Water tank integrated into the cab of a transport vehicle

Abstract

The present invention relates to a water tank integrated into the cab of a transport vehicle, said tank consisting of a casing (1) with an inner cavity that defines an empty space suitable for use as a container for a specific volume of liquid, having at least one water entry point (3), located at the top thereof, and at least one water outlet, located at the bottom thereof. Said casing (1) is attached to and assembled on the outer rear portion of the cab (A) of the vehicle by anchoring means (7), wherein the water outlet takes the form of taps (2) or a spout (4).

Description

[0001] WATER TANK INTEGRATED IN THE CABIN OF A VEHICLE

[0002] TRANSPORT

[0003] Description

[0004] Object of the invention

[0005] The invention presented relates to a water tank integrated into the cabin of a transport vehicle which, due to its advantageous shape and location, significantly improves the performance of similar vehicles existing on the market, being a novel element in the current state of the art.

[0006] Specifically, this innovation concerns a drinking water tank specifically designed to be placed in the rear of the cabs of transport vehicles, especially heavy-duty vehicles, to provide drivers with quick, easy, and convenient access to drinking water.

[0007] Technical sector

[0008] This invention fits into the sector corresponding to devices related to the collection and supply of drinking water linked to the freight transport sector.

[0009] Background of the invention and state of the art

[0010] One of the most demanding professions in today's job market is that of a transport vehicle driver, not only because of the responsibility involved in controlling the cargo and, sometimes, its loading and unloading, but also because of the rigors of driving itself and the length of the service, especially when dealing with heavy-duty vehicles.

[0011] One of the most common problems is the availability of drinking water for truck drivers' personal hygiene and other necessary uses. Many heavy-duty trucks have driver's cabs physically separated from the truck bed, which is identified by a trailer articulated with the cab, constituting a trailer. For various reasons, the interior space of the cab is often limited and requires logical, selective, and effective management. In the case of drinking water, it is typically loaded into drums that are placed inside the cab in whatever space is available. Obviously, this isn't a single drum, but rather vapours, which must be moved and repositioned when one becomes empty and a full one is placed first. Furthermore, these drums often need to be moved when other items need to be loaded, which represents additional effort for the trucker and a substantial loss of time.It should also be noted that these drums are obviously limited in capacity.

[0012] It would therefore be necessary to have a fixed water storage tank that would free up space in the cabin and be easily accessible and usable by the truck driver.

[0013] In terms of industrial property, there are various patents that develop certain technical solutions that define water-containing devices such as cisterns, tanks, or reservoirs.

[0014] Clearly, the concept of a water cistern is immediately linked to the sanitary fixture sector, as it is integrated into the toilet assembly. Another field in which cisterns are an integral part of a system is water recycling, as is the case with file ES1047264, which refers to a "Water recycler consisting of a tank strategically placed in the kitchen to collect used water from the washing machine, sink, and dishwasher."

[0015] However, the concept of a tanker in the transport sector is understood as a large-volume tank intended for the transport of liquids such as water, fuel, etc., being part of the same vehicle (tanker truck) or being a trailer movably linked to the transport cabin. On rare occasions, the tanker is related to a transport vehicle with a different purpose, as is the case of file ES0253222 which develops a "Tank for the collection of wastewater and supply of clean water and detergent, especially to commercial aircraft" and which "consists of a tanker mounted on a commercial chassis, to which it is connected by means of removable clamps, the tanker being equipped with insulating protection against temperature changes and because it is composed of three independent tanks,of which one of them is intended to collect the waste water of the aircraft and the other two to the supply of clean water and detergent that have easy exit because the tanks of the cistern are provided with a slight longitudinal inclination and another transversal one towards the rear of the vehicle and because each tank is provided with a manhole and its corresponding inspection hatch and aeration valve and because it has two discharge mouths in its rear part to collect the waste water being the water supply circuit constituted by removable sections and because the one corresponding to the collection of waste water is equipped with a system of said for its cleaning.",

[0016] These technical solutions are functional in achieving their objectives and are technically complex, but they do not solve the problem that this invention aims to solve.

