Self-cleaning drain pipe

Abstract

A self-cleaning drain pipe (100), wherein the self-cleaning drain pipe (100) has at least one channel (101) within which a movable cleaning device (102) is arranged. Characterized in that the at least one channel (101) extends helically within the drain pipe (100) in the pipe wall (104).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a self-cleaning drain pipe.

[0002] In heavily used restrooms, such as public restrooms or school restrooms, the number of blockages due to improper use is increasing. Improper use involves the disposal of fibrous materials down the toilet, such as long hair, tampons, sanitary pads, wipes, and tissues that don't break down in water. Clearing the blockage is not only extremely unpleasant but also expensive. Unused toilets lead to increased use of the remaining toilets.

[0003] It would be beneficial if blockages did not form so quickly and easily.

[0004] Chinese utility model CN ​​2 040 011 02 U discloses a device for cleaning a toilet drain pipe, in which a blade is pulled through the drain pipe by a chain hoist. The chain hoist with the adjustable blades is shown in an axial direction along the curve of the drain pipe located behind and below the toilet. The chain hoist is located in a hoist mounted outside the pipe. This arrangement is not suitable for pipes with sharp bends, such as those found in siphons. The axial cutting direction only inadequately clears a blockage.

[0005] The object of the invention is therefore to provide a self-cleaning drain pipe which functions in the area of ​​a siphon and can solve blockages better than the prior art.

[0006] The object of the invention is achieved by a self-cleaning drain pipe having the features of claim 1. Further advantageous embodiments are specified in the subclaims to claim 1.

[0007] According to the concept of the invention, the self-cleaning drainpipe has at least one helical groove in the pipe wall, within which a movable cleaning device is arranged. The movable cleaning device is located within the groove in the pipe wall and thus, when the drainpipe itself is in use, offers little or no anchor point for clogging elements such as fibers, hair, foil, sanitary pads, or non-decomposing toilet paper.

[0008] In a configuration of the self-cleaning drainpipe according to the invention, the movable cleaning device can consist of a chain or steel cable that is guided outward through a pipe opening. The chain or steel cable can be pulled back and forth through the pipe opening, so that the chain or steel cable acts like a pre-assembled cleaning spiral.

[0009] In a further embodiment of the self-cleaning drain pipe according to the invention, the movable cleaning device can be provided with at least one blade for cutting through fibrous blockages. Along with blockages caused by hardened grease and / or cat litter, fibrous blockages are the most common cause of stubborn pipe blockages. The blade separates the fibers during its back-and-forth movement, thus clearing the blockage.

[0010] In order to prevent the blade from serving as an anchor point for new blockages during normal use of the drain pipe, the blade can be designed to be self-aligning, whereby the blade is aligned when the movable cleaning device is actuated and automatically aligned again when the movable cleaning device is in the idle state after it has been moved.

[0011] In a particular embodiment of the self-cleaning drain pipe according to the invention, it is provided that the movable cleaning device is a chain which has at least one knife which clings to the chain by means of a spiral or leaf spring on the connecting elements of individual chain links, wherein the chain is guided within the helical pull, and wherein the at least one knife has a cam which points towards the pipe wall, wherein when the chain is pulled, when the chain moves in the helical pull, the cam remains on the pipe wall and sets up the at least one knife via an articulated connection of the at least one knife to the chain.

[0012] For one-handed operation, the movable cleaning device can be provided with a return moment via an elastic return device, such as a spiral spring.

[0013] For particularly intensive drainage, the movable cleaning device can be guided outward at two points through a hole in the pipe wall, with the movable cleaning device exiting the self-cleaning drainpipe on both sides. The cleaning device can be pulled through the two holes with a long amplitude, i.e., a long travel path, through the drainpipe.

[0014] In a very special embodiment of the self-cleaning drainpipe according to the invention, it can also be provided that the movable cleaning device can be actuated via a trigger device in a downpipe. The trigger device uses the fall height of the water or waste passing through to move the cleaning device. The trigger device triggers the cleaning device during each flushing process.

[0015] However, the movable cleaning device can also be operated manually or by a motor. Motorized operation allows for remote electrical activation.

[0016] The invention is explained in more detail with reference to the following figures. They show: Fig. 1 a drain pipe according to the invention in a first embodiment in a side view, Fig. 2 a cleaning device in the form of a chain with folding blades, Fig. 3 the drain pipe Fig. 1 in a view into the pipe, Fig. 4 a sketch to illustrate the position of the chain from Fig. 2 in one go in the pipe wall, with at least one knife folded in, Fig. 5 a sketch to illustrate the position of the chain from Fig. 2 in one move in the pipe wall, whereby at least one knife is folded out to the right by the move, Fig. 6 a sketch of a drainpipe with a downpipe 300 and a part of the entire drainpipe consisting of the self-cleaning drainpipe, Fig. 7 a sketch to illustrate a self-timer device.

[0017] In Fig. 1 shows a side view of a drain pipe 100 according to the invention in a first embodiment. According to the invention, the drain pipe 100 in this embodiment has at least one helical groove 101 in the pipe wall 104. Located in the helical groove 101 is a cleaning device 102 in the form of a chain 103, depicted in Fig. 2.

