EP3862496A1 - Channel inspection and / or channel cleaning head and channel inspection and / or channel cleaning apparatus and method for operating a channel inspection and / or cleaning head - Google Patents

Abstract

The sewer cleaning and / or sewer inspection head (100) comprises a valve element (150) which can be adjusted by means of gravity and by means of which one of several outlet nozzle devices (110) can be closed in a targeted manner. A supplied operating medium is thus concentrated on at least one remaining open outlet nozzle device (110) and ejected there. The valve element (150) is easily adjustable in a state in which no operating medium is being supplied, but on the other hand is firmly fixed while operating medium is being supplied.

Description

The present invention relates to a sewer inspection and / or sewer cleaning head, abbreviated "KIR head", for a sewer inspection and / or sewer cleaning device, i.e. a "KIR device". Furthermore, a sewer inspection and / or sewer cleaning device, KIR device, is described, as well as a method for operating a sewer inspection and / or cleaning head, which can also be referred to as a sewer inspection and / or sewer cleaning method.

State of the art

Although in principle applicable to any sewer inspection and / or sewer cleaning situations, the present invention and the problems on which it is based are explained using sewer inspection and / or sewer cleaning heads for pipes.

In the following, the term “inspection” should not only include a visual inspection, but also additional or alternative mechanical maintenance or rehabilitation of the sewer. With a sewer inspection device of this type, any pipeline systems, cavity systems, sewer systems and the like can be driven through in a targeted manner in order, for example, to determine and / or remove defects or blockages. Corresponding pipeline systems can occur, for example, in sewer systems, but also in air conditioning systems, ventilation systems, cooling systems and the like. Sewer inspection and / or sewer cleaning can thus refer to sewers, cooling ducts, ventilation ducts and the like.

In particular, when blockages are to be removed, one can speak of a sewer cleaning device or a sewer cleaning head. The tasks of sewer inspection and sewer cleaning sometimes merge, for example when an inspection reveals a problem that can be remedied immediately.

Sewer cleaning devices are primarily used for cleaning pipes, manholes and channels that are inaccessible to humans, also referred to more generally as pipelines. For this purpose, they usually have a KIR head with cleaning nozzles through which a cleaning medium, mostly water, exits at high pressure. This cleaning medium is brought to the KIR head through a supply line.

In the prior art, sewer cleaning devices are known which are designed as cleaning nozzles attached to the end of a high-pressure hose. Their operating medium line, i.e. the high-pressure hose, is usually arranged on a hose reel, from where the cleaning head moves into the pipeline by means of independent propulsion and cleans it. This propulsion is generated, for example, by appropriately aligning nozzles in the opposite direction to the propulsion direction. In some cases, these propulsion / approach nozzles simultaneously achieve a desired cleaning effect.
For example, in the EP 2 676 058 A2 describes a high-pressure liquid injection nozzle with a switching valve with flow control, wherein different discharge nozzles can be selected by means of the switching valve.

In such solutions, the targeted control of the nozzles is usually very complex and may require a complex mechanical design.

The present invention is therefore based on the object of providing a sewer inspection and / or cleaning device, a sewer inspection and / or cleaning head as well as a corresponding method which enables a particularly simple possibility for selecting or controlling ejector nozzles for an operating medium.

This object is achieved by the subjects of the independent claims.

Advantages of the invention

The basic idea here is a valve element that can be adjusted by means of gravity, by means of which one of several outlet nozzle devices (i.e. operating fluid discharge structures with at least one outlet nozzle) can be closed in a targeted manner. A supplied operating medium is thus concentrated on the at least one remaining open outlet nozzle device and ejected there. A particular advantage of the solutions described is that the valve element can be easily adjusted in a state in which no operating medium is supplied ("pressureless operating state"), while it is firmly fixed when operating medium is supplied.

• einem ersten Betriebsmitteleingang, mittels welchem ein Betriebsmittel in den KIR-Kopf einleitbar ist;
• einer ersten Ausgangsdüseneinrichtung und einer zweiten Ausgangsdüseneinrichtung;
• wobei die erste Ausgangsdüseneinrichtung mindestens eine erste Ausgangsdüse zum Ausstoßen des Betriebsmittels aufweist und wobei die zweite Ausgangsdüseneinrichtung mindestens eine zweite Ausgangsdüse zum Ausstoßen des Betriebsmittels aufweist;
• einem ersten Betriebsmittelleitungssystem, mittels welchem der Betriebsmitteleingang fluidisch mit der ersten und der zweiten Ausgangsdüseneinrichtung verbindbar oder verbunden ist;
• einem Ventilelement, welches beweglich in dem ersten Betriebsmittelleitungssystem angeordnet ist;
• einem ersten Ventilsitz, welcher durch das Ventilelement verschließbar ist, um einen Betriebsmittelzufluss von dem Betriebsmitteleingang zu der ersten Ausgangsdüseneinrichtung zu verschließen; und
• einem zweiten Ventilsitz, welcher durch das Ventilelement verschließbar ist, um einen Betriebsmittelzufluss von dem Betriebsmitteleingang zu der zweiten Ausgangsdüseneinrichtung zu verschließen;
• wobei das Ventilelement unter Verwendung der Schwerkraft durch Bewegen des KIR-Kopfes selektiv zumindest in den ersten Ventilsitz oder den zweiten Ventilsitz einführbar ist.

