FIELD OF THE INVENTION:

The present invention relates to a device for controlling multi-port valves, more specifically to a device for controlling automatic multi-port valves for water flow management.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION:

Multi-port valves are commonly used for managing the flow of water and other liquid media in water treatment plants, swimming pools, industrial reactors and the like. Automatic multi-port valves (AMPV) provide an ease in functionality and use as compared to manual multi-port valves. The multi-port valves have multiple ports that allow the flow of water in multiple directions. The control of the valve allows for selection between various flow paths as per customer requirements.

Conventional automatic multi-port valves, however, are not user friendly. The AMPV is used to modify the flow direction and automatically backwash the media in a vessel. The type of trigger for the backwash needs to be selected by the user along with the time or volume of fluid passed, after which the valve will move to the next position and for the set time period or volume of fluid passed. Additionally, the position of the valve may need to be changed on-demand if the user wants to temporarily operate the valve manually. These automatic multi-port valves require specific knowledge of the functions of the valve to control the flow of water. For effective management of liquid flow by automatic multi-port valve, the valves are operated via interfaces that control the operations of the valve. The US Patent US6283139B1 to Symonds Randall R and others describes a remote- controlled hose valve system, the system activated by a remote control to control the magnitude of the water flow. The control system has an input device in the form of a keypad and a display coupled to a processor. The user input provides activation of the processor to send a signal modulated by the frequency oscillator to control the position of the valve.

The Patent application CA3069496A1 to Love Carl describes a system for remotely controlling the supply of fluids through an automatic shut off valve. The control is in the form of web or app-based user interface providing command input options such as "on" and "off’ to the user, for the user to select the option.

The multiple keys and buttons with different functionalities become difficult to remember and operate for the user. Further, the multiple layers and options for each type of function are vast, making it difficult to reach the required option. Further, any abbreviation of options done to make a compact user device also makes it difficult for the user to understand the options. Also, if a graphic display is used, the cost of the product increases, making it unaffordable for the consumer.

There is a need for a device for controlling automatic multi-port valve (AMPV) for fluid flow management that enables user for viewing, setting and controlling the operation of AMPV in an easy and intuitive manner. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION: An automatic multiport valve controlling device with a power supply is disclosed. The automatic valve controlling device including a control panel with an input unit having two configurations for selecting appropriate menus and parameters on the control panel. The device also includes a menu for selection and configuring the input values, the main menu including three sub menus such that each of the sub menu further includes multiple parameters. Further, the automatic valve controlling device includes an error indicating panel positioned below the main menu on the control panel including six different errors with the respective error indicator LEDs.

The control unit of the automatic multiport valve controlling device has a first end and a second end, wherein, the first end of the control unit 120 is connected with the control panel 108 and the second end is connected to an automatic multiport valve 104. Further, there are three modes of operation of the automatic valve controlling device. The three modes of operation control various parameters of the automatic multiport valve 104.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS:

The objectives and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description read in accordance with the accompanying drawings wherein,

FIG. 1 shows a top perspective view of the automatic multi-port valve in accordance with the present invention; FIG. 2 shows a front view of a control panel of the automatic multi-port valve controlling device of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 shows a schematic of an automatic multi-port valve controlling device in accordance with present invention; and

FIG. 4 shows an operational flow of the automatic multi-port valve controlling device in accordance with the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION:

References in the specification to "one embodiment" or "an embodiment" means that a particular feature, structure, characteristic, or function described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the invention. The appearances of the phrase “in one embodiment” in various places in the specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment.

References in the specification to “preferred embodiment” means that a particular feature, structure, characteristic, or function described in detail thereby omitting known constructions and functions for clear description of the present invention.

The foregoing description of specific embodiments of the present invention has been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the present invention to the precise forms disclosed and obviously many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching.

The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the present invention and its practical application, to thereby enable others, skilled in the art to best utilize the present invention and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated.

It is understood that various omission and substitutions of equivalents are contemplated as circumstance may suggest or render expedient, but such are intended to cover the application or implementation without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 1, an automatic multi-port valve controlling device 100, hereinafter, referred to as device 100 in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention is described. The device 100 is removably positionable on an automatic multi-port valve 104. The device 100 includes a control panel 108, a display 112, a body shell 116 and a control unit 120. The control panel 108 further includes input unit 124, a main menu 128 including a plurality of sub-menus, and an error indicator panel 136. The input unit 124 is a circular knob that is positioned centrally to the control panel. The input unit 124 is defined by a rotary clickable knob. In this one embodiment, the sub menu indicators and the error indicators are defined by LED lights.

