EP2565461B1 - Pump power unit - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a pump unit with the features specified in the preamble of claim 1. Such pump sets See eg SA Armstrong Limited: " Hot Further Re-circulation Systems ", May 4, 2009, pages 1-4 , XP002667833 belong to the prior art and are usually used as circulating pumps, typically as circulation pumps for drinking water circulation. Since the hot water circulation is typically required only temporarily, namely usually only during the day and often only at specific times, it is common in some heating system controls to turn off the circulation pump in times when it is not needed, in order to drive energy for to save the pump, but also to reduce the heat losses in the circulation line.

For independently used circulation pumps, it is state of the art to provide a time control on the pump itself, so that it is possible to set the times on which the pump is switched on and the times in which the pump is switched off on the pump itself. Such a pump is known for example from the applicant by the name "Grundfos circulation pump Comfort UP 15-14 BUT". Here, a mechanical timer is provided at the front end of the pump housing, which, as usual in such mechanical timers, has a moving ring by a clock on which sitting in the quarter or half hour distance riders who are moved from an inner to an outer position can, with these tabs control a mechanical switch that turns the motor of the pump depending on the riding position or off.

Such time controls have best armed, since they are almost self-explanatory and are also adjustable for the layman without manuals. The disadvantage here, however, is that the mechanical movement and the mechanical switch are expensive to manufacture and error-prone. In addition, the electric movement needs electrical energy.

Electronic timers are known. See eg EP 2 071 417 or DE 4 203 127 in which the mechanical switch is replaced by an electronic and an electronic, typically digital clock is provided which has a display which displays the time and / or switching times and is programmable via push buttons. A disadvantage of these timers, however, is that the setting and programming usually only after careful study of the manual is possible. In addition, the display is relatively expensive and especially in wet room atmosphere also prone to failure. In case of failure of the display, the pump unit is virtually unusable regardless of its switching function.

Against this background, the invention has the object to provide a generic pump unit, on the one hand has the advantages of good readability, ease of use and robustness of a mechanical timer, on the other hand, however, has the advantages of an electronic, especially digital timer.

This object is achieved according to the invention by a pump unit having the features specified in claim 1. Advantageous embodiments of the invention are specified in the subclaims of the following description and the drawing.

The basic idea of the solution according to the invention is therefore to be able to provide an electronic time control for the motor, but to form the time display by a number of lighting means as defined in claim 1. In this way, a simple operability of the time control and readability of the time display can be ensured despite electronic control, even if the control is electronic, preferably digital. In addition, the use of bulbs has the advantage that even if one of the bulbs fails, the function of the remaining bulbs is maintained, and thus the pump unit at least remains usable.

The use of bulbs instead of mechanical tabs allows a compact design, ease of use and good visibility, especially in dark cellars, where such pumps are often installed.

In addition, the solution according to the invention permits, with a suitable selection of timing and lighting means, a low-energy operation and, in particular, the absence of mechanical switches. The control and the display can be completely encapsulated, so that expensive sealing systems for mechanical elements can be dispensed with.

According to one embodiment of the invention may be provided either to represent the time of day and to display the switching time separate light sources or bulbs to display both times be driven differently, be it in different colors or different light intensity or in different light times (flashing).

The bulbs are arranged side by side such that the rows each time is assigned as in claim 1, so easy operation and readability is guaranteed.

In order to enable the most intuitive reading and operation, it is expedient to arrange the bulbs in annular, preferably annular rows, ie in the manner of an analog clock. An illuminant ring can advantageously represent 24 or 12 hours. In the 12-hour presentation, another display for day, night or for am, pm, as usual in the English-speaking world, be appropriate. If a bulb ring represents 24 hours according to an analog clock, this facilitates the operation and readability, especially taking into account the so-constructed widespread mechanical timers with riders. It can then be electronically formed a comparable functionality.

Which lamps are used is basically dependent on what is economically favorable, that is available at low cost price and low consumption. Currently, these are light emitting diodes, However, it is conceivable that in the future, other bulbs are available, which are even more economical.