According to the invention, on the one hand, a sewer inspection and / or cleaning head, KIR head, for a sewer inspection and / or sewer cleaning device, KIR device, is provided. The KIR head is trained with:

• a first resource input, by means of which a resource can be introduced into the KIR head;
• a first exit nozzle means and a second exit nozzle means;
• wherein the first outlet nozzle device has at least one first outlet nozzle for ejecting the operating medium, and wherein the second outlet nozzle device has at least one second outlet nozzle for ejecting the operating medium;
• a first operating medium line system, by means of which the operating medium inlet can be or is fluidically connected to the first and the second outlet nozzle device;
• a valve element which is movably arranged in the first operating medium line system;
• a first valve seat which can be closed by the valve element in order to close off an operating medium inflow from the operating medium inlet to the first outlet nozzle device; and
• a second valve seat which can be closed by the valve element in order to close off an operating medium inflow from the operating medium inlet to the second outlet nozzle device;
• wherein the valve element can be selectively introduced into at least one of the first valve seat and the second valve seat by moving the KIR head using the force of gravity.

The operating medium can in particular be a fluid, i.e. a liquid or a gas, preferably water. Since the operating medium is usually introduced or is to be introduced under high pressure, the operating medium inlet can preferably be designed to receive the cleaning agent under a corresponding high pressure. An operating medium line for guiding the operating medium to the operating medium inlet can for example be screwed to the operating medium inlet by means of a thread.

A gas, for example compressed air, can also be used as the operating medium. A KIR head provided with compressed air as the operating medium or such a KIR device can be used, for example, for cleaning and / or inspection of pipes in air conditioning or ventilation systems in building technology.

An output nozzle device is to be understood in particular as a structure which has at least one output nozzle (or: discharge nozzle) and possibly lines for guiding at least part of the operating medium to the at least one output nozzle. An exit nozzle device can have a plurality of exit nozzles. The output nozzles of an output nozzle device can, for example, be a plurality of output nozzles arranged rotationally symmetrically with respect to a longitudinal axis of the KIR head. The operating medium can thus be ejected in a correspondingly rotationally symmetrical manner by means of this outlet nozzle device. The rotational symmetry can in particular be a Cn symmetry, where n is preferably greater than or equal to 3.

A large number of suitable geometric bodies or more complicated structures can be used as the movable valve element in the operational management system, which is correspondingly adapted and coordinated with the first operating resource line system. The valve element preferably has at least one rotational symmetry, so that it can be, for example, a cylindrical, in particular circular-cylindrical valve element.

The valve element is particularly preferably designed as a ball (so-called “valve ball”). The spherical shape has the particular advantage that, in the case of the first operating medium line system, less attention has to be paid to the correct and current alignment of the valve element, but that essentially only the current direction of gravity needs to be taken into account.

The use of gravity is to be understood in particular to mean that the KIR head is moved in such a way that the valve element moves due to gravity and, for example, fits sealingly into the first valve seat or into the second valve seat. Depending on the specific design of the first resource line system, this can be done, for example, simply by aligning the KIR head in such a way that the valve seat into which the valve element is currently to be inserted is aligned downwards and the valve element is aligned accordingly falls down into the corresponding valve seat and is thus inserted into it.

As a simple, particularly preferred structure of the first resource line system, it is provided that it has a linear connecting line between the first valve seat and the second valve seat, which is designed such that the valve element can only move within this linear connecting line. For example, it should be ruled out that the valve element can penetrate into the operating fluid inlet. A linear movement of the valve element (for example valve ball) is forced by the linear connecting line. In this way, the movement of the valve element is easy to calculate and can be carried out without any obstacles by simply turning the KIR head. The linear connecting line can preferably be arranged orthogonally to a longitudinal axis of the KIR head, so that the linear connecting line moves within a plane when the KIR head is rotated about the longitudinal axis.

In the case of more complicated structures of the first resource line system, a more complicated sequence of movements of the KIR head may be necessary in order to move the valve element accordingly. However, the simple variant is preferred in which, by appropriately aligning the desired valve seat downwards, the valve element simply falls into this valve seat and is thus introduced.

The KIR head is preferably designed in such a way that the valve element can be moved using gravity if no operating medium is currently being introduced into the KIR head and / or if no operating medium is currently present in the KIR head. It can be seen that the valve element can be displaced more easily by moving the KIR head when the first operating medium line system is only filled with air but not filled with operating medium.

In addition, the valve seats, that is to say the first and the second valve seat (and possibly further valve seats) are preferably designed in such a way that when the valve element once introduced into the corresponding valve seat using gravity and then in this position the operating medium is introduced into the KIR head via the first operating medium inlet, the pressure difference between the operating medium on the one hand, the valve element and the ambient pressure on the other, i.e. outside the outlet nozzle of the outlet nozzle device belonging to the valve seat, the valve element is firmly pressed / sucked into the valve seat.

In this way, for example, by forming an outlet nozzle device with a single outlet nozzle with a small diameter (in particular the smallest diameter of all outlet nozzles of the KIR head), a holding position or holding position of the valve element can be realized. In this reserve position, the valve element is held, if it is not otherwise required, due to the pressure difference described, but can be moved from there if it is to close another valve seat while the operating medium is not being introduced.

When the operating medium is then reintroduced, the first outlet nozzle device with the outlet nozzle with the smaller diameter thus remains open. Due to the small diameter of this outlet nozzle (which can also be referred to as a "holding nozzle"), however, only a small amount of operating medium emerges from it, which has no negative effects in most applications. On the other hand, this holding nozzle enables the valve element to be held at a defined point during the operation of the KIR head, thus preventing undesired movements of the valve element within the first operating medium line system.

The holding nozzle can have a diameter of, for example, less than 0.3 mm, preferably less than 0.2 mm, particularly preferably 0.1 mm or less. In comparison to this, the other exit nozzles can have nozzle diameters of, for example, 1 mm or more.

Moving the KIR head can in particular mean rotating and / or tilting the KIR head. The state in which this takes place, that is to say the state in which the operating medium is not introduced or is not introduced under pressure, can also be referred to as the pressureless operating state of the KIR head.

