Multi-Directional Cleaner Holder for Curved Surface Contact
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cleaning tools lack directional freedom in their holding parts, limiting their ability to effectively clean various shapes and surfaces, especially those that are curved, uneven, or stepped.
Innovation Solution
A cleaning element holder with a grip part and multiple holding parts that can deflect in multiple directions, allowing for a wider range of motion and adaptability to different object shapes, with specific deflection characteristics to ensure proper contact and balance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the holding part is made with a plate-like shape inserted into a receiving region, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the directional freedom of deflection is limited almost to the vertical direction only
Solution Approach 1:
The holding part is divided into multiple holding parts disposed side by side, with insert spaces provided between them. This segmentation allows each holding part to deflect independently in multiple directions while maintaining overall structural simplicity. The cleaning element passes through these insert spaces, enabling the holding parts to move freely without interfering with each other.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from a single plate-like holding structure to multiple holding parts arranged in a dimensional array. This allows deflection not only in the vertical direction but also in lateral directions, providing three-dimensional directional freedom while keeping each individual holding part structurally simple.
2Area of stationary object
If the width of holding parts is increased to cover wider surfaces, then the cleaning coverage is improved, but the deflection freedom and adaptability to narrow surfaces is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using a single wide holding part, the invention segments the cleaning element holder into multiple narrower holding parts disposed side by side. This allows the overall structure to cover wide surfaces while each individual holding part maintains sufficient deflection freedom to adapt to narrow surfaces and complex geometries.
Solution Approach 2:
The multiple holding parts are designed to deflect independently in response to the geometry of the object being cleaned. This dynamic adaptability allows the holder to conform to both wide flat surfaces and narrow curved surfaces, providing versatility across different cleaning scenarios.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the holding part deflects excessively in response to applied load, then the adaptability to object shapes is improved, but the structural integrity and stability during cleaning operation is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The holding parts are designed with specific deflection characteristics that provide appropriate stiffness in different directions. Each holding part has optimized dimensions and material properties to deflect sufficiently for shape adaptation while maintaining structural integrity during cleaning operations. The local geometry of each holding part is tailored to achieve the desired balance between flexibility and stability.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables smoother and more effective cleaning operations on diverse surfaces by providing directional freedom and maintaining close contact with the object, even on wider or narrower surfaces, while maintaining structural integrity and balance.
Implementation Method 1
each holding part has deflection displacement characteristics at least in a first direction along a thickness of the holding part and transverse to an extending direction of the holding part and a second direction along a width of the holding part and transverse to the first direction
Data Source
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AI summary
It is an object of the invention to provide an effective technique for providing an elongate holding part with directional freedom of deflection so as to realize smoother cleaning operation, in a cleaning tool in which a cleaning element for cleaning an object to be cleaned is held by the elongate holding part of a cleaning element holder. A cleaning element holder 130 of a cleaning tool 100 according to this invention includes a handle 150 to be held by user's hand, and a pair of holding parts 142 which extend from the handle 150 in a longitudinal direction of the cleaning element holder. Each of the holding parts 142 has deflection displacement characteristics around a connection 141 between the handle 150 and the holding part 142, at least in a first direction transverse to an extending direction of the holding parts 142 and a second direction transverse to the first direction. When a load of 2.5 N is applied in the first direction to an end 143, the holding part 142 deflects 15 to 80 degrees in the first direction, and when a load of 2.5 N is applied in the second direction to the end 143, the holding part deflects 25 to SS degrees in the second direction.