Draining Station Centering Device for Variable Toilet Tanks
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for emptying and cleaning toilet tanks in camping vehicles are inefficient and unhygienic, as they require manual handling and often result in contamination and odor nuisances, and are not adaptable to different toilet tank sizes.
Innovation Solution
An emptying and cleaning station with a receiving cassette and positioning means, including a centering device with a wedge-shaped pressure surface, allows for automatic positioning and cleaning of toilet tanks of varying sizes, using a flexible and deformable suction and flushing pipe that can be lowered and raised to ensure complete emptying and flushing without manual handling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual emptying of toilet tanks is performed at disposal points, then the toilet tank can be emptied, but contamination and odor nuisance occur at the disposal area
Solution Approach 1:
A receiving cassette is introduced as an intermediary device between the toilet tank and the disposal environment. The cassette receives the toilet tank and provides a contained space for emptying operations, preventing direct contact between tank contents and the external disposal area, thus eliminating contamination and odor nuisance while maintaining ease of operation
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables automatic emptying and cleaning of the toilet tank within the receiving cassette through self-contained mechanisms. The toilet tank can be emptied automatically without manual handling at disposal points, and the cassette itself can be cleaned in place, reducing the need for external disposal facilities and eliminating harmful emissions to the environment
2Adaptability or versatility
If toilet tanks of different sizes are accommodated, then versatility is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The receiving cassette is designed with universal features including adjustable positioning means and a centering device with wedge-shaped pressure surfaces that can accommodate toilet tanks of various sizes. The same basic structure and mechanisms serve multiple functions: receiving different tank sizes, positioning them correctly, and enabling emptying operations, thus achieving versatility without proportionally increasing complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The positioning means and centering device are designed to be dynamically adjustable rather than fixed. The wedge-shaped pressure surfaces automatically adapt to different tank heights and positions, allowing the system to handle various toilet tank sizes through dynamic adjustment rather than requiring multiple specialized mechanisms for each size
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
The solution enables fully automatic, efficient, and hygienic cleaning of toilet tanks, minimizing contamination and odor issues, and is adaptable to different tank sizes, ensuring easy access and reduced risk of germ transmission during the cleaning process.
Implementation Method 1
the centering device adapting to the height of the toilet tank via a wedge-shaped pressure surface
Data Source
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AI summary
A draining and cleaning station 20 with a receiving cassette 1 and a receiving opening for receiving a toilet container 31, wherein the toilet container 31 has a cleaning opening 36, and the draining and cleaning station 20 with at least one cleaning element 21 which can be inserted through the cleaning opening 36 of the toilet container 31, wherein the cleaning element 21 is automatically lowerable and raising, and wherein the emptying of the toilet container contents and/or the supply of a cleaning fluid is provided. In order to be able to handle different sizes of toilet containers 31 using a single draining and cleaning station 20, positioning means are provided for positioning the cleaning opening 36 of each toilet container 31 below the cleaning element 21. These positioning means consist, for example, of mechanical, electrical, or electromechanical means that enable the container size to be detected.This allows for precise positioning of the cleaning opening 36 below the cleaning element 21 and enables a fully automatic cleaning process to be carried out, for example by means of a pendulum mechanism.