Vehicle Medium Line Emptying With Check Valves and Air Pressure
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Solution Overview
Problem
Vehicles with medium installations, such as recreational vehicles, face issues with water freezing or pathogen growth in medium lines due to stagnant water, especially during winter.
Innovation Solution
An emptying device with non-return valves and a compressor to pressurize the medium line, using a changeover switch to alternate the electrical connection between the feed pump and compressor, ensuring efficient and compact medium evacuation without reverse flow.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If a medium line is left connected to the medium tank, then the medium can flow freely, but water remains stagnant in the line causing freezing or pathogen growth
Solution Approach 1:
The emptying device enables the medium line to empty itself automatically using the existing medium flow from the tank. The system uses the medium's own flow capability to drive the emptying process through the first connecting line and first non-return valve, without requiring external intervention or complex manual operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses pneumatic pressure from a compressed air reservoir to force remaining water out of the medium line. The second connecting line introduces compressed air into the line downstream of the first non-return valve, creating pressure that pushes residual water through the outlet, effectively clearing the line without manual disconnection.
2Productivity
If a complex emptying device with multiple valves and lines is installed, then medium line emptying is effective, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The emptying device combines multiple functions into a single integrated unit installed at one location on the vehicle. The housing contains both the first and second non-return valves along with the compressed air reservoir and connecting lines, merging the emptying mechanism and pneumatic system into one compact assembly that simplifies installation and operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The second connecting line acts as an intermediary channel that introduces compressed air into the medium line at a strategic point downstream of the first non-return valve. This intermediary connection allows pneumatic pressure to be applied precisely where needed to push residual water out, without requiring direct modification of the main medium line or complex valve arrangements.
3Ease of operation
If a changeover switch is added to alternate between feed pump and compressor, then electrical circuit control is improved, but circuit complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The changeover switch serves multiple functions within a single component: it acts as a selector switch for alternating between feed pump and compressor operation, and simultaneously functions as a circuit protection device that prevents both components from operating simultaneously. This multi-functionality simplifies the overall control system by consolidating switching and protection functions into one element.
Solution Approach 2:
The changeover switch automatically prevents contradictory operations by its inherent switching mechanism. When positioned to activate the feed pump, it automatically interrupts the compressor circuit, and vice versa. This self-protecting feature eliminates the need for additional interlock circuits or complex control logic, as the switch itself provides the necessary circuit management.
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
Effectively prevents water from freezing and pathogen spread by rapidly emptying medium lines, allowing for a simple retrofit and reducing component size and energy requirements.
Implementation Method 1
a pressure medium source being a compressor to be connected to the second connecting line and to pressurize the second connecting line with a gaseous pressure medium and to empty the medium line by the pressure medium
Implementation Method 2
a first non-return valve in the first connecting line to permit a flow of a medium from the medium tank via the emptying device into the medium line and to block a reverse flow
Implementation Method 3
a second non-return valve arranged in the second connecting line and configured to allow a flow of the pressure medium from the pressure medium source via the second connecting line in a direction of the medium line to be emptied, and to block a reverse flow
Data Source
AI summary
An emptying device for a medium line of a vehicle, such as a recreational vehicle, can be connected between a medium tank of the vehicle and the medium line to be emptied. A first non-return valve is arranged in a first connecting line between the medium tank and the medium line to be emptied and permits a flow of the medium from the medium tank into the medium line, but blocks a reverse flow. A second connecting line opens into the first connecting line downstream of the first non-return valve. The second connecting line, for emptying the medium line, can be connected to a pressure medium source and can be acted upon by the pressure medium in order to empty the medium line. There is also described a medium installation of a vehicle and a corresponding vehicle.