EP1166901A2 - Cleaning snake for pipe cleaning machines - Google Patents

Abstract

A spring shaft ( 1 ) for cleaning pipelines consists of a coil spring ( 2 ) with windings ( 3, 3 a , 3 b , 3 c) of spring steel and with a rotation axis (RA) and a spiral winding axis (WA). In order to give the spring shaft ( 1 ) a particular cleaning function, the windings ( 3, 3 a , 3 b , 3 c) have at least on their outside ( 4 ) a cross section departing from the circular shape, with at least one edge (K) acting on the pipeline. At the same time it is possible to provide the outside ( 4 ) with at least one longitudinal groove ( 8 ) following the windings ( 3 c), or to configure the cross section of the windings ( 3 a , 3 b) as a square whose outside edge ( 4 a) runs parallel to the rotation axis (RA) or whose surface diagonal ( 4 b) runs radially to the rotation axis (RA). Lastly, it is possible to provide the outside ( 4 ) with a profile ( 5 ) in which projections and grooves alternate.

Description

The invention relates to a spring shaft for cleaning pipelines according to the preamble of claim 1.

Such spring shafts, also called "cleaning spirals" usually consist of a coiled, drawn Steel wire with a round cross-section and a smooth surface. You will be on at the end via connecting couplings with a wide variety of tools provided like drills, cutting heads, chain slingshot heads, Pipe brushes, root cutters, mud drills etc. The drive machines and their mode of operation are described in the detailed description explained in more detail.

The known spring shafts have essentially only drive character. The tools used are by the spring shaft, the can also be composed of several spring shafts, in clogged Pipelines introduced, whereby they are also through elbows, pipe branches etc. "work through". The withdrawal is done by repentance the direction of rotation, with persistent blockages also periodic Forward and retreat movements can be performed.

DE 38 32 716 C2 is a spring shaft with a cross section in Known form of a rectangle or trapezoid, of which two are opposite lying edges run parallel to the axis of the spring shaft. The outer these helical edges lie in an imaginary Cylinder surface if you consider the straight position of the spring shaft. This means that the corners, which also run in a helical shape, can this cross section does not have a cleaning effect on the inner walls of Exercise pipes, even if the spring shaft through pipe bends or elbow is passed through, because in this case the outer edge of the cross-section the pipe bend at its smallest radius of curvature only touches tangentially, so the cross-sectional edges in the pipe bend are not in Can come into contact with the inner surface of the pipe.

The known device is used to line the inner walls of Tubes, and at the end of the spring shaft there are several in a row rotationally symmetrical distribution body for a liquid coating material arranged by a hose inside the spring shaft runs, fed and when the spring shaft retracts through the Distribution body is distributed on the pipe wall. The spring shaft only has a drive function: for reasons of limitation of diameter changes when turning the spring shaft forwards and backwards these have a rectangular or trapezoidal shape defined by formulas Cross-section. The use of the spring shaft itself as a cleaning device is neither disclosed nor suggested, especially since it is expressly stated is for cleaning the inner wall of the pipe at the front end of the spring shaft Cleaning devices must be attached.

The object of the invention is to provide such spring shafts to improve it while maintaining its drive function can have a cleaning effect themselves.

According to the invention, the object is achieved by Features in the characterizing part of patent claim 1.

With this solution, the task is solved in full, i.e. the spring shafts can maintain their drive function themselves have a cleaning effect and to a certain extent also scrape stubborn incrustations from the tube walls, which are made of ceramics, Cast iron or plastic can exist.

• die Außenseite mit mindestens einer den Windungen folgenden Längsnut versehen ist,
• der Querschnitt der Windungen ein Vierkant ist, dessen eine Flächendiagonale zumindeste im wesentlichen radial zur Rotationsachse verläuft,
• die Außenseite mit einer Profilierung versehen ist, in der sich Vorsprünge und Nuten abwechseln,
• die Vorsprünge zumindest in einer Umfangsrichtung der Windungsachse scharfkantig ausgebildet sind,
• die Vorsprünge von den Nuten umgeben sind,
• die Nuten zwei Gruppen bilden, von denen die Nuten der einen Gruppe im wesentlichen in Umfangsrichtung der Windungsachse verlaufen und die Nuten der anderen Gruppe in einem Winkel hierzu,
• die Nuten beider Gruppen sich unter einem Winkel zwischen 30 und 60 Grad schneiden,
• die Vorsprünge sich in Umfangsrichtung der Windungsachse derart überlappen, daß Antriebsbacken einer Antriebsmaschine für die Federwelle nicht in die Nuten einfallen können, und/oder, wenn
• die Vorsprünge in der Draufsicht rautenförmig ausgebildet sind.

In the course of further refinements of the invention, it is particularly advantageous if, either individually or in combination:

• the outside is provided with at least one longitudinal groove following the turns,
• the cross section of the turns is a square, one surface diagonal of which is at least substantially radial to the axis of rotation,
• the outside is provided with a profile in which protrusions and grooves alternate,
• the projections are formed with sharp edges at least in a circumferential direction of the winding axis,
• the projections are surrounded by the grooves,
• the grooves form two groups, of which the grooves of one group run essentially in the circumferential direction of the winding axis and the grooves of the other group at an angle thereto,
• the grooves of both groups intersect at an angle between 30 and 60 degrees,
• the projections overlap in the circumferential direction of the winding axis in such a way that drive jaws of a drive machine for the spring shaft cannot fall into the grooves, and / or if
• the projections are diamond-shaped in plan view.

