EP3945215A1 - Steuereinheit für eine pumpe - Google Patents

Steuereinheit für eine pumpe Download PDF

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Publication number
EP3945215A1
EP3945215A1 EP20188099.4A EP20188099A EP3945215A1 EP 3945215 A1 EP3945215 A1 EP 3945215A1 EP 20188099 A EP20188099 A EP 20188099A EP 3945215 A1 EP3945215 A1 EP 3945215A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
control unit
mode
pump
light emitting
emitting units
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP20188099.4A
Other languages
English (en)
French (fr)
Inventor
Boris KLOTZ
Nilas PLEJE
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Husqvarna AB
Original Assignee
Husqvarna AB
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Husqvarna AB filed Critical Husqvarna AB
Priority to EP20188099.4A priority Critical patent/EP3945215A1/de
Priority to EP21724259.3A priority patent/EP4189248B1/de
Priority to CN202180045747.7A priority patent/CN115720607A/zh
Priority to PCT/EP2021/061942 priority patent/WO2022022870A1/en
Publication of EP3945215A1 publication Critical patent/EP3945215A1/de
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F04—POSITIVE - DISPLACEMENT MACHINES FOR LIQUIDS; PUMPS FOR LIQUIDS OR ELASTIC FLUIDS
    • F04D—NON-POSITIVE-DISPLACEMENT PUMPS
    • F04D15/00—Control, e.g. regulation, of pumps, pumping installations or systems
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F04—POSITIVE - DISPLACEMENT MACHINES FOR LIQUIDS; PUMPS FOR LIQUIDS OR ELASTIC FLUIDS
    • F04D—NON-POSITIVE-DISPLACEMENT PUMPS
    • F04D13/00—Pumping installations or systems
    • F04D13/02—Units comprising pumps and their driving means
    • F04D13/06—Units comprising pumps and their driving means the pump being electrically driven
    • F04D13/068—Battery powered

