Adjustable Hand-Held Drain Cleaner Cartridge Housing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing portable drain cleaning devices are ineffective for clearing clogs in hard-to-reach condensate drains due to their size, accessibility issues, and the limitations of prior art arrangements, particularly with the recent ban on Freon-based systems, leading to inconvenient and unsafe use of large pressurized gas tanks.
Innovation Solution
A compact, lightweight, and adjustable hand-held drain cleaning apparatus with a control housing, release valve, and a detachable cartridge housing that accommodates varying sized CO2 cartridges, allowing for adjustable pressure and easy maneuverability, including a flexible hose for targeted cleaning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If large pressurized gas tanks are used to clear clogs in condensate drains, then the cleaning effectiveness is improved, but the device becomes heavy and difficult to maneuver in confined areas
Solution Approach 1:
The device is divided into a lightweight handheld control unit and a separate, replaceable cartridge housing containing the compressed gas cartridge. This segmentation allows the main body to remain light and maneuverable while the gas supply is contained in a detachable unit that can be easily replaced when depleted.
Solution Approach 2:
The heavy pressurized gas tank is extracted from the main device body and placed in a separate cartridge housing that can be detached and replaced. This allows the control unit to remain lightweight and portable while still providing access to pressurized gas when needed through the interchangeable cartridge system.
2Device complexity
If fixed-size cartridge housings are used, then the device structure is simplified, but the adaptability to different cartridge sizes is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The cartridge housing is designed with adjustable characteristics, allowing it to adapt to different cartridge sizes. The housing can be modified or reconfigured to accommodate various cartridge dimensions, providing versatility without requiring multiple specialized housings for each cartridge type.
Solution Approach 2:
The cartridge housing is designed as a universal component that can accommodate multiple types and sizes of compressed gas cartridges. This multi-functional design allows a single housing design to serve multiple purposes with different cartridge configurations, reducing the need for multiple specialized housings.
3Ease of manufacture
If the cartridge housing volume is fixed, then the manufacturing process is simplified, but the ability to accommodate varying cartridge sizes is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The cartridge housing incorporates adjustable features that allow the internal volume to be modified based on the specific cartridge being used. This dynamic adjustment capability enables the housing to adapt to different cartridge sizes while maintaining a relatively simple base manufacturing process.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The apparatus effectively clears clogs in hard-to-reach drains with adjustable pressure and versatility, ensuring efficient and safe operation, while being cost-effective and environmentally friendly.
Implementation Method 1
an interior chamber adapted to receive a selected compressed gas cartridge
Data Source
AI summary
A hand-held drain cleaning apparatus which includes a control housing comprising an inlet end and an outlet end, and a cartridge housing having a length. The cartridge housing is releasably attached to the control housing, and the length can be manually adjusted based upon a size of a selected compressed gas cartridge disposed therein.