PIPE UNCLOGGING DEVICE

Description

PIPE UNCLOGGING DEVICE OBJECT OF THE INVENTION The invention, as stated in the present descriptive memorandum, refers to a pipe unblocking device that presents advantages and characteristics, which are described in detail below, that represent an improvement over the current state of the art. The object of the present invention is an electrical device that aims to provide a practical, convenient, and safe solution for clearing blockages in drain pipes. Its operation is essentially based on the application of suction and absence of suction at repetitive intervals, like a hammer, which are infused through a suction / pressure conduit with adaptable fixing means to seal the conduit to the drain opening in question in each case. It also includes a reservoir for collecting liquids and any object that may have caused the obstruction, as well as means to introduce water into the drain and facilitate the transmission of pressure on the blockage. FIELD OF APPLICATION OF THE INVENTION The field of application of the present invention falls within the sector of the industry dedicated to the manufacture of unblocking appliances and devices, particularly those intended for professional use, although it can also be used in the domestic sphere. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION There are several known systems for clearing blockages in drain pipes, especially in domestic settings such as sinks, showers, kitchen sinks, or air conditioning drains, which can be summarized as follows: - Mechanical methods: The suction cup attaches directly to the drain and, when pressed, generates pressure / suction, although it is only suitable for minor blockages and requires considerable effort from the user. The long cable, usually made of steel, is inserted through the drain to break up deep blockages, although it requires skill and is not always effective. It can also damage the pipe, for example, if it is made of plastic. Another solution is to dismantle the trap to clean the problem area directly, although not all users are capable of this task, and some drains are more complex than others. -Chemical methods: Application of specific products that dissolve organic matter, but which can be dangerous, and generally harmful to the environment. - Hydraulic methods: Apply hot water, preferably with some detergent, to try to dissolve grease and residue. Application of pressurized water, for example using a steam cleaner such as a Kárcher® or similar, to remove adhered deposits. However, none of them are an ideal solution, especially when the goal is, for example, to retrieve an object causing the blockage, since they are all designed to push the material or object causing the blockage. Furthermore, and with reference to the current state of the art, it should be noted that, at least as far as the applicant is concerned, there is no knowledge of any other device, nor of any other invention of similar application, that presents technical, structural and constitutive characteristics equal or similar to those of the one claimed herein. EXPLANATION OF THE INVENTION The pipe unblocking device proposed by the invention is configured as an optimal solution to achieve the objectives mentioned above while also representing an improvement over the current state of the art, with the characterizing details that make it possible and that distinguish it being conveniently included in the final claims that accompany this description. Specifically, what the invention proposes, as previously mentioned, is a device based on a type of liquid aspirator that is specially designed to generate, essentially, the application of suction and absence of suction or positive pressure in short and repetitive intervals, in the manner of a hammer, in order to allow the removal of blockages in drainage pipes of different diameters, preferably in diameters between 20 and 75 mm, allowing the collection of water and matter or, where appropriate, the object that causes the obstruction, with the possibility of being able to recover it if necessary. It should be noted that the device is primarily intended for professional use, although it can also be used domestically, in any case preferably attached directly to the drain opening located in the wall, under the sink or basin, once the siphon has been removed. To that end, and more specifically, the device of the invention basically comprises the following elements: - a main casing or body, inside which it incorporates: - a turbine or suction motor that generates an airflow or vacuum at adjustable intervals combined with intervals of no suction and, optionally, airflow in the opposite direction, for example through a valve, - a watertight accumulation tank, conveniently separated and isolated from the turbine, where the liquid and material with any solids carried by the turbine during the suction interval are collected, - a regulator of suction power and frequency of suction / non-suction intervals; - a suction conduit, preferably made of flexible plastic, which at one end connects to the body of the device and at the other end is attached to the drain, and - at least one nozzle or similar watertight and adaptable fixing element to seal the end of the suction conduit to the drain opening of the pipe with the blockage to be removed, to prevent pressure loss. Ideally, the device includes interchangeable nozzles of various sizes as a watertight and adaptable fixing element, allowing the selection of the nozzle best suited to the drain opening diameter in each case. However, in one embodiment, the device incorporates a nozzle configured as an adjustable gasket as a watertight and adaptable fixing element. The gasket's edge inflates and / or deforms to fill the entire diameter of the drain opening. Ideally, the accumulation tank includes a separator grid that acts as a filter to retain objects of a specific size, allowing the object causing the blockage to be recovered if necessary. In any case, for optimal pressure transmission to the blockage area, it is advisable to fill the clogged pipe with water. To this end, in a preferred embodiment of the invention, the device includes coupling means for introducing water into the pipe through the suction tube, once the watertight fixing nozzle is attached to the drain opening. More specifically, these means comprise a connector with a water inlet that attaches to the suction tube to introduce water, preferably via an additional hose, which can be connected to the faucet if the blockage is in a sink, basin, or similar fixture with this capability. Optionally, in the event that there is no tap or water supply available, for example in the case of the drain of an air conditioning unit, the device includes an integrated tank to be filled with water and have it available to introduce into the blocked pipe through the flexible tube connector. It