Pipe cleaning device

Abstract

A pipe cleaning device (1), comprising a housing (10) and a drum assembly (20) accommodated in the housing (10). The drum assembly comprises: an inner drum (22), which is configured to be rotatable relative to the housing (10); a flexible shaft (23), which comprises a hollow sleeve (231) and an inner core (232) accommodated in the sleeve, the flexible shaft being coiled around the inner drum (22); and a motor (24), which is connected to and can rotate with the inner drum (22), and is connected to the inner core (232) of the flexible shaft and configured to drive the inner core to rotate. The device has a simple and compact structure, and a power source for driving the inner core of the flexible shaft is integrated in the pipe clearing device, so that the device does not need to be connected to an external power source when in use, thereby simplifying the operation process. The motor being configured to rotate with the inner drum effectively prevents entanglement of the wire of the motor during rotation.

Description

Pipeline dredging device

[0001] This application claims priority to Chinese patent application No. 202311239666.8, filed with the Patent Office of China on September 22, 2023, entitled “Pipeline Dredging Device.” The entire contents of that patent application are incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0002] The present disclosure relates to a pipeline tool, and in particular to a pipeline dredging device. Background Art

[0003] The contents in this section merely provide background information related to the present disclosure and may not constitute prior art.

[0004] A typical pipe cleaning device includes a flexible shaft having a hollow sleeve and an inner core housed in the sleeve that can rotate to clear the pipe. When not in use, the flexible shaft can be coiled on a drum in the housing of the pipe cleaning device. When in use, the coiled flexible shaft can be pulled out and inserted into the pipe to be cleared, and the inner core of the flexible shaft can be driven to rotate by a power source (such as an electric drill or a motor) to clear the pipe. Such pipe cleaning devices usually need to be connected to an external power source, which causes inconvenience in use. An improved pipe cleaning device fixes devices such as a motor and a battery to the housing of the pipe cleaning device, but this arrangement usually requires a complete redesign of the structure and arrangement of the housing and other components of the existing pipe cleaning device. In addition, since the flexible shaft drives the drum to rotate during the process of pulling out and retracting the flexible shaft, fixing the motor to the housing of the pipe cleaning device in a conventional manner can easily cause various linear structures (such as wires) to become entangled when the drum rotates.

[0005] Summary of the Invention

[0006] One object of the present disclosure is to provide a pipe dredging device that is easy to use and has an integrated power source. Another object of the present disclosure is to optimize the structure and layout of the pipe dredging device.

[0007] One aspect of the present disclosure provides a pipe clearing device comprising a housing and a drum assembly housed in the housing. The drum assembly comprises an inner drum, a flexible shaft, and a motor. The inner drum is configured to rotate relative to the housing. The flexible shaft comprises a hollow sleeve and an inner core housed within the sleeve, the flexible shaft being coiled around the inner drum. The motor is connected to the inner drum and is capable of rotating therewith, the motor being connected to the inner core of the flexible shaft and configured to drive the inner core to rotate.

[0008] In some embodiments, the drum assembly may further include a rotating disk connected to the inner drum to rotate together with the inner drum, at least a portion of the rotating disk being exposed through an opening provided on the housing.

[0009] In some embodiments, a motor may be disposed between the rotating disk and the inner drum.

[0010] In some embodiments, the drum assembly may further include an activation switch configured to control the turning on and off of the motor.

[0011] In some embodiments, the starting switch can be constructed as a foot-operated air pressure starting switch, which can include a foot air bag connected to the motor via a hose, thereby controlling the opening and closing of the motor by the change in air pressure caused by the user stepping on the foot air bag.

[0012] In some embodiments, the foot airbag may be connected to a rotatable pneumatic joint disposed on the rotating disk via a hose, and further coupled to the motor via the rotatable pneumatic joint.

[0013] In some embodiments, the rotatable pneumatic joint may be disposed at the center of rotation of the rotating disk.

[0014] In some embodiments, the drum assembly may further include a control switch configured to control the rotation speed and / or rotation direction of the motor, the control switch being disposed on the rotating disk.

[0015] In some embodiments, the control switch can be provided with a forward gear, an intermediate gear, and a reverse gear, and the control switch and the start switch are configured in linkage such that: when the control switch is in the forward gear or the reverse gear, the start switch can control the opening and closing of the motor; when the control switch is in the intermediate gear, the start switch cannot control the opening and closing of the motor.

