Fluid Pump With Contactless Sensor and Magnetic Coupling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional spa devices face challenges with sanitization, maintenance, and fluid detection due to the use of liners, which interfere with water sensors, and are prone to bearing failure from chemicals and sand, leading to vibration issues in magnetic coupling-type pumps.
Innovation Solution
A fluid pump with a contactless fluid sensor and magnetic impeller design, including a jet assembly, motor assembly, and a contactless fluid sensor assembly, that uses a liner to prevent sensor contamination and employs a magnetic coupling for reduced vibration, along with a bearing assembly resistant to chemical wear.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a liner is used in spa devices for sanitization, then hygiene is improved, but traditional water sensors cannot effectively detect fluids
Solution Approach 1:
A contactless fluid sensor is introduced as an intermediary detection device that can sense fluid presence through the liner without direct contact. The sensor uses electromagnetic fields or capacitive coupling to detect fluid levels, allowing the liner to remain in place for sanitization while maintaining detection capability.
Solution Approach 2:
Traditional mechanical or contact-based water sensors are replaced with a contactless sensing system that uses electromagnetic principles. This substitution eliminates the need for direct sensor contact with the fluid, allowing the liner to function for hygiene purposes while the electromagnetic field penetrates or couples through the liner material to detect fluid presence.
2Ease of manufacture
If traditional bearings are used in fluid pumps, then initial cost is reduced, but bearing wear occurs quickly due to chemicals and sand
Solution Approach 1:
Traditional mechanical ball bearings and metal bushings are replaced with magnetic bearings or magnetic coupling mechanisms. The magnetic field creates a contactless support system for the impeller, eliminating physical contact between moving parts. This substitution removes the wear problem caused by chemicals and sand while maintaining rotational support, significantly extending pump lifespan.
3Reliability
If magnetic coupling-type pumps are used, then bearing wear is reduced, but misalignment between motor shaft and impeller causes high vibration noise
Solution Approach 1:
The magnetic coupling system incorporates flexible magnetic elements or adjustable magnetic fields that can dynamically adapt to alignment variations. The magnetic coupling allows for slight misalignments without creating rigid mechanical constraints, absorbing positional variations through magnetic field flexibility rather than mechanical stress, thereby reducing vibration and noise.
Solution Approach 2:
The magnetic coupling strength and distribution are optimized to compensate for misalignment. By adjusting magnetic field parameters such as field intensity, distribution pattern, or coupling geometry, the system maintains stable operation despite imperfect alignment between motor shaft and impeller, minimizing vibration-induced noise.
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
Enables effective fluid detection and dispensing in spa environments, reduces maintenance complexity, and minimizes vibration noise while maintaining hygiene and extending pump lifespan.
Implementation Method 1
a contactless, fluid sensor assembly (240) having a contactless, fluid sensor (241)... effective, especially when a liner is being used in or with the setting SET, in capacitive sensing of fluid or water level within the setting SET
Implementation Method 2
The impeller (170) is caused by the motor assembly (200) to rotate within the jet assembly (180)... wherein the rotation of the impeller (170) causes a first fluid to enter the jet assembly housing (181) via the at least one inlet aperture (185) and to exit the jet assembly housing (181) via the at least one outlet aperture (186)
Data Source
AI summary
A fluid pump for dispensing a fluid to a setting or work environment is disclosed. A fluid pump having a contactless, fluid sensor and for use with a liner is also disclosed. The pump includes a jet assembly, a motor assembly, and a contactless, fluid sensor. The pump may further include a mounting housing member, a gasket or seal, and a liner when a liner is not already present. The jet assembly is coupled to or secured about the motor assembly. The jet assembly includes a jet assembly housing, and preferably also includes a printed circuit board (PCB), a PCB cover, a shaft assembly, and an impeller. The jet assembly housing includes a base, a top cover, an impeller-receiving chamber, at least one inlet aperture, and at least one outlet aperture. A pump apparatus that includes a pump as described, a power source, and/or a control apparatus is further disclosed.