Patent Application
20240035476
The present disclosure relates to a liquid reservoir.
Generally, a liquid reservoir, such as a bucket, a container, a storage tank, and the like, is used to store various types of liquids therein. The liquid reservoir is typically provided with a hose that is disposed outside of the liquid reservoir and connected thereto. The liquid reservoir is also provided with a pump positioned at a base of the liquid reservoir. The pump is used to pump out the stored liquid from the liquid reservoir. However, depending upon the hose connection to the liquid reservoir, the pump floats above the base, tips over the base, or falls loosely within the liquid reservoir. As a result, the pump is unable to discharge the entire liquid stored in the liquid reservoir. Moreover, tipping of the pump may damage the liquid reservoir, which is not desirable. Thus, there is a need for an improved design of the liquid reservoir which allows the pump to remove out the entire liquid that is stored in the liquid reservoir. Further, there have been arrangements in the past to support, hold the pump within the liquid reservoir. However, such arrangements are generally complex, high-maintenance prone and involve a variety of tools which is undesirable for common users.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,181,194 reference (hereinafter referred to as '194 reference) discloses a pump which include a housing. The housing has an aperture and a flange. The aperture includes an insulating washer for receiving conductors. The flange is fitted into a peripheral groove in a clamp member. The clamp member has slots and for receiving tabs which are integral with the reservoir. The clamp member may take the form of a molded plastic nut while the tab members may take the form of a threaded peripheral ridge. Further, the pump includes integral screened port which communicates with a port or valve means in the piston or armature. The valve means includes a passageway and a check valve which is resiliently urged into a closed position. The completing of the electrical circuit will energize the solenoid coil and cause the armature to slide downwardly against the force of the spring. However, the '194 reference seems short of providing a direct, user-friendly mounting arrangement between the tabs and the pump suitable for safe, user-friendly working of the pump.
US 2013061939 reference discloses a fluid transfer assembly. The fluid transfer assembly includes a pump subassembly and an electrical system. The fluid transfer assembly includes a set of walls of the reservoir to define a fluid tight seal. Further, a seal portion can engage the walls of the reservoir such that an inner volume of the reservoir is fluidically isolated from a volume outside the reservoir. In some embodiments, the seal portion can engage the walls of the reservoir such that the first surface included in a first portion is fluidically isolated from a second surface included in a second portion. However, the reference seems short of providing an efficient, direct, and user-friendly mounting of the pump.
An example of a bucket type car washing device is provided in Chinese Utility Model 203,419,110 (hereinafter referred to as '110 reference). The '110 reference discloses the bucket type car washing device having a bucket. The bucket has a cavity mounted to its bottom. Within this cavity an electric pump is freely and non-fixedly located. A bottom plate is fixed under the cavity and is fixed by screw to a bottom surface of the bucket. The screw is unscrewed, and the bottom plate is removed to facilitate maintenance of the electric pump. However, the cavity of the bucket includes rigid, semi-fixed, and complex holding or mounting arrangement for holding the pump. Such holding or mounting arrangement may lead to implementation and maintenance issue during working of the electric pump.
In view of the above, it is an objective of the present disclosure to solve or at least reduce the drawbacks discussed above. The objective is at least partially achieved by a new design of a liquid reservoir to store a liquid. The liquid reservoir includes a body defining a base and a plurality of sides. The plurality of sides and the base define a volume to store the liquid therein. The liquid reservoir also includes a pump operatively mounted with the liquid reservoir. The liquid reservoir is characterized in that the body includes one or more mounting features such that the one or more mounting features allow removable mounting of the pump towards the base of the liquid reservoir.