should be noted that, if the blockage is not airtight (it slowly loses water), instead of just adding water, it might be a good idea to add a water gelling agent to prevent the contents of the blocked pipe from escaping through it. This agent can also be introduced, if necessary, through the aforementioned connector for introducing water. In that case, the gelling agent could be presented in cans similar to polyurethane foam cans, which would be injected into the device from the same point as the machine's water supply point. Finally, in a more complete embodiment of the invention, the device includes, attached to the end of the flexible tube, the incorporation of a small camera with light and communication module, in order to be able to see the inside of the pipe with the blockage through the screen of a mobile phone, or a tablet, computer or other electronic device suitable for this purpose. Preferably, the camera is inserted through a branch provided for this purpose at the distal end of the flexible suction tubing, positioned at a 45° angle and sealed with a cable gland. Optionally, the camera may be equipped with retractable forceps that extend from the rear of the camera tip into its field of view. These forceps can be used in pairs, for a total of four forceps. Therefore, the device that is the subject of the invention represents a solution that offers several advantages over currently known systems for unclogging pipes: - possibility of regulating the suction power, - Cleanliness, as it has a tank that collects the water and, if necessary, the object causing the blockage, with the possibility of retrieving it if needed; - Speed ​​compared to other systems - Effectiveness thanks to all its functions and accessories DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS To complement the description being made and in order to help a better understanding of the characteristics of the invention, a sheet of drawings is attached to this descriptive document as an integral part thereof, in which the following has been represented for illustrative and non-limiting purposes: Figure number 1 and only. - Shows a schematic sectional elevation view of a washbasin with an example of the pipe unclogging device, according to the invention, incorporated into the mouth of the drain pipe wall, once the siphon has been removed, showing the main parts and elements it comprises. PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION In view of the described figure 1, and in accordance with the numbering adopted therein, an example of a non-limiting embodiment of the pipe unblocking device of the invention can be observed, which comprises what is described in detail below. Thus, as can be seen in the figure, the device (1) of the invention, applicable for clearing blockages in pipes (T) of sinks (L), such as the one shown in figure 1, or other sanitary elements or appliances with a drain, and which may or may not be equipped with a tap (G) for water outlet, essentially comprises the following elements: - a casing (2), inside which it incorporates at least: - an electric turbine (3), with its corresponding plug (4) for connection to a mains socket and operating switch (5), which is configured, by means of an electronic board, to generate at least an air suction flow, or vacuum, at short and repetitive intervals combined with intervals of no suction, - a sealed liquid accumulation tank (6), where the liquid and matter with any solids carried by the turbine (3) in the suction is collected, and - a power and frequency regulating control (7), which allows the suction power of the turbine (3) to be regulated and the duration and frequency of the suction / non-suction intervals of the same; - a suction conduit (8) made of flexible material, preferably plastic, which at one proximal end is removably connected to the housing (2) of the device and at the distal end is inserted into the mouth (B) of the drain pipe (T) containing the blockage to be removed, normally the mouth (B) of the wall inlet (P), once the trap (S) has been removed; and - at least one airtight and adaptable fixing nozzle (9) which, incorporated in the distal end of the suction conduit (8), is configured to seal said end to the drain mouth (B). Optionally, the turbine (3) of the device is configured to generate, at short and repetitive intervals, an air suction flow or vacuum, combined with intervals of air flow in the opposite direction, i.e., positive pressure, for example, by including a solenoid valve. In one embodiment, the device (1) comprises several watertight fixing nozzles (9) that are removable and interchangeably attached to the distal end of the suction conduit (8), which have different sizes to fit different diameters of the drain mouth (B), preferably to fit diameters between 20mm and 75mm. And, as an alternative embodiment, the watertight fixing nozzle (9) that attaches to the distal end of the suction conduit (7) is configured in the form of an adjustable seal, for example, with an edge that swells and / or deforms, to occupy the entire diameter of the drain opening (B). Furthermore, preferably, the liquid accumulation tank (6) includes a grid (10) designed to retain objects of a specific size at the top of it that have been sucked out of the jam by the turbine (3), allowing them to be recovered when the tank is opened and emptied. In any case, in a preferred embodiment of the invention, the device (1) further comprises coupling means for introducing water into the pipe (T) through the suction conduit (8), once the nozzle (9) is coupled to the drain opening (B). Preferably, these means comprise a connector (11) incorporated in the suction duct (8) which has a water inlet (12). Preferably, said connector (11) has a small hose (13) connected to the water inlet (12) and suitable for assembly with the tap (G) of the sink or toilet in which the pipe (T) is stuck, in order to introduce water into it. And, optionally, the device comprises a refillable reservoir (14) to allow water to be added through the water inlet (12) of the connector (11), when there is no tap (G) available to assemble the hose (13). Finally, in one embodiment, the device (1) comprises the inclusion of a camera (15) with a light attached to the end of the suction duct (8), in order to be able to see inside the pipe (T) with the blockage. Preferably, for this purpose, the chamber (15), schematically represented in Figure 1, is inserted through a branch (16) provided at the distal end of the airtight suction duct (8). Optionally, the chamber (15) includes retractable clamps (17) to facilitate its attachment. Having sufficiently described the nature of the present invention, as well as the manner of putting it into practice, it is not considered necessary to make its explanation more extensive so that any expert in the field can understand its scope and the advantages that derive from it.

