EP4115085B1

EP4115085B1 - Submersible pump with touch sensitive sensors

Info

Publication number: EP4115085B1
Application number: EP20819779.8A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Christian Drößler; Johannes Gungl
Original assignee: Husqvarna AB
Current assignee: Husqvarna AB
Priority date: 2020-03-02
Filing date: 2020-12-09
Publication date: 2023-12-06
Anticipated expiration: 2040-12-09
Also published as: CN115280018A; EP3875765A1; WO2021175474A1; EP4115085A1

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to a submersible pump. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to the submersible pump which provides integrated liquid-level sensing and control.

BACKGROUND

A submersible pump (or sub pump, or electric submersible pump (ESP)) is a device which has a hermetically sealed motor close-coupled to a pump body. The whole assembly is submerged in a fluid to be pumped. Typically, submersible pumps are used to push the fluid to desired locations.
An example of a submersible pump is provided with US Patent application US 2010/154534 A1 (hereinafter referred to as '534 reference). The '534 reference provides to a method and apparatus for sensing a top level of a material in a vessel, and in particular for capacitive sensing the top level of a material in a vessel. The apparatus includes a control system having at least one user input. A sensor module monitors a top level of material over a large range with a passive sensor, to set various dynamic setpoints. These dynamic setpoints may be set through the user input. However, the '534 reference seems short of providing simple, user-friendly techniques of user action (say touch-based) to allow various operation modes, setting, or other customization of the vessel.
Further, patent reference EP3091234 provides a submersible pump having a pump main body, a sensor unit is arranged on the pump main body. The sensor unit includes three water level sensors in the form of electrodes A, B, C. During operation, a multi-stage switch allows a preselection that any of the three water level sensors are operated in electrode form A, B, C, Another patent reference US20180223863 provides a pump having a liquid sensing device which may sense the level of a liquid collecting outside the pump and turn the pump ON/OFF for pumping the liquid. However, these patent references come short of providing a user-centered and convenient arrangement to set or change desired liquid/fluid level of the pump.
Another patent application US20030094043 provides a device for sensing level of a liquid. The device includes two capacitors, of the type with two plates, which are arranged one above the other. The capacitors are formed by three flat and co-planar plates arranged in vertical succession at three different levels. Further, in some embodiments at least one third capacitor is provided by arranging alongside the intermediate plate at least one fourth plate and in order to check for the presence or absence (capacitance with air as dielectric) of a human finger. However, the fourth plate must be conveniently flat and co-planar to the preceding ones. This may pose limitation to a user-friendly and efficient operation or control of the device by the human finger. The patent application also seems silent on any arrangement or technique to allow setting of different mode changes, parameters, desired liquid levels and the like, such as by convenient application of the human finger.