The first valve seat and / or the second valve seat are preferably formed by V-shaped constrictions in the first operating medium line system. As a result, the movement of the valve element, for example a valve ball, can be easily calculated and a more targeted control of the valve element is possible. The corresponding valve seat formed by the V-shaped constriction can thus be closed by contact with the valve element. In particular, if a valve ball is used as the valve element, the constriction should be V-shaped in such a way that the valve ball tightly closes the corresponding constriction, at least in cross section. For this purpose, the constriction can preferably be conical, so that the contact surface between the valve ball and the constriction is ideally a closed circle, so that the valve ball tightly closes the constriction in its entirety upon contact.

The constrictions mentioned represent preferably rest positions for such a valve ball. Thus, the described limitation of the movement of the valve ball is initially guaranteed. In addition, this prevents the valve ball from being moved out of the position on the constriction even when the KIR head is slightly tilted and / or the contact between valve ball and constriction (i.e. valve seat) is not maintained, especially in the pressureless operating state. The concept of the rest position is therefore to be understood in particular in such a way that a valve ball assumes a stable position at such a constriction as a valve seat, in which the valve ball performs a sealing function in cooperation with the valve seat and only becomes stable if the system is clearly tilted in the depressurized operating state Rest position can be solved.

Further preferred variants, modifications and developments emerge from the subclaims and from the description with reference to the figures.

According to some preferred embodiments, variants or developments of embodiments, the valve element can be selectively introduced at least into the first valve seat or into the second valve seat by rotating the KIR head about an axis using gravity.

Usually a resource source (e.g. pump) supplies the operating fluid inlet with the operating fluid via an operating fluid hose. Thus, for example, by rotating the operating fluid hose or (preferably) by rotating a protective hose encompassing it, the KIR head can be rotated in a simple manner. This in turn enables the valve element to be inserted into the desired valve seat. In this way, one of the outlet nozzle devices can also be selected efficiently from a distance by means of simple mechanical manipulations.

According to some preferred embodiments, variants or developments of embodiments, the at least one first outlet nozzle and the at least one second outlet nozzle have at least partially different nozzle diameters. For example, it can be provided that all outlet nozzles of the first outlet nozzle device have a different nozzle diameter than all outlet nozzles of the second outlet nozzle device, in particular if the outlet nozzles of the first outlet nozzle device all have the same nozzle diameter and / or the outlet nozzles of the second outlet nozzle device each have the same nozzle diameter.

However, it is also conceivable that the respective outlet nozzle device has only a single outlet nozzle, the nozzle diameters differing, see above that a nozzle diameter can be selected by selecting an outlet nozzle device (by moving the valve element away from the corresponding valve seat). It is also possible, as has been described above, for an outlet nozzle device to be designed only with a single outlet nozzle which, for example, realizes a holding nozzle.

• radiale Ausrichtung (bezogen auf eine Längsachse des KIR-Kopfs);
• im Wesentlichen rückwärts gewandte Ausrichtung (Schrägstellung der Ausgangsdüse von weniger als 45° zur Rückwärtsrichtung, bevorzugt weniger als 30°, besonders bevorzugt weniger als 15°, ganz besonders bevorzugt 0°); oder
• im Wesentlichen vorwärts gewandte Ausrichtung (Schrägstellung der Ausgangsdüse von weniger als 45° zur Vorwärtsrichtung, bevorzugt weniger als 30°, besonders bevorzugt weniger als 15°, ganz besonders bevorzugt 0°).

According to some preferred embodiments, variants or developments of embodiments, the at least one first outlet nozzle has one of the following orientations:

• radial alignment (based on a longitudinal axis of the KIR head);
• essentially rearward-facing orientation (inclination of the outlet nozzle of less than 45 ° to the rearward direction, preferably less than 30 °, particularly preferably less than 15 °, very particularly preferably 0 °); or
• essentially forward-facing orientation (inclination of the outlet nozzle of less than 45 ° to the forward direction, preferably less than 30 °, particularly preferably less than 15 °, very particularly preferably 0 °).

Furthermore, the at least one second outlet nozzle preferably has a different one of these mentioned orientations. In this way, by selecting an outlet nozzle device, that is to say by moving the valve element accordingly, an ejection direction of the operating medium through the corresponding outlet nozzle can also be selected.

A radially aligned outlet nozzle can function, for example, as a cleaning nozzle, since the operating medium can, for example, spray away dirt on a duct wall. A substantially rearward-facing exit nozzle can function as a propulsion nozzle, that is to say as a drive means for the KIR head in the forward direction. A substantially forward-facing exit nozzle can accordingly function as a return nozzle, that is to say as a drive means for the KIR head in the rearward direction.

All outlet nozzles of one and the same outlet nozzle device preferably have the same orientation. In other words, for example, the first outlet nozzle device can only have forward-facing outlet nozzles and the second outlet nozzle device can only have backward-facing outlet nozzles, or vice versa. In this case, the KIR head can be propelled or retracted accordingly by moving the valve element.

As a further example, the first outlet nozzle device can only have (one or more) radially aligned outlet nozzles, while the second outlet nozzle device only has (one or more) rearward-facing outlet nozzles. In this embodiment, by appropriately arranging the valve element, it is possible to choose between an advance of the KIR head and a channel wall cleaning function of the KIR head. In any case, in which a combination of two such functions should also be able to be implemented optionally (for example simultaneous propulsion function and cleaning function), it is therefore advantageous if the valve element can be moved to a further position which does not stand in the way of these functions. In this case, a third outlet nozzle device with a single outlet nozzle as a holding nozzle (as described above) can advantageously be provided. Any further combinations are easy to imagine.

