Automated Drain-Cleaning Device with Programmable Microchip Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing air freshener and unblocking systems for sinks and wash basins are manual, dependent on water flow, and suffer from inconsistent performance due to wear of cartridges, leading to inefficient air freshening and unblocking.
Innovation Solution
An automated device with a receptacle containing an air freshener discharge pump, compressor, and unblocker dispenser, controlled by a programmable microchip, which delivers a consistent dose of air freshener and unblocker independently of water flow, using a nebuliser to direct the air freshener mixture upwards and the unblocker downwards through the plumbing trap.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual cartridges with solid products are used in water flow-dependent systems, then the device structure is simple, but the air freshening and unblocking performance becomes inconsistent due to cartridge wear and water flow variability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical water-flow-dependent cartridge system with an automated pump system controlled by a microchip. The pump delivers precise doses of air freshener and unblocker independently of water flow, ensuring consistent performance. The microchip controls the timing and dosage, substituting the passive mechanical dissolution mechanism with an active controlled delivery system.
Solution Approach 2:
The device incorporates automatic dosing capabilities where the microchip and pump system automatically deliver the required amounts of air freshener and unblocker without user intervention. The system self-regulates the dosage and timing, eliminating the need for manual cartridge replacement and ensuring consistent performance throughout the product lifecycle.
2Productivity
If automated pumps and microchip control are implemented, then consistent dosing is achieved independent of water flow, but the device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs electronic control systems (microchip) and automated pumps to replace manual dosing mechanisms. This substitution enables precise, consistent dosing controlled by electronic timers and sensors, ensuring that the same amount of air freshener and unblocker is delivered each time regardless of water flow conditions or product wear.
Solution Approach 2:
The system allows for programmable dosing parameters through the microchip, enabling adjustment of dosage amounts, timing intervals, and operational modes. This flexibility optimizes product performance while maintaining manufacturing efficiency through standardized electronic control components that can be programmed for different applications.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the air freshener is discharged through the plumbing trap tube to the sink exit, then odor control effectiveness is improved, but product wastage increases due to dispersion
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a pump system that delivers air freshener in advance and in controlled doses before odors can develop. The microchip controls the timing to release freshener proactively rather than reactively, reducing the need for excessive product usage and minimizing wastage while maintaining effective odor control.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs precise dosing control through the pump and microchip to deliver the minimum effective amount of air freshener. By controlling dosage parameters and timing, the system optimizes product utilization efficiency, ensuring adequate odor control without excessive product dispersion and wastage.
4Reliability
If the unblocker is discharged as liquid or gel through the pump, then the unblocking action on siphon and pipe is enhanced, but the device complexity increases compared to simple gravity-based systems
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces simple gravity-based unblocker delivery with an automated pump system controlled by a microchip. This substitution enables precise control over unblocker dosage and timing, ensuring the product is delivered directly to the siphon and pipe areas that need treatment, thereby enhancing unblocking effectiveness while maintaining manageable device complexity through standardized electronic components.
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
Provides a constant and efficient air freshening and unblocking solution, minimizing product wastage and user intervention, with programmable options for dosage and operation, ensuring effective odor control and pipe maintenance without relying on water flow.
Implementation Method 1
a compressor (12), which pushes pressurised air into the same air freshener nebuliser (19)
Implementation Method 2
causing the air to mix with the air freshener product, and which expels it towards the water pipe
Implementation Method 3
so that this unblocker product slides along the lower walls of the pipe towards the siphon
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
AI summary
Automated unblocking device for plumbing trap for sinks, wash basins or similar, arranged in an installation with a plumbing trap (1), a pipe (2), a siphon (3), a connecting piece (4), connected to a valve (5) of the basin (6), which is located between the valve (5) of the basin (6) and the siphon (3) and comprises a receptacle (7) consisting of a compartment of products (8), a discharge medium compartment (9) and an electronic compartment (10) for control and command, where the mediums for the air freshener functions are housed, including an air freshener discharge pump (11), an air freshener compressor (12) and a nebuliser (19), as well as an unblocking compartment, comprising a unblocker discharge pump (13), an unblocking tank (82) with a nozzle (23) for expelling the unblocker to the water supply pipe (2).