SUMMARY

It is an objective of the present invention to find a more intuitive embodiment for a submersible pump which is adapted for submersion in a body of liquid whose level is to be controlled. The objective is at least partially achieved by a submersible pump according to claim 1 that includes a pump body. The pump body forms a main compartment having an intake and an output for a liquid. The pump body is adapted for submersion in a body of liquid whose level is to be controlled. The submersible pump is provided with a plurality of stationary and touch sensitive sensors that configure the submersible pump to operate within a threshold operating level. The threshold operating level is between a lower liquid level and an upper liquid level set based on a user touch with the plurality of sensors. The plurality of sensors of the pump are stationary touch sensitive sensors which are integrated in or attached to the pump body. The user touch includes a preset gesture for setting the desired liquid level. The user touch includes either swiping the one or more sensors between a top and a bottom of the pump body to set the desired liquid level, or touching the one or more sensors for a fixed time in order to set the desired liquid level. The preset gesture allows to start or end the functioning (i.e. the threshold operating level) of the submersible pump. This allows to define working range for water level for the submersible pump, and as a result prevent overflow of water. The preset gesture may be customized based upon user preferences or any other factor associated with the submersible pump; this is however not covered by the scope of the claims.
The stationary touch sensitive sensors help in setting a desired liquid level (i.e. the threshold operating level) of the submersible pump based upon the user touch (i.e. user action). Being stationary sensors does not allow them to move along relative the pump housing substantially perpendicular to the liquid level, while on the other hand when being realized as switches at least part of them can be pressed substantially orthogonal in respect to the pumps main compartment. Thus, the present disclosure provides a simple, efficient, and user-friendly submersible pump which allows user-action based control of the threshold operating level of the submersible pump.
According to an embodiment of the present invention, the plurality of sensors are capacitive touch sensors. The capacitive touch sensors allow to adjust the control system without the need for any movable components.
According to an embodiment of the present invention, the plurality of sensors are switches. The use of a line of switches allow to adjust the control system without the need for any components that can be moved along the pump housing substantially perpendicular to the liquid level, while on the other hand at least part of them can be pressed substantially orthogonal in respect to the pumps main compartment.
As there are more than one single sensor at least some of them are arranged in a direction substantially perpendicular to the water level. This kind of arrangement of the sensors results in a very intuitive arrangement in respect to the liquid level to be controlled.
According to the present invention, the preset gesture includes either swiping the plurality of sensors between the top and the bottom of the pump body or touching the plurality of sensors for a fixed time. In an embodiment outside the scope defined by the appended claims, the preset gesture may be selected from any known or used gesture that finds relevance for the submersible pump, such as a double tap.
According to the present invention, the submersible pump includes an indicator to show the desired liquid level which is set after the user touch. The indicator serves to make the user aware about the desired liquid level set for the submersible pump.
According to an embodiment of the present invention, the indicator is one or more of a LED, and a buzzer. Such indicator(s) allow to have a safe, and user-friendly working of the submersible pump.
According to an embodiment of the present invention, the upper liquid level and the lower liquid level are selected separately. Wherein preferably the separate selection occurs sequentially. In advantageous manner this separate selection process further improves the intuitively of the design.
According to an embodiment of the present invention the plurality of sensors are integrated in the pump body. Thus the pump the cost for manufacturing the submersible pump decreases as there are less individual components to assemble.
According to one embodiment of the present invention the touch of the plurality of touch sensitive sensors allows to adjust the operational mode of the pump . Preferably this is done by using one or more fingers of a user and touching a different combination of the touch sensitive sensors for a longer time or exhibiting multiple touches, preferably a double touch. For example, if a user touches and holds both touch sensitive sensors on the top of the pump body for five seconds the submersible pump will start to run continuously or alternatively stop immediately. In an advantageous manner this allows to avoid the need for separate buttons or knobs on the pump for adjusting its operational parameters. This reduces manufacturing costs and makes the pump more fault prove.
Other features and aspects of this invention will be apparent from the following description and the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will be described in more detail with reference to the enclosed drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a submersible pump with sensors, in accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure;
FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of the submersible pump operating with a threshold operating level, in accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure;
FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of the submersible pump with the sensors, in accordance with another aspect of the present disclosure;
FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of the submersible pump operating with a different threshold operating level, in accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure; and
FIG. 5 shows a perspective view of the submersible pump with an authentication feature, in accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

