EP2918836A1 - Method for providing at least one piece of information to a pump unit - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for providing at least one information of a pump unit (3) on a controllable display (2) of electronics (1) of the pump unit (3). In this case, the information is shown coded as at least one graphic code (10) and / or as a character string, wherein the graphic code (10) is a matrix code (10) or a flickering bar or bar code.

Description

The present invention relates to a method for providing at least one information of a pump unit on a controllable display of electronics of the pump unit. Furthermore, the invention relates to a pump electronics for a pump set, comprising a display, a processor unit controlling them with an executable program and a memory unit in communication with the processor unit in which at least one information about the pump unit is stored and / or stored. Finally, the invention relates to a pump unit with such a pump electronics.

Pump units comprise a pump unit and an electromotive drive unit and an electronic unit connected to the pump unit and / or the drive unit for controlling the drive unit. As far as the following is a pump unit, the entirety of these components is meant, wherein the components can structurally form a unit or can be arranged distributed and thus functionally communicate with each other. Modern pump sets offer a variety of settings. For ease of operation and adjustment, higher quality pump sets have controllable displays that provide a user with readable plain text information about or to the pump set.

Moreover, it has long been known in pump units to provide communication interfaces to retrieve operating data, such as measurement data, from the pump unit or from the pump electronics. Such communication interfaces use, for example, wired bus interface such as LON, CAN or Ethernet.

The aforementioned displays and interfaces are used essentially for setting and checking the operating state of the pump unit, which can be done continuously or at maintenance intervals, in particular already during the initial installation. The use of communication interfaces for reading the operating data of the pump set makes the production of the pump sets considerably more expensive. In addition, optical displays have a limited size and thus can only display a limited amount of information simultaneously. Furthermore, the reading of data by humans can lead to read errors. This danger is correspondingly increased if a large amount of information can be read. Depending on how the information read is then further utilized or processed, reading errors can be extremely problematic.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a method and a pump electronics that allows a simple and error-reduced, especially error-free reading of information such as operating data of a pump set on a display of the pump electronics, the pump unit, respectively its pump electronics manufactures inexpensively should be able to.

This object is achieved by a method having the features of claim 1 and by a pump electronics having the features of claim 15. Advantageous developments are specified in the respective subclaims.

According to a first aspect of the invention, a method for providing at least one information of a pump unit on a controllable display of an electronics of the pump unit is proposed, in which the Information is shown as at least one graphic code and / or encoded as a string, wherein the graphic code is a matrix code or a flickering bar or bar code.

The graphic code is machine-readable and can thus be read out of or read from the pump set without errors. The coded string can be read manually, ideally describing the at least one piece of information with fewer characters than the information needed in user-readable plaintext. Thus, the reading of the information in the form of the coded string is error-reduced. A string within the meaning of the invention means a finite sequence of alphanumeric characters or symbols.

The strength in using coded information for reading from the pump set is particularly evident when much information needs to be read out, since the graphical code can hold a multitude of coded information and also the string can contain a large amount of information in a shorter form, as this information would need in plain text on the display. The graphical code can be captured and processed with a simple optical detection means, such as a still camera or webcam, as is now integrated into any smartphone, tablet and laptop.

The graphic code or the character string can be generated from operating data of the pump set and / or at least one piece of information about or to the pump set, or contain operating data and / or information about or to the pump set. The generation of the code or the character string in this context means that the code or the character string is not already present in the pump electronics at the factory, but is stored dynamically or generated from current data while the pump set is in operation.

Alternatively or additionally, the graphic code or the character string can be selected from a number of stored codes. This means that the code to be displayed is already stored in a memory of the pump electronics and is selected only from the number, in particular a plurality of stored codes, as soon as the at least one item of information is to be displayed on the display. The storage of the codes can be done at the factory or done during operation of the pump set.

As a display, a known display technology can be used, for example, an LC display, a TFT display or an LED display. Preferably, a display should be used which has a DOT matrix, so that it is possible to display the code as a matrix code.

For smartphones and tablets, a large number of applications (apps) are now available that allow the reading of graphic codes. Thus, the reading, processing and interpretation of the data and information shown in the graphic code is not only for a technically trained installer or maintenance technician of the pump set possible, but for anyone, especially for the consumer who has installed the pump unit and his operation would like to be informed. Through the graphical code, a variety of information and operational data can be optically converted to a portable reader, i. for example, to the smartphone or tablet. This has the advantage that complicated and expensive communication interfaces in the pump electronics can be dispensed with. The pump unit or its electronics can thus be manufactured inexpensively.

Preferably, the code or the string can be generated and / or selected and displayed on demand on the electronics and / or on occurrence of a specific event on or in the pump set. In the former case, the generation and / or the selection of the code or the string is thus effected by the interaction of a user with the pump electronics, ie, for example, by actuating a control element, whereby the generation and / or selection is triggered manually. In the second-mentioned case, which may alternatively or additionally be implemented in the pump electronics, the generation and / or selection of the code or of the character string takes place automatically as soon as a specific event occurs on or in the pump unit.