According to some preferred embodiments, variants or developments of embodiments, the KIR head additionally has an attachment element which has an operating fluid inlet, a second operating fluid line system and at least one third outlet nozzle device with at least one third outlet nozzle.

The second operating medium inlet is designed and, if the attachment element is connected to the rest of the inspection head, arranged such that the second operating medium inlet is from at least one of the first and / or second output nozzles receives the operating medium and forwards it to the third output nozzle device.

As the attachment element can be freely designed, the KIR head can be redesigned in a variable manner. If, for example, the original KIR head has a forward-facing outlet nozzle, which is not desired in a certain application, the attachment element can be placed in such a way that the second operating medium inlet closes this forward-facing outlet nozzle and the operating medium introduced into this forward-facing outlet nozzle through the second Operating medium line is forwarded to a differently aligned output nozzle of the third output nozzle device.

Furthermore, the attachment element offers the advantage that additional functions of the KIR head can be provided and the second operating resource line system can be designed in such a way that the operating resource can be safely routed around these functions. For example, the attachment element can comprise a camera around which the operating means is guided. The second operating medium inlet can have a protruding line section which can be inserted into the at least one of the first and / or second output nozzles, in particular in order to completely feed all of the operating medium leaving the corresponding output nozzle into the second operating medium line system.

In some variants, the KIR head can have an attachment element by means of which at least one outlet nozzle can be completely closed.

According to some preferred embodiments, variants or developments of embodiments, the first outlet nozzle device is arranged at least partially in at least one releasably connected insert (by means of releasable fastening means). The releasably connected insert can be, for example, an exchangeable threaded insert. Accordingly, the KIR head advantageously has a recess with fastening means for the detachably connectable Use, in particular a recess with an internal thread. The recess is connected to the first operating medium line system in such a way that the operating medium can be introduced into the detachable insert.

According to preferred developments, the first outlet nozzle device and the first valve seat are arranged in the releasably connected insert, in particular an exchangeable threaded insert. This has the particular advantage that the dismantling of the threaded insert makes the first operating medium line system and the valve element accessible for assembly, maintenance and / or cleaning. In addition, the releasably connected insert can thus be cleaned separately and replaced if necessary when worn. Furthermore, by exchanging the threaded insert, a KIR head can be provided with a new type of outlet nozzle device, so that the functionality of the KIR head can be changed as a result.

Analogously to what has been described above, the second outlet nozzle device can also be arranged partially or completely and the second valve seat in a corresponding releasably connected insert.

The invention thus also provides a threaded insert for a KIR head according to the invention, having an outlet nozzle device with at least one outlet nozzle and a valve seat fluidically connected to the outlet nozzle, which can be tightly closed by means of a valve element for the operating medium that can be moved by gravity.

According to some preferred embodiments, variants or developments of embodiments, the KIR head has a sensor element, by means of which a current position and / or orientation of the valve element and / or the KIR head can be determined. For example, the sensor element can be a camera and / or a position sensor. In this way, a user can determine the position and / or orientation of the valve element, for example on a valve ball, Determine within the first resource management system and draw conclusions about the current operating status of the KIR head.

In other words, the sensor element can be used to determine which nozzle device is currently in operation and which nozzle device is currently cut off from the operating medium supply by the valve element. A sensor signal output by the sensor element can be transmitted wirelessly, for example. Alternatively, the sensor signal can be output to a control device or display device in a wired manner via a hose connected to the KIR head along or within a hose.

The invention also provides a sewer inspection and / or sewer cleaning device, KIR device, which is designed with: a KIR head according to the invention; an operating medium line which is fluidically connected to the first operating medium input of the KIR head; and a resource source, which is designed to deliver the resource into the resource line.

According to some preferred embodiments, variants or developments of embodiments, the KIR device has a protective hose which is detachably connected (for example by means of a thread) to the KIR head and which surrounds the operating medium line and shields it from the outside. A signal line, which for example controls a sensor device or a camera on the KIR head and / or receives signals therefrom, can for example be arranged and routed between the protective hose and the equipment line.

According to some preferred embodiments, variants or developments of embodiments, the KIR device additionally comprises a motor which is designed to move, in particular to rotate, the KIR head of the valve element. If a sensor element is provided for determining the current position and / or orientation of the valve element and / or the KIR head, For example, the sensor signal of the sensor element can also be used to regulate a control signal of the motor.

Alternatively or additionally, the KIR device can also be designed in such a way that the KIR head can be rotated simply by turning the operating medium line and / or the protective hose by a user who is positioned, for example, on the operating medium source side.

• Bewegen, während kein Betriebsmittel in den KIR-Kopf eingeleitet wird (druckloser Betriebszustand), des KIR-Kopfs eine erste Position derart, dass das Ventilelement aufgrund der Schwerkraft den ersten Ventilsitz verschließend angeordnet wird;
• Einleiten des Betriebsmittels in den KIR-Kopf, während der KIR-Kopf in der ersten Position verbleibt;
• Bewegen, während kein Betriebsmittel in den KIR-Kopf eingeleitet wird (druckloser Betriebszustand), des KIR-Kopfes in eine zweite Position derart, dass das Ventilelement aufgrund der Schwerkraft den zweiten Ventilsitz verschließend angeordnet wird (das heißt den ersten Ventilsitz nicht näher verschließt); und
• Einleiten des Betriebsmittels in den KIR-Kopf, während der KIR-Kopf in der zweiten Position verbleibt.

The invention further provides a method for operating a KIR head according to the invention and / or a KIR device according to the invention. The process comprises at least the following process steps:

• Moving the KIR head to a first position while no operating medium is being introduced into the KIR head (pressureless operating state) in such a way that the valve element is arranged to close the first valve seat due to the force of gravity;
• Introducing the resource into the KIR head while the KIR head remains in the first position;
• Moving, while no operating medium is being introduced into the KIR head (pressureless operating state), the KIR head into a second position in such a way that the valve element is arranged to close the second valve seat due to gravity (i.e. does not close the first valve seat any closer); and
• Introducing the equipment into the KIR head while the KIR head remains in the second position.

