Pipe Cleanout Seal for Vacuum Suction and Air-Pressure Clog Removal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for unclogging household drain pipes, such as plungers and hydro jetting, are labor-intensive or costly and often ineffective for clogs in hard-to-reach locations.
Innovation Solution
A pipe clean-out device that creates a seal on a drain and can be attached to a wet or dry vacuum for suction or an air compressor for pressure to remove clogs, featuring a tubular member and frustoconical stoppers for effective clog removal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a cup or flange plunger is used to remove pipe blockages, then physical plunging and loosening of clogs is achieved, but extensive manual and physical labor is required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies pneumatic principles by using compressed air to generate explosive force that breaks up clogs. The air compressor forces air through a nozzle into the drain pipe, creating pressure that shatters blockages without requiring manual plunging labor.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces the mechanical manual plunging action with an automated pneumatic system. Instead of human physical effort creating pressure through repeated pushing motions, an air compressor automatically generates the necessary force to clear blockages.
2Ease of operation
If a manual drain snake is used to unclog drains, then physical pushing through clogs is achieved, but extensive manual and physical labor is required
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses compressed air delivered through a nozzle to create explosive pressure waves that break up clogs remotely. This eliminates the need for manual insertion and pushing of drain snakes through the piping system.
Solution Approach 2:
The manual mechanical action of inserting and pushing a drain snake is replaced by an automated pneumatic system that delivers high-pressure air through existing drain openings to clear blockages without physical insertion.
3Reliability
If high pressure water hydro jetting is used to clear clogs in hard-to-reach locations, then clog removal is achieved, but high cost is incurred and desired results are not always obtained
Solution Approach 1:
The invention uses compressed air instead of high-pressure water jets to clear clogs. The pneumatic system delivers explosive air pressure through a nozzle to break up blockages, providing an alternative to expensive hydro jetting equipment while achieving similar or better results.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the parameter of pressure delivery from continuous high-pressure water flow to explosive intermittent air pressure pulses. This parameter change allows for more effective clog breakdown while using simpler, less expensive equipment than hydro jetting systems.
4Productivity
If traditional clog removal methods are used, then clogs are removed, but the process is labor-intensive and costly
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs compressed air to create explosive pressure that automatically breaks up and removes clogs from drain pipes. This pneumatic method eliminates the need for manual labor involved in traditional methods while significantly improving clog removal efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
Manual mechanical clog removal methods are replaced with an automated pneumatic system that uses compressed air to clear blockages. The system requires minimal human intervention, improving productivity while reducing manual labor requirements.
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
Provides an easy and efficient method to unclog drains using suction or compressed air, reducing manual labor and costs associated with traditional methods.
Implementation Method 1
A vacuum may be used to draw water and clogs through a drain pipe
Implementation Method 2
A positive pressure may also be used to force water and clogs through a drain pipe
Data Source
AI summary
A pipe cleanout device is provided. The pipe clean-out device creates a seal on a drain hole of a drain pipe. The pipe clean-out device attaches to a wet or wet/dry vacuum in order to remove a clog from the drain pipe. The pipe clean-out device may also be attached to an air compressor in order to dislodge a clog in the drain pipe. The wet or wet/dry vacuum relies on suction while the air compressor relies on pressure in order to clean out the drain pipe.