Removable HMI Module for Sealed Centrifugal Pump Configuration
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Centrifugal pump units with integrated HMIs face issues such as increased manufacturing complexity, susceptibility to tampering, and operational limitations due to temperature restrictions, while radio-based remote configuration is not secure and may require regulatory approval.
Innovation Solution
The HMI is designed as a removable module with its own housing, allowing temporary connection to the pump electronics for configuration, eliminating the need for an integrated HMI and ensuring secure, tamper-proof operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If an HMI is integrated into the pump electronics housing, then the operating settings can be adjusted directly on the pump, but the housing must be opened which increases the risk of foreign substances penetrating and causes manufacturing complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The HMI is separated from the pump electronics housing and placed in a separate, portable housing. This segmentation allows the HMI to be removed when not in use, eliminating the need for permanent openings in the pump housing and thus preventing foreign substance penetration while maintaining the ability to adjust settings.
Solution Approach 2:
A separate HMI housing acts as an intermediary between the user and the pump electronics. This intermediary contains the display and control elements, allowing settings adjustment without requiring openings in the main pump housing, thus protecting the pump interior from foreign substances.
2Ease of operation
If an HMI is integrated into the pump electronics, then the operating settings can be adjusted directly, but the development and production costs increase and manufacturing process becomes complicated
Solution Approach 1:
The HMI functionality is segmented into a separate, standalone unit with its own housing. This allows the pump electronics and HMI to be manufactured independently using different processes, simplifying the overall manufacturing complexity while maintaining direct settings adjustment capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The separate HMI housing is designed as a universal interface that can potentially be used with different pump models or configurations. This multi-functionality approach reduces development costs by creating a standardized HMI unit rather than custom-integrating HMI components into each specific pump model.
3Ease of operation
If an HMI with TFT-LCD display is used, then the operating settings can be displayed and adjusted, but the pump unit is subject to temperature restrictions above 60°C
Solution Approach 1:
The HMI display unit is separated from the pump electronics housing, placing the temperature-sensitive TFT-LCD display in a separate, portable housing away from the hot pump environment. This allows the pump to operate at higher temperatures while the HMI can be used in cooler conditions or briefly attached for configuration.
Solution Approach 2:
The separate HMI housing acts as a temperature-isolated intermediary that contains the TFT-LCD display. This intermediary protects the display from high temperatures while still allowing communication with the pump electronics when needed, eliminating the temperature restriction on the overall system.
4Ease of operation
If openings are made in the pump electronics housing for the HMI, then the display and control elements can be accessed, but the risk of moisture and dust particles penetrating increases
Solution Approach 1:
The HMI is segmented into a separate housing that attaches externally to the pump. This eliminates the need for permanent openings in the pump electronics housing, maintaining the sealing integrity and preventing moisture and dust penetration while still providing access to display and control elements when the HMI is attached.
Solution Approach 2:
The connection interface between the HMI housing and pump electronics housing uses sealed connections (such as gaskets or sealing films) that maintain the protective enclosure while allowing the HMI to be attached and detached. This flexible sealing approach provides access when needed while preventing harmful factor penetration when the HMI is not in use.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~5
Figure 6a
AI summary
The invention relates to a set (30, 40) comprising at least a first centrifugal pump unit (1b ... 1e) and an HMI, wherein the centrifugal pump unit (1b ... 1e) is formed from an electric motor (3), a centrifugal pump (2) drivable by the latter, and pump electronics (4) for controlling and/or regulating the electric motor (3) according to normal operation, and the HMI has a display (22) and at least one operating element (23a, 23b) for making an operating setting for normal operation, wherein the pump electronics (4) is arranged in a first housing (5), has an electrical interface (12), and has no capability of its own, or only a limited capability, for changing the operating setting.According to the invention, the HMI is a module (20) which has its own second housing (21) which is closed on all sides and an electrical interface (26) in order to be temporarily placed directly onto the first housing (5) for the purpose of setting the operation in such a way that, in the placed state, the HMI module (20) and the pump electronics (4) are electrically connected to one another, wherein the HMI module (20) is removable from the first housing (5) and the centrifugal pump unit (1b ... 1e) is set up to run in normal operation for an indefinite period of time without the HMI module (20).