Flat Mop Partial Moistening for Simultaneous Cleaning and Drying
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cleaning devices for flat mops only allow for cleaning and not simultaneous drying of surfaces, leading to damp floors that are prone to slipping and re-soiling, especially in heavily used areas.
Innovation Solution
The mop is inserted into the cleaning liquid at an angle, with the front edge immersed and the rear edge above the liquid level, allowing partial moistening and simultaneous drying during the mopping process, facilitated by an inclined support device and coordinated mop and tray design.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If the mop is completely immersed in cleaning liquid for thorough wet-cleaning, then cleaning effectiveness is improved, but the floor remains damp and requires additional drying time or operations
Solution Approach 1:
The mop is divided into functional zones: a wet front edge area for cleaning and a dry rear edge area for drying. The support base segments the mop immersion in the cleaning liquid, allowing only the front portion to be moistened while the rear remains dry. This segmentation enables simultaneous cleaning and drying functions in a single mopping operation.
Solution Approach 2:
Different areas of the mop are given different moisture properties: the front edge area is designed to be wet for effective cleaning, while the rear edge area remains dry for immediate drying. The support base creates this local quality difference by positioning the mop at an angle in the cleaning liquid, ensuring the front absorbs cleaning solution while the rear stays above the liquid level.
2Area of stationary object
If the mop is completely immersed in cleaning liquid, then cleaning coverage is improved, but the floor becomes prone to slipping and re-soiling due to remaining moisture
Solution Approach 1:
The mop is segmented into wet and dry zones, with the dry rear edge area providing immediate drying capability that covers the same floor area. This ensures comprehensive coverage without leaving damp spots that could cause slipping or re-soiling.
Solution Approach 2:
The dry rear edge area of the mop acts as an intermediary between the wet cleaning zone and the floor surface. As the mop moves across the floor, this dry portion absorbs excess moisture and prevents it from remaining on the surface, thereby eliminating slipping hazards and re-soiling risks.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the mop is inserted at an angle to achieve partial moistening, then simultaneous cleaning and drying is enabled, but the insertion direction and depth must be precisely controlled
Solution Approach 1:
The support base is designed with an asymmetric inclined surface that guides the mop into a specific angular position. This asymmetric geometry ensures the mop is inserted at the correct angle for partial immersion, with the front edge entering the cleaning liquid while the rear remains elevated. The asymmetric design makes proper insertion intuitive and reduces the need for precise manual control.
Solution Approach 2:
The support base structure automatically positions the mop at the correct angle and depth of immersion through its inclined geometry. The system self-regulates the insertion parameters, eliminating the need for the operator to manually control the angle and depth. The mop naturally assumes the correct position when placed on the support base.
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
This method enables effective wet-cleaning with the wet front edge while drying with the dry rear edge, preventing wet streaks and maintaining hygiene by keeping the floor dry and clean in a single operation.
Implementation Method 1
the support device being inclined towards the horizontal defined by the liquid level of the cleaning liquid filled
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a method for the partial moistening of a replaceable flat mop (6), in which the mop (6) is fixed to a mop holder (7) and, fixed to the mop holder (7), is inserted by means of a mop handle (7a) into a moistening tray (2) of a moistening device filled with a cleaning fluid (4), as well as a cleaning device for carrying out the method. The object of the invention is to further develop the method (1) in such a way that both the cleaning and the drying of the surface to be cleaned are possible in a single operation.The goal is achieved by inserting the mop into the cleaning liquid (4) at an angle to the liquid level of the cleaning liquid (4), so that the front edge area of the mop (6) in the direction of insertion is immersed in the cleaning liquid (4), while the rear edge area of the mop (6) in the direction of insertion remains above the liquid level of the cleaning liquid (4).