JP3117085U - Pipe cleaning device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a simple pipe cleaning apparatus capable of cleaning the inside of a long pipe such as a kitchen duct from the inlet to the outlet.
A duct cleaning apparatus 10 includes a flexible shaft 12, a cleaning unit 20, and a motor box 40 having flexibility. The flexible shaft 12 has a configuration in which an inner shaft 16 that is rotated by a drive motor 42 housed in the motor box 40 is provided inside the outer tube 14 and is detachable from the cleaning unit 20. Connected. The cleaning unit 20 has a configuration in which a plurality of substantially annular brushes 26 and suction mats 32 are alternately attached. Before cleaning, when the cleaning liquid 38 is applied to the adsorption mat 32 and the inner shaft 16 is rotated, the cleaning liquid 38 is supplied to the inner surface of the duct 62 by the centrifugal force, and the dirt is cleaned by the brush 26.
[Selection] Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to a pipe cleaning apparatus, and more specifically to a pipe cleaning apparatus suitable for cleaning or cleaning long pipes.

  Due to recent changes in food culture, kitchen range hoods and ducts are becoming more dirty, and social problems such as odors and fires are becoming a problem. In particular, in apartment buildings, the distance between the ends of the duct, that is, the distance from the ventilation fan to the exhaust port is often long, and the duct is not necessarily linear but may include a bent portion. The degree of soiling tends to be large.

However, cleaning of the range hood of the kitchen is performed within the reachable area such as the inlet filter, the hood, the ventilation fan, and the exhaust port at the end of the duct. However, it is difficult to clean or clean the middle part of the duct. Accompany. As such a duct cleaning or cleaning device, the one shown in the following patent document has been proposed. However, both of them are complicated and expensive. If there is a simple device that can easily clean the entire duct, periodic cleaning is also possible, which is convenient from the viewpoint of preventing odors and fires.
JP 2000-279907 A Special table 2002-505955

  The present invention focuses on the above points. The purpose of the present invention is to clean the entire interior of a pipe, such as a kitchen duct, that is not limited to a straight line, from the inlet to the middle and the outlet. It is to provide a simple pipe cleaning device that can be used.

  In order to achieve the above object, a pipe cleaning apparatus of the present invention is provided with a flexible rotating shaft, a driving means for rotating the rotating shaft, and a tip of the rotating shaft, and can be inserted into the pipe. A cleaning means for cleaning the inside of the pipe by rotation, and the cleaning means protrudes in the radial direction of the rotary shaft and can hold the brush body that contacts the inner surface of the pipe and the cleaning liquid by absorption or adsorption. And a cleaning liquid holder provided in the vicinity of the brush body.

  One of the main forms is that the brush body is substantially annular and provided with a plurality of stages in the longitudinal direction of the cleaning means, and the cleaning liquid holding body is disposed between the brush bodies, or The brush body is provided in a spiral shape in the longitudinal direction of the cleaning means, and the cleaning liquid holding body is disposed between the steps formed by the brush body.

  Another aspect is characterized in that the cleaning means is detachable from the rotating shaft. Yet another embodiment is characterized in that the rotational speed of the rotating shaft is adjustable. Yet another embodiment is characterized in that the rotation direction of the rotation shaft can be switched. The above and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description and the accompanying drawings.

  The present invention provides a cleaning means having a brush body in contact with the inner surface of a pipe and a cleaning liquid holding body capable of absorbing or adsorbing cleaning liquid at the tip of a flexible rotating shaft, and the centrifugal force caused by the rotation is provided. Utilizing this, the cleaning solution was supplied to the cleaning site. For this reason, the effect that the supply of the cleaning liquid and the cleaning by the brush body can be performed only by the rotational force can be obtained. Moreover, since the said rotating shaft has flexibility, it can wash | clean regardless of the shape of piping.

  Hereinafter, the best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described in detail based on examples.