[0016] In some embodiments, the inner drum and the rotating disk may be formed as a unitary structure.

[0017] In some embodiments, the drum assembly may further include a battery electrically connected to the motor, the battery being disposed on the rotating disk.

[0018] In some embodiments, the drum assembly may further include a battery holder disposed on the rotating disk, the battery holder configured to receive a battery.

[0019] In some embodiments, the battery holder and the rotating disk are formed as an integral structure.

[0020] In some embodiments, the drum assembly may further include an outer drum, the inner drum being disposed within the outer drum, and the flexible shaft being received between a side wall of the inner drum and a side wall of the outer drum.

[0021] The present disclosure integrates a motor that serves as a power source to drive the inner core of the flexible shaft into the pipe clearing device, and sets the motor to rotate together with the inner drum around which the flexible shaft is wound. The motor and the inner drum remain relatively stationary, thereby effectively preventing the motor wires from getting tangled when the inner drum rotates. The pipe clearing device according to the present disclosure is also preferably provided with a rotating disk connected to the inner drum so as to rotate together with the inner drum. A portion of the components arranged on the rotating disk can be exposed to the user through an opening provided on the housing, thereby facilitating user operation and maintenance. The rotating disk can also serve as a protective housing, and components that do not need to be directly operated, components that are easily damaged, or components that may pose a danger to the user are preferably arranged between the inner drum and the rotating disk. Thus, the present disclosure provides a compact and reasonable layout of pipe clearing device components. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0022] The following description of embodiments of the present disclosure is by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings, like features or components are denoted by like reference numerals, and the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale. In the drawings:

[0023] FIG1 shows a perspective view of a pipe clearing device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0024] FIG2 shows an exploded view of the pipeline dredging device in FIG1 ;

[0025] FIG3 shows a perspective view of the drum assembly of the pipe clearing device in FIG1 ;

[0026] FIG4 shows an exploded view of the drum assembly of FIG3 ;

[0027] FIG5 shows a top view of the drum assembly of FIG3; and

[0028] FIG. 6 shows a cross-sectional view of the drum assembly taken along line AA in FIG. 5 . DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0029] The following description is merely illustrative in nature and is not intended to limit the present disclosure, its applications, and uses. It should be understood that throughout the drawings, similar reference numerals indicate identical or similar parts and features. The drawings merely schematically illustrate the concepts and principles of the embodiments of the present disclosure and do not necessarily depict the specific dimensions and proportions of the various embodiments of the present disclosure. Certain portions in certain drawings may be exaggerated to illustrate relevant details or structures of the embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0030] In describing the embodiments of the present disclosure, the directional terms used in conjunction with "upper" and "lower" are described with reference to the upper and lower positions of the views shown in the accompanying drawings. In practical applications, the positional relationships of "upper" and "lower" used herein may be defined based on actual circumstances, and these relationships may be reversed. That is, in this application document, the use of the directional terms "upper" and "lower," etc., is merely for descriptive and definitional purposes and should not be construed as restrictive.

[0031] FIG1 shows a perspective view of a pipe cleaning device 1 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, and FIG2 shows an exploded view of the pipe cleaning device 1 in FIG1 . As shown in FIG1 and FIG2 , the pipe cleaning device 1 may include a housing 10 and a drum assembly 20 housed in the housing 10. The drum assembly 20 as a whole is rotatable relative to the housing 10. In this embodiment, the housing 10 is configured as a two-half housing, which includes a first half shell 11 and a second half shell 12, which are connected to each other by one or more locks 13 to form a chamber that at least partially encloses the drum assembly 20. As shown in FIG2 , the second half shell 12 is provided with an opening 121 approximately located at the center thereof, which exposes at least a portion of the drum assembly 20, thereby allowing a user to access the drum assembly 20 through the opening 121 for operation. In other embodiments, any other suitable form of housing may be used. The housing 10 may also include a handle 14 to facilitate the user in carrying the pipe cleaning device 1.