In both cases mentioned above, the graphic code or the character string is not displayed on the display of the pump electronics from the beginning or not constantly. Rather, it only appears if and only if it is helpful to a user. The display can then take place when the user deliberately requests the graphic code or the character string and / or when he starts a program, at the expiration of which the code is displayed at some point. Furthermore alternatively or additionally, a program can already run in the pump electronics which forms or selects and displays the code or the character string when a specific event occurs. Such a program may for example be part of the engine control and thus always run when the pump unit is in operation. It does not have to be started separately. However, this is of course possible, and it is preferably activated at the first startup. Such a program may be, for example, an error monitoring program or a maintenance interval monitoring program.

An event in the sense of the invention can therefore be, for example, a fault or fault condition on the pump unit or the achievement of a certain age or a certain mileage, which in turn indicates the achievement or exceeding of a maintenance interval. Furthermore, an event can also lie in the achievement of a new operating state. Further alternatively, the event may be a particular occurrence in a series of measurement data, such as a pressure drop, high turbulence in the pump unit flow, or an engine over-temperature.

The operating state can by various operating variables such as by a certain speed, a delivery or differential pressure (delivery), a funded volume flow, a power or power consumption, the current Torque, the motor temperature, the electronics temperature or the temperature of the fluid, vibrations or a combination of these operating variables of the pump set to be described. Thus, for example, driving through various operating points (operating points), preferably according to the known HQ diagram and, for example, along a control curve, can be regarded as a sequence of events to which a new graphic code or character string is or can always be generated / always the current operating point.

This allows optical monitoring of the pump unit, for example by means of a camera directed to the display. The camera then records the display continuously or in discrete time steps, and can evaluate the code in question with regard to the data contained therein about the operating point. In this way, measurements can be made without additional electrical connections must be provided on the pump unit.

As already stated in the introduction, the pump electronics can structurally form a unit with the drive unit or the pump unit of the pump set. Often, the control unit is housed for this purpose in an electronics housing, which is placed on the motor housing of the drive unit on the outside or front side. However, it is also possible that the pump electronics interacts only functionally with the pump unit and is advantageously connected either by cable or by radio with this.

The representation of the graphic code or the string performing electronics may be part of the usual engine electronics or include these. The engine electronics are responsible for the control of the drive motor and usually also includes power electronic components such as a frequency converter. However, the electronics according to the invention can also be functionally and / or structurally separated from the engine electronics. In this case, the motor control takes over only the actual control of the drive motor. The pump electronics according to the invention then allows a higher level Operation and / or monitoring of the pump set and takes over the generation and / or selection of graphic codes and character strings according to the invention. Preferably, it also assumes at least parts of the data processing, in particular a processing of measurement data from sensors that may be connected to the pump electronics.

The graphic code is according to the invention at least two-dimensional, but can also be multi-dimensional. Thus, a bar code or bar code, collectively referred to as a bar code, is a spatially one-dimensional code that must be spatially read only along a single line. The flicker code according to the invention is also dynamic and thus has the time as the second dimension. In the case of the flicker code, this means that preferably the light and / or color intensity of the bars or bars changes rapidly between at least two states, for example between black and a background color of the display, which is ideally white, so that a viewer perceives a flickering or flickering can.

In addition, the shape of the barcode may change over time. In this way, a particularly large amount of information can be coded or coded in the code. The dynamic change of the code may, for example, concern the fact whether or not a dash or a bar is displayed at a certain point of the code. Alternatively or additionally, in the case of the dynamic bar or bar code, the length or height of the respectively illustrated bars or bars may also change, their width, their distance from each other and / or their color.

The matrix code is a spatially two-dimensional point code whose reading is possible omnidirectionally. It therefore has the advantage that it does not have to be displayed or read out with a specific orientation. This simplifies the controlled display on the display, whereby it should be noted that the display can be rotated by 90 ° to the right or left due to one of the possible installation positions of the pump set. For example, the matrix code may be a QR code, a DataMatrix code, an Aztec code, or a MaxiCode.

The multi-dimensional code may be, for example, a stacked code such as Codablock, Code 49 or PDF417. Stacked codes are formed of multiple bar codes or compound bar and matrix codes. With these codes, it is possible to encode a very large amount of information. Since the codes mentioned are known per se, reference is made at this point to the relevant literature.

As operating data, those values of operating variables can be used which define the current and / or at least one previous operating state. Examples of such farm sizes have already been mentioned above. For the purposes of the invention, the at least one item of information can be at least one measured value of one of the operating variables of the pump unit. Since these are operating variables that directly characterize the operation and preferably the operating point of the pump unit, it is also possible to speak of internal operating data. Each of the operating variables can in itself provide information about the operating state, but preferably the combination of two or more of these operating variables or even of all available operating variables of the pump set is helpful in order to comprehensively describe and analyze the actual current operating state. However, this is not mandatory. Operating data within the meaning of the invention can also be operating setting values. For example, a set control or regulating characteristic or a set control or regulating mode defines the operation of the pump set. Furthermore, as operating data within the meaning of the invention, a previous lifetime or mileage and a predicted remaining service life are to be understood.

Current values of the operating variables can be coded according to the invention in the graphic code or the character string. This means that the graphic code to be generated ultimately has a different shape at any given time because the operating variables are constantly changing.

