BLDC Spa Pump Flow Control for Adjustable Jetting and Heating
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current spa systems lack user-adjustable water flow control, leading to inefficient energy usage due to fixed pump speeds for jetting, filtering, and heating, which results in suboptimal user experience and energy waste.
Innovation Solution
A spa system utilizing a BLDC motor-driven pump assembly with a controller that allows users to set any speed within a range to adjust water flow, enabling customizable jetting modes and optimizing pump speeds for filtering, sanitizing, and heating.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If fixed preset speeds are used for the pump, then the system structure is simple, but the user cannot adjust water flow to preference and the jetted water may be too strong or too weak
Solution Approach 1:
The pump system transitions from fixed preset speeds to variable speed operation, allowing the pump to dynamically adjust its speed according to user preferences and different operational modes (jetting, filtering, sanitizing, heating), thereby resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The pump's operating parameter (speed) is changed from fixed discrete values to continuously variable values, enabling users to adjust water flow to their preference while the controller manages the complexity of variable speed control
2Loss of energy
If a single high speed is used for both jetting and circulating, then the device structure is simple, but energy is wasted during filtering and sanitizing when high speed is unnecessary
Solution Approach 1:
The pump operates at different speeds dynamically based on the operational mode: high speed for jetting when therapeutic effect is needed, and low speed for filtering and sanitizing when only water circulation is required, thereby reducing energy waste while the controller manages the speed transitions
Solution Approach 2:
The pump speed parameter is adjusted according to operational requirements: high speed for jetting mode to provide therapeutic massage, and low speed for filtering and sanitizing modes to conserve energy, with the controller automatically selecting appropriate speeds
3Productivity
If a single low speed is used for filtering and sanitizing, then energy consumption is reduced, but the system cannot provide adequate water flow for heating when higher flow is needed
Solution Approach 1:
The pump speed is dynamically adjusted based on operational mode: low speed during filtering and sanitizing to conserve energy, and high speed during heating to provide adequate water flow through the heater, with the controller automatically transitioning between speeds based on system needs
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This solution provides users with customizable water flow preferences, reduces energy consumption by optimizing pump speeds for different spa system operations, and enhances the overall user experience by ensuring the right flow for therapeutic benefits while minimizing energy expenditure.
Implementation Method 1
The pump assembly includes a pump driven by a BLDC pump
Implementation Method 2
The pump assembly includes a pump driven by a BLDC pump and circulates water from the outlet port to the inlet port of the tub
Data Source
AI summary
A water circulating system, such as a spa system, is disclosed having a flow control feature. In one embodiment, the spa system includes a tub, a pump assembly and a controller. The pump assembly includes a BLDC motor and circulates water from the tub's outlet port to its inlet port. The controller sets the speed of the BLDC motor to any speed within the speed range of the BLDC motor in response to a user input to adjust the flow rate of the water to the inlet port of the tub. The spa system may also produce at least one jetting mode in response to a user input. The jetting mode may be a pulse mode, a sinusoidal mode, a ramp mode, or a saw-tooth mode. In another spa system, a first pump operates at a first speed to heat the circulating water when a heater is activated, and at a second speed when the heater is not activated. In other embodiments, the spa system includes a jetting pump assembly that includes a BLDC motor and a circulating pump assembly that operates at two speeds. In another embodiment, the spa system includes a circulating pump assembly that circulates water from an outlet port to an inlet port during standby. Where the circulating pump assembly operates at a first speed when a heater is activated to heat the circulating water, and at a second speed when the heater is not activated.