Advantageously, the pump unit is designed so that it has at least in the region of the motor a cross-sectionally round, preferably circular housing, which ends on the side facing away from the pump in a preferably flat end wall and that the time display is arranged on this end wall. Such an arrangement is particularly favorable in terms of operating and readability, since the end face of this end wall in the usual today in-line pumps furthest from the pipeline and thus may be closest to the operator. It is understood that the motor housing may also have a rectangular, preferably rounded at the corners or other cross-section, then the end wall will have a corresponding outer contour, wherein the or the bulb rings can follow this contour or may be circular.

Expediently, control elements for the time control are likewise arranged on the end wall.

Typically, this end wall forms part of a control and connection housing, which connects to the motor housing in the axial direction and umhaust a circuit board, which carries the bulbs and controls, wherein in the end wall recesses for the bulbs or optionally associated light guide and for the controls on the Board are provided. This board may optionally form part of the engine control and also include parts of the engine electronics. It is particularly favorable if this board has only the electronics provided for the time control and time display, since then a modular construction of pump units of this type is possible, with and without time control or also with other control. It is then only this board to remove or replace.

Advantageously, the end wall is closed to the outside by a provided with license plate, which on the one hand identifies the controls, on the other hand assigns the LEDs numbers, as is common in an analog clock. In this case, the film is expediently partially printed, so that it is transparent in the area of the light-emitting diodes, but covers it in other areas. This film then forms the tight end of the end wall.

In order to operate the controls through the film, it is expedient to provide for this purpose micro-stylus, which are arranged on the board, are accessible through the recesses in the end wall and the film. In principle, the arrangement of the operating elements and the rows of lighting means is freely selectable. It is particularly favorable, however, if the rows of light sources are arranged on the outside and the operating elements within the ring or rings of light sources, since this allows on the one hand a good readability of the light source rings and on the other hand a compact design.

The fewer control elements are provided for the control, the cheaper the structure of the board and the clearer the control panel. On the other hand, too small a number of controls make the operation more difficult, therefore advantageous according to a development of the invention, a button for selecting a menu, a button for confirmation and a button for setting time provided.

At least three operating states are advantageously adjustable by the menu selection, namely the continuous operation of the pump, ie the operating state "on", the time-controlled operation and the setting operation, where it is particularly useful if each operating state is assigned an independent light source.

Advantageously, a common control element for setting the time of day and switching time is provided, wherein the controller is designed so that in the operating state "setting mode" always first the time of day and then the switching times is set. This ensures that the time of day setting is always checked first, which, if it should already be set correctly, is simply skipped to set the switching time, or otherwise set initially.

Advantageously, in addition to the above-described higher-level time control, a second subordinate time control is provided, which shuts off the motor of the pump according to preferably adjustable intervals during the switch-on of the higher-level timer. Such a subordinate timing circuit is particularly advantageous in terms of energy since it is generally not necessary for the pump to run continuously during the entire turn-on interval of, for example, 30 minutes, but it is sufficient if it initially runs for 10 minutes, then remains switched off for 5 minutes, again 5 Minutes running, 5 minutes off and then another 5 minutes. The above values are only to be understood as examples. It is important that this subordinate timer controls the pump so that it is ensured that the water in the circulation line is first circulated at least once to ensure that hot water is present at each tap. However, it can then shut down the pump and electrical energy can be saved, since it takes some time until the warm water in the circulation line cools and only then must be started again with the circulation. If appropriate, the second timing is adjustable in terms of the length and the repetition rate of the switch-off intervals, An individual adaptation to the local conditions can be carried out, so that the length of the circulation line, the type of insulation and comfort of the consumer can be optimally matched to each other.

Fig. 1

in stark vereinfachter perspektivischer Ansicht ein Pumpenaggregat gemäß der Erfindung,

Fig. 2

in perspektivischer Ansicht das Steuerungs- und Anschlussgehäuse des Pumpenaggregats nach Fig. 1,

Fig. 3

eine Ansicht auf die Stirnwand des Gehäuses nach Fig. 2,

Fig. 4

eine Draufsicht auf die Platine, welche unter der in Fig. 3 dargestellten Stirnwand sitzt, und

Fig. 5

eine Draufsicht auf die Folie, welche die Stirnwand nach Fig. 3 nach außen hin abschließt.