Some or all of the operating data may be measurement data that defines the operating state. However, it is not necessary to record all or each operating size metrologically. Thus, some operating variables in the pump electronics are present per se due to model-based control or monitoring methods. Therefore, the value of an operating variable can also be calculated or estimated from the values of one or more other operating variables.

The coding of the operating data in the graphical code or the character string can serve, for example, to document the operating state of the pump set at specific times over a certain period of time. For this purpose, the code or the string can be easily photographed from the display.

An alternative and preferred use is the external evaluation of the coded information or coded operating data for operating state diagnosis and possibly error analysis. An error analysis can be made on the basis of the operating data by identifying or diagnosing a fault state of the pump set. "External" here means that the fault analysis is performed outside the pump unit or the pump electronics or can be performed. But it is also possible to run a corresponding error detection and error analysis software in the pump electronics. Due to the regular recording of the operating data in the coded form, early fault detection can take place internally and / or externally.

The operating data may also be data about a current and / or previous error state, ie error status data. For example, it can be the indication of a deviation of a variable from a defined nominal value. Data on a fault condition can be detected, for example, by measurement or calculated from the analysis of one or more mathematical models of the pump unit. Error condition data may also partially match the operating condition data that is, that a particular measured value of an operating variable has a double character, namely that counts for one of the operating state data, but at the same time also counts among the error state data. From the indication of a fault condition in the code to be displayed on the display, a user can derive and take the appropriate measures to remedy this fault condition, as long as he reads the code with a reader and decodes, ie makes it interpretable. Alternatively, the user can simply photograph the code and send it to the manufacturer or customer service of the pump set.

As already mentioned, the coding of operating data of the pump set in the graphic code or the string means that it can be designed differently at any time, provided the operating data to be coded have also changed. The term "operating data" in the context of the invention therefore essentially refers to dynamic data, i. such data that may change or at least change over time. Furthermore, at least one static information in the graphic code or string may additionally or alternatively be encoded, i. an information with a statement content that does not change over time. Such static information may e.g. be an error information with a pure static statement content, for example, the error state "motor shaft blocked". Although the occurrence of this type of fault is somewhat dynamic with respect to the operation of the pump set, the type of fault itself does not change.

Ideally, the pump electronics of the pump unit may be configured to automatically detect a fault condition and preferably to differentiate between several fault conditions. In addition to the case mentioned "motor shaft blocked" may be a fault condition such as a worn bearing, a leakage, a cavitating wheel, etc. Each error state can thus be assigned exactly one specific graphic code or a string which is stored in the pump electronics. In this case, only at least one error information needs to be coded in the code, which always remains the same and identifies the corresponding error.

Preferably, the pump electronics, when it has detected a fault condition of the pump set, from the number or variety of stored codes or strings select the code associated with this error state and display. By displaying the code on the display of the control unit, the error state is signaled and thus an error status display realized.

The at least one piece of information can be a designation of the error, for example an error identification number, in a particularly simple variant. However, it is also possible to code an error state or multiple error states combined with one or more operating states in the code to be displayed. This means that a part of the coded data defines the current and / or a previous operating state and another part of the coded data indicates a current and / or previous error state. Of course, due to the changing operating state data, it is then not possible to use a factory-stored code for displaying the error status. The code to be displayed must first be generated because of the current or past operating status data and is then displayed.

Alternatively or additionally, the at least one information to the pump set may be or include an internet address, e.g. to a website www.company.com, in particular to an external downloadable electronic manual. In this context, an Internet address does not necessarily mean an address to a remote storage location accessible via the Internet, but merely an address formed according to the TCP / IP protocol. This may be a remote one, but one existing in a local area network, i. Designate pump unit-near storage location. For example, such a web page or instructions may describe how to remedy a particular fault condition in the pump set.

Alternatively or additionally, the at least one information may be or contain at least one contact information, for example a name, a telephone number, an address, email and / or website of the manufacturer of the pump set. It is also advantageous if it is a contact information to a specific technical contact. The contact information can be, for example, an e-mail address, a street address, a telephone number and / or a name of a specific technical expert, technical support, manufacturer or a technical sales department that can remedy a specific fault condition or answer it certain technical questions about the pump set.

The pump electronics can be configured so that the user can request a graphic code or a string with a coded contact information at any time, in particular in the presence of an error condition. It is also possible that error-specific contact information, in particular different contact information, are coded for each error state. Thus, for every possible error case, the user can be given exactly the technical expert who has special knowledge to remedy the respective error.

Alternatively or additionally, the at least one piece of information can be product or production information, for example an identification number of the pump set, a part number, production number or order number of a spare part to a component / component of the pump set. This is helpful for a replacement case. Thus, in the event of an identified fault condition possibly pointing to a component of the pump unit to be replaced, a new order for this component can be made or initiated immediately with the display of the code. Furthermore, the production information may be information as to whether and, if so, when, which quality testing station has passed through the pump unit or the component or the component. In the case of service, this makes it possible to draw conclusions about the production process and quality management and to improve this or that. Finally, this allows traceability of the pump set or the components installed therein for quality assurance purposes in the production chain. The Coding of the above information makes it unnecessary to attach a special label with the corresponding information on the pump unit.

