Guiding device for pipe cleaning coils.

p0001The invention relates to a guide device for pipe cleaning spirals, which consist of a wound with gaps steel wire helix and about its axis are rotated by a drive machine, which is separated from the guiding device for a guide housing having an inlet opening at one end and an outlet opening the spiral at the other end, with a plurality of arranged in the guide housing, form-fitting engaging in the interstices between the individual turns of the coil engagement jaws which are arranged distributed on the circumference of the helix axis (AA) and axially displaced according to the pitch of the helix.

p0002Such cleaning devices are referred to in the trade as "cleaning spirals", although it is - strictly speaking - are so-called coils which are formed by winding a steel wire along a helix.

p0003Devices for guiding filaments are known from European Patent 0 061 003. These are tubes, drums or adapter magazines that only serve to accommodate the coils, however, exert any thrust forces on these helices.

p0004The operation of such machines is very troublesome when such, driven pipe cleaning spiral or helix to be used for the purification of a correspondingly long downpipe. The vertically extending length of such downpipes may well go beyond 15 to 20 floors, so that the cleaning spiral must have an overall length of about 60 m. The cleaning spiral is thereby composed during routine cleaning of the portions by means of couplings and disassembled during retraction of the helix. These cuts have a length of 4 to 5 meters, and depending on the used filament diameter has a weight of between about 2 and 8 kg. With a total length of 60 m, this leads to a total weight of between about 30 and 120 kg. This weight is by the operator only with great physical effort or no longer be controlled, so that the use of the relevant tube cleaning machines for downspouts with large vertical length is increasingly problematic. It should be taken into account is that the cleaning spirals are withdrawn after work in the wet and / or dirty state of the pipeline so that they are to be taken badly.

p0005It is known to unite sewer cleaning machines with a driven storage drum for long lengths of coils structurally with an additional form-fitting engaging in the spiral feed device for the spiral.

p0006With such a drum machine according to the US-A.3 246 354 the feeding device is provided with a special V-belt drive, its speed must be adapted to the drum speed (differential action). Such a machine is expensive and difficult to transport.

p0007In another drum machine according to DE-A-2416310 the feed is effected by a chuck and the size of the feed is controlled by a manually operated brake whose handling requires the full attention of the operator.

p0008These drum machines arises because of the large stored spiral length is not the problem, assemble a long spiral of relatively short partial lengths by couplings. For a large weight, connected to a non-negligible unwieldy during transport and use, as well as the risk of a spiral fracture is accepted, which occurs when the spiral gets stuck in the use and the drum will continue to run a few turns due to its large inertia.

p0009The feed clutch of drum device according to DE-A-2244206 relieves the operator is not the withdrawal of the spiral, there is a pronounced handset, the retraction force so anyway must be collected by hand.

p0010By US-A-3,329,044 a guide device of the kind described above is known, that is one of a prime mover separate "passive" device, which utilizes a necessity in itself turn of the spiral by the prime mover to a feed effect in one direction and a withdrawal effects in the other direction, ie, to generate by rotation reversal. However, this device can not be used with such a pipe cleaning machine, in which the entire spiral length is formed by the assembly of sections by means of couplings. The couplings can not pass through the guide device, as long as it exercises its feeding or withdrawal effects namely. Would you open the housing of the device for passage of a clutch, so the positive engagement is lost, and the spiral slide axially. The axial displacement of the engaging elements also corresponds to only a fraction of the spiral slope, because namely the engagement elements must be arranged on a helix in order to avoid jamming. Three engaging members so the axial offset corresponds to just one third of the spiral slope, so a few millimeters. Thus, the engaging elements form an absolute barrier to the passage of a coupling.

p0011The invention is therefore based on the object to improve the guiding device described at the outset to the effect that they can also be used in connection with such pipe cleaning machines in which spirals from transport and weight reasons sections by means of couplings are assembled.

p0012The solution of the problem is inventively characterized in that the axial distance between two successive engagement jaws is greater than half of the contingent by two interconnected coupling elements distance "D" between the ends of two adjacent spiral portions.

p0013Preferably, the axial distance between two successive engagement jaws is greater than said distance "D".

p0014An especially advantageous embodiment of the invention is characterized in that at least one engaging jaw lying on one side of the helix axis with their engaging in the helical surfaces on the at least one extending in the direction of the helix axis space between at least two on the other side of the helix axis disposed engaging jaws is aligned.

p0015The guide housing with the engagement jaws acts on the one hand as a nut with respect to the steel wire helix which in turn can be regarded as a kind of "screw". The operator need here to take any physical effort in coming.

p0016On the other hand affects the mother not as a barrier to the couplings. The inventive arrangement of the engagement jaws, the helix axis a serpentine can follow. This is necessary at the moment in which a two partial lengths of the coil connecting coupling having a cylindrical outer surface, passing through the guide housing. Once the clutch runs on one of the engagement jaws, they can move laterally without the positive connection of the helix would be repealed with the other engagement jaws. On the other engagement jaws namely the helix axis is displaced laterally not. This maintains the positive engagement - overall - obtained, ie a so-called "slippage" of the helix through the guide housing is excluded.

