Sweeping Mop Cloth Retention and Touch-Free Release Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hand operated sweeping mops require users to manually grasp and remove dirty cleaning cloths, exposing them to filth and dirt.
Innovation Solution
A hand operated sweeping mop with a unique disposable cloth retaining assembly using cloth retaining members on the bottom of a top plate that extend perpendicularly and are retained by force springs, allowing for automatic release of the cleaning cloth without hand contact through a shotgun-like mechanism.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the disposable cleaning cloth is retained onto the main body by attachment members, then the cleaning cloth can be securely held during cleaning operations, but the user must manually grasp the dirty cleaning cloth to remove it, exposing hands to filth and dirt
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a plate separation member as an intermediary mechanism between the user and the dirty cleaning cloth. This member includes a lower housing with feet that engage with posts on the bottom plate, allowing the user to operate the release mechanism without direct contact with the cloth. The force springs act as intermediaries to translate the separation action into cloth release, eliminating harmful hand-to-cloth contact while maintaining secure retention during use.
Solution Approach 2:
The cleaning cloth release system is designed to be self-serving by using force springs that automatically propel the bottom plate away from the top plate when the plate separation member is activated. The springs store energy during cloth attachment and automatically execute the release function, eliminating the need for manual manipulation of the dirty cloth by the user.
2Reliability
If force springs are used to retain the top plate and bottom plate together, then the cleaning cloth can be firmly held, but a mechanism is needed to overcome this retaining force for release
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs dynamic elements including force springs that can be compressed and extended, and a plate separation member that moves between engaged and disengaged states. The feet on the lower housing dynamically engage with and disengage from the posts on the bottom plate, allowing the system to transition between high-retention and release modes. This dynamic design allows simple operation despite the strong retaining force.
Solution Approach 2:
The force springs are pre-compressed when the cleaning cloth is attached, storing potential energy that is ready to be released. The plate separation member is designed with feet positioned to engage the posts, preparing the mechanism in advance for quick release. This preliminary preparation allows the user to simply trigger the release without needing to overcome the spring force manually.
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
Enables the dirty cleaning cloth to be released and fall away without touching it, allowing for easy disposal into a trash receptacle, improving hygiene and convenience.
Implementation Method 1
Closing force members such as force springs are sandwiched between the bottom of the top plate and the top of the bottom plate and retained in a compressed state to retain the top plate and bottom plate together
Implementation Method 2
A retaining force spring surrounds a portion of the elongated cylindrical metal shaft and is press fit retained between a distal end of the covering member and the upper rim of the collar of the engagement member. In its at rest condition, the retaining force spring causes the lower housing to be axially pulled away from the top and bottom plates
Data Source
AI summary
A hand operated sweeping mop applicator with a unique disposable cloth retaining assembly where the cloth is retained by cloth retaining members attached to the bottom of a top plate which extend perpendicularly away from a bottom of the top plate and extend through aligned openings in a bottom plate to retain a cleaning cloth against a bottom surface of the bottom plate. Separation force members such as force springs are sandwiched between the bottom of the top plate and the top of the bottom plate and retained in a compressed state buy a force from a shotgun closing member.