Description WATER TANK

Technical Field

[1] The present invention relates to a water tank, and in particular to a water tank in which a reinforcing member is provided on an outer surface of a water tank so that an inner space is enlarged, and a cleaning work, a repair and a maintenance are easy, and a water sealing performance is enhanced by adapting an adhesive method as compared to a conventional art in which a reinforcing member is installed in vertical and horizontal directions on an inner surface of a water tank for resisting a water pressure applied in a lateral direction when water is stored in a water tank.

[2]

Background Art

[3] Generally, a large size water tank is installed at a high rising building or an apartment which consumes a lot of water. The above water tank is made of various materials. For example, a plastic synthetic resin such as a concrete structure, a stainless steel, a FRP (Fiber Glass Reinforced Plastics), a SMC (Sheet Molding Component) panel is widely used.

[4] In particular, the SMC is a kind of a molding material used for manufacturing a FRP.

It has an excellent mechanical property when being molded under a proper heating and pressurizing environment. In addition, with its excellent anticorrosion and molding property, it can be used for developing a new structural and functional material. The applicable range of the same is widened. In recent years, lots of different water tanks are made of SMC panels.

[5] Various kinds of water tanks are also installed in an apartment, a factory, an industrial facility, etc. for thereby stably supplying water when a water supply is stopped. In this case, the water tank is needed to have a very huge size and is generally made of a stainless material so that it can effectively resist an external impact with the help of its enhanced strength.

[6] The water tank made of a stainless panel is manufactured by welding a plurality of panels with each pole being welded at a stainless pole which is vertically and horizontally arranged.

[7] In the above water tank, it is needed to sealingly weld each panel, and each panel is stably welded at the panel, so that all works are so complicated, and lots of time and worker are disadvantageously needed, and a facility cost increases.

[8] Since the conventional water tank keeps contacting with drinkable water or industrial water all the time, an expensive stainless panel and pole are used for preventing

corrosion, so that a manufacturing cost increases. In addition, the water tank is manufactured using a stainless panel and pole having a strong anticorrosion property, and they are welded each other. In this case, the physical properties of the welded portions may change and degrade when the welded portions are exposed to water. The contacted portions may corrode for thereby contaminating the interior of the water tank.

[9] When water is filled in the water tank, it is applied with a lateral direction water pressure owing to the weight of water. A plurality of support members, which connect the panels, are fixed on an inner surface of the water tank for resisting water pressure applied in a lateral direction. So, the inner structure of the water tank is complicated, and the inner space of the same becomes narrowed. A cleaning work, a repair and maintenance are not easy in the interior of the water tank. So, it is urgently needed to develop an improved water tank which has a simple inner structure and can effectively resist a water pressure applied in a lateral direction.

[10]

Disclosure of Invention Technical Problem

[11] Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a water tank which overcomes the problems encountered in the conventional art.

[12] It is another object of the present invention to provide a water tank which enhances a water sealing performance in such a manner that a fresh water panel directly contracting with water is connected using an adhesive.

[13] It is further another object of the present invention to provide a water tank which is able to enhance a support force with respect to water pressure, which is applied in a lateral direction when water is stored in a water tank, by using a reinforcing member formed in a hexagonal honeycomb structure at a reinforcing member groove of an external panel, and an inner space of a fresh water panel part is wide and simple in its structure.

[14] It is still further another object of the present invention to provide a water tank in which a vertical reinforcing member is fixed at a bolt shaft fixed at an outer surface of an external panel, and it is possible to prevent a loosening of a bolt shaft since it is concurrently provided with a right thread and a left thread for thereby achieving a stable engagement.

