Clearing rod

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional plungers are inadequate for creating a vacuum in toilet drains, leading to inefficient unclogging, potential splashing, and the risk of not removing bulky or dense obstructions. Additionally, plungers often become soiled and can spread contaminated water during use.

Innovation Solution

A device comprising a rod with an assembly near its tip end, featuring an expander member that transitions between an expanded state to create pressure and a compacted state for easy navigation through tubular passageways, aiding in the dislodgment of obstructions from toilet drains.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a conventional plunger is used to create vacuum in toilet drain, then the unclogging action is performed, but the vacuum creation is inadequate and pumping action is required

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevacuum creation capabilityVSAvoidunclogging efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the sealing function from the plunger body by using a separate balloon that can be inflated to create the seal. This allows the balloon to expand and conform to the drain geometry, creating effective vacuum without requiring complex plunger mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the physical state of the sealing element from rigid (plunger cup) to flexible and expandable (balloon). By inflating the balloon with water or air, it adapts its volume and shape to create optimal seal pressure and vacuum conditions in the drain.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Productivity

If a conventional plunger is used to unclog toilet drain, then pumping action is applied, but contaminated water is splashed and plunger becomes soiled

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveunclogging effectivenessVSAvoidcontamination and splashing

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a disposable bag as an intermediary between the user and the contaminated environment. The bag contains the plunger head and seals around the drain, preventing direct contact with contaminated water and containing any splashing within the bag.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs a single-use disposable plunger system where the entire plunger head is enclosed in a disposable bag that is discarded after one use. This eliminates the need to clean and sanitize the plunger, preventing cross-contamination while maintaining unclogging effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

3Reliability

If a plumbing snake is used to clear serious clogs, then effective clog removal is achieved, but the device is complex and requires professional plumber

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveclog clearing effectivenessVSAvoiddevice structure and operation

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses hydraulic pressure from water or pneumatic pressure from air inflation of the balloon to create the force needed to clear clogs. This replaces the mechanical snake mechanism with a simpler pressure-based system that can be operated by consumers without specialized training.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the complex mechanical snake system with a simpler system based on pressure differentials created by balloon expansion. This substitution maintains clog-clearing effectiveness while dramatically reducing device complexity and operational difficulty for the end user.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

4Productivity

If plunger is used repeatedly in clogged toilet, then unclogging attempts continue, but the plunger becomes soiled and may spread contamination

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontinuous unclogging capabilityVSAvoidcontamination spread

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a single-use disposable plunger where the entire plunger head is enclosed in a disposable bag. After one use, the entire assembly is discarded, eliminating any risk of contamination spread from repeated use while maintaining full unclogging capability for that single instance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

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 device effectively dislodges clogs from toilet drains by creating pressure to break up obstructions, allowing for easy traversal of the drain passageway, and maintaining sanitation by being disposable and reducing the risk of water splashing.

Implementation Method 1

an expander member (404) having an expanded state to create a pressure in front of the rod tip

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPressure: Pressure Increase

Data Source

PatentUS20250143525A1Clearing rod

Publication Date: 2025.05.08 2XL CORP

AI summary

A tool for dislodging and/or clearing obstructions and/or clogs from a passageway such as a toilet bowl, other plumbing fixture or conduit or the like. A handle portion allows the user to manipulate a blade portion, which is flexible yet firm, through the passageway and clear any clogging materials.