Integrated Hose Reel and Suction Guide for Sewer Cleaner Vehicles
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Solution Overview
Problem
Combined sewer cleaner vehicles have complex and large designs due to independent systems for winding and unwinding high-pressure cleaning hoses and suction pipes, increasing complexity and size.
Innovation Solution
An automatic winding and unwinding device is integrated into a combined sewer cleaner vehicle, using a hose reel driven by an actuating motor for winding and a hydraulic motor for unwinding, with a telescopic arm to guide and position the hoses and suction pipes, allowing for independent rotation and movement without twisting or over-tensioning the hoses.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If independent systems for winding and unwinding high-pressure cleaning hoses and suction pipes are used, then the vehicle can perform both cleaning and suction operations, but the complexity and size of the vehicle increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the hose reel and suction pipe storage cassette into a single integrated assembly that rotates together about a common vertical axis. This merging of previously independent systems reduces the number of separate rotating mechanisms, simplifies the overall structure, and decreases vehicle size while maintaining the capability to handle both high-pressure cleaning hoses and suction pipes simultaneously
2Device complexity
If the hose reel and suction pipe storage are placed on the same rotating assembly, then the vehicle size is reduced, but the hoses may become twisted or over-tensioned during arm movements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a guide arm as an intermediary component that actively manages the high-pressure cleaning hose during telescopic arm movements. The guide arm ensures the hose is properly directed and prevented from twisting or over-tensioning, mediating between the rotating reel assembly and the moving telescopic arm to maintain hose integrity while allowing structural integration
3Adaptability or versatility
If a telescopic arm with multiple degrees of freedom is used to position the work area, then the cleaning coverage is improved, but the risk of hose twisting and friction increases
Solution Approach 1:
The guide arm serves as a mediator between the multi-degree-of-freedom telescopic arm and the high-pressure cleaning hose. It actively directs the hose throughout the range of motion, preventing twisting and reducing friction even as the arm extends, rotates, and inclines to provide comprehensive cleaning coverage
4Reliability
If the hose reel is fixed relative to the tank while the telescopic arm moves independently, then hose management is simplified, but the work area accessibility is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The integrated rotating assembly serves multiple functions: it stores both the high-pressure cleaning hose and suction pipe, provides rotational positioning for different work areas, and works in coordination with the telescopic arm's multiple degrees of freedom. This multi-functional design maintains stable hose management while significantly improving work area accessibility
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 integration simplifies the vehicle design, reduces size, and optimizes hose positioning for efficient cleaning operations, minimizing interference and friction, and allows for easier storage and transport of equipment.
Implementation Method 1
the hose reel is driven in rotation about its axis in the direction of winding by an actuating motor
Implementation Method 2
the hose unwinder is driven in rotation around its vertical axis in the direction of unwinding by a hydraulic actuating motor
Implementation Method 3
in particular by means of a chain cooperating with a set of sprockets
Implementation Method 4
Clamping rollers keep the high pressure cleaning hose constantly on the periphery of the hose reel drum
Implementation Method 5
this arm telescopic is rotatable about a vertical axis coinciding with the axis of rotation of the hose reel, these two rotations being of course independent
Implementation Method 6
An adjustment cylinder can make it possible to vary its angular position by approximately 40° relative to the second end of the telescopic arm
Data Source
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AI summary
The device has a hose winder (7) moving in rotation around a horizontal axis, and a hose unwinder (8) equipped with a drum moving in rotation. A high pressure cleaning hose (4) forms a loop around the drum by constant contact with the drum. An articulated telescopic arm (9) moves along rotation co-axially to the hose unwinder at one of ends and carries the high pressure cleaning hose unwound by the unwinder and a suction pipe (5). The telescopic arm is inclined with respect to horizontal direction.