Portable sink assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sink devices for vehicles lack the ability to provide adjustable water flow and are not designed for easy access and use by drivers in semi tractors, particularly in the sleeper compartment.
Innovation Solution
A portable sink device comprising a cube with a recessed sink, a removably coupled faucet, a pump, and an adjustable valve for varying water flow, along with a light emitter and power supply for enhanced usability, is positioned in the sleeper of a semi tractor for driver access.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a battery powered sink with integrated flow control valve is used, then the sink can provide water flow control, but the device complexity increases and ease of operation decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the flow control valve from the faucet assembly and relocates it to the pump system. This extraction simplifies the faucet structure and separates the flow control function to a centralized location, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining operational control
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a pump as an intermediary component between the water source and the faucet. This pump serves as a mediator that centralizes the flow control function, allowing for simplified faucet design while maintaining the ability to regulate water flow through the pump's integrated valve mechanism
2Ease of operation
If the sink is positioned in the sleeper compartment, then the driver has access to water, but the space utilization and accessibility are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs the sink unit to be nested within the sleeper compartment structure. The cube-shaped sink housing is positioned to utilize the vertical and horizontal space within the sleeper, allowing the sink to be contained within the existing vehicle structure without requiring additional external space
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes the vertical dimension of the sleeper compartment by positioning the sink at an accessible height and orientation. The faucet is directed into the sink from above, and the overall arrangement optimizes the three-dimensional space within the sleeper to maximize accessibility while minimizing footprint
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 provides adjustable water flow and enhanced visibility and usability for drivers, enabling convenient access to running water in the semi tractor sleeper compartment, addressing the limitations of existing sink devices.
Implementation Method 1
A pump is positioned in the cube, the pump is fluidly coupled between a water source and the faucet for pumping the water to the faucet
Implementation Method 2
A valve is coupled to the pump and the valve is actuatable between a minimum flow rate and a maximum flow rate
Data Source
AI summary
A portable sink assembly for includes a cube that is positionable in a sleeper of a semi tractor be accessible to a driver. A sink is recessed into the cube to contain water and a faucet is removably coupled to the cube. The faucet is directed into the sink to direct the water into the sink. A pump is positioned in the cube, the pump is fluidly coupled between a water source and the faucet for pumping the water to the faucet. A valve is coupled to the pump and the valve is actuatable between a minimum flow rate and a maximum flow rate. In this way the valve adjusts the volume of water delivered to the pump between a minimum amount and a maximum amount thereby facilitating the flow rate of the faucet to be adjusted.