DE102018008389A1 - Centrifugal pump unit with control element - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a centrifugal pump unit (1) with a pump unit (2), an electric motor (3) driving it, and pump electronics (4) for controlling the electric motor (4) in a speed-controllable manner, the pump electronics (4) in a on the electric motor (3) Fixed electronics housing (17) is arranged, has a circuit board (11) with electrical and / or electronic components and a rotatable control element (5) for making an adjustment of the pump electronics (4). The control element (5) comprises a rotary knob (9) located outside the electronics housing (17), a central shaft (10) connected to it, and a potentiometer (12) arranged on the printed circuit board (11), with which the shaft (10) in Active connection is established. It is provided that the potentiometer (12) has a first opening (13) through which the shaft (10) for adjusting the potentiometer (12) is passed. The circuit board (11) also has a second opening (14) aligned with the first opening (13), to which the end of the shaft (10) opposite the rotary knob (9) projects, on the side facing away from the potentiometer (12) the circuit board (11) in axial alignment with the shaft (10), a light emitting diode (15) is arranged such that it emits light in the axial direction onto the end of the shaft (10) opposite the rotary knob (9). The shaft (10) together with the rotary knob (9) is made in one piece from a light-conducting material.

Description

The invention relates to a centrifugal pump unit with a pump unit, an electric motor driving it and pump electronics for speed-controllable control of the electric motor, the pump electronics being arranged in an electronics housing fastened to the electric motor, a printed circuit board with electrical and / or electronic components and a rotatable control element for carrying out a Adjustment of the pump electronics, the control element comprising a rotary knob located outside the electronics housing, a central shaft connected to it and a potentiometer arranged on the printed circuit board, with which the shaft is operatively connected.

Pump electronics for centrifugal pump units, such as those used in heating systems, cooling systems or drinking water systems for the circulation or pressurization of a conveying medium, have an increasing range of functions with advancing development, on the one hand to control the centrifugal pump unit for adaptation to a specific application in which it can be operated and on the other Diagnosis of operating states, for error analysis and / or for communication with external devices via bus or radio interfaces, for example to configure or parameterize the pump electronics, or to transmit error or operating data of the centrifugal pump unit.

In addition to the operating and setting options, pump electronics also increasingly include more and more complex display elements in order to display status, error or operating data of the centrifugal pump unit or to acknowledge interactions with the pump unit. These display elements range from simple light sources, such as light-emitting diodes, to single or multi-digit 7-segment LED displays to graphic displays in order to represent operating parameters numerically or even with their chronological progression.

On the other hand, there are efforts to simplify the construction and manufacture of the centrifugal pump units, in particular also in the case of the pump electronics, and to save costs. On the one hand, operation should be simple. For example, the German patent application describes DE 102017001722 A1 a pump unit in which three different applications of the pump unit can be selected and set with a single rotary knob.

On the other hand, operational safety requirements must be met. For example, openings in the electronics housing in order to make display or operating elements accessible or visible, or to lead them through, entail the risk that dust or moisture can penetrate into the electronics and cause damage. Furthermore, graphic displays for heating pumps, for example, require a complex design to protect them from the heat of the heating pump and the electric motor.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a centrifugal pump unit which can be produced simply and inexpensively, at the same time enables simple operation and the display of operating and / or status information, and ensures a high degree of operational reliability.

This object is achieved by a centrifugal pump unit with the features of claim 1. Advantageous further developments are specified in the subclaims and are explained below.

According to the invention, a centrifugal pump unit with a pump unit, an electric motor driving it and pump electronics for speed-controllable control of the electric motor is proposed, in which the pump electronics are arranged in an electronics housing fastened to the electric motor and a printed circuit board with electrical and / or electronic components and a rotatable control element for carrying out has a setting of the pump electronics, wherein the control element comprises a rotary knob located outside the electronics housing, a central shaft connected to it and a potentiometer arranged on the printed circuit board, with which the shaft is operatively connected. The potentiometer has a first opening through which the shaft for adjusting the potentiometer is passed, while the printed circuit board has a second opening aligned with the first opening, to which the end of the shaft opposite the rotary knob projects, on the side facing away from the potentiometer the circuit board in axial alignment with the shaft, a light-emitting diode is arranged such that it emits light in the axial direction onto the shaft end, and that the shaft together with the rotary knob is made in one piece from a light-conducting material.

The construction of the control element according to the invention is thus such that the light-emitting diode is arranged under the potentiometer from the point of view of the rotary knob. This construction achieves a compact design. The potentiometer and the light-emitting diode lie on opposite sides of the circuit board, the shaft extending at right angles to the circuit board. The circuit board is therefore between the potentiometer and the light emitting diode. Furthermore, the LED lies on an axis with the Wave and thus at least partially covers the second opening into which it emits its light, which is coupled axially at the end of the shaft in its end face.

The control element thus lights up and at the same time acts as a display element (indicator) in that it receives the light from the light-emitting diode at the shaft end and directs it axially to the rotary knob, where it can exit the control knob. As a result of the axial coupling of light, a maximum amount of light is guided to the rotary knob in comparison to a radial coupling in which some of the light would emerge on the opposite side of the shaft.

Furthermore, by illuminating the control element, an additional opening in the electronics housing for a light-emitting diode or another display element can be dispensed with. This reduces the manufacturing and processing costs of the housing and reduces the risk of dust or moisture entering the electronics housing.

The rotary knob and shaft lie on a common axis and are connected to one another in a rotationally fixed manner due to the one-piece construction, so that rotation of the rotary knob causes a corresponding rotation of the shaft. Because the rotary knob and the shaft are made in one piece from the same material, in particular a transparent or translucent plastic, for example injection molded, there are no reflection surfaces or light-scattering transitions within the operating element. Thus, a maximum light intensity arrives at the rotary knob. Furthermore, no assembly of individual components is required here.

The shaft is preferably positively or non-positively in operative connection with the opening such that rotation of the shaft rotates an active element of the potentiometer that provides the opening, which in turn causes an adjustment of the potentiometer value due to its angular adjustment.

The circuit board can conventionally be a printed circuit (PCB). However, it is preferably equipped on both sides with conductor tracks and contact pads so that electrical and / or electronic components can be fitted on both sides. This makes it possible to design the light-emitting diode using SMD technology, since no connection contacts of the light-emitting diode have to be routed to that side of the circuit board on which the potentiometer is arranged.

The light-emitting diode is preferably a so-called reverse gullwing LED. These light emitting diodes emit their light in the direction of the surface on which they are mounted, in particular soldered.

It is particularly advantageous if the light-emitting diode is a multi-colored LED, so that it can emit light of two or more different wavelengths. This makes it possible to illuminate the control element in different colors.

The light-emitting diode is preferably formed by an RGB LED or RGBW LED, so that the operating element can light up in any color of the color spectrum.

In order to increase the amount of light that can be coupled in, the end of the shaft opposite the rotary knob can protrude into the second opening. This minimizes the amount of light that shines past the sides of the shaft end. According to a further development, the shaft can also protrude through the second opening and end at a distance of 1 mm or less in front of the light-emitting diode. This further increases the amount of light that can be coupled in. The smaller the distance of the shaft end from the light exit surface of the light emitting diode, the less light is lost to the sides.