[15] It is still further another object of the present invention to provide a water tank in which a fresh water panel is staked, and a water sealing thin plate is adhered to a stacking surface formed at an inner side, which contacts with water, using an adhesive, and a head part of a bolt used for fixing a water sealing thin plate is fixed using a water

sealing cover filled with an adhesive for thereby enhancing a water sealing performance. [16]

Technical Solution

[17] To achieve the above objects, there is provided a water tank for storing water therein which comprises:

[18] a fresh water panel unit which includes a fresh water panel consisting of an engaging surface 11a formed at upper and lower sides by forwardly bending a rectangular metallic plate in a channel shape and an adhering portion formed between the engaging surfaces and backwardly bent by a thickness and extended in one direction, with a plurality of the fresh water panels being overlapped on the adhering portions for thereby forming a rectangular frame, whereby the fresh water panel unit is formed in a rectangular cubic shape as the rectangular frames are stacked in multiple layers;

[19] an external panel unit which includes an integrated external panel consisting of an engaging surface and a horizontal reinforcing member groove formed by bending the upper and lower and right and left portions of a rectangular metallic plate in a channel shape so that they are fixedly inserted between the engaging surfaces formed at the fresh water panel of the fresh water panel unit using a bolt and nut with a reinforcing member groove filled with a reinforcing member being formed at an inner side as a center portion of the same is bent in a reverse channel shape, with a plurality of bolt shafts being welded at an outer side of the same;

[20] a reinforcing unit in which a horizontal reinforcing member is fixedly inserted into a horizontal reinforcing member groove of the external panel unit, and the vertical reinforcing member is vertically inserted into the engaging surfaces at the corners of the external panel unit and is fixed using an angle shaped connection member with the engaging surfaces meeting with each other at a right angle, and the horizontal reinforci ng member is fixed at the external panel using a bolt;

[21] a ceiling panel unit which includes an arch shaped protruded ceiling panel consisting of an engaging surface formed in all directions so that it is fixed at the engaging surface of the fresh water panel 11 positioned at the upper most portion using a bolt and nut for thereby covering the upper side of the fresh water panel unit with the external panel unit being inserted into the above upper most portion, and a ceiling fresh water panel which is positioned at a lower side of the ceiling panel and surrounds the engaging surface; and

[22] a pole unit which is fixed at a lower center portion of the ceiling panel unit using bolts and is formed in a plate shape and comprises a fixing plate having an engaging protrusion at a lower side, and a fixing plate is placed at the center of the bottom panel

which is connected with the engaging surface of the fresh water panel unit positioned at the lower most portion for thereby forming a bottom, so that the pole is fixed, and an engaging groove is formed at the upper side of the pole and is engaged with the engaging protrusion of the fixing plate for thereby supporting the ceiling panel unit.

[23] The fresh water panel of the fresh water panel unit fixes the overlapped surface with the adhering portion of the neighboring fresh water panel 11 using an adhesive (a).

[24] A water sealing thin plate is adhered to the stacking surface of the inner side in which the fresh water panels of the fresh water panel unit are stacked in the upper and lower sides for thereby enhancing a water sealing performance based on an adhesive method, and it is fixed at the fresh water panel at the upper and lower sides of the water sealing thin plate using a bolt.

[25] An engaging protrusion and an engaging groove formed at the hexagonal surfaces of the hollow hexagonal pole shaped reinforcing member engaged to the reinforcing member groove of the external panel unit are formed in vertical directions and are engaged with each other based on an insertion and fixing method.

[26] The hollow hexagonal reinforcing member engaged at the reinforcing member groove of the external panel unit has an engaging protrusion and an engaging groove formed on its hexagonal outer surface formed in vertical directions, with at leas three engaging protrusions being formed at upper and lower end sides, so that the reinforcing member is adhered to an outer surface of the fresh water panel 11 and the reinforcing member groove of the external panel based on an adhesive method in a state that it is inserted into a pair of the engaging plates.

[27] The reinforcing member engaged at the reinforcing member groove of the external panel unit is formed by bending a longitudinal rectangular metallic plate at regular intervals for thereby forming a trapezoidal shape, and a pair of resultant structures are arranged and match with each other for thereby forming a hexagonal pole shape structure, and a resultant structure is adhered to an outer surface of the fresh water panel and a reinforcing member groove of the external panel based on an adhesive method.

[28] The reinforcing member engaged at the reinforcing member groove of the external panel unit is formed by crossing a longitudinal rectangular metallic plate in vertical and horizontal directions at regular intervals, and a resultant structure is adhered to an outer surface of the fresh water panel 11 and the reinforcing member groove of the external panel based on an adhesive method.

