Redundant Sump Pump Control for Sensor Fault Detection
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sump pump systems lack reliability and effective monitoring capabilities, which can lead to inadequate water removal and potential damage from excessive water levels in buildings.
Innovation Solution
A sump pump system with multiple electronic controllers, water level sensors, and water pressure sensors that operate redundant sump pumps based on water level signals, providing enhanced reliability and monitoring through redundant connections and alarm systems, and enabling remote control and diagnostic capabilities via internet-enabled devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple sump pumps and controllers are used, then system reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system is divided into multiple independent controller-pump units, each capable of autonomous operation. Each controller monitors water level signals and controls a specific pump, creating modular segments that can function independently. This segmentation improves reliability through redundancy while managing complexity by standardizing each module's design.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the parameter of controller quantity from one to multiple, and pump quantity from one to multiple. By increasing these parameters, the system achieves improved reliability through redundancy. The patent specifically implements two or more controllers and two or more pumps, where each controller can independently activate pumps based on water level conditions.
2Loss of information
If redundant sensors and controllers are implemented, then monitoring capabilities are improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Each controller receives feedback from water level sensors and adjusts pump operation accordingly. The system implements continuous monitoring where sensors detect water levels and provide signals to controllers, which then activate pumps when thresholds are exceeded. This feedback loop ensures comprehensive monitoring capabilities while maintaining systematic control.
Solution Approach 2:
Each controller is designed to perform multiple functions: monitoring water levels, determining pump activation, controlling pump operation, and providing status feedback. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated components for each function, thereby improving monitoring capabilities without proportionally increasing system complexity.
3Productivity
If multiple controllers operate pumps independently, then water removal efficiency is improved, but control complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Controllers are pre-programmed with activation thresholds and control logic before system operation. When water level sensors detect predetermined levels, controllers automatically activate appropriate pumps without requiring complex real-time decision-making. This preliminary configuration simplifies control complexity while maintaining high water removal efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
Each controller independently monitors its assigned sensors and autonomously controls pump activation based on detected water levels. The controllers self-manage their operational parameters and activation timing without requiring centralized coordination, thereby improving water removal efficiency through parallel operation while reducing control complexity through decentralized autonomy.
Data Source
AI summary
A sump pump system includes a plurality of sump pumps adapted to be disposed within a crock. The sump pump system also includes a plurality of water level sensors adapted to be disposed within the crock. Each of the plurality of water level sensors generates water level signals. The sump pump system further includes a plurality of electronic controllers. Each of the plurality of water level sensors is connected to each of the plurality of electronic controllers, and each of the plurality of electronic controllers is connected to operate each of the plurality of sump pumps in response to the water level signals.