Claims

1. A pipe unblocking device characterized by comprising: - a housing (2), inside which are incorporated at least: - an electric turbine (3) configured, by means of an electronic board, to generate at least one air suction flow, or vacuum, at short and repetitive intervals combined with intervals of no suction, - a sealed liquid accumulation tank (6), where the liquid and material with any solids carried by the turbine (3) during suction is collected, and - a power and frequency regulator (7) for regulating the suction power of the turbine (3) and the duration and frequency of its suction / non-suction intervals; - a suction conduit (8) made of flexible material, which at one proximal end is removably connected to the housing (2) and at the distal end is inserted into the drain opening (B) of a pipe (T) with a blockage to be cleared, and - at least one nozzle (9) with a sealed and adaptable attachment,1. A pipe unblocking device, incorporated into the distal end of the suction conduit (8) and configured to seal said end to the mouth (B) of the drain pipe.

2. A pipe unblocking device, according to claim 1, characterized in that the turbine (3) is configured to generate, at short and repetitive intervals, a suction air flow or vacuum, combined with intervals of counter-air flow, or positive pressure.

3. A pipe unblocking device, according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that it comprises several watertight nozzles (9) that are removable and interchangeably attached to the distal end of the suction conduit (8), which are of different sizes to accommodate different diameters of the mouth (B) of the drain pipe.

4. A pipe unblocking device, according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the watertight nozzle (9) that is attached to the distal end of the suction conduit (7),It is configured as an adjustable gasket to occupy the entire diameter of the drain opening (B).

5. A pipe unblocking device according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the liquid accumulation tank (6) includes a grid (10) for retaining objects of a specific size that have been sucked out of the blockage by the turbine (3).

6. A pipe unblocking device according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises coupling means for introducing water into the pipe (T) through the suction conduit (8), once the nozzle (9) is attached to the drain opening (B).

7. A pipe unblocking device according to claim 6,characterized in that said means comprise a connector (11) incorporated into the suction conduit (8) having a water inlet (12) and a hose (13) connected to the water inlet (12) for assembly with a tap (G).

8. Pipe unblocking device, according to claim 6, characterized in that said means comprise a connector (11) incorporated into the suction conduit (8) having a water inlet (12) and a refillable reservoir (14) for introducing water through the water inlet (12).

9. Pipe unblocking device, according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a chamber (15) with a light attached to the end of the suction conduit (8).

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