Variable-Volume Water Tanks for Flexible Camper Storage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing water supply and disposal systems in camping vehicles inefficiently utilize available tank volume, as they often have separate fixed-volume fresh and waste water tanks, which do not allow for flexible and variable usage of storage space.
Innovation Solution
A system with two volume-variable tanks for fresh and waste water, each equipped with flow sensors and pumps, allowing for efficient use of storage space by measuring and controlling the flow of water into and out of the tanks, and featuring overflow mechanisms to prevent overfilling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of stationary object
If separate fixed-volume fresh water tank and waste water tank are used, then water supply and disposal function is provided, but storage space utilization is inefficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the tank volumes variable rather than fixed. The fresh water tank and waste water tank can dynamically adjust their volumes based on actual needs, allowing the system to adapt to different water consumption patterns and optimize storage space utilization throughout the camping vehicle.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements parameter changes by allowing the volume parameter of the tanks to change. The sum of the volumes of the fresh water tank and waste water tank is less than or equal to a predetermined volume, enabling flexible redistribution of storage capacity between the two tanks while maintaining efficient space utilization.
2Volume of stationary object
If variable volume tanks are used, then storage space efficiency is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the water management system into distinct functional components: fresh water tank, waste water tank, flow sensors for monitoring, and pumps for water transfer. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently while maintaining overall system efficiency, making the variable volume management more manageable despite increased complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms through flow sensors that monitor water flow into and out of the tanks. This feedback enables the system to track water levels and adjust tank volumes accordingly, ensuring efficient storage space utilization while providing the information needed to manage the increased system complexity.
3Measurement precision
If flow sensors and pumps are added for each consumer, then water management precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by using identical flow sensors and pump components across multiple consumers. Each consumer unit employs the same measurement and control components, allowing the system to achieve precise water management for each consumer while reducing overall complexity through component standardization and reusability.
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
The invention relates to a system (100) for water supply and removal for use in a camping vehicle. The invention is characterised in that the system (100) has a space of predetermined volume in which a fresh water tank (110) and a waste water tank (120) are arranged, wherein both the fresh water tank (110) and the waste water tank (120) have a variable volume.