Suitably, the code may include information about the mounting position of the pump. This is advantageous for pumps that can be installed in multiple positions. For pumps, for example, heating pumps, at least three different installation positions can usually be realized, which affect the alignment of suction and discharge ports. Thus, in a vertical piping, the pump with its discharge nozzle directed upward and be installed in a vertically extending piping to the right or to the left or be. This corresponding installation position can be encoded in the graphic code. A QR code is particularly suitable for this, because it has orientation marks in three of its corners, by means of which its orientation on the display can be recognized. Modern smartphones or tablets have sensors by means of which their orientation with respect to the gravitational force can be determined. You can differentiate it above and below. If a reading device equipped with such a capability reads the graphic code, it can detect the orientation of the code relative to itself and thus also determine the installation position of the pump set. To encode the mounting position, this must then not be coded in the points of the QR code, because the coding takes place solely on the basis of the already existing orientation marks.

All of the above information can be stored in the pump electronics as a graphic code or string at the factory, so that this code can be selectively loaded and displayed from the memory as needed and no longer needs to be generated. Alternatively, this code can be generated as needed from the existing information or a combination of the aforementioned information.

As already mentioned with regard to the contact information, the selection of a stored graphical code or a string can be done manually, ie manually, requesting the control unit to query the corresponding desired information. For example, does he intend closer To receive information on a specific functionality of the pump, it can be displayed to him at his request a code or a string with a coded Internet address to a user manual.

As has already been mentioned, a program can run in the pump electronics, for example a program for error diagnosis, in which automatically, in particular at the end of the program, a graphic code or a character string is displayed. This code or string may contain a summary of operational data and / or indicate a possibly diagnosed error condition. Along with the error condition, an Internet address may also be coded to a web page or an electronic manual which describes how the error condition can be remedied.

This program or other program running in the pump electronics may alternatively or additionally be arranged to select and display one of the stored graphical codes or strings in the / part number if a particular error condition could be diagnosed , Production number or part number of a spare part is coded to a defective component of the pump set. Thus, the selection and display of a graphical code can be done either manually, at the request of the user, or automatically within the program executed in the pump electronics.

Preferably, in the presence of a certain error state of the pump unit that code is selected and displayed from the number of stored codes, in which indirectly or directly information for correcting the diagnosed error are encoded. This means that if the pump electronics could automatically identify a particular fault, one of the stored codes associated with that fault is selected and displayed. As "indirect information" to correct the diagnosed error, for example, contact information to a technical expert and / or a part number or order number of a spare part to a defective component of the pump set to understand. In contrast, an "immediate Information "to resolve a diagnosed error, such as an Internet address to an external downloadable electronic manual that describes how to resolve the error.

There is also the possibility that the program will not be able to diagnose the error. Thus, in the presence of an error condition that could not be diagnosed or diagnosed by the program, the current and / or past operational status data and / or error condition data may be encoded in one or more graphical codes and / or strings and displayed on the display. With regard to the error state, the information can be encoded in the code: "Error not detectable". The user thus has the option of having this coded operating data, i. Operating state data and / or error state data to read from the display to a reader, for example, to scan or Abototografieren and to provide technical support. This can be done for example by email or by a special application installed on the reader. The technical support can then decrypt the code or codes and determine from the corresponding operating state data and / or error status data with the technical means available to him the exact error state of the pump set. In this way, the technical support for the pump set is improved for the user, since no technician has to look at the pump set on site to obtain the internal operating data to the pump set.

According to a preferred embodiment of the method according to the invention, the operating data and / or the at least one information can be coded and / or encoded into two or more graphic codes or character strings, which are then displayed sequentially on the display as an image sequence in chronological sequence. This has the advantage that a large amount of information can be encoded and transmitted in this optically encoded form to a reading device. The chronological sequence of the codes in succession can take place automatically, ie without interaction of a user, so that the display automatically switches to the next code after a certain time interval, for example every 5 seconds indicates, in particular, this next code is generated. Alternatively, in the time sequence, a manual interaction between the pump unit and a user may be provided. This means that the pump electronics waits for an acknowledgment signal issued by the user in order to display the next code, in particular first to generate it and then to display it. This can be triggered for example by actuation of a control element on the pump electronics.

In particular, for large amounts of information is also a dynamic barcode, in whose temporal change the information or information and / or operating data can be encoded. A dynamic bar code, in particular bar code, has a beginning and an end in terms of time, the code being repeated after reaching its end and this repetition taking place endlessly. The temporal change of the bar or bar codes may be caused, for example, by flickering, i. be done by a time-varying light intensity of the bars. The operating data to be coded and / or the at least one piece of information are then encrypted as a bit stream in the barcode. Such a code can be read by a corresponding reader, which has, for example, photo sensors in the number of flickering bars. The reader must then be held with its photo sensors to the display of the control unit so that each photo sensor is located on one of the flickering bars.

According to a further aspect of the invention, a pump electronics for a pump unit is proposed, comprising a display, a processor unit controlling it with an executable program, and a memory unit in communication with the processor unit, in which at least one information of the pump unit is stored and / or storable, the program being adapted to carry out the method according to the invention. This means above all that the program is set up to display the information as at least one graphic code and / or as a coded character string on the display. This pump unit allows a simple and error-reduced reading of at least one piece of information from the pump unit.