p0017It is advantageous if the axial distance of the engagement jaws with respect to the housing or helix axis is selected so great that the clutch may never simultaneously touching two engagement jaws.

p0018It is also advantageous if the engagement jaws are formed shaped in cross-section parallel to the helix axis "T" with the flange of the "T" serves as a fixing flange and the web carries the engagement surfaces for the filament.

p0019It is also advantageous if the engagement jaws have pairwise axially and radially stepped apart engagement surfaces for engagement with spiral with different diameters and different coil spacing. In this way, it is possible to use the same guide device for such different helix, for example, those having a diameter of 22 mm and 32 mm.

p0020Finally, it is particularly advantageous if the engagement surfaces extending at an angle to the helix axis, which corresponds to the pitch angle of the helix at the point of contact with the respective engaging surface. Ideally, the engagement surfaces have a complementary to the filament surface at the contact point form, ie, the engagement jaws act like a sector of a mother.

p0021Again, it is of particular advantage when the guide housing has a rectangular chamber having a bottom, side walls and a lid, and when the engagement jaws are arranged at the bottom and on the cover. Then if even the cover is removably secured or pivotally on the guide housing, the positive engagement at least for the located on the lid engaging jaw can cancel, and the coil can then jump over the attached to the ground engaging jaws. Thereby, the ratio of feed decoupled to rotational speeds of the filament.

p0022Finally, the detachable or hinged lid also serves to maintenance work, including the introduction of lubricants. The engagement jaws are wearing parts, so that they must be replaced at longer intervals. However, in order also to be able to absorb the occurring due to reaction forces of lateral movements of the spiral, replaceable guide pads are arranged from a wear-resistant material appropriate to the side walls of the guide housing. The helix is ​​characterized through the entirety of all measures within a cuboid space.

p0023Finally, it is of particular advantage when the guide housing has at both end faces of the chamber pipe sockets, of which one 90 degree bend is formed. If then in at least the end of downward of designed as manifold pipe socket a removable extension piece is used, it can be the guiding device into the mouth of the pipe to be cleaned running itself, resulting in an optimum guidance of the helix during the advance and in the retreat. Also can be dispensed in this manner to a particular frame for the guide device.

p0024Further advantageous embodiments of the subject invention will be apparent from the remaining dependent claims.

p0025An embodiment of the subject invention will be explained in more detail with reference to Figures 1 to fifth

p0026Show it:<ul><li>1 shows a vertical section through a located in stand-by position guide means,</li><li>Figure 2 is a partially sectioned plan view of the pipe cleaning spiral with a clutch on an enlarged scale,</li><li>Figure 3 is a plan view of the article of Figure 1 in the direction of arrow III, but with the cover removed,</li><li>Figure 4 is a vertical section through the article of Figure 1 taken along the line IV-IV to an enlarged scale, and</li><li>Figure 5 is a partial perspective view of the guide device with opened cover.</li></ul>

p0027In Figure 1, a guide housing 1 is shown which has a rectangular chamber 2 which is limited by a bottom 3, two side walls 4 and 5 and a lid 6th The chamber 2 is open at the end faces and sits there in the form of pipe sockets 7 and 8 continued, where an inlet opening 9 and an outlet opening are 10th This choice of terminology has been chosen with regard to the insertion of the pipe cleaning spiral 11 according to FIG. 2 Regarding a withdrawal of the spiral 11, the reference numerals 9 and 10 can also be interchanged.

p0028The pipe connection 8 is designed as a 90 degree elbow 12 so that the axis of the outlet opening 10 is oriented vertically. are located at the ends of the pipe socket 7 and 8, the coupling elements 13 and 14 which are executed in the present case as a threaded, and are screwed into the interchangeable extension pieces 15 and sixteenth The axis of the extension piece 15 in this case runs horizontally and is aligned with the drive machine not shown here for the coil 11 is substantially according to FIG. 2 The vertical axis of the extension piece 16 is inserted or plugged in, so that this pipe also constitutes the (only) for mounting the guide housing 1 in the upper end of a pipe to be cleaned 17th

p0029On the floor two engagement jaws 18 and 19 are fixed while on the cover 6 is a further engagement jaw 20 is attached. The attachment is replaceable by unspecified countersunk screws.

p0030The arrangement is such that the three illustrated engagement jaws 18, 19 and 20, that the two successively arranged in the direction of the helix axis jaws 18 and 19 on one side (below) the helix axis AA are disposed, while the third engaging jaw 20 "in gap "centrally on the opposite side (above) of the helix axis AA is arranged.

p0031The engagement jaws 18, 19 and 20 are formed in a parallel to the helix axis AA sectional plane extending T-shaped, and have a flange 21, with which they are mounted on the floor 3 and the cover. 6

p0032The web 22 carries at its free end engaging surfaces 23 for the coil 11. In the present case, the engagement jaws 18, 19 and 20 have pairs of axially and mutually remote engagement surfaces 23 and 24 for engagement with spiral 11 with different diameters and different coil spacing. Thereby, the guide device can be used universally.

