METHOD AND CLEANING DEVICE FOR CLEANING THE INTERIOR OF PIPES

Abstract

A method for cleaning the interior of pipes using a cleaning device and a cleaning device. The cleaning device has a tube and an advancing unit for moving the tube along a main axis (H) of the advancing unit. The advancing unit has a drive which is frictionally connected to the tube and by which the tube is moved in an axial direction along the main axis (H). The advancing unit is set into a rotational movement about the main axis (H) during the axial movement of the tube, and the drive transmits the rotational movement to the tube.

Claims

1. A method for cleaning the interior of pipes using a cleaning device, wherein the cleaning device has a tube and an advancing unit for moving the tube along a main axis (H) of the advancing unit, wherein the advancing unit has a drive which is frictionally connected to the tube and by which the tube is moved in an axial direction along the main axis (H), comprising the steps of: setting the advancing unit into a pendulum movement about the main axis (H) during the axial movement of the tube, wherein the drive transmits the pendulum movement to the tube.

2. (canceled)

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the pendulum movement between two end positions occurs at an angle of ?360?.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein a starting position is provided for the pendulum movement, in which the centre of gravity of the advancing unit lies directly below the main axis (H), and the pendulum movement is performed symmetrically about the starting position.

5. The method according to claim 1, wherein the pendulum movement of the advancing unit and the axial movement of the tube are coordinated using a controller of the cleaning device.

6. A cleaning device for cleaning the interior of pipes, comprising: a tube, a post and an advancing unit for moving the tube along a main axis (H) of the advancing unit, wherein the advancing unit has a drive connected to the tube by a frictional connection in order to move the tube axially along the main axis (H), wherein the advancing unit is rotatably supported about the main axis (H) in the post, wherein the tube can be set into a pendulum movement by the frictional connection, and wherein a pendulum drive is provided, by which the advancing unit can be rotated.

7. The cleaning device according to claim 6, wherein the drive comprises one or more rollers, which are frictionally connected to the tube.

8. The cleaning device according to claim 6, wherein the advancing unit has a pinion by which the advancing unit can be rotated about the main axis (H).

9. (canceled)

10. The cleaning device according to claim 6, wherein a controller is connected to the pendulum drive and the drive.

11. The cleaning device according to claim 6, that wherein the pendulum drive has a rack-and-pinion transmission, wherein the rack-and-pinion transmission has the pinion and a rack that can be moved back and forth on the post, and wherein a linear movement of the rack is converted into a rotation of the pinion and thus of the advancing unit by the rack-and-pinion transmission.

12. The cleaning device according to claim 11, wherein the rack can be moved linearly using two single-acting lift cylinders or using a double-acting lift cylinder, wherein the lift cylinder(s) are supported on the post.

13. The cleaning device according to claim 6, that wherein the pendulum drive has a pneumatic motor supported on the post or a servomotor, by which the pinion can be rotated.

14. The cleaning device according to claim 6, wherein the advancing unit comprises a tube guide, that is interrupted in the region of the drive.

15. The method according to claim 3, wherein a starting position is provided for the pendulum movement, in which the centre of gravity of the advancing unit lies directly below the main axis (H), and the pendulum movement is performed symmetrically about the starting position.

16. The method according to claim 15, wherein the pendulum movement of the advancing unit and the axial movement of the tube are coordinated using a controller of the cleaning device.

17. The cleaning device according to claim 7, wherein the advancing unit has a pinion by which the advancing unit can be rotated about the main axis (H); and wherein a controller is connected to the pendulum drive and the drive.

18. The cleaning device according to claim 17, wherein the pendulum drive has a rack-and-pinion transmission, wherein the rack-and-pinion transmission has the pinion and a rack that can be moved back and forth on the post, and wherein a linear movement of the rack is converted into a rotation of the pinion and thus of the advancing unit by the rack-and-pinion transmission; and wherein the rack can be moved linearly using two single-acting lift cylinders or using a double-acting lift cylinder, wherein the lift cylinder(s) are supported on the post.

