High pressure water cleaner with detachable water tank

A high pressure water cleaner with detachable water tank includes a water cleaner main unit having an internal hydraulic pump, a top receptacle and a feed water connector in the receptacle in communication with the hydraulic pump, and a water tank detachably insertable into the receptacle and lockable to the receptacle by a movable lock.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to water cleaners and more particularly to a high pressure water cleaner with detachable water tank in which the water cleaner can be nested in the water tank.

BACKGROUND

When using a conventional high pressure water cleaner, the operator might encounter the following two problems. One is that there is no water tap available or it is restrictive to connect a hose to a water tap. In this case, the high pressure water cleaner becomes useless. The other problem is that it is impossible to achieve a satisfactory cleaning effect just by using high pressure water cleaner only. For example, when cleaning car tires, car internals, motorcycles or machine, it is required to use extra cleaning hand tools (such as towels, brushes, etc.) to perform a further cleaning work.

In another exemplary use case, the operator might have an issue in that she wishes to use the high pressure water cleaner for a portion of a task, and manual application of water from a reserve water tank (such as a bucket) for the other portion of the task. An illustrative example would be for cleaning a vehicle, wherein typically an operator will (i) spray down the vehicle the high pressure water cleaner to remove debris, (ii) manually apply soapy water using a sponge, cloth or brush, (iii) possibly spray down the vehicle with the high pressure water cleaner aided by a soapy discharge of the water cleaner, and (iv) spray down the vehicle again with plain water using the high pressure water cleaner to remove the soap. In these cases, it is necessary to use the high pressure water cleaner and a bucket, the latter as a reservoir for the water that will be manually applied. However, space can be wasted during transport and storage of both the water cleaner and the bucket.

SUMMARY

In one aspect, a high pressure water cleaner apparatus is provided, the apparatus comprising: a water cleaner main unit adapted in operation to output high pressure water given a low pressure input water supply, the water cleaner main unit comprising top, bottom, and side walls; and a water tank comprising bottom walls and peripheral walls, the water tank peripheral walls comprising a support structure adapted to retain thereon the water cleaner main unit when the water cleaner main unit is nested within the water tank.

The support structure may be defined by the upper lip of the water tank peripheral walls. The water cleaner main unit may comprise one or more protrusions adapted to rest upon the upper lip of the water tank peripheral walls. The protrusions may comprise fins disposed vertically along the side walls of the water cleaner main unit. The protrusions may comprise a lip partially or fully encompassing the side walls of the water cleaner main unit. The protrusions may comprise a rim partially or fully encompassing the side walls of the water cleaner main unit.

The support structure may alternatively be disposed along the inner surface of the water tank peripheral walls. The support structure may be complementary to a stepped structure formed along the outer surface of the water cleaner main unit peripheral walls defined by its side walls. The support structure may be complementary to a stepped structure formed along the outer surface of the water cleaner main unit peripheral walls defined by two of its side walls, its top wall, and its bottom wall. The support structure may include a plurality of vertical fins adapted to support the water cleaner main unit. The support structure may be vertically part way along the water tank peripheral walls. The support structure may be vertically deeper along the water tank peripheral walls than the height of the water cleaner main unit.

The water cleaner main unit may further comprise a receptacle located on a top side thereof for receiving said water tank.

The water cleaner main unit may further comprise a movable lock adapted for locking said water tank to said receptacle.

The water cleaner main unit may further comprise a hydraulic pump mounted therein for enhancing the pressure of supplied water, a regulator for regulating water pressure and water flow rate, an electrical drive for driving said hydraulic pump, and a water outlet in communication with said hydraulic pump for connecting to a spray gun.

The movable lock may comprise a locking handle pivotally connected to said water cleaner main unit and a hook located on the free end of said locking handle for hooking on said water tank.

The water tank may further comprise a carrying handle pivotally connected to a top edge thereof.

The electrical drive may consume either one of AC power or DC power.

The water cleaner main unit may further comprise a rechargeable battery mounted therein and electrically connected to said electrical drive.