Definitions

  • the present disclosure relates to pumps. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to a control unit which allows a user-friendly and convenient operation of a pump.
  • Pumps such as battery pumps may include a control unit to operate the pumps.
  • control unit may include one or more buttons, switches, and indicators to allow interaction of a user with different modes and functionalities of the pumps.
  • buttons, switches, and indicators to allow interaction of a user with different modes and functionalities of the pumps.
  • buttons, switches, and indicators on the control unit there are constraints regarding space and aesthetics of the control unit based on the number of the buttons, switches, and indicators on the control unit. There are also increasing demands to have the control unit as compact and easy-to-use as possible. For similar reasons, there have been efforts in the art to provide buttons, switches, or indicators on the control unit which may serve multiple functions and allow better space utilization in a user-friendly manner.
  • the '442 reference provides a signal indicator lamp which includes a plurality of light emitting units each of which emit light in one light emission color selected among a plurality of light emission colors.
  • a memory stores light emission color information of the plurality of light emitting units, and a light emission control section controls light emission states of the plurality of light emitting units according to light emission color information stored based on an input control signal.
  • the '442 reference does not disclose a simple, user-friendly means (say switch) for allowing convenient switching between different parameters along with suitable indicators (i.e. the light emission states here) to highlight change in the different parameters.
  • the control unit includes a control button to operate the pump based on a user action.
  • the control unit includes a plurality of light emitting units provided with the control unit.
  • the plurality of light emitting units indicate one or more operating parameters of the pump.
  • the control unit is characterized in that the control button allows to switch between a plurality of operating modes of the pump based on different user actions. Further, the plurality of light emitting units indicate switching between the plurality of operating modes of the pump by change in color corresponding to the plurality of operating modes of the pump.
  • the plurality of operating modes include a battery mode having a battery status, a first mode having a first operating parameter, and a second mode having a second operating parameter.
  • the first operating mode might be the battery mode
  • the second operating mode might be a timer mode, whereby the use of a single button (i.e. the control button) allows to switch between the two modes.
  • the different user actions includes a first user action and a second user action.
  • the first operating mode is activated when the control button is actuated by the first user action
  • the second operating mode is activated when the control button is actuated by the second user action. This allows ease of use of the single control button to switch between the first mode and the second mode by the different user actions.
  • the first user action is pressing the control button for a first time period and the second user action is pressing the control button for a second time period.
  • the first mode and the second mode are a power mode and a timer mode, respectively, of the pump. It is obvious to the one skilled in the art that there could be a broad variety of operating modes and different combinations of the same. For example the different modes may a power mode, a timer mode, or a battery status mode, among others.
  • the plurality of light emitting units are LEDs (light emitting diodes). Use of LEDs may allow easy and user-friendly visual indication along with other implementation benefits of LEDs.
  • the plurality of light emitting units switch between a first color and a second color when the pump switches between the first mode and the second mode.
  • Change in color of the plurality of light emitting units thus serves as a simple and easy to verify visual indicator for change between the first mode and the second mode.
  • multi-color LEDs known from the state of the art.
  • the first color and second color are blue and green, respectively.
  • Choice of the first color and the second color may be based on user-preference, or any implementation factor.
  • control unit further includes a power button to operate the pump.
  • control unit may be operated by either of the power button, or the control button, as per the need.
  • the plurality of operating modes include a power ON/OFF mode of the pump. This may allow application of the control button to activate the power ON/OFF mode of the pump.
  • the plurality of light emitting units are at least three in number.
  • the number of the plurality of light emitting units may provide indication regarding state, stage or any other value related to the one or more operating parameters, and modes of the pump.
  • the plurality of light emitting units selectively indicate the battery status of the pump both during the first operating mode and the second operating mode. This may allow dynamic indication to users of the battery status of the pump even during any activated state of the first operating mode and the second operating mode.
  • control unit is at least partially realized on a portable device such that the activation and/or the switching of at least part of the different operational modes are allowed on the portable device.
  • a portable device such as a smart phone or pad.
  • control unit is at least partially realized on a portable device such the operational parameters are at least in part visible on the user portable device. This allows the remote inspection of the operational parameters such that a user only needs to move close to the controlled device if the operational parameters are not as expected or desired. For example with malfunctioning or the run out of power.
  • control button may be integrated with a lighting element such that the control button changes color based on the plurality of operating modes.
  • the control button may additionally or alternatively serve as an indicator of change between the first operating mode and the second operating mode based on the corresponding first user action or the second user action with the control button.
  • a pump having the control unit is provided.
  • the pump may be a battery pump, or any pump as used or known in the art, having application of the control unit.
  • FIG. 1 illustrates a pump 100 having a control unit 150.
  • the present disclosure illustrates a battery pump.
  • teachings of the present disclosure may be implemented with any other pump such as, but not limited to, impulse pumps, submersible pump, velocity pumps, gravity pumps since the present disclosure is not to be limited by the type/size/mechanism of the pump in any manner.
  • FIG. 1 illustrates the pump 100 having a pump housing 110.
  • the pump 100 includes a control housing 120 which houses a control unit 150.
  • the control unit 150 and the pump 100 are powered by a battery (not shown) housed within the control housing 120.
  • the control unit 150 allows for different levels or modes of control of the pump 100.
  • the control unit 150 may allow to perform various levels of control of the pump 100 such as, for example but need not necessarily be limited to, total control of the pump 100 where the control unit 150 can be used to control any function of the pump 100 without any restriction. Further, there may be situations where the control unit 150 may be able to control the pump 110 with some restrictions, for whatsoever reason, such as only power control of the pump 100.
