Pipe Rodding Guide Deflector for Navigating Y and T Junctions
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing flexible cleaning rods, or 'snakes', face difficulties navigating complex pipe junctions such as Y or T shapes, often requiring intrusive actions like disassembly of the pipe system to access the desired junction, and prior art solutions like encapsulating snakes with pull lines are limited and prone to clogging.
Innovation Solution
A removable pipe rodding guide tool with a deflector at one end that directs the flexible rod/snake in a selected direction at a pipe junction, allowing the snake to enter the desired pipe junction without the guide tool remaining in the pipe.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a flexible snake is used to clean pipes, then the snake can navigate curved pipes, but the snake cannot readily be directed down the branch that goes against the curve at pipe junctions
Solution Approach 1:
A guide tool is introduced as an intermediary device between the operator and the snake. The guide tool includes a deflector that can be positioned at pipe junctions to redirect the snake into the desired branch. The deflector acts as a mediator that changes the direction of the snake without requiring the operator to directly manipulate the snake itself, thereby solving the problem of directing the snake against the natural curve of the pipe.
2Reliability
If the snake fails to enter the desired pipe junction, then the snake continues to travel along the pipe, but the snake may break through the pipe wall requiring intrusive actions
Solution Approach 1:
The guide tool is positioned in advance at the pipe junction before the snake is inserted. The deflector is pre-configured to redirect the snake into the desired branch. This preliminary action ensures that when the snake reaches the junction, it is automatically directed into the correct branch, preventing it from continuing straight and potentially breaking through the pipe wall.
3Ease of operation
If a pull line device is used to direct the snake, then the snake can be directed at the junction, but the device restricts the size and movement of the snake creating friction
Solution Approach 1:
The harmful encapsulation is removed from the design. Instead of enclosing the snake in a tube as in prior art, the guide tool uses a standalone deflector that the snake passes by externally. This extraction of the snake from the enclosing structure eliminates the friction and movement restrictions caused by the encapsulation, while still providing directional control through the deflector.
4Ease of operation
If an enclosing tube device is used to guide the snake, then the snake can be directed, but the interior of the tool may become clogged or dirtied and be difficult to clean
Solution Approach 1:
The snake is extracted from the enclosing tube structure. The guide tool consists of a deflector that the snake passes by externally rather than through an enclosed space. This eliminates the interior surfaces that would otherwise become clogged or dirtied, as there is no enclosed interior for debris to accumulate in. The tool maintains its guidance capability through the external deflector geometry.
Data Source
AI summary
A pipe rodding guide tool which directs a flexible cleaning rod or snake in a selected direction at a pipe junction or series of pipe junctions, wherein the pipe rodding guide tool comprises a rod for a user to hold and a deflector for directing the flexible cleaning rod or snake in the direction of the bend or deflector.