The water tank may further comprise a retainer located on the periphery for engaging said movable lock.

The water tank may further comprise a bottom flange fitting to said receptacle of said water cleaner main unit.

The retainer of said detachable water tank may have a recessed hole for receiving said movable lock, and a transverse rod suspending in said recessed hole for engaging of said movable lock.

The movable lock may comprise a locking handle pivotally connected to said water cleaner main unit and a hook located on the free end of said locking handle for hooking on said transverse rod of said retainer of said water tank.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following provides a high pressure water cleaner with detachable water tank. In embodiments, the following also provides a high pressure water cleaner with corresponding water tank wherein the water tank and a main unit of the high pressure water cleaner are adapted to be nested to facilitate convenient transport and storage. This is accomplished by providing an inner peripheral surface of the water tank that is complementary to the outer peripheral surface of the water cleaner main unit, permitting nesting of the water cleaner main unit within the water tank.

As shown inFIGS. 1 and 2, the high pressure water cleaner with detachable water tank comprises a water cleaner main unit1and a detachable water tank2.

The water cleaner main unit1can be made in any of a variety of shapes. According to this embodiment, the water cleaner main unit1has a rectangular shape. The water cleaner main unit1comprises a hydraulic pump (not shown) mounted on the inside and adapted for enhancing the pressure of supplied water, a regulator11for regulating water pressure and water flow rate and an electrical drive (not shown) for driving the hydraulic pump. The water cleaner main unit1has a water outlet12disposed at one lateral side thereof in communication with the internal hydraulic pump for the connection of a spray gun, a receptacle13located on the top side thereof for receiving the detachable water tank2, a feed water connector14upwardly protruding from the bottom wall of the receptacle13and disposed in communication with the internal hydraulic pump, and a movable lock15adapted for locking the detachable water tank2to the receptacle13. Thus, the detachable water tank2can be detachably secured to the receptacle13of the water cleaner main unit1.

Referring toFIG. 8, a carrying handle16is pivotally connected to the receptacle13of the water cleaner main unit1to facilitate carrying by hand. The movable lock15according to this embodiment comprises a locking handle151pivotally connected to the water cleaner main unit1. The locking handle151has a hook152at its free end for hooking on the detachable water tank2. Further, the aforesaid electrical drive can use AC power (city power) as well as DC power. A rechargeable battery (not shown) is installed in the water cleaner main unit1for providing the necessary working voltage to the electrical drive. Thus, the high pressure water cleaner with detachable water tank can be used in different situations.

Referring toFIGS. 1 and 2again, the detachable water tank2is detachably connected to the receptacle13of the water cleaner main unit1, having a top opening21, a check valve22located on the bottom side for connection to the feed water connector14, and a retainer23for receiving the locking handle151of the movable lock15. Thus, the detachable water tank2can be secured to the water cleaner main unit1for use with the water cleaner main unit1, or separated from the water cleaner main unit1for independent application.

Referring toFIGS. 3-5, the detachable water tank2has a drain hole24cut through the bottom wall thereof. The check valve22is installed in the drain hole24, comprising a valve body221, a valve hole2211at the center of the valve body221and a movable plug222mounted in and axially movable relative to the valve hole2211. As shown inFIG. 6, when the valve hole2211of the check valve22is attached to the feed water connector14, the movable plug222is moved relative to the valve hole2211to open the passage of the valve hole2211for allowing a cleaning solution (e.g. water) to pass from the detachable water tank2through the valve hole2211into the water cleaner main unit1. On the contrary, when the detachable water tank2is removed from the water cleaner main unit1, the movable plug222is returned to its former position to close the passage of the valve hole2211, preventing the cleaning solution (water) from leaking. Thus, based on the design of the check valve22, the detachable water tank2can be secured to the water cleaner main unit1for use with the water cleaner main unit1, or separated from the water cleaner main unit1for independent application.

