Microfiber Cleaning Cloth With Local PVF Foam Zones

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing cleaning cloths either lack effective absorption and release of both hydrophilic and hydrophobic dirt or compromise on gliding properties, and often fail to maintain stability during machine washing.

Innovation Solution

A cleaning cloth with a hydrophobic textile carrier material comprising microfibers and areas covered with PVF microfoam, allowing for both good water absorption and easy dirt release, while maintaining mechanical stability and versatility in cleaning hydrophilic and hydrophobic surfaces.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the textile carrier material is completely covered with PVF foam coating or impregnation, then adhesion and mechanical stability are improved, but water absorption capacity is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemechanical stabilityVSAvoidwater absorption capacity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The cleaning cloth features localized PVF foam coating/impregnation rather than complete coverage. Specifically, the knit fabric is coated or impregnated with PVF foam in certain areas while leaving other areas uncovered, creating zones with different properties: covered zones provide adhesion and stability, while uncovered zones maintain water absorption through capillary effects.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Reliability

If a PVF foam coating or impregnation is applied to the textile carrier material, then washing stability is improved, but gliding properties are worsened

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewashing stabilityVSAvoidgliding properties
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The PVF foam coating or impregnation is applied locally to specific areas of the knit fabric rather than uniformly across the entire surface. This localized application provides washing stability in coated regions while leaving uncoated regions to maintain good gliding properties, thus resolving the contradiction between stability and ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Reliability

If the textile carrier material is fully coated with polyurethane or PVA, then mechanical stability is improved, but cleaning effectiveness for both hydrophilic and hydrophobic dirt is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemechanical stabilityVSAvoidcleaning effectiveness
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of complete coating with polyurethane or PVA, the invention applies PVF foam coating or impregnation only to specific areas of the knit fabric. This partial coverage maintains mechanical stability in coated zones while preserving cleaning effectiveness in uncoated zones, allowing the material to effectively clean both hydrophilic and hydrophobic dirt.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

4Productivity

If the cleaning cloth is designed with high friction for better dirt removal, then cleaning performance is improved, but ergonomics and user comfort are worsened

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecleaning performanceVSAvoidergonomics
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The cleaning cloth features localized PVF foam treatment in specific areas rather than uniform high-friction surface. This creates a heterogeneous surface where certain zones provide enhanced dirt removal through higher friction, while other zones maintain lower friction for better gliding properties and user comfort during extended cleaning tasks.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

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 cloth achieves excellent cleaning performance for both types of dirt with enhanced washing stability, preventing damage to surfaces and ensuring effective rinsing without compromising on ergonomics or mechanical stability.

Implementation Method 1

the coating or impregnation should exhibit sufficient adhesion to the textile backing material in order to have appropriate mechanical stability during cleaning and, in particular, during machine washing

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAdhesion: Adhesive

Implementation Method 2

Despite the fibers being made of a hydrophobic and therefore oleophilic material, this has a high water absorption capacity (e.g. in % compared to the dry weight of the cloth) due to the capillary effect of the knitted microfiber yarns

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCapillary action: Capillary Action

Data Source

PatentEP3004452B1Cleaning cloth
Publication Date: 2019.02.20 CARL FREUDENBERG KG

AI summary

The invention relates to a cleaning cloth, containing a textile carrier material comprising fibers of a hydrophobic material, especially continuous microfilaments which consist of a hydrophobic material. The textile carrier material has regions which are provided with PVF foam, especially microporous PVF foam, and regions that are not provided with PVF foam, especially microporous PVF foam, and is characterized by excellent cleaning powers both for hydrophilic and hydrophobic dirt.