Drain Cleaning Tool Cable Guide and Handle Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Manually driven drum-type drain cleaning tools have complex assemblies and a high number of metal components, leading to increased costs and potential damage to furnishings due to scratching.
Innovation Solution
A simplified drain cleaning tool design featuring a drum with a forwardly projecting hollow elongated cable guide, flexible retaining members, and a unique locking assembly using axially extending flexible tabs and a nut for securing the cable, along with a handle that is rotatably secured to the cable guide, reducing the number of components and using non-metallic materials to minimize damage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional manually driven drum-type drain cleaning tools are used, then the cable can be effectively managed and dispensed, but the assembly becomes complex with a large number of components increasing cost and potential for damaging furnishings
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple separate components into integrated assemblies. The cable guide is integrally formed with the drum, eliminating separate mounting hardware. The handle assembly integrates the bearing, retaining members, and cable guide mounting into a single rotatable unit, reducing the total component count and assembly complexity while maintaining reliable cable management functionality
Solution Approach 2:
The handle assembly serves multiple functions: it provides the rotational interface for cable dispensing, retains the cable guide in position through integrated bearing and retaining members, and enables user manipulation of the tool. This multi-functional design reduces the number of separate components needed while maintaining all necessary operational capabilities
2Reliability
If traditional manually driven drum-type drain cleaning tools are used, then the cable can be effectively managed and dispensed, but the number of metal components increases costs and potential for scratching or damaging furnishings
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material composition parameters of the tool components. By replacing traditional metal components with polymeric materials (such as the polymeric cable guide, polymeric drum, and polymeric handle), the design maintains structural integrity and functional performance while eliminating the scratching and damaging potential associated with metal surfaces contacting furnishings
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes composite construction with polymeric materials combined with strategic metal elements (such as the bearing and fasteners). This composite approach allows the use of non-metallic polymeric components for parts that contact furnishings, eliminating damage potential, while retaining metal components only where mechanically necessary for structural support and moving parts
3Reliability
If traditional manually driven drum-type drain cleaning tools are used, then the cable can be securely retained, but the number of components increases assembly costs
Solution Approach 1:
The cable retaining mechanism is integrated into the handle assembly rather than being a separate component. The bearing and retaining members are built into the handle structure, eliminating the need for separate retention devices and reducing assembly steps. This integration maintains secure cable retention while significantly reducing assembly complexity and cost
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 reduces assembly complexity and costs, minimizes the risk of damaging furnishings, and provides a secure and efficient mechanism for managing the drain cleaning cable, enhancing usability and reducing potential damage during use.
Implementation Method 1
The at least one flexible retaining member contacts the race, thereby rotatably retaining the handle about the cable guide of the drum
Implementation Method 2
a nut defining (i) a rear face, (ii) a forwardly extending inner tapered face, and (iii) an inner threaded region configured to threadedly engage the outer threaded region of the cable guide
Implementation Method 3
the nut is linearly displaced against the plurality of axially extending tabs of the cable guide thereby resulting in deflection of the tabs against the drain cleaning cable to thereby secure the cable
Data Source
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AI summary
Drain cleaning tools (100) are described. The tools typically include a hollow drum (110, 140; 148) for housing a drain cleaning cable (170), an elongated cable guide (120), a locking nut engageable with the cable guide (120) for selectively engaging the cable (170), and a rotatable handle (170) on the cable guide (120). A particular configuration is used at an open end of the cable guide to facilitate engagement, i.e., selective locking and unlocking, of the cable. One or more flexible members (126,164) are provided in the cable guide (120) for rotatably retaining the handle (160) about the cable guide.