Programmable Pump Control for User-Customized Operation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pumps lack flexibility in adjusting control parameters to meet diverse user requirements, making it difficult to adapt to different usage scenarios.
Innovation Solution
A pump unit with an electric drive motor, a control device featuring a microprocessor, storage for user applications, and a programming module that allows users to create, modify, and store user applications and functions, enabling flexible control adjustments by combining input parameters, operators, and actions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If prior art pumps use fixed control patterns with limited parameter adjustment, then the pump control structure is simple and reliable, but the adaptability to different user requirements is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The control device is designed to perform multiple functions: it can execute basic control programs, store and execute user applications, and interface with various input devices. This multi-functionality allows a single device to serve both simple and complex control needs, improving adaptability without proportionally increasing complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The control device transitions from static fixed control patterns to dynamic user-configurable control. Users can modify control parameters, create custom control sequences, and adapt the pump behavior to different requirements, making the system dynamically adaptable rather than statically limited
2Adaptability or versatility
If users need to create custom control programs, then the flexibility and customization capability improve, but the ease of operation decreases due to programming complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary programming module that acts as a bridge between the user and the complex control system. This module provides simplified programming interfaces, pre-configured templates, and intuitive input methods that mask the underlying complexity while enabling custom program creation
Solution Approach 2:
The system allows users to copy and modify existing control programs and sequences. Instead of requiring users to program everything from scratch, they can replicate proven control patterns and adapt them to their specific needs, significantly reducing the operational complexity while maintaining high customization capability
3Adaptability or versatility
If the pump includes integrated control device with storage means, then the independence from external control devices improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the control device, storage means, and pump into a single integrated unit. The control device and storage means are combined within the pump housing, eliminating the need for separate external controllers. This consolidation improves independence while managing complexity through integrated design rather than separate components
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated control device is designed to handle multiple functions within a single unit: motor control, data storage, user interface, and communication capabilities. By consolidating these functions into one multi-functional component rather than separate devices, the system achieves independence without proportionally increasing overall complexity
Data Source
AI summary
A pump unit (2) has an electrical drive motor (5) and a control device (4) for controlling the drive motor (5), wherein said control device (4) includes at least one microprocessor (8) and storage means (6) which is able to store at least one control program executable by said microprocessor (8), wherein said control device (4) includes or communicates with a programming module (7) by which at least one user application can be created and/or modified and stored in said storage means, wherein said programming module (7) is designed such that at least one input parameter (13), at least one operator (10) and at least one action (14) can be chosen as program elements and combined to generate at least one user function (18) of said user application which can be executed by said microprocessor.