[0032] The structure and arrangement of the drum assembly 20 will be further described below with reference to Figures 3 to 6. Figure 3 shows a perspective view of the drum assembly 20, Figure 4 shows an exploded view of the drum assembly 20, Figure 5 shows a top view of the drum assembly 20, and Figure 6 shows a cross-sectional view of the drum assembly 20 taken along line AA in Figure 5.

[0033] As shown in Figures 3 to 6, the drum assembly 20 may include an outer drum 21 and an inner drum 22. The outer drum 21 includes a generally circular bottom wall 211 and a side wall 212 extending around the periphery of the bottom wall 211 and generally perpendicular to the bottom wall 211, so that the outer drum 21 is generally cylindrical. The inner drum 22 includes a generally circular bottom wall 221 and a side wall 222 extending around the periphery of the bottom wall 221 and generally perpendicular to the bottom wall 221, so that the inner drum 22 is generally cylindrical. The inner drum 22 is nested in the outer drum 21, and the side wall 222 of the inner drum 22 is spaced apart from the side wall 212 of the outer drum 21 in the radial direction. The outer drum 21 and the inner drum 22 are arranged to rotate integrally relative to the housing 10. As best shown in Figures 2 and 6, in this embodiment, a groove 213 for arranging a bearing 30 is provided on the bottom wall 211 of the outer drum 21, so that the bearing 30 can rotatably support the outer drum 21 and the inner drum 22 nested within the outer drum 21. In other embodiments, the outer drum 21 can be omitted, and the inner drum 22 can be directly supported in the housing 10. In addition, although the provision of the bearing 30 can effectively reduce the frictional resistance during the rotation of the outer drum 21 and the inner drum 22, it should be understood that the bearing 30 is not required and can be omitted in some embodiments or replaced with other mechanisms that can reduce frictional resistance.

[0034] The drum assembly 20 also includes a flexible shaft 23 for extending into a pipe to clear the pipe. As best shown in FIG6 , the sidewall 212 of the outer drum 21 and the sidewall 222 of the inner drum 22 are spaced apart in a radial direction, and the flexible shaft 23 is arranged around the sidewall 212 of the inner drum 22 and is received between the sidewall 212 of the outer drum 21 and the sidewall 222 of the inner drum 22. As best shown in FIG2 , the flexible shaft 23 includes a hollow sleeve 231 and an inner core 232 housed within the sleeve 231 and rotatable relative to the sleeve 231. As shown in FIG3 to FIG6 , the drum assembly 20 may also include a motor 24 for driving the inner core 232 of the flexible shaft 23 to rotate. The output shaft of the motor 24 may be connected to the inner core 232 of the flexible shaft 23, for example, via a speed reducer (not shown). In this embodiment, the motor 24 is connected to the inner drum 22 and can rotate with the inner drum 22. Rotating the motor 24 along with the inner drum 22 helps prevent entanglement of various linear structures, such as the flexible shaft 23 and electrical wires, connected to the motor 24. As shown in FIG4 , the inner core 232 of the flexible shaft 23 is connected to the motor 24 at a first end 233 thereof via a speed reducer (not shown). A second end 234 (i.e., a free end) of the flexible shaft 23, opposite the first end 233, can pass through an opening 223 in the sidewall 222 of the inner drum 22 and wind around the sidewall 222 of the inner drum 22. Referring back to FIG1 and FIG2 , the second end 234 of the flexible shaft 23 then passes through an opening 214 in the sidewall 212 of the outer drum 21, and a knocker 40 can be connected to the inner core 232 of the flexible shaft 23 at the second end 234. The knocker 40 can be inserted into the pipe to be cleared and rotates with the inner core 232 of the flexible shaft 23 to clear blockages within the pipe.

[0035] The drum assembly 20 may also include a rotating disk 25 that rotates integrally with the inner drum 22. In this embodiment, the rotating disk 25 is connected to the bottom wall 221 of the inner drum 22 and is preferably arranged concentrically with the inner drum 22. In the assembled state, at least a portion of the rotating disk 25 is exposed through an opening 121 in the housing 10. The rotating disk 25 is used to mount some additional components of the drum assembly 20 and allows the user to easily access and operate these additional components through the opening 121 in the housing 10. Furthermore, the rotating disk 25 itself can also function as a protective housing, protecting components located between the rotating disk 25 and the inner drum 22. Specifically, components that require frequent user operation or maintenance, such as the motor 24 switch and battery, can be located on the rotating disk 25. Components that do not require direct operation, are easily damaged, or may pose a danger to the user, such as the motor 24, are preferably located between the inner drum 22 and the rotating disk 25. Other suitable component layouts may be employed in other embodiments of the present disclosure. For example, the motor 24 may also be located on the rotating disk 25. For another example, the rotating disk 25 can be formed as an integral structure with the inner drum 22. For another example, the rotating disk 25 can be omitted, and all components mounted on the rotating disk 25 can be directly mounted on the inner drum 22 instead.

