Control assembly

Abstract

The invention relates to a control assembly for a centrifugal pump, in particular a circulating pump. The control assembly comprises a central unit (4) which has devices to be configured using modules. The central unit is arranged in a housing (1) which is closed by a housing cover (5). A module (6) for configuring the control device is integrated into the housing cover. The invention additionally relates to a corresponding set and to a method for configuring a control assembly of a centrifugal pump.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a control arrangement for a centrifugal pump, in particular a circulating pump, comprising a central unit arranged in a housing having a housing cover, wherein a module for configuring the control arrangement is integrated into the housing cover. The invention further relates to an associated set and a method for configuring a control arrangement of a centrifugal pump.

[0002] There are numerous applications for circulation pumps with control arrangements. One such application could be a circulation pump in closed systems for generating forced circulation. Examples of closed systems can be heating systems for hot water or heat transfer systems. The circulation pump can be designed in the form of a centrifugal pump. Centrifugal pumps have a spiral-shaped housing in which a bladed impeller rotates at high speed. It is driven by an electric motor via a pump shaft. The stationary stator of the electric motor and the rotating rotor are tightly separated by a tubular inner housing. The can can be made of non-magnetizable chromium-nickel steel. The encapsulated rotor rotates in the pumped liquid. The rotating magnetic field in the stator winding induces an opposing magnetic field in the rotor winding.

[0003] DE 29 20 313 C2 describes such a centrifugal pump as a circulation pump in heating systems. The speed of the circulation pump is controlled depending on the temperature, which is determined by an outside temperature sensor. The speed can be controlled either as differential pressure control or proportional pressure control. With differential pressure control, the speed and power are automatically adjusted to the demand for circulated water. For this purpose, the pressure difference between the suction and pressure sides is determined and the motor speed and thus the power are controlled so that the differential pressure remains as constant as possible. The differential pressure is system-specific and is created by friction of the circulated water flow against the pipe walls and by changes in direction at each bend. With proportional pressure control, the setpoint of the differential pressure is changed depending on the volume flow.This regulation takes into account that, depending on demand, a different amount of warm circulating water is required in the system in order to provide the desired heat output in the connecting stations.

[0004] The pump's speed is a crucial criterion for energy savings. A pump's power consumption, and thus its energy consumption, depends on the operating point, which represents the intersection between the control characteristic curve and the system characteristic curve. At this operating point, the pump delivers a specific flow rate at a specific head. The pump operating point can be varied by adjusting the motor speed. The motor speed is set by a control unit. This consists of electrical and electronic components that are interconnected in such a way that they can automatically execute complex control processes in the case of circulating pumps.

[0005] These control systems are now microprocessor- or PLC-based. In pumps, they can execute the complex switching and control sequences in the required manner, thus reducing noise emissions, as described in DE 10 2017 203 960 A1. Control units are the basis for demand-oriented and, at the same time, as economical as possible operation. A control system for energy-efficient control of a circulation pump is described, for example, in EP 1 342 957 A1. The switching times can be adapted both to demand and to the system requirements.

[0006] EP 3 404 267 A1 discloses a pump assembly with a control unit for controlling the drive motor. The control unit comprises a main module mounted on the drive motor in a housing, a first removable plug-in module, and a second removable plug-in module. The first plug-in module and the second plug-in module are selectively pluggable into a first position to communicate with the main module via at least one wireless communication channel.

[0007] EP 1 063 751 A1 discloses a pump unit with a centrifugal pump driven by an electric motor and a housing, wherein a switching device controlling the unit can be placed on the housing. Switching means are provided which ensure that the unit can be operated when the switching device is removed from the housing.

[0008] EP 1 947 347 A1 describes a pump unit with an electric motor, on the stator housing of which a terminal box is arranged, wherein the terminal box has a tubular housing part which is attached with a first axial end face to the axial end face of the stator housing and the opposite second axial end face of the housing part is closed by a cover element in which operating or display elements (38) are integrated.

[0009] For integration into higher-level systems, the controls of circulation pumps must be able to communicate with sensors, actuators and other controls.

