Drain Cleaning Device With Conical Fitting and Ball Joint
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional rubber plungers are ineffective in clearing hard and compacted fecal matter from clogged toilets, as they fail to efficiently break up and remove obstructions.
Innovation Solution
A hand-operated drain cleaning device featuring an elongated shaft with a rotator handle, a hollow handle sheath, a resilient plunger head, and a conical terminal fitting mounted on a universal ball joint, allowing for rotational cranking and movement to break up clogs without spilling or spreading bacteria, combined with a storage housing for easy disposal of drips.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a conventional rubber plunger is used, then the device is simple and easy to operate, but it is ineffective in breaking up hard and compacted fecal matter
Solution Approach 1:
The plunger head is segmented into multiple functional zones including a conical terminal fitting for crushing, a universal ball joint for multi-directional movement, and a resilient body for sealing. This segmentation allows each zone to perform a specific function that collectively solves the problem of breaking hard clogs.
Solution Approach 2:
The universal ball joint introduces dynamic movement capability, allowing the conical terminal fitting to move in multiple directions relative to the plunger head. This dynamic adjustment enables the fitting to optimally position itself against hard obstructions and apply crushing force from different angles, significantly improving breaking power.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a conventional rubber plunger is used, then the device structure is simple, but it causes messy back splash and spreads bacteria
Solution Approach 1:
The resilient plunger head acts as an intermediary between the user and the clog, containing the breaking action within the toilet bowl. The universal ball joint and conical terminal fitting work together to crush obstructions in a controlled manner, preventing messy back splash and containing bacteria within the bowl.
Solution Approach 2:
The harmful back splash and bacteria spread are extracted from the cleaning process by containing them within the toilet bowl. The designed movement pattern of the universal ball joint ensures that debris is broken up and pushed down the drain rather than splashing back out.
3Productivity
If a conventional rubber plunger is used, then the device is simple to manufacture, but it lacks the ability to clear hard and compacted obstructions
Solution Approach 1:
The plunger head features local quality variations with different zones having distinct properties. The conical terminal fitting provides a concentrated crushing point, the universal ball joint provides multi-directional movement capability, and the resilient body provides sealing and shock absorption. This localized functional differentiation enables efficient clearing of hard obstructions.
4Strength
If a device with rotational cranking mechanism is added, then the breaking power increases, but the ease of operation decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The universal ball joint provides dynamic adaptability that simplifies operation. The fitting can automatically adjust its orientation and position in response to the user's cranking motion and the geometry of the clog, eliminating the need for precise manual positioning while still delivering powerful crushing force.
Solution Approach 2:
The universal ball joint enables the conical terminal fitting to self-adjust and self-position against the obstruction during cranking. The mechanism automatically optimizes its own orientation to maximize crushing effectiveness, reducing the skill and effort required by the user.
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
Effectively clears clogged drains by breaking up hard obstructions and forcing them through the plumbing system without messy back splash, reducing the need for emergency plumber calls and extending tool durability.
Implementation Method 1
A resilient plunger head is mounted on an end of the handle sheath
Implementation Method 2
A resilient plunger head is mounted on an end of the handle sheath
Implementation Method 3
A conical terminal fitting is mounted to the second end of the elongated shaft with the conical terminal fitting movable into and out of the plunger head
Data Source
AI summary
A drain cleaning device for cleaning and clearing a clogged drain is provided. The drain cleaning device comprises an elongated shaft having a first end and a second end. A rotator handle is secured to the first end of the elongated shaft with the rotator handle driving the elongated shaft in rotation by rotationally cranking the rotator handle. A hollow handle sheath surrounds the elongated shaft with the handle sheath allowing the elongated shaft to freely slide along a length of the handle shaft and freely rotate within the handle sheath. A resilient plunger head is mounted on an end of the handle sheath adjacent the second end of the elongated shaft. A conical terminal fitting is mounted to the second end of the elongated shaft with the conical terminal fitting movable into and out of the plunger head wherein the drain cleaning device quickly and easily clears any clogged or blocked drain.