Locking and unlocking kinetic motion of a mop base
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing mop base kinematic locking and unlocking systems fail to balance stability, ease of use, and interference-free operation during cleaning, particularly when attaching or detaching the mop and using a wringer, lacking a single intuitive control mechanism that prevents accidental operation.
Innovation Solution
A hinged kinematic system with a lever and elastic elements, where the lever is contained within the mop base profile, using a tooth and groove configuration to maintain stability and facilitate easy opening and closing, allowing foot-operated unlocking and ensuring the system does not interfere with wringer usage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If a kinematic locking system is added to the mop base, then stability of the mop base in open and closed positions is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The lever is nested within the profile of the mop base when closed, and only protrudes when open. The tooth-groove locking mechanism is integrated into the existing half-frames structure. This nesting approach provides stability through the locking mechanism while minimizing visual and physical complexity by hiding components within the mop base profile.
Solution Approach 2:
The elastic element automatically returns the lever to the locked position after unlocking, and the tooth-groove mechanism automatically engages to lock the base in place. This self-service characteristic reduces the need for additional control mechanisms and simplifies the overall device while maintaining stable positioning.
2Ease of operation
If a protruding control mechanism is used for locking/unlocking, then ease of operation is improved, but interference with wringer operation occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The lever dynamically changes its position relative to the mop base profile - remaining nested when closed and only protruding when open for control. This dynamic positioning allows easy foot operation when needed while eliminating interference with the wringer during cleaning operations, as the lever retracts into the profile.
3Ease of operation
If the lever remains exposed for easy access, then ease of operation is improved, but accidental activation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The lever is extracted from continuous exposure and only becomes accessible when the mop base is in the open position. When closed, the lever is nested within the profile and inaccessible, preventing accidental activation. When open, it protrudes for easy foot operation, thus separating the accessibility function from constant exposure.
4Reliability
If multiple controls are provided for locking/unlocking, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple functions are merged into the single lever mechanism: it acts as the unlocking control, the return spring provider, and the positioning indicator. The tooth-groove mechanism combines locking and positioning functions. This merging reduces device complexity while maintaining reliability through the integrated multi-functional design.
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 system provides a reliable, intuitive, and interference-free mechanism for locking and unlocking the mop base, allowing easy mop replacement and wringer use without protruding obstacles, ensuring stability and ease of operation from any side, preventing accidental activation.
Implementation Method 1
pushed by elastic elements (9) to rotate towards the top half-frame (4)
Implementation Method 2
interfering with its profile when said second half-frame returns to a closed state
Implementation Method 3
hinged to the lower half-frame (3), with the axis (8) parallel to the reciprocal hinging axis (5) of the half-frames that make up the mop base (1)
Data Source
AI summary
Improved mop base capable of using both surfaces of a normal mop arranged parallel to one another.