Sewer Cleaning Truck Tank Partition for Gravity Emptying
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current sewer jetter truck tanks require complex and costly tilting mechanisms for emptying, posing safety risks and maintenance challenges, and necessitating vigilant operator maneuvers for safe operation.
Innovation Solution
A tank design featuring a semi-circular separation partition that directs waste and wastewater towards a drain opening, eliminating the need for tilting by allowing gravity-driven emptying through a rear door, simplifying the structure and reducing costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If hydraulic tilting mechanisms are used to empty the tank, then the tank can be emptied effectively, but the device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the complex hydraulic tilting mechanism from the system entirely. Instead, it uses a fixed partition wall with a semi-circular cross-section that directs waste and water toward a drain opening at the rear, allowing gravity to perform the emptying function without mechanical intervention.
Solution Approach 2:
The tank design enables self-emptying through its geometric configuration. The semi-circular partition creates a natural flow path that directs all contents toward the drain opening, allowing the system to empty itself using gravity alone, without requiring external mechanical assistance or operator intervention for tilting.
2Ease of operation
If hydraulic tilting mechanisms are installed, then the tank can be emptied, but the vehicle weight increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates the heavy hydraulic tilting mechanism from the vehicle, removing its weight burden. The replacement design uses only a fixed partition wall and drain opening, which add negligible weight compared to the removed mechanical system.
3Ease of operation
If the tank is tilted to empty it, then the contents can be discharged, but operator safety risks increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the tilting action entirely from the emptying process. The fixed partition wall design allows contents to drain through a stationary drain opening at the rear, eliminating the need for operators to position themselves near moving or tilting components, thus removing the associated safety hazards.
4Ease of operation
If complex tilting mechanisms are used, then the tank can be emptied, but maintenance requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the hydraulic tilting mechanism that requires maintenance. The replacement system consists of a simple fixed partition wall and drain opening with no moving parts, hydraulic fluid, or mechanical components that could fail or require servicing.
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 design enhances safety and reduces operational complexity and costs by enabling secure, gravity-assisted emptying of the tank without the need for complex mechanical tilting mechanisms, improving operator safety and efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
allowing gravity-driven emptying through a rear door
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
AI summary
A tank (1) for a vacuum truck, the internal volume of which, along axis X, is organized into a compartment (7) for storing cleaning water and a compartment (8) for receiving wastewater by means of a partition (9). The partition (9) extends inclinedly within the internal volume, and the compartment (7) for receiving cleaning water extends between the front wall (3), the peripheral wall (2) of the tank (1) and the lower face (11) of the partition (9), while the compartment (8) for receiving wastewater extends between the peripheral wall (2), the drain opening (4) and the upper face (10) of the partition (9).