Vacuum Oil Extractor Tank Assembly

Description

FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention pertains to the technical field of vacuum oil extractors, and more particularly relates to a tank assembly configured for use in a vacuum oil extractor.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In the prior art, for example, Chinese Invention Patent Publication No. CN103362876B discloses a display cylinder for a vacuum oil suction machine. The disclosed structure includes an observation cylinder, a guide base, a lock core, and a torsion tube. The guide base is mounted at a central portion of an upper end of the observation cylinder, and the torsion tube, connected to the lock core, is disposed beneath the guide base. A pressure rod mechanism is provided between the guide base and the torsion tube. In this arrangement, a connecting base disposed at an upper end of the pressure rod mechanism is fixedly connected to the guide base, while a pressure rod disposed at a lower end is connected to the torsion tube. Furthermore, a check valve is coupled between the pressure rod and the torsion tube.

In such prior art, the locking of the pressure rod in its upper and lower positions is achieved by a locking pin at a front end of an operating handle passing through a fork to engage with one of three locking holes provided on a front side of a handle mount. A significant drawback of this locking arrangement is that, during unlocking, the operator must manually disengage the locking pin from the locking hole. This operation is inconvenient and cumbersome, thereby underscoring the need for further refinement.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to overcoming at least one of the technical deficiencies identified in the prior art. To this end, the invention provides a vacuum oil extractor tank assembly.

A vacuum oil extractor tank assembly, designed to accomplish the foregoing objective, comprises a tank body. The tank body is provided with a plurality of connection joints, and a bottom of the tank body is formed with an oil discharge opening that extends downward. The oil discharge opening is coupled to an oil discharge pipe fitting, an inner wall of which is formed with a sealing convex ring. A sealing plug is disposed within the oil discharge pipe fitting for vertical movement. An upper surface of the tank body is provided with an actuator assembly configured to drive the sealing plug in vertical motion.

The actuator assembly comprises an actuating rod, a mounting base, and an operating handle connected to the actuating rod.

The actuating rod is configured for vertical displacement and rotational movement relative to the tank body.

The mounting base is fixedly secured to the upper surface of the tank body, the mounting base having a hollow interior and an opening at a lower end thereof.

A lower end of the actuating rod extends into the oil discharge pipe fitting and is fixedly connected to the sealing plug.

A longitudinal guide slot is formed on a side wall of the mounting base, and the operating handle is disposed for vertical movement within the longitudinal guide slot.

A latching recess is formed on either lateral side of the longitudinal guide slot, and the operating handle is configured to be received in the latching recess so as to establish a locking engagement.

Preferably, a top of the tank body is provided with an opening, and an O-ring seal is disposed within the opening.

An upper end of the actuating rod passes through the O-ring seal and extends into the mounting base.

An elastic element is disposed within the mounting base, the elastic element applying a biasing force to the actuating rod such that the sealing plug is maintained in sealing engagement with the sealing convex ring.

Preferably, the mounting base is rotatably fitted with a rotary base, the rotary base being provided with a hinge portion. The operating handle is provided with a linkage member, and the linkage member is hinged to the hinge portion.

The linkage member is formed with an elongated slot, and an upper end of the actuating rod is provided with a linkage pin. The linkage pin is movably inserted into the elongated slot.

Preferably, the sealing plug is disposed beneath the sealing convex ring.

An upper surface of the sealing plug is configured to engage a lower surface of the sealing convex ring so as to place the oil discharge pipe fitting in a closed state.

Preferably, a sealing ring is disposed on an upper surface of the sealing plug.

Preferably, a hollow pipe fitting is disposed within the tank body, the hollow pipe fitting having both upper and lower ends open. A lower end of the hollow pipe fitting is connected to the oil discharge pipe fitting, and the actuating rod is arranged within the hollow pipe fitting. An upper end of the hollow pipe fitting is connected to the O-ring seal.

An oil inlet opening is formed on a side wall of the hollow pipe fitting above the oil discharge pipe fitting.

Preferably, the tank body is connected to a pressure gauge.

