Manually operated drum-type pipe cleaning device

Abstract

A drum-type pipe cleaning device comprises a drum rotatable about a rotational axis and a cleaning cable allocated to the drum. A longitudinal section of the cleaning cable extends from the drum. The longitudinal section is rotatable about its longitudinal axis through a rotation of the drum. The drum-type pipe cleaning device further comprises a handle, which is configured to support the drum in a rotatable manner. Furthermore, the drum-type pipe cleaning device comprises a drive shaft for driving the drum and an attachment point allocated to the drive shaft for connecting the drive shaft to a drive unit for drive purposes. A freewheel clutch is provided, through which the drive shaft is or can be connected to the drum in an operative manner such that the freewheel clutch is engaged when the drive shaft is being driven and the freewheel clutch runs freely when the drum is being driven.

Claims

1. A drum-type pipe cleaning device (1), comprising: a drum (3) rotatable about a rotational axis (2); a cleaning cable (4) allocated to the drum (3), wherein a longitudinal section (5) of the cleaning cable (4) extends from the drum (3) and the longitudinal section (5) is rotatable about its longitudinal axis (6) through a rotation of the drum (3); a handle (7), which is configured to support the drum (3) in a rotatable manner; a drive shaft (9) for driving the drum (3) and an attachment point (10) allocated to the drive shaft (9) for connecting the drive shaft (9) to a drive unit for drive purposes; and a freewheel clutch (11), through which the drive shaft (9) is or can be connected to the drum (3) in an operative manner such that the freewheel clutch (11) is engaged when the drive shaft (9) is being driven and the freewheel clutch (11) runs freely when the drum (3) is being driven.

2. The pipe cleaning device according to claim 1, further comprising an intermediate shaft (12) which is connected in a torsionally rigid manner to the drum (3), wherein the freewheel clutch (11) is arranged radially between the drive shaft (9) and the intermediate shaft (12), and wherein at least one of the drive shaft (9) or the intermediate shaft (12) is a hollow shaft and wherein another of the drive shaft (9) or the intermediate shaft (12) and the freewheel clutch (11) are accommodated in the hollow shaft.

3. The pipe cleaning device according to claim 2, wherein the freewheel clutch (11) is seated on the drive shaft (9) and is overlapped by the intermediate shaft (12), wherein the intermediate shaft (12) is pushed onto the drive shaft (9) and is axially arranged between two stops (13, 14), and wherein the two stops secure the intermediate shaft (12) against axial detachment from the drive shaft (9).

4. The pipe cleaning device according to claim 3, wherein one of the two stops (13, 14) is connected to the drive shaft (9) in a non-detachable manner or is formed on the drive shaft (9), and wherein another of the two stops (14) is formed by a securing element (15) that is arranged on the drive shaft (9) in a detachable manner and is located in an area of an interior space (16) of the drum (3).

5. The pipe cleaning device according to claim 2, wherein the drive shaft (9), the intermediate shaft (12) and the freewheel clutch (11) form a common structural unit, which is fastened to the drum (3) in a detachable manner.

6. The pipe cleaning device according to claim 2, wherein the intermediate shaft (12) is connected to a rear wall (19) of the drum (3) in a torsionally rigid manner, and wherein the intermediate shaft (12) can be detached from the rear wall (19) and/or the rear wall (19) can be detached from the drum (3).

7. The pipe cleaning device according to claim 2, wherein the drive shaft (9) and the intermediate shaft (12) are mounted against each other in the radial direction by two axially spaced apart bearings (21, 22) and wherein the freewheel clutch (11) is arranged between the two bearings (21, 22).

8. The pipe cleaning device according to claim 7, wherein at least one of the two bearings (21, 22) is a thrust bearing.

9. The pipe cleaning device according to claim 1, wherein the freewheel clutch (11) comprises at least one of a roller freewheel, a sprag-type freewheel, a ratchet freewheel and a claw ring freewheel.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) FIG. 1 shows a possible embodiment of a manually operated drum-type pipe cleaning device in a sectional view.

(2) FIG. 2 shows an enlarged section from FIG. 1 in the area of a freewheel coupling of the pipe cleaning device.

(3) FIG. 3 shows the pipe cleaning device according to FIG. 1 in the area of its freewheel clutch in a perspective view as a partial section.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(4) FIG. 1 shows—in a schematic representation—a possible embodiment of a manually operated drum-type pipe cleaning device 1, which will be referred to as pipe cleaning device 1 for short in the following. The pipe cleaning device 1 is used, for example, to clean pipelines and/or sewers for wastewater or rainwater, for example, to remove obstructions or other blockages that have arisen in the flow.

