Electric Motor Pump Sensor Range Adaptation

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Solution Overview

Problem

In electric motor-driven pumps with control electronics, selecting and dimensioning sensors for various applications is challenging due to uncertainty about the specific application, often resulting in sensors with overly large measuring ranges that lack accuracy in the required small measuring range.

Innovation Solution

The control electronics automatically detect and adjust the measuring range of connected sensors based on recorded values over time, allowing for dynamic adaptation of sensor settings to optimize measurement accuracy.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If sensors with large measuring ranges are selected to cover various applications, then the adaptability of the pump system is improved, but the measurement precision deteriorates in the actually needed smaller measuring range

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadaptability of pump systemVSAvoidmeasurement precision of sensor
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by enabling the measuring range of the sensor to be changed dynamically during operation. The control unit receives sensor signals, determines the actual measuring range based on operating conditions, and adjusts the sensor's measuring range accordingly. This allows the system to adapt from a fixed measuring range to a dynamically adjustable one, resolving the contradiction between adaptability and measurement precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements parameter changes by modifying the measuring range parameter of the sensor based on actual operating conditions. The control unit changes the measuring range parameter dynamically according to the pump's operating state, allowing the system to optimize measurement precision for different applications without sacrificing adaptability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Ease of manufacture

If sensors are selected with oversized measuring ranges before commissioning, then the ease of manufacture and initial setup are improved, but the measurement accuracy deteriorates in the actual application

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of initial setupVSAvoidmeasurement accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by initially setting the sensor to a large measuring range that covers all potential applications. This preliminary configuration simplifies manufacturing and initial setup, as no specific sensor calibration is needed beforehand. The actual measuring range is then determined and adjusted during operation based on real operating conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements self-service by automatically determining the actual measuring range through the control unit, which receives sensor signals and autonomously adjusts the measuring range parameter. This eliminates the need for manual sensor selection and calibration, allowing the system to self-optimize measurement accuracy based on its actual operating conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Device complexity

If the measuring range is fixed during manufacturing, then the device complexity is reduced, but the adaptability to different applications deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecomplexity of sensor configurationVSAvoidadaptability to applications
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies universality by designing the sensor system to perform multiple functions: it can operate with a fixed measuring range for simple applications and dynamically adjust its measuring range for more complex, varying applications. The control unit provides this multi-functionality by automatically determining and adjusting the measuring range based on operating conditions, making a single sensor configuration suitable for diverse applications.

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

Data Source

PatentEP3339650B1Electric motor driven pump
Publication Date: 2022.08.10 GRUNDFOS HLDG
  • EP3339650B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3339650B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP3339650B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

The electrically driven pump (1) has control electronics (6) which are designed for the connection of at least one sensor (5). The control electronics (6) are configured to continuously or at time intervals acquire the output signal (9) of the connected sensor (5) and, after a predetermined time has elapsed, to automatically determine the measuring range of the sensor based on the acquired values.