DE102022115136B4 - Device for draining a fluid medium from a container - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a device for draining a fluid medium from a container into a collecting device, comprising - a fixed first pipe (1) with a first diameter (D1), which has an at least partially flexible connection line (101) to the container, - a movable second pipe (3) with a second diameter (D2), which is arranged at least partially around the fixed first pipe (1) and which has an outlet nozzle (301) at its free end, wherein the fixed first pipe (1) has a seal (103) at its end facing away from the container opposite the movable second pipe (3), - a spindle mechanism (5), which is connected on the one hand to the fixed first pipe (1) at a stop (501) and on the other hand to the movable second pipe (3) at a base (503), - a spindle drive (7) which is operatively connected to the spindle mechanism (5) so that the movable second pipe (3) can be moved relative to the fixed first pipe (1), wherein the movable second pipe (3) in the base (503) is slidably mounted. Furthermore, the present invention relates to a vehicle which has a container for a fluid medium and comprises the device according to the invention.

Description

The present invention relates to a device for draining a fluid medium from a container, which can be used in particular in vehicles.

The precise drainage of fluid media from containers is generally known in many areas of technology. This applies to agricultural products as well as to food or chemicals. One special area of application is the emptying of permanently installed waste tanks in vehicles. While rail-bound vehicles usually have closed disposal systems in the operating facilities, disposal is much more difficult in motor vehicles, for example in mobile homes/campers or buses.

Up to now, emptying has essentially been done manually, especially in mobile homes/campers. A person has to connect hoses to the waste tank, which are usually spiral hoses because of the necessary flexibility. Gloves are usually worn because these spiral hoses are rarely clean. After connecting the hose to the waste tank, the other end is fed into a disposal shaft, which is available at larger rest areas or on campsites. After emptying the waste tank, the hoses have to be stowed away again. This fundamentally unhygienic procedure is also based on the fact that residues always remain in the grooves of spiral hoses, which not only lead to unpleasant smells, but can also be a health problem for hygienic reasons.

Given today's technology, there is a need for an improved system that overcomes the disadvantages mentioned above.

The present invention is therefore based on the object of providing a novel device for draining a fluid medium from a container, which reduces manual handling to a minimum. A further object is to simplify handling.

• - ein feststehendes erstes Rohr (1) mit einem ersten Durchmesser (D1), das eine zumindest teilweise flexible Anschlussleitung (101) zu dem Behälter aufweist,
• - ein bewegliches zweites Rohr (3) mit einem zweiten Durchmesser (D2), welches zumindest teilweise um das feststehende erste Rohr (1) herum angeordnet ist, und welches an seinem freien Ende einen Ausgabestutzen (301) aufweist, wobei das feststehende erste Rohr (1) an seinem dem Behälter abgewandten Ende gegenüber dem beweglichen zweiten Rohr (3) eine Dichtung (103) aufweist,
• - eine Spindelmechanik (5), welche einerseits an einem Anschlag (501) mit dem feststehenden ersten Rohr (1) und andererseits an einer Basis (503) mit dem beweglichen zweiten Rohr (3) verbunden ist,
• - einen Spindelantrieb (7), welcher in Wirkverbindung mit der Spindelmechanik (5) steht, so dass das bewegliche zweite Rohr (3) gegenüber dem feststehenden ersten Rohr (1) verfahrbar ist, wobei das bewegliche zweite Rohr (3) in der Basis (503) gleitend gelagert ist.

This object is achieved in the present invention by a device for draining a fluid medium from a container into a collecting device, comprising

• - a fixed first pipe (1) with a first diameter (D1) having an at least partially flexible connection line (101) to the container,
• - a movable second tube (3) with a second diameter (D2), which is arranged at least partially around the fixed first tube (1) and which has a discharge nozzle (301) at its free end, wherein the fixed first tube (1) has a seal (103) at its end facing away from the container opposite the movable second tube (3),
• - a spindle mechanism (5) which is connected on the one hand to a stop (501) to the fixed first tube (1) and on the other hand to a base (503) to the movable second tube (3),
• - a spindle drive (7) which is operatively connected to the spindle mechanism (5) so that the movable second tube (3) can be moved relative to the fixed first tube (1), wherein the movable second tube (3) is slidably mounted in the base (503).

For the purposes of the present invention, "fluid medium" is understood to mean any liquid or free-flowing medium that can be drained from a container by a power system solely due to gravity. In addition to aqueous systems of various viscosities, this can also include free-flowing solids.

The “fixed first pipe” (1) may be a conventional plastic pipe which is arranged substantially immovably with respect to the device according to the invention.

