability and water resistance of PP material, it is suitable for the long-term operating environment of the cooling system. Simultaneously, its semi-transparent nature allows users to directly observe the filter's clogging status visually, without relying on usage time statistics or additional sensors. This avoids the limitation of traditional opaque filters, where the actual degree of clogging is difficult to accurately judge due to dynamic factors such as water quality and operating conditions. Furthermore, in the aforementioned water pump control system, the processor communicates with the water pump. By visually observing the filter's condition, users can replace the filter in time before it becomes excessively clogged, thereby ensuring unobstructed water flow to the pump, reducing the risk of increased starting resistance and crystal adhesion at bearing locations, ultimately improving system stability and user experience.

[0070] In one example, a separate filter is added to the water pump's inlet pipe for easy replacement and cleaning. This filter removes impurities from the system, preventing larger particles from being carried into the pump by the antifreeze and causing blockages or malfunctions. The filter features a top and bottom cover design and is made of semi-transparent PP, allowing for visual inspection of the filter screen's buildup during routine maintenance to determine whether cleaning or replacement is necessary. The specific structure is shown in the diagram below. The filter contains a filter screen. In one example, the filter screen dimensions are: 19mm in diameter and 19mm in length, effectively filtration area including a circumference of 1073mm² and a bottom area of ​​283mm². The filter screen pore size is 500μm (matching the pump impeller's allowable size), and the mesh count is 50 mesh.

[0071] Figure 8 The diagram shows a structural schematic of an embodiment of the pump operating device of the present invention. The specific embodiments of the present invention do not limit the specific implementation of the pump operating device.

[0072] like Figure 8As shown, the operating equipment of the water pump may include: a processor 802, a communication interface 804, a memory 806, and a communication bus 808.

[0073] The processor 802, communication interface 804, and memory 806 communicate with each other via communication bus 808. Communication interface 804 is used to communicate with other network elements such as clients or other servers. The processor 802 executes program 810, specifically performing the relevant steps described in the above embodiment of the pump operation method.

[0074] Specifically, program 810 may include program code, which includes computer-executable instructions.

[0075] The processor 802 may be a central processing unit (CPU), an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), or one or more integrated circuits configured to implement embodiments of the present invention. The pump operating device includes one or more processors, which may be processors of the same type, such as one or more CPUs; or processors of different types, such as one or more CPUs and one or more ASICs.

[0076] Memory 806 is used to store program 810. Memory 806 may include high-speed RAM memory, and may also include non-volatile memory, such as at least one disk storage device.

[0077] Specifically, program 810 can be called by processor 802 to cause the water pump operating device to perform the following operations: When the water pump stops for a period of time greater than or equal to the first preset duration, in response to the water pump's operation command, the water pump is controlled to run for a second preset duration with the first control parameters; after the water pump has run for the second preset duration, the water pump is controlled to stop running; after the water pump has stopped running for a third preset duration, the water pump is controlled to run according to the second control parameters.

[0078] This invention solves the problem of pump stalling caused by impurities crystallizing and adhering to the bearings in the cooling circuit after prolonged shutdown by employing a phased startup method. Specifically, during the low-speed operation phase, a gentle water flow loosens the crystallized impurities, preventing startup failure due to crystal adhesion during direct high-speed startup. The shutdown phase provides a brief settling period, allowing some of the loosened impurities to detach from the bearings under gravity or water flow inertia, reducing resistance during subsequent startups. During the normal operation phase, after the impurities are effectively removed, the pump resumes normal operation, ensuring stable operation without crystallization interference. This phased control strategy significantly improves the startup reliability of the pump in complex cooling circuit environments.

[0079] This invention provides a computer-readable storage medium storing at least one executable instruction that, when executed on a water pump control device / app, causes the water pump control device / app to perform the water pump control method described in any of the above method embodiments.

[0080] Specifically, the executable instructions can be used to cause the control equipment / device of the water pump to perform the following operations: when the water pump shutdown time is greater than or equal to a first preset duration, in response to the water pump operation instructions, control the water pump to run with the first control parameters for a second preset duration; after the water pump has run for the second preset duration, control the water pump to stop running; after the water pump has stopped running for a third preset duration, control the water pump to run according to the second control parameters.

[0081] The algorithms or displays provided herein are not inherently related to any particular computer, virtual system, or other device. Furthermore, the embodiments of this invention are not directed to any particular programming language.

[0082] Numerous specific details are set forth in the specification provided herein. However, it will be understood that embodiments of the invention may be practiced without these specific details. Similarly, for the sake of brevity and to aid in understanding one or more aspects of the invention, in the description of exemplary embodiments of the invention above, various features of the embodiments are sometimes grouped together in a single embodiment, figure, or description thereof. The claims, which follow the detailed description, are hereby expressly incorporated into that detailed description, wherein each claim itself is a separate embodiment of the invention.