In one embodiment of the present invention the display 112 is defined by, for example, a digital display or LCD display or LED Display or Quantum displays or the like. The body shell 116 has approximately prism shape with an approximately flat top. The body shell is preferably made of polymer material or any metallic sheet metal. The control unit 120 is preferably positioned in the lower end portion of the body shell 116. The control unit 120 is configured for performing the operations of AMPV 104 including but not limited to receiving inputs, processing the inputs, activating the actuators to provide outputs preferably for the fluid flow management. A power supply unit supplies power to the control unit 110.

Referring to FIG. 2, a front view of the control panel 108 of the device 100 is discussed. The control panel 108 has the input unit 124, a main menu 128 that further includes multiple sub menus 204, 208, and 212. The input unit 124 is approximately centrally positioned on the control panel 108 such that it is securely positioned in a casing. The input unit 124 is positioned approximately centrally relative to menus and sub-menus of the main menu 128. The casing of the input unit 124 is preferably a circular casing protecting the circular input unit 124. In this one embodiment the input unit 124 is defined by a circular knob. However, in other embodiments, the input unit 124 may be of oval, rectangular or any other shape.

The main menu 128 with sub menus 204, 208, and 212 and menu indicators (216 A, 216B and 216C) is present at the center of the control panel 108. A error indicator panel 136 is present below the main menu 128 on the control panel 108. Further, the identifier 220, and the display unit 112 are also present at the top of the control panel 108.

In this one embodiment, the identifier 220, is an information guide in the form of a QR code. The identifier 220 provides the user information with respect to the working of the automatic multi-port valve controlling device 100. The menu panel 128 includes a first sub menu 204, a second sub menu 208 and a third sub menu 212. The sub menus 204, 208 and 212 further include multiple parameters. The menu 204, 208 and 212 and their respective parameters are selectable by scrolling the input unit 124 and saved once the input unit 124 is clicked.

In the preferred embodiment of the present invention the device 100, the main menu of the control panel 108 includes a plurality of sub menus 204, 208 and 212 with the respective menu indicators (216 A, 216B and 216C). The first sub menu 204 is sensor type setting, the second sub menu 208 is the Time/Volume setting and the third sub menu 212 is a Position setting for the AMPV 104.

Further, each of the three sub menus 204, 208 and 212 includes multiple parameters in the preferred embodiment of device 100. The first sub menu 204 has three parameters, for example, pump time, volume and pulse. The second sub menu 208 has parameters, for example, service, backwash/regeneration, rinse and delay. The third sub menu 212 has parameters, for example, service, backwash/regeneration, rinse and locate.

For example, if the sensor type sub menu is positioned to indicate the pump time parameter, then the controller is configured to count down the time parameter for each position of the valve before moving to the next position. If the volume type sub menu is selected, the controller is configured count down the volume for each position of the valve before moving to the next position. If the pulse parameter is selected, the controller is configured wait for an electrical pulse to the controller present in the control unit 120 before changing the valve position. Now referring to FIG. 3, schematic of the automatic multi-port valve controlling device 100 is described. The device 100 includes the control panel 108, the control unit 120, and power supply 316 such that device 100 is removably positioned on the automatic multi-port valve 104. The control panel 108 includes the input unit 124, the main menu 128, a plurality of sub-menus, a plurality of submenu indicators 216 and parameter indicators 222.

The input unit is rotated and clicked in a clockwise or anti-clockwise direction by the user to select the required sub-menu or parameter indicator. The main menu 128 includes a plurality of parameter indicators 222 that display the parameters that are selected by the user.

The control panel 108 of the device 100 also includes an error indicator panel 136, an identifier 220 and the display unit 112. The error indicator panel 136 includes a plurality of LED indicators that blink if an error is detected by the system during operation. The display unit 112 displays values corresponding to the submenus and parameters selected by the user. The identifier 220 is an information guide that provides information to the user regarding the working of the automatic multi-port valve controlling devicelOO.

