Cleaning element and cleaning tool
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cleaning tools with sheet-type cleaning elements lack effectiveness and operability in efficiently cleaning diverse surfaces such as floors, walls, and furniture, especially in enhancing dust trapping and cleaning performance.
Innovation Solution
A cleaning element comprising a fiber assembly with a nonwoven fabric and fusion bonded parts, where the fiber assembly is designed with a planar structure and a three-dimensional form, featuring a first fusion bonded part extending across the direction of the fiber assembly and nonwoven fabric, and multiple second fusion bonded parts formed discontinuously to enhance bond strength and volume, allowing for improved dust trapping and easier surface conformity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a sheet-type cleaning element is used for wiping surfaces, then the cleaning tool can cover large areas, but the cleaning effectiveness and dust trapping capability are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The fiber assembly is designed to extend in a predetermined direction (length dimension) while being disposed on the nonwoven fabric, creating a three-dimensional structure that enhances dust trapping capability while maintaining large area coverage. This dimensional addition transforms the flat sheet into a volumetric cleaning element.
Solution Approach 2:
The cleaning element combines multiple materials with different functions: nonwoven fabric for base structure and dust absorption, and fiber assembly for enhanced dust trapping. This composite structure integrates the advantages of both materials to achieve superior cleaning effectiveness.
2Volume of moving object
If the fiber assembly is made with longer fibers to increase volume, then dust trapping improves, but the structure becomes less stable and harder to manufacture
Solution Approach 1:
The fiber assembly is segmented into discrete fibers of predetermined length rather than using continuous or randomly length fibers. This segmentation allows for controlled volume while maintaining manufacturing stability, as each fiber segment can be independently managed during production.
Solution Approach 2:
The fiber assembly parameters (fiber length, density, arrangement) are precisely controlled to achieve the desired volume. By optimizing these parameters, the invention increases dust trapping capacity while maintaining manufacturability through standardized production processes.
3Strength
If fusion bonded parts are added to connect fiber assembly and nonwoven fabric, then structural integrity improves, but the complexity of the cleaning element increases
Solution Approach 1:
The fiber assembly and nonwoven fabric are merged through fusion bonding to create a unified structure. This combining approach strengthens the connection between components while simplifying the overall design by eliminating the need for separate attachment mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
Mechanical bonding methods (such as stitching or adhesives) are replaced with fusion bonding, which uses thermal or chemical processes to join the fiber assembly and nonwoven fabric. This substitution reduces structural complexity while maintaining or improving bond strength.
4Adaptability or versatility
If the cleaning element is designed with discontinuous second fusion bonded parts, then flexibility and surface conformity improve, but the bond strength may be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The fusion bonded parts are strategically positioned at specific locations rather than being uniformly distributed. This local quality approach provides sufficient bond strength at critical points while allowing flexibility in other areas, enabling the cleaning element to conform to various surfaces.
Solution Approach 2:
The continuous bond is segmented into discrete fusion bonded parts, allowing different regions of the cleaning element to have different degrees of flexibility. This segmentation enables surface conformity while maintaining adequate overall bond strength through strategic placement of bonded sections.
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 enhanced configuration of the cleaning element increases the volume and density of the fiber assembly, leading to improved cleaning effectiveness by ensuring closer contact with surfaces, reliable dust trapping, and user satisfaction through increased visibility of dirt accumulation.
Implementation Method 1
a first fusion bonded part extending in a direction crossing the predetermined direction in order to fusion bond the fiber assembly and the nonwoven fabric
Implementation Method 2
a plurality of second fusion bonded parts being formed discontinuously in a direction crossing the predetermined direction in order to fusion bond the fiber assembly
Data Source
AI summary
A cleaning element includes a fiber assembly having a plurality of fibers extending in a predetermined direction and a nonwoven fabric provided on the fiber assembly. A first fusion bonded part extends in a cross direction traversing the predetermined direction to fusion-bond the fiber assembly and the nonwoven fabric, and a plurality of second fusion bonded parts is provided discontinuously in the cross direction to fusion-bond the fiber assembly and the nonwoven fabric. Each of the second fusion bonded parts has a first area and a second area. A length in the predetermined direction from the first fusion bonded part to the first area is different from a length in the predetermined direction from the first fusion bonded part to the second area.