[0010] The energy savings of circulation pumps can be further optimized if a building management system comprehensively records energy demand and individually controls the energy supply. This requires the circulation pump controllers to be able to communicate with sensors, actuators, and other control systems. This communication capability can be achieved, for example, via interfaces to wired or wireless networks, whereby the interfaces can consist, in particular, of fieldbus modules or connections for sensors or actuators. In addition to energy savings, fault messages can also be remotely monitored and predictive maintenance can be scheduled.

[0011] Communication capability is enabled by installing an additional module in the central unit's housing. Sufficient space must be reserved and permanently available within the housing to connect such a module. Conventional systems require the communication cable to be laboriously inserted through the cable entry and then time-consumingly connected within the limited space. The next step is to configure the additional module, which, depending on the type of module, requires a great deal of specialist knowledge from the user. The cable entry holes must be sealed, and the housing cover must be tightly closed as required. To accommodate all common additional modules, the housing must offer considerable additional space and a large number of cable entry holes.The functionality of the communication interface cannot be signaled via optical functional elements in the central unit without additional costs. All of these constraints result in expensive basic housing designs for circulation pump controllers.

[0012] The object of the invention is to provide a control arrangement and a method for configuring a control arrangement of a circulation pump that allows for user-friendly configuration. The device should take up minimal space in the housing. The method should enable flexible communication between the control devices and a wide variety of communication participants. The configuration of the control arrangement should be implemented as cost-effectively as possible. The costs of the central unit should be kept to a minimum.

[0013] This object is achieved according to the invention by a control arrangement, a method, and a use according to the independent claims. Preferred variants can be found in the dependent claims, the description, and the drawing.

[0014] According to the invention, a configuration module is integrated into the housing cover of the control arrangement. This additional module is used to configure the control arrangement. For example, a fieldbus module can be integrated into the housing cover, which enables communication with sensors, actuators and higher-level controls or regulations. By inserting the housing cover with the integrated module, the time-consuming installation of the module in the housing of the control arrangement is no longer necessary. Preferably, this makes it possible to manufacture a pump with the basic design of a control arrangement without having to reserve installation space within the housing for additional modules. Any interior space enlargement required for additional modules is thus relocated to the third housing section. With a third housing section with an additional module, the enclosed installation space is therefore larger than with a third housing section without an additional module.

[0015] This also involves a reduction in the number of cable feedthroughs in the first or second housing part of the housing, since the cable feedthroughs or connection options required for communication can be arranged in the housing cover of the control arrangement.

[0016] According to the invention, the housing comprises a first housing part and a second housing part, wherein the first housing part is partially closed by the second housing part and the housing cover closes the area of the first housing part not closed by the second housing part.

[0017] The area of the first housing section not closed by the second housing section corresponds to the central unit's connection compartment. The housing cover thus closes off the central unit's connection compartment. The connection compartment is the space used for connecting the control or power cables. The connection terminals are located in the connection compartment. The connection compartment is designed in such a way that, even when the housing cover is open, no components carrying dangerous voltages can be touched. The housing cover acts as a cover for the connection compartment. The cover meets the required IP protection class.

[0018] The method according to the invention automatically initializes the configuration of the control assembly by inserting the housing cover with the integrated additional module into the housing. It has proven particularly advantageous that, when the housing cover is snapped into place, a permanent signal connection is created, which configures the pump's control unit for communication, for example, via bus systems.

[0019] Since the second housing section is designed in such a way that it cannot be easily separated from the first housing section by the end customer, and in contrast, the housing cover, for example, can be replaced without special tools, the end customer can easily adapt the pump's functionality. This allows, for example, the pump to be initially delivered with a housing cover that serves solely to close the connection compartment, and the end user to retrofit a housing cover with an integrated module at a later date.

[0020] According to the invention, the housing cover of the control assembly with an integrated additional module is used to configure the pump control. Advantageously, a housing cover with the required module can be used depending on the desired communication standard. By inserting the housing cover, the required configuration of the control system is automatically performed to match the module used. Adapting the use of a circulation pump in its basic version or subsequently adapting it to a new communication standard can thus be carried out at any time during the product life cycle of a circulation pump.

[0021] The device according to the invention creates a positive connection to the housing of the control arrangement. For example, the positive connection can be designed as a tongue-and-groove connection. This design guarantees a permanent closure of the housing cover with the housing while simultaneously maintaining a stable signal connection between the additional module and the control device. Preferably, the connecting elements for the signal flow are arranged such that when the housing cover is inserted into the tongue-and-groove rail, the signal transmission connection releasably engages. In a possible variant of the invention, the connection between the housing cover and the housing could also be designed as a dovetail joint.

