Butterfly Mop Internal Wringing Linkage to Prevent Surface Damage

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing butterfly mops with external wringer actuators are prone to damage and can cause damage to walls or furniture during use, highlighting a need for an improved mop and wringing mechanism that minimizes external components and protects surfaces.

Innovation Solution

A mop design featuring a handle with an internally housed actuator linkage and a pad plate that can be selectively actuated to pull through a wringing frame, allowing for effective wringing of the cleaning pad without external components that can cause damage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If external wringer actuators are used, then wringing function is achieved, but damage to walls or furniture and component damage can occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedamage resistanceVSAvoidexternal components

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The actuator linkage is nested within the hollow interior of the handle, with the actuator arm, intermediate link, and return link all contained inside the handle structure. This eliminates external exposed components that could cause damage while maintaining the wringing function through internal mechanical linkage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The actuator linkage serves as an intermediary mechanism transmitted force from the user's hand on the handle to the pad plate through the hollow interior of the handle. This internal linkage system mediates the wringing action without requiring external components that could contact walls or furniture.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If remote wringer actuator is used, then operator can wring sponge without touching mop head, but external parts are exposed to damage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveremote operationVSAvoidsurface damage risk

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The entire actuator mechanism is nested within the handle's hollow interior, allowing remote operation from the handle end while keeping all mechanical components protected inside. This eliminates the risk of external parts damaging surfaces during the wringing motion.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

3Productivity

If external actuator mechanism is used, then wringing action is achieved, but components can be damaged during use

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewringing functionVSAvoidcomponent durability

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The actuator linkage components (actuator arm, intermediate link, return link) are all nested within the protected hollow interior of the handle, shielding them from external damage while maintaining full wringing functionality. The internal configuration allows the mechanism to operate without exposure to external hazards.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Data Source

PatentUS8381346B2Butterfly mop with internal wringing actuator

Publication Date: 2013.02.26 BUTLER HOME PRODUCTS LLC

AI summary

A mop having a handle with a wringing frame disposed at a distal end, which defines a cam slot. An actuator lever is pivotally attached to the handle intermediate the distal and proximal ends and is coupled to an actuator linkage that extends into the internal hollow of the handle and connects to a pad plate, which supports a cleaning pad, such as a sponge thereon at the distal end of the mop. The pad plate has hinges that permit it to bend upon itself. When the actuator lever is moved to wring the cleaning pad, the actuator linkage pulls the pad plate at least partially through the cam slot, causing it to bend at the hinges and wring the cleaning pad supported thereon.