In order to minimize reflections and scattering on the end face of the shaft end and to maximize the coupling of light, the end face can be specially processed, in particular polished. The end face suitably forms a flat surface which is perpendicular to the shaft axis.

According to one embodiment variant, the material from which the control button and the shaft are made can contain color pigments. This has the advantage that a white light-emitting diode can be used, but the control element nevertheless lights up in color in accordance with the color pigments.

According to one embodiment variant, at least a partial area of the surface of the shaft and / or of the rotary knob can be provided with the opaque coating, for example a lacquer. If the outer surface of the shaft is coated in this way, no light can emerge laterally from the shaft. There are therefore no optical losses and all the light is guided to the rotary knob so that it can shine with maximum brightness.

A partial opaque coating of the rotary knob enables, for example, the formation of symbols, numbers or a scale on the surface of the rotary knob in such a way that the surroundings of these applied signs light up. Alternatively, the coating can be such that the rotary button is coated and only partially certain areas of the surface of the control button from the Coating remain free that form the sign or signs. Light then only passes through this uncoated area or areas. Luminous characters such as symbols, numbers or a luminous scale can be formed on the rotary knob.

According to one embodiment variant, the pump electronics can be mounted axially on an axial end face of the electric motor, the printed circuit board being arranged parallel to this end face. This has the advantage that the entire assembly of the pump unit, electric motor and pump electronics can be carried out from the same axial joining direction. Furthermore, the end of the electronics housing that faces away from the motor and that forms the face of the pump is directed toward the user, so that the control element or the rotary knob is easily accessible and easy to operate. The arrangement of the printed circuit board parallel to the end face of the electric motor also ensures that the pump electronics have a comparatively short axial length.

It is particularly advantageous if the pump electronics have a control unit electrically connected to the light-emitting diode in order to control the light-emitting diode depending on the situation. This opens up a wide range of uses. The light-emitting diode not only illuminates the rotary knob in order to create a visual decorative effect or to visually highlight the rotary knob in a poorly illuminated environment in which the centrifugal pump unit is installed and thus to make it easy to find. Rather, the situation-dependent control of the light-emitting diode, beyond a pure on / off state of the centrifugal pump unit, enables information to be transmitted by means of the emitted light. The control element can thus perform an information function, preferably also a communication function. A display, a radio or infrared interface for the purpose of, in particular, unidirectional data transmission from the centrifugal pump unit can thus be dispensed with, which considerably reduces the production costs, the production outlay, but also the energy consumption of the pump unit. The control unit can be, for example, a microcontroller or a microprocessor.

In one embodiment variant, the control unit can be set up, for example, to control the brightness and / or light color of the light-emitting diode, in particular to modulate it in time, in order to optically transmit at least one piece of information. Such information can be, for example, operational information, status information or error information. The light color is understood here to mean a wavelength lying in the visible range of light.

As will become clear below, such optical information can be purely binary, i.e. for example, to express whether a particular condition exists or not. However, it can also have a numerical value going beyond it, for example how high a certain operating value such as the speed, the delivery pressure or the volume flow is. This information can be purely qualitative or even quantitative. Furthermore, the information transmitted by the light-emitting diode can be such that it is perceived by the human eye or is imperceptible. For the optical transmission of a quantitative operating value, a transmission that is not perceptible to the eye is appropriate due to the greater information content.

For example, the modulation of the light-emitting diode can take place at a frequency that is not perceptible to the eye. In the case of brightness modulation, this means that the brightness of the light-emitting diode changes so rapidly between a brightness maximum, which corresponds, for example, to the normal on-state of the light-emitting diode, and a brightness minimum, which corresponds, for example, to the normal off-state of the light-emitting diode, or to maintain Light pulses are switched hard so that a human eye only perceives the LED as switched on or off. In the case of a color modulation, this means that the color of the light-emitting diode is changed so rapidly from a first color to a second color, possibly with the interposition of one or more other colors, or is switched hard that a human eye perceives only one color results from the overlay of the individual colors. The data transmission is therefore hidden from a user's eye.

A modulation of the light of the light-emitting diode which is not perceptible to the human eye requires a read-out device which can be provided in the form of a mobile operating device. For example, the operating device can be a smartphone or tablet. The operating device can have an optical sensor, for example a photodiode or a camera, for recording the emitted light. It is aimed at the control button with its sensor, which detects and evaluates the light from the light-emitting diode. The result of the evaluation can be displayed on the operating device, for example in the form of a display.

The control unit is preferably set up to repeatedly cyclically and identically control the light-emitting diode. The information to be transmitted is thus repeated regularly like a broadcast, possibly with a pause between two cycles, for example of one or a few seconds.

According to one embodiment variant, the control unit is electrically connected to the potentiometer and is set up to control the light-emitting diode in such a way that its brightness and / or light color depends on the angular position of the rotary knob. Since the angular position of the rotary knob also corresponds to a certain potentiometer value, this means that the brightness and / or light color depends on the setting of the potentiometer. On the basis of the electrical connection to the potentiometer, the control unit can determine the setting value of the potentiometer or at least a quantity proportional to it, such as an electrical voltage, and control the light-emitting diode accordingly. This can be done, for example, in such a way that the light-emitting diode lights up at different angular positions in different colors or with different brightnesses. This has the advantage that when the control element is adjusted, a user immediately receives visual feedback about the setting made. Furthermore, the angle or position of the rotary knob can be recognized from the color or brightness of the lighting of the control element even when the user is at a greater distance from the pump unit.

The control unit can preferably be set up to control the light-emitting diode in such a way that it emits light of a first color when the rotary knob is in an angular position within a first angular range and light of a second color in an angular position of the rotary knob. Finally, it can additionally be provided that the light-emitting diode emits light of a third color when the rotary knob is in an angular position within a third angular range. In this way, the angular range of the rotary knob can be recognized immediately on the basis of the luminous color of the control element. Is a certain operating mode of the centrifugal pump unit linked to one of the angular ranges, as is the case, for example, with that from the German patent application DE 102017001722 A1 If the known control element is the case, the light color immediately conveys to the user and confirms which operating mode the centrifugal pump is set to.

• - eine Konstantdruckregelung, bei der die Förderhöhe bzw. der Differenzdruck über dem Volumenstrom konstant gehalten wird,
• - eine Proportionaldruckregelung, bei der die Förderhöhe bzw. der Differenzdruck proportional zum Volumenstrom eingestellt wird,
• - ein Stellerbetrieb, in dem eine konstante Drehzahl eingestellt wird, oder
• - eine Automatikregelung, bei der ein temporärer Regelungszusammenhang zwischen der Förderhöhe bzw. dem Differenzdruck und dem Volumenstrom ständig verändert wird, um die Förderhöhe an den aktuellen Bedarf der hydraulischen Anlage anzupassen, in der das Kreiselpumpenaggregat betrieben wird.