[0036] As shown in Figures 3 to 6, in this embodiment, the rotating disk 25 is provided with a battery 26 electrically connected to the motor 24 to power the motor 24, and a battery holder 27 configured to receive the battery 26. The battery 26 is preferably a rechargeable battery. The battery holder 27 can also be formed as an integral structure with the rotating disk 25. The rotating disk 25 can also be provided with a start switch 28 and a control switch 29 for the motor 24. The start switch 28 can be configured to control the motor 24 on and off, and the control switch 29 can be configured to control the rotation speed and / or rotation direction (forward or reverse) of the motor 24. The start switch 28 and the control switch 29 can be configured to have a linked relationship. For example, the control switch 29 can be configured to control the rotation direction of the motor 24 in three gears: forward, intermediate (i.e., neutral), and reverse. Only when the control switch 29 is in the forward or reverse gear can the motor 24 be turned on or off by turning the start switch 28 on or off. When the control switch 29 is in the middle gear, the start switch 28 cannot control the opening and closing of the motor 24. This switch linkage configuration can prevent the user from accidentally touching the switch to start the motor.

[0037] In this embodiment, the start switch 28 is configured as a foot-operated pneumatic pressure-activated switch. The foot-operated pneumatic pressure-activated switch may include a foot airbag 281, which is connected to the motor 24 via a hose 282. The air pressure change caused by the user stepping on the foot airbag 281 controls the opening and closing of the motor 24. Preferably, the foot airbag 281 is connected to a rotatable pneumatic joint 283 disposed on the rotating disk 25 via a hose 282, and is further connected to the motor 24 via the rotatable pneumatic joint 283. During use, the foot airbag 281 can be removed and placed at the user's feet. When the user steps on the foot airbag 281, compressed air is delivered to the motor 24 through the hose 282 and the rotatable pneumatic joint 283, causing the motor 24 to switch its on / off state. The rotatable pneumatic joint 283 can allow the hose 282 to rotate around the rotatable pneumatic joint 283 while ensuring the airtightness of the hose connection, thereby preventing the hose 282 from being entangled due to the rotation of the inner drum 22 and the rotating disk 25 to a certain extent. In particular, the rotatable pneumatic joint 283 is preferably arranged at the rotation center of the rotating disk 25, thereby further preventing the hose 282 from being entangled. The principle and basic structure of this type of rotatable pneumatic joint are well known in the art and will not be described in detail herein. For example, a pneumatic high-speed rotary joint model KSH06-02S produced by SMC can be used. In other embodiments, any other suitable joint can be used to replace the rotatable pneumatic joint 283, for example, a quick joint can be used. When performing a pipe clearing operation, the user usually needs to hold the flexible shaft 23 with both hands or one hand. Therefore, providing a foot-operated start switch to control the opening and closing of the motor 24 can free the user's hands and facilitate the user's operation. However, it should be understood that in other embodiments, any other suitable type of start switch 28 may be provided. In addition, the start switch 28 and the control switch 29 may be integrated into a single switch.

[0038] The pipe cleaning device 1 of the present disclosure integrates the power source for driving the inner core 232 of the flexible shaft 23 and its accessories (e.g., the motor 24 and its battery, switch, etc.) within the pipe cleaning device 1 through a simple and compact structure. Therefore, the user no longer needs to connect an external power source when performing pipe cleaning operations, simplifying the operation process. By configuring the motor 24 and its accessories, such as the battery, switch, and wires, to rotate with the inner drum 22, the motor 24 and its accessories remain relatively stationary with the inner drum 22, effectively preventing linear structures such as the wires connected to the motor 24 from becoming entangled during rotation. Furthermore, in the present disclosure, components that require frequent user operation or maintenance (e.g., the switch and battery of the motor 24) are preferably positioned on the rotating disk 25 and exposed through the opening 121 of the housing 10. Components that do not require direct operation, are easily damaged, or may pose a danger to the user (e.g., the motor 24) are positioned between the inner drum 22 and the rotating disk 25. This improves the reliability, safety, and maintainability of the pipe cleaning device 1.

