Flexible Multi-Ridge Wiper for Hard-to-Reach Cleaning Locations

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing cleaning devices are inadequate for reaching difficult-to-clean locations, such as the inside of food and beverage dispensing equipment, as they lack the necessary flexibility and versatility to effectively clean both internal and external surfaces.

Innovation Solution

A cleaning device with a handle and a wiper featuring a flexible region and multiple ridges, allowing the wiper to flex and conform to surfaces, combined with a cleaning cloth that covers both external and internal regions of the wiper, enabling thorough cleaning of hard-to-reach areas.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a rigid cleaning device structure is used, then structural strength is maintained, but the device cannot reach difficult-to-clean locations

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveability to reach difficult-to-clean locationsVSAvoidstructural strength

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The cleaning device is divided into multiple segments including a handle, a flexible connector, and a cleaning head that can independently flex and rotate. This segmentation allows each part to move relative to others, enabling the device to navigate complex geometries while maintaining structural integrity through the rigid cleaning head portions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The cleaning device incorporates dynamic elements including a flexible connector that allows bending and articulation joints that enable rotation. These dynamic components allow the device to adapt its shape and orientation to reach difficult-to-clean locations while the rigid cleaning head maintains structural strength for effective cleaning.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If a flexible wiper structure is used, then the device can conform to surfaces and reach tight spaces, but cleaning effectiveness on complex geometries is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveability to conform to surfacesVSAvoidcleaning effectiveness

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The wiper assembly is segmented into multiple cleaning elements arranged in a array, with each element capable of independent contact with surfaces. This segmentation allows the flexible wiper to conform to complex geometries while maintaining multiple contact points that ensure effective cleaning across varied surfaces.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different portions of the wiper assembly have different properties - the connector is highly flexible for navigation, while the cleaning head portions maintain rigid structural integrity. This local differentiation allows the device to flex where needed while preserving cleaning effectiveness at the contact points.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Adaptability or versatility

If a single-function cleaning implement is used, then device simplicity is maintained, but versatility for different cleaning locations is limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecleaning versatilityVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The cleaning device is designed as a universal tool that can clean multiple surface types and geometries through its flexible connector and articulation joints. The single device can adapt to reach various difficult-to-clean locations including corners, edges, and irregular surfaces, replacing multiple specialized cleaning tools.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The dynamic articulation joints and flexible connector enable the single cleaning device to assume multiple configurations and orientations, providing versatility for different cleaning locations without requiring multiple separate tools. The device can be manipulated into various positions to access complex geometries.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

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 device effectively cleans both internal and external surfaces of equipment by flexing to fit into tight spaces and using a cleaning cloth to apply cleaning agents, ensuring thorough and efficient cleaning of complex geometries.

Implementation Method 1

The flexible region allows the wiper to flex in directions perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, to resiliently elongate along the longitudinal axis, to resiliently compress along the longitudinal axis

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentUS11458515B2Cleaning devices for cleaning of difficult to reach locations

Publication Date: 2022.10.04 UNGER MARKETING INTERNATIONAL LLC

AI summary

A cleaning device is provided that includes a handle and a cleaning implement depending from the handle. The cleaning implement has a wiper including a plurality of ridges and a flexible region. The plurality of ridges provide a plurality of cleaning edges to the wiper and the flexible region secures the wiper to the handle.