Fabric care device

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing fabric care devices are cumbersome, inefficient, and limited in functionality, as they often require power input and are designed for specific tasks like depilling and delinting, lacking versatility and ease of use.

Innovation Solution

A modular fabric care device with detachable attachments, including depillers, delinters, and fabric pile restorers, featuring ergonomic handles and interchangeable surfaces like silicon carbide and electrostatic brushes, allowing for a range of fabric types and uses without the need for power.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If powered depilling devices are used, then depilling effectiveness is improved, but device complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedepilling effectivenessVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces powered mechanical systems with a manual mechanical system. The depilling device uses manual friction-based abrasion through a depilling surface that contacts the fabric, eliminating motors, batteries, and power inputs while achieving effective pill removal through user-applied pressure and motion.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs disposable or replaceable depilling surfaces that can be easily replaced when worn. This allows the main device body to remain simple and durable while the consumable depilling elements provide the necessary abrasive action, reducing overall device complexity and cost.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

2Productivity

If specialized depilling devices are used, then depilling performance is improved, but versatility decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedepilling performanceVSAvoidversatility

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a universal fabric care device with a handle assembly that can accept multiple types of attachments including depilling surfaces, delinting surfaces, and fabric pile restorer brushes. This modular design allows a single device to perform multiple fabric care functions across different fabric types and conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent divides the fabric care device into separable components: a handle assembly and interchangeable attachment elements. This segmentation allows users to swap between different functional surfaces (depilling, delinting, pile restoration) based on the specific fabric care task, enhancing versatility without compromising the performance of each specialized function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Device complexity

If manual fabric care devices are used, then cost and simplicity are improved, but functionality is limited

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovesimplicityVSAvoidfunctionality

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces dynamic interchangeability to the manual device through detachable attachments. Users can dynamically change the functional surface attached to the handle based on the fabric type and care requirement, transforming a static simple device into a dynamic multi-functional tool while maintaining manual operation simplicity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

4Ease of manufacture

If fixed attachment devices are used, then manufacturing simplicity is improved, but adaptability decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanufacturing simplicityVSAvoidadaptability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the device into a permanent handle assembly and separate interchangeable attachments. This segmentation maintains manufacturing simplicity for each component while enabling adaptability through the attachment interchange mechanism, allowing different functional surfaces to be produced independently and attached as needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

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 device provides efficient and versatile fabric care by allowing users to easily switch between different attachments for various fabric types, enhancing usability and extending applications beyond traditional fabric care to pet and upholstery care, all while being manual and cost-effective.

Implementation Method 1

a first fabric care attachment (or accessory) which can be attached and detached to the first end

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAbrasion: Abrasion

Implementation Method 2

pass the abrasive or cutting surface over the piece of fabric to detach the pills from the fabric

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Implementation Method 3

a delinter comprising a delinting surface for retaining loose material

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAdhesion: Adhesive

Implementation Method 4

an electrostatic brush

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrostatic attraction: Electrostatics

Data Source

PatentUS10881267B2Fabric care device

Publication Date: 2021.01.05 GLEENER INC

AI summary

A fabric care device comprising a body having first and second ends for attaching respective first and second fabric care attachments, wherein at least one of the first and second ends is adapted to detachably attach one of the first and second fabric care attachments. An attachment for a fabric care device selected from the group consisting of a depiller, a delinter, a fabric pile restorer, and a brush.