Cleaning Apparatus with Elastic Strip and Snap-Fit Hook
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cleaning apparatuses for rod-shaped elements, such as battery electrodes and threaded bolts, face issues with bristle tangling and deformation, leading to ineffective cleaning and complex replacement processes, resulting in inefficiency and resource wastage.
Innovation Solution
A cleaning apparatus featuring a supporting element with a U-shaped slit and elastic strip mechanism allows for easy disengagement and replacement of the cleaning unit, incorporating a C-shaped element with a rib to prevent rotation and a ferrule for secure engagement, enabling rapid and convenient maintenance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a C-shaped brush is used to clean rod-shaped elements, then cleaning effectiveness is improved, but the bristle tends to curl, deform and tangle after use, leading to reduced cleaning effectiveness and requiring replacement
Solution Approach 1:
The cleaning apparatus is divided into separable components: the shell containing the C-shaped brush, and the connective element with the retaining ring. This segmentation allows the brush to be replaced independently when bristles wear out, while the durable shell and connective element are retained, addressing the bristle deformation issue through modular replacement.
2Strength
If a screw and connective element are used to secure the C-shaped brush in the shell, then the brush is held firmly, but the replacement process becomes complicated and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The screw is extracted from the design, replacing the traditional screw-secured connective element with a snap-fit mechanism. The connective element is directly formed on the shell, and the retaining ring engages with a corresponding groove, allowing the cleaning unit to be removed and replaced by simple pulling and snapping actions without any screwing or unscrewing operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The snap-fit connection mechanism is designed to be self-locking during assembly and self-releasing during disassembly. When the cleaning unit is pushed into the shell, the retaining ring automatically snaps into the groove to secure it. When pulled, it automatically disengages, providing a self-service replacement system that requires no additional tools or complex operations.
3Reliability
If the entire brushing apparatus is disposed of and replaced when the C-shaped brush wears out, then a new functional unit is obtained, but resources are wasted and environmental problems arise
Solution Approach 1:
The apparatus is segmented into a durable reusable portion (shell with connective element) and a consumable portion (C-shaped brush with bristles). This allows selective replacement of only the worn bristles while retaining the functional housing and connection mechanisms, significantly reducing resource consumption compared to replacing the entire apparatus.
Solution Approach 2:
The design enables discarding only the consumable bristle component while recovering and reusing the durable shell and connective element. The retaining ring mechanism facilitates easy separation of the consumable brush from the recoverable housing, implementing a partial replacement strategy that minimizes waste and resource consumption.
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
Facilitates efficient and quick replacement of cleaning units, reducing maintenance time and resource wastage, while ensuring effective cleaning of rod-shaped elements without the need for specialized tools.
Implementation Method 1
The button unit includes an elastic strip and a connective portion for connecting the elastic strip to the supporting element. The connective portion supports the elastic strip in the middle of the U-shaped slit and can be pivoted relative to the supporting element.
Implementation Method 2
To disengage the cleaning unit from the supporting element, the button unit is operated to pivot the elastic strip toward the U-shaped slit to push the hook out of the U-shaped slit.
Data Source
AI summary
A cleaning apparatus includes a supporting element, at least one button unit and a cleaning unit. The supporting element includes a space. The button unit is formed on the supporting element by making a U-shaped slit in the supporting element. The U-shaped slit is in communication with the space. The cleaning unit includes a shell, bristle and at least one hook. The shell includes a first end and a second end. The bristle is connected to an internal side of the shell via the first end. The hook extends from the second end of the shell. The hook is inserted in the space of the supporting element and the U-shaped slit of the button unit to engage the cleaning unit with the supporting element. The button unit is operable to move the hook out of the U-shaped slit to allow disengagement of the cleaning unit from the supporting element.