According to another embodiment variant, however, regardless of the angular position of the rotary knob, it can be provided that the control unit is set up to control the light-emitting diode in such a way that it emits light of a first color in a first operating mode or application of the pump unit and light in a second operating mode or application emitted a second color. Of course, a third operating mode can also be provided in which the light-emitting diode is controlled in such a way that it lights up in a third light color. An operating mode can be, for example, a specific type of control or regulation that is common in centrifugal pump units in heating or cooling systems, such as, for example

• a constant pressure control in which the delivery head or the differential pressure is kept constant over the volume flow,
• a proportional pressure control, in which the delivery head or the differential pressure is set proportional to the volume flow,
• - An actuator operation in which a constant speed is set, or
• - An automatic control in which a temporary control relationship between the delivery head or the differential pressure and the volume flow is constantly changed in order to adapt the delivery head to the current requirements of the hydraulic system in which the centrifugal pump unit is operated.

Based on the light color, a user can immediately see which operating mode is set on the pump unit. The operating mode can be specified by the control element, a specific angular position of the rotary knob being assigned to a specific operating mode. In this way, the control unit is also aware of the set operating mode due to the angular position of the rotary knob or the setting value of the potentiometer and can control the light-emitting diode accordingly. The operating mode can also be set in another way on the pump unit, for example by another control element or by means of a mobile control device, such as the one already mentioned above. To this extent, the control of the light-emitting diode by the control unit is independent of the angular position of the rotary knob.

According to one embodiment variant, as an alternative or in addition to the aforementioned color change, the control unit can be set up to control the light-emitting diode in such a way that the light-emitting diode emits light with a first brightness when the rotary knob is in a first angle and light with a second brightness when it is in a second angle. The brightness of the light-emitting diode is thus dependent on the angular position of the rotary knob, so that a user receives feedback about the setting made via the brightness.

In an advantageous development, it can be provided that the control unit is set up to control the light-emitting diode in such a way that the light-emitting diode, as the angle of the rotary knob progresses from the first to the second angular position, its brightness progressively from the first to the second brightness, in particular proportional to the angular position of the rotary knob changes. The first brightness suitably corresponds to a minimum brightness, wherein it can also be zero, ie it can correspond to the switched-off state of the light-emitting diode. Furthermore, the first brightness suitably corresponds to a maximum brightness of the light-emitting diode, this brightness ideally corresponding to that which is present during the intended continuous operation specified by the manufacturer of the light-emitting diode. In this case the brightness of the light emitting diode is varied between 0% and 100% depending on the angular position of the control button.

If, for example, the operating element is used to set an operating parameter within certain default limits of 0% to 100%, 0% corresponding to the first angular position and 100% to the second angular position, the brightness of the operating element gives the user immediate feedback about the qualitative amount of the set Parameters.

It is furthermore advantageous if the first angular position corresponds to a first stop and the second angular position corresponds to a second stop of the potentiometer, so that the entire swivel range of the control element can be used for adjustment and the brightness of the light emitting diode over the entire swivel range of 0% up to 100% changes. The mechanically possible total swivel range of the control element can, however, also be divided into two or more sub-areas, to which different functions are assigned. The first and second angular positions can limit such a partial area, i.e. that a partial area begins with the first angular position and ends with the second angular position. The brightness of the light emitting diode then changes accordingly from 0% to 100% if the control element is rotated within the limits of this sub-area.

In combination with the color control of the light-emitting diode, it can then be provided that the control unit is set up to control the light-emitting diode in such a way that it lights up with a first color within a first partial pivoting range and the brightness of this first light color when the operating element is rotated within this first partial pivoting range increases or decreases, and that it lights up with a second color within a second partial pivoting range and the brightness of this second light color increases or decreases when the control element is rotated within this second partial pivoting range. It is also possible to extend this basic principle to three or more partial swivel ranges. This procedure helps the user with the operation, in particular in the transition area of the partial swivel areas, since he can immediately notice in the event of a sudden change in brightness that he has swiveled the control element too far, namely has swiveled into the adjacent partial area.

According to an embodiment variant, it can be provided that the control unit is set up to control the light-emitting diode in such a way that it flashes or is modulated in its brightness and the flashing or modulation frequency is dependent on the speed of the pump unit, in particular proportional to the speed. The control element can flash at a higher speed with a higher frequency and at a lower speed with a lower frequency or pulsate in brightness.

According to an embodiment variant, it can be provided that the control unit is set up to control the light-emitting diode in such a way that it emits light of a first characteristic, in particular color at a temperature within a first temperature range and light of a second characteristic in particular color at a temperature within a second temperature range. For example, the temperature can be the media temperature. The light-emitting diode preferably lights up blue in a low temperature range and red in a higher temperature range. In a heating application, for example, the control element can shine red in a temperature range between 25 ° C and 60 ° C and blue between 5 ° C and 25 ° C.

Alternatively, the temperature ranges can also be defined by a limit temperature between them, for example 25 ° C. In a cooling application, this limit temperature can be 18 ° C. It is also possible to provide three or more temperature ranges in which the light-emitting diode shines with a different color. Thus, the user is immediately informed of the heating or cooling status of the system in which the centrifugal pump unit is installed.

In order to record the temperature of the medium being pumped, the pump unit can have a temperature sensor which measures the medium temperature directly or indirectly. The temperature sensor can be connected directly to the control unit. However, it is also possible that a further component is provided in the pump electronics to process the sensor signal, so that this component transmits corresponding information about the result of the evaluation of the measurement signal of the temperature sensor to the control unit. This information can be a measured value of the temperature sensor or a signal that the measured value is within a certain temperature range or beyond a certain temperature.

According to one embodiment variant, it can be provided that the control unit is set up to control the light-emitting diode in such a way that it lights up during normal operation of the pump unit with a first characteristic and lights up with a second characteristic when an error condition occurs, in particular changes to a specific color or color sequence or blinks. In this sense, a characteristic is to be understood as any combination of the properties describing the light emitted by the light-emitting diode. These properties include, in particular, the brightness and the color or wavelength, but also the temporal change in these properties, for example whether the light-emitting diode lights continuously, flashes at a specific frequency or emits a specific completed sequence (group) of light pulses. In the event of a color change, the properties describing the change in light over time also include the number and sequence of colors and their frequency of change or the respective duration of light. With regard to the change in brightness, the properties include, for example, the brightness amplitude and frequency with which the brightness changes, in the case of amplitude modulation, the way in which the amplitude changes at a fixed frequency, or in the case of frequency modulation, the way in which how the frequency changes with a fixed amplitude. These are only examples of properties that can be used to describe a characteristic of the light emitted by the light-emitting diode. It is not an exhaustive list of properties and it is not necessary to use all of the properties mentioned to characterize light.

Normal operation is the intended, error-free operation of the centrifugal pump unit. In this normal operation, the first lighting characteristic can be such that the light-emitting diode lights up constantly with a first color, for example green. In addition, it can be provided that the brightness fluctuates periodically in order to achieve a pulsating light effect which signals the pumping operation of the pump unit.