Referring toFIGS. 3-5again, the check valve22further comprises an inside annular flange2212suspending in the valve hole2211for the passing of the movable plug222. The movable plug222has a blind hole2221axially extending to its one end, namely, the bottom end, a plurality of radial holes2222disposed in communication with the blind hole2221and spaced around the periphery, a gasket ring2223fastened to the periphery near its other end, namely, the top end, and a stop flange2224extending around the periphery at the bottom end and stoppable at the bottom side of the inside annular flange2212of the valve body221. Further, a wire gauze filter223is fastened to one end of the valve body221, as shown inFIG. 6, for removing solid matters from the cleaning solution (water) passing through the check valve22toward the water cleaner main unit1. A lock member, for example, lock nut224is fastened to the other end of the valve body221to lock the check valve22to the drain hole24of the detachable water tank2. Further, in order to avoid cleaning solution leakage, one or a number of O-rings225are fastened to the periphery of the valve body221to seal the gap between the valve body221and the drain hole24. A number of O-rings226may be fastened to the internal wall of the valve hole221to seal the feed water connector14of the water cleaner main unit1.

Referring toFIGS. 1 and 2again, the detachable water tank2has a bottom flange25fitting the receptacle13of the water cleaner main unit1. By fitting the bottom flange25with the receptacle13of the water cleaner main unit1, the detachable water tank2can be quickly coupled to the water cleaner main unit1. The retainer23of the detachable water tank2has a recessed hole231for receiving the locking handle151of the movable lock15, and a transverse rod232suspending in the recessed hole231for receiving the hook152at the free end of the locking handle151.

Referring toFIG. 2again, a carrying handle26is pivotally connected to the detachable water tank2at the top to facilitate carrying by hand. By means of the carrying handle26, a user can carry the detachable water tank2to a water source to take water and then carry the detachable water tank2to the water cleaner main unit1for installation or to any desired place for independent application.

Referring toFIG. 7, the detachable water tank2has a nozzle gun rest27for the resting of the nozzle gun3. The nozzle gun rest27has a recessed hole271. When not in use, the nozzle gun3can be rested in the recessed hole271of the nozzle gun rest27.

When using the high pressure water cleaner with detachable water tank, as shown inFIG. 7, the detachable water tank2can be installed in the water cleaner main unit1and moved with the water cleaner main unit1to a water source to take water. Alternatively, the detachable water tank2can be separated from the water cleaner main unit1and carried by hand to a water source to take water. After the detachable water tank2is filled up with water or other cleaning solution, it is carried to and installed in the water cleaner main unit1. Further, as shown inFIG. 8, the water cleaner main unit1can be separately used. When using the water cleaner main unit1separately, connect the feed water connector14to a water source or city water tap by a hose, and then connect the nozzle gun3to the water outlet12for high pressure water cleaning. Further, the detachable water tank2can be separately used for holding a cleaning solution for cleaning, or for holding water for washing a cleaning tool. Thus, the high pressure water cleaner with detachable water tank meets different cleaning requirements, and eliminates the drawbacks of the prior art high pressure water cleaners.

Further, as shown inFIG. 9, when the high pressure water cleaner with detachable water tank is not used, the water cleaner main unit1can be received in the detachable water tank2to minimize storage space, thus facilitating movement and storage. Further, the water cleaner main unit1has a stepped structure17on the periphery. Further, the detachable water tank2has a support structure28located on the inside corresponding to the stepped structure17of the water cleaner main unit1. When the water cleaner main unit1is inserted into the detachable water tank2, the stepped structure17of the water cleaner main unit1is stopped and supported at the support structure28. Thus, the water cleaner main unit1can be steadily positioned in the detachable water tank2.

In another embodiment, the previously described water cleaner main unit1and water tank2can be adapted to be nesting but not necessarily with the purpose of assembly and water communication from the water tank2to the water cleaner main unit1. In other words, the water tank2can be supplied without any of the mechanisms permitting water communication to the water cleaner main unit1. These include the drain hole24, check valve22and supporting components. In this embodiment, the water tank2has an open top and a substantially water-tight compartment formed by a bottom wall and one or more fully peripheral side walls. The water tank2essentially acts as a bucket. The top of the water tank2is typically fully open but could include a removable or hinged wall.

