Flexible Hose Drain Cleaner With Angled Nozzles and Heating Head
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional drain cleaning devices often struggle to effectively clear blockages in pipes due to limitations in nozzle configurations and the lack of efficient mechanisms for breaking down and flushing debris, particularly in varying pipe sizes and types.
Innovation Solution
The proposed drain cleaning device incorporates a flexible hose with angled nozzles and a scrubber system that includes interchangeable scrubber sizes and a rotating cleaning attachment, along with a motor-driven cable and heating head, to effectively break down and remove blockages by creating a seal, applying pressure, and using liquid flow and heat to dislodge debris.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional drain cleaning devices use standard nozzle configurations, then the device structure is simple, but the device cannot effectively clear blockages in pipes of varying sizes and types
Solution Approach 1:
The nozzle assembly is divided into multiple independent nozzles (first nozzle, second nozzle, third nozzle) with different angles and functions. Each nozzle can be independently positioned and angled to address specific blockage configurations in pipes of varying sizes, allowing the system to handle diverse pipe types without requiring a completely different device for each size category.
Solution Approach 2:
The nozzles are mounted on a flexible hose that can be dynamically positioned and angled by the user. The flexible hose allows the nozzles to be oriented at different angles relative to each other and to the pipe wall, enabling adaptation to various pipe configurations and blockage locations without rigid structural constraints.
2Productivity
If the device uses a flexible hose with multiple nozzles and scrubber system, then the cleaning effectiveness is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple cleaning functions are merged into a single integrated system: the flexible hose combines liquid delivery from the reservoir, mechanical scrubbing action from the scrubber assembly, and thermal heating from the heating element. These functions work simultaneously on blockages, improving removal efficiency without requiring separate devices for each cleaning mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible hose serves multiple functions: it delivers cleaning liquid from the reservoir, transmits mechanical motion from the scrubber assembly, and conducts thermal energy from the heating element. This multi-functionality allows a single component to perform diverse cleaning operations, reducing the need for multiple separate systems.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the device includes a motor-driven cable and heating head, then the ability to break down and melt obstructions is enhanced, but the device complexity and energy consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The heating element changes the temperature parameter of the hose and cleaning head, transforming the material state of obstructions (e.g., melting frost, softening grease). This thermal parameter change enables the breakdown of obstructions that would otherwise require significantly more mechanical energy to remove, making the energy investment in heating worthwhile for certain blockage types.
Solution Approach 2:
The heating element provides a thermal alternative to purely mechanical blockage removal. Instead of requiring high-force mechanical cutting or grinding, the thermal energy from the heating element can melt or soften obstructions, making them easier to remove with minimal mechanical action from the cable and scrubber system.
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
This solution enables efficient clearing and cleaning of debris from pipes of various sizes by creating a seal, using angled nozzles to break down blockages, and applying heat to melt or dislodge obstructions, ensuring effective flushing and maintenance of pipe flow.
Implementation Method 1
a heating head coupled to the second end of the flexible cable and a heater element configured to transfer heat to the heating head
Implementation Method 2
The flexible hose includes a first nozzle angled in a direction away from the flexible scrubber and a second nozzle angled in a direction toward the flexible scrubber
Implementation Method 3
The first end is coupled to the motor to receive torque from the motor
Data Source
AI summary
A drain cleaning device is configured to be used in a pipe defining a pipe diameter. The drain cleaning device includes a frame, a reservoir supported by the frame, a drum assembly supported by the frame, and a flexible hose positioned at least partially within the drum assembly. The flexible hose is configured to be extended from and retracted into the drum assembly. The flexible hose defines a first end and a second end opposite the first end. The first end is coupled to the reservoir. The drain cleaning device further includes a flexible scrubber adjacent the second end of the flexible hose. The flexible hose includes a first nozzle angled in a direction away from the flexible scrubber and a second nozzle angled in a direction toward the flexible scrubber.