The "at least partially flexible connecting line" (101) serves to connect the free end of the fixed first pipe (1) to a container. The partial flexibility of this connecting line (101) enables a clamp-free and torsion-free fastening, in particular during pivoting and/or lifting movements of the device.

The "movable second tube" (3) has an inner diameter (D2) that is larger than the diameter (D1) of the fixed first tube (1), so that it can be pushed over the latter. The term "movable" refers to the fact that the second tube (3) is mounted so that it can move relative to the first tube (1).

The displacement of the second tube (3) relative to the first tube (1) is ensured by the spindle mechanism (5) according to the invention in cooperation with the spindle drive (7). The spindle mechanism (5) is connected to the stop (501) with the fixed first tube (1), while its other end is connected to the movable chen second tube (3) is connected to the base (503). By driving the spindle mechanism (5) according to the invention by means of the spindle drive (7), the movable second tube (3) can be moved relative to the fixed first tube (1) in order to deflect the free end of the second tube (3). The movable second tube (3) is slidably mounted in the base (503).

The present invention has the general advantages that the device according to the invention makes it possible to empty a container essentially without manual handling, in that the dispensing nozzle (301) can be positioned above a collecting device by mechanically moving the second pipe (3) relative to the first pipe (1). This saves all the manual handling with hoses and the like that was previously necessary.

Since the first pipe (1) and the second pipe (3) have no grooves due to their smooth design, unlike a spiral hose, no significant amount of fluid medium remains in the pipes after the container has been emptied, so there are no unpleasant smells or hygiene problems. After emptying, the second pipe (3) is retracted back into the rest position.

In a preferred embodiment of the device according to the invention, it further comprises a device (9) for horizontally and/or vertically displacing the arrangement of fixed first tube (1) and movable second tube (3), wherein the device (9) acts on the base (503).

With this embodiment, the precise positioning of the second pipe (3) with its outlet nozzle (301) over a collecting device becomes even more precise and convenient, since the outlet nozzle (301) can also be aligned laterally and/or vertically. In the best case, positioning in all three dimensions is therefore possible.

In this preferred embodiment, it has also proven to be advantageous if the device (9) has a displacement drive (901) which acts horizontally on the base (503) and/or a lifting drive (903) which acts vertically on the base (503).

With up to three separate drives for movement, displacement and lifting, very precise positioning is possible.

• - eine Spindel (505), die im Anschlag (501) und in der Basis (503) gelagert ist und mit dem Spindelantrieb (7) in Wirkverbindung steht,
• - zumindest eine auf der Spindel (505) angeordnete Spindelmutter, welche mit dem beweglichen zweiten Rohr (3) in Eingriff steht,
• - ein Spindelführungsrohr (507), welches die Spindel (505) umgibt, wobei das Spindelführungsrohr (507) einen der Länge nach verlaufenden Führungsschlitz aufweist,
• - mindestens eine erste Spindelstütze (509), welche parallel zur Spindel (505) angeordnet und zumindest teilweise parallel zu dieser verfahrbar ist,
• - mindestens eine zweite Spindelstütze (511), welche parallel zur Spindel (505) angeordnet und zumindest teilweise parallel zu dieser verfahrbar ist.

Another development of the present invention provides that the spindle mechanism (5) comprises

• - a spindle (505) which is mounted in the stop (501) and in the base (503) and is operatively connected to the spindle drive (7),
• - at least one spindle nut arranged on the spindle (505) which engages with the movable second tube (3),
• - a spindle guide tube (507) surrounding the spindle (505), the spindle guide tube (507) having a longitudinal guide slot,
• - at least one first spindle support (509) which is arranged parallel to the spindle (505) and can be moved at least partially parallel thereto,
• - at least one second spindle support (511) which is arranged parallel to the spindle (505) and can be moved at least partially parallel thereto.

In the context of the present invention, “spindle” (505) is understood to mean in particular a threaded spindle which, together with the spindle nut, among others, converts a rotary movement, i.e. the rotary movement of the spindle drive (7), into a translatory movement.

In the present case, “stop” (501) refers to the element which connects one end of the spindle (505) to the free end of the fixed tube (1).

The “base” (503) represents the element in which the movable second tube (3) is slidably mounted next to the spindle (505) and which simultaneously accommodates the device (9) for horizontal and/or vertical displacement.

The spindle nut arranged on the spindle (505) moves with its rotation and engages with the movable second tube (3) so that the movable second tube (3) can be moved by means of it.

In order to protect and support the spindle (505), the spindle guide tube (507) is provided. This has a guide slot running along its length through which the spindle nut is mechanically connected to the movable second tube (3).