  • control unit 150 includes a power button 160, a control button 170 and a series of light emitting units L1, L2, L3.
  • the present disclosure provides the control unit 150 with a compact and aesthetic arrangement without compromising with ease-of-use and convenience with application of the control unit 150.
  • the present disclosure further avoids need of multiple levers, buttons etc. to perform changes to the various modes, parameters operable by the control unit 150 of the pump 100. This allows ease of operation of the pump 100 for a common operator while providing multiple functionality without a need to rely on multiple buttons of the control unit 150 to control the pump 100.
  • the pump housing 110 and the control housing 120 are made of any material such as a water proof material. From aesthetics and implementation benefits, the control housing 120 can be made of a transparent material. Further, the control housing 120, the control unit 150 or any component of the pump 100 can be made of any or a combination of a metal, and a polymer or any other material as used or known in the relevant art.
  • the control unit 150 includes the power button 160 which allows to operate the pump 100.
  • the control unit 150 includes the plurality of light emitting units L1, L2, L3 (alternatively, LEDs (light emitting diodes) L1, L2, L3) provided with the control unit 150.
  • the present disclosure illustrates three light emitting units L1, L2, L3 on the control unit 150, however actual implementation of the present disclosure may have any number of the light emitting units L1, L2, L3 as per need of the pump 100, or any other factor.
  • the plurality of light emitting units L1, L2, L3 indicate one or more operating parameters (such as a battery status, a power mode, or a timer mode) of the pump 100.
  • the power button 160 may be used to switch "OFF", "ON” the pump 100.
  • any mode of the pump 100 such as the power mode, the timer mode may be interrupted or stopped by pressing the power button 160.
  • the pump 100 may have safety features to continuously monitor the different modes and associated operating parameters of the pump 100.
  • a low voltage level of the battery of the pump 100 may initially provide alerts to users and then automatically stop the power mode or the timer mode in absence of any user action.
  • FIG. 3 illustrates the control unit 150 with the control button 170 and the plurality of light emitting units L1, L2.
  • the control button 170 operates the pump 100 based on a user action.
  • the plurality of light emitting units L1, L2, L3 are provided with the control unit 150.
  • the plurality of light emitting units L1, L2, L3 indicate one or more operating parameters of the pump 100.
  • Such embodiments may have the control unit 150 make application of only the control button 170, without any power button 160 as illustrated in the present figure.
  • This arrangement of the control unit 150 with only the control button 170 and the light emitting units L1, L2, L3 may further allow ease-of-operation and aesthetic benefits for application of the control unit 150.
  • the plurality of operating modes include a power ON/OFF mode of the pump 100. This may allow application of the control button 170 to activate the power ON/OFF mode of the pump 100.
  • the plurality of light emitting units L1, L2, L3 are LEDs (light emitting diodes), however any other light emitting means may be readily implemented with the present disclosure. From application and efficiency considerations, use of LEDs may allow easy and user-friendly visual indication of the operating parameters, along with other benefits of LEDs.
  • the plurality of LEDs L1, L2, L3 are at least three in number.
  • the number, type, size, and placement of the LEDs L1, L2, L3 may primarily depend upon number of the modes, sub-modes, the operational parameters associated with the pump 100.
  • the number of the LEDs L1, L2, L3 may provide indication regarding state (such as active, error and the like), stage or any other value related to the one or more operating parameters.
  • the control unit 150 includes the control button 170 which is actuated based on the user action.
  • the user action may be a short-press, long-press, or any other interaction of the control button 170 with the user (for example a double press with short interruption).
  • the control button 170 allows the user to switch between a plurality of operating modes of the pump 100 based on different user actions.
  • the plurality of light emitting units L1, L2, L3 indicate switching between the plurality of operating modes of the pump 100 by change in color corresponding to the plurality of operating modes (or the one or more operating parameters) of the pump 100.
  • the present disclosure provides the control unit 150 which allows use of a single button (i.e. the control button 170 ) to switch between different operating modes of the pump 100, as illustrated in different embodiments later.
  • control unit 150 may be adapted to interact with a user portable device (such as smartphone, tab and the like) to convey any message/notification/alert regarding mode change, operating parameters, time periods to the user portable device in real-time, or as per feature preference set by the user.
  • the control unit 150 may also be at least partially realized on a portable device such that the activation and/or the switching of at least part of the different operational modes are allowed on the portable device.
  • Alternative or in addition at least part of the operational parameters might be visible on the user portable device.
  • Such arrangement is merely for exemplary purposes, and the present disclosure can be readily used with any wireless device to the convey a message/notification/alert, as known or used in the art.
  • the control unit 150 is illustrated for a battery mode of the plurality of operating modes of the pump 100.
  • the control unit 150 includes a series of three LEDs L1, L2, L3 to indicate a battery status (in green "G" color herein) during the battery mode.
  • illumination or "ON" state of different number of LEDs of the LEDs L1, L2, L3 indicates different battery status of the battery mode.
  • FIG. 4A illustrates only LED L1 as "ON” with a flash which indicates the battery status as 0 to 10 percent, or battery near empty. Further, illumination of LED L1 without any flash indicates the battery status as 11 percent to 33 percent, as illustrated in FIG. 4B .
  • the battery status is 34 percent to 66 percent, as illustrated in FIG. 4C .
  • illumination of all the LEDs L1, L2, L3 indicates the battery status as 67 percent to 100 percent, as illustrated in FIG. 4D .
  • the present disclosure indicates the LEDs L1, L2, L3 of the control unit 150 in green "G" color to illustrate the battery status, however any other color may be used for such indication without any limitation.
  • the battery status may be indicated during whole running cycle of the pump 100, while the battery status may be activated when the pump 100 is switched "ON", such as by use of the power button 160. Additionally, or alternatively, the battery status may be activated by application of the control button 170 after switch "ON" of the pump 100 using the power button 160.
  • the control unit 150 is illustrated for a first mode and a second mode, respectively.
  • the exemplary present disclosure illustrates the first mode and the second mode which are a power mode and a timer mode respectively of the pump 100.