The method described thus includes setting a first operating state in which the first valve seat is closed and the operating medium can thus flow through the second valve seat into the second outlet nozzle device. The method also includes steps to change from this first operating state to a second operating state in which the second valve seat is closed and the operating medium can thus flow through the then open first valve seat into the first outlet nozzle device.

The KIR head can be moved manually or by a motor, that is, control signals can be sent to at least one motor in order to control it, to set the KIR head in a desired movement or to rotate or tilt its position in order to realize the desired arrangement of the valve element.

The method can particularly advantageously and preferably be carried out while the KIR head is inserted into a channel or a pipe system, i.e. while the KIR head is positioned away from the source of operating resources and a user.

The above embodiments, refinements and developments can be combined with one another as desired, insofar as this makes sense. Further refinements, developments and implementations of the invention also include combinations, which are not explicitly mentioned, of features of the invention described above or below with regard to the exemplary embodiments. In particular, the person skilled in the art will also add individual aspects as improvements or additions to the respective basic forms of the invention.

Brief description of the drawings

Fig.1

eine schematische Querschnittsdarstellung durch einen Kanalinspektions- und/oder Kanalreinigungskopf gemäß einer Ausführungsform;

Fig. 2

eine schematische Querschnittsdarstellung durch einen Kanalinspektions- und/oder Kanalreinigungskopf gemäß einer weiteren Ausführungsform;

Fig. 3

eine schematische Querschnittsdarstellung durch einen Kanalinspektions- und/oder Kanalreinigungskopf gemäß einer weiteren Ausführungsform;

Fig. 4

eine schematische Querschnittsdarstellung durch einen Kanalinspektions- und/oder Kanalreinigungskopf gemäß einer weiteren Ausführungsform;

Fig. 5

eine schematische Querschnittsdarstellung durch eine Kanalinspektions- und/oder Kanalreinigungsvorrichtung gemäß einer Ausführungsform;

Fig. 6

eine weitere Darstellung der Kanalinspektions- und/oder Kanalreinigungsvorrichtung aus Fig. 5; und

Fig. 7

ein schematisches Flussdiagramm zum Erläutern eines Verfahrens gemäß einer Ausführungsform.

Further features and advantages of the invention are explained below with reference to the figures. Show:

Fig. 1

a schematic cross-sectional view through a sewer inspection and / or sewer cleaning head according to an embodiment;

Fig. 2

a schematic cross-sectional view through a sewer inspection and / or sewer cleaning head according to a further embodiment;

Fig. 3

a schematic cross-sectional view through a sewer inspection and / or sewer cleaning head according to a further embodiment;

Fig. 4

a schematic cross-sectional view through a sewer inspection and / or sewer cleaning head according to a further embodiment;

Fig. 5

a schematic cross-sectional illustration through a sewer inspection and / or sewer cleaning device according to an embodiment;

Fig. 6

a further representation of the sewer inspection and / or sewer cleaning device Fig. 5 ; and

Fig. 7

a schematic flow diagram for explaining a method according to an embodiment.

In the figures, the same reference symbols denote the same or similar elements. The drawings are not necessarily to be taken to scale, but may be used to scale in some embodiments. The numbering of procedural steps is for better understanding, but does not necessarily imply a specific sequence, unless the content stipulates otherwise.

Description of embodiments

Fig. 1 shows a schematic cross-sectional illustration through a sewer inspection and / or sewer cleaning head, KIR head 100, according to a first embodiment.

The KIR head 100 has an operating medium input 105, by means of which an operating medium F, in particular water, can be introduced into the KIR head 100. The operating medium F is introduced, for example, through an operating medium line 170.

The KIR head 100 has a longitudinal axis 1, along which the operating medium line 170 meets the KIR head 100 and along which the operating medium F in the resource input 105 is initiated. The first operating medium input 105 is fluidically connected to a first operating medium line system 140 of the KIR head 100, ie can transfer a fluid, namely the operating medium, to it.

The first resource line system 140 according to FIG Fig. 1 a linear connecting line section 142 in which a valve element 150 is movably arranged. Here and in the following, the valve element 150 is described and illustrated as a valve ball. However, it is also conceivable that the valve element 150 is, for example, circular cylinder-shaped, the circular cylinder always being shown in the figures with its circular cross-section.

According to Fig. 1 valve seats 115, 125 are respectively attached to the two ends of the linear connecting section 142 of the first operating medium line system 140, which are completely closed by the valve ball 150 when it is inserted or placed in the respective valve seat 115, 125. In Fig. 1 a first valve seat 115 is shown, on which the valve ball 150 just rests in a closing manner. Each valve seat 115, 125 can accordingly be designed in particular with a truncated cone shape, with which the valve ball 150 forms an annular closure surface such that operating medium F introduced through the operating medium inlet 105 cannot pass the first valve seat 115 while the valve ball 150 is in contact.

The first valve seat 115 connects the first operating medium line system 140 to a first nozzle device 110, which has a first outlet nozzle 111. Although in the cross-section in Fig. 1 If only a single first outlet nozzle 11 is shown, it goes without saying that the first outlet nozzle device 110 can also comprise a plurality of first outlet nozzles 110. The operating means F leaving the first outlet nozzle 111 is only intended to represent how this operating means F would leave the first outlet nozzle 111 if the first valve seat 115 were not closed by the valve ball 150. The in Fig. 1 currently shown first operating state in which the valve ball 150 blocks the first valve seat 115 and if it were closed, no operating medium F would accordingly be able to escape from the first outlet nozzle.

