Submersible Pump Releasable Base and Float Switch Assembly

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Solution Overview

Problem

Submersible pumps face issues with debris clogging, complex maintenance due to numerous screws, restricted float switch movement, cumbersome connector storage, and knot issues with the lifting cable, making them difficult to use and maintain.

Innovation Solution

The submersible pump features releasable quarter turn fasteners for easy access to the impeller cavity, interchangeable bases for clean and dirty water applications, a float switch assembly with a clip restrictor, onboard storage for discharge hose connectors, and a cable end clip that prevents slippage and easy attachment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If the base is held in place by a plurality of screws, then the base is securely fixed to the pump housing, but the maintenance and cleaning of the suction and impeller cavity becomes time-consuming and complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebase fixation strengthVSAvoidmaintenance accessibility
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The base is divided into a first base portion and a second base portion that can be separated from each other. The first base portion remains fixed to the pump housing with screws, while the second base portion can be removed to provide access to the impeller cavity for cleaning and maintenance, thus resolving the contradiction between secure fixation and ease of repair.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple connectors are used for different discharge hose sizes, then the pump is versatile, but the storage and management of connectors becomes cumbersome

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedischarge hose compatibilityVSAvoidconnector storage complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple connectors of different types and sizes are integrated into a single connector housing that attaches to the discharge hose. This merging of multiple connectors into one unified component maintains versatility while eliminating the need for separate storage of multiple individual connectors, thus resolving the contradiction between adaptability and device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Ease of operation

If a rope with a knot is used to raise and lower the pump, then the rope is retained on the pump, but the knot may fail or become difficult to unknot when wet

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecable retentionVSAvoidknot reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The mechanical knot system is replaced with a cable retention mechanism that uses a clamp or夹持 device to secure the cable to the pump body. This mechanical substitution provides reliable cable retention without the reliability issues of knots when wet, while maintaining ease of operation for raising and lowering the pump.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentEP3332130B1Submersible pump with releasable base
Publication Date: 2020.08.19 HUSQVARNA AB
  • EP3332130B1 patent drawingFigure 1A
  • EP3332130B1 patent drawingFigure 1B
  • EP3332130B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

A submersible pump (100) is provided including a pump housing (102), a motor (120) disposed within the pump housing (102) configured to power an impeller (122), a float switch (116) configured to control supply power to the motor (120), a float switch cable clip (130) disposed at a fixed position relative to the pump housing (102), a float switch cable (114) comprising a clip restrictor (128) disposed in a non-operation region of the float switch cable (114). The clip restrictor prevents the float switch cable from being clipped in the non-operation region, the cable being hence to short for the float switch (116) for properly functioning.