Handheld Water-Resistant Cleaning Apparatus with Force-Activated Heads

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing water-resistant cleaning apparatuses for hard-to-reach areas, such as the back, are either ineffective or require expensive and difficult installations, including permanent modifications like drilling holes, making them unsuitable for handheld use.

Innovation Solution

A water-resistant cleaning apparatus with moveable skin titivation heads connected by a handle, where the driving mechanism is activated by applied force, allowing for easy cleaning of skin, fur, or surfaces without the need for permanent installation, featuring a switch, speed regulator, and temporary attachment mechanisms like suction cups for versatile use.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If automated systems are installed permanently through drilling holes in walls, then cleaning effectiveness for hard-to-reach areas is improved, but installation complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecleaning effectivenessVSAvoidinstallation complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The cleaning system is divided into separate modular components: a handheld cleaning head with titivation elements and a separate power source unit. This segmentation allows the cleaning head to be used independently in various locations without permanent installation, while the power source can be recharged separately, resolving the contradiction between cleaning effectiveness and installation complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system transitions from a static permanently-installed configuration to a dynamic portable configuration. The handheld cleaner can be moved freely to different body areas or surfaces, and the power source can be recharged when needed, providing flexibility that eliminates the need for complex permanent installation while maintaining cleaning effectiveness

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If permanently installed cleaning systems are used, then cleaning capability is improved, but ease of operation decreases due to fixed location

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecleaning capabilityVSAvoidportability
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

By separating the cleaning head from the power source, the system enables the cleaning head to be easily transported and operated in different locations such as showers, bathtubs, or outdoors, while the power source remains a separate unit that can be recharged, thus improving portability without sacrificing cleaning capability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The handheld cleaning head is designed to be universally applicable for cleaning various surfaces including human skin, animal fur, and other surfaces. It can be used in multiple environments (shower, bathtub, outdoors) without requiring permanent installation, enhancing both ease of operation and versatility while maintaining effective cleaning capability

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

3Ease of operation

If force-activated driving means is used, then ease of operation is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveactivation simplicityVSAvoidmechanism complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The driving means is designed to activate automatically when force is applied to the handheld cleaner during normal use. This self-service mechanism eliminates the need for separate activation steps or complex control systems, as the act of using the cleaner itself triggers the driving mechanism, improving ease of operation without significantly increasing device complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

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

Enables effective cleaning of hard-to-reach areas without the need for permanent installation, allowing for handheld operation and use in various environments, including underwater, with adjustable speed and easy attachment to surfaces, enhancing user convenience and cost-effectiveness.

Implementation Method 1

at least one temporary attachment mechanism arranged in use for attachment of the apparatus to a surface

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSuction: Suction

Data Source

PatentEP2982281B1Water resistant cleaning apparatus
Publication Date: 2020.05.13 WOODS MARK
  • EP2982281B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2982281B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2982281B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A water-resistant cleaning apparatus comprising a plurality of devices with moveable skin titivation heads. The devices are spaced apart from each other by a handle. The apparatus further comprises at least one driving means for movement of the heads. The at least one temporary attachment mechanism is arranged in use for attachment of the apparatus to a vertical planar surface. The apparatus further comprises an integral power source. The power source is arranged in use to move the heads and the driving means is activated by pressure on at least one of the devices.