Standalone Pump Setting Tool for External Mode Configuration

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Solution Overview

Problem

Circulation pumps require frequent mode changes and configuration adjustments, which are complicated by integrated interfaces like buttons, knobs, and displays, increasing complexity and costs.

Innovation Solution

A standalone setting tool with a tool communication interface, such as a LIN or CAN bus, allows remote configuration and control of pumps, using buttons, knobs, and displays, without integrating these features into the pump.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If an integrated interface with buttons, knobs, and display means is provided on the pump for changing control modes and configurations, then the pump can be directly controlled and configured, but the technical complexity of the pump increases and manufacturing efforts and costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedirect control and configuration capabilityVSAvoidtechnical complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The control and configuration functionality is segmented from the pump into a separate setting tool. The pump retains only the communication interface, while the setting tool contains all control elements (buttons, knobs, display) and configuration logic. This segmentation reduces pump complexity while maintaining full configuration capability through the external tool that communicates via LIN/CAN bus.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The human-machine interface elements (buttons, knobs, display means) are extracted from the pump and relocated to a standalone setting tool. The pump is left with only the necessary communication interface, thereby reducing its technical complexity and manufacturing burden while the external tool provides all interaction capabilities.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Ease of operation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedirect control and configuration capabilityVSAvoidmanufacturing efforts and costs

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

By segmenting the control interface from the pump, the pump manufacturing process is simplified and can follow standard production lines without integrating complex HMI components. The setting tool is manufactured separately as a standalone device, allowing specialized production and reducing overall manufacturing complexity and costs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The setting tool is designed as a universal device that can configure and control multiple pumps of the same type or series. This multi-functionality amortizes the cost of the interface components across multiple pumps, reducing the per-unit cost compared to integrating individual interfaces into each pump.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Device complexity

If a standalone setting tool with communication interface is used for pump configuration, then manufacturing costs and complexity are reduced, but additional equipment is required for control and configuration

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepump complexityVSAvoidconfiguration capability

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The setting tool acts as an intermediary device between the user and the pump. It contains all the configuration capabilities and communicates with the pump through standard LIN/CAN bus interfaces, thereby providing full configuration capability without requiring these features to be built into the pump itself.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Loss of information

If communication interfaces like LIN bus or CAN bus are used for setting tool connection, then data exchange and configuration capability are enhanced, but the requirement for specific communication protocols increases complexity

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata exchange capabilityVSAvoidcommunication protocol complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The setting tool is designed to support multiple communication protocols (LIN bus, CAN bus, MOD bus) to communicate with different pump types. This universal communication capability allows a single setting tool design to work across various applications, reducing the need for protocol-specific customizations and managing complexity through standardization.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP4617499A1Setting tool for controlling and/or configuring a pump, system comprising a pump and a setting tool, use of a pump with a setting tool, method for operating and/or controlling and/or configuring a pump using a setting tool

Publication Date: 2025.09.17 WILO INTEC

Figure 1~2c
Figure 3a~3c

AI summary

The invention relates to a a setting tool for controlling and/or configuring a pump, especially for setting a control mode of the pump, wherein the setting tool comprises a tool communication interface for establishing a connection to a pump communication interface of the pump, wherein the setting tool comprises a further tool communication interface, wherein the setting tool is configured as a standalone tool that is configured to be both connected to the pump and separated from the pump, wherein the tool communication interface is or corresponds to a local interconnect network bus, LIN bus, connection or interface and/or to a controller area network bus, CAN bus, connection or interface and/or a MOD bus connection or interface.