Cleaning Tool Joint With Dual Symmetric Shank Design
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing joints for cleaning tools, such as brooms and scrubbing brushes, suffer from mechanical stress, fatigue, and potential fractures due to torque, friction, and impact, leading to early degradation and accidental broomstick dislodgment or breakage, especially with long base portions and offset shank positions.
Innovation Solution
A joint design featuring a shank inclined at an acute angle with semicircular walls, a reinforcement rib, and a bolt-and-nut system with rotation locking mechanisms, allowing adjustable broomstick positioning and preventing accidental rotation, while distributing stress through a second shank and reinforcement rib to enhance stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the shank is positioned at the proximal end of the base portion to enable broomstick insertion, then the broomstick can be securely attached, but the shank is exposed to mechanical bending stresses and fatigue from torque and friction
Solution Approach 1:
The shank is divided into two separate shanks (first shank and second shank) that are symmetrically positioned relative to the base portion. This segmentation distributes the mechanical stresses across multiple structural elements, preventing concentration of stress on a single shank and thereby reducing fatigue and fracture risk.
Solution Approach 2:
The reinforcement rib is strategically positioned at the base portion to provide localized strengthening exactly where the shanks experience maximum stress. This local reinforcement increases the stress resistance of the critical junction without requiring the entire base portion to be oversized, optimizing the strength-to-weight ratio.
2Ease of operation
If the shank is offset toward the proximal end of the base portion, then the broomstick insertion is facilitated, but the overhanging weight of the base portion generates additional stress on the shank and joint
Solution Approach 1:
By splitting the single offset shank into two symmetrically positioned shanks, the patent redistributes the load-bearing function. The combined strength of the two shanks equals or exceeds that of a single larger shank, while the symmetric arrangement creates a more balanced stress distribution that reduces the net stress on each individual shank.
Solution Approach 2:
The symmetric dual-shank configuration acts as a counterbalancing structure against the overhanging base portion weight. The two shanks are positioned to create opposing moment arms that counterbalance each other, reducing the net torque and stress on the joint compared to a single offset shank arrangement.
3Device complexity
If a simple screw connection is used between the broomstick and shank, then the assembly is simple, but the joint is prone to fatigue and fracture under mechanical stress
Solution Approach 1:
The single screw connection is replaced with a dual-shank system that provides multiple attachment points and stress distribution pathways. This segmented approach maintains simplicity in terms of individual component design while significantly improving overall joint reliability through distributed load bearing.
Solution Approach 2:
The joint system combines multiple structural elements (two shanks, reinforcement rib, and connection mechanisms) to create a composite structure that leverages the strengths of each component. The reinforcement rib and dual shanks work together to provide enhanced stress resistance while maintaining operational simplicity.
4Productivity
If the base portion is made long for industrial cleaning applications, then the cleaning effectiveness is improved, but the shank is exposed to increased torque and friction stresses
Solution Approach 1:
The long base portion is supported by two symmetrically positioned shanks rather than a single shank. This segmentation allows the base portion to extend further while distributing the torque and friction stresses generated during cleaning across multiple structural elements, enabling longer base portions without compromising shank strength.
Solution Approach 2:
The symmetric dual-shank configuration creates a counterbalancing structure that reduces the net torque on the joint. The opposing moment arms generated by the two shanks partially offset each other, reducing the overall stress on the shanks even as the base portion length increases for improved cleaning effectiveness.
Data Source
Figure 1~13
Figure 2~6
Figure 7~9
AI summary
A joint (5) for cleaning tools having a broomstick (4) with a joint end (4A) and an opposite grip end (4B); a base body (2) extending along a longitudinal axis (X) and having a plurality of bristles (3) on a first face (2A) and a shank (6; 60) with peripheral walls in which the joint end (4A) of the broomstick (4) is designed to be engaged, on an opposite face (2B); the joint comprises: lock means (8, 9) for releasably locking the joint end (4A) in the shank (6; 60), which comprise two flexible, facing half-portions (6A, 6B; 65) of the peripheral walls; a groove (7) separating the two half-portions (6A, 6B; 65); a pull/release member (9) for pulling/releasing the two half-portions (6A, 6B; 65).