Hand-held drain cleaner
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing drain cleaning devices are ineffective for condensate drains due to inaccessibility and lack of portability, and the use of Freon-based systems has been made illegal by EPA regulations, leading to inconvenient and unsafe methods for cleaning clogged condensation drains in air conditioning and refrigeration units.
Innovation Solution
A compact, hand-held drain cleaning apparatus using a compressed gas cartridge and a flexible tubular member with a release valve system, allowing for pressurized gas to be directed into the drain conduit for effective cleaning, which is portable and easy to maneuver.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a large pressurized air or nitrogen tank is used to clean condensate drains, then cleaning effectiveness is improved, but portability and safety are worsened due to the heavy weight and inconvenience of lugging the tank
Solution Approach 1:
The apparatus divides the pressurized gas system into separate components: a handheld control housing and a detachable compressed gas cartridge. This segmentation allows the main body to remain lightweight and portable while the gas cartridge serves as a replaceable, compact power source, resolving the contradiction between cleaning effectiveness and portability.
Solution Approach 2:
The compressed gas cartridge is designed to be inserted into and housed within the control housing, creating a nested structure. This nesting allows the gas storage component to be compact and integrated, reducing the overall size and weight of the portable apparatus while maintaining sufficient gas pressure for effective drain cleaning.
2Ease of operation
If a compact, handheld design is used to improve portability, then ease of operation in confined areas is improved, but the amount of pressurized gas available for cleaning is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The apparatus employs a dynamic design where the compressed gas cartridge can be replaced when depleted. This dynamic approach allows the system to maintain compact, handheld proportions while providing sufficient total gas volume through multiple cartridges, resolving the contradiction between portability and gas quantity.
3Ease of operation
If a release valve system is added to control gas flow, then operational control and safety are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The release valve system is designed to be automatically actuated by the user's action of inserting or removing the gas cartridge. This self-service mechanism provides operational control without requiring additional manual valve manipulation, maintaining simplicity while ensuring safe gas flow control.
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 apparatus provides a safe, efficient, and cost-effective solution for cleaning clogged drains, especially in hard-to-reach areas, with a durable design and simple operation, ensuring effective removal of obstructions and prevention of future clogs.
Implementation Method 1
a compressed gas cartridge... causes pressurized gas from the compressed gas cartridge to flow into and through the control housing, the flexible tubular member, the terminal discharge member, and into the drain conduit
Data Source
AI summary
A hand-held drain cleaning apparatus which includes a control housing comprising an upper body portion and a lower body portion, a release valve member being movable between at least a first position wherein the release valve member prevents fluid from flowing into a first fluid passageway from a second fluid passageway, and a second position wherein fluid can flow from the second fluid passageway and into the first fluid passageway. The hand-held drain cleaning apparatus further includes a flexible, tubular member having first and second end portions, and a terminal discharge member in fluid communication with the second end portion of the tubular member.