ES1295618U - Ecological drum for recycling distilled water in refrigerated trucks and semi-trailers (Machine-translation by Google Translate, not legally binding) - Google Patents

Abstract

Ecological water tank for truck trailers and semi-trailers, characterized by the fact that it has a nozzle connected by a hose to the cooling system, which has at least one hole to release the pressure and allow water to enter the tank. without difficulty. (Machine-translation by Google Translate, not legally binding)

Description

DESCRIPTION

Ecological drum for recycling distilled water in refrigerated trucks and semi-trailers

The present invention is inspired by the use of a resource that in current systems is simply poured onto asphalt, and refers to a drum for the recycling and use of water generated by condensation in refrigeration machines installed in refrigerated trailer trucks and semi-trailers. , thanks to which notable improvements are achieved in relation to normal water drums known up to now, and which affect the following tasks: simplification of the anchoring system, commitment to the environment, elimination of the tasks of filling and emptying the drum , simplification of cleaning tasks, a filtering system for the introduced water, easier posture to handle the drum, and greater hygiene when using the tap.

This innovative model also comes to improve the design and functional features of the previous Utility Model that we had registered (201900293), since it includes a series of substantial modifications to it, which come to correct some functional problems detected, in addition to adding new ones. benefits of interest to users of this new deposit model.

For the reasons that will be revealed later throughout the presentation of this new tank model, this application must include the innovative nozzle model that we have developed to install it in this new tank. This unique mouthpiece is where its greatest evolution over the previous model really materializes, and thanks to which it can develop many of the functions that make it truly distinctive compared to current models.

Given that this nozzle is not an indivisible part of our tank, but is installed in it thanks to a threaded system, it seems appropriate that this model of nozzle also forms part of the present application, since it constitutes an essential part. in the functional design of this project, and in the mechanical operation of the system itself.

For more detail in this regard and as part of this report, we will also make a description of said nozzle, detailing each of its structural elements, as well as the functionality developed by each of them.

Background of the invention

Water drums for refrigerated truck trailers and semi-trailers usually have an average capacity of 25 litres. Said drum is usually anchored in the lower part of the chassis of truck trailers and semi-trailers in general, causing some difficulty for handling, since they do not allow its use in an upright position. This is not a trivial question, since the current system of use and refueling of these drums, force to adopt a forced position for the back, waist, and shoulders. These joints, due to the characteristics of the truck driver's work, already constitute a habitual source of ailments and injuries for this union of workers.

The current drum model also presents some inconveniences regarding cleanliness and hygiene, both outside and inside. Exterior: because, due to its position on the chassis, the drum in general, and the tap in particular, receive all the dirt from the road due to the splashes that the vehicle's own wheels cause while moving. Inside: because the water it often creates bacteria and algae that make it unhealthy for any use. To the point that many transporters add bleach or chlorine to the current models of tanks, in order to avoid their degradation and try to keep the water they use cleaner.

The work of refueling these tanks also has its drawbacks, since there are not always nearby water points to fill the drum, or they are difficult to access for this type of vehicle, or they are dirty and even damaged due to lack of maintenance, etc. ... These inconveniences in accessing a resource that is so necessary for those who spend a good part of their lives in the cab of a truck, and which, from my own experience, are much more frequent than might be expected, directly affect the working conditions of road professionals, to the point of being one of the aspects that raises the most complaints and reluctance in the sector. All of these drawbacks are eliminated in our tank model, since it represents a continuous self-supplying water system.

Having detected all this series of mechanical and functional deficiencies, we have developed a new drum model that, in addition to significantly improving the characteristics of current drums, including the one we have previously registered, constitutes the object of this invention and whose characteristics we will now detail. then.

Description of the invention

To avoid all this series of inconveniences detected by a direct use experience, our project has been developed by applying an important series of innovations on the water tanks that currently exist on the market, and on our previous registered model.

This new tank model that we present is made of 100% recycled plastic material.

Its interior capacity is close to 15 liters. It has a rectangular shape with dimensions 40x30x15 cms. (length x height x width), although it presents a small chamfer in the corners of one of its vertical faces ( figure 5). In the lower corner of said face, it also has a hole in which the dispenser tap is located ( figure 3), so that it is less exposed to the risk of blows, and even very protected from splashes and dirt coming from the same asphalt. Of the road.

