Mop Cloth Tab Design for One-Handed Automatic Coupling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing mop cloths require time-consuming and labor-intensive processes for attaching and detaching from mop bases due to complex connection mechanisms, leading to inefficiencies in cleaning operations.
Innovation Solution
A cleaning cloth with tabs on its transverse sides that automatically connect to mop base coupling devices using a profiled tab design with an increasing cross-section for easy insertion and a decreasing profile for secure retention, allowing for one-handed, quick attachment and detachment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If complex connection mechanisms with multiple elements (pegs, flaps, strikers, holes) are used on the coupling device, then the retention reliability is improved, but the operation time and complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the complex intermediate elements (pegs, flaps, strikers, holes) from the coupling mechanism, retaining only the essential mouth and elastic device components. This simplification maintains retention reliability while dramatically reducing the number of operational steps required for cloth attachment and detachment.
Solution Approach 2:
The elastic device is pre-configured in a closed position that automatically opens when the tab is inserted, and automatically closes to secure the tab after insertion. This preliminary setup of the elastic device eliminates the need for manual opening and closing operations, reducing operation time while maintaining secure retention.
2Reliability
If multiple operational steps (opening coupling, aligning tab, inserting tab, fixing tab, closing coupling) are required for cloth attachment, then the retention security is improved, but the productivity decreases due to time consumption
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling device is designed to automatically perform multiple functions: the elastic device automatically opens to receive the tab, automatically closes to secure the tab, and the mouth structure automatically positions itself during insertion. This self-service mechanism eliminates manual alignment and fixing steps, improving productivity while maintaining retention security.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges multiple separate operational steps into a single continuous insertion motion. The tab insertion simultaneously accomplishes mouth opening, tab positioning, and retention securing in one action, thereby improving cloth replacement efficiency without compromising retention security.
3Manufacturing precision
If the coupling device requires two-handed operation for proper alignment and insertion, then the connection accuracy is improved, but the ease of operation decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The tab is designed with an asymmetric profile featuring an inclined plane that guides insertion into the mouth. This asymmetric geometry provides inherent alignment cues that work with one-handed operation, eliminating the need for two-handed alignment while maintaining connection accuracy through the self-aligning inclined surface.
4Reliability
If additional retention elements (pegs, flaps, strikers) are added to the coupling device, then the connection reliability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes unnecessary retention elements (pegs, flaps, strikers) from the coupling device structure, keeping only the essential mouth and elastic device components. This extraction maintains connection reliability through the simplified elastic retention mechanism while significantly reducing device complexity and the number of parts.
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
Facilitates rapid and reliable attachment and detachment of mop cloths, reducing operational time and effort while ensuring secure retention, even with one hand, by using a tab design that automatically opens and closes the coupling device mouth.
Implementation Method 1
normally held closed by elastic devices present on the coupling device
Implementation Method 2
operating as on inclined planes
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~6
Figure 7
AI summary
The object of this invention relates to a cleaning cloth that on each of its transverse sides has a tab designed to be automatically connected to and retained by a coupling device on a mop base.