Hot Water Circulation Pump With Integrated Sensing and Sealed Wiring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing circulation pumps for hot water supply with electric motors require complex installation processes, increasing the risk of errors, especially when installed by non-professionals, due to separate circuitry and sensor connections that need to be manually configured on-site.
Innovation Solution
A preassembled circulation pump with integrated circuitry for temperature sensing and control, featuring a compact design with pluggable circuit boards and a sealing plug system that simplifies sensor connections and ensures correct installation without requiring on-site expertise, by integrating the temperature sensor within the pump and using a rubber-elastic sealing plug for drip-proofing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If separate circuitry and sensor connections are manually configured on-site, then the circulation pump can be controlled, but the installation process becomes complex and error-prone
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the control circuitry and temperature sensors directly into the circulation pump housing, eliminating the need for separate external control devices and manual wiring configurations. This integration reduces installation complexity while maintaining full control functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The control circuitry and sensors are pre-assembled and pre-configured within the pump housing during manufacturing. This preliminary assembly ensures correct connections are made factory-wide, eliminating on-site configuration errors and simplifying installation to merely mounting the complete unit.
2Reliability
If the circulation pump includes integrated control circuitry and sensors, then installation errors are reduced, but the pump design becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The control circuit board, temperature sensors, and processing unit are integrated into a single compact assembly housed within the pump housing. This merging of components improves reliability by eliminating external connections while the compact design minimizes the increase in overall device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The control circuit board is nested within the pump housing, with the temperature sensors positioned to contact the water flow path. This nested arrangement allows the control system to be contained within the existing pump structure, reducing design complexity while ensuring reliable integration.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the cap is made drip-proof with sealing plugs, then protection against water ingress is enhanced, but the assembly process becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
Rubber-elastic sealing plugs are used to seal the contact pin areas within the cap. These flexible seals conform to the mating surfaces and provide effective drip-proof protection. The elastic material allows for tolerance compensation while maintaining the seal, and the plugs can be easily installed by pressing them into place.
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing plugs are designed to be self-installing components that press-fit into the cap structure. The rubber-elastic material provides its own sealing force through elastic deformation, eliminating the need for additional fastening operations or complex assembly steps while ensuring drip-proof protection.
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
Reduces installation errors and allows for easy, error-free setup by non-specialists, enabling a compact and reliable circulation pump system with simplified sensor connection and enhanced protection against water ingress.
Implementation Method 1
the cap is provided with a sealing plug made of rubber-elastic material in the area of the contact pins, which sealingly accommodates the plug of the sensor cable
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~4
AI summary
In a circulation pump for a hot water supply, it is provided that a circuit arrangement (17) for processing signals of the temperature of the flow and the temperature of the return, as well as a motor control of the electric motor of the circulation pump, are arranged in a common housing (13, 14) attached to the pump housing.