Drain Wand With Perpendicular Spray for Floor Drain Cleaning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for cleaning floor drains often damage the drain components due to high pressure washing and require removal of the drain grate, leading to inefficiencies and costly repairs.
Innovation Solution
A drain wand with a controlled water discharge at approximately 125 psi, allowing for cleaning through the grate without damaging the drain and enabling scraping of material from the walls without removing the grate.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If high pressure water (1,000-5,000 psi) is used to clean the drain, then cleaning effectiveness is improved, but the drain member may crack or break
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the pressure parameter from high pressure (1,000-5,000 psi) to low pressure (approximately 125 psi). This parameter change allows effective cleaning while preventing damage to the drain member, resolving the contradiction between cleaning effectiveness and drain integrity
Solution Approach 2:
The drain wand acts as an intermediary device between the water source and the drain. It includes a spray nozzle that disperses water into multiple streams, mediating the pressure reduction and distribution to achieve effective cleaning without concentrated high-pressure damage
2Productivity
If high pressure water is sprayed into the drain, then material accumulation is removed, but material is splashed back out into the surrounding area
Solution Approach 1:
Changing the pressure parameter to low pressure (approximately 125 psi) prevents the water force that causes splashback, while still achieving effective material removal through sustained spraying and mechanical scraping action
Solution Approach 2:
The spray nozzle is designed to discharge water at a generally perpendicular angle to the wand body, creating a lateral spray pattern that directs water along the drain walls rather than straight up, reducing vertical splashback into the surrounding area
3Ease of operation
If screws are removed to access the drain body for cleaning, then cleaning access is improved, but screw failure (breaking or stripping) prevents easy access
Solution Approach 1:
The drain wand is designed to perform multiple functions: it can clean through the intact grate by spraying water through the openings, and it includes a scraping element that can mechanically remove material. This multi-functionality eliminates the need to remove the grate for effective cleaning
Solution Approach 2:
The drain wand serves as an intermediary tool that enables cleaning through the grate without removing it. The small diameter wand body allows it to pass through grate openings, and the spray nozzle positioned at the end allows water to be directed into the drain body while the grate remains in place
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
Enables effective cleaning of floor drains without damaging the plastic/PVC components and reduces the risk of splashing, thereby minimizing cleanup efforts and repair costs.
Implementation Method 1
The sprayer can include an elongated longitudinal opening that functions to discharge water at a generally perpendicular angle to the wand and at approximately 125 psi
Implementation Method 2
Another embodiment of the present invention can include a generally blunt end that functions to scrape material from the walls of a building drain
Data Source
AI summary
A drain wand includes an elongated wand body having an outside diameter of approximately ¼ inches. The wand body includes a first end that houses a water inlet unit and a valve controller. A sprayer is disposed along the second end of the elongated wand and is connected to the inlet unit and controller via an internal channel. The sprayer includes an elongated longitudinal opening that functions to discharge water at a generally perpendicular angle to the wand and at approximately 125 psi.