In this first operating state, as in FIG Fig. 1 also shown, a second valve seat 125 at the other end of the linear connecting portion 142 open, that is, not closed by the valve ball 150. The second valve seat 125 connects the first resource line system 140 with a second outlet nozzle device 120 with a corresponding second outlet nozzle 121.

The term “second outlet nozzle” refers to the fact that this outlet nozzle is part of the second outlet nozzle device 120 and not to the fact that it is about a second of at least two outlet nozzles of the second outlet nozzle device 120. Nevertheless, although in Fig. 1 only a single second output nozzle 121 is shown, the second output nozzle device 120 also have a plurality of second output nozzles 121. The in Fig. 1 The first operating state shown in the figure, in which the second valve seat 125 is open, the operating medium F introduced into the operating medium inlet 105 would thus be completely routed into the second outlet nozzle device 120 and ejected from there through the second outlet nozzle 121.

Due to the pressure in the operating medium F and the atmospheric pressure outside the first outlet nozzle 111, the valve ball 150 is likewise pressed against the first valve seat 115 and sucked into it. Thus, with continuously introduced operating medium F, the valve ball 150 is fixedly arranged in the first valve seat 115 and cannot be released from the first valve seat 115 by turning the KIR head 100 during this operating state, for example.

If, however, the supply of operating medium is switched off and thus either no operating medium F or only pressureless operating medium F is present in the KIR head 100 (so-called the first valve seat 115 can be moved into position on the second valve seat 125 using gravity. In other words, the KIR head 100 can be rotated in such a way that the valve ball falls into the other valve seat 125, for example the second valve seat, due to the force of gravity.

It is sufficient here if the valve ball 150 is lightly applied to the second valve seat 125. As soon as the operating medium F is applied to the operating medium inlet 105 again, the valve ball 150 is now pressed against the second valve seat 125 due to the pressure of the operating medium F, so that the second outlet nozzle device 120 is closed (second operating state) and the entire operating medium is now removed from the first Exit nozzle device 110 is ejected.

In Fig. 1 the variant is shown in which the output nozzles 111, 121 of the two output nozzle devices 110, 120 each have different nozzle diameters. In this way, by switching between the first and the second operating state, an ejection speed and a diameter of the ejected operating medium jet can be selected. The direction or orientation in which the operating medium F is ejected from a special outlet nozzle can, as already mentioned, be set by turning D the KIR head 100, while the operating medium F continues to be introduced into the operating medium inlet 105. That is, the KIR head 100 is rotated in the pressureless operating state in order to position the valve element 150 as desired, and can then be rotated again in an operating state with pressurized operating means.

Due to the pressure conditions described, the valve ball 150 will then also remain firmly in a corresponding valve seat (for example on the first valve seat 115 in FIG Fig. 1 ) when the other outlet nozzle (second outlet nozzle 121 in Fig. 1 ) is arranged, for example, vertically downwards.

According to Fig. 1 Both the first outlet nozzle 111 and the second outlet nozzle 121 are arranged radially, that is to say perpendicularly with respect to the longitudinal axis 1 of the KIR head 100; In addition, the first outlet nozzle 111 and the second outlet nozzle 121 are aligned antiparallel to one another.

It goes without saying that the two outlet nozzle devices 110, 120 can additionally or alternatively differ in other properties of the outlet nozzles 111, 121 than in the nozzle diameter. For example, the number of outlet nozzles, alignment of the outlet nozzles, shape of the outlet nozzles and the like are conceivable.

Fig. 2 shows a KIR head 200 according to a further embodiment. The KIR head 200 is a variant of the KIR head 100 and differs from it in the design of the first outlet nozzle device 210 with the first outlet nozzle 211 (instead of the outlet nozzle device 110 in FIG Fig. 1 ) and the first valve seat 215 (instead of the first valve seat 115 in Fig. 1 ).

As in Fig. 2 As shown, in the KIR head 200 both the first valve seat 215 and the first outlet nozzle device 210 with the first outlet nozzle 211 are arranged completely in a detachable threaded insert 213. This detachable threaded insert 213 can be removed (unscrewed). In this case, the linear connecting line 142 of the first operating material line system 140 is accessible from the outside and can be cleaned. In addition, for example, the valve ball 150 (or a differently shaped valve element) can be removed from the linear connecting line 142, for example in order to clean or replace it.

In Fig. 2 the first outlet nozzle 211 and the second outlet nozzle 121 are now shown with the same diameter. The design of the outlet nozzles can, however, take place regardless of whether or not they are already arranged in a detachable threaded insert. It goes without saying that the first and the second exit nozzles 121, 211 can be formed with any different or the same properties.

Fig. 3 shows a KIR head 300 according to a further embodiment. The KIR head 300 is a variant of the KIR head 200 from Fig. 2 and differs therefrom in the configuration of the second outlet nozzle device 320 (instead of the second outlet nozzle device 120 according to FIG Fig. 2 ). The second outlet nozzle device 320 according to FIG Fig. 3 a second outlet nozzle 321 which, instead of being radially oriented, is now oriented axially forwards, that is to say in the forward movement direction of the KIR head 300. In the in Fig. 3 The first operating state shown, in which the valve ball 150 closes the first valve seat 215 of the first outlet nozzle device 210, an operating medium F can thus be ejected forwards, for example in order to spray a path free for the KIR head 300.

Fig. 4 shows a KIR head 400 according to a further embodiment. The KIR head 400 is a variant of the KIR head 300 from Fig. 3 . The KIR head 400 differs from the KIR head 300 in the configuration of the second outlet nozzle device 420 (instead of the second outlet nozzle device 320 from Fig. 3 ). At the second exit nozzle device 420 from Fig. 4 a second output nozzle 421, which is again axially arranged, but this time facing backwards, is provided, which can be used, for example, as a thrust nozzle for the KIR head 400. The provision of a plurality of second output nozzles 421 of the second output nozzle device 420, in particular symmetrically around the axis 1 of the KIR head 400, can bring about a particularly stable movement of the KIR head 400 through recoil.

