Cleaning Sheet End Structure for Secure Tool Engagement

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing cleaning sheets face challenges in maintaining engagement with cleaning tools during high-friction cleaning operations, as they either detach unwillingly or break due to tensile stress, due to uniform elongation rates across the sheet.

Innovation Solution

A cleaning sheet design with distinct elongation rates in different parts, where a higher elongation rate second part absorbs tensile stress and a lower elongation rate first part maintains engagement, preventing detachment and breakage, achieved by varying the number of layers and entangled states of fibers in the sheet elements.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If the elongation rate of the end portion is set as relatively low (high rigidity), then the ends of the cleaning sheet are less likely to break under tensile stress, but the cleaning sheet easily becomes detached from the holding members

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveresistance to breakage of cleaning sheet endVSAvoidengagement retention with holding members

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The end portion of the cleaning sheet is divided into two regions with different elongation rates: a first region with lower elongation rate (higher rigidity) to prevent breakage, and a second region with higher elongation rate (more flexibility) to maintain engagement with holding members. This local differentiation of mechanical properties resolves the contradiction between strength and reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Reliability

If the elongation rate of the end portion is set as relatively high (low rigidity), then the cleaning sheet maintains engagement with holding members, but the ends of the cleaning sheet are easily broken by tensile stress

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveengagement retention with holding membersVSAvoidresistance to breakage of cleaning sheet end

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The end portion is structured with two distinct regions: the first region has lower elongation rate for strength, while the second region has higher elongation rate for reliability. This spatial differentiation allows each region to fulfill its specific function, resolving the contradiction between maintaining engagement and preventing breakage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Ease of manufacture

If the cleaning sheet has uniform elongation rate across the end portion, then the manufacturing process is simple, but the cleaning sheet cannot simultaneously prevent detachment and breakage under tensile stress

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanufacturing simplicity of cleaning sheetVSAvoidperformance under tensile stress

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The cleaning sheet features a non-uniform elongation rate distribution in the end portion, with the first region having lower elongation rate and the second region having higher elongation rate. This local differentiation improves reliability under tensile stress while maintaining reasonable manufacturing complexity through controlled fiber entanglement variations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The elongation rate parameter is deliberately varied across different regions of the end portion. The first region maintains lower elongation rate for strength, while the second region has higher elongation rate for engagement retention. This parameter change approach allows the cleaning sheet to perform reliably under tensile stress during cleaning operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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 design enhances usability by preventing unwanted detachment and breakage, ensuring effective cleaning while maintaining sheet engagement with the tool, as demonstrated by energy measurements showing reduced energy required for removal.

Implementation Method 1

The end portion has a first part having a predetermined first elongation rate and a second part having a predetermined second elongation rate higher than the first elongation rate

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElastic deformation: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentUS8943642B2Cleaning sheet and cleaning tool

Publication Date: 2015.02.03 UNI CHARM CORP

AI summary

A cleaning sheet and a cleaning tool which have improved usability. The cleaning sheet is attachable to a cleaning-sheet mounting member. The cleaning sheet has a center section made up of a cleaning surface and at least one end section disposed at one or more sides with respect to the center section in a predetermined direction. The end section has a first portion having a first elongation percentage and a second portion having a second elongation percentage which is higher than that of the first portion. The second portion is disposed in said direction between the first portion and the center section and is constructed so as to be supported by the cleaning-sheet mounting member at the boundary between the first and second portions. The cleaning tool is provided with the cleaning sheet.