The program may be configured to generate the code or string of operating data of the pump set and / or of at least one piece of information about the pump set stored in the storage unit. Alternatively or additionally, the program can be set up to select the code or the character string from a number of codes stored in the memory unit or in another memory unit. In both cases, the program running on the processor unit has instructions which serve to execute the program in the pump electronics. The program generates and / or selects a code, which is then displayed on the display.

The presentation can be made by the mentioned processor unit. Thus, according to one embodiment variant, only a single processor unit can be present on which the program for generating and / or selecting the code is executed and from which the display is triggered. According to another embodiment variant, two processor units may be present, wherein said program is executed on a first processor unit and a second processor unit controls the display. This second processor unit may for example be part of a driver of the display.

The program then preferably transmits the generated and / or selected code-defining data to the second processor unit and has the code displayed by the latter.

The program may be part of the operating software of the pump electronics or an independent, independent program.

Preferably, the pump unit is driven by an electric motor, that is, that the drive unit is an electric motor. In particular, the pump unit is one that is intended for a heating system, for a cooling circuit or for drinking water supply or sanitation. It can thus form, for example, a centrifugal pump unit, in particular in wet rotor design. Furthermore, the pump electronics for operating multiple Pump units may be provided for example in a pumping station or a pressure booster.

The pump electronics can have at least one interaction means or an interface to an interaction means, by means of which a user input can be made to the pump electronics. In this case, the program is set up to generate or select the graphic code or the string based on an operation of the interaction means by a user.

The interaction means may be formed, for example, as a button, push-button, knob, sensor button or as a touch-sensitive area of the display. It may structurally form a unit with the controller, i. For example, with other components of the control unit preferably via electrical lines to be connected. Alternatively, the control unit may have an interface for connecting an external interaction means to the control unit. This interface can be, for example, an electrical plug-in contact or a radio module. Thus, the interaction means can also be coupled by radio with the control unit.

The user can deliberately request the graphical code or activate or use the program or make a user input as part of the program, which then results in the display of the graphic code or the character string by means of this interaction means. Such an interaction between user and pump electronics can be realized, for example, in a program for identifying and / or diagnosing a fault condition.

As an alternative to this manual triggering of the display of a code, the code can be automatically displayed by the program on the display. For this purpose, the program can be set up to generate or select the graphic code or the character string due to the occurrence of a specific event in or on the pump set. As previously explained, an event can be an error, the change of an operating state or the achievement or

Be exceeded a maintenance interval. In that regard, please refer to the previous explanations.

In both variants mentioned (manual and automatic triggering), the program may have means for detecting a fault condition of the pump set. If an error condition is detected, the operating data may be measurement data describing this error and / or calculated data, and / or the at least one information may be a description of the error condition. On the other hand, if the error state is described by information, then each error state can always be assigned the same graphic code or the same character string, of which then a specific number, in particular a plurality, can be stored in the memory unit. Accordingly, the program may then be arranged to load and display from the identified error condition exactly that code associated with the identified error condition.

As described above for the method according to the invention, the operating data may be data which defines a current and / or a previous operating state. In that regard, reference will also be made to the previous explanations.

The pump electronics may be connected to at least one means for measuring at least one operating state quantity of the pump set, the at least one piece of information being at least one measured value of that means, i. is the value of an operating state variable of the pump set indicating the current and / or previous operating state.

For example, the differential pressure, the flow rate and / or the power consumption of the pump set can be measured. However, other sizes may be measured, such as the temperature of the windings or the medium, the speed and / or vibration of the pump set. If one of these variables is measured, then at least some of the operating data represent measured data of these measuring devices. If these are current measured values, these define the current operating state or define this operating state at least with. If these are past measured values, they define at least one previous operating state or at least define this operating state. This applies here equally for the pump electronics according to the invention and for the method according to the invention.

Preferably, at least one information encoded in the graphic code or string to be selected to the pump set may be an Internet address to an external, downloadable electronic manual. As stated above, this manual may be one that contains explanations for resolving a specific error condition.

Alternatively or additionally, the at least one piece of information may be contact information for a technical contact, in particular a telephone number, an e-mail address, a street address and / or a name. The graphic code can, for example, form a type of coded business card.

Additionally or alternatively, the at least one piece of information may be a part number or order number of a replacement part to a component of the pump set.

As already stated for the method according to the invention, the graphic code, in the case of a one-dimensional code, can be a point code, bar code or bar code. This can be static, but dynamic modification of this code is advantageous for encoding large amounts of data. As a two-dimensional graphic code, a matrix code, in particular a QR code, as a multi-dimensional graphic code, a stacked code can be used.

Preferably, the program may also be set up to code the operating data and / or the at least one information into two or more codes to be generated and / or to select two or more of the stored codes, and To display these generated or selected codes as a sequence of images sequentially on the display in chronological order.

Preferably, the program may be configured to diagnose a fault condition. Advantageously, in the presence of a specific diagnosed fault condition of the pump unit, it can then select and display the code from the stored codes which indicates this particular error condition. Furthermore, it is advantageous if information indirectly or directly encoded in the selected code for the elimination of the diagnosed error state. In addition or as an alternative, the program can be set up in such a way that it codes the current and / or past operating status data and / or error status data in one or more graphic codes or character strings and displays this or these on the display. Thus, a user is given assistance in case of error, either to fix the error or further analyze.