On the upper face of the drum, and next to the other small chamfer arranged on the position of the tap, there is a square-shaped hole that allows a soap dispenser to be housed. We also propose the option of a model that does without said cabin, in order to increase the interior capacity of the water container.

On that same upper face, although on the opposite side to the hole for the soap dispenser, is the threaded hole to which the new nozzle would be connected, which would protrude at an angle of 90° with respect to the horizontal axis. This nozzle ( figure 4) has a special shape that includes 4 holes with different shapes and uses. Through one of these holes it receives the water coming from the trailer's cooling system ( figure 4 - 10), whose drain hose would be fitted under pressure in this first hole. The second of the holes ( figure 4 - 11), allows it to act as an overflow to avoid the collapse of the system in the event that the tank is completely filled, and in order to be able to evacuate excess water. In the 201900293 model, this overflow function was carried out through a second nozzle placed at a horizontal angle and which has been suppressed in this new model, thus eliminating some mechanical problems detected in its design. This water would overflow through another stretch of hose inserted under pressure over this second hole. The third hole ( figure 4 - 12) would act as a pressure relief, in case the water in the tank could freeze due to exposure to low temperatures. This hole did not exist in our previous model of drum. And the fourth and last ( figure 4 - 13), is through which the water is poured into the tank, and which allows this nozzle to be connected to it with a simple screw-in mechanism. In other words, unlike our previous model 201900239, this nozzle is not an indivisible part of the body of the tank, but rather a complementary part, although essential, for the operation of our innovative tank.

The body of this tank has two vertical grooves that, in addition to dividing the shape of the tank into three bodies ( figure 1), are designed to locate the anchoring system straps that will allow it to be attached to the trailer wall. This new location, much higher in which it would be located, acts as a first barrier to avoid all the dirt coming from the splashes of the wheels. In addition, the position of the tap is much less exposed than in current drums, so the elements that most affect external dirt in the tanks would be eliminated in our new model.

The new location planned for our water tank is not only optimal for its self-supply because it is located right under the cooling system where the water is generated and from where it is collected, and because it keeps it away from the dirt coming from the wheels and the asphalt.

But it also allows daily use in an upright position, which is much less aggressive for the joints and bones of the users, thus reducing the risks of occupational injuries and illnesses. Postural hygiene and the prevention of occupational risks are therefore contemplated and improved compared to current deposits, thus reducing the incidence of such important aspects as lower back injuries, and even joint diseases.

The new model that we present through this letter also modifies and improves Utility Model 201900293, since it adds a filter in the water access to the tank that would be located at the junction between the refrigeration machine hose, and the connection of this with the nozzle that connects to the drum. Thus eliminating the possibility that any type of waste could enter the warehouse, as could happen in the aforementioned utility model. Said filter therefore improves and results in the hygiene of the water contained, and guarantees a more innocuous use of it.

Regarding this internal dirt, the new tank model that we present would also be much less affected by the proliferation of bacteria, since, in addition to being distilled water that suffers a much lower degree of deterioration due to the scarce presence of minerals, it also has The advantage of being a continuous flow that, by constantly circulating the contained water, would avoid almost any problem derived from stagnant water, and therefore, from current models of deposits. It can also include an internal filter that is capable of making the water drinkable, making it suitable for human consumption if necessary. This variant of the model would be installed in those units destined for an international market, in order to cover needs more typical of much more extreme geographical areas, and in which the availability of water may be non-existent in many long-distance journeys.

Another noticeable improvement applied to Model 201900293 is represented by the fact that there is a real possibility of breakage in one of its two nozzles, therefore, since these were designed as fixed parts of the tank, said breakage represented the need to dispose of the entire deposit. Hence, in the improved model that is the object of this new application, these 2 nozzles have been reduced to just 1, thus halving the possibility of it breaking. And furthermore, in this new model that we are presenting now, we have modified this nozzle so that it is not a fixed part integrated into the tank, but rather a threaded part so that, after a possible breakage of the same, it can be replaced with no problem. This single mouthpiece also constitutes a noticeable improvement from the functional point of view thereof, which will be described in detail throughout this specification.

Brief description of the drawings

For a better understanding of what is described in this report, a series of images are attached in order to present the use of this drum model. Said illustrations are attached to this report, being named and organized as FIGURE 1 to FIGURE 6.

In figure 1 we have a general view of the deposit model that we have designed. And in figures 2 and 3, we can see it in different perspectives that allow us to visualize its structure.