[0083] Those skilled in the art will understand that the modules in the device of the embodiment can be adaptively changed and placed in one or more devices different from that embodiment. Modules, units, or components in the embodiment can be combined into a single module, unit, or component, and further, they can be divided into multiple sub-modules, sub-units, or sub-components, except that at least some of such features and / or processes or units are mutually exclusive.

[0084] It should be noted that the above embodiments are illustrative of the invention and not restrictive, and that those skilled in the art can devise alternative embodiments without departing from the scope of the appended claims. In the claims, any reference signs placed between parentheses should not be construed as limiting the claims. The word "comprising" does not exclude the presence of elements or steps not listed in the claims. The word "a" or "an" preceding an element does not exclude the presence of a plurality of such elements. The invention can be implemented by means of hardware comprising several different elements and by means of a suitably programmed computer. In the unit claims enumerating several means, several of these means may be embodied by the same item of hardware. The use of the words first, second, and third, etc., does not indicate any order. These words can be interpreted as names. The steps in the above embodiments, unless otherwise specified, should not be construed as limiting the order of execution.

Claims

1. A method for operating a water pump, characterized in that, The method includes: When the water pump stops for a period of time greater than or equal to the first preset duration, in response to the water pump's operating command, the water pump is controlled to run for a second preset duration with the first control parameters. After the water pump has been running for the second preset time, the water pump is controlled to stop running. After the water pump stops running for a third preset time, the water pump is controlled to run according to the second control parameters.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, After the water pump stops operating for a third preset time period, and after controlling the water pump to operate according to the second control parameters, the method further includes: The number of times the water pump stalls is counted, and the first operation is performed on the water pump based on the results of the stall count.

3. The method according to claim 2, characterized in that, The step of counting the number of times the water pump stalls, and performing a first operation on the water pump based on the results of the stall count, includes: When the water pump is running according to the second control parameters, the number of times the water pump stalls is counted at a first preset cycle. If the number of stalls within the first preset period is greater than or equal to the first threshold, the water pump will be changed from the second control parameter to the third control parameter. After a fourth preset time period, the water pump is restored from the third control parameter to the second control parameter.

4. The method according to claim 3, characterized in that, The first control parameter, the second control parameter, and the third control parameter each include at least one of the following parameters: current, voltage, pulse width modulation duty cycle, and pulse width modulation frequency.

5. The method according to claim 3, characterized in that, After the water pump is running according to the second control parameters, and after counting the number of stalls of the water pump at a first preset cycle, the method further includes: If the number of stalls within the first preset period is greater than or equal to the first threshold, a cooling circuit fault information will be reported after a fifth preset time delay.

6. The method according to claim 5, characterized in that, After restoring the water pump from the third control parameter to the second control parameter after a fourth preset time period, the method further includes: The number of times the water pump stalls is counted again in the second preset cycle; If the number of stalls within the second preset cycle is less than the first threshold, then a cooling circuit fault information will be reported.

7. The method according to claim 6, characterized in that, When counting the number of stalls of the water pump in the first preset period or the second preset period, the number of stalls of the water pump is confirmed by the number of stall waveforms sent by the water pump. Specifically, when the cumulative number of pump stalls is less than or equal to the first stall count threshold, the pump does not send the stall waveform; when the cumulative number of pump stalls is greater than or equal to the second stall count threshold and less than or equal to the third stall count threshold, the pump sends the stall waveform and restarts the pump once after the stall waveform has been sent a first preset number of times; when the cumulative number of pump stalls is greater than or equal to the fourth stall count threshold and less than or equal to the fifth stall count threshold, the pump restarts according to the third preset cycle.

8. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The water pump inlet is equipped with a filter screen, and the method further includes: The usage time of the filter screen is detected. If the usage time meets the replacement conditions, filter replacement information will be reported.

9. A pump operating device, characterized in that, The device includes: The first operating module is used to control the water pump to run for a second preset time with first control parameters in response to the water pump's operating command when the water pump's shutdown time is greater than or equal to a first preset time. The stop operation module is used to control the water pump to stop operating after the water pump has been running for the second preset time. The second operation module is used to control the water pump to operate according to the second control parameters after the water pump stops operating for a third preset time.

10. A control system for a water pump, characterized in that, include: The system includes a processor, a memory, a communication interface, and a communication bus. The processor, the memory, and the communication interface communicate with each other via the communication bus. The processor is communicatively connected to a water pump. The water pump has a filter at its inlet, and the filter contains a filter screen for covering the inlet. The memory is used to store at least one executable instruction that causes the processor to perform the pump operation method as described in any one of claims 1-8.

11. The control system for the water pump according to claim 10, characterized in that, The filter is made of PP semi-transparent material.

Images