Cleaning Trolley Linkage Layout for Compact Utensil Storage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional cleaning trolleys have large dimensions, leading to unwieldiness and a risk of damage or utensils falling off, as cleaning tools often protrude beyond the carriage boundaries, making them unsuitable for smaller spaces and compromising stability.
Innovation Solution
The cleaning trolley features non-parallel struts connecting the base plate and worktop, allowing for a more compact design by creating additional space for utensils within the carriage boundaries, while maintaining stability through a trapezoidal arrangement and recesses for easy assembly and disassembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If cleaning utensils are attached to the outside of the cleaning carriage, then the cleaning carriage can accommodate all cleaning utensils, but the cleaning carriage becomes unwieldy and there is a risk that walls or furniture are damaged or cleaning utensils fall off
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies nesting by placing cleaning utensils inside the enclosed space formed by the base plate, worktop, and side plates, rather than attaching them externally. The linkage structure creates an internal cavity that accommodates buckets, mops, and other cleaning tools, keeping them within the carriage boundaries and preventing external protrusion.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes the vertical dimension by positioning the worktop at a height above the base plate, creating a three-dimensional storage volume. The linkage connects these horizontal planes vertically, allowing utensils to be stored in the vertical space between the base plate and worktop, thereby maximizing space utilization without increasing the horizontal footprint.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the linkage is designed with parallel struts, then the structure is simple and stable, but additional space for accommodating cleaning utensils is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies asymmetry by designing the linkage struts to be non-parallel, with different orientations and angles. This asymmetric arrangement creates irregular voids and gaps within the linkage structure that can be utilized for storing cleaning utensils, thereby increasing the internal volume without compromising the overall structural stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The linkage is segmented into multiple struts with different functions and orientations. Some struts provide primary structural support while others are positioned to create storage spaces. This segmentation allows the linkage to simultaneously fulfill structural and storage functions, optimizing both stability and volume utilization.
3Ease of manufacture
If the first fastening area and second fastening area have equal size, then the assembly is straightforward, but space for accommodating cleaning utensils is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by making the fastening areas asymmetric in size and position. The first fastening area on the base plate and the second fastening area on the worktop are deliberately designed with different dimensions and locations to optimize the internal storage volume. This localized asymmetry allows for maximum utilization of the space between the plates while maintaining straightforward assembly through corresponding recesses.
Data Source
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AI summary
A cleaning cart comprising a base plate (1) and a working plate (3) arranged at a vertical distance (2) above the base plate (1), wherein the base plate (1) and the working plate (3) are connected to each other by a linkage (4) arranged in the vertical distance (2). The linkage (4) is formed by at least two struts (5,6) extending non-parallel to each other.