Adjustable squeegee with scrubber bar

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing squeegee devices have fixedly positioned cleaning implements, limiting ease of access to non-uniformly shaped or difficult-to-reach areas.

Innovation Solution

A cleaning device with a handle and a channel member, featuring a blade that can be selectively rotated and locked in various positions relative to the handle, allowing for adjustable support and easy access to complex surfaces.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the cleaning implement is fixedly positioned relative to the handle, then the device structure is simple and reliable, but the ease of access to non-uniformly shaped or difficult to reach areas is limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of access to non-uniform surfacesVSAvoiddevice structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The blade assembly is made dynamically adjustable relative to the handle through a rotation mechanism with locking capability. The blade can be rotated to different angular positions and locked in place, transforming the fixed structure into a dynamic one that adapts to various cleaning surfaces and angles.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The cleaning device is segmented into separable components: the handle, the blade assembly, and the rotation mechanism. This segmentation allows the blade assembly to be independently positioned and angled relative to the handle, enabling access to difficult-to-reach areas while maintaining overall structural simplicity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If the blade is replaceably coupled to the channel member with a lock assembly, then the reliability and ease of maintenance are improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveblade attachment reliabilityVSAvoidlock assembly complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The lock assembly is designed to be user-operated without requiring additional tools or complex mechanisms. The user can directly engage or disengage the lock to secure or replace the blade, making the system self-serviceable and maintaining simplicity despite the added functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The lock assembly acts as an intermediary mechanism between the blade and the handle, providing a simple yet effective means of secure attachment. This intermediary component enables reliable blade fixation without requiring complex fastening systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP4541242B1Adjustable squeegee with scrubber bar
Publication Date: 2026.04.22 UNGER MARKETING INTERNATIONAL LLC
  • EP4541242B1 patent drawingFigure 1A
  • EP4541242B1 patent drawingFigure 1B
  • EP4541242B1 patent drawingFigure 1C

AI summary

A cleaning device is provided. The cleaning device includes a handle and a channel member operably coupled to the handle. A blade is replaceably coupled to the channel member. A lock assembly that includes an end cap, a lock switch member nd a support member. The end cap is coupled to the channel member. The lock switch member is slidably coupled to the end cap, the lock switch member being movable between an unlocked, a locked and an extended position. The support member is moveably coupled to the end cap and having a support surface adjacent a surface of the blade, the support member having a ramp portion that is engagable by the lock switch member to translate the support surface into contact with the surface of the blade.