The invention is explained in more detail with reference to an embodiment shown in the drawing. Show it:

Fig. 1

in a greatly simplified perspective view of a pump unit according to the invention,

Fig. 2

in perspective view the control and connection housing of the pump unit after Fig. 1 .

Fig. 3

a view of the front wall of the housing after Fig. 2 .

Fig. 4

a plan view of the board, which under the in Fig. 3 represented front wall sits, and

Fig. 5

a plan view of the film, which the end wall after Fig. 3 closes to the outside.

At the in Fig. 1 Pump unit shown is a hot water circulation pump for incorporation into a circulation line with dedicated line connections 1 and 2, forming part of a pump housing 3, in which in known manner a not visible in the drawing impeller is arranged, which sits on a shaft , which forms part of a split pot motor, the motor housing in Fig. 4 axially adjoins the pump housing, on the side facing away from the line terminals 1 and 2 opposite side. In the in Fig. 1 shown pump unit is a Ball motor installed, but it can also be used a conventional canned motor.

To the motor housing 4, facing away from the pump housing 3 opposite to a housing 5, which forms a control and connection housing 5, which accommodates the motor control and the Frequenzumrichterelektronik and at the same time forms the terminal housing, so a kind of terminal box, on the underside radially a connecting line 6 to Connection with the power grid is led out.

This control and connection housing 5 is designed as a plastic injection molded part and in the FIGS. 2 and 3 shown in detail. It has an end wall 7 with a free flat end face, which depends on the in Fig. 5 illustrated printed film 8 is completed, which forms a display and control panel 9 of the pump.

The control and connection housing 5 has a substantially cylindrical, from the motor housing 4 to the display and control panel 9 slightly tapered shape. The front end of the housing end wall 7 is peripherally bordered by a slightly raised edge 10 which receives the printed on the outer end face of the end wall 7 printed film 8 flush. In order to ensure the positioning of the circular film 8 within the edge 10 on the end wall 7, an inwardly facing projection 11 is provided in the edge 10, which corresponds to a recess 12 in the outer periphery of the film 8 and ensures that the film 8 is always in the intended angular position on the end wall 7 is arranged.

Functionally, the display and control panel is completed by the film 8, through the front side of the underlying end wall 7 of the Control and connection housing 5 is supported and completed by a parallel and immediately behind this end wall 7 arranged board 13, which carries the actual display and controls. On this board 13 two concentric and annular nested rows of light emitting diodes 14 and 15 are arranged, wherein the inner ring forming light emitting diodes 14 green and the outer ring forming light emitting diodes 15 are red. The light-emitting diodes 14 and 15 are arranged uniformly distributed over an annular surface, each ring consists of a total of 48 light-emitting diodes 14 and 15. The light-emitting diodes 14 and 15 are not only arranged annularly, but also aligned so that they each pair on one imaginary radials lie. According to the arrangement of the light emitting diodes 14 and 15 on the circuit board 13, two annular rows of recesses 16 and 17 are provided in the end wall 7 of the control and connection housing, in which the light emitting diodes 14 and 15 protrude when mounted in the housing 5 board 13. The circuit board 13 is held on the end wall 7 of the housing 5 via snap closures located in the end wall so that the light emitting diodes 14 and 15 lie in the end wall 7.

The electronic components, which enable the timing control described below in detail and their operation, are applied to the underside of the board 13 on this and therefore can not be seen in the figures. The construction of such circuits by means of discrete microelectronic components is state of the art, for which reason a description of the structure of the digital circuit is omitted here.

Furthermore, the board carries 1 3 on its side facing the end wall 7 of the housing 5 side four light emitting diodes 18, 19, 20 and 21, which are arranged within the rows of light emitting diodes 14 and 15, and three Micro-buttons 22, 23 and 24, which are also within the LED rings 14 and 15.

In the assembled state of the display and control panel 9, in which the circuit board 13 is arranged directly below the end wall 7 of the housing 5, whose end face is covered by the printed film 8. The printed film 8 has an outer opaque ring 25, which carries numbers 1 to 24, which symbolize the hours of a day, similar to an analog clock, but not with 12, but with 24 hours, as is also common in mechanical timers.