Figure 4 corresponds to a drawing of the nozzle model that we have designed for its installation with the drum.

Figures 5 and 6 are complete illustrations of the developed drum and nozzle details.

Description of a preferred embodiment

Each of the images and their different elements are described below, as well as the function of each one of them, in the cases that are deemed necessary for the purpose of this article.

Figure 1

This figure 1 already presents us with the image of the new deposit model that we have developed, and whose design and functionality we are going to describe throughout the following images.

Its external dimensions are 40x30x15 cms. (length x height x width), its internal capacity being approximately 15 litres, although it would increase if, optionally, the model does without the hole to locate the soap dispenser.

Externally, it has 2 grooves or grooves that are used to locate the straps of the anchoring system, and that they do not suffer any type of displacement that could compromise the stability of the tank. These slits divide the external figure of the tank into 3 bodies that we mention not as functional parts of the tank, but because we have understood that it would allow us to present the structure of the drum more clearly throughout this exposition. Thus, from now on we will allude to each of these "bodies" in order to better locate the elements that are the object of our descriptions.

From the perspective in which the tank appears in this figure 1, we can see that its rectangular structure is not only altered by the aforementioned slits, but that the BODY 1 also presents its outer corners with slightly curved shapes in the form of chamfers.

The following table details an approximation of its general dimensions in centimetres, using as a reference what we have agreed to call "bodies" into which the two anchoring slits divide it.

fi . 1 HEIGHT WIDTH LENGTH

Figure 2

In this image we can appreciate the deposit from a perspective in which we see its upper face.

Continuing with the divisions that we established for figure 1, in this top view of BODY 1 we can see a hole (4) intended to house a soap dispenser of standard dimensions. And it is that in the current tank models that have this soap dispenser, these are usually part of it, frequently integrated into the cap itself of these tanks. The fact that these models have this dispenser cap in a single block makes said model much more expensive than any standard cap model. So that the loss, breakage, or theft of said mechanism, supposes the need to acquire a more expensive spare part than the one in our proposal.

Our tank model does not have any stopper or soap dispenser integrated into its body, but rather has this hole that serves as a compartment for a soap dispenser of more or less standard dimensions and a very low cost (not more than 1, 00 euro). Thus we avoid any extra cost due to the frequent setbacks that we described in the previous paragraph.

In BODY 3 of the image we can see an orifice (5) through which the water from the truck's refrigeration machine enters, and which is used to connect the nozzle by means of a simple thread system. Said orifice replaces the fixed nozzle that the previous model 201900293 had.

In the event that the refrigerating machine was not in operation on a long journey, and therefore the tank self-filled from this source did not occur, it would be enough to unscrew the connected nozzle so that this same hole would serve to refill it with water. , and thus supply the driver for his needs. Once refueled, we would screw the nozzle again to prevent said hole from serving as an entrance to any type of dirt or water contamination, thus keeping it suitable for use. This option was not possible in our previous version, since this hole was occupied by the fixed nozzle for filling the tank.

To end with the presentation of the technical innovations included in BODY 3 of our tank, we must mention an option included to offer coverage in specific areas where this system of external water tanks is almost unfeasible for a good part of the season. due to the prevailing low temperatures. Said technical feature is that of including a small hole (6) through which a small thermal probe can be introduced inside the tank, so that it is capable of maintaining the water at a certain constant temperature that prevents it from freezing, and converts it in perfectly usable. Something that in some extremely cold areas of Russia, China, Canada,..., does not happen with the current deposit models. Said device could be installed from a simple derivation connected to the thermostatic probe that these types of refrigeration systems have as standard, and would offer truckers who operate in these inhospitable latitudes, a new cleaning and sanitation option that does not exist in any of previous models; and that therefore introduces an innovative detail for professionals who, without a doubt, would appreciate how it improves their working conditions in general, and hygiene in particular.

It is inspired by the use that some truckers regularly circulate in these areas, they usually make with the thermostatic probe with which the system is equipped, and which is sometimes used to heat some type of drink (coffee, soup, ...) .

The hole (6) designed for this purpose would be located (as optional equipment) on the upper face of BODY 3 of our tank, and will have a diameter of about 5 millimeters, equaling it to the diameter of the thermal probe. Thus, once it is inserted into the hole, it would be adjusted to the point that would serve as a stopper for the aforementioned hole, which would be closed by the probe itself in a practically watertight manner.