In this embodiment, the water cleaner main unit1has a feed water connector14that only needs to be connectable to a water source such as a city water tap. It need not be adapted for fluid communication with the water tank2directly. However, if the feed water connector14can be located on the water cleaner main unit1in such a location that it is accessible when the water tank2is placed upon the water cleaner main unit1, then the water tank can still be placed upon and locked (using the locking handle151of the movable lock15and the recessed hole231) to the water cleaner main unit1. This may simply be for the benefit of taking up less footprint when in use. In such a configuration, an operator can access the water tank2for manual washing purposes and use the water cleaner main unit1for high pressure washing purposes.

When not in use, the water cleaner main unit1is nestable within the water tank2in similar fashion as described with the previous embodiment with reference toFIG. 9. This can be accomplished by the previously described stepped structure17in cooperation with the corresponding support structure28, or any other suitable complementary support mechanism adapted to provide a retaining fit when the water cleaner main unit1is nested within the water tank2.

The support structures generally provide one or more protrusions along the inner surface of the peripheral walls of the water tank2. The support structures can either be complementary to the outer surface of the peripheral walls of the water tank2, or could be adapted to constrain the perimeter of the inner surface of the water tank2so that the water cleaner main unit1will rest atop the protrusions. In either configuration, preferably the support structure is vertically part-way along the depth of the peripheral walls of the water tank2so that the water cleaner main unit1is nested snugly within the water tank2, rather than being retained fully or predominantly atop the water tank2. More preferably, the support structure is vertically deeper within the water tank2than the height of the peripheral walls of the water cleaner main unit1so that the water cleaner main unit1is fully nested within the water tank2; that is, the top surface of the water cleaner main unit1is at or beneath the top surface of the water tank2.

Alternatively or in addition to the use of protrusions, the water tank2and the water cleaner main unit1may have tapered walls so that at some point upon nesting, the water cleaner main unit1is snugly retained within the water tank2.

It will be appreciated that the peripheral walls of the water cleaner main unit1could be defined as any four continuous walls, be it the four sides, or two sides plus the top and bottom walls, as defined with reference to the orientation of the water cleaner main unit1during operation. Thus, the water cleaner main unit1might actually be nested in the water tank2in what would best be considered as a sideways configuration.

Referring now toFIG. 10, in whichFIG. 10(a)illustrates a perspective view andFIG. 10(b)illustrates a top view of the water tank2, another exemplary support structure using protrusions may, for example, include a plurality of vertically disposed fins1000along the inner periphery of the water tank2which extend into the water tank2by an amount sufficient to support the bottom of the water cleaner main unit. The fins1000are preferably formed part way along the depth of the inner surface of the periphery of the water tank2.

Referring now toFIGS. 11-13, further exemplary embodiments are shown. In these embodiments, the support structure of the water tank2is the upper lip1100of the water tank2defined by its peripheral walls. A corresponding water cleaner main unit1may have side walls that comprise protrusions which define a length and/or width of the water cleaner main unit1that is larger than the corresponding length and/or width of the water tank2, so that the water cleaner main unit1sits upon the upper lip1100. The protrusions are preferably closer to the top than the bottom of the water cleaner main unit1so that a portion of the water cleaner main unit1nests within the water tank2. The protrusions may be fins1102disposed vertically along the side walls of the water cleaner main unit as shown inFIG. 11, a rim1200partially or fully encompassing the side walls of the water cleaner main unit as shown inFIG. 12, or a lip1300partially or fully encompassing the side walls of the water cleaner main unit as shown inFIG. 13. One characteristic of these embodiments is that the water tank can be manufactured simply as it does not require any unique support structure, since the support structure is defined by its existing upper lip1100.

Although the foregoing embodiments contemplate rectangular peripheral walls for the water cleaner main unit1and water tank2, such a shape is only one possible configuration; any suitable shape will suffice.