[0018] In Fig. 2 shows a cleaning device 102 in the form of a chain 103. The chain 103 has at least one blade 110 as a pop-up blade. When pulled upward, the at least one blade 110 pops up. On the other hand, when pulled downward, the at least one blade 110 opens, cutting through fibrous blockages such as hair, fibers, tampon threads, sanitary pads, tissues, dental floss, and foil. While these latter items don't belong in the drain, they unfortunately often end up there.

[0019] In Fig. 3 is the drain pipe made of Fig. 1 is shown in perspective, looking into the drain pipe. This perspective reveals the helical structure of the helical groove 101 in the pipe wall 104.

[0020] In Fig. 4 is a sketch to illustrate the position of the chain from Fig. 2 is shown in a pulley 101 in the pipe wall 104, with the blade 110 folded in when stationary or during a movement to the left. The blade 110 has a cam 122 that rests against the pipe wall 104. The chain 103 is trapped in the pulley by a dovetail-like shape of the pulley 101. The cam 122 thus presses against the partially elastic and then plastic outer wall 104 of the drainpipe.

[0021] In Fig. 5 is the sketch from Fig. 4 is modified so that the chain 103 is now pulled to the right in the pull 101. When pulled to the right, the cam 122 holds the at least one knife 110, and the articulated connection of the at least one knife 110 in the area of ​​the spiral / leaf spring 121 causes the at least one knife 110 to be raised. When pulled, the at least one knife 110, which is positioned inward, cuts through fibers and blockages located in the pipe.

[0022] In Fig. Figure 6 shows a sketch of a drainpipe with a downpipe 300 and a portion of the entire drainpipe consisting of the self-cleaning drainpipe 100. Water and debris fall through the downpipe 300 and then flow through the self-cleaning drainpipe 100. The movable cleaning device 102 in the form of a chain 103 or a steel cable can be moved via a hand pull 140. For this purpose, the movable cleaning device 102 passes through a pipe opening 111 through the drainpipe. When the hand pull 140 is pulled, the chain 103 or a steel cable is moved in the pull of the drainpipe 100. In this case, at least one blade 110 is raised, as previously explained. A retrieval device 125 ensures that the movable cleaning device 102 is retracted.It is also possible to guide the movable cleaning device through the pipe openings 111 and to pull alternately on one or the other end of the movable cleaning device 102.

[0023] In Fig. Figure 7 shows a sketch illustrating a self-triggering device. Instead of moving the movable cleaning device 102 with a hand pull 140, a triggering device 130 is provided here in the downpipe 300. The falling water and debris in the downpipe 300 are heavy and fall at a high speed. The kinetic energy is absorbed by the triggering device 130, and the triggering device actuates the movable cleaning device against the pull of a retraction device 125. This type of self-cleaning drainpipe is suitable for use, for example, in school toilets, which tend to clog due to improper use. LIST OF REFERENCE SYMBOLS 100 drainpipe 101 train 102 Cleaning device 103 Chain 104 Pipe wall 110 knives 111 Pipe breakthrough 120 chain links 121 Spiral / leaf spring 122 cams 125 return device 130 release device 140 hand pull 200 drainpipe 201 train 204 Pipe wall 300 downpipe

Claims

[1] Self-cleaning drain pipe (100), wherein the self-cleaning drain pipe (100) has at least one channel (101) within which a movable cleaning device (102) is arranged. characterized by that the at least one pull (101) runs helically within the drain pipe (100) in the pipe wall (104). [2] Self-cleaning drain pipe (100) according to claim 1, characterized by that the movable cleaning device (102) consists of a chain (103) or a steel cable which is led outwards through a pipe opening (111). [3] Self-cleaning drain pipe (100) according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized by that the movable cleaning device (102) has at least one knife (110) for cutting through fibrous blockages. [4] Self-cleaning drain pipe (100) according to claim 3, characterized bythat the at least one knife (110) is self-erecting, wherein the knife (110) is erected when the movable cleaning device (102) is actuated and automatically re-erects itself in the rest state after movement of the movable cleaning device (102). [5] Self-cleaning drain pipe (100) according to claims 2 and 3, characterized by , that the movable cleaning device (102) is a chain (103) which has at least one knife (110) on the connecting elements of individual chain links (120) which clings to the chain (103) by means of a spiral or leaf spring (121), wherein the chain (103) is guided within the helical train (101), and wherein the at least one blade (110) has a cam (122) pointing towards the pipe wall (104), wherein when pulling on the chain (103), when the chain (103) moves in the helical pull (101), the cam (122) remains on the pipe wall (104) and raises the at least one knife (110) via an articulated connection of the at least one knife (110) to the chain (103). [6] Self-cleaning drain pipe (100) according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized by that the movable cleaning device (102) has a restoring moment via an elastic return device (125), such as a spiral spring. [7] Self-cleaning drain pipe (100) according to one of claims 1 to 5, dependent on claim 2, characterized by that the movable cleaning device (102) is guided outwards at two points via a pipe opening (111) in the pipe wall (104), wherein the movable cleaning device (102) emerges from the self-cleaning drain pipe (100) on both sides. [8] Self-cleaning drain pipe (100) according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized by that the movable cleaning device (102) can be actuated via a trigger device (130) in a downpipe (300). [9] Self-cleaning drain pipe (100) according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized by that the movable cleaning device (102) can be actuated via a hand pull (140). [10] Self-cleaning drain pipe (100) according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized by that the movable cleaning device (102) can be actuated by a motor.

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