Spiral Tip Drain Attachment for Bacterial Exposure Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need for a device and method to sanitize the unclogging of domestic drains without using caustic chemicals, as drains are a significant source of bacteria and existing methods risk exposing plumbers and others to harmful bacteria during the unclogging process.
Innovation Solution
A powered drain unclogging device with a rotational power source and an attachment featuring a spiral tip pattern and helical body arrangement of protrusions that can be driven into a drain to grab and retain debris, allowing for effective unclogging without chemical use.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If mechanical methods are used to remove clogging debris, then unclogging effectiveness is improved, but exposure to harmful bacteria increases
Solution Approach 1:
The device divides the unclogging function into separate components: a disposable attachment that contacts the bacteria-contaminated drain and a reusable power source. The attachment can be segmented into different configurations (spiral pattern, helical pattern, combination pattern) to handle various clogging types while maintaining bacterial isolation through disposable design.
Solution Approach 2:
The attachment is designed as a disposable component that is discarded after use, preventing cross-contamination and bacterial exposure to the user. This allows aggressive mechanical cleaning action without concern for recontamination, as each attachment is used once and then disposed of.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If caustic chemicals are used to clear drains, then bacterial contamination is reduced, but harmful chemical exposure increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention replaces chemical cleaning methods with a mechanical system consisting of a rotational power source and specially designed attachments. The mechanical action of the spiral and helical patterns physically removes clogging debris and bacteria through cutting, scraping, and lifting forces, eliminating the need for caustic chemicals while maintaining effective drain clearing.
3Ease of manufacture
If the attachment design is simplified, then ease of manufacture is improved, but unclogging effectiveness decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The attachment employs curved spiral patterns and helical configurations that are formed through standard manufacturing processes such as wire forming or extrusion. These curved patterns are effective at cutting and lifting clogging debris while maintaining a relatively simple manufacturing process, balancing complexity and effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The attachment design incorporates multiple functional patterns (spiral, helical, combination) within a single basic structure that can be manufactured using similar processes. This allows the same manufacturing approach to produce attachments suited for different types of clogs, maintaining ease of manufacture while providing effective solutions for various unclogging scenarios.
Data Source
AI summary
A disclosed powered drain unclogging device, system and method comprises a rotational power source and an attachment having a first end detachably coupled to the rotational power source and a second end comprising a plurality of protrusions disposed laterally from a tip thereof in a spiral tip pattern and a helical body pattern configured to drive the rotating tip into a drain and grab and retain debris therefrom. The disclosed method comprises driving the rotating tip into a drain based on an interaction of the spiral arrangement of the protrusions proximal the tip with an inside of the drain walls. The method further includes unclogging debris from the drain via a grabbing and retaining action of the debris by the sharp barbs of the attachment and the driving action thereof. The protrusions comprise bristles and barbs which sway and adjust to varying drain diameters. A splash guard protects the user.