Fusion-Bonded Cleaning Element for Surface-Conforming Dust Trapping

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing cleaning tools with sheet-type cleaning elements lack effectiveness and operability in efficiently cleaning diverse surfaces, including flat, curved, uneven, and stepped surfaces inside and outside buildings and vehicles.

Innovation Solution

A cleaning element comprising a fiber assembly with a nonwoven fabric and fusion bonded parts, where the fiber assembly has a planar or three-dimensional structure with a thin sheet-like form, and the fusion bonded parts are configured to enhance bonding strength and volume, allowing for improved dust trapping and easy conformation to surfaces, with a holder for convenient use.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a sheet-type cleaning element is used for cleaning diverse surfaces, then the cleaning tool can be applied to various surfaces (flat, curved, uneven, stepped), but the cleaning effectiveness and operability are insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadaptability to diverse surfacesVSAvoidcleaning effectiveness

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The fiber assembly is designed to be compressible and expandable, allowing it to dynamically adapt its shape and volume. When compressed, it conforms to curved and uneven surfaces; when expanded, it provides sufficient bulk for effective dust trapping on flat surfaces. This dynamic property enables the same cleaning element to effectively clean diverse surface types while maintaining high cleaning effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If the fiber assembly is made with sufficient volume for dust trapping, then cleaning effectiveness improves, but the cleaning element becomes thicker and less adaptable to curved surfaces

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedust trapping capabilityVSAvoidconformability to curved surfaces

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The fiber assembly's compressibility allows it to reduce its volume when needed, enabling it to conform to curved and uneven surfaces while maintaining sufficient dust trapping capability when expanded on flat surfaces.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The fiber assembly is designed as a flexible, sheet-like structure that can bend and conform to various surface geometries. This flexible film approach allows the cleaning element to adapt to curved surfaces while maintaining the necessary fiber volume for effective dust trapping through its expandable nature.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

3Adaptability or versatility

If the cleaning element is made thinner for better conformability, then adaptability to curved surfaces improves, but dust trapping volume is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconformability to surfacesVSAvoiddust trapping volume

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSVolume of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The fiber assembly transitions from a thin, compliant state for conforming to surfaces to an expanded, voluminous state for dust trapping. This dynamic volume adjustment allows the cleaning element to achieve both thin-profile conformability and sufficient dust trapping capacity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

4Reliability

If the fiber assembly is made more voluminous for better dust trapping, then cleaning effectiveness improves, but the cleaning element becomes less compliant and harder to handle

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecleaning effectivenessVSAvoidhandling ease

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The fiber assembly's compressibility allows it to be compacted for easy handling and storage, then expanded during use to provide sufficient volume for effective dust trapping. This dynamic property resolves the contradiction between voluminous dust trapping capability and ease of handling.

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 enhanced configuration of the cleaning element increases its volume and bonding strength, leading to improved cleaning effectiveness and user satisfaction by ensuring reliable dust trapping and easy handling, even on complex surfaces.

Implementation Method 1

a first fusion bonded part extending in a direction crossing the predetermined direction in order to fusion bond the nonwoven fabric and the fiber assembly

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHeat fusion:

Implementation Method 2

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

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHeat fusion:

Data Source

PatentUS8245349B2Cleaning element and cleaning tool

Publication Date: 2012.08.21 UNI CHARM CORP

AI summary

It is an object of the present invention to provide effective technique for a higher cleaning effect and higher operability of a cleaning element. According to the representative cleaning element, a distance d1 between adjacent ones of the fusion bonded parts is longer than a length d2 or d3 formed on both of the pair adjacent fusion bonded parts and in the respective longitudinal end regions of the cleaning element.