Furthermore, at least two spindle supports (509, 511) are provided, which are arranged parallel to the spindle guide tube (507). Preferably, a second spindle support (511) is arranged at least partially concentrically with the first spindle support (509), so that both can be moved into one another.

The spindle nut arranged on the spindle (505) is connected (apart from the movable second tube (3)) to the end of the second spindle support (511) that faces the stop (501). It can be moved with the movable second tube (3) and supports the spindle (505) as it progresses, together with the first spindle support (509).

Due to the projection of the movable second pipe (3) provided according to the invention, which is also filled with the fluid medium during operation, a gravitational force that should not be underestimated is exerted on the movable second pipe (3) and thus on the parallel spindle (505). Here, bending/sagging threatens, on the one hand, a mechanical inhibition of the spindle (505) and, on the other hand, a sump formation in the movable second pipe (3).

The combination of features of the spindle mechanism (5) described above advantageously ensures that the spindle (505) required for moving the movable second tube (3) is sufficiently supported and protected in order to work mechanically perfectly even in the case of a larger deflection, as provided for according to the invention, i.e. without sagging when the device according to the invention is filled.

In order to limit the installation height of the device according to the invention, it has been found to be advantageous if the spindle mechanism (5) is provided to the side of the arrangement of the fixed first tube (1) and the movable second tube (3). This enables a flatter construction, so that the device according to the invention can be used even more flexibly in smaller vehicles.

In order to be able to use the drive(s) variably depending on the vehicle in question, the invention can provide for the spindle drive (7) and/or the displacement drive (901) and/or the lifting drive (903) to be operated by an electric motor, hydraulically or pneumatically. In this way, the respective drive system can be adapted to the system present in the vehicle.

In practice, it has proven advantageous, based on a standard vehicle width, if the movable second pipe (3) in the device according to the invention can be moved by up to 200 cm. This ensures problem-free emptying even if the location of a collecting device is unfavorable in relation to the device according to the invention.

As already described above, residues of the fluid medium to be drained can stick to the lines. In order to further reduce or avoid this, it has proven to be useful if the fixed first pipe (1) and/or the movable second pipe (3) and/or the flexible connecting line (101) have an inner coating. This inner coating can, for example, have a so-called lotus effect in order to drain the fluid medium with as little residue as possible.

Another possibility for removing residues of the fluid medium to be emptied is to flush the pipes (1, 3) with waste water from the waste water tank (provided separately from the waste water tank).

The above-mentioned object is achieved in a second aspect of the present invention by a vehicle having a container for a fluid medium, wherein the vehicle comprises a device according to the invention as described above, wherein the device is arranged below the container.

There is usually sufficient space on the underbody of vehicles with a container for a fluid medium to provide the device according to the invention, especially since the containers in question are usually arranged above the underbody.

If, for example, you take mobile homes/campers, the conventional disposal connections for the waste tank are already present. It is therefore easy to retrofit the device according to the invention into existing vehicles.

In addition to the above-mentioned mobile homes/campers, according to the invention, coaches can also be among the vehicles that can be equipped with the invention if the container for a fluid medium is a sewage tank. Other applications are conceivable within the meaning of the invention.

If the fluid medium consists of a free-flowing material, for example grain or the like, the present invention can also be used. If the fluid medium cannot be conveyed under the influence of gravity alone, active conveying systems, such as pumps or compressed air, can also be used.

In a further development of the vehicle according to the invention, in which the device according to the invention is arranged under the floor of the vehicle, a cover can also be provided which is attached below the device according to the invention and is designed to to follow a movement of the device (9) for horizontally and/or vertically displacing the arrangement of fixed first tube (1) and movable second tube (3).

As can be seen from the above description of the device according to the invention, it has elements, for example the spindle mechanism (5) and the spindle drive (7), which should sensibly be protected from mechanical and/or environmental influences. Such a cover according to the invention protects against dirt and mechanical influences. The cover is attached in such a way that it follows the lateral and/or lifting movement of the device according to the invention during operation.

• 1 eine schematische Darstellung (Seitenansicht) der erfindungsgemäßen Vorrichtung nach einer bevorzugten Ausführungsform,
• 2 eine schematische Schnittdarstellung der in 1 gezeigten erfindungsgemäßen Vorrichtung,
• 3 eine schematische Darstellung (Draufsicht) der in 1 gezeigten erfindungsgemäßen Vorrichtung,
• 4 eine schematische Darstellung (Frontansicht) der in 1 gezeigten erfindungsgemäßen Vorrichtung.