For example, in the form of a link contained in the code, the user may be directed to a downloadable guide on the Internet or a troubleshooting guide, or may be indirectly provided with more information, such as technical support contact information that he may consult for troubleshooting. For this, the user only needs a reader to read the graphic code into the reader and decode or evaluate. In the case of a coded string, the user only has to have this string translated. This can also be done in an external device or online using an Internet application in which the user enters the string.

Unless the program can identify the error condition, it can encode the values of current and / or past operational state quantities in the graphical code or string, which can then be further analyzed by a technical service, ie externally. For this purpose, the user only needs a reader to read the graphic code into the reader and to provide customer service (technical support). The reading can be done by photograph or scan by means of a corresponding code scanner done. In particular, smartphones and tablets nowadays have photo cameras and / or webcams that are set up for photographing the code.

Advantageously, however, a special application may also be present on the reading device which decodes the information encoded in the graphic code and displays it on the reading device and / or a computer connected thereto and / or immediately triggers a specific action.

If an Internet address is encoded into a manual in the graphic code or string displayed on the display, the corresponding application on the reading device can immediately establish an Internet connection to the Internet address assigned to the manual and load the instructions onto the reading device so that the user can read the instructions on the reader.

If contact data are coded in the graphic code, for example as a business card, the application can immediately display this contact data as a contact data record and, if necessary, store it in an address book after reading in the code. The user can then, for example, in the case of an existing email address via this email address contact the contact person (customer service). In particular, he can send a likewise displayed and photographed matrix code by email to this contact. If, for example, a telephone number is coded in the code, the contact can be made correspondingly by telephone from the decoded data.

According to a further variant, the application can be set up on the reading device to recognize that the information coded in the graphic code or the character string is a part number or order number of a replacement part for a component of the pump set, the application after reading and evaluating the code immediately initiated an ordering process to order this component.

A combination of the mentioned variants in a single application on the reader is possible. This makes it particularly easy for the user to remedy a fault on the pump set.

According to a third aspect of the invention, a pump unit is proposed with an electronics having a controllable display for displaying at least one piece of information about the pump unit, wherein the electronics is a pump electronics with the mentioned in the claims and / or with the features described above.

Further advantages and features of the invention will be explained below with reference to an embodiment and the accompanying figure.

The figure shows a schematic representation of the individual components of a pump electronics 1 which is associated with a pump unit 3. The pump unit 3 comprises an electromotive drive unit and a pump unit driven by it. The drive unit is controlled and energized by the pump electronics 1. The connection between the pump electronics 1 and the pump unit 3 can take place via a line, that is, the pump electronics 1 is arranged far away from the drive unit, for example in a control cabinet. Preferably, however, the pump electronics 1 forms a structural unit with the drive unit. It is then mounted in an electronics housing of the electric motor.

The pump electronics 1 comprises a processor unit 4, a memory unit 5, a visual display 2 and at least one interaction means 7. The memory unit 5, the display 2 and the interaction means 7 are connected to the processor unit 4 in terms of control technology. Via the interaction means 7, a user input to the pump electronics 1 can be made, which is registered in the processor unit 4. There may also be a plurality of interaction means 7. The interaction means 7 can be any operating element, for example a pushbutton, a pushbutton, a rotary knob, a combined rotary pushbutton, for example a pulse generator, or a sensor key.

In the memory unit 5 internal operating data of the pump unit 3 and / or information about the pump unit 3 can be stored or stored. The storage can be permanent or temporary. The processor unit 4 can access the stored data and display it on the display 2 as needed. The display 2 is driven by the processor unit 4. Operating state information about the pump set and / or menus for various settings on the pump set 3 can be displayed on the display 2.

Furthermore, the pump electronics 1 a power electronics 6, for example, a PWM-controlled frequency converter, which is also controlled by the processor unit 4 and connected to the stator windings of the electric motor of the pump unit 3 in order to apply a voltage to these respectively to energize. In addition, 6 information about the operation of the pump unit 3 can be reported back to the processor unit 4 of the power electronics.

The figure further shows by way of example a sensor 9 for measuring the differential pressure applied by the pump 3. The measurement data of this sensor 9 are transmitted to the processor unit 4. There may be further sensors on or in the pump unit 3 and / or on or in the pump electronics 1 to detect further operating variables of the pump unit 3, for example a volume flow sensor for measuring the volume flow, a vibration sensor for detecting mechanical vibrations, a temperature sensor for detection the ambient temperature or for detecting a temperature of a component of the pump unit, for example a motor winding, a moisture sensor for detecting the moisture in the pump electronics and / or in the electric motor, for example, to detect leakage or condensation, a speed sensor, a torque sensor, a sensor for Detection of the electromagnetic stray field in the motor, or any other sensors. The sensor signals can all be transmitted to the processor unit 4.

It should be noted, however, that the use of sensors for detecting operating variables of the pump unit 3 is not absolutely necessary. Rather, some of the operating variables can also be computationally determined or at least estimated from an electrical, electro-mechanical and / or mechanical-hydraulic model of the pump unit 3 or part of the pump unit.

Via a supply line 8, the pump unit 3 is connected to a voltage source, for example to the mains voltage. The line 8 is guided in the pump electronics 1 and connected in a manner not shown with the power electronics 6.