[0017] The applicant is not aware of any current state of the art, in terms of industrial property or on the market, of a tank with the technical characteristics and use detailed in this invention.

[0018] Description of the invention

[0019] This invention relates to a water tank integrated into the cabin of a transport vehicle, in particular associated with the exterior of the same, as a water tank or reservoir.

[0020] Specifically, this cistern is shaped like a casing whose hollow interior defines a filling volume, and which has at least one water inlet or filling point, located in its upper area, and at least one water outlet, located in its lower area.

[0021] Innovatively, the tank is secured to the rear and exterior of the vehicle's cab by anchoring means. The assembly may be fixed or removable. The tank's capacity corresponds to a plurality of drums. The minimum and maximum tank capacity volumes are not defined in this description so as not to limit them in any way, and because they also depend on the dimensions of the cab, since the tank's dimensions will correspond to them.

[0022] The water inlet or filling point has a corresponding cap, either screw-on or press-fit, and may have a filter at its mouth to restrict the passage of impurities. The water outlet is manually operated by a tap or through a spout that can be connected to a tube or hose. However, the cistern can also incorporate a valve for automatic water discharge, similar to a timed tap.

[0023] On the side of the cistern there is a level mark that indicates the degree of water filling, in order to determine when the water inlet reaches the limit of the cistern's capacity and when it is necessary to refill it.

[0024] Description of the drawings

[0025] For a better understanding of what is described in this report, some drawings are attached, which should be analyzed and considered solely as an example and without any limiting or restrictive character.

[0026] Figure 1.- Elevation view of the cistern with water outlet provided with a tap

[0027] Figure 2.- Side view of the cistern with water outlet provided with a tap

[0028] Figure 3.- Side view of the tank installed in the vehicle cabin

[0029] Figure 4.- Elevation view of the tank installed in the vehicle cabin

[0030] Figure 5.- Elevation view of the cistern with water outlet provided with a spout connected to a hose

[0031] Figure 6.- Side view of the cistern with water outlet provided with a spout connected to a hose

[0032] Description of a preferred embodiment

[0033] The following parts are shown in the figures cited:

[0034] 1. Housing

[0035] 2. Water outlet tap

[0036] 3. Water entry point

[0037] 4. Water outlet spout

[0038] 5. Hose

[0039] 6. Level mark

[0040] 7. Anchoring means

[0041] A Vehicle cabin Figures 1 and 2 show elevation and side views of the cistern that is the object of this invention, which is formed by a hollow casing (1) that internally defines an empty space suitable for being the receptacle of a certain volume of liquid, in particular water, presenting in its upper part at least one water inlet point (3), provided with a plug, intended to allow the filling of the casing (1), and presenting in its lower part at least one water outlet, specified in this embodiment in taps (2) or similar manually operated in this embodiment example. On its side part there is a water level marking line (6) that defines a translucent area that allows the water level to be immediately viewed when it is at a point that is considered as reserve, indicating the need to fill the cistern again to replenish the water.These figures show the anchoring means (7) intended to securely fix the tank to the rear and outside of the cabin (A) of the transport vehicle, as shown in figures 3 and 4. This anchoring is preferably carried out with screw elements that pass through through holes in at least six points of the casing (1) located, in groups of three, at its lower and upper ends. In this way, the casing (1) is anchored and assembled in an area that is not usually intended for any purpose in this type of vehicle, respecting the means of connection with the trailer of the vehicle and any other elements of the vehicle that may be located in said rear area of ​​the cabin (A).

[0042] Figures 5 and 6 show a second, equally functional embodiment, with the same technical characteristics already described except for the means of water outlet located in the lower part of the casing (1), which in this case are specified in at least one spout (4) suitable for assembly with a tube or hose (5), which in turn can be used directly or connected to a tap or similar.

[0043] Based on what has been described, the advantages offered by the tank being claimed are evident.

[0044] It is the only system that ensures that a freight vehicle has access to drinking water easily and simply, without the need to manually move and weigh containers or worry about their placement inside the cab, which is the only usable, and very limited, space available to the truck driver. Innovatively, the tank incorporates a thermal water heating system to prevent winter freezing.