The present invention will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which example embodiments of the invention incorporating one or more aspects of the present invention are shown. This invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, the scope of the invention being solely defined by the appended claims. In the drawings, like numbers refer to like elements.
Certain terminology is used herein for convenience only and is not to be taken as a limitation on the invention. For example, "upper", "lower", "front", "rear", "side", "longitudinal", "lateral", "transverse", "upwards", "downwards", "forward", "backward", "sideward", "left," "right," "horizontal," "vertical," "upward", "inner", "outer", "inward", "outward", "top", "bottom", "higher", "above", "below", "central", "middle", "intermediate", "between", "end", "adjacent", "proximate", "near", "distal", "remote", "radial", "circumferential", or the like, merely describe the configuration shown in the Figures. Indeed, the components may be oriented in any direction and the terminology, therefore, should be understood as encompassing such variations unless specified otherwise.
FIG. 1 illustrates a submersible pump 100. The submersible pump 100 includes a pump body 102. The pump body 102 forms a main compartment 104. The pump includes a power cable 105 that serves to supply a desired electric power/current for the functioning of the submersible pump 100. The main compartment 104 has an intake 106 (on the bottom side of the pump body 102 thus not visible with the figures showing the exemplary embodiment) and an output 108 for a liquid 110 (shown in FIG. 2 ). The liquid 110 is pumped up from the intake 106 and pumped out from the output 108. The intake 106 may be provided around the bottom of the pump 100 while the output 108 may be behind the main compartment 104 as per application or implementation requirements. The submersible pump 100 includes a plurality of stationary and touch sensitive sensors 112). The plurality of stationary and touch sensitive sensors 112 configure the submersible pump 100 to operate within a threshold operating level 114. The plurality of sensors 112 are present between a top 122 and a bottom 124 of the pump body 102 and are arranged in a direction substantially normal to the water level. The submersible pump 100 has a preset gesture 140 for setting a desired liquid level (i.e. the threshold operating level 114). The preset gesture 140 is shown with a doubled-headed arrow which signifies up and/or down movement of the preset gesture 140 as per movement of a hand 120. Actual implementation of the present disclosure may have any other type/position/setting for the preset gesture 140, however the preset gesture 140 according to the invention is defined by the appended claims.
The plurality of stationary and touch sensitive sensors 112 are integrated with the pump body 102. The integration of the plurality of sensors 112 may allow protection from impurities such as dirt, sand or any such damage known in art. This will also allow the plurality of sensors 112 to remain protected from getting jammed or any otherwise adjustments. The plurality of sensors 112 may be affixed at any location other than around the outer face or surface of the pump body 102 to avoid any mechanical damage or other wear associated with typical working of the submersible pumps 100.
In some embodiments, the plurality of sensors 112 may be one or more of a resistive sensor, a surface capacitive sensor, a projected capacitive sensor, a surface acoustic wave sensor, an infrared sensor and the like. It is also possible to realize the plurality of stationary and touch sensitive sensors 112 as an arrangement of individual switches. The plurality of sensors 112 are touch sensitive sensors which are integrated with the pump body 102. The touch sensitive sensors help in setting a desired liquid level (i.e. the threshold operating level 114) of the submersible pump 100 based upon a user touch (i.e. user action or any other user gesture as used or known in the art) by use of the hand 120. Moreover, the plurality of sensors 112 may be capacitive touch sensors, or any other sensor as used or known in the art. The submersible pump 100 may be adjustable, operable and intuitively configurable by a finger touch by the hand 120 such as the preset gesture 140.
In some embodiments, the capacitive sensors 112 need not to come in direct contact with the liquid 110 to be measured. The capacitive sensors 112 avoid resistance of water between electrodes of the submersible pump 100. The capacitive sensors 112 measure the change of capacitance when the dielectric (air) is replaced by the liquid 110. The submersible pump 100 may have low susceptibility to electro-chemical corrosion risks.
In some embodiments, the preset gesture 140 may include one or more of a tap, a double tap, a drag and drop, a flick, a touchdown and drag, a touchdown and hold, a slide to scroll, and the like. The preset gesture 140 may be selected from any known or used gesture that finds relevance for the submersible pump 100.
However, the preset gesture 140 according to the present invention is only defined by the claims, such as touching the plurality of sensors 112 for a fixed time in order to set the desired liquid level. The preset gesture 140 may include one or more of a swipe, a long press, and a double tap. The preset gesture 140 allows to start or end the functioning (i.e. the threshold operating level 114) of the submersible pump 100. The plurality of sensors 112 present between the top 122 and the bottom 124 of the pump body 102 may be swiped or configured as desired to define working range for a water level 126 (shown in FIG. 2 ) for the submersible pump 100, and as a result prevent overflow of water.
FIG. 2 illustrates the submersible pump 100 working within the threshold operating level 114. The threshold operating level 114 is between a lower liquid level 132 and an upper liquid level 126 set based on the user touch (say by the hand 120 on or with the plurality of sensors 112. The pump body 102 is adapted for submersion in a body of the liquid 110 whose level is to be controlled. The submersible pump 100 stops functioning as the water level falls below the lower liquid level 132.
As illustrated in FIG. 2 , for the selection of the switch on level controlled the upper activated sensor 118 may be done by swiping that starts around the top end of the sensor 112 down to the desired switch on level and then release the finger touch from the sensor surface 128 to confirm it. Here, the water level 126 is below the upper activated sensor 118. The pump 100 remains in the current status, means when being currently switched on the pump 100 will continue to pump water and will switch off as soon as the water level 126 falls below the lower activated sensor 116.
FIG. 3 illustrates the submersible pump 100 which includes an indicator 114 to show the desired liquid level (i.e. the threshold operating level 114) which is set after the user touch (say by the hand 120). The indicator 114 is one or more of a LED, and a buzzer. The indicator 114 (e.g. LED behind a half transparent surface) shows dynamically the currently adjusted level and makes the adjusted level more visible, noticeable for the user. The LED indicator may make it possible to check the switching points, which may be programmed before by a check function. So, it may not be necessary to repeat different steps of the programming procedure. Such indicator(s) 114 allow to have a safe, and user-friendly working of the submersible pump 100.
FIG. 4 illustrates the submersible pump 100 with a lower liquid level 132 below the lower activated sensor 116 of the threshold operating level 114. The submersible pump 100 may not work when the water level 132 point is below the lower activated sensor 116. For a start level point adjustment, swiping by the preset gesture 140 may be started at the bottom 124 (for the lower activated sensor 116) of the one or more sensors 112 towards the upper activated sensor 118 and release the sensor surface 128 to confirm the threshold operating level 114.
In some embodiments, the submersible pump 100 may be set according to need of the user. The threshold operating level 114 may be varied multiple times. During application of the submersible pump 100 there may be change in volume (and thereby the level) of the liquid 110, the level of the liquid 110 may reduce or come below the water level 132 point leading to switching off of the submersible pump 100. In some embodiments, the submersible pump 100 may be configured to prompt a user (such as smart notifications to smartphone and the like) or take any other action whenever the level of the liquid 110 goes above the activated sensor 118 or significant below the lower activated sensor 116. Additionally, or alternatively, the submersible pump 100 prompt the user and inform him about successful pumping action whenever the level of the liquid 110 comes to an acceptable level i.e. between the upper activated sensor 118 and the lower activated sensor 116.
FIG. 5 illustrates the submersible pump 100 with an authentication feature 130. Herein, the authentication feature 130 refers to a program field, or any used or known authentication means of the relevant art. The preset gesture 140 may be started, changed, or controlled by the authentication feature 130. The authentication feature 130 may be touched (before the adjustment) to start or end the adjustment process or by multiple touch (such as double touch) on the sensor surface 128. In some embodiments, the authentication feature 130 allows multiple user profiles or settings to be stored by the submersible pump 100.
In some embodiments, the submersible pump 100 casing may include different kinds of metals, like chrome, stainless steel, polymers and the like. Preferably the casing is that it is hermetically sealed. This prevents high repair costs and prevents motor from issues related to the liquid 110 leakage, among others.
In the drawings and specification, there have been disclosed preferred embodiments and examples of the invention and, although specific terms are employed, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for the purpose of limitation of the scope of the invention being set forth in the following claims.