In the processor unit 4, an executable program is loaded, which can be executed during operation of the pump unit 3. The program assumes the representation of the operating data and / or the information on the display. It may be part of the operating software of the pump electronics 1, i. form an integral part of this operating software, or be a stand-alone program independent of the operating software. According to the invention, the program is also set up to binary code the operating data into a matrix code 10 and to display this generated matrix code 10 on the display 2, as shown in the figure. The matrix code 10 is embodied here as an example as a QR code. However, any other one-dimensional or multi-dimensional graphical code may be used. The coding of the code 10 can also be done by another program or a different part of the program than that which controls the display.

The coding of the operating data and display of the matrix code 10 takes place automatically when the pump electronics 1 detects a fault condition of the pump unit 3. For this purpose, an error detection function can be implemented in the program. The error detection can be done on the basis of at least one measured and / or calculated operating variable of the pump set. For example, an error condition may be recognized as present when a particular operating quantity reaches a certain limit above or below. Thus, a certain current consumption or power consumption can be exceeded, a certain operating temperature can be exceeded, vibrations exceed a certain limit, which indicates, for example, worn bearings, or a certain moisture level is exceeded. Also, combinations of values of the operation quantities may constitute a condition for detecting an error condition. For example, a very small volume flow can be measured, whereas at the same time the speed of the pump unit is normal, which then indicates a leakage at the pump chamber.

If an error condition is detected, then the current operating state data and / or past operating state data, which has been previously stored, are encoded in the matrix code 10 and this matrix code 10 is displayed.

According to an alternative embodiment variant, a specific graphic code, in particular a matrix code 10, is allocated to each error state detectable by the pump electronics 1 and stored in the memory unit 5. Instead of coding the operating data, the graphic code 10 assigned to this error state is then loaded after the identification of the error state and displayed on the display. In the code 10 then the error state of the pump unit is coded, for example, a designation of the error state or an error identification number (error code).

In a further embodiment, the aforementioned variants are combined, i. In the matrix code 10 to be generated, both operating state data and the error state or error state data are coded.

As an alternative to an automatic display of a graphic code 10 on the display in the event of a detected fault condition of the pump unit 3, the display of a code 10 due to an interaction of a user with the pump electronics 1 can take place. The user can deliberately request the display of the code 10 by means of the interaction means according to a first variant. According to another variant, he may program or a subfunction of Start program, the display of the code is then displayed in the frame, especially at the end of an interactive program processing.

According to a further variant, the program running on the processor unit 4 can contain both of the aforementioned variants. Thus, the user can go in the program to a corresponding menu item, which is designed specifically for the generation and display of a graphical code from the current operating data or other stored static information. Further, the program may include another user-selectable menu in which the said sub-function is then executed. Furthermore, in another variant, the program may also include both the automatic display of a graphical code and the manually triggered by the user display of such code.

With regard to the variant in which the user starts the program or a sub-function of the program by a user input, this program or sub-function is implemented by way of example by a menu-based user guidance for diagnosing a fault condition of the pump unit 3. The user is then guided through various menus shown on the display 2, which serve to diagnose the pump set 3. For this purpose, two different questions can be displayed on the display 2, which the user can affirm or deny by means of the interaction means 7 or answer with a certain value. The menu-based user guidance is consequently visualized on the display 2 during the execution of the program or its sub-function. Based on the user input, the program can then determine whether and, if so, which error state is present. It is then set up to display the matrix code 10 on the display 2 as a function of the diagnosed error condition.

As already explained, in the matrix code 10 to be displayed, either only the information about the detected error state can be encoded, or the current operating state data in the matrix code 10 is encoded. A combination of this information is also possible, so that in the matrix code 10 to be displayed, both the identified error state and the current one Operating state values are coded. Instead of the identified error state as such (for example as its designation or error identification number), other information may also be encoded or coded in the code 10 which directly or indirectly leads to the elimination of the diagnosed error state.

For example, an Internet address may be encoded into an external downloadable electronic manual in the matrix code 10, which may include instructions for correcting the error in the manual. Since the manual or each manual is error-specific, each fault condition that can determine the pump electronics 1, a specific Internet address stored for a corresponding instruction in the memory unit, in particular already coded stored as a graphic code so that they are directly loaded as needed and can be displayed.

Alternatively or additionally, the information may be contact information to a technical contact person. Here, too, a special contact can be assigned to each error state, so that for each error state, corresponding contact information can also be stored in the memory unit 5, in particular directly as a graphic code 10.

Finally, at least one part number or part number of a spare part to a component of the pump unit 3 may be coded or encoded in the graphic code 10. The at least one part number or order number can likewise be assigned to a specific error state. If, for example, a tumbling motion of the rotor shaft of the electric motor is detected on the basis of the electromagnetic stray field, this indicates a worn bearing. If this error condition is diagnosed, the order number for a replacement bearing can immediately be encoded in the matrix code 10.

According to the invention, at least one or all of the information associated with a particular error condition can be stored there in the memory unit 5, in particular immediately as a graphical code 10, so that it does not even exist generated, but only selected depending on the identified error state, ie must be loaded and can be displayed.