(5) The pipe cleaning device 1 comprises a drum 3 that can be rotated about a rotational axis 2. The pipe cleaning device 1 further comprises a cleaning cable 4 held at least partially within or on the drum 3, wherein a longitudinal section 5 of the cleaning cable 4 extends away from the drum 3 and, through or via rotation of the drum 3, the longitudinal section 5 is or can be rotated around its longitudinal axis. For example, the longitudinal axis of the longitudinal section 5 of the cleaning cable 4 and the axis of rotation 2 of the drum 3 lie on a common axis or are arranged at a distance from one another; in particular, they are arranged at a distance in parallel.

(6) In addition, the pipe cleaning device 1 comprises a handle 7 and, for example, a feed device 8. The handle 7, for example, is configured to rotatably support or hold the drum 3. The feed device 8 is used to bring the cleaning cable 4 into a forward or backward movement. For example, the handle 7 is designed as a pipe element. For example, the handle 7 is constructed in at least two parts. For example, the handle 7 comprises at least two handle parts 35 and 36, which are preferably connected to one another in a torsionally rigid manner. Each of the handle parts 35, 36 can have tubular form. For example, the handle parts 35, 36 are plugged into one another and one of the handle parts 35, 36, in particular the handle part 36, forms an outer sleeve, which for example has a graspable gripping surface. The handle 7 can embrace an inner pipe 34 that is connected to the drum 3 in a torsionally rigid manner and can be mounted so as to be rotatable against it. The inner pipe 34 forms, for example, a connecting element for the cleaning cable 4 from the drum 3 to the feed device 8, wherein the longitudinal section 5 of the cleaning cable 4 is preferably accommodated in the inner pipe 34. Preferably, the feed device 8 is connected to the handle 7 in a torsionally rigid manner.

(7) Furthermore, the pipe cleaning device 1 comprises a drive shaft 9 for driving the drum 3. For this purpose, the drive shaft 9 is or can be connected to the drum 3 in an operative manner. Preferably, the axis of rotation 2 of the drum 3 and the shaft axis 23 of the drive shaft 9 are arranged coaxially to one another. An attachment point 10 is assigned to the drive shaft 9 in order to connect the drive shaft 9 to a drive unit (not shown in FIG. 1) for drive purposes. Preferably, the pipe cleaning device 1 is geometrically constructed in such a manner that, starting from the attachment point 10, the following components are arranged one behind the other in the following order: the drive shaft 9, the drum 3, the handle 7, the feed device 8. A section of the cleaning cable 4 protrudes at the end from the feed device 8, which is incompletely shown in FIG. 1. Thereon, a cleaning tool (not shown in FIG. 1) is arranged at the head end; this forms the output end of the cleaning cable 4 and can be implemented as an exchange element.

(8) The attachment point 10 can be a longitudinal section of the drive shaft 9, which is designed to be angular in cross-section, in particular polygonal, such as hexagonal. In principle, the longitudinal section of the drive shaft 9 used as an attachment point can also be designed to be round, in particular circular or oval. In particular, the attachment point 10 is designed to connect a power tool, such as a cordless screwdriver, a drill or any other power tool, which is preferably an electrically driven power tool and is to be held in the hand during operation. For example, the longitudinal section is designed as a hexagon, in order to enable a drill chuck of a drive unit, such as a cordless screwdriver or an electric drill, to be coupled to it for drive purposes.

(9) In order to avoid any torque, for example an impulse-like torque acting on the operator of the drive unit when the rotational speed of the drive unit is reduced or the drive unit is switched off, which can have an after-effect, for example due to the mass inertia of the drum 3, the pipe cleaning device 1 has a freewheel clutch 11. Via the freewheel clutch 11, the drive shaft 9 is or can be connected to the drum 3 in an operative manner such that the freewheel clutch 11 is engaged when the drive shaft 9 is being driven, that is, a drive torque is transmitted, and the freewheel clutch 11 runs freely when the drum 3 is being driven, that is, there is no transmission of power between the drive shaft 9 and the drum 3. In addition, the freewheel clutch 11 can perform a function such that it is only engaged in one direction of rotation of the drum 3 and runs freely in the other direction of rotation of the drum 3.

(10) FIG. 2 shows the pipe cleaning device 1 of FIG. 1 in an area of the freewheel clutch 11 as an enlarged view. FIG. 3 shows the pipe cleaning device 1 in the area of the freewheel clutch 11 in a perspective view of a rear side 18 of the drum 3 as a partial section. As can be seen in particular from this, the freewheel clutch 11 is provided in a geometrical arrangement in a radial manner between the drive shaft 9 and an intermediate shaft 12 that is connected to the drum 3 in a torsionally rigid manner. For this purpose, the intermediate shaft 12 is preferably designed as a hollow shaft, in which the drive shaft 9 and the freewheel clutch 11 are accommodated. For example, the intermediate shaft 12 is arranged in a manner concentric with the freewheel clutch 11, and the intermediate shaft 12 and the freewheel clutch 11 are in turn arranged in a manner concentric with the drive shaft 9.

