Universal Cleaning Tool Holder With Elastic Clamping Arms

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing holding devices for portable hard surface cleaning devices, such as window cleaning devices, lack universal compatibility and stability, often requiring specific housing area correspondences and positive-locking mechanisms, which limits their adaptability and secure hold.

Innovation Solution

The use of elastically deformable clamping arms or retaining elements, designed in pairs or multiples, that can adapt to different shapes and sizes of housing areas, providing a force-fit connection without the need for positive-locking mechanisms, ensuring stability and flexibility across various cleaning devices.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a positive-locking mechanism with a specially designed receptacle is used to secure the cleaning device, then the stability and secure hold are improved, but the adaptability to different cleaning devices is worsened

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesecure holdVSAvoidcompatibility
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the physical state of the holding elements from rigid to elastically deformable, allowing them to adapt their shape and size to match different housing areas of various cleaning devices while maintaining a secure force-fit connection through elastic retention

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The holding device is designed with elastically deformable holding elements that can universally accommodate different types of cleaning devices by adapting to various housing area geometries, eliminating the need for device-specific receptacles while maintaining reliable connection

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Stability of the object's composition

If multiple holding elements are used to prevent rotation and tilting, then the stability is improved, but the device complexity is worsened

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovestabilityVSAvoidstructure
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple functions into the single holding elements: they provide both the connection function and the stabilization function (preventing rotation and tilting) simultaneously through their elastic deformation and force-fit coupling mechanism

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extracts the positive-locking mechanism from the design, relying solely on the elastic force-fit connection of the holding elements to provide both connection and stabilization, thereby simplifying the overall structure

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Reliability

If a positive-locking mechanism is used, then the secure connection is improved, but the ease of operation is worsened

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesecure connectionVSAvoidease of attachment
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The holding elements automatically adapt to the housing area through elastic deformation without requiring manual alignment or engagement with specific receptacles, making the attachment process intuitive and easy while maintaining secure connection

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

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 solution allows for easy and secure attachment of diverse hard surface cleaning devices, preventing unwanted movement and tilting, while enabling flexible adaptation to different shapes and sizes, enhancing usability and compatibility.

Implementation Method 1

The elastically deformable clamping arms or retaining elements, designed in pairs or multiples, that can adapt to different shapes and sizes of housing areas

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElastic deformation: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP3781008B1Holding device for a portable hard surface cleaning apparatus and set thereof
Publication Date: 2025.12.17 ALFRED KARCHER SE & CO KG
  • EP3781008B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3781008B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3781008B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

In order to improve a holding device for a portable hard surface cleaning appliance, in particular in the form of a window cleaning device, which holding device comprises a holding part and an extension part, which holding part comprises a first connector for connecting the holding device to a hard surface cleaning appliance, and which extension part comprises a second connector for connecting the holding device to an extension element, in particular in the form of an extension rod or an extension tube, so that the holding device can be used as universally as possible, according to the invention the first connector comprises at least two holding elements for at least partially engaging and coupling in a force-closed manner to a housing region, in particular a handle region, of the hard surface cleaning appliance.