p0033On guide housing a connecting element is also 48 mounted for setting up or attaching to a bracket or a tripod. Two connecting elements 49 and 50 (threaded connection) used to connect to a water line to clean, for example, a heavily soiled spiral during the retreat can. The rinse water then runs through the tube 17th Axially parallel longitudinal ribs 51 increase the service life of the device in terms of premature wear by friction of the spiral on the guide housing (see also Figure 4).

p0034In Figure 2, a clutch 25 with two coupling parts 26 and 27 is shown. The coupling part 27 has a T-shaped head 28, the 26 is insertable in a complementary diametral groove of the coupling part, whereby a releasable locking takes place in such a way that the outer surfaces of the coupling parts 26 and 27 lie in a common cylindrical surface. With the two coupling parts 26 and 27 sections 29 and 30 of a helix 11 and pipe cleaning coil are connected. These sections have a lying 4-5 m length. The coils are wound with spacing, ie, the individual turns enclose between them spaces 31 a, which engage in the engagement jaws 18, 19 and 20 form-fitting manner with their engagement surfaces 23 or 24th

p0035The ends of two adjacent coil portions 29 and 30 have a distance "D" from one another, filled in by the main portions of the two coupling elements 26 and 27th The peg-shaped extensions 26a and 27a remain out of consideration here, since they are thus reset far enough in radius around the wire diameter. The distance "D" is key to the axial distance of the engagement jaws 18, 19 and 20th

p0036It can be seen from Figure 1 in conjunction with Figure 2 that the composite filament introduced according to FIG 1 with a suitable direction of rotation from the left in the inlet opening 9 and can be guided by appropriate rotation about the engagement jaws 18, 19 and 20th As soon as the clutch 25 runs onto the engaging jaw 18, makes an appropriate evasive movement upwards. By opening the lid 6, the insertion of the helix can be made much easier. With a closed lid 6, the clutch 25 makes when running onto the engaging jaw 20 an evasive movement downwards, and at the engaging jaw 19 repeats the game with the Dodge upwards. It can be seen that the helix axis AA passes through as it passes through the chamber 2 different serpentine paths, which, however, for the axial feed of the coil 11 in both directions of displacement is not a hindrance.

p0037Figure 3 is shown yet that the pairs of engagement surfaces 23 and 24 at an angle different from 90 degrees to extend the helix axis AA, and that this angle corresponds to the pitch angle of the helix at the point of contact with the respective engaging surface. In particularly advantageous manner, the engagement surfaces 23 and 24 curved in an arc, and complementary to the respective immediately adjacent surface portions of the coil 11, so that the engagement jaws and their lands represent 22 certain extent sector-shaped cutouts from each of a mother.

p0038It will also be seen that the longitudinal ribs 51 are not present in this case, namely 4 and 5 interchangeable guide rails are instead on the inner surfaces of the side walls 33 and 34 arranged from a wear-resistant material. The guide rails prevent as well as the longitudinal ribs in Figures 1 and 4, a lateral deflection of the spiral 11 and are provided at both ends with inclined planes 35 to avoid snagging the clutch 25th The fixing of the guide rails 33 and 34 takes place likewise by unspecified countersunk screws.

p0039On the outside of the side wall 4 there are two integrally cast lugs 36 with holes 37, which enclose a gap 38 between them. In this gap 38 the eyebolt 39 of the closure element 32 is inserted and held there by means of a hinge pin 40th On the eyebolt 39 is a nut 41 rotatably arranged with a gag 42nd

p0040As is particularly apparent from Figures 4 and 5, the nut supports 41 two projections 43 of the lid 6, between which a reaching to the edge of the recess 44 for the pivoting of the eyebolt is. 39 Thereby, the cover 6 can be when tightening the toggle presses 42 down firmly.

p0041On the outside of the opposite side wall 5 are also - at a greater distance - two eyelets 45 with holes 46. a molded-on cover 6 hinge part can be between the two eyelets 45 and 46 introduce define means of a further hinge pin 47th

p0042It can be seen in particular from Figure 4, that the engagement jaws 18/19 one hand and 20 on the other hand, in the projection form a rectangular frame in conjunction with the lateral longitudinal ribs 51, by which the spiral or helix 11 is reliably guided and held. By opening the lid 6 can be at any time a binding remedy (eg oils or fats), observe the operating state and perform optionally also an assembling or disassembling a clutch 25th

p0043Figure 5, in which the connecting elements are omitted 49 and 50, in particular, explains the easy accessibility of the chamber. 2

p0044The outermost or lowermost end of the spiral or helix numerous pipe cleaning tools can be connected, by using the same coupling parts, as represented in FIG. 2 The tools are for example in question: Rückholbohrer, Spiral sawtooth cutter heads, cross-blade drill, root cutter, chain spinning heads, mace drill, funnel drill, spade bits and Widia drill heads. As Pipe cleaning spirals even those can be used with a so-called plastic soul.