[0022] In a particularly cost-effective variant, the housing cover of the control assembly has a modular design and can consist of several parts. The design of the housing cover can thus be adapted to different production and assembly requirements.

[0023] Preferably, the signal connection between the integrated add-on module and the circulation pump control unit is established simultaneously by inserting the housing cover into the control unit's housing. Manual wiring of an add-on module is no longer necessary with this variant. Configuring the control system using the add-on module is therefore particularly easy to install and time-efficient.

[0024] According to the invention, the control arrangement, in the housing or similar, of a circulation pump has at least one electronic module. This serves as a circuit board for electrical and electronic components, enabling the functions of various speed controls and time-controlled switching pulses. Preferably, the additional module integrated into the housing cover is also designed as an electronic module. A permanent signal connection advantageously exists between the at least two electronic modules, which is created by inserting the housing cover into the housing of the control arrangement.

[0025] The electronic module can preferably be designed as a power module or as a control module.

[0026] It has proven particularly advantageous to standardize the dimensions of the housing cover used to close the housing. This results in the same insertion dimensions for all conceivable additional modules. The required space for the various conceivable additional modules is achieved by the different depths of the housing covers. This allows the housing for the control system to be designed particularly flat and space-saving, as the required space for an additional module is provided in the housing cover.

[0027] In one variant of the device, it is also conceivable for several additional modules to be integrated into the housing cover. This allows communication with various sensors or actuators and a higher-level building management system and / or remote management systems to take place simultaneously, even with different communication standards.

[0028] It has proven particularly advantageous that the necessary connecting elements for the additional module's communication, such as pre-assembled connectors and / or cable glands, are located in the housing cover. The design of the housing cover is thus fully tailored to the integrated additional module and contains at least the necessary connection options. This means that the basic design of the control system housing can be dispensed with entirely, or at least reduced to a few. This advantageously significantly reduces the costs for the basic design of the circulation pump's control system, while simultaneously minimizing the installation space for the control unit housed in the housing.

[0029] It has proven particularly advantageous that the housing cover with integrated add-on module features optical indicators suitable for the integrated add-on module to indicate the functional status. In a particularly advantageous variant, the indicators are implemented as LEDs. When a basic circulation pump control system is subsequently upgraded with a housing cover with integrated add-on module, the functional status can be viewed from the outside. Advantageously, the housing of a basic control system does not require the installation of indicators for every conceivable add-on module.

[0030] Advantageously, the standardized dimensions of the housing cover allow the housing to be sealed with seals between the housing and the housing cover. This allows the existing IP protection rating of the circulating pump control unit housing to be maintained even when installing a housing cover with an integrated add-on module. Preferably, the connecting elements for the add-on module integrated into the housing cover are designed to the required IP protection rating.

[0031] The object posed at the outset is also achieved by a set comprising a control arrangement for a centrifugal pump, in particular a circulating pump, with a central unit arranged in a housing, with a first housing part and a second housing part of the housing partially closing the first housing part, a housing cover which closes the area of the housing part not closed by the housing part, and a further housing cover which closes the area of the housing part not closed by the housing part and comprises an integrated module for configuring the control arrangement. Such a set allows, in particular, a comparatively individual adaptation of the functionality. Adaptation of the use of a circulating pump in its basic design or subsequent adaptation to a new communication standard can thus be carried out at any time during the product life cycle of a circulating pump.

[0032] Further features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the description of embodiments with reference to the drawings and from the drawings themselves.

[0033] It shows: Figure 1 shows a top view of the control assembly housing attached to the circulation pump. Figure 1 is the cutting plane of Figure 2 marked. Figure 2 shows a section through a control arrangement of a circulation pump.

[0034] Figure 1 shows a circulation pump with a housing 1 of a control unit arranged thereon. The circulation pump shown is a centrifugal pump installed in a pipeline (not shown), with a rotating shaft, an impeller and a stationary pump housing. An electric motor, which is located in a Fig. 2The housing for the electric motor, designated 2, drives the pump shaft on which the impeller is mounted. The fluid entering the impeller axially through a suction nozzle and a suction throat is deflected into a radial motion by the impeller blades, which accelerates the fluid while simultaneously increasing the fluid pressure. After exiting the impeller, the fluid is collected in the pump's volute casing.

