Squeegee and method for applying tinting film

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing squeegees with longer blades face reduced force effectiveness along the blade length, leading to skewing or rotation during application strokes, which increases the number of strokes required for window tinting, compromising efficiency.

Innovation Solution

A squeegee design with two parallel handles attached to a base at spaced locations along the blade length, allowing even force distribution and enabling the use of longer blades without sacrificing functionality.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If the squeegee blade length is increased to reduce the number of strokes required for window tinting, then productivity is improved, but the force effectiveness along the blade length deteriorates causing skewing or rotation during application

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenumber of strokes requiredVSAvoidforce effectiveness along blade length

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSForce

Solution Approach 1:

The single handle is divided into two separate handles positioned at different longitudinal locations along the blade. This segmentation allows the operator to apply force at multiple points simultaneously, distributing the force more evenly along the blade length and preventing skewing or rotation that occurs with a single centralized handle.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The force application is transitioned from a single-point (one-dimensional) approach with one handle to a multi-point (two-dimensional) approach with two handles positioned at different longitudinal locations. This dimensional change in force application enables better control over the entire blade length during the squeegee stroke.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Area of stationary object

If the squeegee blade length is increased to cover larger window areas per stroke, then the area of stationary object is improved, but the stability of the object's composition deteriorates due to blade skewing or rotation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewindow area covered per strokeVSAvoidblade orientation stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The handle structure is segmented into two separate handles positioned at different longitudinal locations along the blade. This allows the operator to apply stabilizing force at multiple points, preventing the blade from skewing or rotating during the stroke and maintaining stable blade orientation across larger window areas.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The two handles act as counterbalancing force application points. When the operator applies force through both handles, it creates a balanced force distribution that counteracts the tendency of the blade to skew or rotate, maintaining stability throughout the stroke.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #8Anti-weight (Counterweight)

Data Source

PatentUS11912526B2Squeegee and method for applying tinting film

Publication Date: 2024.02.27 TAYLOR II PEYTON C

AI summary

An improved squeegee includes two parallel handles secured to a base serving as a blade receiving member. The handles are secured at spaced locations on opposite sides of the longitudinal center of the blade, spaced from the blade ends. A technician can grasp each handle with a respective hand and simultaneously apply forces to the squeegee blade at two spaced locations during wiping strokes so that those forces are evenly distributed along the blade length. The distribution of forces along the length of a squeegee blade permit the use of longer squeegee blades without sacrificing effective squeegee functionality.