  • the first mode and the second mode have been referred interchangeably as “the power mode” and “the timer mode” hereinafter. It is obvious to the one skilled in the art that the different modes of the present disclosure may be any modes such as the power mode, the timer mode, or a battery status, among various others.
  • the different user actions of the present disclosure include a first user action and a second user action.
  • the first mode (or the power mode) is activated when the control button 170 is actuated by the first user action
  • the second mode or the timer mode
  • the first user action may be pressing the control button 170 for a first time period (such as pressing for 5 seconds) and the second user action may be pressing the control button 170 for a second time period (such as pressing for 3 seconds).
  • the threshold time period may be 4 seconds, or any other value as per user preference.
  • the present disclosure refers exemplary types, values of first user action, the second user action, the first time period, the second time period for reference and explanatory purpose only. However, different types, values of such user actions, time periods have been contemplated and all such variations are well within the scope of the present disclosure.
  • control button 170 may be integrated with a lighting element (not shown) such that the control button 170 changes color based on the plurality of operating modes. This way the control button 170 may additionally or alternatively serve as an indicator of change between the first mode and the second mode based on the corresponding first user action or the second user action with the control button 170.
  • the present disclosure refers to the battery mode, the first mode/power mode, the second mode/timer mode for exemplary purposes, however the pump 100 may have any number of modes to suit application needs.
  • the power mode (or the first mode) as illustrated in FIG. 5A-5C is activated by pressing the control button 170 for the first time period (5 seconds in some embodiments).
  • pressing of the control button 170 may initially activate mode light (i.e. of blue "B" color) for the power mode.
  • mode light i.e. of blue "B" color
  • the control button 170 is pressed within 5 seconds to set any sub-mode (or levels) of the power mode as illustrated in FIGS. 5A-5C.
  • FIG. 5A illustrates flashing of the LED L1 with blue "B" light to indicate a first power level of the power mode.
  • FIGS. 5B, 5C illustrate flashing of LEDs L1, L2 and LEDs L1, L2, L3 respectively to indicate a second and third power level of the power mode.
  • the timer mode (or the second mode) as illustrated in FIGS. 6A-6C is activated by pressing the control button 170 for the second time period (3 seconds in some embodiments).
  • pressing of the control button 170 for the second time period activates mode light (i.e. green "G” ) for the timer mode. This starts intermediate flashing of green "G” and blue “B” light on LED L1 which signifies a first timer (say of 5 minutes), as illustrated in FIG. 6A .
  • mode light i.e. green "G”
  • LED L1 which signifies a first timer (say of 5 minutes), as illustrated in FIG. 6A .
  • the control button 170 is not pressed within 5 seconds the timer starts, otherwise pressing the control button 170 within 5 seconds allows to set the timer of the timer mode as illustrated in FIGS. 6B, 6C.
  • FIG. 6B illustrates flashing of the LEDs L1, L2 with green “G” to blue “B” light to indicate a second timer (say of 10 minutes) of the timer mode.
  • FIG. 6C illustrate flashing of LEDs L1, L2, L3 to indicate a third timer (say of 15 minutes) of the timer mode.
  • the pump 100 may switch "OFF" automatically after finishing of the timer mode, such as for efficiency and safety considerations.
  • the present embodiment mentions different exemplary values of the first timer, the second timer and the third timer as 5, 10, and 15 minutes respectively, however the timer mode may have any values of such timers without any limitation.
  • the plurality of light emitting units L1, L2, L3 switch between a first color and a second color when the pump 100 switches between the first mode (such as the power mode) and the second mode (such as the timer mode).
  • Change in color of the plurality of light emitting units L1, L2, L3 thus serves as a simple and easy to verify visual indicator for change between the first mode and the second mode.
  • the first color and second color are blue B and green G, respectively. Choice of the first color and the second color may be based on user-preference, ease of differentiation, background-light around the pump 100 or any implementation factor.
  • the control unit 150 may include one or more audio indicators, alerts, or signals to indicate change between the first mode and the second mode.
  • the audio indicators, alerts, or signals may be integrated with the working of the control button 170 such as to indicate change between the first mode and the second mode of the pump 100.
  • the plurality of operating modes of the pump 100 include the battery mode, the first mode having a first operating parameter, and the second mode having a second operating parameter. More particularly, the first mode is the power mode having multiple power levels i.e. the first, second, and third power levels as the first operating parameter, as illustrated in FIGS. 5A-5C , respectively.
  • the second mode is the timer mode having the first, second, and third time periods as the second operating parameter, as illustrated in FIGS. 6A-6C , respectively.
  • FIG. 7 illustrates various states of LEDs L1, L2, L3 of the control unit 150 during implementation of the timer mode of the pump 100, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
  • the LEDs L1, L2, L3 show the battery status periodically after a fixed time period T and then once run a light (herein with blue "B" color) from LED L3 to LED L1.
  • the control panel 150 includes the LEDs L1, L2, L3 in green "G" color at start and end of the fixed time period T.
  • the fixed time period T can be any time period such as five seconds, as pre-set by the users of the pump 100.
  • This feature of the LEDs L1, L2, L3 as illustrated in present figure may allow a visual check, among other implementation benefits, to users regarding working state of the LEDs L1, L2, L3 for both the blue “B” color and the green “G” color after the fixed time period T.
  • the plurality of LEDs L1, L2, L3 may selectively indicate the battery status of the pump 100 both during the first mode and the second mode. This may allow dynamic indication to users of the battery status of the pump 100 during the first mode and the second mode.
  • the present disclosure allows the control unit 150 to have application with any pump 100.
  • the control unit 150 provides multiple use of the control button 170 to conveniently switch between different modes of the pump 100. Further, the control unit 150 makes application of the LEDs L1, L2, L3 to indicate a dynamic state, level, status of different operating parameters of the different modes during switching between the different modes by changing color of one or more of the LEDs L1, L2, L3 of the control unit 150.
  • the control unit 150 of the present disclosure allows use of a single button (i.e. the control button 170 ) for multiple-mode selection making the application of the control unit 150 convenient and user-friendly.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Control Of Positive-Displacement Pumps (AREA)
  • Illuminated Signs And Luminous Advertising (AREA)
EP20188099.4A 2020-07-28 2020-07-28 Steuereinheit für eine pumpe Withdrawn EP3945215A1 (de)