The fault state can be a current fault that the control unit has recognized or another component of the pump electronics has recognized and reports to the control unit, such as dry running, cavitation, leakage, overheating of the motor, bearing damage, or overcurrent , undervoltage etc. However, the fault condition can also be an impending fault, which is currently not yet present, but threatens to occur due to evaluated operating parameters and therefore requires intervention in the pump unit. In the event of a current or impending fault condition, the control unit changes from the first characteristic to the second characteristic, which is characterized in that the light-emitting diode lights up with a different color, for example red, or starts to flash, or combined, in a different color, e.g. starts to flash red.

Provision can also be made for the pump electronics to independently check maintenance intervals. This can be stored, fixed maintenance intervals, or dynamic maintenance intervals, which are dependent, for example, on the operating time or the mileage of the pump unit or on the state of wear of individual components. According to one embodiment variant, it can be provided that the control unit is set up to control the light-emitting diode in such a way that it lights up with a first characteristic during normal operation of the pump unit and lights up with a second characteristic when an error condition occurs, in particular changes or flashes to a specific color or color sequence . In normal operation, the first light-emitting characteristic can be such that the light-emitting diode shines constantly with a first color, for example green. In addition, it can be provided that the brightness fluctuates periodically in order to achieve a pulsating light effect which signals the pumping operation of the pump unit. The control unit changes from the first characteristic in the event of a maintenance interval being reached or a required maintenance to the second characteristic, which is characterized in that the light-emitting diode lights up with a different color, for example orange, or starts to flash, or combined, in a different color such as starts to flash orange.

According to an embodiment variant, it can be provided that the control unit is set up to control the light-emitting diode in such a way that it lights up with a first characteristic in a first fault state and with a second characteristic in a second fault state. This makes it possible to differentiate between faults based on the lighting characteristics. This can be done, for example, on the basis of the color, the flashing frequency or a specific sequence of light pulses, in which properties the first and second characteristics can differ.

According to an embodiment variant, it can be provided that the pump electronics have a radio interface for wireless communication with a mobile operating device. The operating device also has a corresponding radio interface in order to be able to establish a communication connection to the pump electronics. Otherwise, the operating device can have the features as have already been described. In the The radio interface can be a Bluetooth interface.

In order to establish a wireless connection to the radio interface or the pump set, the operating device must authorize itself to the radio interface. This is known as pairing and, in conventional devices with radio interfaces, usually takes place by exchanging a PIN code which is generated and displayed by the first device to which access is desired. This PIN code is read by a user and entered manually on the second device. This ensures that the second device is within sight of the first device and is authorized to use the first device. For devices that have no display option for the PIN, for example no display, it is known to use a fixed PIN that is stored in the first device. However, this has the disadvantage that anyone who knows the PIN can authorize the communication link between the devices without being in sight. Manual input is also prone to errors.

In order to solve this problem and at the same time to dispense with a unit for representing numbers, it can be provided according to the invention that a light characteristic of the light emitting diode is used for the coupling of the radio module and the operating device instead of a PIN. For example, the control unit can be set up to control the light-emitting diode to initiate or during a coupling process between the radio interface and the operating device in such a way that it emits light with a specific characteristic, in particular light of a specific color, with a specific color sequence (color code), pulse sequence or Flashing frequency. This characteristic can be different for each coupling process, preferably selected randomly or at least pseudorandomly by the control unit. One property of this characteristic is sufficient to carry out the authorization.

According to an embodiment variant, this property can be recognized by the user and entered on the operating device for coupling to the radio interface, for example the luminous color, the color sequence, the number of light pulses or the number of light pulses per time, i.e. the blinking frequency. The radio module of the control unit then transmits the entered property to the radio module of the pump electronics via radio connection. This receives the property and compares it with the property or properties of the lighting characteristic used, the coupling of the communication link being authorized if the property received matches the property or properties used. This confirms to the pump electronics that the user is within sight of the pump set. Preferably, two or more properties of the characteristic can also be used to carry out the authorization.

Alternatively, it can be provided that the operating device carries out the optical analysis of the light emitted by the operating element, i.e. determined at least one of the properties of the lighting characteristic. For this purpose, an optical sensor, for example a photodiode or a camera, can be used, which is preferably integrated in the operating device and which can detect the optical information emitted by the pump. For this purpose, the control unit with the sensor must be pointed at the control element of the pump set. The operating device then also has an evaluation unit for determining the at least one optical property of the lighting characteristic, which provides the result of the evaluation to the radio module of the operating device, which in turn transmits this to the radio module of the pump electronics by radio connection. This receives the property and compares it with the property or properties of the lighting characteristic used, the coupling of the communication link being authorized if the property received matches the property or properties used. Preferably, two or more characteristics of the characteristic can also be used in this method in order to carry out the authorization. The procedure enables secure authorization without user input. This makes establishing the communication connection safe and convenient. A display or other numerical displays can be dispensed with for the pump unit for authorization.

A possible method for coupling the operating device to the pump unit can be as follows. The HMI device sends an authorization request to the pump via the wireless connection. After receiving the request in the pump, there is a specific reaction, for example a change in the color of the control element or the start of a flashing sequence. The time period from the receipt of the authorization request to the response from the control unit can be chosen arbitrarily so that it can be used as a further property of the lighting characteristic for the authorization. The operating device receives the optical signal from the operating element and then sends an authorization response with one or more properties, in particular one or more parameters. For example, the parameter or property can be the duration of the period mentioned. After receiving the authorization response in the pump, the parameter (s) passed with the reaction compared to the pump. If the received parameter (s) correspond to the reaction, the communication connection is authorized and established. If, on the other hand, the authorization answer is incorrect, it can be decided whether and when further coupling attempts are possible or not. For example, the process can be repeated.

According to an embodiment variant, it can be provided that the pump electronics have a memory in order to store at least temporary operating information at least temporarily. The control unit can be set up to convert at least one piece of operating information stored therein into an electrical signal sequence and to control the light-emitting diode with this signal sequence so that it emits modulated light in which the operating information is optically coded. The signal sequence can e.g. be formed by a binary signal, which leads to a corresponding sequence of light pulses in the light-emitting diode. These can be received and decoded by the operating device in order to recover the operating information.

It is particularly advantageous if the light-emitting diode is modulated in color. In this way, several operational information items can be transmitted simultaneously. This can take place in that the control unit is set up to convert two, three or four stored operating items of information into an electrical signal sequence in each case. Using a light-emitting diode that can emit two, three or four colors individually and each has its own control connection for this purpose, each of these control connections can be acted upon at the same time with one of the signal sequences. Each signal sequence thus controls its own color, the colors being superimposed and forming a temporal color pattern that can be detected and evaluated by the operating device in order to recover the individual operating information. For example, an RGB LED with the corresponding three control connections, which can be individually emitted the basic colors red, green, blue, or an RGBW LED with four control connections, which can additionally emit white light individually, without a mixture of the basic colors of the RBG individual diodes to use.

