Fluid Circulator Display Integration via Transparent Cover

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing fluid circulators for heating and cooling systems require additional components for user interfaces, increasing complexity and cost, and are not suitable for use in wet environments due to vulnerability of electronic components.

Innovation Solution

Integration of a display directly onto the electronic board within the terminal box of the circulator, with a transparent cover element made of a single piece of material that allows viewing of the display without external connections, enhancing sturdiness and watertightness.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a dedicated user interface is provided as a separate component, then the display functionality is achieved, but the construction complexity increases and additional cost is incurred

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedisplay functionalityVSAvoidconstruction complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The display is integrated directly onto the electronic board within the terminal box, merging the display function with the control electronics. This eliminates the need for a separate dedicated user interface component, thereby reducing construction complexity while maintaining display functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Ease of operation

If traditional opaque cover elements are used, then the terminal box is sealed, but the display cannot be viewed from outside

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedisplay visibilityVSAvoidwatertight protection

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The cover element is made entirely of transparent material, changing its optical property from opaque to transparent. This allows the display to be viewed from outside the terminal box while maintaining the seal integrity, as the transparent material still provides the same protective sealing function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #32Color changes

3Reliability

If the terminal box is sealed to protect electronics, then watertight protection is achieved, but the display becomes invisible from outside

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewatertight protectionVSAvoiddisplay visibility

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #32Color changes

4Ease of operation

If multiple separate components are used for user interface, then functionality is achieved, but manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuser interface functionalityVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP3396167A1Fluid circulator with display

Publication Date: 2018.10.31 TACO ITAL SRL

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AI summary

The present invention relates to a fluid circulator (100) comprising a pump body (2) comprising an impeller (10) for movement of the fluid; a motor body (1) comprising an electric motor (7, 8, 9) for setting the impeller into rotation (10); a terminal box (3) associated to the motor body (1) and containing one electronic board (12) for the control of the circulator (100), the terminal box (3) comprising a cover element (14) for closing the terminal box (3). The electronic board (12) comprises a display (6) suitable for displaying at least one operation indication of the circulator (100), and the cover element (14) is entirely made as a single piece of transparent material so as to view the display (6) from the outside of the terminal box (3).