The orifice intended for this exclusive use is equipped with an elastic membrane that would yield for the introduction of the probe, but whose elasticity would make it close again in the event that at any time said probe was not connected to the tank, thus returning to be closed in a semi-tight way, to preserve the integrity and cleanliness of the water contained in the tank, and guarantee its use in adequate hygienic conditions.

Figure 3

From the perspective in which the tank is presented in this image, we can perfectly appreciate how the external corners of BODY 1 have been designed with a certain curved shape. Said shape confers a greater degree of rigidity to this face which, due to the position in which the drum will be anchored, will be the most exposed to the outside as it is oriented to the lateral side of the trailer through which the tank will be used.

It is obvious that the lower part of this face of BODY 1 has an important notch (7) which, in addition to affecting its robustness, is designed to protect another important threaded part such as the faucet, in front of it. to any possible blow or abrasion derived from its use, and from the daily activity of the vehicle. In addition to preserving it from a large part of the dirt from any type of splash, or from the inclement weather itself, or due to possible congested environments.

This compartment is designed to try to preserve the hygienic conditions of the installed faucet, so that the user can dispose of the water from the tank with certain guarantees of use, and without having to clean the faucet every time they need to use the water contained in it. .

The dimensions of the existing hole in this hole will coincide with those of the sizes of the thread systems of most standard taps on the market, so that if a spare part for this tap were to be needed, this would not represent a problem to be able to find it easily in the market.

In this figure 3 we have also marked point (8) to identify, as we already did in figure 1, the grooves where the straps of the tank anchoring system would be located.

Figure 4

Another of the fundamental elements of our tank model is the nozzle whose design and functionalities we are going to describe, and which differentiate it mechanically and functionally from the registered model 201900293, which had 2 nozzles.

The nozzle that we have designed as part of our drum model is the connection element between the refrigeration machine from which the water generated by it is recovered, and our tank, into which said water ends up being poured ( fig. 2 - 5 ).

The connection with the refrigeration machine is established through the evacuation hose that said machine has, and at the end of which the male mouth arranged for this purpose is inserted under pressure, and identified in figure 4 with point (9) . . Once this nozzle is connected to the hose, point (10) identifies the hole that would allow the entry of water to supply the tank.

This connection to the hose coming from the cold equipment, through which the water from the condensation circulates to the outside to be discarded, allows it not to be lost, but rather to be collected and stored inside the drum, for later disposal. use and exploitation.

The mouth identified as (11) is located at an angle of 90° with respect to the vertical axis, and has been designed to act as a spillway or overflow to prevent that, if the tank is completely filled, it could saturate the connected hose. to the refrigerator, and even affect its operation. A function that, in the previous model, was performed by a second non-existent nozzle in this new design.

This mouth (11) must be connected to another spillway hose that serves to evacuate and discharge the overflowing water.

Identified as point (12) of this figure 4, a new non-existent hole appears in model 201900293, whose purpose is aimed at solving another frequent negative incident for carriers. And it is that the transport routes that are usually carried out with this type of trailer, as well as the international projection with which we plan to market this model of deposit, force us to try to offer a solution to the problem of the low temperatures that can be registered in some areas through which this type of trailers equipped with water tanks travel. Since with some frequency these deposits get to freeze, leaving the carrier devoid of the service they obtain from them.

Our drum model has several features that would avoid this annoying problem, since its operation is already in itself an obstacle to this freezing, since it is not just a stagnant water tank, but it receives a continuous flow of input and outlet, thus becoming a kind of continuous stream of water that, precisely because it is in continuous circulation, it is more difficult for it to freeze.

On the other hand, the very location in which our deposit is placed, also confers a greater guarantee of preservation with respect to this and other climatic agents, since being arranged near the heat generated by the refrigeration machine itself, and sheltered from the winds or currents produced by the movement of the vehicle itself, cause the temperature of this area to be several degrees higher than the environment, and to that which current tanks have to withstand due to their adverse location in this regard.

However, and despite these conditions that would make it difficult for the water to freeze, our tank model has been equipped with this hole (12) in order to offer a complementary exhaust point, non-existent in the previous model, which not only further reduces the possibilities of freezing of the tank, but, in the event that said freezing of the deposited water occurs, it serves as a relief for the pressure that said freezing could represent, and thus avoiding the possible damage that could be caused in any of the the system components.

