Video Push-Cable AC Drain Cleaner for Safer Power Delivery
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing drain cleaning devices are inefficient and hazardous due to their reliance on pressurized air or fluids, rotating cables, and DC power, which can lead to human injury and inefficiency in clearing obstructions, especially in small pipes and conduits.
Innovation Solution
A high frequency AC-powered drain cleaning system that uses a cable with an electric motor to rotate cleaning implements, such as blades or filaments, which are powered via a high voltage AC signal, allowing for efficient energy delivery and safer operation by minimizing human contact harm and reducing energy loss.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If high voltage AC power is used to power cleaning apparatus, then energy delivery efficiency improves, but human safety risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the frequency parameter of AC power from standard 50/60 Hz to high frequency (above 1 kHz). This parameter change enables efficient energy delivery to the cleaning apparatus while simultaneously reducing human safety risk, as high frequency current has different physiological effects and can be more easily contained and controlled
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary control system that manages the high voltage AC power delivery. The system includes control circuitry that regulates power transmission, provides isolation, and ensures safe operation, thereby enabling efficient energy delivery while protecting human operators from direct exposure to hazardous high voltage
2Productivity
If rotating cable devices are used to clear obstructions, then cleaning effectiveness improves, but device complexity and weight increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the traditional mechanical rotating cable system with a high frequency AC-powered cleaning apparatus. Instead of relying on the mechanical rotation and mass of a heavy cable, the system uses electrically powered cleaning implements that can be activated remotely, significantly reducing device weight and complexity while maintaining or improving cleaning effectiveness
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the cleaning function from the cable itself and places it in a separate powered apparatus at the distal end. This allows the cable to be simpler and lighter, while the cleaning functionality is concentrated in the powered device that can be precisely controlled and activated only when needed
3Productivity
If pressurized air or fluids are used for drain cleaning, then obstruction clearing improves, but ease of operation deteriorates due to unwieldiness
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces pressurized air or fluid systems with a high frequency AC-powered mechanical cleaning apparatus. This substitution provides more direct and controllable cleaning action through rotating or oscillating cleaning implements, making the device easier to operate while maintaining effective obstruction clearing capability
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 system effectively clears obstructions in pipes while minimizing human safety risks and energy inefficiencies, enabling efficient operation in small diameter pipes and conduits with variable speed control and reversible motor direction.
Implementation Method 1
The cable may be adapted for carrying a high voltage and high frequency AC electrical signal
Implementation Method 2
The cleaning apparatus may include an electric motor to rotate one or more cleaning implements
Data Source
AI summary
Systems, devices, and methods for drain cleaning using high voltage, high frequency AC electrical power supplied through a video push-cable are disclosed. In one embodiment, a drain cleaning system may include a cable for carrying electrical control and/or data signals as well as alternating current (AC) power at a high voltage and high frequency relative to AC mains frequencies.