Fluid Processing Hardware Setup via Requirement-Based Configuration Files

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Solution Overview

Problem

Providers of water distribution systems face challenges in setting up adequate hardware configurations for fluid processing systems due to a lack of information on specific requirements, leading to complex configuration options and increased risks of erroneous setups.

Innovation Solution

A method and system that integrate user requirement data with stored catalogue data to define and configure hardware setups for fluid processing systems, including a client module for user input, a server module for processing data, a setup module for defining hardware, and a generic control module for configuration, which generates a configuration file for proper assembly and operation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a provider stores catalogue data for all hardware components to provide any potential hardware setup, then the versatility and range of configuration options increase, but the complexity of selecting and defining an adequate hardware setup increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconfiguration optionsVSAvoidhardware setup definition
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a software module that acts as an intermediary between the provider's catalogue data and the user's requirements. This module automatically processes requirement data, queries the catalogue database, and generates suitable hardware setups, thereby mediating the complex interaction between extensive component options and selection criteria without requiring manual complexity from the provider

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system enables self-service by allowing the software module to autonomously define hardware setups based on automated processing of requirements and catalogue data. The module independently queries components, determines quantities, and generates configurations without requiring manual intervention from the provider, thus handling the complexity internally while presenting simplified interfaces to users

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Reliability

If a provider manually configures hardware setups based on stored catalogue data, then the ability to meet specific requirements increases, but the time and effort required for configuration increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverequirement fulfillmentVSAvoidconfiguration time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-structuring the catalogue data in a standardized format with all necessary component specifications, compatibility information, and pricing data organized in advance. This preliminary organization of data enables rapid automated querying and setup generation when requirements are received, eliminating the need for manual configuration search and analysis at the time of ordering

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system replaces the manual mechanical process of configuration with an automated software-based system. The software module automatically processes requirement data, queries the catalogue database, and generates hardware setups through computational algorithms rather than manual human analysis and assembly, dramatically reducing configuration time while maintaining reliability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Ease of operation

If a provider provides complete hardware setups without modular approach, then the system is ready for immediate use, but the ability to augment and adapt based on user feedback decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveimmediate usabilityVSAvoidaugmentability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies segmentation by defining hardware setups as modular collections of discrete components rather than monolithic systems. Each component is individually identified and specified in the configuration, allowing the complete setup to be delivered for immediate use while also enabling easy augmentation by adding or modifying individual components based on user feedback without requiring complete system redesign

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP3839669B1A method and system for defining and configuring a hardware setup of a fluid processing system
Publication Date: 2023.06.21 GRUNDFOS HLDG
  • EP3839669B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3839669B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3839669B1 patent drawingFigure 3a~3c

AI summary

The present disclosure is directed to a method for defining and configuring a hardware setup (2) of a fluid processing system, the method comprising: - processing (103) user input at a client module (15), wherein the user input comprises a set of requirement data for the fluid processing system, - receiving (105) the set of requirement data at a server module (17) from the client module (15), wherein the server module (17) is connected to the client module (15) via a network (11), - defining (107) the hardware setup (2) of the fluid processing system by a setup module (19) based on the set of requirement data and stored catalogue data, - generating (109) a configuration file (25) by a configuration module (23) based on the hardware setup (2) and the set of requirement data, - approving (113) the hardware setup (2) by the client module (15), and - transferring (116) the configuration file (25) to a generic control module (29) being part of the hardware setup (2) for configuring the fluid processing system.