Compared with the prior art, the present invention provides a configuration in which the actuating rod is vertically and rotatably displaceable relative to the tank body. A side wall of the mounting base is formed with a longitudinal guide slot in which the operating handle is vertically displaceable, and latching recesses are provided on opposite sides of the guide slot. The operating handle is engageable with the latching recesses to achieve a limit-locking engagement. Through cooperative interaction between the operating handle and the actuating rod, the operating handle can be rapidly engaged with or disengaged from the latching recesses to achieve a locked or unlocked state, thereby enhancing operational convenience and meeting practical usage requirements.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a first perspective structural schematic view of the tank assembly according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a sectional structural schematic view of the tank assembly according to the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a second perspective structural schematic view of the tank assembly according to the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a third perspective structural schematic view of the tank assembly according to the present invention; and

FIG. 5 is an overall assembly schematic view of a vacuum oil extractor incorporating the tank assembly of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The present invention will now be described in greater detail with reference to the accompanying drawings and exemplary embodiments.

Referring to FIGS. 1 to 5, a vacuum oil extractor tank assembly comprises a tank body 10. The tank body 10 is provided with a plurality of connection joints 110, and a bottom of the tank body 10 is formed with an oil discharge opening 100 extending downward. The oil discharge opening 100 is connected to an oil discharge pipe fitting 310. An inner wall of the oil discharge pipe fitting 310 is formed with a sealing convex ring 320. A sealing plug 330 is disposed within the oil discharge pipe fitting 310 for vertical movement. An upper surface of the tank body 10 is provided with an actuator assembly 40 for driving the sealing plug 330 in vertical motion. The sealing plug 330 is engageable with the sealing convex ring 320 to establish a closed state of the oil discharge pipe fitting 310, and is separable from the sealing convex ring 320 to establish an open state of the oil discharge pipe fitting 310.

In operation, when engine oil is to be extracted, the sealing plug 330 is fitted against the sealing convex ring 320, thereby placing the oil discharge pipe fitting 310 in the closed state. This closure facilitates the creation of a vacuum inside the tank body 10, enabling the formation of negative pressure.

When discharging engine oil, one of the connection joints 110 is placed in a conducting state so as to permit external airflow to enter the tank body 10. Concurrently, the actuator assembly 40 is operated to drive the sealing plug 330 downward relative to the oil discharge pipe fitting 310, thereby separating the sealing plug 330 from the sealing convex ring 320. In this manner, the oil discharge pipe fitting 310 is placed in the open state, allowing used engine oil to be discharged outward through the oil discharge pipe fitting 310.

In the illustrated embodiment, the tank body 10 is connected to a vacuum generator, and the connection joints 110 are configured for coupling to oil extraction pipe fittings.

Referring to FIG. 2, a top of the tank body 10 is provided with an opening 130, within which an O-ring seal 60 is disposed. The actuator assembly 40 comprises an actuating rod 410, a mounting base 420, and an operating handle 430. The mounting base 420 is fixedly mounted on the upper surface of the tank body 10, the mounting base 420 having a hollow interior and an opening at a lower end thereof. A lower end of the actuating rod 410 extends into the oil discharge pipe fitting 310 and is fixedly connected to the sealing plug 330. An upper end of the actuating rod 410 passes through the O-ring seal 60 and extends into the mounting base 420. An elastic element 440 is disposed within the mounting base 420. The elastic element 440 applies a biasing force to the actuating rod 410 such that the sealing plug 330 is maintained in sealing engagement with the sealing convex ring 320. The operating handle 430 is connected to the actuating rod 410 and is configured to drive the actuating rod 410 in vertical motion.

In a further refinement, the sealing plug 330 is disposed beneath the sealing convex ring 320. An upper surface of the sealing plug 330 engages a lower surface of the sealing convex ring 320 so as to establish the closed state of the oil discharge pipe fitting 310. In this embodiment, the elastic element 440 exerts an upward biasing force upon the actuating rod 410, thereby urging the actuating rod 410 upward such that the upper surface of the sealing plug 330 remains fitted against the lower surface of the sealing convex ring 320, thereby maintaining the closed state. When it is desired to open the oil discharge pipe fitting 310, the operating handle 430 is manually actuated to drive the actuating rod 410 downward, thereby separating the upper surface of the sealing plug 330 from the lower surface of the sealing convex ring 320 and placing the oil discharge pipe fitting 310 in the open state.