The input unit 124 receives inputs from the user, for example, an operator for controlling the device 100. The input unit 124 in this one embodiment includes a rotary clickable knob that is approximately centrally positioned on the control panel 108. The input unit 124 has two orientations of receiving inputs. It is noted that the knob i.e. the input unit 124 has two configurations for selecting appropriate menus and parameters on the control panel 108. The input unit 124 is advantageously rotatable as well as clickable. The input unit 124 is rotatable in a first clockwise direction and a second anti-clockwise direction. The input unit 124 is also clickable by pressing the knob i.e. the input unit 124 along a central axis that is normal to the plane of the control panel 108.

The control unit 120 is securely connected to the control panel 108 at a first end and to the AMPV 104 on a second end. The control unit 120 includes a controller 304, a storage device 308 and a DC motor 312. The controller 304 is configured so that the controller 304 receives inputs and processes input signals from the control panel 108. The control unit 120 selectively actuates the AMPV 104 in accordance with the signals received from the control panel 108. With the actuation of AMPV 104, the actuator 312 is selectively activated to change the valve positions. In this embodiment the actuator is defined by a DC motor. The control unit 120, coupled with the input unit 124 controls the automatic multi-port valve 104 for fluid flow management. The power supply 316 supplies power to the device 100 for the operation of the automatic multi-port valve controlling device 100.

It is to be noted that controller 304 may be of any type of commercially available electronic controller that is configured in accordance with parameters of inputs, outputs and other parameters. The storage device 208 may be RAM, ROM, CD, hard drive, or any commercially available storage device. Further, any type of conventionally available DC motor may be used.

Now Referring to FIGS. 1, FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, the input unit 124 is operable in three modes for configuring time, volume, position, servicing etc. In the first mode, the sensor type of the AMPV 104 are changable to pump time, volume or pulse. In the second mode, the time/volume that the AMPV 104 are changable to service, backwash, rinse or delay. Finally, in the third mode, the position of the AMPV 104 is changable to service, backwash, rinse or locating as per the requirements of the operator.

In this one embodiment, the main menu 128 includes a first sub menu 204, a second sub menu 208 and a third sub menu 212 with respective sub menu indicators (216A, 216B and 216C). Now the first sub menu 204 includes a menu for sensor type. The first sub menu 204 further includes three parameters. The three parameters of the first sub menu 204 include a first parameter of pump time, second parameter of volume and third parameter of pulse. The values of these parameters may further be increased or decreased. The second sub menu 208 includes a menu for Time/Volume. This second sub menu 208 has four parameters that include a first parameter of service, a second parameter of backwash/regeneration, and a third parameter of rinse and a fourth parameter of delay. The third sub menu 212 includes a menu for Position that has four parameters. The four parameters of the third menu 212 include a first parameter of service, a second parameter of backwash/regeneration, a third parameter of rinse and a fourth parameter of locate. Each of the parameters included in the sub menu (204, 208, 212) is indicated with LED parameter indicators 222.

The input unit 124 is advantageously scrolled through a plurality of menus (204, 208 and 212) and incrementing and decrementing the setting or parameter values on the control panel 108. The selection of the setting or parameter level is done with the same rotating and clicking function in clockwise and anticlockwise direction of the input unit 124.

The plurality of sub menu indicators (216A, 216B, 216C) are positioned on the control panel 108 for indicating the selection of the various sub menus (204, 208, 212) from the main menu 128. Each sub menu has multiple parameters further indicated by the parameter indicators 222 for each parameter in the sub menu 128.

Each sub menu (204, 208, 212) has a dedicated LED (216A, 216B, 216C) for indication of its selection and the sub menu name printed on the sticker next to its LED. The sub menu (204, 208, 212) and its parameters 222 are selectable with the help of the input unit 124. The temporary selection of the parameter is shown by always ON LED and the currently selected parameter is shown by blinking LED.

The error indicator panel 136 is advantageously positioned below the main menu 128 on the control panel 108. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, there are six different errors that are indicated by six LEDs (136). The plurality of error indicators 136 includes various error messages. Each error indicator 136 has a dedicated LED for indication and respective text marking on the sticker with the name of the error.