LIST OF ELEMENTS

100: Submersible Pump
102: Pump Body
104: Main Compartment
105: Power Cable
106: Intake
108: Output
110: Liquid
112: Sensors
114: Threshold operating level / Indicator
116: Lower Activated Sensor
118: Upper Activated Sensor
120: Hand
122: Top
124: Bottom
126: Upper Liquid Level
128: Sensor Surface
130: Authentication Feature
132: Lower Liquid Level
140: Preset Gesture

Claims

A submersible pump (100) comprising:
a pump body (102) forming a main compartment (104) having an intake (106) and an output (108) for a liquid (110), where the pump body (102) is adapted for submersion in a body of liquid (110) whose level is to be controlled;

the submersible pump (100) includes a plurality of touch sensitive sensors (112) such that the submersible pump (100) is configured to operate within a threshold operating level, wherein the threshold operating level is between a lower liquid level (132) and an upper liquid level (126) set based on a user touch with the plurality of touch sensitive sensors (112),

wherein the submersible pump (110) includes an indicator (114) to show the desired liquid level which is set after the user touch, wherein the plurality of sensors (112) are stationary touch sensitive sensors which are integrated in or attached to the pump body (102),

wherein the plurality of sensors (112) are present between a top (122) and a bottom (124) of the pump body (102) and arranged in a direction substantially normal to the level of the liquid (110), and

wherein the user touch includes a preset gesture (140) for setting the desired liquid level, the user touch includes either swiping the plurality of sensors (112) between the top (122) and the bottom (124) of the pump body (102) to set the desired liquid level, or touching the plurality of sensors (112) for a fixed time in order to set the desired liquid level.
The submersible pump (100) of claim 1, wherein the plurality of sensors (112) are capacitive touch sensors.
The submersible pump (100) of claims 1 or 2, wherein the plurality of sensors (112) are switches.
The submersible pump (100) of claim 1, wherein the indicator (114) is one or more of a LED, and a buzzer.
The submersible pump (100) of any of the preceding claims, wherein the upper liquid level (132) and the lower liquid level (132) are selected separately.
The submersible pump (100) of claim 5, wherein the separate selection occurs sequentially.
The submersible pump (100) of any of the preceding claims, wherein the plurality of sensors (112) are integrated in the pump body.
The submersible pump (100) of any of the preceding claims, wherein the touch of the plurality of sensors (112) allows to adjust the operational mode of the pump (100).
The submersible pump (100) of claim 8, wherein the adjustment of the operational mode of the pump (100) is with the help of one or more fingers of a user by touching a different combination of the sensors (112) for a longer time or by multiple touches, preferably a double touch.