Common Line for Liquid Tank Overflow and Drainage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing liquid storage devices in rail vehicles require complex and costly setups for safe and efficient emptying, especially in situations like frost risk, where fresh water tanks need to be emptied completely.
Innovation Solution
A liquid storage device with a common line connected to both the overflow and emptying lines, utilizing a siphoning effect for automatic emptying and incorporating a directional valve for remote control, allowing for space-saving and cost-effective implementation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If separate overflow line and separate drain line are used, then the liquid container can be emptied and overflow protection is provided, but the line length is increased and installation space is required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the overflow line and drain line into a single common line that serves both functions. The line extends from the liquid container, with the overflow opening positioned at a higher level than the suction opening, allowing the same line to handle both overflow discharge and complete emptying operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The common line is designed to perform multiple functions: it acts as both an overflow line (discharging excess liquid through the overflow opening) and a drain line (completely emptying the container through the suction opening). This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate dedicated lines for each function.
2Reliability
If separate overflow line and separate drain line are used, then the liquid container can be emptied and overflow protection is provided, but installation cost and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the overflow protection function and complete emptying function into a single integrated line system. The common line with strategically positioned openings provides both overflow discharge capability and complete emptying capability, reducing the number of components and simplifying the overall system architecture.
3Reliability
If separate overflow line and separate drain line are used, then the liquid container can be emptied and overflow protection is provided, but installation space is increased
Solution Approach 1:
The patent consolidates two separate line routing paths into a single common line, significantly reducing the installation space required in the roof area and along the vehicle sides. The single line with multiple functional openings provides complete emptying and overflow protection without requiring parallel line installations.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables safe, efficient, and space-saving emptying of liquid containers with minimal effort, reducing line length and installation costs by combining overflow and drain functions into a single line system, utilizing gravity for automatic emptying.
Implementation Method 1
the so-called siphoning effect of liquids is utilized: as soon as the suction section is filled with liquid, the liquid container can be automatically emptied solely by gravity or by the pressure conditions within the line
Implementation Method 2
in the event of an emptying of the liquid container, forwards liquid from the drain line to the line end of the common line remote from the interface
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates, inter alia, to a liquid-storage apparatus having a liquid tank (20). The invention makes provision for the liquid-storage apparatus to have a shared line (60) which is connected, at an interface (50), to an overflow line (40), which is connected to the liquid tank (20), and to an emptying line (70), which is connected to the liquid tank (20), and, in the case of a level of liquid which reaches, or exceeds, a predetermined maximum level of liquid in the liquid tank (20), the shared line (60) passes on liquid from the overflow line (40) to an end (61) of the shared line (60) which is remote from the interface (50) and, in the case of the liquid tank (20) being emptied, the shared line (60) passes on liquid from the emptying line (70) to the end (61) of the shared line (60) which is remote from the interface (50).