  First, Embodiment 1 of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an overall configuration of the present embodiment, FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a cleaning section of the present embodiment, (A) is an exploded perspective view, and (B) is a diagram showing a state of attachment / detachment. . As shown in FIG. 1, in this embodiment, the pipe cleaning device of the present invention is used for cleaning (or cleaning) a duct 62 provided with an entrance in a kitchen range hood 60. As shown in the figure, the duct 62 has a bent portion 64, and the entire duct 62 is disposed in a ceiling (not shown).

  The duct cleaning apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment includes a flexible shaft 12 having flexibility, a motor box 40 in which the driving motor 42 is accommodated, and a cleaning unit 20 provided at the tip of the flexible shaft 12. ing. The flexible shaft 12 has a known configuration in which a rotatable inner shaft 16 is provided inside the outer tube 14, and an end connection port 18 can be connected to the cleaning unit 20. . The motor box 40 includes a drive motor 42 housed inside, a switch 44 for switching the power ON / OFF, a lamp 46 that lights when the power is ON, and the rotation of the flexible shaft 12. A speed adjustment knob 48 for adjusting the speed and a rotation changeover switch 50 for switching (reversing) the rotation direction are provided. As is known, only the inner shaft 16 is rotated by the drive motor 42, and the outer tube 14 acting as a bearing does not rotate.

  Next, the cleaning unit 20 will be described with reference to FIG. The cleaning unit 20 includes a connecting member 22 that is detachably connected to the connection port 18 of the flexible shaft 12, a plurality of substantially annular brushes 26, an adsorption mat (or absorption mat) 32, and a fixed plate 34. Yes. The connecting member 22 includes a flange portion 24, and one end of the connecting portion 22 is a shaft portion 22 </ b> A that is inserted into a central hole of the plurality of brushes 26 and the suction mat 32. The other end 22B with the flange 24 as a boundary is detachably connected to the connection port 18 of the flexible shaft 12, and the rotation of the inner shaft 16 of the flexible shaft 12 is transmitted. Yes. Various known mechanisms can be applied to the connection mechanism between the connecting member 22 and the connection port 18.

  On the other hand, the brush 26 is one in which a large number of hairs 30 are radially embedded in a substantially annular base 28. The length of the bristles 30 is set such that when the cleaning part 20 is inserted into the duct 62, the tip contacts the inner surface of the duct and can be cleaned or cleaned. Further, the base portion 28 is provided with a notch 29, and the brush 26 is pushed into the shaft portion 22A even if the diameter of the shaft portion 22A of the connecting member 22 is slightly larger by expanding the notch 29. It can be attached with. For example, a metal is used as the base portion 28, and a synthetic resin or the like is used as the bristles 30, for example. The suction mat 32 is substantially annular like the brush 26 and is attached to the shaft portion 22A. The adsorption mat 32 is for absorbing or adsorbing and holding a cleaning liquid 38 used for cleaning the inner surface of the duct 62. For example, a mat or cloth or sponge is used.

  The cleaning unit 20 is assembled by alternately attaching brushes 26 and suction mats 32 to the shaft portion 22A and fixing the tips thereof with a fixing plate 34 and bolts 36. At the time of use, the cleaning liquid 38 is preliminarily contained in the adsorption mat 32, and the cleaning liquid 38 is supplied to the inner surface of the duct 62 or the brush 26 by utilizing the centrifugal force caused by the rotation. As shown in FIG. 2B, such a cleaning unit 20 can be replaced with other cleaning units 20A, 20B, and 20C, and is included in the suction mat 32 of each cleaning unit as necessary. The concentration and type of cleaning liquid to be used can be changed.

  Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described. First, a filter and a ventilation fan are removed from the range hood 60, and the state of dirt inside the duct 62 is checked in advance by an endoscope (CCD camera or the like) (not shown). Then, depending on the state of the dirt, a suitable concentration or type of cleaning liquid 38 is applied to the suction mat 32 of the cleaning unit 20, and the cleaning unit 20 is inserted into the duct 62. And if the switch 44 of the motor box 40 is turned ON and the inner shaft 16 is rotated, the washing | cleaning part 20 will rotate in connection with it. When the cleaning unit 20 rotates, the tip of the brush 26 comes into contact with the inner surface of the duct 62 and is cleaned. At this time, the cleaning liquid 38 applied to the adsorption mat 32 is subjected to centrifugal force to the inner surface of the duct 62 (or the brush 26). ) Scattered and supplied. Then, the brush 26 and the inner surface of the duct 62 are rubbed by the rotation, and the cleaning liquid 38 is heated by the heat. Usually, the cleaning solution 38 is heated to an appropriate temperature rather than a cold state, so that the cleaning effect is improved. However, even in this embodiment, the cleaning solution 38 is warmed to an appropriate temperature, whereby a further cleaning effect can be obtained.

  Since the cleaning unit 20 is connected to the flexible shaft 12, even if the duct 62 has a bent portion 64, the cleaning from the inlet to the outlet of the duct 62 can be performed without difficulty. it can. Further, when passing through the bent portion 64, it may be effective to switch between forward and reverse rotation as necessary. In such a case, the rotation direction is reversed by the rotation changeover switch 50 of the motor box 40. When speed adjustment is necessary, the speed is adjusted by the speed adjustment knob 48.

  The cleaning unit 20 as described above is reciprocated several times in the duct 62 and then replaced with another cleaning unit 20A as shown in FIG. For example, a high concentration, medium concentration, and low concentration cleaning liquid 38 is applied to each of the adsorption mats 32 of the cleaning units 20, 20A, and 20B, and a finishing agent (not shown) is applied to the adsorption mat 32 of the cleaning unit 20C. Are used in the order of the cleaning units 20, 20A, 20B, and 20C, so that the cleaning can be performed smoothly and smoothly according to the degree of dirt removal. The dirt that has fallen from the inner surface of the duct 62 due to cleaning is wiped off by wrapping a waste cloth or the like around the brush 26 of the cleaning section 20 and rotating, and if necessary, is removed by sucking with a dust collector or the like.

Thus, according to the first embodiment, there are the following effects.
(1) A cleaning unit 20 in which a plurality of brushes 26 and suction mats 32 are alternately arranged is provided at the tip of the flexible shaft 12 and applied to the suction mat 32 in advance using the centrifugal force generated by the rotation of the inner shaft 16. The cleaning liquid 38 is supplied to the inner surface of the duct 62. For this reason, the cleaning liquid 38 can be supplied and the brush 26 can be cleaned only by the rotational force. Further, since the cleaning liquid 38 is heated by the frictional heat generated by the rotation, the cleaning effect can be improved.
(2) Since the flexible flexible shaft 12 is used, even when the duct 62 has the bent portion 64, the whole from the inlet to the outlet can be cleaned.
(3) Since the cleaning unit 20 can be attached to and detached from the flexible shaft 12, the cleaning unit 20 can be replaced with one having a different concentration or type of cleaning liquid as necessary.
(4) Since the rotation speed can be adjusted and the rotation direction can be switched, the bent portion 64 and the like can be easily passed.

  Next, Embodiment 2 of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. In the first embodiment described above, a plurality of substantially annular brushes 26 are provided. However, like the cleaning unit 70 shown in FIG. 3A, the brushes 74 are provided spirally on the outer peripheral surface of the connecting member 72. You may do it. The brush 74 has a structure in which a large number of hairs 78 protrude in the radial direction from a spiral base 76. In this embodiment, the suction mat 80 is also spiral and is attached so as to be sandwiched between the steps formed by the brush 74. The basic operation and effects of the present embodiment are the same as those of the first embodiment described above.

