Direct-Drive Pipe Probe With Centering for Uniform Resin Coating

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing pipe and duct cleaning and coating devices face challenges due to vibrations, friction, and high torques caused by rotating flexible shafts, which impair resin application and increase equipment wear.

Innovation Solution

A pipe or duct probe with a built-in direct current motor and centering device, eliminating the need for a flexible shaft and large alternating current motor, allowing for direct motor shaft operation and flexible use in pipes and ducts.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a flexible shaft driven by an external motor is used, then the working means can be rotated, but vibrations and friction increase and resin application quality deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverotation of working meansVSAvoidvibrations and friction

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the motor from the external flexible shaft system and relocates it directly to the probe head. This removes the intermediate flexible shaft that causes vibrations and friction, allowing the working means to be rotated directly by the motor without harmful intermediate transmissions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent eliminates the flexible shaft as an intermediary component between the motor and working means. By using a direct drive configuration where the motor shaft is directly connected to the working means, the harmful intermediary is removed entirely.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If a flexible shaft with external motor is used, then the working means can be driven, but high torques are required increasing equipment wear

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedriving working meansVSAvoidequipment wear

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the motor function from the external flexible shaft system and integrates it directly into the probe. This eliminates the need for high-torque transmission through the flexible shaft, thereby reducing friction and wear on the equipment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical flexible shaft transmission system with a direct electrical motor drive. This substitution eliminates the mechanical friction and wear associated with flexible shafts while maintaining the ability to drive the working means effectively.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Power

If a large alternating current motor is used, then sufficient power is provided, but the device becomes less flexible and harder to insert into pipes

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemotor powerVSAvoidinsertion into pipe

Core Design Contradiction:

PowerVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the motor from the large external housing and miniaturizes it for direct integration into the probe. This allows sufficient power to be provided while maintaining a compact size that enables easy insertion into pipes and ducts.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the motor parameters by using a direct current motor with lower voltage and current requirements compared to large alternating current motors. This allows the motor to be miniaturized while still providing sufficient power for the application.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

4Volume of moving object

If a built-in direct current motor is used, then the probe becomes more compact and flexible, but power supply requirements change

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprobe sizeVSAvoidpower supply

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the electrical system configuration by using a direct current motor instead of an alternating current motor. This allows the use of a flexible cable with a rectifier to convert AC to DC, enabling compact probe design while addressing the power supply requirement through a different electrical configuration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 solution enables efficient resin coating and cleaning processes with reduced wear and tear on equipment, improved bendability, and the ability to operate without a large AC motor.

Implementation Method 1

The motor of the pipe or duct probe is preferably a direct current (DC) motor

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 2

The centering device, at least in part, can be formed by a plurality of resilient elements or can comprise a plurality of resilient elements

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentUS12338939B2Pipe or duct probe and system comprising pipe or duct probe

Publication Date: 2025.06.24 BODUS GMBH

AI summary

The invention relates to a pipe or duct probe (10) for insertion into a pipe (90) or into a duct. The pipe or duct probe (10) comprises: at least one motor (15), at least one motor shaft (18), at least one working means (30, 30′, 30″) connected to the motor shaft (18), a connection device (40) for connecting the motor (15) to a cable (75), and at least one centering device (50) connected to a housing (20).