19. The cleaning device according to claim 18, wherein the pendulum drive has a pneumatic motor supported on the post or a servomotor, by which the pinion can be rotated; and wherein the advancing unit comprises a tube guide, that is interrupted in the region of the drive.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0044] The invention is exemplified in the drawings. Shown are:

[0045] FIG. 1 a perspective view of a first embodiment of a device according to the present invention;

[0046] FIG. 2 a plan view of the device according to FIG. 1;

[0047] FIG. 3 a vertical section in the longitudinal direction through the device according to FIG. 1; and

[0048] FIG. 4 a second embodiment of the device according to the invention in a plan view.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0049] The cleaning device 1 shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 has a post 3 having a base 5, a pillar 7 and a bracket 9 (see FIG. 1). The pillar 7 and the bracket 9 are arranged along a main axis H on the base 5, wherein the bracket 9 is arranged in a front region 11 of the base 5 and the pillar 7 is arranged in a rear region 13 of the base 5. When used as intended, the front region 11 faces the pipe 12 to be cleaned and the rear region 13 faces away from the pipe 12 (see FIG. 2).

[0050] A plastic bushing 15 is arranged in the pillar 7. The bracket 9 comprises a plastic block 17. The cleaning device 1 further has an advancing unit 21, which is supported in the plastic bushing 15 and the plastic block 17 and thereby rotatably supported in the post 3 about the main axis H. The cleaning device 1 further has a rotational drive 22 by means of which the advancing unit 21 can be rotated.

[0051] The advancing unit 21 has a central housing 23 with two coaxial apertures 25, 27 along the main axis H (see FIG. 3). A first guide block 31 is arranged on the outside 29 of the housing 23 and behind the first aperture 25 and is fixedly connected to the housing 23. The first guide block 31 has a first guide bore 35 coaxial to the first aperture 25. A first hollow shaft 37 is arranged in the first guide bore 35. The first hollow shaft 37 is guided in a first bushing 38 such that it is axially displaceable relative to the first guide block 31. A first compression spring 39 is arranged between the first hollow shaft 37 and the outside 29 of the housing 23. The first hollow shaft 37 is rotatably supported in the plastic bushing 15 about the main axis H.

[0052] The first hollow shaft 37 has a partially conical bore 43 running along the main axis H, which transitions into a cylindrical bore of the hollow shaft 37 and whose largest inner diameter is provided at one end 45. The conical bore 43 thereby facilitates insertion of a tube 47 into the first hollow shaft 37. The first hollow shaft 37 is thus chamfered by the conical bore 43, thereby avoiding damage to the pipe.

[0053] A first sensor bore 51, which is arranged perpendicular to the first guide bore 35 and in which a first sensor 53 is arranged, is provided in the first guide block 31. The first hollow shaft 37 has a first recess 55 that cooperates with the first sensor 53. In the illustrated position, the first compression spring 39 is unstressed and the first sensor 53 is aimed at the first recess 55.

[0054] A second guide block 61 is arranged on the outside 29 of the housing 23 and in front of the second aperture 27, which is fixedly connected to the housing 23 on the one hand and to a spacer 67 on the other hand. The second guide block 61 has a second guide bore 63 that runs coaxially to the second aperture 27. A second bushing 69 is arranged in the second guide bore 63, in which a second hollow shaft 65 is arranged axially displaceable relative to the second guide block 61. In the axial direction, a second compression spring 70 is arranged between the second hollow shaft 65 and the outer side 29 of the housing 23.

[0055] A second sensor bore 57, arranged perpendicular to the second guide bore 63, in which a second sensor 58 is arranged, is provided in the second guide block 61. The second hollow shaft 65 has a second recess 59. The second sensor 58 is aimed at the second recess 59 in the illustrated position of the second hollow shaft 65, and the second compression spring 70 is relaxed.

[0056] The recesses 55, 59 are located on the outsides of the first and second hollow shafts 37, 65. Thus, they are not in direct contact with the space in which the tube is located. The risk of the recesses 55, 59 becoming soiled is thereby reduced. In other embodiments, a continuous bore having a small diameter can be respectively provided in the recesses 55, 59. Thus, for example, water that collects in recesses 55, 59 can drain.

[0057] A third hollow shaft 71 running along the main axis H is connected to the spacer 67 in a rotationally fixed manner and projects out of the spacer 67 on the side of the spacer 67 facing away from the second guide block 61.