Priority Applications (4)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP20188099.4A EP3945215A1 (de) 2020-07-28 2020-07-28 Steuereinheit für eine pumpe
EP21724259.3A EP4189248B1 (de) 2021-05-06 Steuereinheit für eine pumpe
CN202180045747.7A CN115720607A (zh) 2020-07-28 2021-05-06 用于泵的控制单元
PCT/EP2021/061942 WO2022022870A1 (en) 2020-07-28 2021-05-06 Control unit for a pump

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP20188099.4A EP3945215A1 (de) 2020-07-28 2020-07-28 Steuereinheit für eine pumpe

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP3945215A1 true EP3945215A1 (de) 2022-02-02

Family

ID=71842571

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP20188099.4A Withdrawn EP3945215A1 (de) 2020-07-28 2020-07-28 Steuereinheit für eine pumpe

Country Status (3)

Country Link
EP (1) EP3945215A1 (de)
CN (1) CN115720607A (de)
WO (1) WO2022022870A1 (de)

Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP2996442A1 (de) 2013-05-09 2016-03-16 Patlite Corporation Signalanzeigelampe
DE102018008389A1 (de) * 2018-10-25 2020-04-30 Wilo Se Kreiselpumpenaggregat mit Bedienelement

Patent Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP2996442A1 (de) 2013-05-09 2016-03-16 Patlite Corporation Signalanzeigelampe
DE102018008389A1 (de) * 2018-10-25 2020-04-30 Wilo Se Kreiselpumpenaggregat mit Bedienelement

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
CN115720607A (zh) 2023-02-28
WO2022022870A1 (en) 2022-02-03
EP4189248A1 (de) 2023-06-07

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