Further aims, features, advantages and possible applications emerge from the following description of embodiments that do not limit the invention, also with reference to the figures. All described and/or illustrated features form the subject matter of the invention on their own or in any combination, regardless of their summary in the claims or their reference back to them. They show:

• 1 a schematic representation (side view) of the device according to the invention according to a preferred embodiment,
• 2 a schematic sectional view of the 1 shown device according to the invention,
• 3 a schematic representation (top view) of the 1 shown device according to the invention,
• 4 a schematic representation (front view) of the 1 shown device according to the invention.

In the figures, all identical components are designated by the same reference symbols; however, for reasons of clarity, not all reference symbols are necessarily included in all illustrations.

1 shows a preferred embodiment of the device according to the invention in a schematic representation seen from the side. In this figure, for the sake of better representation, the spindle mechanism 5 is shown above the first tube 1 and the second tube 3. However, it may be preferred if the spindle mechanism 5 is arranged laterally.

The 1 The basic structure of the fixed first pipe 1 and the movable second pipe 3 pushed over it can be seen. The at least partially flexible connecting line 101, which leads to the container (not shown), is connected to the end of the first pipe 1 fixed in the stop 501. The at least partial flexibility of the connecting line 101 is necessary so that the device can move sufficiently during lateral displacement and lifting.

The spindle mechanism 5 is attached to the stop 501 and is also connected to the second pipe 3 via the first spindle support 509. The second pipe 3 is slidably mounted in the base 503 so that it can be extended to the left in this illustration. The output nozzle 301 then comes to a stop above a collecting device (not shown).

In this illustration, the spindle drive 7 is arranged at the left end of the spindle mechanism 5, which deflects the second tube 3 by moving it.

The spindle 505 is only visible here at one end (right) and is otherwise housed in the spindle guide tube 507. The other (left) end of the spindle 505 is in the spindle drive 7.

The representation of the 1 is in 2 in section along the line A - A (cf. 3 ). From this view, the interlocking of the first pipe 1 and the second pipe 3 can be seen even more clearly. At the downstream end of the first pipe 1, a seal 103 is provided on its outer circumference, which seals with the inner diameter D2 of the second pipe 3. On the other side, a guide sleeve 303 is arranged, which positions the second pipe 3 on the first pipe 1. In the sectional view of the 2 In addition to the first spindle support 509, the second spindle support 511 is indicated, which moves parallel to the spindle 505.

The first and second spindle supports 509, 511 are arranged concentrically to one another parallel to the spindle guide tube 507. The two spindle supports 509, 511 are guided (directly or indirectly) via the spindle nut, which is connected to the second spindle support 511 (and to the movable second tube 3) through a longitudinal slot in the spindle guide tube 507.

When the spindle 505 is driven and the spindle nut is moved (to deflect the movable second tube 3), the second spindle support 511 is pushed in the corresponding direction while it performs its supporting function. If the maximum extension length of the second spindle support 511 is reached in relation to the first spindle support 509, the first spindle support 509 is a driver is pulled in the corresponding direction by the second spindle support 511 and, together with this, also performs its supporting function.

When the spindle 505 is driven in the opposite direction, the movement takes place in the same way, i.e., first the second spindle support 511 is pushed in the corresponding direction by the spindle nut arranged on the spindle 505 and slides over the first spindle support 509. When the maximum extension length of the second spindle support 511 in the opposite direction is reached, the first spindle support 509 is again pulled in this direction by drivers.

In 3 is a top view of the 1 and 2 The embodiment shown is shown here. Here the section line A - A of the 2 This figure shows the slim design of the device according to the invention.

4 finally shows a front view of the 1 shown device according to the invention, in which the device 9 for horizontally and/or vertically displacing the arrangement of the fixed first pipe 1 and the movable second pipe 3 is shown in particular. In addition to the spindle drive 7 at the bottom, a system of crossbeams and mechanical adjusting elements is provided, in which the displacement drive 901 displaces the end of the second pipe 3 horizontally, while the lifting drive 903 arranged above it acts vertically.

With the mechanism shown, it is possible to achieve a stroke of up to 20 cm and/or a displacement of up to 30 cm. Together with a complete displacement of the second pipe 3 in the second vertical dimension, the output nozzle 301 can be displaced laterally by up to 60 cm.

Deviating from these specifications, larger displacement movements are also possible depending on the installation options of the device according to the invention.

A preferred but non-limiting embodiment of the present invention is described below.

