Flexible RV Water Tank Compartments for Easy Cleaning and Separation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing recreational vehicle water tanks with divided compartments are complex and costly to produce, require stable containers, and are difficult to maintain due to potential membrane damage and time-consuming cleaning processes.
Innovation Solution
A variable water tank design using two flexible canisters with integrated half-shells that allow for easy assembly and reliable separation of compartments, enabling cost-effective production and maintenance, with compartments that can be easily replaced or cleaned.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a membrane is used to divide the water tank into compartments, then the separation of fresh and used water is achieved, but the production complexity and cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The water tank is divided into multiple independent flexible canisters (fresh water canister, used water canister, gray water canister) instead of using a single tank with a membrane. Each canister is a separate, self-contained unit that can be independently manufactured, installed, and replaced, eliminating the need for complex membrane integration in a single tank structure.
2Reliability
If a membrane is used to separate compartments, then water separation is achieved, but repair and replacement costs become very high when the membrane is damaged
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the water tank system into separate replaceable canisters, damage to one canister (e.g., puncture or degradation) can be addressed by simply replacing that specific canister rather than repairing or replacing the entire tank assembly, significantly reducing repair costs and complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible canisters are designed as inexpensive, replaceable units that can be easily swapped out when damaged or depleted, rather than using expensive, durable membrane structures that require complex repair procedures when compromised.
3Volume of stationary object
If a single tank with membrane separation is used, then space utilization is optimized, but cleaning time increases significantly as compartments can only be filled alternately
Solution Approach 1:
The segmentation into separate canisters allows each compartment to be independently accessed, removed, and cleaned without affecting the other compartments. This eliminates the time-consuming alternating filling process required by single-tank membrane designs, as each canister can be serviced independently while others remain in use.
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible canisters can be dynamically expanded and collapsed as they are filled and emptied, optimizing space utilization within the vehicle while maintaining independent access to each compartment for rapid cleaning and refilling operations.
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a variable water tank for a recreational vehicle, in particular a motorhome or a caravan, comprising a first compartment and at least one second compartment, wherein the first compartment has a variable volume for holding water, wherein the second compartment has a variable volume for holding water and wherein the first compartment and the second compartment are separated from one another in such a way that a direct exchange of water between the first compartment and the second compartment is prevented. It is proposed that the first compartment is at least substantially formed by a first flexible water canister, that the second compartment is at least substantially formed by a second flexible water canister, and that a peripheral edge of the first water canister and a peripheral edge of the second water canister are connected to one another.