Cleaning Tool Operating Head with Angled Handle and Interference Cloth Fixing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cleaning tools for surfaces, such as mops and squeegees, often require users to apply force in an uncomfortable position, risk scratching delicate surfaces, and generate excessive waste due to non-separable components, making them inefficient and unsustainable.
Innovation Solution
An operating head with a cloth that can be easily pressed against the surface, allowing ergonomic cleaning with a handle that can be inclined, and enabling separate replacement and washing of the cloth, thus reducing waste and protecting delicate surfaces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a lower element is provided to block the cleaning element during cleaning operations, then the cleaning element is secured in position, but the lower element contacts the surface and prevents sufficient force application, risking surface damage
Solution Approach 1:
The harmful lower element that contacted the surface and prevented sufficient force application has been completely removed from the design. The cleaning element is now directly connected to the support element without any intermediate blocking component, allowing full force transmission to the surface while eliminating the source of surface damage.
Solution Approach 2:
The cleaning system is segmented into separable components: the cleaning element can be independently replaced from the support element. This allows the cleaning element to be optimized for force application while the support element provides structural stability, resolving the contradiction between securing the cleaning element and preventing surface damage.
2Ease of operation
If the handle is held vertically with respect to the surface, then the user maintains a straight and comfortable position, but insufficient force can be exerted to remove obstinate dirt
Solution Approach 1:
The connection between the handle and operating head provides dynamic angulation capability, allowing the handle to be adjusted to optimal angles for different cleaning scenarios. This enables users to maintain comfortable vertical positioning while still applying sufficient force when needed, as the flexible connection adapts to the applied force requirements.
3Device complexity
If the cleaning element and support element are permanently connected, then the structure is simplified, but the entire assembly must be discarded when the cleaning element deteriorates, generating excessive waste
Solution Approach 1:
The cleaning system is divided into separable components: the cleaning element can be independently removed and replaced from the support element. This segmentation allows only the worn cleaning element to be discarded while reusing the support element, significantly reducing material waste compared to permanent connection designs where the entire assembly must be discarded.
Solution Approach 2:
The design enables selective discarding of only the cleaning element when it deteriorates, while the support element is recovered and reused. This partial discarding approach contrasts with permanent connection designs that require complete assembly disposal, thereby reducing overall material waste and supporting sustainability goals.
4Ease of manufacture
If the support element is made of plastic and permanently connected to the cleaning element, then manufacturing is simplified, but washing in a washing machine becomes awkward as the support element impacts against the drum
Solution Approach 1:
The cleaning system is segmented so that the cleaning element can be separated from the support element. This allows the cleaning element to be machine-washed independently without the plastic support element present to cause impact damage to the washing machine drum, while the support element remains available for reuse after washing.
Solution Approach 2:
The harmful plastic support element is extracted from the washing process by allowing separation of the cleaning element. The cleaning element can be washed alone in the washing machine without the rigid plastic component that would otherwise impact against the drum and cause damage or washing difficulties.
5Device complexity
If force is distributed only on the limited area of the support element, then the support structure is simplified, but sufficient force cannot be applied to clean ground-in dirt without risking surface damage
Solution Approach 1:
The limiting support element structure that constrained force distribution to a limited area has been removed. The cleaning element is now directly connected to the handle without the intermediate support element, allowing force to be distributed across the entire cleaning element surface area, providing sufficient cleaning capability for ground-in dirt while maintaining structural simplicity.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to an operating head of a tool for cleaning surfaces and a tool for cleaning surfaces which comprises the operating head. The operating head comprises: a cloth for cleaning surfaces; a support and connecting device having; a first side and a second side, opposite the first side; a contact surface arranged along the first side; a first housing which: is arranged along the first side; which has a closed annular shape; and which surrounds the contact surface and is solidly constrained thereto in which the first housing has a first opening, in turn, having: a first inner annular edge and a second outer annular edge, which substantially do not project with respect to the contact surface; and a fixing element which is solidly fixable to the contact surface and having an end which is solidly fixable to an end of a handle of a tool for cleaning surfaces and is predisposed to enable varying the inclination of the handle with respect to the contact surface; a blocking device; in which the first housing and the blocking device are conformed in such a way as to enable, the reversible insertion of the blocking device in the first housing when, on the first side of the support device, the cloth is unfurled and arranged between the first housing and the blocking device, with the aim of reciprocally and reversibly fixing the cloth to the support device by interference coupling with a central portion of the cloth in contact with the contact surface.