[0058] The third hollow shaft 71 extends outside the spacer 67 through a bore 73 of the plastic block 17 and projects out of the bore 73 with an end 74 on the side of the plastic block 17 facing away from the spacer 67. The third hollow shaft 71 is supported in the plastic block 17 such that it can be rotated relative to the bracket 9 about the main axis H.

[0059] Inside the plastic block 17, a pinion 75 is arranged in a rotation-proof manner on the third hollow shaft 71. The pinion 75 together with a rack 77 of the post 3 running crookedly relative to the main axis H along a rack axis Z forms a rack-and-pinion transmission 79 of the rotational drive 22, wherein the rack axis Z runs in a plane that is perpendicular to the main axis H. The rack 77 is moved back and forth from two opposed, single-acting, compressed air-powered lift cylinders 80a, 80b of the rotational drive 22 (see FIG. 2). In FIG. 1, the advancing unit 21 is rotated at an angle of about 15? about the main axis H compared to the illustration of FIG. 2.

[0060] In FIG. 1, the advancing unit 21 is shown in an end position. If the rack 77 is moved axially by the lift cylinders 80a, 80b, the pinion 75 and thus the third hollow shaft 71 are rotated about the main axis H. The spacer 67 also rotates, because it is connected to the third hollow shaft 71. The second hollow shaft 65 and the second guide block 61 as well as the housing 23 fixedly connected to the second guide block 61 are further rotated via the spacer 67. The same applies to the first guide block 31 connected to the housing 23 and the first hollow shaft 37 and the plastic bushing 15. In this way, the entire advancing unit 21 can be rotated relative to the post 3 about the main axis H. The lift cylinders 80a, 80b alternately retract and extend. This moves the advancing unit 21 in a pendulum movement.

[0061] In the interior 81 of the housing 23, two guide sleeves 83, 85 are arranged for the tube 47 (see FIG. 3). The first guide sleeve 83 is arranged on the inside 87 of the housing 23 adjacent to the first aperture 25 such that its bore transitions into the first aperture 25. The second guide sleeve 85 is arranged on the inside adjacent to the second aperture 27 such that its bore transitions into the second aperture 27. Both guide sleeves 83, 85 run coaxially to the main axis H.

[0062] In order to move the tube 47 axially, the advancing unit 21 has a drive roller 91 and a pressing roller 93 in the interior 81 of the housing 23. The rollers 91, 93 are each rotatable about an axis of rotation X, Y extending crookedly relative to the main axis H, wherein the axes of rotation X, Y each extend in a plane that is perpendicular to the main axis H. Both rollers 91, 93 have a respective circumferential groove 95, 97 extending at the respective outer circumference in which the tube 47 is received when used as intended. The rollers 91, 93 are rubberised in the region of the grooves 95, 97 and move the tube 47 by means of frictional connection. The distance between the rotational axes X, Y can be adjusted by way of an eccentric element (not shown) of the pressing roller 93 so that the contact pressure can be adjusted and/or tubes of different diameters can be moved by the advancing unit 21.

[0063] The rollers 91, 93 are part of a drive 94 of the advancing unit 21. The drive 94 further has a servomotor 99 that directly drives the drive roller 91. The rollers 91, 93 are coupled together via pinions 100 (only one pinion is shown) such that the pressing roller 93 is also driven.

[0064] The hollow shafts 37, 65, 71, the housing 23 and the guide sleeves 83, 85 together form a tube guide 101 for the tube 47. Starting from the end 45, the tube 47 extends sequentially through the first hollow shaft 37, through the first compression spring 39, through the first aperture 25, through the first guide sleeve 83, through the interior 81 of the housing 23, through the second guide sleeve 85, through the second aperture 27, through the second compression spring 70, through the second hollow shaft 65 and through the third hollow shaft 71. At the end 74 of the third hollow shaft 71, the tube 47 enters the open air and, when used as intended, is guided there into a pipe 12 to be cleaned. The cleaning device 1 is positioned such that the pipe 12 to be cleaned runs along the main axis H (see FIG. 2).

[0065] Between the guide sleeves 83, 85, the tube guide 101 is interrupted so that the rollers 91, 93 can contact the tube 47 and move it axially. The rollers 91, 93 clamp the tube 47 between their circumferential grooves 95, 97 and are thereby frictionally connected to the tube 47. A rotation of the drive roller 91 thus results in axial movement of the tube 47 in the tube guide 101 along the main axis H.

