Autonomous Trailer Waste Tank Flushing With Sensor-Guided Purge Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Modern vehicle trailers are not aligned with the evolution of towing vehicles, particularly with the transition to electric power, as they require manual operation for waste and wastewater management, which is inconvenient and prone to user error and contamination.
Innovation Solution
An automated system for waste tank management in autonomous electric trailers, using computers to initiate cleaning, purge waste, flush with greywater or freshwater, and treat waste, with sensors for monitoring and user interface communications to ensure efficient and safe operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual flushing operations are used in modern recreational vehicles and trailers, then users can control the waste tank emptying process, but this requires continual user monitoring and multiple manual steps which may result in human error and contamination
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables the waste tank flushing operation to serve itself through automated control. The processor automatically monitors tank levels via sensors, controls pump activation, manages valve operations, and regulates water flow without requiring continuous user intervention. This self-service mechanism eliminates manual steps and potential human errors while maintaining reliable operation.
2Ease of operation
If manual flushing operations are used in modern recreational vehicles and trailers, then users can control the waste tank emptying process, but this requires handling of contaminated hoses and/or waste pipes which increases contamination risk
Solution Approach 1:
The system introduces an intermediary automated control system that mediates between the user and the contaminated waste tank components. The processor, sensors, and control mechanisms act as intermediaries that handle all interactions with contaminated hoses and pipes automatically, preventing direct user contact and significantly reducing contamination risk while maintaining operational ease.
3Reliability
If automated systems are implemented for waste tank management, then user error and contamination risks are reduced, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The automated waste management system is designed with multi-functional components that perform multiple operations. The processor handles monitoring, control, and regulation functions; sensors detect multiple parameters (water level, waste level, flow rate); and the control system manages various valves and pumps. This universality consolidates complexity into integrated components rather than separate systems, achieving reliable automated operation with manageable system complexity.
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 system automates the flushing and treatment of waste tanks, reducing user error and contamination risks, enhancing convenience and safety by enabling autonomous operation and efficient waste management in electric trailers.
Implementation Method 1
pumping waste material out of the waste tank to a waste outlet of the recreational vehicle
Implementation Method 2
opening a flush inlet valve upstream of the waste tank to guide a flow of flushing liquid into an inlet of the waste tank and out through the waste outlet
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method for automatically flushing a waste tank in a recreational vehicle includes automatically purging waste material from the waste tank, determining, via one or more computers, that the purging process is complete based on sensor data identifying a level of waste material within the waste tank, executing an automated flushing of the waste tank with a flushing liquid by opening a flushing valve based on determining that the purging of the waste tank is complete; determining, via the one or more computers, that the automated flushing of the waste tank is complete based on a flushing completion signal indicating that a process of the automated flushing of the waste tank is complete; and transmitting an electronic communication to a user interface that indicates a completion of the flushing of the waste tank based on determining that the automated flushing of the waste tank is complete.