Within this opaque ring 25 with the number marks representing the hours of the day is concentric with a ring 26, which covers the underlying end face 7 with its recesses, but is transparent. This ring 26 is divided according to the numbers in the ring 25 by twenty-four radial lines 27. When installed, the annular rows of light emitting diodes 14 and 15, which lie through the corresponding arranged rows of recess 16 and 17 in the end wall 7, under the ring 26, such that between two lines 27 each have two green light emitting diodes 14 and radially outside two red LEDs 15 are arranged.

The light-emitting diodes 18 to 21 on the board 13 are also within recesses 28, namely recesses 28 in the end wall 7 of the terminal housing 5. They lie under the film under four translucent display panels 29, 30, 31 and 32, of which the display panel 29th is indicated with a zero for the operating state "off" of the pump, the display panel 30 with a clock icon for indicating a clock setting mode, the display panel 31 a one for the operating state "on" and the display panel 32 with a symbolized open-end wrench for the setting mode.

The display panel 29 is thus illuminated by the light emitting diode 19, the display panel 30 through the light emitting diode 18, the display panel 31 through the light emitting diode 20 and the display panel 32 through the light emitting diode 21.

Furthermore, in the area of the microtasters 22 to 24 in the end wall 7 of the housing 5 incisions are provided, which correspond approximately to the outer contour of a pan seen from above. These cuts in the housing wall 7 form circular probe body 33 and spring tongues 34 which are arranged so that the probe body 33 between the micro-probes 22 to 24 and corresponding touch panels 35, 36 and 37 of the film 8 are. Characterized in that the probe body 33 are connected only via spring tongues 34 with the end wall 7 of the housing 5, they can be moved by pressure on the touch panels 35 to 37 and the corresponding micro-switches 22 to 42 close the contact. Upon release, the probe body 33 spring back, so that the micro-switches 22 to 24 in their initial position, d. H. return to the open position. In this case, the touch panel 35 is assigned to the microswitch 22 and provided for confirmation of an input. The touch panel 36 is associated with the micro-probe 23 and serves the menu choice, whereas the touch panel 37 is associated with the micro-probe 24 and is used for setting.

In operation, arranged in the outer row of red LEDs 15 are used to display the current time. One of these forty-eight red LEDs will always light one, according to the current time. Thus, for example, if the first light emitting diode 15 between the pointing to the numerals 2 and 3 lines 27 lights in the ring 26, then the correct time is between 02:00 clock and 02:30 clock clock with correct time.

The row of green light emitting diodes 14, which forms the inner light emitting diode ring, indicates the switching times of the clock, while the light emitting diodes, which represent the switched-on times of the pump, the remaining green LEDs are not lit.

To start the pump, the keypad 36 is first to operate, after which connected to the network pump until then glowing display panel 29, which symbolizes the operating state "off", the luminous goes to the non-illuminated state and the display panel 31 lights, which the Continuous operation of the pump symbolizes. If the keypad 36 is pressed again, the keypad 32, which symbolizes the setting mode lights up. When pressed again, the keypad 30 lights, which symbolizes the timer operation, etc.

To set the time and the switching time is first to go by means of the touch panel 36 in the setting mode, that is, to press until the display panel 32 lights. In this mode, the current time can first be set by means of the touchpad 37. In this case, the red light emitting diodes 15 starting from the top next to the recess 12 successively follow, each time the button a previous LED goes out 15 and a subsequent lights up, similar to an analog clock whose pointer is rotated by 360 °. As soon as the flashing red LED 15 corresponds to the current time in the 24-hour mode, this is confirmed by means of the touch panel 35, after which the green LEDs 14 of the inner ring can be sequentially controlled by further pressing the touch panel 37. When a green light emitting diode 14 lights up, this symbolizes the on state of the pump according to the assigned time in the ring 25. This time interval can be activated by pressing the keypad 35 and again by pressing again be deactivated. Thus, with the help of the keypads 37 and 35 any time intervals for switching on the pump can be activated or deactivated to switch off, ie it is here at forty-eight LEDs time programming in half-hour steps possible. As soon as the programming of the switch-on times has been completed, the keypad 36 is actuated, so that the time switch mode is changed, which is symbolized by the display panel 30, which then lights up. In this, typical for the timer mode is indicated by a bright red LED of the light emitting diode row 15, the current time, while one or more permanently lit green light emitting diodes 14, the times are displayed in which the pump is or is.

