Centrifugal Pump Control Electronics Light Channel Design

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing control electronics for electromotive driven centrifugal pumps face design limitations due to the need for optical waveguides to connect light-emitting diodes (LEDs) to display elements, which complicates production and increases costs, while also restricting the flexibility in arranging these components.

Innovation Solution

A control electronics design that eliminates the need for optical waveguides by orienting the light channel parallel to the light emission direction, allowing direct light emission from the LED to the display element through a laterally offset light channel, which can be integrated into the housing without additional assembly steps.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If optical waveguides are used to connect LEDs to display elements, then light transmission is achieved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelight transmissionVSAvoidproduction complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and eliminates the optical waveguide component from the system. Instead of using separate waveguide elements to transmit light from LEDs to display elements, the invention integrates the light transmission function directly into the housing structure through light channels, thereby removing the complexity and cost associated with optical waveguides while maintaining reliable light transmission

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent merges the housing structure with the light transmission function. The housing is designed to incorporate light channels that directly guide light from LEDs to display elements, combining what were previously separate functions (housing protection and light guidance) into a single integrated structure, thus reducing device complexity and manufacturing steps

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Reliability

If optical waveguides are used to connect LEDs to display elements, then light transmission is achieved, but manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelight transmissionVSAvoidmanufacturing cost
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

By removing the optical waveguide component entirely and replacing it with housing-integrated light channels, the patent eliminates the need to manufacture, source, and assemble separate optical waveguide elements, directly reducing material costs and assembly costs while maintaining effective light transmission

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The housing structure serves multiple functions: mechanical protection, structural support, and light guidance. By making the housing multi-functional, the patent eliminates the need for dedicated optical waveguide components, thereby reducing overall manufacturing cost while ensuring reliable light transmission through the integrated light channels

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Reliability

If optical waveguides are used to connect LEDs to display elements, then light transmission is achieved, but flexibility in component arrangement is restricted

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelight transmissionVSAvoidcomponent arrangement flexibility
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

By merging the light guidance function into the housing structure itself, the patent creates a flexible system where light channels can be easily routed to different locations. The housing design allows LEDs and display elements to be positioned at various locations, and the light channels adapt to connect them, providing greater arrangement flexibility compared to fixed optical waveguide connections

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The light channel design incorporates dynamic routing capabilities within the housing structure, allowing the light paths to be configured flexibly according to component positions. This enables easy adaptation to different component arrangements without requiring redesign of rigid optical waveguide connections

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

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

This design simplifies the production and reduces costs by eliminating the need for optical waveguides, while providing flexibility in component arrangement and enhancing the optical display functionality.

Implementation Method 1

a light element is arranged, wherein the housing has a light channel associated with the light element with a light exit opening to form an optical indicator element, which is offset laterally to the light element and emits light from the light element

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight emission: Light

Data Source

PatentEP3835587B1Electronic control system for a centrifugal pump comprising at least one optical display element
Publication Date: 2022.02.09 WILO SE
  • EP3835587B1 patent drawingFigure 1~6
  • EP3835587B1 patent drawingFigure 7~10
  • EP3835587B1 patent drawingFigure 11~13

AI summary

The invention relates to control electronics (1) for an electrically driven centrifugal pump, in particular a canned pump, comprising a housing (2, 3) within which a light element (5) is arranged, wherein the housing (2, 3) has a light channel (8) associated with the light element (5) and a light exit aperture (16) for forming an optical indicator element (10) that is laterally offset from the light element (5) and emits light (11) from the light element (5). A space exists between the exit aperture (16) and the light element (5), and the light channel (8) is directed towards the light element (5). A fiber optic cable to bridge the offset is therefore unnecessary.