Mop Head Pivot Design for Efficient Cleaning Element Drying
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional sponge mops often leave the cleaning element wet after use, and existing methods for drying, such as hanging or resting on the floor, do not effectively expose the maximum surface area to ambient air for efficient drying.
Innovation Solution
A mop design featuring a handle rod, mop head with a cleaning element mounting structure and standoffs, and an actuator handle that allows the mop head to pivot between a use position where the cleaning surface is perpendicular to the handle axis and a storage position where the standoffs contact the floor, offsetting the cleaning element and maximizing surface exposure for drying.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If the mop is hung from a hook or rested on the floor for drying, then the mop can be stored or dried, but the cleaning element does not have maximum surface area exposed to ambient air for efficient drying
Solution Approach 1:
The mop head is designed with a pivot connection to the handle rod, allowing it to dynamically change orientation between a horizontal cleaning position and a vertical storage/drying position. This dynamic adjustment enables the cleaning element to be positioned optimally for drying with maximum surface area exposure to ambient air, resolving the contradiction between drying efficiency and operational convenience.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions the mop head from a two-dimensional horizontal plane (during cleaning) to a three-dimensional vertical orientation (during drying). By pivoting the mop head 90 degrees, the cleaning element stands vertically with its surface area maximally exposed to ambient air from multiple directions, significantly improving drying efficiency without complicating the drying operation.
2Loss of energy
If the cleaning element is positioned to maximize surface area exposure for drying, then drying efficiency improves, but the mop head structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The mop head is segmented into distinct functional components: a cleaning element, a mounting structure with pivot connection, and a standoff. This segmentation allows the cleaning element to be independently positioned and oriented for optimal drying exposure while keeping the overall structure modular and manageable, preventing excessive complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
A pivot connection acts as an intermediary mechanism between the handle rod and the mop head, enabling the mop head to rotate into the optimal drying position. This simple intermediary component achieves the complex goal of maximum surface area exposure without requiring a complicated structural redesign of the entire mop head assembly.
3Productivity
If the mop head is designed with standoffs to offset the cleaning element from the floor, then drying efficiency improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The standoff is a simple, self-contained component that automatically performs the function of elevating and positioning the cleaning element away from the floor when the mop head is in the storage position. This self-service component requires no additional energy input or complex mechanisms, achieving faster drying speed while adding minimal structural complexity.
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
This design enables efficient drying of the cleaning element by positioning the mop head to expose more surface area to ambient air, facilitating faster evaporation and reducing moisture retention.
Implementation Method 1
expose as much surface area as possible on the cleaning element to ambient... facilitate faster evaporation
Data Source
AI summary
A mop includes a handle rod, a mop head, and an actuator handle. The handle rod defines a central handle rod axis. The mop head connects with the handle rod and includes a cleaning element mounting structure, a cleaning element, and a standoff. The actuator handle connects with the handle rod and the cleaning element mounting structure. The actuator handle is movable with respect to the handle rod for moving the mop head with respect to the handle rod between a use position and a storage position.