Integral Mop Base Grippers for Secure Disposable Pad Attachment
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing surface cleaning devices face issues with high manufacturing costs, durability, and ease of use, particularly due to separate grippers that can dislodge during use and complex assembly processes.
Innovation Solution
A surface cleaning device with a base and grippers made of thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) formed as a single integral component through injection molding, featuring a sleeve design with grippers for securing a removable substrate, allowing for improved friction and snap-fitting assembly, and a pivotable handle for enhanced maneuverability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If separate grippers are used to secure substrate material, then the substrate can be held in place, but the grippers can dislodge during use reducing reliability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the base and grippers into a single integral component made of thermoplastic elastomer (TPE). The grippers are formed as an integral part of the base through injection molding, eliminating separate gripper components that could dislodge. This unified structure ensures the grippers remain permanently attached to the base, solving the reliability issue of substrate attachment while reducing component complexity.
2Ease of manufacture
If multiple separate components are used for base and grippers, then manufacturing flexibility is maintained, but assembly complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The base and grippers are combined into a single integral component manufactured through injection molding. This unified manufacturing approach simplifies the assembly process by eliminating the need to assemble separate base and gripper components, while still allowing for manufacturing flexibility through the choice of TPE material and molding processes.
3Ease of manufacture
If conventional materials are used for the base, then manufacturing cost is controlled, but friction engagement with substrate is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material parameter by using thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) instead of conventional rigid plastics. TPE provides enhanced frictional engagement with the substrate material due to its elastic and grippy surface properties, improving substrate attachment while remaining compatible with standard injection molding processes to control manufacturing costs.
4Strength
If durable construction is prioritized with separate components, then strength is improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The integral construction of the base and grippers as a single TPE component eliminates the need for additional fasteners, adhesives, or assembly steps required for separate components. This reduces manufacturing cost by simplifying production to a single injection molding process while maintaining structural strength through the unified elastic material that can flex and absorb stresses.
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 solution reduces manufacturing costs, enhances durability by eliminating separate gripper components, and improves ease of use by ensuring secure substrate attachment and simplified assembly, while maintaining effective cleaning performance.
Implementation Method 1
the integral component of the base and the grippers is made of essentially thermoplastics elastomer (TPE) and formed by injection molding in one step
Implementation Method 2
the base may be provided with an outwardly facing surface adjacent the grippers, the surface being roughened for improving frictional engagement of the removable or disposable substrate to the base during use
Data Source
AI summary
A surface cleaning device, such as a floor mop, has a handle via which a user holds on to the device and maneuvers the device during use, a head to which the handle connects, a base at which the head is secured and is situated, in normal use, below the head. The base is provided with, in normal use, a lower surface for engaging a surface to be cleaned via a removable or disposable substrate material, wherein the base is provided with a plurality of grippers for securing the disposable substrate material, the base and the grippers belong to an integral component.