Research And Insight

Explore the potential of LIN-BUS for the next-generation heat pumps and boilers

Leveraging data for more reliable, efficient and smarter future operations

For heat pump and boiler manufacturers, data has become key for ensuring optimal long-lasting performance of today’s heating infrastructure. From collecting relevant information to translating data points into actionable insights, it’s up to manufacturers to advance critical communication infrastructure and enable data to be transmitted between multiple appliances. Once in place, this opens up a range of innovation opportunities. 

Add value to your heating system  

From smart data transmission between appliances to the intelligent collection, storage and analysis of data, our systems are becoming more and more connected.  

To provide future-proof heat pump and boiler solutions, OEMs are under immense pressure to keep up with the rapid digital transformation of our industry. Meanwhile, installers demand solutions that reduce time and efforts spent on servicing while end-users expect more comfort, lower energy cost and simplified maintenance from their installed systems. 

How the LIN-BUS system can help shape the data highway of the future  

Adopted from the automotive industry, the communication protocol creates a data highway that allows components to communicate with another. That way, data can be transmitted in a more reliable and cost-efficient way via a broad bandwidth. 

Compared to traditional communication protocols, the LIN-BUS system helps manufacturers operate multiple data points in parallel at the same time. A one-string connection of the data points ensures the system can be flexibly set up and integrated into multiple product types, while it also allows adding future data points and functions.  

What to expect from the LIN-BUS protocol?

  • A framework for an intra-appliance communications bus
  • A simple 3-wire interface for communication
  • An intra-appliance LIN network with up to 15 slave devices replacing traditional point-to-point interfaces
  • Possibilities to add new data points, features and functions
  • Compliant to the VDMA 24226:2019-04 standard.

A new world of innovation possibilities 

To satisfy today’s demands, manufacturers must be ready to facilitate relevant information to travel flexibly between components and to process data in real-time. That’s why, next-generation solutions will not only automatically optimise the pump’s performance based on real-time data. Future pumps of tomorrow will also be expected to utilise the collected data to predict potential failures and automatically order needed service, prior to a system’s failure.  

Why you can expect more from future heat pump and boiler solutions

  • A more advanced communication protocol enables flexible data transmission 
  • Multiple signals sent to the PPM allow manufacturers to monitor performance in real-time  
  • Integrated control and optimisation features automatically advance and adapt to acute conditions of the pump (e.g. by adjusting constant and proportional pressure)
  • Smart data analytics help create meaningful insights that improve diagnostics and failure detection

Predictive diagnostics and failure detection for advanced system operations 

For manufacturers, guaranteed quality and performance are key. And in many cases, major system failures could be avoided if only detected early enough. That’s why, in future, we need to combine streamlined data transmission via the LIN-BUS system with smart analytical technologies, such as real-time data analytics. In close collaboration with manufacturers, we can use the data and develop innovative features to offer more frictionless operations while saving energy and costs spent on servicing and maintenance.  

Future possibilities with LIN-BUS 

  • Go Balance for a simple and fast balancing of the pump 
  • Remote diagnostics prior to on-site visits help reduce time and improve service  
  • On-site digital diagnostics enable quick troubleshooting 
  • Smart resonance adjustments via an App avoid resonance frequencies 
  • Performance monitoring of heat exchanges  

Contact us if you want to learn more about the commercial terms or to purchase Grundfos pumps for OEM manufacturers.