Thus, the present disclosure provides the liquid reservoir having an improved design which allows simple, convenient, and safe discharging of the entire liquid that is stored in the liquid reservoir. The removable mounting arrangement of the pump provided by the one or more mounting features provides flexibility and easy handling of the pump. As the pump is fixed to the base, it reduces any noise during operation of the pump. Further, the mounting features prohibit tipping over of the pump which allows a pump filter associated with the pump to work uniformly and efficiently. Furthermore, the pump does not come in contact with the plurality of sides of the liquid reservoir or the base of the liquid reservoir as the mounting features securely hold the pump. This may also help to avoid any undesired accident or breakdown of the pump which may happen in absence of such mounting features which prevent inadvertent tipping of the pump. Moreover, aesthetics of the liquid reservoir are improved as the pump is fixed to the base and does not change its position while operation, or during movement and transportation of the liquid reservoir.
According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the one or more mounting features include at least one recessed cavity which is defined below a level of the base of the liquid reservoir. The recessed cavity allows the residue liquid to be concentrated at one location for discharging. This may support water pumping capability of the pump. Further, the recessed cavity provides a definite position for the pump.
According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the base includes one or more mounting features such that the one or more mounting features allow removable mounting of the pump with the base of the liquid reservoir. The mounting features provided on the base allow simple, safe, and efficient mounting of the pump with the base of the liquid reservoir.
According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the one or more mounting features include one or more shoulders defined around the at least one recessed cavity and with the base. The shoulder defined around the at least one recessed cavity supports the pump positioned therein. The number, type, position, dimensions of the shoulders may depend on various factors related to the pump, and the liquid reservoir, among others.
According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the one or more mounting features include one or more of ribs, hooks, and shoulders. The one or more mounting features allow removable mounting of the pump at the base of the liquid reservoir. The choice of the ribs, hooks, and shoulders may be in accordance with power, size, type, service life of the pump, or any other factor related thereto.
According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the one or more mounting features mount the pump substantially perpendicular to the base of the liquid reservoir. This arrangement allows the pump filter to work uniformly and efficiently. Further, this arrangement may lead to improved stability, force distribution, and shock dissipation during working of the pump.
According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the liquid reservoir is a water reservoir. The water stored in the liquid storage can be used for various gardening operations, indoor applications, and outdoor applications. However, the liquid reservoir may find applications with any liquid without any limitations.
According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the pump defines a bottom, such that the one or more mounting features at least partially cover the bottom during mounting of the pump with the base of the liquid reservoir. The one or more mounting features hold the pump substantially perpendicular to the base of the liquid reservoir for efficient pump operation. Such covering of the bottom of the pump by the mounting features may support the pump, and simultaneously check, and absorb any undesired forces involved during working of the pump.
According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the liquid reservoir further includes a cover to enclose the plurality of sides. The cover prevents contamination of the liquid stored therein.
According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the pump includes a tube which enters the body of the liquid reservoir. The tube allows discharge of the liquid from the liquid reservoir by the pump.
According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the tube enters the body through an opening of the cover. This opening of the cover allows ease of access and handling of the tube of the pump within the liquid reservoir.
According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the pump is tool-less removable from the one or more mounting features of the liquid reservoir. The mounting features of the present disclosure obviate application of any external tools for mounting as well as removal of the pump.
Other features and aspects of this disclosure will be apparent from the following description and the accompanying drawings.
The disclosure will be described in more detail with reference to the enclosed drawings, wherein:
The present disclosure will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which example embodiments of the disclosure incorporating one or more aspects of the present disclosure are shown. This disclosure may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the disclosure to those skilled in the art. For example, one or more aspects of the present disclosure may be utilized in other embodiments and even other types of structures and/or methods. In the drawings, like numbers refer to like elements.
Certain terminology is used herein for convenience only and is not to be taken as a limitation on the disclosure. For example, “upper”, “lower”, “front”, “rear”, “side”, “longitudinal”, “lateral”, “transverse”, “upwards”, “downwards”, “forward”, “backward”, “sideward”, “left,” “right,” “horizontal,” “vertical,” “upward”, “inner”, “outer”, “inward”, “outward”, “top”, “bottom”, “higher”, “above”, “below”, “central”, “middle”, “intermediate”, “between”, “end”, “adjacent”, “proximate”, “near”, “distal”, “remote”, “radial”, “circumferential”, or the like, merely describe the configuration shown in the Figures. Indeed, the components may be oriented in any direction and the terminology, therefore, should be understood as encompassing such variations unless specified otherwise.
