Cleaning Tool with Deployable Auxiliary Head for Confined Spaces

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing handheld cleaning tools struggle to effectively clean unobstructed and less accessible areas without requiring multiple tools or more cumbersome vacuum cleaners, leading to inefficiency and increased costs.

Innovation Solution

A cleaning tool with a selectively deployable auxiliary cleaning head that extends beyond the principal cleaning head, allowing for versatile cleaning of both open and confined spaces using a single device.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a long-handled cleaning tool with a principal cleaning head is used, then unobstructed surfaces can be cleaned effectively, but less accessible areas such as corners and spaces between objects cannot be reached

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecleaning effectiveness on unobstructed surfacesVSAvoidability to clean less accessible areas

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The auxiliary cleaning head is nested within the hollow interior of the handle, allowing it to be stored inside the handle structure and deployed when needed to clean less accessible areas

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The auxiliary cleaning head is made movable relative to the handle through a slidable shaft mechanism, allowing it to transition between a retracted position (stored in handle) and a deployed position (extending beyond the principal cleaning head)

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple cleaning tools are used to clean different areas, then both unobstructed and less accessible areas can be cleaned, but cost and portability are reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveability to clean different areasVSAvoidnumber of cleaning tools required

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The cleaning tool is designed with dual functionality, incorporating both a principal cleaning head for unobstructed surfaces and an auxiliary cleaning head for less accessible areas, allowing a single tool to perform multiple cleaning functions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention combines multiple cleaning heads and cleaning functions into a single integrated tool structure, merging the capabilities of what would traditionally require separate tools

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Adaptability or versatility

If vacuum cleaners with extended tubes are used to clean various situations, then versatility is improved, but portability and cost are reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveability to clean in a variety of situationsVSAvoidportability and operational simplicity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The cleaning tool is segmented into distinct functional components (principal cleaning head, auxiliary cleaning head, movable shaft mechanism) that can be independently controlled and deployed based on cleaning needs

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The tool incorporates a movable auxiliary cleaning head that can be selectively deployed, providing adaptability for different cleaning situations while maintaining the simplicity and portability of a manual handheld tool

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS12383050B2Cleaning tool having selectively deployable auxiliary cleaning element

Publication Date: 2025.08.12 BRENNAN JESSE D

AI summary

A cleaning tool for cleaning a surface includes an elongated handle having a working end, a user end opposite the working end, and a hollow interior extending to the working end. The cleaning tool includes a principal cleaning head mounted on the working end of the handle. The tool includes an elongated shaft slidably received in the hollow interior of the handle. The elongated shaft has a top end positioned inside the hollow interior between the working end and the user end of the handle. The tool includes an auxiliary cleaning head mounted on the bottom end of the shaft. The shaft is selectively slidable relative to the handle to move the auxiliary cleaning head to a deployed position in which the auxiliary cleaning head extends farther from the handle than the principal cleaning head.