Cleaning device with detaching device

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing cleaning devices require users to bend down and come into proximity with soiled cleaning pads, making the handling process unhygienic and uncomfortable.

Innovation Solution

A cleaning device with a handle and a pivotally connected cleaning head, equipped with a detaching device that allows for the removal of soiled cleaning pads without the user having to bend down. The detaching device is movable along the handle's longitudinal axis, enabling the user to actuate it from a comfortable position.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the user manually removes the cleaning pad by grasping it directly, then the removal action is simple, but the user comes into proximity with the soiled cleaning pad which is unhygienic and unpleasant

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of cleaning pad removalVSAvoidhygiene and comfort of user
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a pushing unit as an intermediary mechanism between the user and the cleaning pad. This pushing unit, which can be a rod, lever, or spring-loaded element, allows the user to remotely actuate the cleaning pad removal without direct contact. The user activates the pushing unit from a distance, and the pushing unit mechanically transmits the force to eject the cleaning pad, thereby serving as a mediator that eliminates direct proximity to the soiled pad while achieving the removal function

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Device complexity

If the pushing unit is located at the body, then the structure is compact, but the user must bend down to actuate it which reduces hygiene and comfort

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural compactnessVSAvoiduser hygiene and comfort
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the cleaning device into functionally independent segments: the body housing the cleaning pad storage and the handle serving as the actuation interface. The pushing unit is integrated into the handle segment rather than the body, allowing the handle to function as both the support structure and the control interface. This segmentation enables the actuation mechanism to be positioned ergonomically on the handle while the body remains compact for pad storage

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP4164464B1Cleaning device with detaching device
Publication Date: 2025.04.16 CRE A SOLVE AG
  • EP4164464B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4164464B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4164464B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A cleaning device (1) comprises a handle (2) extending along a longitudinal axis (L) and a cleaning head (3). The cleaning head (3) is in connection with the handle (2) and is configured such that a cleaning pad is detachably fastenable to the cleaning head (3). The cleaning device (1) further comprises a detaching device (4) that is movably mounted to the handle (2) and is configured to be moved along the longitudinal axis (L) with respect to the handle (2) from a cleaning position, in which a cleaning pad being fastened to the cleaning head (3) remains fastened to the cleaning head (3), into a detaching position, in which a cleaning pad being fastened to the cleaning head (3) is detached from the cleaning head (3).