• 1: Eine schematische Darstellung eines Kreiselpumpenaggregats nach dem Stand der Technik
• 2: Eine schematische Darstellung einer Pumpenelektronik mit einem erfindungsgemäßen Bedienelement
• 3: Eine schematische Darstellung einer Vorderansicht des Bedienelements mit Beschriftung
• 4: Eine tabellarische Zuordnung von Winkelstellungen des Bedienelements zu Leuchtcharakteristiken
• 5: Ein Blockschaltbild der Pumpenelektronik
• 6: Ein Ablaufdiagram zur optischen Datenübertragung mittels des Bedienelements

Further features and advantages of the centrifugal pump assembly according to the invention are explained below on the basis of the description of exemplary embodiments and the attached figures. Show it:

• 1 : A schematic representation of a centrifugal pump unit according to the prior art
• 2nd : A schematic representation of a pump electronics with an operating element according to the invention
• 3rd : A schematic representation of a front view of the control element with labeling
• 4th : A tabular assignment of angular positions of the control element to lighting characteristics
• 5 : A block diagram of the pump electronics
• 6 : A flow chart for optical data transmission using the control element

1 shows a schematic representation of a centrifugal pump unit 1 . It is due to the structural union of a pump unit 2nd , one of these electric motors driving 3rd and a pump electronics 4th educated.

The pump unit 2nd comprises a pump housing with connecting piece for connecting the housing to pipelines of a hydraulic system, such as a heating or cooling system, and with a pump chamber, within which there is an impeller that is on an electric motor 3rd driven pump shaft sits. If necessary, the pump shaft can simultaneously form the motor shaft. The electric motor 3rd is flanged to the pump housing. The pump electronics 4th includes a frequency converter to control the speed of the electric motor 3rd adjust and the centrifugal pump unit 1 to control or regulate. It is in an electronics housing 17th housed that in this exemplary embodiment of the centrifugal pump unit 1 to an axial end face of the electric motor 3rd is mounted. The pump electronics 4th can, however, in principle also at any other point on the motor housing of the electric motor 3rd be arranged. On the front side 17a the pump electronics 4th , outside the case 17th is a knob 9 one generally with the reference number 5 provided, rotatable control element accessible, with which an adjustment of the pump electronics 4th can be made. For example, the operating mode, the control mode or the application of the centrifugal pump can be defined here.

As with 2nd is recognizable, includes the pump electronics 4th a circuit board 11 that are parallel to the front of the electric motor 3rd is aligned. On the circuit board 11 are not shown electrical and / or electronic components for controlling and / or regulating the electric motor 3rd arranged. The control element 5 points next to the rotary knob 9 a central shaft connected to this in a rotationally fixed manner 10th and one on the circuit board 11 arranged potentiometer 12th with which the wave 10th is in operative connection. For this purpose, the wave extends 10th in a first opening 13 of the potentiometer 12th with which the wave 10th forms a positive connection. The opening 13 is in a rotatable actuator of the potentiometer 12th formed, which by its angular position the setting value of the potentiometer 12th certainly. The potentiometer is preferred 12th a variable resistance, the set value being the resistance value of the potentiometer 12th is. The angular position of the shaft defines the form fit 10th or the rotary knob 9 the setting value of the potentiometer 12th .

The circuit board 11 has one with the first opening 13 aligned second opening 14 in which the the rotary knob 9 opposite end of the shaft 10th protrudes. In another embodiment variant, this end of the shaft can be in front of the second opening 14 end up. On the potentiometer 12th opposite side of the circuit board 11 is in axial alignment with the shaft 10th a light emitting diode 15 arranged such that they light in the axial direction on the end face of the rotary knob 9 opposite end of the shaft 10th emits where it is in the wave 10th is coupled. As a light emitting diode 15 an SMD LED in the form of a so-called reverse gullwing LED is used here. The light-emitting surface 16 the light emitting diode 15 is thus to the second opening 14 directed. The light emitting diode 15 covers the second opening 14 at least partially, preferably completely. The solder connections of the LED 15 are therefore beyond the second opening 14 on opposite sides of the LED 14 .

The circuit board 11 is therefore equipped from both sides, on the one hand to the electric motor 3rd facing side with the light emitting diode 15 and on the other hand on that of the electric motor 3rd opposite side with the potentiometer 12th . For the manufacture of pump electronics 4th First of all, one of the two sides is equipped with the electronic components, by applying a solder paste to corresponding contact areas of the printed circuit board and the corresponding components will be placed on the solder paste, and this arrangement is then exposed in a furnace to a temperature at which the solder paste melts and materially connects to the corresponding electrical connections of the components on the one hand and the contact surface of the printed circuit board on the other. Then the same process takes place with the other side of the circuit board.

The wave 10th is together with the rotary knob 9 made in one piece from a light-conducting material, in particular injection-molded from a transparent or translucent plastic. The light of the light emitting diode 15 is thus in the axial direction by the shaft 10th to the rotary knob 9 directed where it can emerge from this omnidirectional. The control element is thus illuminated. A user 19th can perceive this light with his eye, so that the setting of the centrifugal pump unit 1 Even in dark or poorly lit installation situations, it can be carried out comfortably and without errors, since the position of the rotary knob on the centrifugal pump unit and its angular position are clearly visible.

A particular advantage of the illuminated control element 5 is that its light can be used to convey information. This can be a single, simple piece of information, for example an operating status, as is usually indicated by an operating LED. Such an LED can thus be dispensed with, which simplifies the manufacture of the pump unit and makes it cheaper. In addition, there is no opening in the housing 17th required for such an operating LED, so that the risk of moisture or dust entering the interior of the electronics housing 17th is reduced. Though moisture or dust could be above for carrying the wave 10th in the electronics housing 17th enter the intended opening. However, this can be done between the rotary knob 9 and the front a the shaft 10th sealing sealing ring be present on the electronics housing 17th is applied and the gap between the shaft 10th and covers the inside of the housing opening.

However, more than one piece of information, in particular also numerical information, can be provided via the control element 5 mediated. For this purpose, the light emitting diode 15 multi-colored, whereby two or more colors, in particular the basic colors red, green and blue, can be controlled individually. For this purpose, an RGB LED is used, which has its own control connection, ie three control connections, for each individually emittable basic color. An RGBW LED can also be used, which can emit white light independently of the other colors and has its own control connection for it, which means that it has four control connections.

Around the light emitting diode 15 to control, the pump electronics 4th a control unit 18th on, see 5 with which the LED 15 is electrically connected. This control unit 18th can be a microcontroller or microprocessor. At the control unit 18th it can be the central control unit of the pump electronics 4th act, which also the control or regulation of the centrifugal pump unit 1 carries out. The control unit 18th can, however, also be a separate unit.

Driving the LED 15 through the control unit 18th concerns on the one hand their switching on and off, which can take place depending on the situation. The LED can 15 can also be switched on and off several times in succession in order to bring about a sequence of light pulses, in particular a flashing of the light diode. In addition, the control unit 18th also set up the brightness and / or light color of the light emitting diode 15 to control, in particular to modulate time. The brightness can be set, for example, by changing the operating voltage of the light-emitting diode. It should be noted that the brightness control switches the LED on and off 15 , in particular the formation of a sequence of light pulses, since the light emitting diode is switched on and off 15 also represents a change in brightness, in particular from a maximum brightness to a minimum brightness and vice versa. The color can be changed by controlling another control connection or several control connections at the same time.

