Drain Cleaning Sensor System for Blockage Location
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing drain cleaning systems lack the ability to efficiently identify and locate recurring blockages in pipes or drain lines, leading to increased time and cost due to unnecessary recleaning of entire lines.
Innovation Solution
The system employs a combination of sensor assemblies, a counter, and a controller to detect points of interest in enclosed regions. This includes a first sensor assembly monitoring the motor output and a second sensor assembly monitoring the cable follower, along with a counter to measure cable displacement and a controller to determine the occurrence of a point of interest.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional drain cleaning methods are used without detection systems, then the entire line must be recleaned to ensure blockage removal, but this increases time and cost
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary detection of blockages before cleaning by using sensors to identify the presence and location of obstructions. This preliminary action allows operators to target specific areas rather than cleaning the entire line, reducing time and cost while maintaining reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system provides real-time feedback during the cleaning process through sensor assemblies that detect blockages and communicate their location to the operator. This feedback mechanism enables dynamic adjustment of cleaning efforts to focus on identified problem areas, improving both efficiency and reliability.
2Difficulty of detecting and measuring
If sensor assemblies are added to the drain cleaner, then point of interest detection capability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor assemblies are designed to perform multiple functions: detecting blockages, measuring cable displacement, and providing location information. By making the sensing system multi-functional, the patent reduces the need for separate detection devices, thereby improving detection capability while limiting the increase in overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses an intermediary processing system that receives signals from multiple sensors and translates them into actionable information for the operator. This intermediary layer simplifies the complexity by consolidating data from various sensors into a unified interface, making the system easier to operate despite having multiple sensing components.
3Measurement precision
If the distal end of the flexible member is used to detect blockages, then targeted cleaning is enabled, but information about blockage location must be accurately transmitted
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements feedback mechanisms where sensors attached to the flexible member continuously report their position and detect blockages. This real-time feedback ensures accurate transmission of location data from the distal end back to the operator, maintaining measurement precision while preventing information loss through continuous monitoring and communication.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods for identifying one or more points of interest in pipes or drain lines are described. Examples of points of interest include blockages caused by debris in the pipe or drain line. The systems are incorporated into drain cleaning machines. Also described are drain cleaning machines utilizing the systems.