Dual-Component Cleaning Element for High-Pressure Dirt Removal

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing cleaning elements struggle to effectively remove stubbornly adhering dirt from floors due to insufficient contact pressure and design limitations.

Innovation Solution

A cleaning element with elongated fringes fixed to a support body, featuring a central receiver and holder with a flat cleaning body that applies high contact pressure and allows for separate replacement and cleaning of components, enhancing dirt removal efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If textile fringes are used for cleaning, then water absorption capacity is improved, but contact pressure on stubborn dirt is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewater absorption capacityVSAvoidcontact pressure

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSForce

Solution Approach 1:

The cleaning element is divided into two distinct functional components: textile fringes for water absorption and a flat cleaning body for applying contact pressure. This segmentation allows each component to optimize its specific function without compromise.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent combines two different cleaning mechanisms (fringe-based absorption and flat surface pressure) into a single integrated cleaning element, allowing both functions to work simultaneously on the same cleaning surface.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Reliability

If the cleaning element is designed as a single integrated unit, then cleaning performance is improved, but maintenance and component replacement become difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecleaning performanceVSAvoidcomponent replacement

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The cleaning element is segmented into replaceable components (fringes and flat cleaning body) that can be independently removed and replaced, allowing maintenance of only the worn parts rather than the entire unit.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The design allows dynamic reconfiguration where components can be easily assembled and disassembled for maintenance, transitioning from a static integrated unit to a modular system that adapts to maintenance needs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Productivity

If the fringes are voluminous and absorbent, then cleaning performance is improved, but the design cannot apply sufficient pressure to stubborn dirt

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecleaning performanceVSAvoidpressure on dirt

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSStress or pressure

Solution Approach 1:

Different regions of the cleaning element have different properties: the fringes provide absorption in certain areas while the flat cleaning body provides concentrated pressure in contact areas, creating locally optimized cleaning zones.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The cleaning element uses composite construction combining textile materials (for absorption) with a rigid support structure (for pressure application), creating a multi-material system that delivers both functions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Data Source

PatentUS20230240502A1Cleaning element

Publication Date: 2023.08.03 CARL FREUDENBERG KG

AI summary

A cleaning element including a support body to which fringes of elongated configuration are fixed, wherein the fringes enclose a central region of the support body, wherein the central region is assigned a receiver into which a holder is inserted, and wherein the holder is assigned a flat cleaning body.