In one embodiment variant, the change in brightness or color, in particular a sequence of light pulses, in particular also a flashing with a corresponding flashing frequency, can be carried out in such a way that the change is perceptible to the human eye. A user 19th can thus immediately provide certain information from the pump set 1 about the lighting characteristics of the control element 5 is conveyed, recognize yourself. However, the change, in particular the modulation of the brightness, color, light pulse sequence or flashing frequency, can also take place in such a rapid manner, ie with such a frequency that the change is imperceptible to the eye. In this case, the user can 19th a mobile control device 20th use with an integrated optical sensor, for example a photodiode or a camera, to evaluate the luminous characteristics. This is the control unit 20th with the sensor on the control element 5 to judge. The control unit 20th can be, for example, a smartphone or a tablet. If necessary, the control unit 20th also temporarily on the front 17a of the electronics housing 17th be placed so that an optimal alignment of the sensor to the control element 5 is present. The operator panel can be attached 20th immediately done in such a way that the rotary knob 9 is enclosed by side walls or an annular side wall in order to isolate it or the sensor from stray light incident from the side. This improves the quality of the optical transmission from the control element 5 to the sensor.

In one in the 3rd and 4th shown embodiment controls the control unit 18th the light emitting diode 15 such that their brightness and light color depend on the angular position of the rotary knob 9 depends. 3rd shows the knob 9 from the beginning. It can be rotated over a total angular range of 270 °, which can be divided into three partial angular ranges 7a , 7b , 7c is divided, which each include 90 ° here. The angular position of the rotary knob 9 corresponds to the setting value of the potentiometer. The control unit is used to determine this setting value 18th electrically with the potentiometer 12th connected, see 5 .

The control unit 18th is set up, the LED 15 to be controlled such that they are at an angular position of the rotary knob 9 within the first angular range 7a Light with a first color F1 , with an angular position of the rotary knob 9 within the second angular range 7b Light of a second color F2 and at an angular position of the rotary knob 9 within the third angular range 7c Light with a third color F3 emitted. The luminous color therefore correlates with the angular range, which immediately provides the user with a confirmation of the setting made and avoids incorrect settings.

In addition, it is provided that the light emitting diode 15 at a first angular position 8a within one of the partial angle ranges 7a , 7b , 7c the rotary knob 9 Light with an initial brightness H1 and at a second angular position 8b within this partial angle range 7a , 7b , 7c Light with a second brightness H2 emitted. Illustrative are in 4th in each of the partial angle ranges shown 7a , 7b , 7c three discrete angular positions 8a , 8b , 8c specify, each a specific output of the pump set 1 assigned. These services are in the form of a mark next to the rotary knob 9 specified and on a scale 6a , 6b , 6c summarized. The first angular position 8a a lower power is assigned than the second angular position 8b . Furthermore, the second angular position 8b assigned a lower power than a third angular position 8c . So in this example it is the third angular position 8c assigned the highest performance of the pump set. It is now provided that the brightness of the light emitting diode 15 with the performance of the pump set 1 correlated so that the first angular position 8a assigned brightness H1 is less than that of the second angular position 8b assigned brightness H2 , and that of the second angular position 8b assigned brightness H2 is less than that of the third angular position 8c assigned brightness H3 . The control element 5 lights up the brighter the higher the set power of the pump set 1 is.

It can be provided that a few discrete brightness levels H1 , H2 , H3 available. However, it can also be provided that the control unit 18th the light emitting diode 15 controlled in such a way that when the angle of the Rotary knob 9 from the first to the second angular position 8a , 8b respectively from the second to the third angular position 8b , 8c their brightness progressively, ie steadily from the first to the second brightness H1 , H2 , or from the second to the third brightness H2 , H3 changes.

4th shows a table in which the lighting characteristics for the three partial angle ranges 7a , 7b , 7c in combination with the angular positions contained therein 8a , 8b , 8c are summarized. However, it should be noted that the change in color F1 , F2 , F3 and the change in brightness H1 , H2 , H3 do not necessarily have to be used in combination. This example in 3rd and 4th is for illustration only. Rather, the change in color can also be implemented independently of the change in brightness or the change in brightness regardless of the change in color. Furthermore, more or fewer angular ranges and more or fewer angular positions per angular range can also be selected. Furthermore, different numbers of angular positions can be selected in the angular ranges.

In the in 3rd the example shown are the partial angle ranges 7a , 7b , 7c assigned to different operating modes of the pump set. The first partial angle range 7a is assigned to a first type of control, for example a constant pressure control, in which the differential pressure of the centrifugal pump unit is kept constant over the volume flow. The different angular positions 8a , 8b , 8c correspond here to various control curves that are at different heights in the HQ diagram, with the height from the first angular position 8a to the third angular position 8v increases. The second partial angle range 7b is assigned to an actuator mode in which a constant speed can be specified. The different angular positions 8a , 8b , 8c correspond to different speeds here, the speed from the first angular position 8a to the third angular position 8c increases. The third partial angle range 7c is assigned to a second type of control, for example a proportional pressure control, in which the differential pressure of the centrifugal pump unit is regulated proportionally over the volume flow. The different angular positions 8a , 8b , 8c correspond here to various control curves that are at different heights in the HQ diagram, with the height from the first angular position 8a to the third angular position 8v increases.

Because every angular range 7a , 7b , 7c the control unit controls a specific operating mode 18th the light emitting diode 15 thus also in such a way that in a first operating mode of the pump unit 1 Light of a first color and in a second operating mode of the pump set 1 Light of a second color is emitted.

Since the operating modes are generally intended for different applications, for example the operating mode "constant pressure control" for an application in a heating system with underfloor heating or the operating mode "proportional pressure control" in a heating system with radiators, the aforementioned variant can also be described in such a way that the control unit 18th the light emitting diode 15 controlled in such a way that in a first application of the pump unit 1 Light of a first color and in a second application of the pump set 1 Light of a second color is emitted.

The control unit 18th is also set up, the light emitting diode 15 to be controlled such that it flashes or is modulated or pulsed in its brightness, the flashing or modulation frequency depending on the speed of the pump unit 1 , in particular proportional to the speed. When modulating or pulsing, the brightness is continuously repeated, in particular changed sinusoidally from a minimum brightness to a maximum brightness and again to the minimum brightness. The higher the speed, the higher the blinking or modulation frequency. Such a lighting characteristic is particularly useful in normal operation for the user 19th to signal the correct operation and the speed of the pump set.

In one embodiment variant it can be provided that the pump electronics 4th a temperature sensor 22 comprises or is connected to such, as in 5 is shown to determine a temperature depending on which the light emitting diode 15 can emit a certain luminous characteristic. This can be, for example, the temperature of the pumped medium, or alternatively the motor winding temperature, the temperature in the electronics housing 17th or the temperature of an electrical or electronic component on the circuit board 11 act. The control unit 18th is set up, the LED 15 to be controlled such that it emits light of a first characteristic, in particular a first color, at a temperature within a first temperature range, and light of a second characteristic, in particular a second color, at a temperature within a second temperature range.