This same hole (12) together with the hole (11) described above, also perform another important function as pressure relief, since for the water to access the tank constantly, it is necessary that the air contained in it be proportionally displaced. . Otherwise, the pressure of the contained air volume would represent an obstacle for the entry of a greater amount of water, since the volume of the tank capacity would be occupied by that air. Thus, both holes would allow the evacuation of this air in a volume and rhythm proportional to that of the water poured into the tank, thus allowing its entry without any difficulty. This estimation had not been contemplated in the design of our previous registered model either.

The various modifications that we have been applying in the design process of this nozzle have culminated in the determination that this element should not form a fixed and integrated part of the body of our tank, but that we should design it as a threaded part (13). so that, after a hypothetical breakage of it, it can be replaced without any problem, thus preventing the entire tank from becoming useless and having to be replaced. Obviously, for any user, it will be much easier and more practical to replace said part, which will also be distributed as a spare, than to see how the tank is rendered useless due to the breakage of a simple nozzle, and to be forced to replace it entirely. And so that this objective of easy replacement can be achieved, this mouth has been designed with a threaded shape, and which is identified in the illustration with the point (13).

This point would therefore be the one that identifies the threaded connection between this nozzle and our water tank, and through which the water from the truck's refrigeration machine would be poured into the tank, for its reuse by the drivers.

In addition, and in order to preserve the hygiene of the water poured into our tank, as we have been describing, a small filter would be installed in this same mouth (13), which, in principle, would be made of nylon with a nominal porosity of 75 microns, in order to carry out a pre-filtration of particles that could come from the refrigeration machine or from any other possible source of environmental dirt. Access to this filter would be made in a simple way in the event that it was necessary to carry out a periodic maintenance cleaning of it.

Figure 5

In this figure we present a perspective of the structure of our tank model, in which we can perfectly appreciate the detail of the location of the dispenser tap, and appreciate how it is perfectly protected in the compartment designed for that purpose.

This location offers you high protection against any type of blow or friction from the daily activity of the vehicle. As well as a more than interesting protection against all types of dirt that may be received by splashes or regular air currents in circulation, or even from any type of oil or grease splashed from the vehicle itself.

Hollow for dispensing tap of 10.0 cm. Wide. In this same area, but in its internal part, would be located the filter that would serve to make the water contained in the tank drinkable.

We can also see in the upper part the hole designed to place a soap dispenser, and whose dimensions are 12.0 x 8.0 x 8.0 cm.

Figure 6

In this drawing we have included the design of our nozzle model, since, as we have already referred to in previous sections of this report, it constitutes an essential part of our water recycling system, both from a structural and functional point of view. Hence, having included it as part of this application, we have found it opportune and necessary to reflect its structural details.

Its general dimensions in millimeters are 80.0 mm. long, by 50.0 mm. wide in the area of the two side nozzles.

The diameters of the different holes that it presents will be 25.4 mm. for those of the connections to the supply and drainage rubbers. The threaded connection nozzle to the drum will have a diameter of 30.0 mm. And the last free weir hole will have a diameter of 15.0 mm.

Claims (7)

1. Ecological water tank for truck trailers and semi-trailers, characterized by the fact that it has a nozzle connected by a hose to the cooling system, which has at least one hole to release the pressure and allow water to enter the tank. without difficulty. 2. Ecological water tank for truck trailers and semi-trailers, according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that the nozzle also has another hole to reduce the pressure in the tank in case the water contained therein freezes. 3. Ecological water tank for truck trailers and semi-trailers, according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that it has a filter at the water inlet, which preserves it from any dirt from the cooling system, and allows a more efficient use. hygienic of the same 4. Ecological water tank for truck trailers and semi-trailers, according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that it has a filtering system that allows the contained water to be made potable and suitable for consumption. 5. Ecological water tank for truck trailers and semi-trailers, according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that it also has a thermal probe that avoids the problem of freezing in places with adverse climates, and that keeps the water at a suitable temperature. for your use. 6. Ecological water tank for truck trailers and semi-trailers, according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that the dispenser tap is located inside the structural profile of the tank and without protruding from it, thus ensuring a high degree of protection against dirt. and accidental blows. 7. Ecological water tank for truck trailers and semi-trailers, according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that its anchoring system with straps is safe and extremely simple. It does not require welding, and is based on several holes to screw said anchor to the structure of the trailer or semi-trailer.