The profile can be created by rolling, grinding or milling if necessary, also on the wire before winding. In this case it is only pay attention to precise guidance when turning.

Exemplary embodiments of the subject matter of the invention are as follows explained in more detail with reference to FIGS. 1 to 4.

Show it:

Figure 1

a side view of a longitudinal section of a spring shaft a first embodiment,

Figure 2

section II from FIG. 1 on an enlarged scale,

Figure 3

a section through half a turn of the spring shaft Figure 1, also in an enlarged compared to Figure 1 Scale, and

Figure 4

various other embodiments on a length section a spring shaft in an enlarged compared to Figure 1 Scale.

In Figures 1 to 3, a spring shaft 1 for a not shown Pipe cleaning device shown in a known manner from a portable or mobile prime mover, which has an electric motor and has a clutch driven by it. This clutch contains sector-shaped Clutch shoes that can be pressed radially onto the spring shaft, the contact pressure determines the torque of the spring shaft.

The spring shaft 1 consists of a coil spring 2 made of spring steel, with an axis of rotation RA and a plurality of turns 3, the Outside 4 is provided with a profile 5 in which there are projections 6 and grooves 7 and 8 alternate. The projections 6 are at least in a circumferential direction of the winding axis (WA-WA) is formed with sharp edges. The projections 6 are surrounded by the grooves 7 and 8. The Profiling 5 naturally extends over the entire length of the spring shaft 1.

The grooves 7 and 8 form two groups, of which the grooves 7 one Group essentially in the circumferential direction of the winding axis (WA-WA) run and the grooves 8 of the other group at an angle to this, the is between 30 and 60 degrees. The arrangement is such that the projections 6 extend in the circumferential direction of the winding axis (WA-WA) overlap such that clutch shoes of a drive machine for the The spring shaft cannot fall into the grooves 8. For this purpose the projections 6 are diamond-shaped in plan view.

FIG. 4 shows various further exemplary embodiments of one Longitudinal section of a spring shaft 1. The two ends shown correspond to the prior art with a cross section in the form of a Circular area. The outer sides - seen in a stretched position - are in one dash-dot imaginary cylindrical surface Z.

The turn 3a consists of a wire with such a cross section, (hatched twice) that its outer helical Surface 4a is concave, so that two sharp edges "K" with each an opening angle of less than 90 degrees are formed between enclose a circumferential groove. This will create two sharp edges "K" formed, which act on the pipe walls and located there Scrape off incrustations.

The turn 3b consists of a wire with a square cross section (shown hatched twice), of which the surface diagonal 4b is radial runs to the axis of rotation RA. This creates a sharp edge K, which acts on the pipe walls and incrustations located there scrapes. The square cross section can be a square, a rectangle. on Checked or a trapeze, of which at least 3a in the winding 3a Outer edge 4a can also be made concave to the scraping effect of the edges K to increase.

The turn 3c consists of a wire with an original Circular cross section (shown hatched twice), on the outside a groove 8 following the turns 3c is incorporated. Here too two sharp edges K are formed on the pipe walls act and scrape off any incrustations located there.

Of course, the turns 3, 3a, 3b and 3c belong to different ones Spring waves. The windings 3a to 3c produce besides the scraping effect also a "thread guide" of the spring shaft at all points where the The spring shaft lies firmly against the pipe wall, e.g. in elbows or Connection points. The compression of the spring shaft under the force of the feed is then reduced, and the feed forces then develop to Part "on site". The same applies to withdrawal forces.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

spring shaft

2

coil spring

3

turns

3a

turns

3b

turns

3c

turns

4

outside

4a

area

4b

face diagonal

5

profiling

6

projections

7

groove

8th

groove

K

Edge)

RA

axis of rotation

WA-WA

winding axis

Z

cylindrical surface

Claims (10)

Device for cleaning inner tube walls by means of a coil spring (2) forming a spring shaft (1) with windings (3, 3a, 3b, 3c) made of spring steel and with a rotation axis (RA) and a spiral winding axis (WA-WA), whereby the turns (3, 3a, 3b 3c) at least on their outside (4) have a cross-section deviating from the circular shape, characterized in that at least the outside (4) of the turns is profiled in such a way that the spring shaft (1) itself acts with at least one edge (K) on dirt on the pipe walls. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the outside (4) is provided with at least one longitudinal groove (8) following the windings (3, 3c). Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the cross section of the windings (3b) is a square, one surface diagonal (4b) of which extends at least substantially radially to the axis of rotation (RA). Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the outside (4) is provided with a profile (5) in which projections (6) and grooves (7, 8) alternate. Device according to claim 4, characterized in that the projections (6) are sharp-edged at least in a circumferential direction of the winding axis (WA-WA). Device according to claim 4, characterized in that the projections (6) are surrounded by the grooves (7, 8). Device according to claim 4, characterized in that the grooves (7, 8) form two groups, of which the grooves (7) of one group run essentially in the circumferential direction of the winding axis (WA-WA) and the grooves (8) of the other Group at an angle to this. Device according to claim 7, characterized in that the grooves (7, 8) of both groups intersect at an angle between 30 and 60 degrees. Device according to claim 8, characterized in that the projections (6) overlap in the circumferential direction of the winding axis (WA-WA) in such a way that drive jaws of a drive machine for the device (1) cannot fall into the grooves (8). Device according to claim 8, characterized in that the projections (6) are diamond-shaped in plan view.

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