In a preferred embodiment, the elastic element 440 is a spring. The spring is sleeved around the actuating rod 410. A lower end of the spring abuts an upper surface of the O-ring seal 60, and an upper end of the actuating rod 410 is provided with a retaining ring 441. An upper end of the spring abuts a lower surface of the retaining ring 441.

Referring to FIG. 1, a side wall of the mounting base 420 is formed with a longitudinal guide slot 450, and the operating handle 430 is vertically movable within the longitudinal guide slot 450. A latching recess 460 is formed on either lateral side of the longitudinal guide slot 450, and the operating handle 430 is engageable with the latching recess 460 to achieve a limit-locking engagement. This arrangement allows the oil discharge pipe 310 to be maintained in the open state when the operating handle 430 is received in the latching recess 460, thereby permitting continuous discharge of engine oil as required.

Referring to FIG. 2, the mounting base 420 is further rotatably fitted with a rotary base 470. The rotary base 470 is provided with a hinge portion 480. The operating handle 430 is provided with a linkage member 490, and the linkage member 490 is hinged to the hinge portion 480. The linkage member 490 is formed with an elongated slot 491, and an upper end of the actuating rod 410 is provided with a linkage pin 411. The linkage pin 411 is movably inserted into the elongated slot 491. The inclusion of the rotary base 470 allows the operating handle 430 to rotate relative to the mounting base 420, thereby facilitating the engagement of the operating handle 430 into the latching recess 460. In the present invention, when the operating handle 430 rotates, the actuating rod 410 rotates synchronously.

Referring to FIG. 2, an upper surface of the sealing plug 330 is provided with a sealing ring 340. The sealing ring 340 enhances the sealing engagement between the sealing plug 330 and the sealing convex ring 320, thereby improving overall sealing reliability.

Referring to FIG. 2, a hollow pipe fitting 50 is disposed within the tank body 10. The hollow pipe fitting 50 has open upper and lower ends. A lower end of the hollow pipe fitting 50 is connected to the oil discharge pipe fitting 310. The actuating rod 410 is arranged within the hollow pipe fitting 50, and an upper end of the hollow pipe fitting 50 is connected to the O-ring seal 60. An oil inlet opening 510 is formed on a side wall of the hollow pipe fitting 50 above the oil discharge pipe fitting 310, thereby providing fluid communication for oil entry.

Referring to FIG. 1, the tank body 10 is further connected to a pressure gauge 120, enabling pressure monitoring of the internal negative pressure environment during operation.

Referring to FIG. 5, the tank body 10 functions in conjunction with a vacuum generator to establish negative pressure, thereby drawing used engine oil into the interior of the tank body 10 for temporary storage. Upon completion of a suction cycle, the oil discharge pipe fitting 310 is connected to an oil collection tank 70. When the sealing plug 330 is actuated to place the oil discharge pipe fitting 310 in the open state, the used engine oil flows downward from the tank body 10 into the oil collection tank 70 for storage.

In the description of the present invention, it should be understood that the orientations and positional relationships denoted by terms such as “center,” “longitudinal,” “transverse,” “length,” “width,” “thickness,” “upper,” “lower,” “front,” “rear,” “left,” “right,” “vertical,” “horizontal,” “top,” “bottom,” “inner,” “outer,” “clockwise,” and “counterclockwise” are defined with reference to the drawings, and are provided solely for the purpose of facilitating description and simplifying explanation. Such terms are not intended to indicate or imply that the referenced device or element must be configured or operated in a particular orientation, and therefore should not be construed as limiting the present invention. Similarly, the terms “first” and “second” are employed merely for descriptive purposes and should not be interpreted as denoting relative importance or implying a specific number of the identified technical features.

The foregoing description has set forth the fundamental principles, principal features, and advantages of the present invention. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above. The embodiments and examples provided in this specification serve only to illustrate the principles of the invention. Without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, various modifications and improvements may be made, and all such modifications and improvements are deemed to fall within the scope of protection of the present invention as defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.