Advancing unit for a pipe cleaning machine, pipe cleaning machine, and associated method

Abstract

An advancing unit for a cleaning spiral, which can be rotated by a motor about its longitudinal axis, of a pipe cleaning machine, such as, for example, a pipe cleaning machine having a drum. The advancing unit includes a drive device, which produces the advancement of the cleaning spiral, with at least two clamping parts, wherein at least one clamping part thereof can be brought into a clamping position against the cleaning spiral in such a manner that the clamping parts press against the cleaning spiral, so that an advancement of the cleaning spiral is generated in the case of a rotating cleaning spiral. The advancing unit further comprises a control device for controlling the advancement of the cleaning spiral by means of at least one of the clamping parts as well as a safety device, by which at least one of the clamping parts can be brought out of its clamping position against the cleaning spiral. It is provided that the control device and the drive device and/or the safety device can be actuated by means of a common handle part. The invention further relates to a pipe cleaning machine, in particular a pipe cleaning machine having a drum, and to a method for operating a pipe cleaning machine.

Claims

1. An advancing unit for a cleaning spiral of a pipe cleaning machine, which spiral can rotate about its longitudinal axis driven by a motor, the unit comprising: a housing; a drive device that can produce an advancing movement of the cleaning spiral, the drive device having at least two clamping parts which can be brought into a clamping position against the cleaning spiral, in such a manner that the clamping parts press against the cleaning spiral, so that when the cleaning spiral rotates, an advancing movement of the cleaning spiral is produced; a control device for controlling the advancing movement of the cleaning spiral by moving a first of the at least two clamping parts; a safety device, by which the first or a second of the at least two clamping parts can be brought out of its clamping position against the cleaning spiral; a handle part, wherein the control device and the drive device and/or the safety device can be activated by said handle part, wherein the handle part is rotatable and pivotally mounted to the housing so as to rotate about a first axis in a rotating motion and to pivot about a second axis in a pivoting motion, the second axis being different from the first axis, wherein one of the rotating motion or the pivoting motion is utilized for at least one of activation of the drive device or triggering of the safety device, and a different one of the rotating motion or the pivoting motion is utilized for activation of the control device.

2. The advancing unit according to claim 1, wherein the handle part can be pivoted about a pivot axle which is arranged in the second axis at a distance from the first axis.

3. The advancing unit according to claim 1, wherein the drive device and the safety device both act on the first clamping part.

4. The advancing unit according to claim 1, wherein the drive device and/or the safety device, together with the control device, can act on the first clamping part.

5. The advancing unit according to claim 1, wherein the handle part is configured as an activation lever which is mounted so as to pivot about a pivot axle arranged in the second axis on a control part, wherein the first clamping part is movable along a setting axis, wherein the control part is mounted, so as to rotate about the first axis on a guide part fixed in place on the housing, which guide part guides the first clamping part, and wherein a transfer element is provided, which engages on the activation lever at a distance from the pivot axle, and acts on the first clamping part in the direction of the setting axis.

6. The advancing unit according to claim 5, wherein the transfer element engages on the activation lever at a distance from the pivot axle, and wherein the setting axis runs in between the transfer element and the pivot axle.

7. The advancing unit according to claim 5, wherein the activation lever, the control part, the transfer element, and the first clamping part are connected in torque-proof manner with reference to the setting axis, and can be rotated about the setting axis relative to the guide part.

8. The advancing unit according to claim 5, wherein an additional guide part is provided, which part is firmly connected with the first clamping part and is guided on a wall of an opening of the guide part that is fixed in place on the housing and/or on a wall of an opening of the control part.

9. The advancing unit according to claim 1, wherein at least one spring element is provided, against the reset force of which the first clamping part, together with the handle part, can be brought into a starting position (A), automatically or supporting a manual force, in which position the first clamping part is brought out of its clamping position (S) against the cleaning spiral.

10. The advancing unit according to claim 1, wherein the housing has at least one coupling location for position-fixed coupling against a pipe cleaning machine.