In addition, this invention is not limited to the Example mentioned above, A various change can be added in the range which does not deviate from the summary of this invention. For example, the following are also included.
(1) The shape and size shown in the above embodiment are examples, and may be appropriately changed as necessary. The material is also an example, and can be appropriately changed as necessary. For example, in the first embodiment, cloth or sponge is used as an example of the adsorption mat 32. However, any known various materials may be used as long as the washing liquid 38 can be removed by centrifugal force after the washing liquid 38 is absorbed or adsorbed. Any material may be used.
(2) The number and arrangement of the brushes 26 and the suction mats 32 shown in the first embodiment are only examples, and may be appropriately changed so as to achieve the same effect. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 3B, three suction mats 32 may be provided between the brushes 26. Alternatively, in the cleaning unit 20 shown in FIG. 2A, the concentration of the cleaning liquid 38 applied for each adsorption mat 32 may be changed. For example, the concentration is increased toward the tip side.
(3) The above-described operation is an example, and may be appropriately changed so as to achieve the same effect. For example, in the above embodiment, the dirt inside the duct 62 is checked in advance with an endoscope. However, this is also an example, and it may be checked in advance if necessary. In the first embodiment, the plurality of cleaning units 20 and 20A to 20C are replaced to perform cleaning. However, a larger number of cleaning units may be used depending on the degree of contamination. All the cleaning may be performed by only one cleaning unit.
(4) In the above embodiment, the pipe cleaning device of the present invention is applied to cleaning of kitchen ducts, but the present invention can be applied to cleaning of other general long pipes.

  According to the present invention, the cleaning means including the brush body that contacts the inner surface of the pipe and the cleaning liquid holding body capable of absorbing or adsorbing the cleaning liquid is provided at the tip of the flexible rotating shaft, and centrifugal force due to the rotation is provided. The cleaning liquid held by the cleaning liquid holding body is supplied to the inner surface of the pipe or the brush body. In this way, the cleaning liquid can be supplied and the brush body can be cleaned only by the rotational force, so that the present invention can be applied to the use of a pipe cleaning apparatus. In particular, it is suitable for use as a cleaning device for kitchen ducts.

It is a figure which shows the whole structure of Example 1 of this invention. It is a figure which shows the washing | cleaning part of the said Example 1, (A) is a disassembled perspective view, (B) is a figure which shows the mode of attachment or detachment. It is a figure which shows the other Example of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

10: Duct cleaning device 12: Flexible shaft 14: Outer tube 16: Inner shaft 18: Connection port 20, 20A, 20B, 20C: Cleaning part 22: Connecting member 22A: Shaft part 22B: End part 24: Flange part 26: Brush 28: Base 29: Notch 30: Hair 32: Adsorption mat (absorption mat)
34: Fixed plate 36: Bolt 38: Cleaning liquid 40: Motor box 42: Driving motor 44: Switch 46: Lamp 48: Speed adjustment knob 50: Rotation changeover switch 60: Range hood 62: Duct 64: Bending part 70: Cleaning part 72: Connecting member 74: Brush 76: Base 78: Hair 80: Adsorption mat

Claims (6)

A rotating shaft having flexibility,
Drive means for rotating the rotary shaft;
A cleaning means that is provided at the tip of the rotating shaft, can be inserted into the pipe, and cleans the inside of the pipe by rotation;
And the cleaning means includes
A brush body protruding in the radial direction of the rotating shaft and contacting the inner surface of the pipe;
A cleaning liquid holding body capable of holding the cleaning liquid by absorption or adsorption, and provided close to the brush body;
A pipe cleaning apparatus comprising:   2. The pipe cleaning apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the brush body is substantially annular and provided in a plurality of stages in the longitudinal direction of the cleaning means, and the cleaning liquid holding body is disposed between the brush bodies. .   2. The pipe cleaning according to claim 1, wherein the brush body is provided in a spiral shape in the longitudinal direction of the cleaning means, and the cleaning liquid holding body is disposed between steps formed by the brush body. apparatus.   The pipe cleaning apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the cleaning means is detachable from the rotating shaft.   The pipe cleaning apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a rotation speed of the rotation shaft is adjustable. The pipe cleaning apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein a rotation direction of the rotation shaft is switchable.

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