[0039] The design of arranging the built-in power source on the inner drum and / or the rotating disk connected to the inner drum in the present disclosure can be directly applied to existing conventional pipe cleaning devices without the need to redesign the shell, outer drum, inner drum and other components of the conventional pipe cleaning device, so the production cost is relatively low.

[0040] Here, exemplary embodiments of the pipe clearing device according to the present disclosure have been described in detail, but it should be understood that the present disclosure is not limited to the specific embodiments described and illustrated in detail above. Without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure, those skilled in the art will be able to make various modifications and variations to the present disclosure. All such modifications and variations fall within the scope of the present disclosure. Moreover, all components described herein may be replaced by other technically equivalent components.

Claims

1. A pipeline dredging device (1), comprising a housing (10) and a drum assembly (20) accommodated in the housing, It is characterized in that The drum assembly comprises: an inner drum (22) configured to rotate relative to the housing; a flexible shaft (23), comprising a hollow sleeve (231) and an inner core (232) accommodated in the sleeve, the flexible shaft being wound around the inner drum (22); and A motor (24) is connected to the inner drum (22) and is rotatable with the inner drum, and is connected to the inner core (232) of the flexible shaft and is configured to drive the inner core to rotate.

2. The pipeline dredging device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that: The drum assembly (20) further includes a rotating disk (25) connected to the inner drum to rotate together with the inner drum, and at least a portion of the rotating disk is exposed through an opening (121) provided on the housing (10).

3. The pipeline dredging device (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that: The motor (24) is arranged between the rotating disk (25) and the inner drum (22).

4. The pipeline dredging device (1) according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that: The drum assembly (20) also includes an activation switch (28) configured to control the turning on and off of the motor (24).

5. The pipeline dredging device (1) according to claim 4, characterized in that: The start switch (28) is configured as a foot-operated air pressure start switch, comprising a foot air bag (281) connected to the motor (24) via a hose (282), thereby controlling the motor to be turned on and off by a change in air pressure caused by a user stepping on the foot air bag.

6. The pipeline dredging device (1) according to claim 5, characterized in that: The pedal airbag (281) is connected to a rotatable pneumatic joint (283) arranged on the rotating disk via the hose (282), and is further connected to the motor via the rotatable pneumatic joint.

7. The pipeline dredging device (1) according to claim 6, characterized in that: The rotatable pneumatic joint (283) is arranged at the rotation center of the rotating disk (25).

8. The pipeline dredging device (1) according to claim 4, characterized in that: The drum assembly (20) further comprises a control switch (29) configured to control the rotation speed and / or rotation direction of the motor (24), wherein the control switch is arranged on the rotating disk (25).

9. The pipeline dredging device (1) according to claim 8, characterized in that: The control switch (29) is provided with a forward gear position, an intermediate gear position and a reverse gear position. The control switch (29) and the start switch (28) are configured in linkage such that: when the control switch (29) is in the forward gear position or the reverse gear position, the start switch (28) can control the opening and closing of the motor (24); when the control switch (29) is in the intermediate gear position, the start switch cannot control the opening and closing of the motor (24).

10. The pipeline clearing device (1) according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that: The inner drum (22) and the rotating disk (25) are formed into an integrated structure.

11. The pipeline clearing device (1) according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that: The drum assembly further comprises a battery (26) electrically connected to the motor, the battery being arranged on the rotating disc (25).

12. The pipeline dredging device (1) according to claim 11, characterized in that: The drum assembly further comprises a battery holder (27) disposed on the rotating disk (25), the battery holder being configured to receive the battery (26).

13. The pipeline clearing device (1) according to claim 12, characterized in that: The battery seat (27) and the rotating disk (25) form an integrated structure.

14. The pipeline clearing device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that: The drum assembly (20) further comprises an outer drum (21), the inner drum being arranged inside the outer drum, and the flexible shaft (23) being received between a side wall (222) of the inner drum (22) and a side wall (212) of the outer drum (21).

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