11. The advancing unit for a pipe cleaning machine as in claim 1, wherein the pipe cleaning machine has a drum.

12. The advancing unit according to claim 1, wherein the advancing unit is configured to activate the drive device by means of the handle part, wherein said activation is executed in such a way that the cleaning spiral is clamped between the at least two clamping parts, and subsequently the control device is activated by means of the handle part in order to control the drive of the cleaning spiral.

13. The advancing unit according to claim 12, wherein the first clamping part is brought into the clamping position against the cleaning spiral by means of pivoting of the handle part in the direction of a setting axis, and a forward drive or reverse drive or a zero drive of the cleaning spiral is produced by means of rotation of the pivoted handle part.

14. The advancing unit according to claim 12, wherein if necessary, the handle part is configured to activate said safety device, by means of which safety device the first clamping part or the second clamping part is brought out of a clamping position against the cleaning spiral.

15. The advancing unit according to claim 14, wherein the first clamping part is automatically brought out of the clamping position against the cleaning spiral by means of a spring force, by means of releasing the handle part.

Description

(1) The figures show:

(2) FIG. 1 a possible embodiment of an advancing unit for a cleaning spiral of a pipe cleaning machine, together with a length section of a cleaning spiral, in a sectional representation,

(3) FIG. 2 the advancing unit and the cleaning spiral according to FIG. 1 in a sectional representation, wherein a handle part of the advancing unit is in a starting operating position,

(4) FIG. 3 the advancing unit and the cleaning spiral according to FIG. 1 in a sectional representation, wherein the handle part has been brought into a position that produces drive,

(5) FIGS. 4A, 4B, and 4C as examples, different rotational positions of the handle part when controlling the drive of the cleaning spiral.

(6) FIG. 1 shows a possible embodiment of an advancing unit 1 for a pipe cleaning machine, for example a pipe cleaning machine having a drum, in a sectional representation. The advancing unit 1 serves to put a cleaning spiral 100, which is shown in FIG. 1 in at least a length section, into a drive movement. The cleaning spiral 100 is preferably a spiraled, flexible shaft, which can be rotated about its longitudinal axis 110 by means of a motor (not shown in FIG. 1).

(7) The advancing unit 1 has a drive device having at least two, preferably three clamping parts 2, 3, which device can produce drive of the cleaning spiral 100, of which one clamping part 2 can be brought into a clamping position S against the cleaning spiral 100, in such a manner that the clamping parts 2, 3 press against the cleaning spiral 100, so that when the cleaning spiral 100 is rotating, drive of the cleaning spiral 100 is produced. In FIG. 1, the clamping part 2 is only shown in section, due to the sectional representation. The clamping part 3 can be seen as a contour in the view of FIG. 1. Because of the sectional representation in FIG. 1, the third clamping part cannot be seen.

(8) The clamping part 2, preferably all the clamping parts 2 and 3, have a press-down part 4 on its end facing the cleaning spiral 100, which part is preferably mounted, so as to rotate, by way of an axle 5, on the associated clamping part 2. The press-down part 4 can be a bearing, for example a ball bearing or roller bearing.

(9) The advancing unit 1 furthermore has a control device for controlling the drive of the cleaning spiral 100, wherein the control device utilizes the clamping part 2 or all the clamping parts 2, 3 for this purpose. Furthermore, the advancing unit 1 has a safety device, for example in the manner of a dead-man device, by means of which the clamping part 2 can be brought out of its clamping position S against the cleaning spiral 100, if necessary, and thereby the drive-effecting force fit of the clamping parts 2 and 3 with the cleaning spiral 100 is cancelled out.

(10) It is provided that the control device and the drive device and/or the safety device can be activated by means of a common handle part 6. Single-hand operation is made possible by means of the handle part 6, so that an operator can guide the cleaning spiral 100 with his/her other hand during cleaning.

