Mop Head Flapper Mechanism for Hands-Free Pad Removal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional mops contaminate clean water reservoirs with pathogens and bacteria, and require manual handling of soiled cleaning pads, which is unpleasant and unsafe, especially in healthcare settings.
Innovation Solution
A 'hands-free' mop system with flappers that pivot to detach cleaning pads from the mop head without direct user contact, using a hook and loop fastener system actuated by a handle, allowing for safe and hygienic pad removal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual handling of soiled pads is used, then pad removal is simple, but user safety and hygiene deteriorate due to cross-contamination of pathogens and bacteria
Solution Approach 1:
A disposable barrier film is introduced as an intermediary between the user's hand and the soiled mop head. The film is positioned over the mop head receptacle opening, allowing the used pad to be removed and disposed of without direct hand contact, thereby preventing cross-contamination while maintaining ease of operation
Solution Approach 2:
A disposable barrier film is used to prevent contamination. The film is discarded after a single use, eliminating the need for cleaning and reuse, and ensuring that pathogens and bacteria are not transferred to the user's hands or the clean water reservoir
2Device complexity
If permanent head mops are used, then device complexity is reduced, but clean water reservoir contamination occurs due to pathogen transfer
Solution Approach 1:
The mop head is divided into a reusable body and a disposable cleaning pad. The pad can be easily removed and replaced, allowing the cleaning surface to be discarded after use while the mop body remains clean and reusable, preventing contamination of the clean water reservoir
Solution Approach 2:
Disposable cleaning pads are used instead of permanent heads. Each pad is discarded after single use, ensuring that pathogens and bacteria are not transferred back to the clean water reservoir, while the mop structure remains relatively simple
3Object-affected harmful factors
If detachable pads are used, then clean water reservoir contamination is prevented, but ease of operation deteriorates due to manual handling requirements
Solution Approach 1:
A disposable barrier film serves as an intermediary that simplifies pad removal. The film is placed over the receptacle opening, allowing the pad to be pushed out and disposed of without the user touching the soiled pad, maintaining both contamination prevention and ease of operation
Solution Approach 2:
The system allows the pad to be removed through a simple pushing motion that utilizes the existing mechanical structure of the mop head. The flapper mechanism and receptacle design enable the pad to be ejected automatically when pressure is applied, reducing the need for complex manual handling
Data Source
AI summary
A mop (100) includes a mop head (101) having a housing (302) defining a major surface to couple to a cleaning pad (204). One or more flappers (201,202) are disposed along the major surface. The flappers, in response to actuation of an actuator (104), selectively pivot from a closed position disposed within the housing and substantially parallel with the major surface to an angularly displaced open position extending distally outward from the major surface. A user actuates the actuator (104) to detach the cleaning pad from the major surface without having to handle the cleaning pad.