Telescopic Overflow Outlet for Miniature Water Treatment Tanks

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing miniaturized water treatment systems lack functional overflow solutions appropriate to their size, failing to effectively treat wastewater and simulate the operation of large-scale wastewater treatment plants, particularly for educational and laboratory applications.

Innovation Solution

A telescopic overflow element comprising a first tube movable inside and outside a second tube, with a cup and handle for adjusting overflow height, and a third tube for alignment, allowing controlled overflow and filtration of particles, integrated into a miniaturized water tank with a capacity of 4 to 50 L.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Volume of moving object

If a miniaturized water tank is used for water treatment plant simulation, then the system size is reduced for laboratory and educational purposes, but functional overflow solutions appropriate to the miniaturized size are lacking

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetank capacityVSAvoidoverflow functionality
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The overflow element employs a telescopic mechanism where the first tube is nested inside the second tube, allowing one tube to move within another. This nested structure enables compact design suitable for miniaturized tanks while maintaining functional overflow capability, resolving the contradiction between reduced size and reliable overflow function.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The overflow element incorporates adjustable height mechanism where the first tube can be telescopically moved to different positions within the second tube. This dynamic adjustment capability allows the overflow system to adapt to varying water levels and treatment requirements in miniaturized tanks, ensuring reliable functionality despite the reduced scale.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Device complexity

If existing overflow solutions are used in miniaturized systems, then the system structure is simplified, but the ability to effectively treat wastewater and simulate large-scale plant operation is compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoverflow structureVSAvoidwastewater treatment effectiveness
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The overflow element is divided into distinct functional segments: the first tube for water entry, the second tube for water exit, and the telescopic mechanism for adjustment. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function efficiently, maintaining effective wastewater treatment capability while adapting to the miniaturized system context.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Adaptability or versatility

If the first tube is made telescopically movable inside the second tube to adjust overflow height, then the adaptability is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoverflow height adjustmentVSAvoidtelescopic mechanism
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The telescopic mechanism utilizes a nested doll principle where the first tube is inserted within the second tube. This nested configuration provides height adjustment capability while maintaining a compact and relatively simple overall structure, balancing adaptability with device complexity in the miniaturized overflow system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Data Source

PatentEP4659833A1Overflow outlet for excess water in water treatment tanks
Publication Date: 2025.12.10 ARK - INDÚSTRIA LDA
  • EP4659833A1 patent drawingFigure 1a~1b
  • EP4659833A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4659833A1 patent drawingFigure 3a~3b

AI summary

The present invention falls within the technical field of water treatment systems, defining a water overflow element (10) suitable for water tanks (20) in water treatment plants, taking wastewater treatment as an example. The overflow element (10) for excess water, the tank (20) in which it can be included and the respective station can have a miniaturised format application - sizes suitable for laboratory, experimental or training applications - when compared to tanks (20) and large stations, such as wastewater treatment plants connected to the sewage network and forming part of an installed water treatment infrastructure. A tank (20) comprising the overflow element (10) of the present invention can be miniaturised, when compared to large-scale tanks (20) that are a part of wastewater treatment plants, and can have a capacity of between 4 and 50 L.