Fig. 5 shows a sewer inspection and / or sewer cleaning device, KIR device 1000 according to a further embodiment. The KIR device 1000 comprises a KIR head 500, a resource line 570 and a resource source (eg pump; not shown) which is designed to convey a resource F into the resource line 570.

As in Fig. 6 As shown once again more clearly, the KIR head 500 comprises a connection element 501 and an attachment element 502. The connection element 501 is a variant of the KIR head 300 according to FIG Fig. 3 and thus comprises an operating medium inlet, a valve ball 150, a first valve seat 215, which connects a first operating medium line system 140 and via this the first operating medium inlet 105 with a first outlet nozzle device 210 with a first outlet nozzle 211. The first operating medium line system 140 also connects the operating medium inlet to a second valve seat 325 and via this to a second outlet nozzle device 320 with a second outlet nozzle 321, the second outlet nozzle 321 being oriented forward. All of these elements can be configured as described above with reference to FIG Figures 1 to 4 has been described in detail.

In particular, by turning D the KIR head, in particular the connection element 501, the valve ball 150 can be moved back and forth between the first and the second valve seat 215, 125 in the unpressurized operating state in order to dispense liquid either through the first outlet nozzle device 210 or through the second Eject output nozzle device 320 when operating medium F is again introduced into the operating medium inlet.

In Fig. 6 it is shown that the attachment element 502 of the KIR head 500 has a second operating means input 565, which has a protruding line section 566. The protruding line section 566 can be inserted into the second outlet nozzle 321 in such a way that any operating medium F ejected through the second outlet nozzle 321, instead of being ejected, is guided completely via the protruding line section 566 into the second operating medium inlet 565 of the attachment element 502.

Fig. 5 shows the state in which the attachment element 502 is inserted into the connection element 501. The connection between the attachment element 502 and the connection element 501 can be improved by additional operating means, such as, for example, detachable screws.

In the in FIGS. 5 and 6 In the embodiment shown, the attachment element 502 has a camera 580. A third outlet nozzle device 530 with at least one third outlet nozzle 531, from which the operating medium F received via the second operating medium inlet 565 is ejected, is arranged on the front side of the attachment element 502. The operating medium F is conducted from the second operating medium inlet 565 to the third outlet nozzle device 530 via a second operating medium line system 560 within the attachment element 502.

The third output nozzle 531 is switched on or off by arranging or not arranging the valve ball 150 on the second valve seat 125 within the connection element 501 are suitable for transmitting signals from the camera 580 or to the camera 580. The corresponding interface on the connection element 501 can be forwarded to a user by means of wire connections, for example.

It is understood that each of the KIR heads 100; 200; 300, 400 from the FIGS. 1 to 4 can act as a connection element for a further attachment element, or that each of these KIR heads 100; 200; 300; 400 can each be composed of a connection element and an attachment element, depending on the planned application.

As in Fig. 5 As shown in particular, the operating medium line 570, via which the operating medium F is transmitted to the operating medium input of the connection element 501, can be surrounded by a protective hose 572 which is detachably connected to the KIR head 500 and which the operating medium line 570 shields from the outside. Signal lines can be routed, for example, between the equipment line 570 and the protective hose 572.

The protective hose 572 can advantageously be extruded onto the operating medium line 570 and thus firmly connected to the operating medium line 570. Electrical lines, for example signal and / or control lines for one or more sensor elements and / or for the camera 580, can be embedded in the extruded layer. A filling material, for example cotton, e.g. in the form of cotton threads, can be arranged between the operating message line 570, signal and / or control lines and protective hose 572.

Fig. 7 shows a schematic flow diagram for explaining a method for operating a KIR head 100 according to the invention; 200; 300; 400; 500 and / or for operating a KIR device 1000, according to a further embodiment.

In a step S10, while no resource F is in the KIR head 100; 200; 300; 400; 500 is initiated (pressureless operating state), the KIR head 100; 200; 300; 400; 500 is moved into a first position such that the valve element 150 of the KIR head 100; 200; 300; 400; 500 due to gravity, the first valve seat 115; 215 is arranged locking.
This can be done either at the beginning of a sewer inspection and / or sewer cleaning operation (KIR operation), the KIR head 100; 200; 300; 400; 500 has not yet been inserted into a channel or a pipe, or it can also take place while the supply of operating medium has been interrupted while the KIR head 100; 200; 300; 400 is already in the channel or pipe.

In a step S20, the operating means F is in the KIR head 100; 200; 300; 400; 500 initiated while the KIR head 100; 200; 300; 400; 500 remains in the first position. As has already been described in detail above, the valve element 150 is now attached to the first valve seat by the pressure in the operating medium 115; 215 pressed and is therefore fixed there. The KIR head 100; 200; 300; 400; 500 can now, if necessary, be rotated while the supply of operating medium is in progress, in order, for example, to determine the direction or alignment of the operating medium ejection through the second output nozzle device 120; 320 to change.

In a step S30, while no resource F is in the KIR head 100; 200; 300; 400, 500 is initiated (pressureless operating state), the KIR head 100; 200; 300; 400; 500 is moved into a second position in such a way that the valve element 150 is arranged to close the second valve seat 125 due to the force of gravity. This can be done, for example, at the beginning of the KIR operation, or after performing steps S10 and S20 and an optional step in which the supply of resources is temporarily shut off.

