Mop Collar Retainer With Flexible Tabs for Secure Wringing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Self-wringing mops with integrated collars often experience issues with collar loosening due to vibration, making it inconvenient to use and store, and require excessive force for secure attachment and detachment, especially when the surface is wet or dirty, due to inadequate friction fit and manufacturing tolerances.
Innovation Solution
A collar design with flexible tabs and a tapered configuration that engages a ridge on the grip, allowing for secure attachment and detachment while preventing accidental disengagement, using a combination of angled surfaces and a shoulder to manage friction and ease of use.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a friction fit coupling is used between grip and collar, then the collar can be attached and detached, but the collar loosens due to vibration during use
Solution Approach 1:
The collar is divided into multiple segments with flexible tabs that can independently deflect and engage with the grip structure, allowing the collar to maintain secure engagement while accommodating vibrations and misalignments
Solution Approach 2:
The collar design incorporates flexible tabs that can dynamically adjust their position and engagement force in response to vibrations and user manipulation, transitioning between engaged and disengaged states as needed
2Reliability
If excessive force is used to couple the collar to the grip, then the collar attachment is secure, but the user has trouble removing the collar
Solution Approach 1:
The collar-grip interface is designed to be dynamic rather than static, allowing the flexible tabs to deflect and change engagement characteristics during attachment and removal, enabling secure attachment with moderate force while facilitating easy removal
Solution Approach 2:
The engagement parameters (friction force, contact pressure) are designed to change during the attachment and removal process, allowing for secure engagement during use but reduced engagement resistance during removal when the user applies pulling force
3Adaptability or versatility
If the collar surface is wet or dirty, then the collar can be used for cleaning, but the friction fit increases making attachment and detachment difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The segmented collar design with flexible tabs allows the surface to become wet or dirty without compromising the engagement mechanism, as each tab can independently adjust and the overall structure maintains its geometric engagement with the grip
Solution Approach 2:
The dynamic engagement mechanism allows the collar to be attached and detached even when wet or dirty, as the flexible tabs can accommodate changes in surface friction and the user can overcome increased resistance through the mechanical advantage of the engagement geometry
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 solution provides a reliable and convenient wringing mechanism that prevents collar drop and facilitates easy handling, ensuring consistent operation and storage of self-wringing mops by optimizing the friction fit and reducing the risk of the collar becoming stuck or difficult to remove.
Implementation Method 1
The collar may include at least one flexible tab that is configured to engage a ridge on the grip, so as to allow the grip to support the collar when the collar is not being used to wring the mop fibers.
Data Source
AI summary
A mop with a handle includes a plurality of mop fibers coupled to the handle. The mop includes a grip mounted on the handle, and a collar that is slidably positioned on the handle. The collar can be secured to the grip when not in use. The collar may include one or more tabs with a ramp for engagement with a ridge located on the grip that, in operation, allows for detachably coupling of the collar to the grip. The ramp is configured so that it extends a sufficient distance from the tab so as to cause the tab to flex when the collar is attached to the grip. In operation, a user can uncouple the collar from the grip and slide the collar over the mop fibers and use the collar to wring the mop fibers.