Glass cleaning device
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional glass cleaning methods, such as squeegees, are inadequate for curved windows and windshields due to reach limitations and the difficulty in accessing all areas, especially in vehicles like buses and aircraft, and buildings with tall or complexly shaped glass surfaces.
Innovation Solution
A glass cleaning device with an extendable handle and a versatile attachment adaptor system that allows for easy attachment and replacement of conventional windshield wiper blades, including pin, J-clip, bayonet, push button, and pin & hook arm styles, enabling effective cleaning of curved glass surfaces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional squeegees are used for glass cleaning, then the device structure is simple, but the device cannot reach curved or hard-to-access areas of windows and windshields
Solution Approach 1:
The device uses a universal adapter that can attach to multiple types of conventional windshield wiper blades (J-hook, pin, bayonet, push-button styles), allowing one cleaning device to perform multiple cleaning tasks on different glass surfaces including curved windshields and windows
Solution Approach 2:
The adapter acts as an intermediary component that bridges the conventional squeegee handle and various wiper blade types, enabling the squeegee to effectively clean curved surfaces while maintaining the simplicity of the original handle structure
2Length of moving object
If the handle is made extendible to reach higher areas, then the reach is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The handle incorporates an extendable mechanism that allows the user to adjust the handle length dynamically based on the cleaning task requirements, enabling reach to higher or harder-to-access areas while maintaining a compact form when not extended
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple types of wiper blade adapters are provided, then the adaptability to different blade styles is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The adapter is designed with universal compatibility to accommodate multiple wiper blade attachment styles (J-hook, pin, bayonet, push-button) through a single multi-functional design, eliminating the need for multiple separate adapters while maintaining broad adaptability
4Ease of manufacture
If conventional windshield wipers are used, then the cleaning blade is readily available, but the wipers cannot effectively clean curved glass surfaces
Solution Approach 1:
The adapter serves as a mediator that enables conventional windshield wiper blades to effectively clean curved glass surfaces by providing the appropriate attachment geometry and flexibility, while maintaining the ease of obtaining replacement blades from standard automotive sources
Data Source
AI summary
A glass cleaning device including a handle and an attachment adaptor provided to the handle. The attachment adaptor may be affixed to the handle or may be configured to be sold separately and may also be configured to be removable from the handle. The attachment adaptor is configured to attach to a replaceable windshield wiper blade of the type conventionally available for vehicles. In some cases, the glass cleaning device may include a windshield wiper blade together with the handle and/or the attachment adaptor. In some cases, the handle is extendible. The ability to use commercially available windshield wiper blades allows a large selection of easily available replacements or options for the cleaning head of the glass cleaning device.