In a step S40, the resource F is in the KIR head 100; 200; 300; 400; 500 initiated while the KIR head 100; 200; 300; 400; 500 remains in the second position. The KIR head 100; 200; 300; 400; 500 can now, if necessary, be rotated while the supply of operating medium is in progress, in order, for example, to set a direction or alignment of the operating medium output by the first outlet nozzle device 110; 210 to change.

Moving S10, S30 of the KIR head 100; 200; 300; 400; 500 can be done manually or with the aid of a motor, as discussed above. Moving S10, S30 of KIR head 100 is particularly preferred; 200; 300; 400; 500 in at least one case during the process, while the KIR head 100; 200; 300; 400; 500 is introduced into the channel or the pipe, i.e. from a distance, for example by turning the operating medium line 570 or the protective hose 572.

Claims (15)

Sewer inspection and / or sewer cleaning head, KIR head (100; 200; 300; 400; 500), for a sewer inspection and / or sewer cleaning device, KIR device (1000), with: a first resource input (105), by means of which a resource (F) can be introduced into the KIR head (100; 200; 300; 400; 500); a first exit nozzle device (110; 210) and a second exit nozzle device (120; 320; 420); wherein the first outlet nozzle device (110; 210) has at least one first outlet nozzle (111; 211) for ejecting the operating medium (F) and wherein the second outlet nozzle device (120; 320; 420) has at least one second outlet nozzle (121; 321; 421) for Ejecting the operating medium (F); a first operating medium line system (140), by means of which the operating medium inlet (105) can be or is fluidically connected to the first and the second outlet nozzle device (110, 120; 210, 120; 210, 320; 210, 420); a valve element (150) which is movably arranged in the first operating medium line system (140); a first valve seat (115; 215) which can be closed by the valve element (150) in order to close off an operating medium inflow from the operating medium inlet (105) to the first outlet nozzle device (110; 210); and a second valve seat (125) which can be closed by the valve element (150) in order to close off an operating medium inflow from the operating medium inlet (105) to the second outlet nozzle device (120; 320; 420); wherein the valve element (150) can be selectively introduced into at least one of the first valve seat (115; 215) or the second valve seat (125) by moving the KIR head (100; 200; 300; 400) using gravity. KIR head (100; 200; 300; 400; 500) according to claim 1,
wherein the valve element (150) can be selectively introduced into at least the first valve seat (115; 215) or the second valve seat (125) by rotating the inspection head (100; 200; 300; 400) about an axis (1) using gravity. KIR head (100) according to one of the preceding claims,
wherein the at least one first and the at least one second outlet nozzle (111, 121; 211, 121; 211, 321; 211; 421) have at least partially different nozzle diameters. KIR head (300) according to one of the preceding claims,
wherein the at least one first exit nozzle (211) has one of the following orientations: - radial alignment; - substantially rearward facing orientation; or - substantially forward facing orientation; and
wherein the at least one second exit nozzle (321; 421) has a different one of these orientations. KIR head (500) according to one of the preceding claims,
wherein the KIR head (500) additionally has an attachment element (502) which has a second operating medium inlet (565), a second operating medium line system (560) and at least one third outlet nozzle device (530) with at least one third outlet nozzle (531);
wherein the second resource input (565) is designed in such a way and, when the attachment element (502) is connected to the rest (501) of the KIR head (500), is arranged in such a way, of at least one of the first and / or second output nozzles (321 ) to receive the operating medium (F) and to forward it to the third output nozzle device (530). KIR head (500) according to claim 5,
wherein the second resource inlet (565) has a protruding line section (566) which can be inserted into the at least one of the first and / or second output nozzles (321). KIR head (500) according to claim 5 or claim 6,
wherein the attachment element (502) comprises a camera (580). KIR head (200; 300; 400; 500) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the first outlet nozzle device (210) is arranged at least partially in at least one detachably connected insert (213). KIR head (200; 300; 400; 500) according to claim 8,
wherein the first outlet nozzle device (210) and the first valve seat (215) are arranged in the releasably connected insert (213). Sewer inspection and / or sewer cleaning device, KIR device (1000), with: an inspection and / or cleaning head, KIR head (400), according to one of the preceding claims; an operating medium line (570) which is fluidically connected to the first operating medium input; and a resource source which is designed to deliver the resource (F) into the resource line (570). The KIR device (1000) of claim 10, comprising:
a protective hose (572) which is detachably connected to the KIR head (500) and which surrounds the operating medium line (570) and shields it from the outside. KIR device (1000) according to claim 10 or 11,
additionally comprising a motor which is designed to move, in particular to rotate, the KIR head (100; 200; 300; 400; 500) for moving the valve element (150). Method for operating a KIR head (100; 200; 300; 400; 500) according to one of Claims 1 to 9, comprising at least the method steps: Moving (S10), while no operating medium (F) is being introduced into the KIR head (100; 200; 300; 400; 500), the KIR head (100; 200; 300; 400; 500) into a first position in this way that the valve element (150) is arranged to close the first valve seat (115; 215) due to gravity; Introducing (S20) the operating medium (F) into the KIR head (100; 200; 300; 400; 500) while the KIR head (100; 200; 300; 400; 500) remains in the first position; Moving (S30), while no operating medium (F) is being introduced into the KIR head (100; 200; 300; 400, 500), the KIR head (100; 200; 300; 400; 500) in a second position in this way that the valve element (150) is arranged to close the second valve seat (125) due to gravity; and Introducing (S40) the resource (F) into the KIR head (100; 200; 300; 400; 500) while the KIR head (100; 200; 300; 400; 500) remains in the second position. Method according to claim 12,
the KIR head (100; 200; 300; 400; 500) being moved (S10, S30) manually. Method according to claim 12,
wherein the movement (S10, S30) of the KIR head (100; 200; 300; 400; 500) is carried out by a motor.

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