(11) Preferably, the freewheel clutch 11 sits on the drive shaft 9 and is overlapped by the intermediate shaft 12, wherein the intermediate shaft 12 is pushed onto the drive shaft 9. To secure the intermediate shaft 12 relative to the drive shaft 9 in the axial direction against loosening, two stops 13, 14, between which the intermediate shaft 12 is arranged, can be provided. For example, one of the stops 13, 14, in particular the stop 13, is formed on the drive shaft 9. For example, the stop 13 is formed by a shaft collar or shaft shoulder of the drive shaft 9. For example, the other of the stops 13, 14, in particular the stop 14, is formed by a securing element 15, which is fixed to the drive shaft 9 in a detachable manner. The securing element 15 can be a securing ring, which embraces the drive shaft 9; in particular, it engages in a notch on the outer circumference of the drive shaft 9.

(12) Furthermore, between the axial end of the intermediate shaft 12, which faces the securing element 15, and the securing element 15, an intermediate element 26, such as a disk-shaped intermediate element, such as a ring washer or adjusting washer, can be pushed onto the drive shaft 9. Preferably, the drive shaft 9 with its mounted securing element 15 is coupled to the drum 3 in such a manner that the securing element 15 is located in the area of an interior space 16 of the drum 3 or is at least accessible via the interior space 16 of the drum 3. In this case, the other stop 13 is preferably arranged in a manner facing the attachment point 10.

(13) The freewheel clutch 11 can be a roller freewheel, such as a drawn cup roller clutch with steel springs. The freewheel clutch 11 can also be a sprag-type freewheel or a ratchet freewheel or a claw ring freewheel. The freewheel clutch 11 preferably has an inner part 24 and an outer ring 25 surrounding the inner part 24, which is preferably arranged coaxially to the inner part 24. Preferably, the outer ring 25 is connected to the intermediate shaft 12 in a torsionally rigid manner. In particular, the outer ring 25 is inserted with its outer circumference into the intermediate shaft 12; in particular, it is pressed into an interference fit.

(14) Preferably, the inner part 24 is connected to the drive shaft 9 in a torsionally rigid manner. For example, the inner part 24 is designed as a ring and is pushed onto the drive shaft 9; in particular, it is pressed on with an interference fit. The drive shaft 9 can also form the inner part 24. The inner part 24 is then formed by the drive shaft 9. In this case, the drive shaft 9 is an integral component of the freewheel clutch 11.

(15) The inner part 24 and the outer ring 25 are schematically indicated in FIG. 2. Preferably, a clutch mechanism of the freewheel clutch 11 is arranged or formed between the inner part 24 and the outer ring 25, wherein the inner part 24 and the outer ring 25 can also be components of the clutch mechanism. Such clutch mechanism is configured so that the freewheel clutch 11 is engaged when the drive shaft 9 is being driven and the freewheel clutch 11 runs freely when the drum 3 is being driven. Thus, the inner part 24 and the outer ring 25 are connected to one another in a torsionally rigid manner when the freewheel clutch 11 is engaged, that is, when an engagement function is exercised. On the other hand, the inner part 24 and the outer ring 25 can rotate relative to one another if the freewheel clutch 11 runs freely, that is, performs its freewheel function.

(16) Preferably, the freewheel clutch 11 is also configured so that it is only engaged in one direction of rotation of the drive shaft 9 and runs freely in the other direction of rotation of the drive shaft 9. For this purpose, the clutch mechanism uses clamping rollers or other sprags, rachets, claw rings or a wrap spring, depending on which type of freewheel is used for the freewheel clutch 11. Preferably, the clutch mechanism also uses spring elements, in order to, for example, press the clamping rollers provided between the inner part 24 and the outer ring 25 into a force-transmitting position.

(17) In order to facilitate the assembly of the pipe cleaning device 1, it is preferably provided that the drive shaft 9, the intermediate shaft 12 and the freewheel clutch 11 form a common structural unit, which is fastened to the drum 3 in a detachable manner. For example, the intermediate shaft 12 is connected in a torsionally rigid and detachable manner to the drum 3 via a flange 20. For example, the flange 20 is fastened to a rear wall 19 of the drum 3. It is possible that the flange 20 can be detached from the rear wall 19 and/or the rear wall 19 can be detached from the drum 3. For example, the flange 20 is connected to the rear wall 19 by means of at least one screw-nut connection, wherein at least one screw element 27 and a nut element 28 screwed thereto can be used. For example, the rear wall 19 is also fastened to the drum 3 by means of a plurality of screw elements 29.

