Liquid Storage Tank with Movable Copper Bactericidal Unit
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing storage tanks for liquids, such as those used in railway vehicle toilets, face inefficiencies in preventing bacterial proliferation due to the formation of a copper oxide layer on copper bactericidal surfaces, which reduces their bactericidal properties and requires chemical cleaning, and are costly to maintain.
Innovation Solution
A storage tank with an internal surface made of a less reactive material than copper, such as plastic or stainless steel, incorporating copper alloy bactericidal means that can be mechanically cleaned to remove copper oxide layers, ensuring effective bactericidal performance across multiple filling and emptying cycles without the need for chemical treatments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If copper bactericidal means are used in storage tanks, then bactericidal properties are improved, but copper oxide layer formation reduces effectiveness over multiple cycles
Solution Approach 1:
The invention divides the tank into two distinct material zones: copper bactericidal means (bottom surface and internal components) and less reducing material (outer shell and upper portions). This segmentation allows the copper to provide continuous bactericidal action while the less reducing material protects against rapid oxidation, enabling multiple filling and emptying cycles without loss of effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses a composite structure combining copper or copper alloy with less reducing materials (such as stainless steel or plastic). This composite approach leverages the bactericidal properties of copper while the less reducing material provides oxidation resistance, solving the contradiction between initial effectiveness and long-term durability.
2Stability of the object's composition
If copper oxide layer is formed on copper surfaces, then oxidation protection is improved, but bactericidal properties are lost
Solution Approach 1:
The invention applies different material properties to different locations: copper material is used where bactericidal action is needed (internal surfaces in contact with liquid), while less reducing materials are used where oxidation protection is prioritized (outer shell). This local differentiation resolves the contradiction by allowing copper oxide formation in controlled areas without compromising overall bactericidal function.
3Ease of repair
If chemical treatment is used to clean copper oxide, then cleaning effectiveness is improved, but cost and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The less reducing material structure enables self-cleaning through mechanical means (water rinsing) rather than requiring chemical treatments. The material composition allows copper oxide to be removed simply by flushing with water, eliminating the need for complex chemical cleaning procedures and reducing maintenance costs.
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 a cost-effective and efficient method for maintaining bactericidal properties over multiple cycles, ensuring the quality of stored liquids like drinking water by allowing mechanical cleaning of copper alloy surfaces, thus preventing bacterial proliferation and reducing maintenance costs.
Implementation Method 1
the copper of the contact surface oxidizes on contact with the liquid and the copper ions thus created deactivate and/or kill the bacteria contained in the liquid
Data Source
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AI summary
The liquid storage container (1) comprises a liquid storage tank (2) constituting of a reducing agent in its inner surface, and a movable bactericidal unit (4) providing a contact surface with the liquid. The bactericidal unit comprises a rigid body (5), and a gripping unit (6) opening on outside of the tank when the rigid body is inserted into the tank, where the surface for contact is a rigid body surface. The rigid body is produced in the form of a hollow element, has a diameter of >= 20 mm and a thickness of 0.15 mm, and is equipped with a unit for improving the circulation of water. The liquid storage container (1) comprises a liquid storage tank (2) constituting of a reducing agent in its inner surface, and a movable bactericidal unit (4) providing a contact surface with the liquid. The bactericidal unit comprises a rigid body (5), and a gripping unit (6) opening on outside of the tank when the rigid body is inserted into the tank, where the surface for contact is a rigid body surface. The rigid body is produced in the form of a hollow element, has a diameter of >= 20 mm and a thickness of 0.15 mm, and is equipped with a unit for improving the circulation of water against the copper element. The tank comprises a unit for passing the rigid body between the inside and outside of the tank. A unit (7) is arranged for closing the passage unit, and is formed of the gripping unit. The bactericidal unit is arranged in a manner such that the rigid body extends in bottom of the tank. An independent claim is included for a process for storing liquid in a container.