Flat Mop Articulating Wing Mechanism for Hands-Free Layer Replacement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing flat mops require manual detachment and reattachment of soiled and clean mopping layers, posing hygiene and chemical exposure risks, and inefficiently manage the replacement process.
Innovation Solution
A flat mop design featuring a pivot mechanism with movable side wings and a latching mechanism that allows for hands-free detachment and attachment of mopping layers, using an actuation member to fold the wings and release the old layer or attach a new one without direct user interaction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If manual detachment and reattachment of mopping layers is used, then the structure is simple, but hygiene risks and chemical exposure increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism (the automated latching system with movable wings and release members) that mediates between the user and the mopping layer. The user operates the actuation member rather than directly handling the mopping layer, and the mechanism automatically performs the attachment/detachment function, thus eliminating direct contact with harmful substances while maintaining structural feasibility
Solution Approach 2:
The latching mechanism is designed to perform the attachment and detachment operations automatically once triggered by the actuation member. The movable wings self-adjust to engage or disengage the mopping layer without requiring manual manipulation, making the system serve itself rather than requiring continuous user intervention for each operation
2Object-affected harmful factors
If automated latching mechanism with movable wings is used, then hygiene and chemical exposure are reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The complex latching function is segmented into distinct functional components: the movable wings that provide the mechanical action, the release members that control the locking state, and the actuation member that triggers the sequence. This segmentation allows each component to be simple in itself while collectively achieving the automated function, reducing overall complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The mechanism uses movable wings that can dynamically change position between locked and unlocked states. This dynamic capability allows the same structural elements to serve multiple functions (locking during operation, opening during replacement) without requiring separate mechanisms for each state, thereby reducing complexity while maintaining hygiene benefits
3Reliability
If side wings are held in horizontal orientation by latching mechanism, then mopping layer retention is secure, but detachment requires manual handling
Solution Approach 1:
The actuation member serves as an intermediary that triggers the release of the latching mechanism. Instead of requiring direct manual handling of the mopping layer for detachment, the user simply operates the actuation member, which then mediates the entire detachment process through the movable wings and release members, maintaining both security and ease of operation
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
Enables safe and efficient replacement of mopping layers, reducing cross-contamination and chemical exposure risks, while maintaining cleaning effectiveness by allowing for easy and hygienic handling of soiled layers without manual handling.
Implementation Method 1
a friction fit
Implementation Method 2
one or both can naturally lower due to gravity
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention concerns the field of floor mops and in particular flat mops for mopping floor surfaces and which have detachable absorbent mopping layers and addresses problems of contamination and handling of mopping layers. In accordance with the invention there is provided a flat mop (11) comprising an elongate handle portion (14) attached to a flat mop head, the mop head comprising a generally central base plate (12), an upper side of the base plate being attached to a handle mount via a pivot mechanism (13), wherein the base plate is disposed between two horizontally extending co-planar side wings (21,22) to which a detachable mopping layer may be attached, wherein the side wings are movable one with respect to the other so as to articulate between the co-planar operative horizontal orientation in which they align with each other so as to retain a mopping layer extended between opposite ends of the wings and a folded orientation in which one wing is angled with respect to the other so that the separation between wing opposite ends is reduced thereby facilitating the detachment of the mopping layer or attachment of a new mopping layer, wherein the base plate includes a wing latching mechanism which holds the side wings in the horizontal orientation, but which includes at least one movable release member (23, 24) which may be displaced to permit the wings to adopt the folded orientation, and characterised in that a handle mount (15) comprises an actuation member (16) which is movable to approach the base plate to directly or indirectly displace the release member (23, 24) and permit folding of the side wings.