Remote Control Device for Multi-Component Pump Systems

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Solution Overview

Problem

Operators face challenges in efficiently and accurately applying multi-component materials with existing pump systems due to complex monitoring and control requirements, leading to potential errors and unsatisfactory work results, especially in difficult environmental conditions.

Innovation Solution

A pump system with a control device that is spatially separated from the pump device, allowing for wireless data exchange and remote monitoring and control, which reduces the operator's workload and enhances system reliability by automating settings and error correction.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If the operator continuously monitors all operating parameters and environmental factors during application, then the work result quality is improved, but the operator's workload and complexity of operation increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvework result qualityVSAvoidoperator's workload
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The pump system performs self-monitoring of operating parameters (pressure, temperature, flow rates) and environmental factors (humidity, temperature) through integrated sensors. The system automatically detects and reports issues such as low fluid reservoir levels or pump malfunctions without requiring continuous manual observation, thereby maintaining high work result quality while reducing operator workload.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system incorporates continuous feedback loops where sensors monitor operating parameters and provide real-time data to the control unit. This feedback mechanism enables automatic adjustments and alerts the operator only when deviations from optimal parameters occur, ensuring consistent work result quality while minimizing the operator's monitoring burden.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Adaptability or versatility

If the delivery line is made especially long to reach hard-to-access areas, then the adaptability of the pump system is improved, but the delay in detecting operational issues increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvereach to hard-to-access areasVSAvoiddetection delay of operational issues
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The control unit receives real-time feedback from sensors positioned along the delivery line and at the spray gun. This continuous monitoring enables immediate detection of operational issues such as material flow interruptions, pressure drops, or spray gun malfunctions, regardless of the delivery line length, thereby maintaining system reliability while extending adaptability to hard-to-access areas.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The control unit acts as an intermediary between the pump device and the spray gun, continuously transmitting and monitoring data through the delivery line. This intermediary function enables real-time detection of issues along the entire delivery line length without being constrained by the physical distance, allowing the system to adapt to hard-to-access areas while maintaining reliable operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Ease of operation

If the pump device includes all control functions locally, then the ease of operation is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelocal control availabilityVSAvoidcontrol system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The control unit is designed as a multi-functional device that integrates pump control, parameter monitoring, environmental sensing, and diagnostic functions into a single centralized unit. This universal control approach provides comprehensive local control capabilities while avoiding the complexity of distributed control systems across multiple separate components.

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

4Reliability

If the operator must monitor multiple variables and operating parameters simultaneously, then the reliability of operation is improved, but the productivity decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperation reliabilityVSAvoidapplication efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The pump system performs self-monitoring of multiple operating parameters (pressures, temperatures, flow rates) and environmental factors simultaneously through integrated sensors and automated diagnostics. The system reliably detects issues such as material mixing problems, pump malfunctions, or delivery line blockages without requiring the operator to manually monitor each parameter, thereby maintaining high operational reliability while preserving application efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The control unit continuously receives feedback from multiple sensors monitoring different operating parameters and environmental conditions. This multi-parameter feedback system processes all data simultaneously and provides integrated alerts only when deviations occur, enabling reliable operation across multiple variables without requiring the operator's continuous attention to each parameter, thus maintaining productivity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP3143279B1Method for operation of a pump system and a pump system
Publication Date: 2020.01.08 WIWA WILHELM WAGNER GMBH & CO KG(DE)
  • EP3143279B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3143279B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3143279B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a method for operating a pump system and to a pump system (10) having a pump unit (11) for discharging multicomponent material under pressure with a spray gun, the pump unit comprising a pump device (12), a mixer (13), and a spray gun (14), wherein the pump device has at least two pumps (16, 17) for delivering component material and respectively associated liquid reservoirs (18, 19) for storing component material, wherein the pump device has an operating means (23), by means of which the pump device is controlled, wherein the pump system has a control device (24), wherein the control device, together with the operating means, forms a control unit (25), by means of which the pump unit is controlled, wherein the control device is arranged at a distance from the pump unit, and wherein data is exchanged between control device and the operating means.