Cleaning device for pipe

Abstract

A pipe cleaning device is provided that can be used in pipes having a round bottom surface as well as in pipes having various diameters. A base equipped with a plurality of wheels; a rotating brush provided on the front side of the base, wherein the rotation axis is located below the plurality of wheels; a motor that supplies power to the plurality of wheels and the rotating brush; an air pump provided on the rear side of the base; a suction port connected to the suction side of the air pump and located behind the rotating brush; and a collection container connected to the discharge side of the air pump;

Description

Technology Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a pipe cleaning device. Background Technology

[0002] Generally, water pipes, gas pipes, and oil pipelines used to transport various fluids undergo aging or corrosion after prolonged use. Additionally, foreign substances containing various fluids settle on the inner walls of the pipelines, forming scale. Since this sediment (scale) obstructs the flow of various fluids, the inside of the pipelines must be cleaned periodically.

[0003] Korean Published Patent No. 10-2013-0011279 discloses a robot for cleaning pipes.

[0004] The pipe cleaning robot disclosed in the same publication comprises a robot body (10), a driving unit (20) that supports the robot body (10) and moves the robot body (10), a high-pressure spray nozzle (30) provided at the front end of the robot body (10) and sprays water supplied from an external water tank at high pressure toward the front of the robot body (10), and a scraper (40) located below the high-pressure spray nozzle (30) at the front end of the robot body (10) that pushes sediment (2, 3) forward as the robot body (10) advances.

[0005] However, the aforementioned pipe cleaning robot has the problem that it cannot be used in pipes with rounded bottoms and can only be used in pipes with flat bottoms. In addition, there is a problem that it cannot travel stably if the diameter or height inside the pipe changes due to settled foreign matter. Prior art literature

[0006] (Patent Document 0001) KR 10-2013-0011279 A (Published Jan. 30, 2013) The problem to be solved

[0007] The problem that the present disclosure aims to solve is to provide a pipe cleaning device that can be used not only in pipes having a round bottom surface but also in pipes having various diameters. means of solving the problem

[0008] A pipe cleaning device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure comprises: a base having a plurality of wheels; a rotating brush provided on the front side of the base, wherein the rotation axis is located below the plurality of wheels; a motor that supplies power to the plurality of wheels and the rotating brush; an air pump provided on the rear side of the base; a suction port connected to the suction side of the air pump and located behind the rotating brush; and a collection container connected to the discharge side of the air pump.

[0009] In addition, the pipe cleaning device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may further include a support unit provided on the upper surface of a base and supporting the base by pushing out the inner wall of the pipe.

[0010] In addition, the support unit of the pipe cleaning device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may include a guide portion provided on the upper surface of a base, a lifting portion provided at one end of the guide portion and configured to change length in the vertical direction, and a wheel portion provided on the lifting portion.

[0011] In addition, the pipe cleaning device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is characterized by having an air filter provided on one side of the collection container.

[0012] In addition, the pipe cleaning device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may further include: a light sensor provided on the front side of the lower surface of a base to detect the inner wall of the pipe; and a control unit that drives a motor when the light sensor detects the inner wall of the pipe. Effects of the invention

[0013] In the pipe cleaning device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a rotating brush is positioned below a base and a plurality of wheels. Accordingly, the pipe cleaning device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure can be used in a pipe having a rounded bottom surface.

[0014] In addition, the pipe cleaning device according to the embodiment of the present disclosure is configured such that the support unit can extend in the vertical direction. Accordingly, the pipe cleaning device according to the embodiment of the present disclosure can be used in pipes having various diameters. Brief explanation of the drawing

[0015] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a pipe cleaning device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a pipe cleaning device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 3 shows a side view of a pipe cleaning device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure positioned on the inner wall of a pipe. FIG. 4 shows a front view of a pipe cleaning device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure positioned on the inner wall of a pipe. FIG. 5 is a rear perspective view of a pipe cleaning device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 6 is a block diagram of the configuration included in a pipe cleaning device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Specific details for implementing the invention

[0016] The advantages and features of the present disclosure and the methods for achieving them will become clear by referring to the embodiments described below in detail together with the accompanying drawings. However, the present disclosure is not limited to the embodiments disclosed below but may be implemented in various different forms. These embodiments are provided merely to make the present disclosure complete and to fully inform those skilled in the art of the scope of the invention, and the present disclosure is defined only by the scope of the claims. Throughout the specification, like reference numerals refer to like components.