For example, red light can be emitted if the pumped medium is warm or hot for the application, and blue light if it is cold for the application or has room temperature. The temperature ranges are expediently dependent on the application in which the Pump unit is operated, or is set on the pump unit, since there are different flow temperatures depending on the application, so that the temperature ranges are different.

The pump electronics is in one embodiment variant 4th set up to recognize one or more error states. For this purpose, it has an error status monitor 24th on, see 5 . A fault condition can, for example, an excessive temperature in the engine 3rd or the pump electronics 4th , overcurrent, undervoltage, dry running, cavitation, bearing damage, leakage etc. The control unit 18th controls the LED 15 then in such a way that they are in normal operation, ie in an error-free operation of the pump unit 1 lights up with a first characteristic and lights up with a second characteristic when an error condition occurs, in particular changes or flashes to a specific color or color sequence. The fault condition monitoring 24th is formed by hardware, in particular in the form of one or more sensors, or software in the form of one or more algorithms which continuously monitor one or more operating parameters and compare them with reference values of an error-free state, or by the combination of hardware and software. According to 5 is the fault condition monitoring 24th one to the control unit 18th separate monitoring unit that the control unit 18th reports an error. The control unit 18th consequently triggers the change in the lighting characteristics. Alternatively, the error status monitoring 24th Part of the control unit 18th be yourself, at least as far as it is software that is in the control unit 18th can be executed, or hardware, such as a memory or a sensor, for example a current, voltage or temperature sensor, in the control unit 18th is integrated. Finally, part of the fault condition monitoring 24th in the control unit 18th and another part can be formed as hardware arranged externally to this, such as sensors.

If several error states are monitored, a distinction can be made between these error states by the lighting characteristics. The control unit 18th controls the LED 15 then in such a way that it lights up with a first characteristic in a first fault state and with a second characteristic in a second fault state.

In the variant according to 5 is the pump electronics 4th with a radio interface 23 , for example, a Bluetooth interface equipped for wireless communication with a mobile device, such as the operator panel 20th in 2nd enables.

To the pump electronics 4th or interface 23 with the device 20th the device sends 20th an authorization request to the pump electronics 4th . The control unit 18th is set up, the LED 15 upon receipt of such an authorization request for initiation or during the coupling process, in such a way that it emits light with a specific characteristic, in particular light of a specific color, with a specific color sequence, pulse sequence or flashing frequency. This serves to authorize the HMI device 20th without a PIN being required for the pairing process. The parameters of the light defining the luminous characteristic, such as, for example, the color or color sequence, the number of light pulses in the pulse sequence or the number of light pulses per unit of time can be used by the user 19th be recognized and when prompted by the operator panel 20th entered here instead of a PIN to authorize the pairing. One parameter or several parameters can be used here. This proves the pump set 1 that the user 19th within sight of the pump 1 located. Alternatively, the operator panel 20th with its optical sensor on the control element 5 be directed while the lighting characteristic is present, so that the control unit 20th can receive and evaluate the light to determine the parameters. Here too, one parameter or several parameters can be used.

Has the user 19th the parameter or parameters on the device 20th entered, or has the device 20th If the parameter or parameters are recognized, an authorization response from the operating device 20th to the pump electronics 4th transmitted. After receiving the authorization response in the pump 1 the parameter (s) passed with the reaction of the pump 1 compared. If the received parameter (s) corresponds to the reaction, the communication connection is authorized and established. If the authorization response is incorrect, however, the connection is not established. A new coupling attempt can then be made.

In the variant according to 5 is the pump electronics 4th with a memory 21 equipped to store operating information at least temporarily. This can be, for example, the current speed, the current volume flow or the current delivery head or the differential pressure of the centrifugal pump unit 1 act. If this data is saved over time, the memory effectively forms a logbook of the operation of the pump set. The storage can be done by the control unit or by another computing or measuring unit of the pump electronics 4th respectively.

According to one aspect of the invention, the control element 5 used an optical Data transmission of the at least one or more in the memory 21 stored operating information. The control unit 18th is set up for this purpose to convert the at least one item of operating information into an electrical signal sequence and the light-emitting diode 15 to be controlled with this signal sequence. The conversion can take place in such a way that the operating information is represented as an n-bit value, for example an 8-bit value, the signal sequence being formed by a sequence of voltage pulses of a specific clock frequency, the voltage pulses corresponding to the value of the individual bits. For example, in the case of a bit with the value " 1 "A voltage pulse at a" 0 “There is no pulse in the corresponding cycle. Thus, n clocks are required to represent the operating information in the signal sequence, when the light emitting diode is acted on 15 leads to corresponding light pulses in which the operating information is coded. A clock frequency is preferably used which lies in the frequency range which is not visible to the human eye. The control unit 20th is used to control the light pulses of the control element 5 to detect and decode.

The procedure is in 6 shown. In step S1 first, operational information is stored in the memory 21 saved. It then takes place in step S2 the conversion of the operating information into an electrical signal sequence with which the light-emitting diode 15 is controlled in order to obtain an optical signal sequence corresponding to the electrical, step S3 . The control unit 20th is used to capture the optical signal sequence, step S4 , and to evaluate by recovering the operational information from the optical signal sequence, step S5 .

The operating information can then be in plain text on the operator panel 20th be displayed step S6 .

Several operational information can be transmitted in this way. In one embodiment variant, this can be done sequentially, two operating information items, which are coded in the electrical signal sequence, being transmitted chronologically in succession, preferably separated from one another by a corresponding separating signal. In order to transmit such a separating signal or further characters, it is useful to use more than n clocks in the case of operational information coded with n bits, the further clocks being used for the transmission of the separating signal and the further characters like a start or stop signal can be. Usual protocols for data transmission can be used here and therefore referenced.

According to one embodiment variant, two, three or even four operating information items can be used simultaneously by transmitting each operating information item in its own color, in particular in its own basic color. This is illustrated using the example of three operating information. The speed, the volume flow and the delivery head can be used as operating information, for example. For this purpose, the light emitting diode 15 an RGB LED, ie one that can emit the three primary colors red, green and blue individually and each has its own control connection for this. The control unit is now set up to convert three stored operating information into an electrical signal sequence and to control the control connections simultaneously with one of these signal sequences. As a result, the basic colors additively overlap in one cycle if two or three signal sequences have the value " 1 “In the appropriate cycle, so that the LED 15 shines with a certain mixed color. If, on the other hand, only one signal sequence has the value " 1 “This is how the LED lights up 15 with the corresponding basic color. The control unit 20th is set up to detect this color modulation. It can reconstruct the value of the respective signal sequence from the emitted basic color or mixed color in each cycle and thus recover each of the three operating information items.

This procedure is with a two-color light-emitting diode 15 also possible for the parallel transmission of two operating information. Four operating information can be by an RGBW LED as a light emitting diode 15 are transmitted in parallel, which additionally has a control connection for a white light-emitting single diode.

All of the design variants mentioned can be implemented individually or in combination with one another, insofar as this is reasonable and possible. For example, the speed indicator and temperature indicator variants can be combined for normal operation, since the speed can be signaled via the flashing or pulse frequency and the temperature via the light color.

