Mop Head Frame Assembly Without Dust-Trapping Through Holes

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing flat mop designs with through holes accumulate dust and hair, leading to aesthetic issues and potential debris detachment during cleaning, while concave connecting portions without upper openings face difficulties in firmly securing cleaning members due to damage risks during assembly.

Innovation Solution

A mop head frame with injection-molded concave connecting portions featuring a bottom opening and closed roof, including protruding elements and hollow portions that allow for secure attachment of cleaning members without damaging the structure during assembly and use.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If a mop head frame has a concave connecting portion with only a bottom opening (no upper opening), then dust and hair accumulation is reduced, but the cleaning member cannot be firmly stuck to the mop head frame during assembly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedust and hair accumulationVSAvoidfirm connection of cleaning member
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The narrow connecting portion is segmented into multiple functional zones: a first set of protruding elements for initial engagement, first hollow portions for positioning, a second set of protruding elements for additional engagement, and second hollow portions for positioning. This segmentation allows the punch to pass through sequentially without damaging the middle friction part, enabling firm connection while maintaining the closed structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The I-shaped punch serves as an intermediary tool that enables the cleaning member to be firmly connected to the concave connecting portion. The punch passes through the first and second hollow portions to apply force to the cleaning member, allowing it to be securely positioned in the concave accommodating portion without requiring the punch to be pulled back through the narrow connecting portion.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of manufacture

If a punch is pulled back from a concave connecting portion without upper opening, then the cleaning member can be assembled, but the structure of the middle friction part is destroyed

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveassembly processVSAvoidstructure of middle friction part
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The narrow connecting portion is divided into distinct segments with protruding elements and hollow portions that guide the punch through specific paths. This segmentation allows the punch to pass through the first and second hollow portions without contacting or damaging the middle friction part, preserving its structural integrity while enabling assembly.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The I-shaped punch acts as an intermediary that transfers force to the cleaning member through the hollow portions rather than by being pulled back through the narrow connecting portion. This intermediary mechanism allows assembly to proceed without destroying the middle friction part structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Ease of operation

If through holes are used in the mop head frame, then assembly is easier, but dust and hair accumulate in the gaps between the punch-in portion and top opening

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveassembly easeVSAvoiddust and hair accumulation
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The upper opening is extracted from the concave connecting portion, transforming it from a through hole to a closed structure with only a bottom opening. This extraction eliminates the gap where dust and hair would accumulate, while the narrow connecting portion with hollow portions provides an alternative pathway for assembly that does not create accumulation zones.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of providing an upper opening for easy assembly (conventional approach), the invention inverts the approach by providing only a bottom opening and using a narrow connecting portion with hollow portions that guide the punch through a different path. This inverted approach eliminates dust accumulation while maintaining assembly capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

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 enables firm connection of cleaning members to the mop head frame without damaging the assembly, reducing dust and hair accumulation and minimizing debris detachment during cleaning.

Implementation Method 1

a mop head frame, which is formed by injection molding through a mold, the mold has a plurality of protruding portions by which a plurality of concave connecting portions are formed on a bottom surface of the mop head frame

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectInjection molding:

Data Source

PatentEP3705015B1Mop head
Publication Date: 2022.12.14 TING MING CHE
  • EP3705015B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3705015B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3705015B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present invention provides a mop head (100) comprising: a mop head frame (1) formed with a plurality of concave connecting portions (11), a narrow connecting portion (15) of each concave connecting portion (11) includes a first set of protruding elements (151), a first hollow portion (152), a second set of protruding elements (153) and a second hollow portion (154); and a cleaning member (2). The first set of protruding elements (151) and second set of protruding elements (153) of the narrow connecting portion (15) clamp the cleaning member (2). The first hollow portion (152) and the second hollow portion (154) provide space that allows the cleaning member (2) be firmly punched in concave connecting portion (11) without damaging the narrow connecting portion (15) by a punch (P).