Ergonomic Mop Handle Layout for Balanced Fluid Dispensing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional floor maintenance tools lack ergonomic design, leading to increased time and effort, poorer work quality, and reduced user efficiency due to repetitive tasks and inadequate design for ease of use.
Innovation Solution
The development of a floor tool with a handle that includes a mop head and a fluid reservoir, where the reservoir's center of mass is offset from the handle's longitudinal axis, and a portion of the handle is positioned above the reservoir, enhancing user comfort and efficiency by allowing for easier handling and fluid dispensing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the fluid reservoir is positioned on the handle, then fluid dispensing functionality is integrated, but the center of mass offset creates imbalance and reduces ease of operation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent intentionally positions the fluid reservoir at an offset location on the handle, creating an asymmetric center of mass that is deliberately offset from the longitudinal axis. This asymmetric placement allows the reservoir to be positioned for optimal fluid dispensing control while the handle geometry compensates for the imbalance, resolving the contradiction between integrated functionality and ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent addresses the center of mass offset issue by introducing a spatial dimension solution - the handle is designed with specific geometric features including curved portions and offset sections that redistribute weight and balance the tool in three-dimensional space. This allows the reservoir to be positioned for functional advantage while maintaining overall tool balance through clever spatial arrangement of handle components.
2Ease of operation
If the handle portion is offset from the longitudinal axis more than the fluid reservoir center of mass, then ergonomic balance is improved, but the structural complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the handle into multiple segmented portions including a first portion, second portion, and curved portion, each with specific geometric characteristics. This segmentation allows the complex ergonomic balance to be achieved through modular design - each segment can be optimized independently for its specific function while contributing to the overall balance. The segmented approach manages structural complexity by breaking down the challenging offset geometry into manageable, manufacturable sections.
Data Source
AI summary
A floor tool including a handle, a mop head, and an actuator. The handle includes first and second opposite ends through and between which a longitudinal axis of the handle extends. The handle lies in a plane and further includes a first portion that is located at the first end of the handle and a second portion that is offset from the longitudinal axis. The mop head is coupled at the second end of the handle. A first grip is coupled to the first portion of the handle, and a second grip is coupled to the second portion of the handle. The actuator is positioned adjacent the first end and is contiguous with the first grip, and a fluid reservoir is coupled to and carried by the handle between the second portion and the second end.