[29] The bolt shafts of the external panel unit are provided with a right thread and a left thread and are arranged in vertical and horizontal directions.

[30] The vertical reinforcing member is engaged at the bolt shaft of the external panel unit and is fixed using a nut with a tool hole having a larger diameter being formed at a

front side, with a diameter of the bolt hole being smaller for receiving the bolt shaft for thereby enhancing a vertical direction strength. [31] The interior of a water sealing cap, which is positioned at an inner side of the fresh water panel unit 11 and contacts with water and surrounds a head of a bolt, is filled with an adhesive (a) for thereby enhancing a water sealing performance. [32] A filler is filled into an inner space of the reinforcing member.

[33]

Advantageous Effects

[34] In the present invention, a fresh water panel directly contacting with water is fixed using an adhesive for thereby significantly enhancing a water sealing performance.

[35] In addition, a hexagonal reinforcing member formed in a honeycomb structure is engaged at the reinforcing member groove of the external panel. So, a support force with respect to water pressure applied in a lateral direction is enhanced when water is filled. The inner space of the fresh water panel unit is wider, and its structure is simple. So, cleaning work, repair and maintenance are easy. The cost of the reinforcing members used for supporting the inner structure decreases.

[36] The vertical reinforcing member is fixed at the bolt shaft fixed at the outer surface of the external panel, and the bolt shaft is provided with a right thread and a left thread, so that the related components are not loosened with respect to vibrations and movements for thereby enhancing a stable engagement of the components.

[37] The water sealing thin plate is fixed using an adhesive and a bolt at the stacking surface formed at the inner side contacting with water as the fresh water panel is stacked with the bolt being covered with a water sealing cover for thereby significantly enhancing a sealing performance.

[38]

Brief Description of the Drawings

[39] The present invention will become better understood with reference to the accompanying drawings which are given only by way of illustration and thus are not limitative of the present invention, wherein;

[40] Figure 1 is a disassembled perspective view illustrating a water tank according to the present invention;

[41] Figure 2 is a perspective view illustrating an engaged state of a water tank according to the present invention;

[42] Figure 3 is a cross sectional view taken along line A-A according to the present invention;

[43] Figure 4 is a partially enlarged cross sectional view illustrating a potion A of Figure

3;

[44] Figure 5 is a cross sectional view illustrating an engaging state using a fresh water panel and a coating later of an external panel according to the present invention;

[45] Figure 6 is a disassembled perspective view illustrating a pole unit according to the present invention;

[46] Figures 7 through 10 are disassembled perspective views illustrating an example of a reinforcing member according to the present invention; and

[47] Figure 11 is a perspective view illustrating an engaging state of a water sealing thin plate according to the present invention.

[48]

Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[49] In the present invention, there is provided a water tank for storing water therein which comprises:

[50] a fresh water panel unit which includes a fresh water panel consisting of an engaging surface 11a formed at upper and lower sides by forwardly bending a rectangular metallic plate in a channel shape and an adhering portion formed between the engaging surfaces and backwardly bent by a thickness and extended in one direction, with a plurality of the fresh water panels being overlapped on the adhering portions for thereby forming a rectangular frame, whereby the fresh water panel unit is formed in a rectangular cubic shape as the rectangular frames are stacked in multiple layers;

[51] an external panel unit which includes an integrated external panel consisting of an engaging surface and a horizontal reinforcing member groove formed by bending the upper and lower and right and left portions of a rectangular metallic plate in a channel shape so that they are fixedly inserted between the engaging surfaces formed at the fresh water panel of the fresh water panel unit using a bolt and nut with a reinforcing member groove filled with a reinforcing member being formed at an inner side as a center portion of the same is bent in a reverse channel shape, with a plurality of bolt shafts being welded at an outer side of the same;

[52] a reinforcing unit in which a horizontal reinforcing member is fixedly inserted into a horizontal reinforcing member groove of the external panel unit, and the vertical reinforcing member is vertically inserted into the engaging surfaces at the corners of the external panel unit and is fixed using an angle shaped connection member with the engaging surfaces meeting with each other at a right angle, and the horizontal reinforcing member is fixed at the external panel using a bolt;