In this non-limiting description, the vehicle is a mobile home in which the device according to the invention is connected to the waste water tank/waste water tank. In larger mobile homes, these two types of tanks (waste water, waste water) are separate. When the waste water tank needs to be emptied, the mobile home is driven to a disposal point. Usually, the toilet and thus the waste water tank in mobile homes are always on the left-hand side when viewed in the direction of travel. Disposal always takes place on the right-hand side when viewed in the direction of travel, i.e. on the passenger side. If the waste water tank and waste water tank (e.g. for flushing water) are separate, the waste water from the waste water tank can also be used to flush the system after the waste water tank has been emptied.

The disposal points for collecting faeces/waste water are usually located to the side of the motorhome at some distance from the temporary parking space.

With the present invention in the mobile home, the person acting can comfortably stand next to the vehicle and move the second pipe 3 of the device according to the invention out from under the vehicle to the required deflection. The device 9 also provides the option of swiveling it vertically and sideways so that the discharge nozzle 301 can be positioned precisely above the disposal shaft (collection device).

After the waste tank has been emptied, the second pipe 3 of the device according to the invention is simply retracted into the rest position under the vehicle. Due to the smooth design of the first pipe 1 and the second pipe 3, no dirty water or waste residues remain in them.

The device according to the invention can be operated via switches/buttons or a remote control (e.g. in the form of an app) without coming into contact with the pipes and the feces/waste water to be disposed of.

Reference symbols

1

fixed first pipe

101

partially flexible connection cable

103

poetry

3

movable second tube

301

Discharge nozzle

303

cuff

5

Spindle mechanism

501

attack

503

Base

505

spindle

507

Spindle guide tube

509

first spindle support

511

second spindle support

7

Spindle drive

9

Furnishings

901

Sliding drive

903

Lifting drive

D1

first diameter

D2

second diameter

Claims (10)

Device for draining a fluid medium from a container into a collecting device, comprising - a fixed first pipe (1) with a first diameter (D1), which has an at least partially flexible connecting line (101) to the container, - a movable second pipe (3) with a second diameter (D2), which is arranged at least partially around the fixed first pipe (1) and which has an outlet nozzle (301) at its free end, wherein the fixed first pipe (1) has a seal (103) at its end facing away from the container opposite the movable second pipe (3), - a spindle mechanism (5), which is connected on the one hand to a stop (501) to the fixed first pipe (1) and on the other hand to a base (503) to the movable second pipe (3), - a spindle drive (7) which is operatively connected to the spindle mechanism (5) so that the movable second pipe (3) can be moved relative to the fixed first pipe (1), wherein the movable second pipe (3) in the base (503) is slidably mounted. Device according to Claim 1 , further comprising a device (9) for horizontally and/or vertically displacing the arrangement of fixed first tube (1) and movable second tube (3), wherein the device (9) acts on the base (503). Device according to Claim 2 , wherein the device (9) comprises - a displacement drive (901) which acts horizontally on the base (503), and/or - a lifting drive (903) which acts vertically on the base (503). Device according to one of the Claims 1 until 3 , wherein the spindle mechanism (5) comprises - a spindle (505) which is mounted in the stop (501) and in the base (503) and is operatively connected to the spindle drive (7), - at least one spindle nut arranged on the spindle (505) which engages with the movable second tube (3), - a spindle guide tube (507) which surrounds the spindle (505), wherein the spindle guide tube (507) has a guide slot running lengthwise, - at least one first spindle support (509) which is arranged parallel to the spindle (505) and can be moved at least partially parallel to it, - at least one second spindle support (511) which is arranged parallel to the spindle (505) and can be moved at least partially parallel to it. Device according to one of the Claims 1 until 4 , wherein the spindle mechanism (5) is provided laterally of the arrangement of the fixed first tube (1) and the movable second tube (3). Device according to one of the Claims 1 until 5 , wherein the spindle drive (7) and/or the displacement drive (901) and/or the lifting drive (903) are operated electromotorically, hydraulically or pneumatically. Device according to one of the Claims 1 until 6 , wherein the movable second tube (3) can be moved by up to 200 cm. Device according to one of the Claims 1 until 7 , wherein the fixed first pipe (1) and/or the movable second pipe (3) and/or the flexible connecting line (101) have an inner coating. Vehicle having a container for a fluid medium, comprising a device according to one of the Claims 1 until 8th , wherein the device is arranged below the container. Vehicle after Claim 9 , in which the device according to one of the Claims 2 until 8th is arranged under the floor of the vehicle, further comprising a cover mounted beneath the device, which is designed to follow a movement of the device (9) for horizontally and/or vertically displacing the arrangement of fixed first pipe (1) and movable second pipe (3).