Hinged Mop Plate with Gravity-Actuated Latching for Hands-Free Drying
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing foldable wiping devices for mopping are difficult to operate, especially for users with unstable balance, as actuating the holding device to unlock the plate wings requires manual effort and balance control when transitioning to the drying position.
Innovation Solution
The holding device incorporates latching elements that automatically release when the mopping device is moved downward, utilizing gravity and inertial forces to pivot the plate wings into the drying position, reducing the need for manual effort and enhancing user accessibility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the holding device uses a release lever mechanism, then the plate wings can be locked securely in the wiping position, but it becomes difficult for users with unstable balance to operate while holding the mopping device
Solution Approach 1:
The latching elements are designed to automatically release when the mopping device is tilted beyond a certain angle. The plate wings self-unlock and transition to the drying position without requiring manual intervention from the user, eliminating the need for a release lever that would be difficult to operate while balancing
Solution Approach 2:
The holding device transitions from a static locked state to a dynamic automatic release mechanism. The latching elements are positioned and dimensioned so that the moment generated by the weight of the plate wing and wet mop cover automatically overcomes the latching force when the device is tilted, enabling automatic unlocking based on the device's orientation
2Reliability
If the latching force is increased to hold the plate wings securely, then the locking reliability improves, but more manual effort is required to release the locking
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses the weight of the plate wing and wet mop cover itself to automatically overcome the latching force when tilted. The release mechanism serves itself by using the gravitational moment generated during tilting to unlock the latching elements, eliminating the need for additional manual effort to release the locking
Solution Approach 2:
The weight of the wet mop cover, which creates a downward moment that must be overcome to lock the plate wings, is converted into a beneficial force. When the device is tilted, this same weight generates the moment needed to automatically release the latching elements, turning the burden of the wet mop into the mechanism's automatic unlocking force
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 simplifies the process of transitioning the mopping device to the drying position by leveraging the weight and inertial forces of the plate wings and mop cover, making it easier for users to operate, including those with less strength or balance, and prevents the mop cover from sagging, improving handling and efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
when the mop cover is wet and the mop plate is freely hanging, the plate wings of which are locked in the wiping position, they are able to hold the plate wings in the locked position and release automatically when a downward movement of the mopping device is delayed, so that the panel wings fall into the drying position, driven by gravity
Implementation Method 2
The latching force of the latching elements is now preferably adjusted in such a way that it can just about compensate for the weight of the plate wings together with the weight of a wet mop cover
Data Source
Figure 1~6
Figure 7~9
AI summary
The invention relates to a mopping device with a hinged mop plate, which has two pivotable plate wings (1, 2) and is connected to a handle of the mop device via a handle bearing (6). The plate wings (1, 2) can be pivoted from a mopping position to a drying position, in which the plate wings (1, 2) are pivoted downwards so that a mop cover attached to the outer ends of the plate wings (1, 2) hangs down, at least partially, for drying. The plate wings (1, 2) can be releasably locked in the mopping position by means of a holding device. Known mopping devices have the disadvantage that releasing the plate wing locking mechanism is not entirely straightforward.This improves the invention in that the holding device is formed by locking elements which are designed in such a way that, with a wet mop cover and freely hanging mop plate, they are able to hold the plate wings (1, 2) in the locked position and automatically release themselves when a downward movement of the mop device is delayed, so that the plate wings (1, 2) fall into the drying position.