[53] a ceiling panel unit which includes an arch shaped protruded ceiling panel consisting of an engaging surface formed in all directions so that it is fixed at the engaging surface of the fresh water panel 11 positioned at the upper most portion using a bolt and nut for thereby covering the upper side of the fresh water panel unit with the

external panel unit being inserted into the above upper most portion, and a ceiling fresh water panel which is positioned at a lower side of the ceiling panel and surrounds the engaging surface; and

[54] a pole unit which is fixed at a lower center portion of the ceiling panel unit using bolts and is formed in a plate shape and comprises a fixing plate having an engaging protrusion at a lower side, and a fixing plate is placed at the center of the bottom panel which is connected with the engaging surface of the fresh water panel unit positioned at the lower most portion for thereby forming a bottom, so that the pole is fixed, and an engaging groove is formed at the upper side of the pole and is engaged with the engaging protrusion of the fixing plate for thereby supporting the ceiling panel unit.

[55]

Mode for the Invention

[56] The preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[57] Figure 1 is a disassembled perspective view illustrating a water tank according to the present invention. Figure 2 is a perspective view illustrating an engaged state of a water tank according to the present invention. Figure 3 is a cross sectional view taken along line A-A according to the present invention. Figure 4 is a partially enlarged cross sectional view illustrating a potion A of Figure 3. Figure 5 is a cross sectional view illustrating an engaging state using a fresh water panel and a coating later of an external panel according to the present invention. Figure 6 is a disassembled perspective view illustrating a pole unit according to the present invention. Figures 7 through 10 are disassembled perspective views illustrating an example of a reinforcing member according to the present invention. Figure 11 is a perspective view illustrating an engaging state of a water sealing thin plate according to the present invention.

[58] As shown in Figures 1 through 11, the water tank according to the present invention comprises a fresh water panel unit 10 which includes a fresh water panel having an engaging surface 11a formed by forwardly bending a metallic plate in a channel shape, and an adhering portion 1 Ib extended in one direction, an external panel unit 20 which includes an integral external panel having an engaging surface 21a and a horizontal reinforcing member groove 21b formed by bending a rectangular metallic plate in a channel shape so that an upper and lower side and a left and right side are forwardly bent, with a reinforcing material groove 21c filled with a reinforcing material being welded at an inner side, with a bolt shaft 2 Id being welded at multiple portions of an outer side, a reinforcing unit 30 which is fixed at a horizontal reinforcing member 31 and an external panel 21 using an angle shaped connection member 33 with a vertical reinforcing member 32 being vertically inserted between the engaging surfaces 11a

and 21a in which an external panel 21 meets at a right angle, a ceiling panel unit 40 which includes a ceiling fresh water panel 42 engaged at a ceiling panel 41 of which center is protruded in an arch shape, for thereby being engaged at an engaging surface 1 Ia of the fresh water panel 11 positioned at the upper most portion engaged with the external panel unit 20 using a bolt and a nut above the fresh water panel unit 10, and a pole unit 50 which includes a fixing plate 51 having an engaging protrusion 51a for being attached to a lower side of an adhering surface of the ceiling panel unit 40 in a plate shape with a pole 52 being fixed at a center of a bottom panel 70 using a bolt, with an engaging groove 52a being formed at an upper side of the pole 52 and being engaged with the engaging protrusion 51a of the fixing plate 51 and being fixed by a bolt. The pole unit 50 supports the ceiling panel unit 40.

[59] In the fresh water panel unit 10, a rectangular metallic plate is forwardly bent in a channel shape, so that an engaging surface 1 Ia is formed at the upper and lower sides of the same. An adhering portion 1 Ib is backwardly bent by a thickness between the engaging surfaces 1 Ia. A fresh panel 11 is extended in one direction. As a plurality of fresh water panels 11 are overlapped on the adhering portions 1 Ib in a rectangular frame shape and are stacked in multiple layers for thereby forming a rectangular cubic structure.

[60] The fresh water panel 11 of the fresh panel unit 10 is preferably made of a stainless steel material which does not corrode even when contacting with water.

