Cleaning tool
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cleaning tools that hold non-woven cleaning pads often require spreading the pad over a large area, reducing cleaning force and risking skin irritation or chemical exposure, as they do not effectively manage direct contact with the pad or applied chemicals.
Innovation Solution
A cleaning tool with a handle assembly and pad assembly featuring a slotted member that securely holds a cleaning pad at an angle, allowing for focused cleaning force while minimizing skin contact and chemical exposure, using a design with pad securing members and a slot configuration that maintains pad position without hindering removal or adjustment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If the non-woven cleaning pad is spread out over a large area to avoid direct skin contact, then skin irritation and chemical exposure are reduced, but the cleaning force that can be applied to the pad is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a holder device as an intermediary between the user's hand and the cleaning pad. The holder has a contoured surface that receives the palm of the hand, allowing the user to apply cleaning force through the holder rather than directly to the pad. This mediator structure enables effective force transmission while maintaining a safe distance from the chemical-treated pad surface, thus resolving the contradiction between reducing harmful exposure and maintaining cleaning effectiveness
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a holder device is introduced to prevent direct skin contact with the cleaning pad, then skin safety is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The holder device incorporates a flexible, contoured shell that conforms to the palm of the hand. This thin-film-like structure provides the necessary protection and force transmission capabilities without adding significant complexity. The flexible nature of the shell allows it to adapt to user anatomy while maintaining a simple, lightweight design that does not overly complicate the overall cleaning system
3Force
If the cleaning pad is held in a fixed position to maintain cleaning force, then cleaning effectiveness is improved, but the ease of pad replacement and adjustment is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The holder device incorporates dynamic elements such as a clamp mechanism with adjustable positioning capabilities. The clamp can be opened to insert or remove pads, and adjusted to secure pads of varying thicknesses. This dynamic design allows the pad to be firmly held during the cleaning action (maintaining force) while enabling easy insertion and removal when needed, thus resolving the contradiction between fixed positioning for effectiveness and flexibility for ease of operation
Data Source
AI summary
A cleaning tool comprising a handle assembly and a pad assembly. The pad assembly is coupled to the handle assembly such that the handle assembly extends distally beyond a first end of the pad assembly. The pad assembly includes a pad securing surface having a plurality of pad securing members extending substantially perpendicularly from the pad securing surface, and a slotted member located at a second end of the pad assembly, the second end being opposite the first end. The slotted member defines a slot configured to accept a cleaning pad, and the slotted member extends at an angle from the pad securing surface.