Removable Cleaning Device for Vertical Stack Plumbing Venting
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Vertical stack plumbing systems in mid-rise and high-rise buildings are difficult to maintain and clean due to their labyrinth-like construction, leading to frequent drain blockages and leaks, as conventional plumbing snakes and augers lack control and efficiency in navigating these complex systems.
Innovation Solution
A cleaning device with a cylindrical body and attachment member that allows for controlled introduction of cleaning media, such as ice and spherical particles, into the plumbing system, combined with a vacuum source to facilitate the passage of these media through the system, ensuring thorough cleaning and venting while maintaining airflow.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional plumbing snakes and augers are used to clean vertical stack systems, then cleaning can be performed, but control over the cleaning tool is lost and cleaning efficiency decreases due to the labyrinth-like construction
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs pneumatic pressure to propel cleaning media (ice, gravel, or other abrasive materials) through the vertical stack system. A compressed air source generates sufficient pressure to drive the media through the labyrinthine plumbing, providing both cleaning action and directional control that overcomes the complexity of the stack system
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses cleaning media (ice, gravel, or other abrasive materials) as an intermediary between the pneumatic pressure source and the pipe walls. These media particles carry the cleaning function through the complex stack system, allowing the operator to control the cleaning process remotely while the media navigates the labyrinthine construction
2Productivity
If the vertical stack system is blocked for cleaning, then thorough cleaning can be achieved, but normal venting and airflow functions are interrupted
Solution Approach 1:
The device segments the cleaning function from the venting function by using multiple openings in the cleaning head. One opening introduces the cleaning media into the stack, while a second opening maintains airflow and venting pathways. This segmentation allows both cleaning and venting to occur simultaneously without interfering with each other
Solution Approach 2:
The cleaning device performs multiple functions simultaneously: it introduces cleaning media for thorough cleaning while maintaining airflow pathways for continued venting operations. The device thus serves both cleaning and venting purposes, eliminating the need to choose between cleaning thoroughness and functional continuity
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 solution enables efficient and optimal cleaning of vertical stack plumbing systems by allowing precise control over the cleaning process, effectively addressing the challenges of grease buildup and blockages, and ensuring thorough abrading of inner surfaces, thereby maintaining system operability.
Implementation Method 1
applying a vacuum from the vacuum source to the vertical stack plumbing system to facilitate passing of the cleaning medium through the vertical stack towards the vacuum
Implementation Method 2
applying a vacuum from the vacuum source to the vertical stack plumbing system to facilitate passing of the cleaning medium
Implementation Method 3
passing the medium from the attachment member into the vertical stack plumbing system towards the vacuum thereby cleaning and/or abrading inner surfaces of the vertical stack plumbing system
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed are cleaning devices and methods of use thereof for cleaning a vertical stack plumbing system. The cleaning device includes a first cylindrical body defining a first opening for selectively introducing a predetermined amount of cleaning medium into the cleaning device; a second cylindrical body defining a second opening configured to maintain airflow and venting of the vertical stack plumbing system when the cleaning device is in use, the first and second cylindrical bodies being directly connected to a main body of the cleaning device and in fluid communication with one another through the main body; and an attachment member defining a third opening that is directly connected to the main body of the cleaning device, the attachment member configured for direct removable attachment to a plumbing waste pipe in the vertical stack plumbing system and for receiving the cleaning medium therethrough to introduce the cleaning medium into the vertical stack plumbing system.