Method for operating a pump
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Solution Overview
Problem
Pumps with integrated heating elements face efficiency reduction due to calcification, which existing methods fail to detect effectively until dangerously high temperatures are reached, leading to inefficient heating.
Innovation Solution
A method involving a pump with a temperature sensor measuring water temperature before and after heating, calculating the temperature relation to determine initial and later heating efficiencies, triggering de-calcification if efficiency drops, using a control device to manage the heating element and monitor for calcification.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If a heating element is integrated into the pump chamber wall, then heating efficiency is improved, but calcification occurs on the heating element surface
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a temperature sensor as an intermediary measurement device that indirectly monitors the heating element's performance by measuring water temperature. This allows detection of calcification effects without direct contact with the calcification-prone heating element surface, resolving the contradiction by enabling monitoring while maintaining the heating element's continuous operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where temperature measurements are used to calculate heating efficiency and trigger de-calcification processes when efficiency drops below a threshold. This closed-loop control system continuously monitors and maintains heating performance, resolving the contradiction by automatically responding to calcification effects while preserving the integrated heating element design.
2Difficulty of detecting and measuring
If temperature sensors are placed on the heating element surface to detect calcification, then detection capability is improved, but the system only works when dangerously high temperatures are reached
Solution Approach 1:
The patent positions the temperature sensor as an intermediary that measures water temperature rather than heating element surface temperature. This indirect measurement approach allows early detection of heating efficiency changes caused by calcification before the heating element reaches dangerously high temperatures, resolving the contradiction between detection capability and early detection reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary temperature measurements of the water being heated to detect changes in heating efficiency before catastrophic failure occurs. By monitoring the relationship between heating power input and water temperature rise, the system can detect calcification in its early stages and trigger preventive de-calcification, resolving the contradiction by enabling early intervention.
3Power
If de-calcification cycles are performed frequently to maintain heating efficiency, then heating efficiency is maintained, but energy consumption and operational complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses feedback control to trigger de-calcification only when heating efficiency drops below a predetermined threshold. By continuously monitoring the relationship between heating power input and water temperature rise, the system performs de-calcification cycles only when necessary, resolving the contradiction between maintaining heating efficiency and minimizing energy consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operational parameters of the heating element dynamically - switching between normal heating mode and de-calcification mode based on detected heating efficiency. This parameter change approach allows the system to maintain high heating efficiency when needed while minimizing energy consumption during normal operation, resolving the contradiction by adapting operation to actual conditions.
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 efficient heat 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... The heating element allows for very efficient heating of the water during the pumping action
Implementation Method 2
a temperature sensor is provided for sensing the temperature of water in the pump chamber
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
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 executed again at a later stage, preferably automatically, 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.