(11) In order to bring about activation of the drive device, the handle part 6 can pivot in the direction of an axis 8. In order to furthermore bring about activation of the control device, the handle part 6 can be mounted so as to rotate about the axis 8.

(12) In the embodiment according to FIG. 1, the handle part 6 is configured as an activation lever 7. The activation lever 7 is mounted, so as to pivot about a pivot axle 11, in the direction of the axis 8 or in the direction of a setting axis 9 of the clamping part 2, on a control part 10. A transfer element 12 is mounted, so as to rotate, on the activation lever 7, at a distance from the pivot axle 11, which element engages on the clamping part 2 in the direction of the setting axis 9, preferably is linked with it, particularly is linked with it in a fixed position in the axial direction, with reference to the setting axis 9. The transfer element 12 is preferably configured to be stable in shape. For example, the transfer element 12 is an eyebolt, the eye of which is mounted on the activation lever 7 so as to rotate, and the threaded shaft of which is screwed into the clamping part 2.

(13) Preferably, the pivot axle 11 of the activation lever 7 and the mounting location for the transfer element 12 are disposed at a distance from one another, in such a manner that the setting axis 9 runs in between.

(14) The control part 10 is mounted on a guide part 13 that is fixed in place on the housing. The clamping part 2 is guided on the guide part 13, in the case of a movement in the direction of the setting axis 9 and/or in the case of a rotational movement about the setting axis 9.

(15) An additional guide part 15 can be provided, which is connected with the clamping part 2, particularly connected in a fixed position, and is guided relative to a wall, for example an opening 19, particularly a passage opening of the guide part 13 that is fixed in place on the housing. The activation mechanism of the activation lever 7 is additionally stabilized by means of the additional guide part 15. The additional guide part 15 can be configured as a pin element. Preferably, the additional guide part 15 is disposed coaxially with reference to the setting axis 9.

(16) Preferably, the additional guide part 15 is guided on the guide part 13 when the clamping part 2 is displaced in the direction of the setting axis 9, and likewise when the clamping part 2 is rotated about the setting axis 9. The additional guide part 15 can project into an opening 20, particularly a passage opening of the control part 13, with one end. The wall of the opening 20 can fundamentally serve as a guide for the additional guide part 15, or the additional guide part 15 can at least support itself on this wall.

(17) Preferably, the advancing unit 1 has at least one spring element (which cannot be seen in FIG. 1), against the reset force of which element the clamping part 2 is preferably brought out of the clamping position S automatically if the handle part 7 is released. Preferably, a reset of the activation lever 7 also occurs by means of the spring element.

(18) The clamping parts 2, 3 can be configured to be cylindrical, in each instance. Also, the guide part 13 can be configured as a hollow cylinder, and can have a closed end, for example, for example in the manner of a cap, into the interior of which the clamping part 2 is pushed. Preferably, in this regard, the outside diameter of the clamping part 2 essentially corresponds to the inside diameter of the guide part 13, in order to bring about the desired guidance.

(19) The control part 10 can be configured in the manner of a cap, which has a thread on its inside circumference. In order to make rotatability of the activation lever 7 about the setting axis 9 possible, the control part 10 can be screwed onto the guide part 13 and held in the screw connection so as to rotate.

(20) Preferably, the advancing unit 1 has a housing 16, frame or support, which has a passage 21 for the cleaning spiral 100. The housing 16 is linked to a pipe cleaning machine (not shown in FIG. 1), particularly a pipe cleaning machine having a drum, with one end of the passage 21. For this purpose, the housing 16 has a coupling location 18 in the region of the end of the passage 21.

(21) Preferably, the advancing unit 1 can be linked with the pipe cleaning machine in a fixed position. For this purpose, the housing 16 has at least one coupling location 17 on its section that lies on the bottom, for example, in order to hold the advancing unit 1 on the pipe cleaning machine in torque-proof manner with reference to the longitudinal axis 110 of the cleaning spiral 100.