A change from a first lighting characteristic to another can take place automatically when a certain event occurs, for example an error state. Alternatively or in combination, it can be provided that the control unit 18th the light emitting diode 15 controlled with a certain luminous characteristic after the user 19th a certain manual interaction with the pump set 1 has made. This can be an operation, for example using the control element 5 rotates, in which case the angular position, operating mode or application-dependent lighting characteristic can be triggered. Alternatively, an interaction can take place by radio, for example what the lighting characteristics for the above-mentioned coupling process, or the optical data transmission described can trigger. In the case of manual interaction, the lighting characteristic triggered thereby is preferably only temporary. That means the control unit 18th switches back to the lighting characteristics before manual interaction after a certain time.

QUOTES INCLUDE IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of documents listed by the applicant has been generated automatically and is only included for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Patent literature cited

• DE 102017001722 A1 [0004, 0031]

Claims (21)

Centrifugal pump unit (1) with a pump unit (2), an electric motor (3) driving it, and pump electronics (4) for speed-controllable control of the electric motor (4), the pump electronics (4) being mounted in an electronics housing (17) attached to the electric motor (3) ) is arranged, has a printed circuit board (11) with electrical and / or electronic components and a rotatable control element (5) for setting the pump electronics (4), the control element (5) having a rotary knob (5) located outside the electronics housing (17). 9), a central shaft (10) connected to the latter and a potentiometer (12) arranged on the printed circuit board (11) and with which the shaft (10) is operatively connected, characterized in that the potentiometer (12) has a first opening (13), through which the shaft (10) for adjusting the potentiometer (12) is guided, and the printed circuit board (11) has a second one aligned with the first opening (13) Has opening (14) to which the end of the shaft (10) opposite the rotary knob (9) protrudes, a light-emitting diode () on the side of the printed circuit board (11) facing away from the potentiometer (12) in axial alignment with the shaft (10) 15) is arranged such that it emits light in the axial direction onto the end of the shaft (10) opposite the rotary knob (9), and that the shaft (10) together with the rotary knob (9) is made in one piece from a light-conducting material. Centrifugal pump unit (1) after Claim 1 , characterized in that the light-emitting diode (15) is an SMD light-emitting diode, in particular a reverse gullwing LED. Centrifugal pump unit (1) after Claim 1 or 2nd , characterized in that the light-emitting diode (15) is multi-colored, in particular an RGB LED or an RGBW LED. Centrifugal pump unit (1) after Claim 1 , 2nd or 3rd , characterized in that the end of the shaft (10) opposite the rotary knob (9) projects into the second opening (14). Centrifugal pump unit (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the rotary knob (9) and the shaft (10) are injection molded in one piece from the same material, in particular a transparent or translucent plastic. Centrifugal pump unit (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the pump electronics (4) is mounted axially on an axial end face of the electric motor (3) and the printed circuit board (11) is arranged parallel to this end face. Centrifugal pump unit (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the pump electronics (4) has a control unit (18) electrically connected to the light-emitting diode (15), in particular a microcontroller or microprocessor, in order to control the light-emitting diode (15) depending on the situation. Centrifugal pump unit (1) after Claim 7 , characterized in that the control unit (18) is set up to control the brightness and / or light color of the light-emitting diode (15), in particular to modulate it in time, in order to optically transmit at least one piece of information, in particular operating or error information. Centrifugal pump unit after Claim 8 , characterized in that the modulation is carried out at a frequency not perceptible to the eye. Centrifugal pump unit (1) at least after Claim 7 , characterized in that the control unit (18) is electrically connected to the potentiometer (12) and is set up to control the light-emitting diode (15) in such a way that its brightness and / or light color depends on the angular position of the rotary knob (9). Centrifugal pump unit (1) at least after Claim 10 , characterized in that the control unit (18) is set up to control the light-emitting diode (15) in such a way that when the rotary knob (9) is in an angular position, it has light with a first color (F1) within a first angular range (7a) and in an angular position the rotary knob (9) emits light of a second color (F2) within a second angular range (7b), and preferably emits light with a third color (F3) when the rotary knob (9) is in an angular position within a third angular range (7c). Centrifugal pump unit (1) at least after Claim 7 , characterized in that the control unit (18) is set up to actuate the light-emitting diode (15) in such a way that the light-emitting diode (15) has light with a first brightness (H1) and at a first angular position (8a) of the rotary knob (9) second angular position (8b) of the rotary knob (9) emits light with a second brightness (H2). Centrifugal pump unit (1) after Claim 12 , characterized in that the control unit (18) is set up to control the light-emitting diode (15) in such a way that the light-emitting diode (15) progressively increases in brightness when the rotary knob (9) is progressively adjusted from the first to the second angular position (8a, 8b) changes from the first to the second brightness (H1, H2). Centrifugal pump unit (1) at least after Claim 7 , characterized in that the control unit (18) is set up to control the light-emitting diode (15) in such a way that it flashes or is modulated in its brightness, the flashing or modulation frequency depending on the speed of the pump unit (1), in particular proportional to Speed is. Centrifugal pump unit (1) at least after Claim 7 , characterized in that the control unit (18) is set up to actuate the light-emitting diode (15) in such a way that it emits light of a first color in a first operating mode or application of the pump assembly (1) and in a second operating mode or application of the pump assembly (1) Light of a second color is emitted. Centrifugal pump unit (1) at least after Claim 7 , characterized in that the control unit (18) is set up to control the light-emitting diode (15) in such a way that it emits light of a first characteristic at a temperature within a first temperature range and light of a second characteristic at a temperature of the conveyed medium . Centrifugal pump unit (1) at least after Claim 7 , characterized in that the control unit (18) is set up to control the light-emitting diode (15) in such a way that it lights up during normal operation of the pump assembly (1) with a first characteristic and lights up with a second characteristic when an error condition occurs, in particular with one certain color or color sequence changes or flashes. Centrifugal pump unit (1) at least after Claim 7 , characterized in that the control unit (18) is set up to control the light-emitting diode (15) in such a way that it lights up with a first characteristic in a first fault state and with a second characteristic in a second fault state. Centrifugal pump unit (1) at least after Claim 7 , characterized in that the pump electronics (4) has a radio interface (23) for wireless communication with a mobile operating device (20) and the control unit (18) is set up, the light-emitting diode (15) for initiating or during a coupling process between the radio interface (23) and to control the operating device (20) in such a way that it emits light with a specific characteristic, in particular light of a specific color, with a specific color sequence, pulse sequence or flashing frequency. Centrifugal pump unit (1) at least after Claim 7 , characterized in that the pump electronics (4) has a memory (21) for at least temporary storage of operating information, the control unit being set up to convert at least one operating information stored therein into an electrical signal sequence and to control the light-emitting diode (15) with this signal sequence. Centrifugal pump unit (1) at least after Claim 20 , characterized in that the light-emitting diode (15) can emit two, three or four colors individually and each has its own control connection for this, and that the control unit (15) is set up to convert two, three or four stored operating information items into an electrical signal sequence and to control the control connections simultaneously with one of these signal sequences.

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