Foldable Mop Cover Holder With Angled Projections for Uniform Contact

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing mop cover holders are not designed to facilitate easy and quick changes of mop covers while ensuring uniform contact pressure and preventing the mop cover and holder from shifting during use.

Innovation Solution

A mop cover holder with articulated, lockable, foldable wings featuring projections that extend at an angle other than 90°, providing additional pressure and stability, combined with a locking device accessible from the handle side for easy operation, ensures secure contact and minimal movement of the mop cover during use.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If projections are arranged perpendicular to the mop plate (90° angle), then the structure is simple and manufacturing is easy, but the mop cover can shift or slide during use and contact pressure is not uniform

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprojections arrangementVSAvoidmop cover stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the angle parameter of the projections from the conventional 90° to an angled configuration (not perpendicular to the mop plate surface). This parameter change allows the projections to exert pressure at an optimal angle that prevents mop cover sliding while maintaining manufacturing feasibility through standard forming processes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies different functional qualities to different parts of the mop plate: the projections are angled to provide localized anti-slip functionality, while the overall plate structure remains simple for easy manufacturing. This local differentiation of quality resolves the contradiction between simple structure and reliable grip.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Device complexity

If the mop plate structure is simple and robust, then manufacturing is easy and the device is durable, but it cannot provide uniform contact pressure and prevent shifting during use

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemop plate structureVSAvoidcontact pressure uniformity
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

By changing the angular parameter of the projections from perpendicular to angled, the patent achieves uniform contact pressure distribution across the mop cover surface without complicating the overall plate structure. The angled geometry naturally distributes pressure more evenly during the wiping motion.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a new dimensional aspect to the projections by angling them relative to the plate surface, rather than keeping them perpendicular. This dimensional change enables the projections to engage the mop cover in both vertical and lateral directions, preventing shifting while maintaining structural simplicity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Ease of operation

If the locking device is accessible from the handle side, then operation is easy and quick, but the structure becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelocking device accessibilityVSAvoidoverall structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The mop handle serves multiple functions: it provides the articulation connection for the mop plate and simultaneously serves as the access point for operating the locking device. This multi-functionality allows easy operation without adding separate control mechanisms that would increase structural complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The locking device is integrated into the existing handle structure, allowing the handle itself to facilitate its own operation. The user interacts with the locking mechanism through the handle, eliminating the need for separate controls and maintaining structural simplicity while achieving ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP3318168B1Mop cover holder
Publication Date: 2020.03.18 PFENNIG REINIGUNGSTECHNIK GMBH
  • EP3318168B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3318168B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3318168B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present invention relates to a mop cover holder (1) comprising a mop head (2), an articulated connection (3) connected thereto for articulated connection to a handle, the mop head (2) having two elongate, lockable, foldable wings (4), one locking device (5) acting on the wings (4) is provided, at least one wing (4) having two or more projections (7) on its side (6) facing away from the articulated connection (3), characterized in that at least two projections (7) permanently point away from a plane (8) defined by the wing (4) at an angle (9) other than 90°.