According to the invention, therefore, the program or its sub-function is set up to select and display those graphic code 10 from a plurality of stored codes in the presence of a specific, diagnosed by the program error state of the pump unit in which indirectly or directly information to correct the diagnosed error state are encoded. Accordingly, the program or its sub-function is set up so that, in the presence of an error condition that can not or could not be diagnosed by the program, the current and / or past operating status data and / or error status data are encoded in a graphic code 10 and this Display 2.

If the amount of information and / or operating status data exceeds the total amount of data that can be encoded in the graphic code 10, then the operating data and / or information may also be encoded into two or more codes 10, which are then displayed in temporal Succession on the display. Alternatively, a dynamic bar code may be used that changes with time and whose length of time depends on the amount of data encoded in it.

The code 10 shown on the display 2 can then be optically detected by the user by means of a corresponding reader. This can be done for example by photographing or by scanning. For this purpose, a camera, in particular a camera, or a webcam can be integrated in the reader. As a reading device, for example, offers a smartphone or a tablet, in which nowadays the standard optical detection means (camera, webcam) are integrated as standard.

On the reader then an application is installed, which can capture the graphic code by means of the optical detection means. The detected code can thus be transmitted directly to a technical customer service, for example by email, and / or it can be decoded by the application and the data contained in it are displayed to the user. If, for example, the code encodes an Internet address for instructions, this manual can also be downloaded directly to the reader and displayed to the user. Furthermore, the application can be set up to automatically initiate an ordering process for this part in the case of an order or part number present in the matrix code 10. If there is an email address or telephone number for technical support in the matrix code, after the reading and evaluation of the matrix code by means of the application, a telephone connection to the contact person can be established immediately or the matrix code can be sent to it by email. Other automated processes may be triggered and performed depending on the information encoded in the code.

It should also be noted that a plurality of graphic codes which have been generated or selected according to the invention can also be displayed on the display 2. Thus, for example, in a first code the operating data, in particular operating state and / or error state data can be encoded, while in a second displayed graphic code information about the pump set, in particular for rectifying an error state, can be encoded.

Claims (17)

Method for providing at least one information of a - pump unit (3) on a controllable display (2) of electronics (1) of the pump unit (3), characterized in that the information as at least one graphic code (10) and / or encoded as a string wherein the graphical code (10) is a matrix code (10) or a flickering bar or bar code. A method according to claim 1, characterized in that the graphic code (10) or the character string from operating data of the pump unit (3) and / or at least one information to the pump unit (3) is generated. A method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the graphic code (10) is selected from a number of stored codes or character strings. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the matrix code (10) is a QR code (10). Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the graphic code (10) or the string generated on request to the electronics (1) and / or on occurrence of a specific event on or in the pump unit (3) and / or selected and displayed becomes. Method according to one of claims 2 to 5, characterized in that the operating data define the current and / or at least one previous operating state. Method according to one of the preceding claims 2 to 6, characterized in that the at least one information is at least one measured value and / or the operating data measured values of at least one operating variable of the pump unit (3), which indicates the current and / or at least one previous operating state /specify. Method according to one of the preceding claims 2 to 7, characterized in that the operating data and / or the information indicate a current and / or previous error state / indicates. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least one information of the pump unit (3) an Internet address to an external downloadable electronic instructions, at least contact information to a technical contact, and / or a part number or order number of a spare part to a component of Pump unit (3) is or contains. Method according to one of claims 3 to 9, characterized in that the stored codes are each assigned to a specific event, in particular a specific error condition and the electronics (1) detects an event in or on the pump unit (3) and from the stored codes this Event associated with code (10) selected and displayed. Method according to one of the preceding Claims 2 to 10, characterized in that two or more graphic codes (10) or coded character strings are generated from the operating data and / or the at least one information or two or more graphical codes ( 10) are selected from the number of stored codes, and these are displayed simultaneously or as an image sequence in succession on the display (2). Method according to one of claims 10 or 11, characterized in that in the presence of a certain error state of the pump unit (3) of that graphic code (10) or that character string is selected from the number of stored codes and displayed in the or indirectly or directly information are coded to correct this error condition. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that in the presence of an error state, current and / or past operating state data and / or error state data encoded in one or more graphic codes (10) or strings and this / this is displayed on the display (2) /become. Pump electronics (1) for a pump unit (3), comprising a display (2), a processor unit (4) controlling this with an executable program and a memory unit (5) in communication with the processor unit (4), in which at least one piece of information the pump unit (3) is stored and / or storable, characterized in that the program for carrying out the method according to one of claims 1 to 13 is set up. Pump electronics (1) according to claim 14, characterized in that it comprises at least one interaction means (7) for performing a user input to the pump electronics (1) and the program is adapted to the graphic code (10) or the string due to an operation of the Interaction agent (7). Pump electronics (1) according to any one of claims 14 or 15, characterized in that it is connected to at least one means (9) for measuring at least one operating state variable of the pump unit (3), wherein the at least one information at least one measured value of this means (9 ) and / or the operating data are measured values of this means (9) and the value or the measured values indicate / indicate the current and / or a previous operating state. Pump electronics (1) according to one of claims 14 to 16, characterized in that the program comprises means for detecting a fault condition of the pump unit (3) and the operating data and / or the at least one information indicates a current and / or a previous error condition / indicate ,

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