Cleaning assembly
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional cleaning equipment for cleanrooms, such as mops and wiper plates, have multiple parts that are difficult to clean and maintain in a sterile condition, making them susceptible to dirt ingress and contamination.
Innovation Solution
A one-piece elongate digitated unit of resilient material is used as a wet applicator, which is compressible and can be concertinaed for easy sheathing onto an applicator, reducing dirt ingress and facilitating sterilization, composed of resilient plastic or metal with features like gripping surfaces and a ball and socket coupling for efficient handling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional cleaning equipment with multiple parts is used, then the equipment can perform cleaning functions, but the equipment is difficult to clean and maintain sterile due to multiple parts harbouring dirt
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple separate components (mop head, mop handle, cleaning elements) into a single integrated unit. The mop head is formed as one piece with the cleaning elements, eliminating joints and interfaces where dirt could accumulate. This unified structure can be fully sterilized without difficulty, directly resolving the contradiction between maintaining sterility and device complexity.
2Reliability
If traditional mops with sliding metal parts are used, then the mop head can be fitted to the mop, but the surfaces are susceptible to dirt ingress and difficult to clean effectively
Solution Approach 1:
The cleaning elements are integrated directly into the mop head body as a single piece, eliminating sliding metal parts and interfaces. This design removes surfaces where dirt could ingress and become trapped, making the entire cleaning tool easily cleanable and maintainable in sterile conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The cleaning elements are designed as disposable components that can be easily replaced. Rather than attempting to thoroughly clean and sterilize complex mechanical parts, the design allows for simple replacement of the cleaning elements themselves, ensuring sterility without complex maintenance procedures.
3Reliability
If a one-piece resilient material unit is used, then dirt ingress is reduced and sterilization is simplified, but the unit needs to be compressible for sheathing onto the applicator
Solution Approach 1:
The cleaning elements are made from resilient material that can change its physical state through compression. By applying compressive force, the elements contract to fit onto the applicator handle, and when released, they expand to their functional shape. This parameter change enables easy sheathing operation while maintaining the one-piece design that ensures sterility.
Solution Approach 2:
The resilient cleaning elements are designed to be dynamically compressible and expandable. This dynamic property allows the elements to adapt their shape and size for easy installation onto the applicator, then maintain their functional form during cleaning operations. The dynamic characteristic simplifies the sheathing operation while preserving the sterile one-piece construction.
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
The solution effectively maintains sterility in cleanrooms by reducing dirt accumulation and simplifying the cleaning process, ensuring that the equipment remains clean and sterile, thus adhering to stringent regulatory protocols.
Implementation Method 1
The elongate digitated unit of resilient material is generally compressible resiliently in the axial direction. This enables the user to concertina the elongate digitated unit of resilient material for sheathing onto the applicator.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3a~3b
AI summary
The present invention provides a cleaning assembly for cleaning a cleanroom. The cleaning assembly comprises: an applicator which is wettable or pre- wetted with an amount of a disinfectant or cleaning agent; an elongate digitated unit of resilient material on which is sheathed the applicator; and an elongate actuator handle coupled or connected to the elongate digitated unit of resilient material for manual actuation of the applicator across a surface of the cleanroom so as to apply the amount of the disinfectant or cleaning agent thereto.