The liquid reservoir 100 includes a body 102 defining a base 104 and a plurality of sides 106. The base 104 may include any shape such as, a circular shape, an oval shape, a rectangular shape, and the like. In the illustrated embodiment, the base 104 includes a substantially elliptical shaped structure. The base 104 defines an upper surface 108 in contact with the stored liquid 101, and a lower surface 110 opposite to the upper surface 108. In some embodiments, the base 104 may have a tapering structure such that the base 104 deepens at the center of the base 104. This feature promotes concentration of the stored liquid 101 at a central portion of the base 104. Further, the sides 106 of the liquid reservoir 100 may include any shape and size, without limiting the scope of the present invention. The sides 106 together define a cross-section that is substantially elliptical in shape. The sides 106 define an inner surface 112 that is in contact with the stored liquid 101 and an outer surface 114 opposite to the inner surface 112.
The plurality of sides 106 and the base 104 define a volume 116 to store the liquid 101 therein. The volume 116 of the liquid reservoir 100 may differ based on application requirements. The liquid reservoir 100 also includes a number of handles 118 for transportation purposes. The handles 118 may be manufactured as a separate piece and joined at the outer surface 114 using mechanical fasteners such as, screws, bolts, rivets, and the like. The handles 118 may also be manufactured as an integral part of the liquid reservoir 100. The handles 118 are designed ergonomically to allow improved handling and transportation of the liquid reservoir 100.
The liquid reservoir 100 further includes a cover 120 to enclose the plurality of sides 106. The cover 120 prevents foreign materials from entering the volume 116 of the liquid reservoir 100, thereby preventing contamination of the liquid 101 stored in the liquid reservoir 100. The cover 120 has a shape that is similar to the shape of the base 104. Alternatively, the shape of the cover 120 may be different from the shape of the base 104. In the illustrated embodiment, the cover 120 is generally elliptical in shape. The cover 120 may be removably coupled to the sides 106 by a snap-fit connection, a push-fit connection, and the like.
The liquid reservoir 100 includes a pump 122 operatively mounted with the liquid reservoir 100. In the illustrated embodiment, the pump 122 is disposed at the base 104 of the liquid reservoir 100. The pump 122 may include any type of pump 122, such as an electric pump, without limiting the scope of the present invention. In the illustrated embodiment, the pump 122 is a submersible pump. The pump 122 is submerged in the liquid 101 stored in the liquid reservoir 100. The pump 122 includes a pump body 124. The pump 122 also includes a hermetically sealed motor (not shown) coupled to the pump body 124. The pump 122 further includes an inlet port 126 and an outlet port 128. The pump 122 includes a pump filter (not shown). The pump filter filters out contaminants from the liquid 101 stored in the liquid reservoir 100.
The pump 122 defines a bottom 132. The bottom 132 of the pump 122 defines a substantially circular shaped structure. The inlet port 126 and the pump filter may be disposed proximate to the bottom 132 of the pump 122. The pump 122 also defines a top 134. The top 134 of the pump 122 defines a substantially circular shaped structure. The outlet port 128 is disposed proximate to the top 134 of the pump 122. The outlet port 128 may be coupled with a tube (or a hose) 130. The pump 122 sucks the liquid 101 stored in the liquid reservoir 100 through the inlet port 126 and discharges the liquid 101 through the outlet port 128. The pump 122 includes a power source (not shown) for operation of the pump 122. The pump 122 may be battery, or electrically powered as per the application requirements.
As illustrated in the present figure, the pump 122 includes the tube 130 which enters the body 102 of the liquid reservoir 100. In some embodiments, the tube 130 enters the body 102 through an opening 136 of the cover 120. This opening 136 of the cover 120 allows ease of access and handling of the tube 130 of the pump 122 within the liquid reservoir 100. Further, the tube 130 allows discharge of the liquid 101 from the liquid reservoir 100 by the pump 122.