[0035] The Figure 1 and Fig. 2The control arrangement of the circulation pump shown is housed in a housing 1 of the control arrangement. The housing 1 of the illustrated embodiment is multi-part, in particular two-part, and comprises a first housing part 1a and a second housing part 1b, which thus form a type of housing body. The housing 1 of the control arrangement is arranged on the housing 2 of the electric motor. Located in the housing 1 of the control arrangement is the central unit 4, which in the exemplary embodiment consists of a power module and a control module. This contains the electronic components for the speed control and the switching control tasks.

[0036] The first housing part 1a of the housing 1 is attached directly to the housing 2 of the electric motor. The first housing part 1a is partially closed on the side opposite the electric motor by the second housing part 1b. The central unit 4 is attached to one of the housing parts 1a or 1b. A replaceable housing cover 5 closes the area of the housing part 1a not closed by the housing part 1b. The housing part 1b comprises an operating unit 12 and at least one display device 13. The display device 13 preferably comprises LED and / or LCD elements.

[0037] The housing cover 5 for the housing 1 of the control arrangement contains an integrated module 6. In the exemplary embodiment, this additional module 6 is a fieldbus module. Integrated into the housing cover 5 are connection plugs and / or cable bushings 7 for bus communication, as well as display elements 3 for indicating the communication status. In the exemplary embodiment, the display elements are LEDs. Additional cable bushings 8 are attached to the housing 1, in particular to the first housing part 1a and / or to the second housing part 1b. The housing 1 of the control arrangement with the inserted housing cover 5 is sealed with a seal 9. As described above, the housing cover 5 closes off the area not closed by the housing part 1b, in particular a connection compartment 10 of the central unit 4. The connection compartment 10 is understood to be the space used for connecting the control or power lines. The connection terminals 11 are arranged in the connection compartment 10.The connection compartment 10 is designed in such a way that even when the housing cover 5 is open, no components, such as the connection terminals 11, which carry dangerous voltages can be touched.

Claims

1. Control arrangement for a centrifugal pump, in particular a circulation pump, having a central unit (4) which is arranged in a housing (1) which has a housing cover (5), wherein a module (6) for configuring the control arrangement is integrated in the housing cover (5), characterized in that the housing (1) comprises a first housing part (1a) and a second housing part (1b), wherein the first housing part (1a) is partially closed by the second housing part (1b) and the housing cover (5) closes the region of the housing part (1a) that is not closed by the housing part (1b).

2. Control arrangement according to Claim 1, characterized in that shaped elements of mutually complementary design for connection are present between the housing cover (5) and the housing (1), in particular the first housing part (1a) or the second housing part (1b).

3. Control arrangement according to Claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, when the housing (1) is closed by the housing cover (5), a module (6) is connected to the central unit (4) via an element, preferably via printed circuit board connectors.

4. Control arrangement according to any of Claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the central unit (4) comprises at least one electronic assembly, preferably a power assembly and / or control assembly.

5. Control arrangement according to any of Claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the module (6) in the housing cover (5) has elements for connection to the central unit (4).

6. Control arrangement according to any of Claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the housing cover (5) has connection elements (7) for the module (6).

7. Control arrangement according to any of Claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the housing cover (5) has optical display elements (3) of the module (6).

8. Set, comprising a control arrangement for a centrifugal pump, in particular a circulation pump, having a central unit (4) arranged in a housing (1), having a first housing part (1a) and a second housing part (1b) of the housing (1), the second housing part partially closing the first housing part (1a), a housing cover (5) which closes the region of the housing part (1a) that is not closed by the housing part (1b), and a further housing cover (5) which closes the region of the housing part (1a) that is not closed by the housing part (1b), and comprising an integrated module (6) for configuring the control arrangement (5).

9. Method for configuring a control arrangement of a centrifugal pump, in particular a circulation pump, according to any of Claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the control is configured by changing housing covers (5) with integrated modules (6).

10. Use of a housing cover (5) of a housing (1) for configuring the control arrangement of a pump according to any of Claims 1 to 7.

11. Use according to Claim 10, characterized in that different housing covers are used for a housing (1) for specific configuration of a control unit of a centrifugal pump.

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