It is understood that the above-described arrangement of light-emitting diodes and buttons for programming is to be understood as an example only, so can be achieved, for example, with the arrangement of ninety-six LEDs in a row quarter-hour resolutions, also can instead of the on-off symbolism by a flashing intermediate position of LED are achieved such a quarter of an hour division.

Reference list

1

- Line connection of the pump

2

- Line connection of the pump

3

- Pump housing

4

- Motor housing

5

- Control and connection housing

6

- connecting cable

7

- End wall of the housing. 5

8th

- printed foil

9

- Display and control panel

10

- Edge

11

- edge in the edge

12

- Recess in the periphery of the film. 8

13

- Circuit board

14

- Green LEDs in the inner annular row

15

- Red LEDs in the outer annular row

16

- Recesses for the green LEDs

17

- Recesses for the red LEDs

18, 19, 20, 21

- LEDs

22, 23, 24

- micro button

25

- outer ring with numbers of the film

26

- inner ring with lines

27

- dashes of the ring 26

28

- Recesses in the end wall of the housing. 5

29, 30, 31, 32

- Display fields

33

- Tastkörper

34

- spring tongues

35, 36, 37

- Touch fields

Claims (15)

1. A pump assembly with a centrifugal pump, with an electric motor driving this, with a time control for the motor and with a time display (26), which is designed for representation the time of day as well as for representing the settable switching time, characterised in that the time display (26) is formed by a number of illumination means (14, 15), and a time is assigned to each illumination means (14, 15) and that two rows of illumination means (14, 15) are arranged next to one another, wherein a row (15) is provided for displaying the time of day and the other row (14) is provided for displaying the settable switching time.
2. A pump assembly according to claim 1, characterised in that the two rows of illumination means (14, 15) show different colours.
3. A pump assembly according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the illumination means (14, 15) are arranged in circularly annular row, and an illumination means ring represents 24 hours or 12 hours corresponding to an analog clock.
4. A pump assembly according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the illumination means (14, 15) are formed by light diodes.
5. A pump assembly according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the pump assembly at least in the region of the motor comprises a housing (4, 5) which is round in cross section and which at the side which is away from the pump ends in a preferably plane end-wall (7), and that the time display (26) is arranged on the end-wall (7).
6. A pump assembly according to claim 5, characterised in that the time control comprises operating elements (35, 36, 37) which are arranged on the end-wall (7).
7. A pump assembly according to claim 5 or 6, characterised in that the end-wall (7) is part of a control and connection housing (5) which connects to the motor housing (4) in the axial direction and houses a circuit board (13) which carries illumination means (14, 15, 18-21) and operating elements (22 - 24), and that recesses (16, 17, 28) for the illumination means (14, 15, 18 - 21) or fibre-optics connected thereto and for the operating elements (22 - 24) on the circuit board (13), are provided in the end-wall.
8. A pump assembly according to claims 5 to 7, characterised in that the end-wall (7) is closed to the outside by a film (8) provided with markings.
9. A pump assembly according to claim 6, characterised in that the operating elements are formed by micro-buttons (22 - 24).
10. A pump assembly according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that markings for the time (26) are provided, which are arranged around an illumination means ring in an annular manner.
11. A pump assembly according to one of the preceding claims 6 to 10, characterised in that the operating elements (22 - 24) are arranged within the ring or rings of illumination means (14, 15).
12. A pump assembly according to one of the preceding claims 6 to 11, characterised in that the operating elements are formed by a button (23) for menu selection, a button (23) for confirmation and a button (24) for time setting.
13. A pump assembly according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that at least three operating conditions may be set in the menu selection, specifically permanent operation, time-controlled operation and setting operation, wherein preferably an individual illumination means (20 - 22) is assigned to each operating condition.
14. A pump assembly according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that a common operating element (37) is provided for setting the time of day and the switching time.
15. A pump assembly according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that a further second time control is provided, which is subordinate to the first time control and which, during the switch-on time of the first superordinate time control, switches off the motor of the pump in preferably settable intervals.

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