Modular Squeegee Blade Assembly for Simplified Manufacturing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cleaning devices with squeegees are costly and time-consuming to manufacture due to their complex designs, often requiring inferior materials to reduce production costs.
Innovation Solution
A squeegee design featuring a foam blade assembly and a rubber blade secured to a main body using a plurality of posts and wingnuts, which simplifies the assembly and manufacturing process by utilizing a foam blade assembly with coaxial openings and fastening structures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional cleaning devices with squeegees are manufactured using complex designs, then cleaning effectiveness is improved, but manufacturing cost and time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The squeegee blade assembly is divided into separate modular components including a foam blade, rubber blade, channel structure, and fastening structures. These segmented components can be manufactured independently using standard materials and processes, then assembled together, reducing overall manufacturing complexity and cost while maintaining cleaning effectiveness through the coordinated function of each segment.
Solution Approach 2:
The main body is designed with universal features including a handle-receiving opening that can accommodate different handle types, and a blade assembly structure that can secure both foam and rubber blades. This multi-functional design allows the same basic structure to serve multiple purposes and be adapted to different cleaning needs without requiring completely different manufacturing processes.
2Stability of the object's composition
If traditional cleaning devices with squeegees are manufactured using complex designs, then structural stability is improved, but manufacturing time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The foam blade is pre-secured to the channel structure forming a pre-assembled foam blade assembly before final installation into the main body. This preliminary assembly action ensures proper positioning and structural stability is established early in the manufacturing process, reducing the time required for final assembly while maintaining structural integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The fastening structures are designed to be simple to operate and secure, allowing for quick assembly and disassembly without requiring complex tools or procedures. The wingnut-style fasteners can be easily tightened by hand to secure the blade assembly, providing structural stability without time-consuming manufacturing steps.
3Ease of manufacture
If traditional cleaning devices use simpler designs to reduce costs, then manufacturing cost decreases, but cleaning effectiveness deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The squeegee utilizes a composite blade assembly combining foam material for one blade and rubber material for the other blade. Each material contributes different properties - the foam provides lightweight cushioning while the rubber provides durability and effective water pickup. This composite approach maintains cleaning effectiveness across different surfaces while using cost-effective, readily available materials that can be manufactured through standard processes.
Data Source
AI summary
A squeegee includes a foam blade assembly and a rubber blade secured in and/or to a main body. The foam blade assembly includes a plurality of posts which project through sets of coaxial openings in the main body and rubber blade and a plurality of fastening structures (e.g., nuts) engage the posts to secure the foam blade assembly and rubber blade to the main body.