[0066] When used as intended, the tube 47 is moved axially by way of the drive 94, and at the same time the advancing unit 21 is moved in a pendulum movement about the main axis H using the lifting cylinders 80a, 80b. Due to the frictional connection between the rollers 91, 93 and the tube 47, the pendulum movement of the advancing unit is transferred to the tube 47, so that the tube 47 is also rotated about the main axis H.

[0067] A nozzle (not shown) is attached to the tip 103 of the tube 47. The nozzle has a larger cross-section than the tube 47. The nozzle arranged at the tip of the tube 47 has eccentrically arranged exit holes for cleaning water. The simultaneous rotational and axial movement of the tube 47 causes the exit holes to move on curved paths, for example, creating a predefined cleaning pattern on the insides of the pipe 12. The curved webs more fully clean the insides of the pipe 12 compared to a pure axial movement of the tube 47. The cleaning pattern can be influenced by a change in the rotational and axial movement and can thus be adjusted to each specific pipe to be cleaned or the respective degree of soiling and/or the type of soiling in each case. In this way, a wide range of soiling levels can be covered with one and the same cleaning device. Thus, highly soiled pipes can be cleaned particularly thoroughly, or strongly adhered soil can be removed, using a close-mesh cleaning pattern, whereas lightly soiled pipes can be cleaned faster on the basis of a broad-mesh cleaning pattern, or less strongly adhered soil can be removed more quickly but just as thoroughly, whereby only as much working time, cleaning medium and energy is used as is required for the cleaning.

[0068] A spherical stopper element 104 can be attached to the region of the tube 47 that lies in front of the first hollow shaft 37. To create redundancy, a plurality of stopper elements 104 can also be provided. The stopper element 104 acts as an end stop for the axial movement of the tube 47. If the tube 47 is moved along the main axis H to a target depth into the pipe 12 to be cleaned and such a stopper element 104 is positioned at the appropriate position on the tube 47, the stopper element 104 abuts the first hollow shaft 37 and pushes the first hollow shaft 37 in the axial direction against the first compression spring 39 (see FIG. 3). The first compression spring 39 is thereby compressed and the first recess 55 is moved away from the first sensor 53. The first sensor 53 registers this movement, because it is now aimed directly at the peripheral surface of the first hollow shaft 37. A controller of the cleaning device 1 receives the signal from the first sensor 53 and stops the servomotor 99 such that the tube 47 is not moved further into the pipe 12.

[0069] When the cleaning device 1 is put into service, the tube 47 is manually moved from the first hollow shaft 37 through the tube guide 101 until the tube 47 enters the open air at the end 74 of the third hollow shaft 71. From there, it can be moved into the pipe 12 and can clean its inside.

[0070] If the tube 47 is moved out of the pipe 12 after a cleaning operation, it should only be moved back to a predetermined point by the drive 94. In particular, it should be prevented that the tube 47 falls completely out of the advancing unit 21. For this purpose, the tube guide 101 in the region of the spacer 67 is interrupted. A fork-shaped stopper part 105 can be stuck on the tube 47 in the spacer 67. The stopper part 105 is then secured by a cover of the spacer 67, which prevents the stopper part 105 from slipping off the tube 47. The stopper part 105 has a clear width that is greater than the outer diameter of the tube 47, but less than the outer diameter of the nozzle. When the tube 47 retracts out of the pipe 12, the nozzle abuts against the stopper part 105. The stopper part 105 is thereby pushed in the axial direction against the second hollow shaft 65 and moves the second hollow shaft 65 axially towards the housing 23 against the force of the second compression spring 70. In this way, the second sensor aperture 57 is moved away from the second sensor 58. The second sensor 58 registers this movement, because it is now no longer aimed at the second recess 59, but directly towards the outer peripheral surface of the second hollow shaft 65. The controller senses the movement of the second hollow shaft 65 using the second sensor 58 and stops the servomotor 99 such that the tube 47 is not moved further.

[0071] In other embodiments, a second fork-shaped stopper part can be provided between the inside 87 and the second guide block 61. This creates redundancy. The second fork-shaped stopper part can also be configured merely as a tube catcher and not a switch. As a result, no additional sensor is required, and the second fork-shaped stopper part still serves as an additional safety in order to prevent the tube from exiting the tube guide under pressure.