[61] A plurality of bolt holes are formed on the engaging surface 1 Ia of the fresh water panel 11, so that a plurality of bolts pass through the same. Here, the adhering portion

I Ib is extended as long as half of the total length of the neighboring fresh water panels

I 1 can be folded. There are adhered with each other using an adhesive (a) instead a welding method for protecting a coating later which is coated so as to prevent corrosion on the surfaces of the stainless steel.

[62] The fresh water panel 11 of the fresh water panel unit 10 is adhered to the adhering portion 1 Ib of the fresh water panel 11 using an adhesive (a) with the overlapped surfaces being fixed. The corner portion of the water tank 100, which meets with the fresh water panel 11 at a right angle, is fixed at the neighboring fresh water panel 11 using an adhesive (a) by bending the adhering portion 1 Ib at a right angle.

[63] A water sealing thin plate 12 having an excellent flexibility is adhered to a stacked surface 11' of the inner side, in which the fresh water panels 11 of the fresh water panel unit 10 are stacked on the upper and lower sides, using an adhesive (a), and the fresh water panel 11 is fixed at the upper and lower sides of the water sealing thin plate 12 using a bolt.

[64] An external panel unit 20 comprises an external panel 21. The external panel 21 includes an engaging surface 21a and a horizontal reinforcing member groove 21b

which are formed as the upper and lower sides and left and right sides of a rectangular metallic plate are bent and inserted between the engaging surfaces 11a formed at the fresh water panel 11 of the fresh water panel unit 10 and are engaged with a bolt and nut, a reinforcing member groove 21c having a center bent in a reverse channel shape and a reinforcing member 22 filled therein, and a plurality of bolt shafts which are welded at an outer side.

[65] The external panel 21 is made of a Zn-coated steel, so that it does not corrode even when being exposed in the air. An engaging surface 21a formed in a forward direction at an upper and lower side is engaged with an engaging surface 1 Ia of the fresh water panel 11 using a bolt. The engaging surface 21a is provided with a plurality of bolt holes formed for an engagement with the external panel 21 using a bolt and nut, with the fresh water panel 11 being engaged with the external panel 21.

[66] The horizontal reinforcing member groove 21b and the reinforcing member groove

21c formed at the external panel 21 may be installed with different intervals depending on the level and position of the lateral direction water pressure generated when water is filled in the interior of the water tank 100.

[67] The reinforcing member 22 is engaged at the reinforcing member groove 21c of the external panel unit 20 as the engaging protrusion 22a and the engaging groove 22b, which are vertically formed at the outer surfaces of the hollow hexagonal pole shaped reinforcing member 22, are engaged with each other.

[68] According to another embodiment of the present invention, in the reinforcing member 22, the engaging protrusion 22a and the engaging groove 22b are vertically formed at the outer surfaces of the hollow hexagonal pole shaped reinforcing member 22, and at least three engaging protrusions 22c are formed at the upper and lower ends and are inserted into a pair of engaging plates 22d, respectively, and are engaged with the outer surface of the fresh water panel 11 and the reinforcing member groove 21c of the external panel 21 by an adhesive method.

[69] The engaging plate 22d is made of a thin metallic plate with a plurality of holes (not shown) engaged with the engaging protrusion 22c being provided at regular intervals.

[70] The reinforcing member 22 is formed in a hollow honeycomb-shaped hexagonal structure. When water is filled in the interior of the same, it has a stably support force while resisting lateral direction water pressure. Each reinforcing member 22 is attached using an adhesive (a), and an adhesive (a) is applied on the surfaces contacting with the fresh water panel 11 and the external panel 21, so that they are stably adhered by an adhesive method.

[71] The reinforcing member 22 may be made of a metallic material. A molding method, which is implemented using a plastic material so as to decrease the weight of the body, may be used, so that a manufacturing cost may increase, and a mass production is

possible.

[72] In addition, according to another embodiment of the present invention, the reinforcing member 22 is manufactured in such a manner that a rectangular longitudinal metallic plate is bent at regular intervals for thereby forming trapezoid shape. A pair of the resultant structures are arranged and match with each other for thereby forming a hexagonal pole structure, and a resultant structure of the same is engaged at an outer surface of the fresh water panel 11 and the reinforcing member groove 21c of the external panel 21 based on an adhesive method.

