Pump Controller Inputs for Simultaneous Digital and Serial Signals
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional pool system control systems require external hardware to receive digital and serial communication inputs simultaneously, leading to larger and more costly connections, and often need a minimum of eight digital input pins, which is inefficient.
Innovation Solution
A controller with a digital input and serial communication input that can receive signals simultaneously using five digital input pins sharing a common ground pin, allowing for a smaller and less costly connection, and a processor with computer-readable memory to execute instructions for controlling the pump motor based on these inputs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional main control systems use external hardware to receive digital inputs, then they can receive digital inputs from outside control systems, but the connection becomes larger and more costly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the digital input functionality directly into the main control system's processor, merging previously separate external hardware functions into the existing controller architecture. This integration eliminates the need for external hardware components while maintaining the ability to receive digital inputs from outside control systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The main control system is designed to perform multiple functions: it can receive both digital inputs and serial communication inputs simultaneously through its integrated processor. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for specialized external hardware dedicated solely to digital input reception, reducing overall system complexity and cost.
2Adaptability or versatility
If main control systems receive both digital inputs and serial communication inputs simultaneously using conventional methods, then they can process multiple input types, but external hardware is required which increases system complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple input reception functions (digital inputs and serial communication inputs) into a single integrated processor within the main control system. This consolidation allows the system to handle multiple input types simultaneously without requiring separate external hardware for each input type, thereby reducing overall hardware complexity.
3Adaptability or versatility
If main control systems use a minimum of eight digital input pins, then they can receive digital inputs, but the connection requires more wires and a larger connector
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the digital input pin requirements from the traditional eight-pin configuration and reduces them to five pins by utilizing the integrated processor's existing communication capabilities. This extraction eliminates the need for excessive connection wires while maintaining full digital input functionality through the processor's built-in interfaces.
Data Source
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AI summary
A pump system including a motor, a fluid pump powered by the motor, a user-interface, and a controller. The controller including a user-interface input electrically coupled to the user-interface, a serial communication input, a digital input having a plurality of digital input pins sharing a common ground pin, a processor, and a computer readable memory. The computer readable memory storing instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the controller to receive an operating signal simultaneously from the serial communication input and the digital input, and control the motor based on one of the operating signal from the serial communication input and the operating signal from the digital input.