Pump Motor Control Assembly Fluid Isolation and Condensation Prevention

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional pool motor assemblies pose safety concerns due to the mixing of high and low voltage components, particularly in wet environments, and suffer from condensation issues on display screens, which can be exacerbated by temperature changes.

Innovation Solution

A pump motor assembly with fluid isolation between high and low voltage components, featuring a control assembly with a transparent window section and a filler plate to prevent condensation, and a thermal and fluid barrier to reduce heat transfer and liquid electrical conduction.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If high and low voltage components are mixed in the same control assembly, then device complexity is reduced, but safety concerns increase particularly in wet environments

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontrol assembly structureVSAvoiduser safety

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The control assembly is divided into separate high voltage and low voltage compartments. The high voltage compartment houses relay 48 and associated high voltage components, while the low voltage compartment houses display 90 and control components. This segmentation isolates dangerous high voltage elements from user-accessible low voltage areas, improving safety without significantly increasing overall device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Ease of operation

If display screen is exposed to temperature changes and moisture, then user interface functionality is maintained, but condensation buildup occurs on the display

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedisplay visibilityVSAvoidcondensation

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

A transparent flexible membrane 98 covers the display area, creating a protective barrier that prevents moisture and condensation from reaching the display screen while allowing users to view information and operate buttons through the transparent material.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The transparent membrane 98 acts as an intermediary layer between the external environment (moisture, temperature changes) and the display components. It allows light transmission for visibility while blocking harmful environmental factors that cause condensation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Adaptability or versatility

If control assembly is placed outdoors for pool pump operation, then pump functionality is maintained, but exposure to moisture and temperature changes increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoutdoor operation capabilityVSAvoidenvironmental exposure

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The control assembly is segmented into sealed compartments that can withstand outdoor environmental conditions. The high voltage compartment and low voltage compartment are separately protected, allowing the entire assembly to be mounted outdoors near pools while protecting internal components from moisture and temperature extremes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

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

Enhances user safety by preventing liquid electrical conduction and reduces condensation buildup on the display, ensuring reliable operation in humid and temperature-varying outdoor environments.

Implementation Method 1

reducing the risk of condensation buildup along the underside of the window section

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCondensation: Condensation

Implementation Method 2

a thermal and fluid barrier that spans the box adjacent an opposite end from the cover, with the barrier at least substantially fluidly sealing the control compartment adjacent the opposite end and reducing heat transfer to the control compartment

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHeat transfer: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 3

The high and low voltage compartments are substantially fluidly separated from one another so as to reduce the risk of liquid electrical conduction between the compartments

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFluid conduction: Conduction (electrical)

Data Source

PatentUS9127666B2Pump motor control assembly

Publication Date: 2015.09.08 NIDEC MOTOR CORP

AI summary

A pump motor assembly operable to provide driving power to a fluid pump includes a rotor, a stator, a case housing the rotor and the stator, and a control assembly mounted to the case and operable to control motor operation. The control assembly includes an information display and a cover overlying the display, with a window section in general alignment with the display. The control assembly also includes a filler plate underlying the window section to prevent any air gap along an underside thereof, allowing the display to be visible while reducing the risk of condensation buildup. The control assembly further includes a low voltage housing with the display disposed in a first compartment defined thereby, and a high voltage housing with a high voltage component disposed in a second compartment defined thereby. The low voltage housing includes a thermal and fluid barrier that substantially fluidly separates the first and second compartments to reduce the risk of liquid electrical conduction therebetween and to reduce heat transfer into the low voltage housing.