RV Sewer Extender With Telescoping Articulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Recreational vehicle sewer connections often experience blockages due to hose folding or kinking when connecting to subterranean sewer lines, especially when traversing uneven ground or obstructions, necessitating a more reliable adaptation method.
Innovation Solution
A sewer extender comprising a tubular main body with external threads and a telescoping body, along with a compression nut, allows for adjustable length and articulation to accommodate varying vehicle and ground connections, using ABS and aluminum materials for a watertight and adaptable solution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a large-diameter flex hose is used to connect the vehicle sewer connection to the ground connector, then the connection can be made between laterally separated points, but the hose may fold or kink causing blockage
Solution Approach 1:
The extender incorporates a telescoping mechanism with multiple sections that can extend and retract dynamically. This allows the connection length to adapt to different lateral separations between vehicle and ground connector while maintaining a rigid, non-kinking structure that ensures reliable drainage flow.
Solution Approach 2:
The extender is divided into multiple telescoping sections that can independently adjust their lengths. This segmentation allows the overall structure to adapt to various connection distances and angles while maintaining structural integrity and preventing the folding issues associated with flexible hoses.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the hose traverses uneven ground or crosses curbing, then connection flexibility is achieved, but support structures are needed to ensure continuous downward drainage
Solution Approach 1:
The telescoping sections can be adjusted to different angles and positions to accommodate uneven ground and obstacles. This dynamic adjustability allows the extender to bridge gaps and navigate terrain variations without requiring external support structures, as the structure supports itself through its articulated design.
Solution Approach 2:
The extender utilizes angular articulation between telescoping sections to navigate three-dimensional space, allowing it to clear obstacles and adapt to uneven ground by changing its spatial configuration rather than requiring additional support elements.
3Ease of operation
If the sewer connection is oriented horizontally near the exterior of the vehicle, then internal piping can terminate at ground level, but lateral separation from subterranean sewer lines requires long connection paths
Solution Approach 1:
The telescoping mechanism allows the connection length to be adjusted dynamically based on the specific parking location and lateral separation distance. This provides an optimal balance between connection ease and minimized length, as the extender can be extended only as much as necessary for each specific connection scenario.
Data Source
AI summary
A sewer extender useful with recreational vehicles to connect vehicle sewer discharge connectors to ground connectors comprises, in one embodiment, a tubular main body having a proximal end and a distal end; the distal end having a plurality of external threads comprising a plurality of thread segments that are defined by a plurality of spaced-apart relief cuts; a tubular telescoping body adapted to slide into the tubular main body via the distal end; a compression nut having tapered internal threads that are configured to threadedly attach to the plurality of thread segments, and when tightened, to compress the thread segments against the telescoping body to fix the telescoping body in a fixed position with respect to the main body accommodating multiple heights of recreational vehicles. The main body can be configured to articulate at different degrees to allow for multiple connections at different ground level sewer connections.