Cleaning Tool Coupling with Shape-Dependent Locking for Easy Release
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cleaning tools and instruments face challenges with inefficient surface cleaning due to uneven surfaces, wear, and difficulty in replacing worn parts, particularly with friction-dependent locking mechanisms that require significant force and are not easily releasable or hygienic.
Innovation Solution
A coupling system with locking surfaces aligned in a direction different from the primary axes, allowing for secure shape-dependent locking and easy release without an operating member, using a U-profile and H-profile design with elastic flanges and a tongue to facilitate snap-fit interconnection and disconnection, ensuring secure attachment and easy cleaning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If friction-dependent locking (interference fit) is used to secure the cleaning instrument to the tool, then the cleaning instrument is securely locked in all directions, but the locking requires permanent engagement of relatively large forces and is difficult to release
Solution Approach 1:
The locking mechanism is segmented into two independent functions: shape-dependent locking in first directions (upwards-downwards, forwards-backwards) through locating arrangement, and friction-dependent locking in the second direction (longitudinally, right-left) through interference fit. This segmentation allows the cleaning instrument to be securely locked during operation while enabling easy release by acting on the operating member that disengages the friction-dependent locking.
2Reliability
If the cleaning instrument is securely locked in the longitudinal direction through interference fit, then the locking is reliable, but the cleaning instrument cannot be easily released without actuating an operating member
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling elements are designed to automatically achieve secure locking in the longitudinal direction through interference fit when the cleaning instrument is inserted into the cleaning tool, without requiring any actuation of an operating member. The operating member is only needed for release, not for engagement, simplifying the interconnection process.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the scraper blade is made as an integral element of the head, then hygiene requirements are met with no dirt pockets, but the entire tool must be replaced when the blade wears, which is unnecessarily costly
Solution Approach 1:
The scraper is segmented into two parts: the head (cleaning tool) and the blade (cleaning instrument). The blade can be separately replaced when worn, while the head is retained. This segmentation allows the blade to be optimized for hygiene (integral moulding with no dirt pockets) while enabling cost-effective replacement of only the wear part.
Solution Approach 2:
The blade is designed as a replaceable component that can be discarded when worn and replaced with a new blade, while the head is recovered and reused. This extends the lifecycle of the expensive head component while maintaining hygiene standards through regular blade replacement.
4Device complexity
If a pin is pressed down into a soft rubber blade for locking, then the locking mechanism is simple, but there is no known technology that provides both easy release and secure attachment without operating member actuation
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling elements incorporate elastic flanges that can be dynamically deformed during insertion and locking, and then return to their original shape to maintain secure engagement. The operating member acts on these elastic elements to temporarily reduce the locking force for easy release, after which the elastic elements automatically restore full locking when the operating member is released.
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 efficient cleaning of uneven surfaces with reduced wear and easy replacement of cleaning instruments, maintaining hygiene standards by allowing secure attachment and easy release of cleaning tools without actuating an operating member, facilitating handling and reducing operational effort.
Implementation Method 1
using a U-profile and H-profile design with elastic flanges and a tongue to facilitate snap-fit interconnection and disconnection
Data Source
AI summary
Coupling for the releasable interconnection of a cleaning tool and a cleaning instrument, the cleaning tool having a rectangular head, said head having an upper coupling element and the cleaning instrument having a lower coupling element, said coupling elements having a locating arrangement via which the coupling elements, when interconnected, are shape-dependently locked in several first directions in relation to each other, one of the coupling elements having one locking surface and the other of the coupling elements having a second locking surface, the normals (perpendiculars) of said locking surfaces being aligned in a second direction that deviates considerably from the previously mentioned first directions, these locking surfaces, in the interconnected state, being engaged with each other, the locking surfaces being moved, on the application of pressure to an operating member, to a position relative to each other and in which they are released from each other, it then being possible to pull the upper coupling element apart from the lower coupling element.