Cleaning Pad Handle with Ball Joint Ejection for Hygienic Replacement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cleaning systems require users to directly contact soiled mop heads or handles during replacement, potentially exposing them to dirt and germs.
Innovation Solution
A handle system with a ball joint or ball socket mechanism that allows for the ejection and replacement of cleaning pads without direct user contact, utilizing an ejection assembly with a resilient member to bias the ejection rod away from the ball joint until actuated, enabling safe and hygienic pad exchange.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a traditional button-depressing mechanism is used on the cleaning handle, then the cleaning pad can be released, but the user must directly contact soiled portions of the handle or cleaning surface
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary ejection rod mechanism that transfers the release action from the user's hand to the cleaning pad holder. The ejection rod, biased by a spring, physically pushes the holder away from the ball joint when activated, allowing the user to trigger release without touching soiled surfaces. This intermediary mechanical element solves the contradiction by decoupling the user's clean hand from the contaminated release mechanism.
2Ease of operation
If the ejection rod is constantly extended to enable easy pad removal, then pad replacement is simplified, but the ball joint or ball socket aperture becomes exposed and potentially contaminated
Solution Approach 1:
The ejection rod transitions from a static constantly-extended state to a dynamic retractable state. In the resting position, the spring-biased rod retracts into the handle, keeping the aperture closed and protected. When activation force is applied, the rod dynamically extends to push the holder and then automatically retracts. This dynamic behavior resolves the contradiction by providing ease of operation during active use while maintaining contamination protection during storage.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring-loaded ejection rod is pre-positioned in a retracted state with potential energy stored in the compressed spring. This preliminary action ensures that the rod is ready to extend immediately upon activation, and the spring automatically returns it to the retracted position after use, preventing aperture exposure without requiring additional user action.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If a resilient member is added to bias the ejection assembly, then automatic retraction and aperture protection are achieved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The spring-loaded ejection rod system is self-actuating and self-resetting. The spring automatically returns the rod to its retracted position after the cleaning pad is released, without requiring manual intervention. This self-service mechanism protects the aperture automatically while minimizing the need for additional control components, thereby reducing overall system complexity despite the added resilient member.
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
Enables the replacement of cleaning pads without touching soiled areas, maintaining hygiene and user safety while allowing for easy attachment and detachment of cleaning pads with adjustable handle lengths.
Implementation Method 1
a resilient member at the first end for biasing the ejection assembly away from the ball joint end such that the ejection rod does not extend past the ball joint or the ball socket in a resting position until a user actuates the inner rod to an ejecting portion
Data Source
AI summary
A pole handle of adjustable length with two sliding members is lockable with a clamp and a compact handle both have a ball joint or ball socket. The ball joint or ball socket have an aperture for an ejection rod. The pole handle and compact handle are used with cleaning pad with a ball socket or ball joint and the cleaning pad may be contained in a sealed housing with a lid penetrable with the ball joint or ball socket on the pole handle or compact handle. The cleaning pad is ejected by the pole handle or the compact handle with the ejection rod extending past the ball joint or ball socket.