[0045] Technically, the tank's design is geometric and preferably without blunt edges. The tank's location and anchoring at the rear of the vehicle's cab obviously depend on the cab's design and space, as this varies from one cab model to another.

[0046] The tank can be fixed to the vehicle cabin using removable anchoring means.

[0047] Regarding its manufacture, it can be made of plastic, metal, or any other material that respects the health of the water.

[0048] Regarding its use, it is simple and fast, similar to any domestic faucet.

[0049] The cistern is filled manually, either by directly transferring water from drums or other containers or by means of a hose connected to a suction pump if the cistern's capacity is large, the water filling must be rapid, or the dimensions and / or weight of the original tank make it difficult to move manually.

[0050] On a commercial level, it's a highly differentiated container compared to the existing drums on the market used by truck drivers. It eliminates the need to load them into the cab and move and reposition them whenever more space is needed or to reorganize the existing space.

[0051] It is not considered necessary to expand this description further so that any person skilled in the art can understand the scope of the invention and the advantages derived from it. The materials, shape, and size are subject to variation provided this does not imply a change in the essence of the invention. The terms used in this specification should always be taken in a broad, non-limiting sense.

Claims

Claims 1 a Water tank integrated into the cabin of a transport vehicle, characterized in that it is formed as a casing (1) whose hollow interior defines an empty space suitable for being the receptacle of a certain volume of liquid, having at least one water entry point (3), located in its upper area and at least one water exit, located in its lower area, the casing (1) being walled and assembled in the rear and exterior part of the cabin (A) of the vehicle by means of anchoring means (7). 2 a Water tank integrated into the cabin of a transport vehicle, according to 1 a claim, characterized in that the water outlet is realized in taps (2). 3 a Water tank integrated into the cabin of a transport vehicle, according to 1 a claim, characterized in that the water outlet is specified as a spout (4). 4 aWater tank integrated into the cabin of a transport vehicle, according to 3 a claim, characterized in that the water outlet spout (4) is assembled with a tube or hose (5). 5 a Water tank integrated into the cabin of a transport vehicle, according to 1 a claim, characterized in that the assembly of the housing (1) in the cabin (A) is fixed. 6 a Water tank integrated into the cabin of a transport vehicle, according to 5 a claim, characterized in that the fixed assembly of the casing (1) in the cabin (A) is achieved by means of screw elements that pass through through holes existing in at least six points of the tank (1) located in groups of three at its lower and upper ends. 7 a Water tank integrated into the cabin of a transport vehicle, according to 1 aclaim, characterized in that the assembly of the housing (1) in the cabin (A) is removable. 8 a Water tank integrated into the cabin of a transport vehicle, according to 1 a claim, characterized in that the entry point (3) has a plug, fitted by means of a thread or by pressure. 9 a Water tank integrated into the cabin of a transport vehicle, according to 1 a claim, characterized in that the entry point (3) has a filter at its mouth. 10 a Water tank integrated into the cabin of a transport vehicle, according to 1 a claim, characterized in that the casing has a water level mark (6) on the side defining a translucent area. 11 a Water tank integrated into the cabin of a transport vehicle, according to 1 aclaim, characterized by incorporating a valve for automatic water discharge. 12 a Water tank integrated into the cabin of a transport vehicle, according to 1 a claim, characterized in that the entry point (3) is associated with a hose connected to a suction pump. 13 a Water tank integrated into the cabin of a transport vehicle, according to 1 a claim, characterized in that it incorporates a thermal water heating system. 14 a Water tank integrated into the cabin of a transport vehicle, according to 1 a claim, characterized in that the conformation of the casing (1) is geometric and without blunt edges. 15 a Water tank integrated into the cabin of a transport vehicle, according to 1 aclaim, characterized in that it is made of a material compatible with the health of the water. 16 a Water tank integrated into the cabin of a transport vehicle, according to 15 a claim, characterized because the material is plastic. 17 a Water tank integrated into the cabin of a transport vehicle, according to 15 a claim, characterized in that the material is metallic.

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