Foldable Mop Wings With PTFE Sliding Elements for Easier Wringing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wiping devices face challenges in easily pressing out the mop cover with minimal manufacturing effort, as reducing friction between pressing arms and wiper blades to facilitate easier pressing compromises the adaptability needed for uneven surfaces.
Innovation Solution
The wiper blades are made of a softer, more flexible material, while the sliding elements are made of a smoother material like polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) or metal, allowing for reduced friction and maintained adaptability, with the sliding elements being integrated during manufacturing processes such as injection molding or gluing/screwing onto the blades.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If roller constructions are used to reduce friction between pressing arms and wiper blades, then the effort required to press out the mop cover is reduced, but the manufacturing effort and device complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
A sliding element made of PTFE is introduced as an intermediary component between the pressing arm and the wiper blade. This sliding element provides the low-friction surface needed to reduce pressing effort while being simple to manufacture through injection molding, thus resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The friction parameter is changed by using PTFE material for the sliding element instead of direct contact between pressing arm and wiper blade. This material parameter change reduces the coefficient of friction, making it easier to press out the mop cover without requiring complex roller mechanisms
2Adaptability or versatility
If the wiper blades are made of flexible material to adapt to uneven surfaces, then cleaning effectiveness on uneven surfaces is improved, but friction between pressing arms and wiper blades increases
Solution Approach 1:
The contact interface is segmented into two distinct components: the flexible wiper blade that maintains adaptability to surfaces, and the separate sliding element that provides low-friction properties. This segmentation allows each component to optimize its specific function without compromise
Solution Approach 2:
The sliding element acts as a mediator between the flexible wiper blade and the pressing arm, allowing the wiper blade to remain flexible for surface adaptation while the sliding element handles the friction reduction function
3Ease of operation
If the entire wiper blade is made of smooth hard material to reduce friction, then pressing effort is reduced, but the ability to adapt to uneven surfaces and form secure Velcro connection is lost
Solution Approach 1:
Different parts of the wiper blade assembly have different material properties: the wiper blade itself is made of flexible material for surface adaptation, while the sliding element is made of smooth PTFE for low friction. This local differentiation of material qualities resolves the contradiction
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 easier pressing of the wiper blades while maintaining adaptability to uneven surfaces, ensuring a satisfactory cleaning result without excessive manufacturing complexity.
Implementation Method 1
the friction between the pressing arms and the wiping blades is an important factor for the effort required to press out a mop cover. A reduction in friction could be avoided
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
The invention relates to a mopping device with a mop plate, which has two mopping wings which can be folded together and are composed of a first material, and with pressing arms, which are arranged such that they can move relative to the mopping wings, for folding the mopping wings towards one another. In order to make handling easier, each of the mopping wings has in each case at least one sliding element which is composed of a second material and on which the pressing arms slide, wherein the second material is smoother than the first material.