(18) Preferably, the drum 3 comprises a front side 17 and a rear side 18, which is connected to the front side 17 in a detachable manner, in order to provide access to the cleaning cable 4, which is at least partially wound up in the drum 3. The rear side 18 is formed by or comprises the rear wall 19, for example, to which the drive shaft 9 is coupled with the interposition of the freewheel clutch 11. For example, the front side 17 comprises a housing spanning the interior space 16, in which the cleaning cable 4 is housed. Preferably, the housing has an essentially funnel-shaped or conical section 30, which tapers in the direction of the handle 7 and thus widens in the direction of the rear wall 19. Preferably, an essentially cylindrical section 31 of the housing is attached thereto at the rear wall 19.

(19) The rear wall 19 can be designed in the manner of a funnel, wherein this funnel-shaped configuration tapers in the direction of the handle 7, such that the rear wall 19 is recessed in the center, that is, in the area of the drive shaft 9. Preferably, such recess is designed in such a manner that the intermediate shaft 13 is sunk in the recess and only the drive shaft 9 with its attachment point 10 protrudes from it. Preferably, the intermediate shaft 12 passes through a passage opening of the rear wall 19 with one end, wherein the edge of the passage opening can be supported on the intermediate shaft 12.

(20) Preferably, the intermediate shaft 12 is rotatably mounted in the radial direction against the drive shaft 9. In addition, the intermediate shaft 12 can also be rotatably mounted in the axial direction against the drive shaft 9. For this purpose, preferably at least one, preferably two bearings 21, 22 are provided, which are spaced apart from one another in the axial direction and between which the freewheel clutch 11 is arranged. Preferably, at least one of the bearings 21, 22 or both bearings 21, 22 are designed as slide bearings. For example, the slide bearing is realized by a bushing or the like, by which a bearing arrangement acting in the axial direction can be realized between the end face of the intermediate shaft 12 and the respective associated stop 13 or 14, as the case may be, of the drive shaft 9 by means of a radially outwardly projecting and preferably rotating radial collar of the bushing. In principle, it is also possible that at least one of the bearings 21, 22 or both bearings 21, 22 are eliminated, and the freewheel clutch 11 provides a bearing arrangement in the radial and/or axial direction in a corresponding manner.

(21) The drive shaft 9 can have a shoulder 32, such as a shaft collar or the like, which is provided for structural reasons, for example in order to be able to install the bearing 21 with a larger inside diameter than the bearing 22. For example, the drive shaft 9 then has a larger diameter in the area of the bearing 21 than in the area of the bearing 22 and possibly in the area of the freewheel clutch 11, such that, for example, it is possible to push on the drive shaft 9 from one end. Furthermore, a shoulder 33, such as a shaft collar or the like, can be formed on the intermediate shaft 12, which can serve as a positioning aid during installation, in particular pressing in the freewheel clutch 11.

(22) Due to the freewheel clutch 11, the pipe cleaning device 1, for example, has the following functions: a drive unit coupled to the attachment point 10 for drive purposes is started and the drum 3 is thereby set in rotational movement. In such operating state, the freewheel clutch 11 is engaged. When the drive unit is switched off, the freewheel function of the freewheel clutch 11 is used and the drum 3 can run out freely in its rotational movement, even if the output shaft of the drive unit is already stationary.

(23) While the present invention has been described with reference to exemplary embodiments, it will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art that the invention is not limited to the disclosed or illustrated embodiments but, on the contrary, is intended to cover numerous other modifications, substitutions, variations and broad equivalent arrangements that are included within the spirit and scope of the following claims.

LIST OF REFERENCE SIGNS

(24) 1 Manually operated drum-type pipe cleaning device, pipe cleaning device

(25) 2 Rotational axis

(26) 3 Drum

(27) 4 Cleaning cable

(28) 5 Longitudinal section

(29) 6 Longitudinal axis

(30) 7 Handle

(31) 8 Feed device

(32) 9 Drive shaft

(33) 10 Attachment point

(34) 11 Freewheel clutch

(35) 12 Intermediate shaft

(36) 13 Stop

(37) 14 Stop

(38) 15 Securing element

(39) 16 Interior space

(40) 17 Front side

(41) 18 Rear side

(42) 19 Rear wall

(43) 20 Flange

(44) 21 Bearing

(45) 22 Bearing

(46) 23 Shaft axis

(47) 24 Inner part

(48) 25 Outer ring

(49) 26 Intermediate element

(50) 27 Screw element

(51) 28 Nut element

(52) 29 Screw element

(53) 30 Conical section

(54) 31 Cylindrical section

(55) 32 Shoulder

(56) 33 Shoulder

(57) 34 Inner pipe

(58) 35 Handle part

(59) 36 Handle part