(22) FIG. 2 shows the advancing unit 1 in a starting position A. In the starting position A, the clamping part 2 is not in contact with the press-down part 4 and lies at a distance from the cleaning spiral 100. In the starting position A, the cleaning spiral 100 can support itself on the clamping parts 3 that lie at the bottom.

(23) FIG. 3 shows the advancing unit 1 in the clamping position S, in which the clamping element 2 is pressed against the cleaning spiral 100 and thereby a force fit is formed between the clamping parts 2 and 3 and the cleaning spiral 100, in such a manner that when the cleaning spiral 100 is rotated about its longitudinal axis 110, drive is produced.

(24) In order to bring the clamping part 2 into the clamping position S, the activation lever 7 is pivoted about the pivot axle 11 in the direction according to the arrow 200, wherein a displacement of the clamping part 2 in the direction of the setting axis 9, according to the arrow 210, comes about by means of the transfer element 12.

(25) The additional guide part 15, together with the clamping part 2, is displaced relative to the guide part 13 in the direction of the setting axis 9, according to the arrow 210. The activation state, as shown in FIG. 1, is achieved by means of pivoting the activation lever 7 according to FIG. 3. There, forward drive of the cleaning spiral 100, according to the arrow 220, is shown as an example of drive.

(26) If the spring element is provided, the following safety function can be implemented: As soon as the activation lever 7 is released by the operator, the activation lever 7 and the clamping part 2 are pivoted back into the starting position A according to FIG. 2, preferably automatically, as the result of the force of the spring element, so that the operator can cancel out drive of the cleaning spiral 100 as desired.

(27) FIGS. 4A, 4B, and 4C show the activation lever 7 in different positions, in which a different drive of the cleaning spiral 100 is brought about, in each instance.

(28) In FIG. 4A, the activation lever 7 has been rotated about the setting axis 9 in the direction according to the arrow 230. Because of the rotational movement, the control part 10 and the transfer element 12, together with the clamping part 2, have rotated relative to the guide part 13. As a result, the clamping part 2, with its press-down part 4, has been brought into a rotational position on the cleaning spiral 100 such that as a result, in the clamping position S of the clamping parts 2 and 3 against the cleaning spiral 100, a drive movement in a direction, for example a reverse drive movement, takes place. As a result, withdrawal of the cleaning spiral 100 from the pipeline to be cleaned can take place.

(29) In FIG. 4B, the activation lever 7 is in a starting rotational position, which is a neutral position. In this rotational position, no drive or only slight drive is brought about, even though the clamping parts 2 and 3 are clamped against the cleaning spiral 100.

(30) In FIG. 4C, the activation lever 7 is rotated about the setting axis 9 in the reverse direction of rotation as compared with the representation of FIG. 4A. The clamping part 2 is situated in a rotational position such that drive in the opposite direction as compared with the representation in FIG. 4A is achieved, for example a forward drive movement.

(31) The rotational movement of the clamping part 2 about the setting axis 9 can also be performed by the at least one other clamping part 3. For this purpose, a driver 14, particularly a driver disk, can be provided, which is movement-coupled with the clamping parts 2, 3 in corresponding manner. For example, the driver 14 is held on the housing 16 so as to rotate about the longitudinal axis 110. For example, the axle 5 of the respective clamping part 2, 3 engages into an associated recess or groove of the driver, and forms a coupling 22, so that the driver 14 is brought into a rotational movement about the axis 110 by means of a rotational movement of the clamping part 2, and, because of the coupling with the at least one other clamping part 2, this part is also rotated.

REFERENCE SYMBOL LIST

(32) 1 advancing unit 2 clamping part 3 clamping part 4 press-down element 5 axle 6 handle part 7 activation lever 8 axis 9 setting axis 10 control part 11 pivot axle 12 transfer element 13 guide part 14 driver 15 additional guide part 16 housing 17 coupling location 18 coupling location 19 opening 20 opening 21 passage 22 coupling 100 cleaning spiral 110 longitudinal axis 200 arrow 210 arrow 220 arrow 230 arrow 240 arrow A starting position S clamping position