[0018] A pipe cleaning device (100) according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes a base (110), a rotating brush (120), a motor (130), an air pump (140), a suction port (150), a collection container (160), and a support unit (170), as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.

[0019] The base (110) is in the shape of a plate having a predetermined width and is provided with a plurality of wheels (111) capable of rolling contact within the pipe. The plurality of wheels (111) are provided at the edges of the base (110) so that the base (110) does not tilt, and it is preferable to provide at least three or more.

[0020] A rotating brush (120) is provided on the front side of the base (110). The rotation axis (121) of the rotating brush (120) is positioned parallel to the width direction of the base (110) and is located below the plurality of wheels (111).

[0021] Referring to FIG. 3, which shows a side view of a pipe cleaning device (100) according to an embodiment of the present disclosure positioned on the inner wall of a pipe, the rotating brush (120) has a rotation axis (121) positioned below the base (110) in the width direction of the base (110) and is configured to be rotatable at the front and bottom of the base (110).

[0022] The motor (130) is provided on the base (110) and includes a first motor (131) and a second motor (132).

[0023] The first motor (131) supplies power to the rotating brush (120) to rotate the rotating brush (120).

[0024] The second motor (132) supplies power to a plurality of wheels (111) to drive the pipe cleaning device (100) according to the embodiment of the present disclosure forward or backward.

[0025] An air pump (140) is provided at the rear of the base (110) and functions to suck in and discharge air. As an example, a ring blower may be used as the air pump (140). A first connecting pipe (141) is connected to the suction side of the air pump (140), and a second connecting pipe (142) is connected to the discharge side of the air pump (140).

[0026] The suction port (150) is connected to the suction side of the air pump (140) and is located at the rear of the rotating brush (120). Specifically, the suction port (150) is connected to the first connecting pipe (141) and sucks up foreign matter cleaned by the rotating brush at the rear of the rotating brush (120).

[0027] The collection container (160) is connected to the discharge side of the air pump (140). That is, the collection container (160) is connected to the second connecting pipe (142), and foreign matter sucked in through the suction port (150) is stored therein. An air filter (161) is provided on one side of the collection container (160).

[0028] The support unit (170) is provided on the upper surface of the base (110) and includes a guide part (171), a lifting part (172), and a wheel part (173). Additionally, the support unit (170) may be provided on the upper surfaces of the front and rear sides in the longitudinal direction of the base (110), respectively, and is elastically supported against the inner wall of the pipe to function to support the base (110).

[0029] The guide portion (171) has a shape having a predetermined length. The guide portion (171) is provided on the upper surface of the base (110) and extends upward toward the base (110).

[0030] The lifting member (172) is provided at one end of the guide member (171) and is configured so that its length changes in the vertical direction. As an example, an elastic body may be provided inside the lifting member (172) so that its length changes in the vertical direction relative to the base (110).

[0031] The wheel section (173) is provided in the lifting section (172) and supports the base (110) by supporting the inner wall of the pipe.

[0033] Hereinafter, with reference to FIGS. 3 and FIGS. 4, a method of cleaning the inner wall of a pipe using a pipe cleaning device (100) according to an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described.

[0034] Referring to FIG. 4, a pipe cleaning device (100) according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is supported inside a pipe by a plurality of wheels (111) and a wheel part (173). The plurality of wheels (111) and the wheel part (173) are supported at three points on the inner wall of the pipe, so that the pipe cleaning device (100) according to an embodiment of the present disclosure can be stably supported inside the pipe.

[0035] In addition, when the pipe cleaning device (100) according to the embodiment of the present disclosure is supported inside the pipe, the lower part of the rotating brush (120) contacts the inner wall of the pipe so that the rotating brush (120) can clean foreign matter settled on the inner wall of the pipe.

[0036] In this specification, the description is carried out with one point of contact between the wheel part (173) and the inner wall of the pipe, but it is acceptable to carry out the description by adding wheel parts (173) so that there are two points of contact between the wheel part (173) and the inner wall of the pipe, that is, so that multiple wheels (111) and wheel parts (173) are supported at four points on the inner wall of the pipe.

[0037] Additionally, referring to FIG. 3, the pipe cleaning device (100) according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is stably supported on the inner wall of the pipe by a support unit (170) configured to change length in the vertical direction even if the diameter of the inner wall of the pipe is reduced due to foreign matter on the inner wall of the pipe.