In some embodiments, the opening 136 of the cover 120 may be provided on one or more sides of the cover 120. In the illustrated embodiments, one opening 136 is shown with the cover 120, however actual implementation may have a number of the opening(s) 136. The opening 136 (refer
As shown in
In some embodiments, the one or more mounting features 138, 140 are provided on the inner surface 112 of the sides 106. In such an arrangement, the mounting features 138, 140 may couple, mount, or engage around the top 134, or anywhere on body 124 of the pump 122 such as to allow removable mounting of the pump 122 towards the base 104 of the liquid reservoir 100. Further, the pump 122 remains upright-mounted on the base 104 of the liquid reservoir 100, while the one or more mounting features 138, 140 on the sides 106 engage with the pump 122.
Further, the four mounting features 138, 140 are disposed proximate to the center of the base 104, however the present disclosure illustrates less number (say two or three) of the mounting features 138, 140 from clarity and explanation purposes. However, actual implementation of the present disclosure may have any number, type, position, dimensions of the mounting features 138, 140. The mounting features 138, 140 are equidistantly spaced from one another in a circumferential manner to define a hollow area 142. The hollow area 142 defined by the mounting features 138, 140 are defined according to a contour of the pump 122 and may vary as required. In the illustrated embodiment, the one or more mounting features 138, 140 at least partially cover the bottom 132 (see
The one or more mounting features 138, 140 include one or more of ribs, hooks, and shoulders. The choice of the ribs, hooks, and shoulders may be in accordance with power, size, type, service life of the pump 122, or any other factor related thereto. In the illustrated embodiment, the mounting features 138, 140 are embodied as a rib having a generally rectangular shaped structure. Further, the base 104 includes four mounting features 138, 140. However, in other embodiments, the base 104 may include any number of mounting features 138, 140.
Further, a design of the mounting features 138, 140 may be varied based on a design of an outer profile of the pump 122. In the illustrated embodiment, the mounting features 138, 140 defines a first pair of mounting features 138 and a second pair of mounting features 140. The first pair of mounting features 138 define a curved profile to accommodate the circular shape of the bottom 132 of the pump 122. The second pair of mounting features 140 define a flat profile. The second pair of mounting features 140 includes one or more projecting portions 144 that extend angularly from the corresponding mounting feature 140. In the illustrated embodiment, each mounting feature 140 includes one projecting portion 144, however any number, position, arrangement of the projecting portion 144 is well within the scope. The projecting portion 144 may assist in the mounting, holding or centering of the pump 122 with the base 104. The mounting features 138, 140 hold the pump 122 at a fixed position and restrict displacement of the pump 122 during the operation of the pump 122. The one or more mounting features 138, 140 mount the pump 122 substantially perpendicular to the base 104 of the liquid reservoir 100. The substantially perpendicular position of the pump 122 may allow the pump filter to work uniformly and efficiently. Further, the mounting features 138, 140 may lead to improved stability, force distribution, and shock dissipation during working of the pump 122.
Further, the liquid reservoir 100 includes a number of support structures 146. Specifically, each mounting feature 138, 140 is associated with a support structure 146, such that the support structure 146 is connected to the upper surface 108 of the base 104 and the corresponding mounting feature 138, 140. The support structures 146 form an integral part of the base 104. Alternatively, the support structures 146 may be connected to the upper surface 108 and the mounting features 138, 140 by joining techniques such as, welding, soldering, brazing, and the like.
The mounting features 138, 140 snap on to the pump 122 for retention of the pump 122 by the mounting features 138, 140. In various embodiments, the mounting features 138, 140 may be connected to the pump 122 by a snap-fit mounting, a push-fit mounting, and the like. It should be noted that the type of mounting does not limit the scope of the present invention.