[73] According to another embodiment of the present invention, the reinforcing member

22 is manufactured in such a manner that a plurality of longitudinal rectangular metallic plates are crossed with each other in vertical and horizontal directions and are adhered at an outer surface of the fresh water panel 11 and the reinforcing member groove 21c of the external panel 21, respectively, based on an adhesive method.

[74] In the reinforcing member 22, a cut-away groove (not shown) is formed at an upper side of the longitudinal rectangular metallic plate arranged in a horizontal direction and at a lower side of the longitudinal rectangular metallic plate arranged in a vertical direction, and each metallic plate is engaged at the upper and lower sides and is crossed with each other. They are fixedly engaged by a welding method for preventing the movements.

[75] The fresh water panel 11 and the external panel 21 engaged with the reinforcing member 22 are integrated when they are manufactured. They are assembled at a construction site using an adhesive (a) and a bolt and nut in which the water tank 100 is to be installed.

[76] The inner space of the reinforcing member 22 is filled with a filler 80.

[77] The filler 80 may be formed of polyurethane foam. So, the structure has an excellent strength which is able to effectively resist a lateral direction water pressure. In addition, the structure is provided with an excellent adiabatic and low temperature characteristic, so that an adiabatic effect can be obtained.

[78] The external panel 21 of the external panel unit 20 is engaged at the fresh water panel

11. At the portion formed at a right angle for thereby forming the water tank 100, the engaging surface 21a formed at the left and right sides of the external panel 21 is bent closer to the outer surface of the external panel 21 or is bent toward the fresh water panel 11 for thereby finishing the work. In another example, the engaging surface 21a is cut, and a finishing work can be completed.

[79] The bolt shaft 2 Id of the external panel unit 20 is provided with a right thread and a left thread and is arranged in the vertical and horizontal directions.

[80] When the bolt shaft 21d is used for a long time in the water tank 100, the bolt shaft

21d receives a lot of vibrations from a building, a ground surface, a facility, and the

like where the water tank 100 is to be installed. In this case, it is possible to prevent the elements engaged with the bolt shaft 2 Id from being loosened.

[81] In addition, the reinforcing unit 30 is fixed as the horizontal reinforcing member 31 is fixedly inserted into the horizontal reinforcing member groove 21b of the external panel unit 20, and the vertical reinforcing member 32 is vertically inserted between the engaging surfaces 11a and 21a at the corner portions of the external panel 21 at a right angle and is fixed at the horizontal reinforcing unit 30 and the external panel 21 using the angle shaped connection member 33 using the bolt.

[82] The reinforcing unit 30 is provided for preventing a barrel shape phenomenon which occurs as the fresh water panel 11 or the external panel 21 is expanded in a horizontal direction by means of a lateral direction water pressure when water is filled. The reinforcing unit 30 has a hollow interior and is made of a rectangular metallic steel material.

[83] The vertical reinforcing member 32 is engaged at the bolt shaft 21d of the external panel unit 20 and is fixed using a nut with a tool hole 32a having a larger diameter being formed at a front side, with a diameter of the bolt hole 32b being smaller for receiving the bolt shaft for thereby enhancing a vertical direction strength.

[84] The vertical reinforcing member 32 is fixed in such a manner that the bolt shat 21d passes through the bolt hole 32b, and the nut is engaged at the bolt shaft 21d using a box spanner in which a nut is inserted into the interior for a simple engagement work.

[85] The horizontal reinforcing member 31 may be fixed as the portions contacting at a right angle are welded. The horizontal reinforcing member 31 may be fixed at the external panel 21 using a bolt which passes through each horizontal reinforcing member 31 for thereby resisting a lateral direction water pressure.

