Drain Snake Collet Clamping for High-Torque Clog Clearing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing drain cleaning machines lack an efficient mechanism for securely engaging and rotating drain cleaning snakes, leading to inadequate clamping and torque for effectively clearing clogs in drains.
Innovation Solution
A sectional drain cleaning machine with a clamping mechanism featuring movable support members and collets that transition from a disengaged to an engaged position, coupled with a motor and transmission system to rotate the clamping mechanism about the snake axis, providing a mechanical advantage for high output torque.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a clamping mechanism with movable support members and collets is used to engage the snake, then the engagement reliability and torque output are improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The clamping mechanism employs movable support members that can transition between retracted and extended positions along the snake axis. This dynamic configuration allows the collets to engage the snake securely when needed while permitting easy insertion and removal of the snake, thereby improving engagement reliability without permanently increasing device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The collets are nested within the support members, with multiple collets arranged concentrically. This nesting arrangement allows multiple clamping elements to be compactly housed within a single support member structure, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining reliable engagement capability
2Ease of operation
If the second support member moves along the snake axis to transition collets between engaged and disengaged positions, then the ease of operation is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple collets are combined within a single movable support member assembly. By moving the entire assembly along the snake axis, all collets are simultaneously transitioned between engaged and disengaged positions. This merging approach simplifies operation to a single motion while the modular assembly structure manages the inherent complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The movable support member serves multiple functions: it houses multiple collets, provides the clamping force through collet expansion, and enables engagement/disengagement transition through axial movement. This multi-functionality consolidates several operations into one mechanism, improving ease of operation while containing device complexity
3Power
If a transmission system with gears is used to transfer rotation from motor to snake inlet tube, then the torque output is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a gear transmission system to replace direct motor coupling with the snake inlet tube. The gear train provides mechanical advantage for torque multiplication while maintaining a relatively compact mechanical structure. This substitution of direct drive with gear-mediated drive improves torque output with controlled increase in device complexity
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 machine effectively engages and rotates the snake to provide high torque for clearing clogs, offering improved cleaning efficiency and mechanical advantage over traditional systems.
Implementation Method 1
a pull rod including a first end coupled to the second tube and a second end coupled to the actuating lever. The second end defines a cam. In response to the actuating lever moving from the first position to the second position, the cam engages the cam follower to move the cam follower from the deactivated position to the activated position
Implementation Method 2
a clamping mechanism having a first support member with an inclined surface, and a second support member having an inclined surface... Each of the plurality of collets have a first inclined surface engaged against the inclined surface of the first support member and a second inclined surface engaged against the inclined surface of the second support member
Data Source
AI summary
A drain cleaning machine includes a snake inlet tube, a clamping mechanism having a first support member and a second support member. The second support member is movable between a first position in which a first distance is defined between the first support member and the second support member, and a second position in which a second distance is defined between the first support member and the second support member. The clamping mechanism also includes a plurality of collets supported by the first and second support members. The drain cleaning machine also includes a motor switchable between a deactivated state and an activated state in which the motor is configured to rotate the clamping mechanism and an actuating lever moveable between a deactivated position, in which the second support member is in the first position, and an activated position, in which the second support member is in the second position.