Cleaning Tool Coupling Element for Handle Tilt Adjustment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional brooms for cleaning surfaces, especially large areas, subject users to significant mechanical stress and have issues with handle deformation, limited adjustability, and complex replacement of bristle supporting plates, leading to inefficiency and risk of breakage.
Innovation Solution
A tool with a coupling element that allows for adjustable tilt of the handle and damping of mechanical stress, enabling easy replacement of the bristle supporting plate and optimizing manageability through a movable attachment element.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If the handle is rigidly fixed to the supporting plate, then structural stability is improved, but user fatigue increases due to transmitted mechanical stress
Solution Approach 1:
The handle assembly is segmented into a handle, a coupling element, and a supporting plate that can be independently connected and disconnected. This allows the handle to be rigidly fixed to the coupling element for stability, while the removable supporting plate prevents permanent stress transmission to the user's grip.
Solution Approach 2:
The coupling element acts as an intermediary between the handle and the supporting plate. It provides a standardized connection interface that allows the handle to be firmly connected to the plate during use, while enabling easy separation when the plate needs replacement, thus mediating between structural stability and operational ease.
2Ease of manufacture
If the handle end is deformed to a flat configuration for fixing, then connection to the plate is improved, but mechanical resistance decreases and breakage risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The connection system is segmented into a separate coupling element that receives the handle and a supporting plate. This eliminates the need to deform the handle end, preserving its cylindrical shape and mechanical strength while still enabling secure connection through the coupling element's interface.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of deforming the original handle end, a coupling element is created as an intermediary component that provides the flat connection surface. The handle retains its original cylindrical form, while the coupling element copies the necessary connection geometry without compromising handle strength.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the supporting plate is permanently fixed, then structural integrity is improved, but replacement complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The tool is segmented into a permanent handle-coupling element assembly and a removable supporting plate. The coupling element provides a stable, reusable connection interface, while the supporting plate becomes a separate, replaceable component that can be easily swapped without affecting the structural integrity of the handle.
4Ease of manufacture
If the handle tilt position is fixed, then manufacturing simplicity is improved, but adaptability to different cleaning tasks decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling element is designed with a rotational degree of freedom, allowing the supporting plate to be tilted relative to the handle. This dynamic capability enables adjustment to different cleaning tasks while maintaining manufacturing simplicity through a standardized coupling interface.
5Adaptability or versatility
If the handle tilt is made adjustable, then versatility for different tasks is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The adjustable tilt function is achieved through segmentation of the handle-coupling-plate assembly, where the coupling element serves as a simple rotational joint. This segmentation allows tilt adjustment without requiring complex mechanisms, as each component remains relatively simple in design.
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 tool reduces user fatigue, enhances manageability, and simplifies the replacement of bristle supporting plates, providing improved mechanical resistance and durability while allowing for adjustable handle positions to suit various cleaning tasks.
Implementation Method 1
damping means suitable for damping mechanical stress transmitted along said handle
Data Source
Figure 1~4
Figure 5~7
Figure 8~9
AI summary
A tool for cleaning surfaces comprises a supporting element (1) that holds a plurality of bristles, or groups of bristles, a handle (106) for gripping and manoeuvring said tool, and a coupling element (8; 57; 89) that can be connected removably to said supporting element (1) and to which said handle (106) can be removably connected; said coupling element (8) is provided with a cradle element (17) suitable for coupling with an attachment element (18; 38; 38a; 51), that is angularly movable with respect to said coupling element (8).