Folding Wiper Plate Hinge Design for Better Mop Wringing
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing foldable wiper plates face difficulties in effectively squeezing out the mop cover material at the ends, leading to inadequate drying, especially on liquid-sensitive floors like parquet, due to material accumulation during folding.
Innovation Solution
The foldable wiper plate design allows the first and second plate wings to fold beyond a parallel position by creating additional space at the articulated connection, enabling easier folding and effective wringing out of the mop cover through displaceable axes and a spiral spring mechanism, which prevents material jamming.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If the plate wings are folded against one another to squeeze out the mop cover, then the drying result is improved, but material accumulates at the articulated connection making folding difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The axis of rotation is made displaceable rather than fixed, allowing it to move automatically in response to material accumulation during the folding process. This dynamic adjustment prevents jamming and maintains ease of operation throughout the squeezing cycle.
Solution Approach 2:
The holding element is divided into two separate holding elements, each with its own axis of rotation. This segmentation allows independent movement of each axis, providing better control over the folding process and preventing material accumulation from blocking the entire mechanism.
2Productivity
If the mop cover is folded extensively to improve squeezing, then more material is processed, but material accumulation inhibits further folding
Solution Approach 1:
The displaceable axes of rotation enable the plate wings to continue folding beyond what would be possible with fixed axes. The axes move to accommodate material accumulation, extending the effective folding range and improving squeezing productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The displaceable axes are guided within slot guides that provide constrained movement paths. This nesting arrangement allows the axes to move within defined boundaries, enabling extended folding while maintaining control over the mechanism.
3Ease of manufacture
If the axes are fixed to maintain structural simplicity, then the device is easier to manufacture, but material accumulation prevents adequate wringing at the ends
Solution Approach 1:
Rather than making the entire structure complex, only the critical axis of rotation is made displaceable within a simple slot guide. This minimal dynamic element provides the necessary wringing quality while maintaining overall structural simplicity and ease of manufacture.
Solution Approach 2:
The slot guide acts as an intermediary between the fixed housing and the displaceable axis. It provides a simple guiding structure that enables axis movement without requiring complex mechanisms, thus maintaining ease of manufacture while improving wringing quality.
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 design significantly improves the drying result, allowing for effective care of liquid-sensitive floors by ensuring the mop cover is adequately squeezed and dried, even in the presence of material accumulation.
Implementation Method 1
a spiral spring (27), which is designed to move the plate wings (5, 13) back into the wiping position after the squeezing process has ended
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5
AI summary
Disclosed is a folding wiper plate (19) comprising a first plate wing (5) which is hingedly connected in a direct or indirect manner to a second plate wing (13). The first and the second plate wing support at least one wiping cover (15) which can be squeezed by folding the two plate wings towards each other. The inventive wiper plate is embodied such that the distance between the plate wings can be increased in the area of the hinged connection when the two plate wings are folded towards each other. In an advantageous embodiment, the wiping cover presses the plate wings apart in the area of the hinged connected when the two plate wings are folded towards one another.