Cleaner Mop Module Detachment Using One-Touch Manipulation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional cleaners with rag attachments are cumbersome to use, requiring heavy lifting and restricting the user's field of view, making it difficult to attach or detach the rag effectively, and they often lack the ability to perform both dry and wet-type cleaning efficiently.

Innovation Solution

A cleaner design featuring a mop module with a detaching mechanism that includes a manipulation part for easy locking and unlocking, allowing the rag to be detached with a one-touch action, and the ability to perform both dry and wet-type cleaning by incorporating a water supply system.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If the cleaner is designed with a fixed rag attachment mechanism, then the structural stability is improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates as users must lift and turn the heavy cleaner to attach or detach rags

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural stabilityVSAvoidease of rag attachment
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The cleaner is divided into separable modules: the main body and the mop module with rag attachment. This segmentation allows the rag-containing module to be detached independently without moving the entire cleaner, resolving the contradiction between structural stability and ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A manipulation part (button or lever) is introduced as an intermediary mechanism between the user and the locking part. This intermediary enables easy detachment by translating a simple user action into the release of the locking mechanism, eliminating the need to lift or turn the heavy cleaner.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Device complexity

If the manipulation part is positioned close to the mop module, then the device complexity is reduced, but the ease of operation worsens as the user's field of view is restricted when detaching the rag

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice complexityVSAvoiduser field of view
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The manipulation part is positioned in a different spatial dimension (exposed at the bottom or side of the cleaner body) rather than near the mop module. This dimensional relocation allows users to access the manipulation part with an unobstructed field of view while maintaining a compact overall structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Ease of manufacture

If the locking part uses a simple snap-fit mechanism, then the ease of manufacture is improved, but the reliability deteriorates as the rag may detach during use

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of manufactureVSAvoidlocking reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The locking mechanism incorporates a movable locking part that transitions between locked and unlocked states. This dynamic design provides secure engagement during normal use (reliability) while allowing easy release through the manipulation part (ease of manufacture and operation).

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP3666149B1cleaner
Publication Date: 2023.05.31 LG ELECTRONICS INC
  • EP3666149B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3666149B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3666149B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A cleaner according to the present invention includes: a body which forms an outer appearance; a mop module having at least one rag part which is provided to wipe a floor while rotating; and a detaching module comprising at least one locking part which detachably locks the mop module to the body, and a manipulation part which is exposed outside, wherein when the manipulation part is touched, the locking part releases locking of the mop module.