In some embodiments, the pump 122 defines the bottom 132, such that the one or more mounting features 138, 140, 338 at least partially cover the bottom 132 during mounting of the pump 122 with the base 104 of the liquid reservoir 100. Such covering of the bottom 132 of the pump 122 by the mounting features 138, 140, 338 may support the pump 122, and simultaneously check and absorb any undesired forces involved during working of the pump 122.
In some embodiments, one or more of the mounting features 138, 140, 338 maybe flexible, semi-resilient to allow easy and safe mounting with the bottom 132 of the pump 122 with the base 104 of the liquid reservoir 100. Such flexible or semi-resilient nature of the mounting features 138, 140, 338 may also allow to check or absorb any working forces, stresses, pressures during running of the pump 122, while being mounted with one or more of the mounting features 138, 140, 338.
Moreover, in the illustrated embodiment, the one or more mounting features 338 include one or more shoulders 352 defined around the at least one recessed cavity 350 and with the base 104. The shoulders 352 are equidistantly spaced from one another to define a hollow area (not shown) for receiving the pump 122, such that the hollow area and the recessed cavity 350 together allow mounting of the pump 122. The shoulders 352 support the pump 122 disposed inside the recessed cavity 350. The shoulders 352 extend perpendicularly from the upper surface 108 of the base 104. The shoulders 352 are embodied as generally rectangular plate members. The number, type, position, dimensions of the shoulders 352 may depend on various factors related to the pump 122, and the liquid reservoir 100, among others. Further, each shoulder 352 defines a chamfered edge 354 proximate to a top end of the corresponding shoulder 352. Such chamfered edges 354 may allow easy insertion (or assembly) and removal (or disassembly) of the pump 122 as per the need.
The shoulders 352 are an integral part of the base 104. Alternatively, the shoulders 352 may be connected to the upper surface 108 of the base 104 by joining techniques such as, welding, soldering, brazing, and the like. In the illustrated embodiment, the base 104 includes four shoulders 352, two of which are illustrated herein. It should be noted that the number of the shoulders 352 may vary as per requirements.
In some embodiments, the pump 122 is tool-less removable from the one or more mounting features 138, 140, 338 of the liquid reservoir 100. The mounting features 138, 140, 338 of the present disclosure thus obviate or substantially limit application of any external tools for mounting as well as removal of the pump 122 from the mounting features 138, 140, 338. During application, a user may easily move or mount the pump 122 from above the mounting features 138, 140, 338, which may adjust or move accordingly to allow desired coupling or mounting of the bottom 132 of the pump 122 with the mounting features 138, 140, 338. Further, during removal of the pump 122, the user may engage anywhere on the body 124 of the pump 122 such as around the top 134 to disengage the pump 122 from the mounting features 138, 140, 338. The present disclosure allow both the engagement/assembly or disengagement/disassembly of the pump 122 with the mounting features 138, 140, 338, without a reliance or application of any tools or accessories.
The present disclosure provides an improved design of the liquid reservoir 100 to store the liquid 101. The design of the liquid reservoir 100 provides a definite place for the pump 122. This design of the liquid reservoir 100 allows the liquid 101 to be discharged completely from the liquid reservoir 100 as the mounting features 138, 140, 338 prevent the tipping over of the pump 122 and also prevents hitting of the pump 122 with the sides 106 or the base 104 of the liquid reservoir 100. Further, the mounting features 138, 140, 338 hold the pump 122 in place and also mount the pump 122 substantially perpendicular to the base 104 which may allow the pump filter to work uniformly and efficiently. Furthermore, the pump 122 is fixed to the base 104 which reduces an operating noise of the pump 122. Moreover, the design of the liquid reservoir 100 improves an aesthetics thereof as the pump 122 is fixed and does not change its position while operation, or during transportation of the liquid reservoir 100.
In the drawings and specification, there have been disclosed preferred embodiments and examples of the disclosure and, although specific terms are employed, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for the purpose of limitation of the scope of the disclosure being set forth in the following claims.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 21156013.1 | Feb 2021 | EP | regional |
| Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/EP2021/085826 | 12/15/2021 | WO |
