Flexible Jaw Cleaning Sheet Holder for Uniform Tension
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional cleaning sheet holding mechanisms often cause user injury and discomfort during mounting, and they result in non-uniform tensioning and poor holding performance, especially when used in unsupervised robotic cleaning applications.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates a support structure with semi-rigid and flexible jaw mechanisms that provide a secure, pinch-free sheet insertion and maintain uniform tension, featuring a pad with longitudinal traps that grip the sheet to prevent entanglement and ensure stable operation during robotic cleaning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional cleaning sheet holding mechanisms are used, then the sheet can be held in the holder, but user injury or discomfort occurs during mounting and holding performance is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The trap mechanism incorporates a flexible jaw that can dynamically adjust its position and rigidity. The flexible jaw bends to allow easy sheet insertion during mounting, then returns to a rigid closed position to securely hold the sheet during operation, eliminating the need for high mounting forces that cause user injury.
Solution Approach 2:
The mechanism changes the rigidity parameter of the jaw through flexing action. When the flexible jaw is bent during sheet insertion, it transitions from a rigid state that could injure the user to a compliant state that allows easy mounting, then returns to rigid state for secure holding during cleaning operations.
2Reliability
If conventional cleaning sheet holding mechanisms are used, then the sheet can be held, but non-uniform tensioning occurs resulting in poor holding performance
Solution Approach 1:
The trap mechanism applies local quality by having different jaw segments with different properties. The flexible jaw provides localized compliance at the sheet contact point while the base portion maintains structural stability, enabling uniform tension distribution across the sheet width without requiring precise manufacturing tolerances throughout the entire mechanism.
3Reliability
If a rigid jaw mechanism is used to securely hold the sheet, then holding performance improves, but user injury or discomfort occurs during mounting
Solution Approach 1:
The jaw mechanism transitions from a static rigid structure to a dynamic system where the flexible jaw can bend during mounting operations. This allows the jaw to be compliant when needed for easy sheet insertion, then rigid when needed for secure holding, eliminating the trade-off between ease of mounting and holding performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The rigidity parameter of the jaw is changed through flexing action. During mounting, the jaw is temporarily softened by bending the flexible portion, making insertion easy. During operation, the jaw returns to its rigid state to provide secure holding, thus changing the physical parameter based on operational requirements.
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 solution minimizes the risk of user injury, maintains sheet tension, and prevents entanglement, enabling secure and efficient cleaning operations, even in unsupervised robotic applications.
Implementation Method 1
the forward portion of the second jaw flexible in at least a first direction substantially orthogonal to the forward portion of the second jaw
Implementation Method 2
longitudinal traps attached to a second surface of the platform so that at least two of the traps are positioned on substantially parallel longitudinal lines
Data Source
AI summary
Cleaning devices which use cleaning sheets affixed in traps are disclosed. The traps comprise first and second jaws, each comprising base and forward portions, each forward position having a forward surface. The forward portion of the second jaw is flexible in at least a first direction, such as towards a surface over which the device is configured to move. When the second jaw is relaxed, the forward portion of the second jaw is substantially coplanar with the forward portion of the first jaw and the forward surfaces are proximate or touching. When the second jaw is flexed in the first direction (e.g., by the application of a force from a user), the forward surface of the forward portion of the second jaw moves in the first direction, away from the forward surface of the first jaw. This opens a gap through which a portion of a sheet may be inserted.