[86] The ceiling panel unit 40 comprises a ceiling panel 41 having engaging surfaces 41a at four sides so that it is fixed at the engaging surface 1 Ia of the fresh water panel 11 positioned at the upper most portion, in which the external panel unit 20 is inserted, for thereby covering the upper side of the fresh water panel unit 10. The ceiling panel 41 comprises an arch shaped center portion and an entrance opening (not shown) formed for a repair or maintenance. The ceiling fresh water panel 42 is provided at a lower side of the ceiling panel 41 and covers the engaging surface 41a.

[87] The ceiling panel 41 is made of a steel material in an arch shape, so that it is longitudinally expandable when the fresh water panel 11 and the external panel 21 are slightly moved outwardly as a lateral direction water pressure is applied for thereby effectively resisting the lateral direction water pressure.

[88] The ceiling fresh water panel 42 is made of the same material as the fresh water panel 11. Polyurethane foam is filled in the space formed from the ceiling fresh water panel 42 as it is positioned at the lower side of the ceiling panel 41, and the ceiling

panel 41 is barreled. So, the strength is enhanced for resisting a lateral direction water pressure. A desired adiabatic operation can be achieved with the helps of adiabatic and lower temperature characteristics.

[89] The pole unit 50 is fixed at a lower center portion of the ceiling panel unit 40 using bolts and is formed in a plate shape and comprises a fixing plate 51 having an engaging protrusion 51a at a lower side. A fixing plate 51' is placed at the center of the bottom panel 70 which is connected with the engaging surface 1 Ia of the fresh water panel unit 10 positioned at the lower most portion for thereby forming a bottom, and a pole 52 having a rectangular plate (not shown) having the same size as the fixing plate 51' is fixed at the lower side. An engaging groove 52a is formed at the upper side of the pole 52 and is engaged with the engaging protrusion 51a of the fixing plate 51 for thereby supporting the ceiling panel unit 40.

[90] The size of the fixing plate 51 is determined depending on the size of the ceiling panel 41 and is attached to a center lower side using an adhesive (a) and is fixed using a bolt.

[91] The pole 52 is fixed at the bottom panel 70 with a larger support area using the fixing plate 51' which is positioned at the lower side of the pole 52. The fixing plate 51' is adhered using an adhesive (a) and is fixed to the lower end of the pole 52 using a bolt.

[92] An adhesive (a) is filled into the interior of the water sealing cap 60 which surrounds the bolt head being fixedly positioned at the inner side of the fresh water panel unit 11 and contacting with water for thereby enhancing a water sealing performance.

[93] The water sealing cap 60 filled with an adhesive (a) is engaged at the bolt used for fixing the water sealing thin plate 12 for enhancing a water sealing performance of the stacked surface 11' of the fresh water panel 11 and is engaged at the head of the bolt used for fixing the pole 52 at the ceiling panel 41 and the bottom panel 70.

[94] The water sealing cap 60 is made in a semispherical shape and is made of a rubber material having an adhering surface (not shown) at one end for thereby enhancing an adhering force. It may have different sizes depending on the size of the bolt.

[95] The operation of the present invention will be described.

[96] As shown in Figures 1 through 11, an adhesive primer (b), which is able to enhance an adhering force, is coated on the surfaces of the fresh water panel 11, the fixing plate 51, the pole 52 and the ceiling fresh water panel 42 of the water tank 100 which contact with water, and a fast solidifying polyurethane coating (c) is coated on the upper side of the adhering primer (b) with a thickness of 0.01~0.05mm for thereby preventing corrosion or physical degradation. Repair is easy, and a peeling and piece removal phenomenon are prevented.

[97] The adhering primer (b) is able to reform the surfaces for thereby enhancing a surface adhering force of a steel material such as a stainless steel, an ordinary steel, a

zinc (d; Zn) steel, an aluminum steel, etc. which are known to be weak to adherence and attachment.

[98] The polyurethane coating (c) is able to enhance an abrasion resistance, rust resistance, anticorrosion and chemical resistance of a metallic surface and has a chemical characteristic which well adheres with the adhering primer (b) and has an excellent insulation function for thereby preventing a corrosion phenomenon owing to an electric potential between metals having different physical properties.

