Fibrillous Abrasive Crevice Cleaner for Narrow Crevices

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional cleaning tools struggle to effectively remove deposits from narrow crevices without damaging the surface, especially in complex shapes and sizes, and lack versatility in abrasive materials and handle flexibility.

Innovation Solution

A fibrillous abrasive crevice cleaner (FACC) with a twisted multistrand handle and a continuous fibrillous mass forming a knot at the distal end, allowing for adjustable length, double-sided, and magnetic configurations, featuring abrasive tips made of steel wool or brass wool, which are conformable to various crevices and surfaces, and can be coated for user safety.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If conventional cleaning tools are used to remove deposits from narrow crevices, then cleaning effectiveness is improved, but surface damage occurs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecleaning effectivenessVSAvoidsurface damage

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The cleaning tool uses a fibrillous abrasive tip where abrasive particles are distributed throughout the fibrous structure, creating localized abrasive action only at the crevice contact points. This concentrates cleaning effectiveness in narrow crevices while the flexible fibrous structure prevents widespread surface damage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The fibrillous tip structure is inherently flexible, allowing it to conform to narrow crevices and complex geometries. This flexibility enables the tool to reach into tight spaces for effective cleaning while adapting to surface contours to avoid damaging surrounding areas.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

2Adaptability or versatility

If conventional cleaning tools are used on complex shapes and sizes, then versatility is improved, but adaptability to specific crevices deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadaptability to crevicesVSAvoidtool configuration complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The cleaning tool is segmented into a handle and a separate fibrillous abrasive tip. The tip can be replaced or adjusted to match different crevice sizes and shapes, providing adaptability without requiring complex reconfiguration of the entire tool.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The fibrillous tip structure is dynamic and flexible, allowing it to deform and adapt to various crevice geometries. This natural flexibility provides adaptability to complex shapes without requiring complex mechanical adjustment mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Ease of operation

If abrasive materials are made more flexible to reach narrow crevices, then access to crevices is improved, but structural strength deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccess to narrow crevicesVSAvoidabrasive tip strength

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The fibrillous tip is a composite structure combining flexible fibrous material with abrasive particles. The fibrous base provides flexibility for accessing narrow crevices, while the embedded abrasive particles provide the necessary structural strength and cleaning effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

Different parts of the fibrillous tip have different properties - the fibrous structure provides flexibility for access, while the abrasive particles concentrated at the tip ends provide localized strength and cleaning action where needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The FACC effectively removes deposits from narrow crevices while preventing surface damage, offering adjustable length, double-sided functionality, and magnetic self-cleaning, enhancing cleaning efficiency and versatility across different surfaces and applications.

Implementation Method 1

A fibrillous abrasive tip may be made of a continuous combination of steel wool and wire

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAbrasion: Abrasion

Implementation Method 2

Some embodiments may, for example, include an exemplary magnetic FACC

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMagnetic attraction: Magnetism

Data Source

PatentUS20230148739A1Filamentous abrasive crevice cleaner

Publication Date: 2023.05.18 NORTHCUTT ALEXANDER KENT

AI summary

Apparatus and associated methods relate to a fibrillous abrasive crevice cleaner (FACC). In an illustrative example, a fibrillous abrasive tip may be made of a continuous combination of steel wool and wire. For example, the FACC may include a twisted multistrand handle extending from a distal end to a proximal end along a longitudinal axis. The FACC may include a continuous fibrillous mass fixedly coupled about the distal end of the twisted multistrand handle, such that the fibrillous mass forms a knot distal to the proximal end of the twisted multistrand handle. For example, the FACC may include a proximal end of the fibrillous mass captured between the twisted multistrand handle. The formed knot around the distal end of the twisted multistranded handle and the fibrillous mass being entwined into the handle may, for example, advantageously resist decoupling of the fibrillous mass from the twisted multistrand handle.