Plug-In Pump Electronics Module With Universal Interface
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing centrifugal pump units face challenges in rapidly incorporating new communication technologies and expanding their functional scope to meet evolving customer needs, while also maintaining cost-effectiveness and operational safety.
Innovation Solution
The development of a plug-in electronic expansion module for centrifugal pump electronics, which provides additional functions such as radio-based communication technologies like Bluetooth Low Energy, wired communication technologies, sensor systems, actuator systems, or electronic memory modules, through a uniform electrical interface that ensures operational safety and ease of installation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If new communication technologies are integrated into centrifugal pump units to expand functional scope, then the functionality and adaptability are improved, but the development time and certification duration increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system is divided into a base pump unit and separate electronic extension modules. Each module can be independently developed, tested, and certified. This segmentation allows new communication technologies to be added via modules without requiring recertification of the entire pump system, thus reducing development time while expanding functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
A universal electrical interface and communication protocol are defined that can accommodate multiple different communication technologies (BACnet, MODBUS, and future technologies). This allows a single modular platform to support diverse functionalities without requiring separate development cycles for each technology.
2Adaptability or versatility
If electronic extension modules are added to expand functionality, then the adaptability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
By defining a universal electrical interface and standardized communication protocol, the system achieves multi-functionality without proportionally increasing complexity. The same interface structure handles different communication protocols, and the modular design allows functions to be added without redesigning the entire system architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The electronic extension module acts as an intermediary between the pump control electronics and various communication technologies. This intermediary layer handles protocol-specific complexity internally while presenting a unified interface to the pump system, thus isolating complexity within modular components rather than the entire system.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple communication technologies are integrated to meet customer needs, then the adaptability is improved, but the manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting communication technologies into separate extension modules, manufacturers can produce a standardized base pump unit at low cost and then add only the specific communication modules needed for each application. This avoids the cost of integrating all possible communication technologies into every pump unit, thereby reducing manufacturing costs while maintaining adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
Different communication functionalities are provided locally through specific extension modules rather than being uniformly distributed across all pump units. This allows each pump to be equipped with only the communication capabilities it needs, optimizing the balance between functionality and manufacturing cost.
Data Source
AI summary
A plug-in electronic expansion module for pump electronics of a centrifugal pump for expanding the pump electronics with at least one additional function has a housing having a lower face and connecting formations thereon for attachment to a pump housing of the pump electronics. Electronics in the module housing provide the additional function. A base is provided on the lower face, and an electrical interface connected to the pump electronics includes a flat support projecting tongue-like from the base on the lower face of the module housing through an opening in the pump housing and carrying contact-forming electrical traces.