Portable Waste Tank Float Vent Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a continuous need for improvement in the transportation and disposal of waste from vehicle sanitation systems, particularly in ensuring efficient venting and level indication in portable waste transfer tanks to prevent overflow and facilitate safe transportation.
Innovation Solution
A vent assembly with a float member that moves between positions to control venting and a level indicator assembly that visually signals when the tank is full, ensuring the vent remains open until the tank is full and then blocks the vent to prevent overflow, allowing for safe transportation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the vent passage remains open for venting the storage chamber, then the tank can be transported safely, but the tank may overflow when full
Solution Approach 1:
The vent passage transitions from a static open state to a dynamic state controlled by the float member. As the fluid level rises, the float member automatically moves to block the vent passage, creating a dynamic response that adapts to the tank's fill level while maintaining safe transportation conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The float member provides automatic self-regulating control of the vent passage without external intervention. When the tank reaches full capacity, the float member autonomously blocks the vent passage, eliminating the need for manual monitoring or control mechanisms.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a float member is added to control venting, then overflow is prevented, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The float member utilizes the natural buoyancy effect and the existing fluid pressure within the tank to automatically control the vent passage. This self-actuating mechanism eliminates the need for external power sources, control systems, or complex actuation mechanisms, thereby minimizing added complexity while achieving reliable overflow prevention.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the vent passage is blocked when full, then overflow is prevented, but venting efficiency is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The vent passage dynamically transitions from an open state during normal operation to a blocked state only when the tank reaches full capacity. The float member's position is directly coupled to the fluid level, ensuring the vent remains open for efficient venting during transportation and only closes when necessary to prevent overflow.
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 effectively manages the fluid level in portable waste transfer tanks, preventing overflow and enabling safe transportation by ensuring the vent is closed when the tank is full, thus addressing the inefficiencies in existing waste disposal systems.
Implementation Method 1
a float member coupled to the base portion for movement between a first position and a second position. The float member is movable from the first position to the second position in response to an increase in fluid level within the storage chamber
Data Source
AI summary
A includes a main body portion defining a waste holding chamber, a vent path extending from the waste holding chamber to atmosphere, and a float member. The float member is coupled to the tank for movement between a first position and a second position. The float member is movable from the first position to the second position in response to an increase in fluid level within the storage chamber. The vent passage remains open for venting the storage chamber when the float member is in the first position and is blocks the vent passage in the second position.