Method for operating a pump

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Solution Overview

Problem

Pumps with integrated heating elements face efficiency reduction due to calcification, which is difficult to detect until high temperatures are reached, leading to inefficient heating energy transfer.

Innovation Solution

A method involving a pump with a temperature sensor to measure water temperature before and after heating, calculating a temperature relation to monitor heating efficiency and detect calcification, triggering de-calcification when efficiency drops, using a control device to manage the heating element and pump operation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Power

If a heating element is integrated into the pump chamber wall to heat water during pumping, then heating efficiency is improved, but calcification occurs on the heating element surface reducing performance

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheating efficiencyVSAvoidheating element performance

Core Design Contradiction:

PowerVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary actions by measuring the temperature difference between the heating element and water before significant calcification occurs. The control unit continuously monitors this temperature difference and compares it to reference values to detect early signs of calcification, enabling preventive maintenance before the calcification severely impacts heating efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the control unit continuously measures the temperature difference between the heating element and water, compares it to reference values, and provides feedback about calcification status. This feedback loop enables real-time monitoring and early detection of calcification, allowing the system to respond before performance degrades significantly.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Difficulty of detecting and measuring

If temperature sensors cover a large surface of the heating element to detect calcification, then detection capability is improved, but the system only detects calcification when temperatures are already dangerously high

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecalcification detection capabilityVSAvoidearly detection timing

Core Design Contradiction:

Difficulty of detecting and measuringVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary action by measuring the temperature difference between the heating element and water before dangerous temperatures are reached. The control unit continuously monitors this temperature difference and compares it to reference values to detect early signs of calcification, enabling preventive maintenance before the calcification severely impacts heating efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the conventional approach of using multiple temperature sensors covering large surfaces with a simplified measurement system. Instead of mechanically placing sensors across the heating element surface, the system uses the existing temperature sensor in the water and the heating element's temperature characteristics to calculate the temperature difference, substituting a complex sensor array with a computational approach.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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

Effectively monitors and maintains heating efficiency by detecting calcification early, ensuring consistent energy transfer and prompting de-calcification when necessary, thereby preventing significant efficiency loss.

Implementation Method 1

a heating element is provided on at least a part of a wall of the pump chamber

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectJoule heating: Joule Heating

Implementation Method 2

a temperature sensor is provided for sensing the temperature of water in the pump chamber

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Data Source

PatentUS11698084B2Method for operating a pump

Publication Date: 2023.07.11 E G O ELEKTRO GERAETEBAU GMBH

AI summary

A pump of a dishwasher has an integrated heating element, a pump chamber with an inlet and an outlet, a pump rotor inside the pump chamber and a drive motor, wherein the heating element and a temperature sensor are provided on a wall of the pump chamber. For measuring a calcification of the pump chamber it is filled with water and then the pump rotor rotates for mixing the water in the pump chamber without transporting water out of the pump chamber. The temperature of the water in the pump chamber is measured with the temperature sensor as a starting temperature, and then the heating element is activated to heat the water in the pump chamber while the temperature of the water in the pump chamber is measured. Then the heating element is deactivated and the maximum temperature of the water during the heating duration or directly afterwards is determined. A temperature relation between the maximum temperature and the starting temperature of the water is calculated. These steps are executed in the pump at the very beginning of an operation of the new dishwasher after its installation for determining an initial temperature relation. These steps are automatically executed again at a later stage for determining a later temperature relation to determine the heating efficiency of the pump by comparing the later temperature relation to the initial temperature relation.