It is noted, however, that whenever an error occurs in the AMPV 104 operation, one of the error LED’s 136 glows. The six errors 136 indicated in the preferred embodiment include a first error of unable to locate, a second error of drive overload, a third error of no drive current, a fourth error of high pressure, a fifth error of locked and a sixth error of pump status of the AMPV 104. The input unit 124 is used to click and reset the error. The display unit 112 is configured to display the number value of the option which is selected by the user. The display unit 112 is further configured to indicate characters or symbols to show the type of number or the unit of the number. The number value on the display unit 112 is incremented or decremented by scrolling the input unit 124 and saved in the storage device 308 once the input unit 124 is clicked.

The identifier 220 is positioned on the control panel 108 to facilitate the process of installation and maintenance of device 100. The identifier 220 includes a unique code that the user scans with his cell phone for accessing information regarding installation and maintenance of device 100.

Now referring to FIG. 4, the operational flow of the device 100 is described. In an initial step 404, the user rotates and selects the input unit 124 to select any of the three sub menus 204, 208, 212. In a next step 408, the user selects the first sub menu 204 of sensor type of the AMPV 104. In the next steps 412 and 416, the user rotates and clicks the input unit 124 to select any one of the three parameters of pump time, volume or pulse of the AMPV 104. In this step, the user is able to increment or decrement the value displayed on the display 112 by rotating and clicking the input unit 124.

In a next step 420, the user rotates and clicks the input unit 124 to select the second sub menu 208 of time/volume. In the next steps 424 and 428, the user selects any one of the three parameters of service, backwash or rinse of the AMPV 104. In this step, the value of the parameter selected in the second sub menu 208 is able to be incremented or decremented by the user through the input unit 124. In a next step 432, the user rotates and clicks the input unit 124 to select the third sub menu 212 of position of the AMPV 104.

In the next steps 436 and 440, the user rotates and clicks the input unit 124 to select any of the four parameters of service, backwash, rinse or locate of the AMPV 104. In this step, the values of the parameters selected can be incremented or decremented by the user through the input unit 124. In a next step 444, the selected input is received and processed by the controller 304 of the control unit 120. In this step, the controller 304 then actuates the DC motor 312 and directs the AMPV 104 to set the parameters are applied to the AMPV 104. The selected input is further stored in the storage device 308 present in the control unit 120. The device 100 is powered by the power supply 136 which is also present in the control unit 120.

The LEDs on the parameters blink continuously when the input unit 124 is rotated towards the particular option. On clicking the input unit 124, the LED of the selected option turns on till any other option from the same sub menu is selected.

Examples, variations, modifications, and enhancements to the described examples and implementations and other implementations can be made based on what is disclosed.

Examples are set forth herein below and are illustrative of different amounts and types of reactants and reaction conditions that can be utilized in practicing the disclosure. It will be apparent, however, that the disclosure can be practiced with other amounts and types of reactants and reaction conditions than those used in the examples, and the resulting devices various different properties and uses in accordance with the disclosure above and as pointed out hereinafter.

When a user wishes to change the settings of the AMPV 104 by using the device 100 of the present invention, the user in a first step rotates the input unit 124. When the indicator of the first sub menu 204 for Sensor type blinks, the user clicks the input unit 124, selecting the first sub menu 204. This results in the LED 216A for the first sub menu 204 to blink continuously. The user then rotates the input unit 124 again in a second step till the LED indicator 222 for the option of Pulse starts blinking. The user then clicks the input unit 124 to select the Pulse option. This causes the LED indicator 222 for Pulse blink continuously and display a set value, for example ‘nOL on the display 112. Now the user rotates the input unit 124 again in a third step to increase or decrease the values on the display unit 112. Once the desired value appears on the display 112, for example ‘nlO’, the user clicks the rotary input unit 124 to save the setting.

Now to set the second sub menu of Time/Volume 208 and the third sub menu 212 for Position, the user goes through the same steps as for the first sub menu 204.

The device 100 of the present invention teaches a single rotary clickable input unit 124 as the only point of contact for the user for controlling the operation of AMPV 104. This device 100 of the present invention displays all the sub menus and its parameters independently using text markings on the sticker of the user device. Further, the user selection of the parameters is viewable independently and simultaneously through the LED’s that are near the text marking of the parameters.