Wringer device for a mop

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Solution Overview

Problem

Prior wringer devices for cleaning tools lack the ability to adjust wringing strength, forcing users to apply either a full or no wringing action, leading to inefficient cleaning and potential muscular issues, and fail to separate cleaning solutions effectively.

Innovation Solution

A wringer device with a selector group that allows users to choose from multiple wringing configurations, adjusting the wringing strength and incorporating a design that separates cleaning solutions to prevent mixing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a wringer device provides only a rest configuration and a wringing configuration, then the device structure remains simple, but the user cannot adjust the wringing strength to match different cleaning needs

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewringing strength adjustmentVSAvoiddevice structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The wringer device incorporates a command lever that can be positioned at multiple angular positions (0°, 45°, 90°, 135°, 180°), allowing the wringing strength to be dynamically adjusted between a rest configuration and a full wringing configuration. This enables the user to adapt the wringing action to different cleaning needs while maintaining a relatively simple mechanical structure through selective positioning rather than continuous adjustment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The device changes the wringing parameter (wringing strength) by varying the angular position of the command lever, which directly controls the degree of compression applied to the cleaning tool. This parameter change approach allows for five distinct wringing configurations without requiring complex control systems, simply by modifying the mechanical position of the lever.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Ease of operation

If the wringer device applies full wringing action, then the cleaning tool is thoroughly wrung, but the user experiences muscular strain and cannot apply precise controlled force

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuser strain reductionVSAvoidwringing control precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The command lever provides five discrete angular positions that enable progressive control over wringing force. Users can select intermediate positions (45°, 90°, 135°) between the rest and full wringing configurations, allowing precise control of wringing strength without requiring continuous manual force adjustment. This reduces muscular strain by distributing the effort across multiple controlled positions rather than requiring sustained full-force application.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Manufacturing precision

If the wringer device allows continuous lever movement, then the user has flexible control, but the lever may stop at incorrect positions reducing wringing effectiveness

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewringing position accuracyVSAvoidlever control mechanism
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The command lever's continuous range of motion is segmented into five distinct angular positions (0°, 45°, 90°, 135°, 180°), each corresponding to a specific wringing configuration. This segmentation ensures the lever stops at predetermined, functionally optimal positions rather than arbitrary locations, improving position accuracy while maintaining a simple lever-based control mechanism without requiring complex positioning systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

4Reliability

If the wringer device uses a single container for cleaning solution, then the device structure is simple, but the cleaning solution and dirty water mix reducing hygiene and efficiency

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesolution separationVSAvoidcontainer structure
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The liquid retention system is divided into two separate containers: a first container for holding clean cleaning solution and a second container for collecting dirty water. This segmentation prevents mixing between clean and contaminated solutions, maintaining hygiene and cleaning effectiveness. The separate container structure, while adding some complexity, ensures reliable solution separation that is essential for efficient floor cleaning operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

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

Enables precise control over wringing strength and optimizes solution usage, reducing muscular strain and maintaining solution separation, thus enhancing cleaning efficiency and hygiene.

Implementation Method 1

a wringer device...comprises a wringer group configured to move between a rest configuration, in which the cleaning portion of the tool is not subject to any wringing action, and a wringing configuration, in which the wringer group is arranged to exert a wringing action on the cleaning portion of the tool to cause the liquid that is present in the same to flow out

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMechanical compression: Compression

Data Source

PatentEP3941325B1Wringer device for a mop
Publication Date: 2024.10.09 IPC TOOLS SPA
  • EP3941325B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3941325B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3941325B1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3B

AI summary

A wringer device (1) for wringing a tool for cleaning floors (50) comprises a support body (10) equipped with a wringer group (20) configured to move between a rest configuration, in which the cleaning tool (50) can be positioned in the wringer device (1), and a wringing configuration, in which the wringer group (20) is arranged to exert a wringing action, on the cleaning tool (50) to cause the washing liquid only, or the washing liquid and the dirt that is present in the same to flow out. The wringer device (1) provides, furthermore, an actuation group (30) comprising a command lever (40) configured to cause the aforementioned movement of the wringer group (20) from the rest configuration to the wringing configuration.