[99] When a welding method is adapted, in which the adhering portion 1 Ib of the fresh water panel 11 is welded to the neighboring fresh water panel 11 using heat, the physical properties of the fresh water panel 11 may change by means of heat. So, when it contacts with water, corrosion may occur by chlorine ions contained in water. In order to prevent the above phenomenon, the adhesive (a) is adhered. In addition, as the above adhesive is used in the present invention, a stable support force can be obtained as well. So, it is possible to prevent corrosion without any physical change of the fresh water panel 11.

[100] The adhesive (a) is preferably made of urethane materials which do not contain components being harmful to a human body when the water tank of the present invention is used for storing drinkable water. When stainless steel is adhered, an adhering strength is 80kg/cm , and in case of zinc (d; Zn) steel, it is 150kg/cm . So, it is possible to enhance an adhering performance as well as an abrasion resistance, rust resistance and electric insulation function.

[101] The surfaces of the external panel 21, the horizontal reinforcing member 31 and the vertical reinforcing member 32 are coated with zinc (d; Zn) for thereby preventing corrosion owing to an electric potential which occurs when metals having different physical properties contact with each other. Fast solidifying polyurethane coating (c) is coated on the upper side of the zinc (d; Zn) coating with a thickness of 0.01~0.05mm for thereby preventing corrosion owing to contact with air.

[102] A urethane adhesive (a) is adhered on the surface in which the fresh water panel 11 and the inner surface of the horizontal reinforcing member groove 21b of the external panel 21 contact with each other and on the surface which contacts with the reinforcing member 22 inserted into the reinforcing member groove 21c of the external panel 21, so that it is supported along with a support force of 150kg/cm . So, the above adhering work is easier than the welding method, and the assembling process can be simplified.

[103] The horizontal reinforcing member groove 21b of the external panel 21 supports the horizontal reinforcing member 31. The vertical reinforcing member 32 is supported by the portion in which the external panel 21 meets at a right angle. So, it is possible to effectively resist lateral direction water pressure by supporting the lateral direction water pressure in the horizontal and vertical directions which occurs when water is filled in

the water tank 100.

[104] In the present invention, support members are not needed in the interior of the water tank 100 for resisting lateral direction water pressure for thereby obtaining more inner space. The cleaning work and maintenance of the water tank 100 are easy with the help of enlarged inner spaces.

[105] The reinforcing member 22 is engaged at the reinforcing member groove 21c of the external panel 21, so that lateral direction water pressure occurring owing to the weight of the water filled in the interior of the water tank can be effectively supported and distributed. So, it is possible to prevent the lateral direction water pressure from being focused at one position for thereby allowing the water tank 100 to be used for a longer time and preventing any damages of the water tank.

[106]

Industrial Applicability

[107] As described above, a fresh water panel directly contacting with water is fixed using an adhesive for thereby significantly enhancing a water sealing performance.

[108] In addition, a hexagonal reinforcing member formed in a honeycomb structure is engaged at the reinforcing member groove of the external panel. So, a support force with respect to water pressure applied in a lateral direction is enhanced when water is filled. The inner space of the fresh water panel unit is wider, and its structure is simple. So, cleaning work, repair and maintenance are easy. The cost of the reinforcing members used for supporting the inner structure decreases.

[109] The vertical reinforcing member is fixed at the bolt shaft fixed at the outer surface of the external panel, and the bolt shaft is provided with a right thread and a left thread, so that the related components are not loosened with respect to vibrations and movements for thereby enhancing a stable engagement of the components.

[110] The water sealing thin plate is fixed using an adhesive and a bolt at the stacking surface formed at the inner side contacting with water as the fresh water panel is stacked with the bolt being covered with a water sealing cover for thereby significantly enhancing a sealing performance.

[I l l] As the present invention may be embodied in several forms without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics thereof, it should also be understood that the above-described examples are not limited by any of the details of the foregoing description, unless otherwise specified, but rather should be construed broadly within its spirit and scope as defined in the appended claims, and therefore all changes and modifications that fall within the meets and bounds of the claims, or equivalences of such meets and bounds are therefore intended to be embraced by the appended claims.

[112]

Sequence Listing

[113] water tank, fresh water panel, reinforcing member, honeycomb, water sealing thin plate [114] [115] [116]