[0072] FIG. 4 shows a second embodiment of the cleaning device 1 according to the invention. This embodiment corresponds in portions to the first embodiment, but deviates from the first embodiment in particular with respect to the rotational drive 22. The rotational drive 22 further provides a pinion 75 that can be rotated about the main axis H with respect to the post but is fixedly connected to the advancing unit 21. A rotation of the pinion 75 thus further results in a similar rotation of the advancing unit 21 in the post 3.

[0073] For the rotational movement, in this embodiment, a pneumatic motor 110 is provided, being supported on the post. The motor 110 drives a spur gear 112 engaged with the pinion 75. Thus, a rotation of the motor 110 about its motor axis M aligned parallel to the main axis H results in a rotation of the spur gear 112, the pinion 75 and ultimately the advancing unit 21.

[0074] In this embodiment, the servomotor 99 is arranged on the advancing unit 21 such that its servomotor axis S is perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the drive roller (neither are visible here). More specifically, in this embodiment, the servomotor axis S of the drive is aligned parallel to the main axis H, like the motor axis M of the rotational drive. This gives the cleaning device a compact design. The servomotor 99 includes a transmission 113 for redirecting the drive torque from the servomotor 99 to the drive roller 91.

[0075] In this embodiment, the post of the cleaning device 1 is built into a frame construction 114. The frame construction 114 is cuboid and has a plurality of frame portions 116. The frame portions 116 run along the edges of an intended cuboid.

[0076] In the front region 11 and the rear region 13, the frame construction 114 is closed at its front sides by a respective plate. In the front region 11, this prevents soil from the pipe 12 reaching the pneumatic motor 110 or other components. Two carrying handles 118 are arranged on opposite sides of the frame construction 114.

[0077] The distance between the axis of rotation of the drive roller and the axis of rotation X of the pressing roller 93 can be adjusted by way of an eccentric element with a handle 120. With the eccentric element 120, the pressing roller 93 is moved with its axis of rotation X relative to the axis of rotation of the drive roller. In this way, the contact pressure can be adjusted, and/or tubes having different diameters can be moved through the advancing unit 21.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS

[0078] 1 Cleaning device [0079] 3 Post [0080] 5 Base [0081] 7 Pillar [0082] 9 Bracket [0083] 11 Front region [0084] 12 Tube [0085] 13 Rear region [0086] 15 Plastic bushing [0087] 17 Plastic block [0088] 21 Advancing unit [0089] 22 Rotational drive [0090] 23 Housing [0091] 25 First aperture [0092] 27 Second aperture [0093] 29 Outside [0094] 31 First guide block [0095] 35 First guide bore [0096] 37 First hollow shaft [0097] 38 First bushing [0098] 39 First compression spring [0099] 43 Bore [0100] 45 End [0101] 47 Tube [0102] 51 First sensor bore [0103] 53 First sensor [0104] 55 First recess [0105] 57 Second sensor bore [0106] 58 Second sensor [0107] 59 Second recess [0108] 61 Second guide block [0109] 63 Second guide bore [0110] 65 Second hollow shaft [0111] 67 Spacer [0112] 69 Second bushing [0113] 70 Second compression spring [0114] 71 Third hollow shaft [0115] 73 Bore [0116] 74 End [0117] 75 Pinion [0118] 77 Rack [0119] 79 Rack-and-pinion transmission [0120] 80a Lift cylinder [0121] 80b Lift cylinder [0122] 81 Interior [0123] 83 First guide sleeve [0124] 85 Second guide sleeve [0125] 87 Inside [0126] 91 Drive roller [0127] 93 Pressing roller [0128] 94 Drive [0129] 95 Circumferential groove [0130] 97 Circumferential groove [0131] 99 Servomotor [0132] 100 Pinion [0133] 101 Tube guide [0134] 103 Tip [0135] 104 Stopper element [0136] 105 Abutment part [0137] 110 Pneumatic motor [0138] 112 Spur gear [0139] 113 Transmission [0140] 114 Frame construction [0141] 116 Frame part [0142] 118 Handle [0143] 120 Eccentric element with handle [0144] H Main axis [0145] M Motor axis [0146] S Servomotor axis [0147] X Axis of rotation [0148] Y Axis of rotation [0149] Z Rack axis