[0038] Furthermore, the pipe cleaning device (100) according to the embodiment of the present disclosure can travel in one direction inside the pipe, and a rotating brush (120) that contacts the inner wall of the pipe removes foreign matter settled on the inner wall of the pipe. Subsequently, the foreign matter removed by the rotating brush (120) is sucked in through a suction port (150) located behind the rotating brush (120), and the sucked foreign matter is collected by an air pump (140) through a first connecting pipe (141) and a second connecting pipe (142) into a collection container (160).

[0040] Additionally, referring to FIG. 5, which is a rear perspective view of a pipe cleaning device (100) according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, and FIG. 6, which is a block diagram of a configuration included in a pipe cleaning device (100) according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the pipe cleaning device (100) according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may further include a light sensor (180) and a control unit (190).

[0041] The optical sensor (180) is provided on the lower surface of the base (110) and is located on the front side of the base (110). The optical sensor (180) functions to detect the inner wall of the pipe.

[0042] The control unit (190) functions to drive the motor (130) to operate the pipe cleaning device (100) according to the embodiment of the present disclosure when the optical sensor (180) detects the inner wall of the pipe. Conversely, when the optical sensor (180) does not detect the inner wall of the pipe, it functions to stop the motor (130) to stop the pipe cleaning device (100) according to the embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0043] That is, when the pipe cleaning device (100) according to the embodiment of the present disclosure travels inside the pipe and reaches the end of the pipe, and the front side of the pipe cleaning device (100) according to the embodiment of the present disclosure is detached from the pipe, the optical sensor (180) is unable to detect the inner wall of the pipe, and the control unit (190) prevents the pipe cleaning device (100) according to the embodiment of the present disclosure from detaching from the pipe by stopping the motor (130) to prevent the pipe cleaning device (100) according to the embodiment of the present disclosure from detaching from the pipe.

[0045] In the pipe cleaning device (100) according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the rotating brush (120) is positioned below the base (110) and a plurality of wheels (111). Accordingly, the pipe cleaning device (100) according to an embodiment of the present disclosure can be used in a pipe having a round bottom surface.

[0046] In addition, the pipe cleaning device (100) according to the embodiment of the present disclosure is configured such that the support unit (170) can change in length in the vertical direction. Accordingly, the pipe cleaning device (100) according to the embodiment of the present disclosure can be used in pipes having various diameters.

[0047] In addition, in the pipe cleaning device (100) according to the embodiment of the present disclosure, when it reaches the end of the pipe, the motor (130) is stopped by the optical sensor (180) and the control unit (190) to prevent detachment and falling from the pipe.

[0049] The expressions (terms, visualized images, etc.) used in describing the embodiments of the present disclosure are merely selected for instrumental purposes to enhance understanding of the technology.

[0050] Furthermore, due to circumstances, the present disclosure has been described by a limited number of embodiments, and a person skilled in the art will be able to come up with new embodiments based on the described embodiments without departing from the technical spirit of the present disclosure.

[0051] Accordingly, the claims of the present disclosure should not be limited by some expressions appearing in the ‘description of the invention’ and ‘drawings,’ but should be broadly interpreted based on the fundamental technical concept inherent throughout the specification. Explanation of the symbols

[0052] 100... pipe cleaning device 110... bass 111... wheel 120... rotary brush 121... axis of rotation 130... motor 131... 1st motor 132... 2nd motor 140... air pump 141... 1st connector 142... 2nd connector 150... intake port 160... collection bin 161... air filter 170... Support Unit 171... Guide section 172... Elevator section 173... Wheel section 180... optical sensor 190... control unit

Claims

Claim 1 A base having wheels capable of rolling contact within a pipe at the lower ends of both the front and rear sides in the longitudinal direction; a rotating brush provided at the front side of the base, the rotation axis of which is located below the wheel; a motor that supplies power to the wheel and the rotating brush; an air pump provided at the rear side of the base; a suction port connected to the suction side of the air pump and located behind the rotating brush; a collection container connected to the discharge side of the air pump; a support unit provided on the upper surface of the base and elastically supported on the inner wall of the pipe regardless of changes in the pipe diameter; a light sensor provided on the front side of the lower surface of the base to detect the inner wall of the pipe; and a control unit that drives the motor when the light sensor detects the inner wall of the pipe; wherein the support unit comprises a guide part provided at the center or both sides of the front and rear sides in the longitudinal direction of the base; and a lifting part provided at one end of the guide part, the length of which changes in the vertical direction by means of an elastic body installed inside. A pipe cleaning device characterized by including a wheel part provided in the lifting part and supported at three or four points on the inner wall of the pipe together with the wheel, and having an air filter provided on one side of the collection container. Claim 2 delete Claim 3 delete Claim 4 delete Claim 5 delete

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