Fusion-Bonded Cleaning Element Structure for Surface-Conforming Dust Capture
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cleaning tools with sheet-type cleaning elements lack effectiveness and operability in efficiently cleaning various surfaces, including flat, curved, uneven, and stepped surfaces, both inside and outside of buildings and vehicles.
Innovation Solution
A cleaning element comprising a fiber assembly with a nonwoven fabric and fusion bonded parts, where the fiber assembly includes a first fusion bonded part extending across the direction of the fiber assembly and multiple second fusion bonded parts, forming a configuration that enhances bond strength and volume, allowing the element to conform to surfaces and trap dust effectively.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If a sheet-type cleaning element is used for wiping surfaces, then the cleaning tool can cover large areas, but the cleaning effect is insufficient and operability is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The cleaning element combines a fiber assembly (providing bulkiness and dust trapping capability) with a nonwoven fabric layer (providing surface contact and wiping action). This composite structure integrates the advantages of both materials to achieve both large area coverage and effective cleaning action simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The cleaning element is divided into functionally distinct regions: the fiber assembly portion that provides bulkiness and dust trapping, and the nonwoven fabric portion that provides close surface contact. This segmentation allows each region to optimize its specific function while working together for overall cleaning effectiveness.
2Ease of manufacture
If a simple sheet structure is used, then the device is easy to manufacture, but the bond strength and volume are insufficient for effective cleaning
Solution Approach 1:
The nonwoven fabric is pre-formed and then bonded to the fiber assembly in predetermined locations. This preliminary preparation allows the components to be manufactured separately with simple processes, then assembled together to achieve the required bond strength and structural integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of uniformly bonding the entire sheet structure, the invention applies bonding only at specific predetermined locations. This localized bonding approach maintains manufacturing simplicity while providing sufficient bond strength at critical areas, and preserves the bulkiness of the fiber assembly in unbonded regions.
3Volume of stationary object
If the cleaning element is made bulky to trap dust, then dust trapping improves, but contact with the surface becomes insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The cleaning element separates the bulkiness function (performed by the fiber assembly) from the surface contact function (performed by the nonwoven fabric). The fiber assembly provides the necessary volume and dust trapping capacity, while the thinner nonwoven fabric layer ensures close contact with surfaces of various shapes.
Solution Approach 2:
The composite structure of fiber assembly plus nonwoven fabric allows the system to exhibit both bulkiness (from the fiber assembly) and surface conformability (from the flexible nonwoven fabric layer), resolving the contradiction between volume and surface contact.
4Strength
If fusion bonded parts are added to enhance structure, then bond strength increases, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention implements fusion bonding only at specific predetermined locations rather than across the entire structure. This selective bonding provides necessary structural strength at critical joints while leaving other areas unbonded to maintain simplicity and flexibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The bonding structure is segmented into discrete fusion bonded parts at predetermined locations, rather than forming a continuous bonded structure. This segmentation reduces overall complexity while providing sufficient strength where needed.
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 enhanced configuration increases the cleaning effect by providing a high bond strength and bulkiness, ensuring closer contact with surfaces, resulting in improved dust trapping and user satisfaction.
Implementation Method 1
a first fusion bonded part extending in a direction crossing the predetermined direction in order to fusion bond the fiber assembly and the nonwoven fabric; a plurality of second fusion bonded parts which are formed discontinuously in a direction crossing the predetermined direction in order to fusion bond the fiber assembly
Data Source
AI summary
A cleaning element includes a fiber assembly having a plurality of fibers extending in a predetermined direction and a nonwoven fabric provided on the fiber assembly. A first fusion bonded part extends in a cross direction traversing the predetermined direction to fusion-bond the fiber assembly and the nonwoven fabric, and a plurality of second fusion bonded parts is provided discontinuously in the cross direction to fusion-bond the fiber assembly and the nonwoven fabric. Each of the second fusion bonded parts has a first area and a second area. A length in the predetermined direction from the first fusion bonded part to the first area is different from a length in the predetermined direction from the first fusion bonded part to the second area.