Self-contained pump unit with replaceable battery for water play equipment

Abstract

Self-contained pump unit for water play areas, characterized by a power supply via a replaceable battery, a programmable logic controller (PLC) for sequence and safety control, and a microcontroller for recording, processing and evaluating operating and sensor signals.

Description

1. Technical field

[0001] The invention relates to a self-contained pump unit for water play equipment, particularly for playgrounds, public outdoor areas, and privately operated installations. The pump unit is designed to be independent of the mains power supply and features a modular construction with replaceable power supply, electronic control, and integrated sensors. 2. Purpose of the invention

[0002] The object of the invention is to provide a compact, robust and easy-to-maintain pump unit that: • can be operated without a stationary power connection, • enables a safe and tool-free replacement of the energy source, • Operating conditions reliably monitored, • automatically performs hygiene flushes, • Collects and makes available operational and usage data, • is modular in design and easy to maintain, • Supports barrier-free use through simple activation and the elimination of manual force transmission. 3. Solution to task 3.1: Self-sufficient operation using a replaceable battery

[0003] The pump unit is powered by a replaceable battery, in particular a 12V LiFePO4 battery.

[0004] The battery has the following features: • mechanical anti-rotation device for unambiguous positioning, • Electrical contact via spring-loaded contact pins (POGO contacts), • Integrated fuse for overcurrent protection, • a pressure equalization element to reduce condensation and casing pressure,

[0005] This design enables safe, error-free and completely autonomous operation of the pump unit. 3.2 Control architecture

[0006] The pump unit includes a programmable logic controller (PLC) for sequence, safety and actuator control, as well as a microcontroller for recording, processing and evaluating operating and sensor signals.

[0007] The microcontroller provides digital status information for the PLC and can use power-saving operating modes. 3.3 Sensors and monitoring

[0008] The pump housing contains at least one sensor for measuring the flow rate and / or temperature.

[0009] The sensor signals are used in particular for: • Dry-running monitoring, • Frost monitoring, • Condition assessment of the business. 3.4 Hygienic flush

[0010] The pump unit is designed to automatically perform a hygienic flush at regular intervals.

[0011] The hygiene flush is performed independently of user operation and serves to replace stagnant water. 3.5 Operating modes

[0012] The pump unit can be designed in different operating variants, in particular: • with user-dependent activation (e.g. coin or button operation), • with time-limited release.

[0013] All operating modes are powered by a self-sufficient battery. 3.6 Cycle operation

[0014] To reduce energy and water consumption, the pump can be operated in pulse mode, in which on and off intervals alternate. 3.7 Statistical Data Collection

[0015] The microcontroller records and stores operational and usage data, in particular: • Number of pump starts, • Durations, • Error and malfunction events.

[0016] The data can be read locally or via a wireless interface. 3.8 Central and remotely readable data analysis (cloud option)

[0017] The pump unit is designed so that the recorded operating and status data can be evaluated not only locally, but also centrally from a distance.

[0018] For this purpose, the microcontroller can transmit the stored data to an external evaluation system via a wireless communication interface.

[0019] The transmission can be time-controlled, event-based, or manually triggered.

[0020] The data can be stored, visualized, and analyzed on a remote server or a cloud-based platform.

[0021] This is particularly beneficial for operators of multiple plants: • a central usage and occupancy statistics, • condition-based maintenance planning, • early detection of malfunctions or failures.

[0022] The specific design of the communication interface and the server or cloud infrastructure is variable and not tied to a specific technology. 3.9 Modular design

[0023] The pump unit has a modular design and includes separate functional modules for: • Hydraulics and pump, • Electronics and control systems, • Power supply in the form of a replaceable battery, • optionally an external solar module. 4. Advantages of the invention • Completely off-grid operation, • safe battery replacement, • High operational reliability through sensor monitoring, • automatic hygiene flush, • Statistical and central data analysis, • Modular, service-friendly design, • especially suitable for municipal water play areas, • Barrier-free use through simple activation and the elimination of manual power transmission. 5. Examples of Implementation

[0024] The invention can be implemented in different versions without abandoning the essential features of autonomous operation, alternating power supply, control architecture and data acquisition.

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