Angled Pad Holder Structure for Focused Cleaning Force

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing cleaning tools that hold non-woven cleaning pads often require spreading the pad over a large area, reducing cleaning force and risking skin irritation or chemical exposure, as they do not effectively secure the pad for optimal use.

Innovation Solution

A cleaning tool with a handle assembly and pad assembly featuring a slotted member at an angle, which securely holds a cleaning pad with pad securing members, allowing for focused cleaning force and minimizing direct skin contact with the pad or chemicals.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the cleaning pad is spread out over a large area, then the pad can be held securely, but the cleaning force applied to the pad is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepad holding securityVSAvoidcleaning force
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSForce

Solution Approach 1:

The pad holder is divided into multiple functional components: a body portion with pad securing members for attachment, and a separate slotted member for pad insertion and retention. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function optimally - the securing members hold the pad firmly while the slot maintains a compact configuration, resolving the contradiction between secure holding and force concentration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Productivity

If direct skin contact with the cleaning pad is made, then cleaning efficiency is improved, but skin irritation or chemical exposure occurs

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecleaning efficiencyVSAvoidskin irritation and chemical exposure
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The device introduces an intermediary barrier between the user's skin and the cleaning pad/chemicals. The pad holder with its securing members and slotted structure allows the user to apply cleaning force indirectly through the device, maintaining cleaning effectiveness while preventing direct skin contact with potentially irritating pad materials and chemical cleaners.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Manufacturing precision

If the slotted member extends at an angle from the pad securing surface, then the pad is securely positioned for focused cleaning, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepad positioning accuracyVSAvoidstructural complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The slotted member is merged with the pad securing structure, combining the pad insertion function (slot) with the positioning function (angular extension from pad securing surface). This integration achieves precise pad positioning for focused cleaning while avoiding the need for separate complex positioning mechanisms, thus balancing manufacturing precision with device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP3094229B1Cleaning tool
Publication Date: 2019.12.25 GOLDEN VENTURES INC
  • EP3094229B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3094229B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3094229B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A cleaning tool comprising a handle assembly and a pad assembly. The pad assembly is coupled to the handle assembly such that the handle assembly extends distally beyond a first end of the pad assembly. The pad assembly includes a pad securing surface having a plurality of pad securing members extending substantially perpendicularly from the pad securing surface, and a slotted member located at a second end of the pad assembly, the second end being opposite the first end. The slotted member defines a slot configured to accept a cleaning pad, and the slotted member extends at an angle from the pad securing surface.