Flat Pivoting Brush Head Design for Toilet Rim Access

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing toilet and urinal cleaning brushes with spherical brush heads cannot effectively reach and clean the inner edge areas, leading to incomplete cleaning and aesthetic and odor issues due to their design.

Innovation Solution

A cleaning brush with a flat, thin brush head having a trapezoidal or triangular frame structure and a lockable pivoting mechanism, allowing for better access to narrow areas and enhanced cleaning performance by forming a flat, narrow cleaning area and enabling precise angle adjustment for effective cleaning of undercut or curved surfaces.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a spherical brush head is used, then the brush can reach curved drain areas, but it cannot clean narrow inner rim areas effectively

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveability to reach curved areasVSAvoidcleaning performance in narrow areas

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The brush head is segmented into a frame structure with bristles arranged in specific patterns, creating multiple cleaning surfaces that can access different areas including narrow inner rims while maintaining the ability to reach curved drain areas

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The brush head transitions from a spherical three-dimensional form to a flatter, more planar structure with extended reach in specific directions, enabling access to narrow inner rim areas that were previously inaccessible while retaining adaptability to curved surfaces

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Device complexity

If a fixed brush head design is used, then the structure is simple, but it cannot adapt to different cleaning angles required for various areas

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebrush head structureVSAvoidadjustment to cleaning angles

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The brush head incorporates a swivel mechanism that allows it to rotate and adjust to different angles dynamically during cleaning, enabling adaptation to various cleaning positions including undercut and curved areas while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

A swivel joint acts as an intermediary between the handle and brush head, providing the necessary angular adjustment capability while keeping both the handle and brush head structures simple and manageable

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Strength

If a thick brush head is used, then it has sufficient structural strength, but it cannot access narrow hard-to-reach areas

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebrush head structural strengthVSAvoidaccess to narrow areas

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The brush head employs a thin frame structure that provides sufficient structural strength through its geometric design while maintaining a slim profile that can access narrow inner rim areas and hard-to-reach locations that would be inaccessible to thicker brush heads

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Data Source

PatentEP3513700B1Cleaning brush for a toilet bowl

Publication Date: 2021.03.10 KONTNY GIANA

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AI summary

A cleaning brush for a toilet bowl or urinal is proposed, comprising at least one handle (1) and one brush head (2), wherein the brush head (2) is movably mounted on the handle (1), and wherein the brush head (2) has at least one frame element (3) that surrounds in one plane, from the surface of which a plurality of cleaning bristles (4) protrude.