Drainpipe Cleaning Chain With Hard Metal Blades

Solution Overview

Problem

Current cleaning devices for drainpipes are inefficient due to their similarity in material with the drainpipes, resulting in weak cleaning power and short operating life, making internal drain cleaning a slow and expensive process.

Innovation Solution

A cleaning device with chains featuring hard metal pieces or blades soldered or welded onto them, which are attached to a rotatable body piece for enhanced cleaning efficacy and longevity, allowing for effective rust removal and extended use across various pipe diameters.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If cleaning chains are made of similar material to drainpipes (iron/steel), then the drainpipe material compatibility is maintained, but the cleaning power becomes very weak and operating life becomes short

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvematerial compatibilityVSAvoidcleaning effectiveness

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The cleaning device uses composite construction by attaching hard metal pieces (such as carbide or ceramic coatings) to the chain links. This combines the flexibility and adaptability of the metal chain with the superior hardness and durability of hard metal materials, enabling effective cleaning of drainpipes while maintaining long operating life.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of making the entire chain from hard material, the invention applies hard metal pieces only at the cleaning contact points (on the chain links), while the rest of the chain maintains its original metal composition for flexibility. This localized application of hard material provides effective cleaning power where needed while preserving chain adaptability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Ease of operation

If cleaning chains are made of similar material to drainpipes (iron/steel), then the chain flexibility is maintained, but the cleaning power becomes very weak

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvechain flexibilityVSAvoidcleaning effectiveness

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The cleaning device uses composite construction by attaching hard metal pieces (such as carbide or ceramic coatings) to the chain links. This combines the flexibility and adaptability of the metal chain with the superior hardness and durability of hard metal materials, enabling effective cleaning of drainpipes while maintaining long operating life.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of making the entire chain from hard material, the invention applies hard metal pieces only at the cleaning contact points (on the chain links), while the rest of the chain maintains its original metal composition for flexibility. This localized application of hard material provides effective cleaning power where needed while preserving chain adaptability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Device complexity

If traditional cleaning devices are used, then the equipment simplicity is maintained, but the cleaning speed becomes slow and costs become high

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveequipment simplicityVSAvoidcleaning speed

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the key parameter of chain hardness by attaching hard metal pieces to the chain links. This parameter change dramatically increases cleaning effectiveness and speed without significantly complicating the device structure, as the chain mechanism itself remains unchanged.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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 use of hard metal blades significantly enhances cleaning power and extends the device's lifespan, significantly reducing cleaning time and costs, making the process quicker and more cost-effective.

Implementation Method 1

Hard metal is much harder of its hardness than steel and it is intended, inter alia, for machining and processing metals. Thus, it is much more suitable for cleaning pipes than blades/chains without hard metal blades/pieces.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAbrasion: Abrasion

Implementation Method 2

The chain of the cleaning device, which includes hard metal pieces or blades soldered or welded, is fastened to a body piece/fastening section which can be rotated inside the pipe, whereby the hard metal pieces in the chain will clean the inner surface of the pipe.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMechanical Force: Mechanical Force

Implementation Method 3

The cleaning device includes one or more chains in which there are hard metal pieces/blades soldered or welded.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSoldering: Soldering

Implementation Method 4

The cleaning device includes one or more chains in which there are hard metal pieces/blades soldered or welded.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectWelding: Welding

Data Source

PatentUS9649671B2Cleaning device

Publication Date: 2017.05.16 VIRTANEN TOMMI

AI summary

This invention relates to a cleaning device for the internal cleaning of drainpipes, which cleaning device includes one or more chains having several links. According to the invention on one or more sides of one or more links is fastened one or more hard metal blades.