Electronic Cable Counter for Drain Cleaning Drum
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sewer cleaning machines with rotating drums lack an effective method to measure the length of cable paid out or retracted without direct contact, which can lead to contamination and inefficiency, and there is a need for tracking usage on a per job and historical basis.
Innovation Solution
An electronic cable counter system with sensors on the drum and cable follower member, using magnets and Hall Effect sensors, that detects relative movement to calculate cable length and time of use, transmitting data wirelessly for display and logging.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If direct physical contact with the cable is used for counting, then the cable length can be measured, but the counting device becomes contaminated by debris
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary cable follower member that engages the cable without direct contact between the counting device and the cable. The follower member acts as a mediator, transmitting the cable's movement to the counting mechanism while preventing direct contact that would cause contamination. This allows accurate cable length measurement while protecting the counting device from debris.
2Productivity
If the cable is rotated during use, then the cable can be fed into the drum, but existing counting devices cannot accurately measure the cable displacement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical counting methods with an electronic sensing system. Sensors detect the rotational movement of the cable follower member and convert it into electrical signals that can be processed to calculate cable length. This substitution allows accurate measurement even when the cable is rotating and being fed into the drum, overcoming the limitations of mechanical counting devices.
3Quantity of substance
If the drum rotates to store cable, then cable can be compacted, but tracking cable length becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where sensors continuously monitor the rotational movement of the cable follower member and provide real-time data to the counting system. This feedback loop allows the system to track cable length dynamically as the drum rotates and stores cable, maintaining accurate measurement despite the changing configuration of the cable windings.
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
Enables accurate measurement of cable length and usage time without physical contact, allowing for efficient operation and historical logging, improving the operational efficiency of sewer cleaning machines.
Implementation Method 1
using magnets and Hall Effect sensors, that detects relative movement to calculate cable length
Data Source
AI summary
A drain cleaning machine with an electronic cable counter is disclosed which is of the character comprising a frame supporting a rotatable drum which is driven by a motor through an endless belt. The drum contains a flexible drain cleaning snake which is rotatable with the drum and axially displaceable into an out from the drum, and the frame supports a cable feeding device through which the cable extends and by which the cable is displaced into and out of the drum. An electronic cable counter is configured to count an amount of cable payed out from and retracted into the drum and includes first and second sensor portions mounted on the rotatable drum and a cable follower member, respectively to sense relative rotational movement therebetween. A process determines an amount and direction of relative movement therebetween and generates a signal representative of an amount of cable payed or retracted into the drum. A fixed receiver unit is mounted to the frame and includes a human readable display portion and a receiver portion configured to receive the signal generated from the processor portion.