Narrow-Strip Textile Mop Design for Hard-to-Reach Area Cleaning

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing cleaning mops are limited in their ability to effectively clean difficult-to-access areas due to their large strip width and insufficient number of strips, which hampers their absorption and cleaning performance.

Innovation Solution

A cleaning mop with strips of textile material, specifically 1.2 cm to 1.6 cm in width, composed of polyester and polyamide in varying percentages, featuring between 80 and 120 strips, enhancing absorption and drag capacity for improved cleaning performance in tight spaces.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If the width of textile strips is increased, then the absorption capacity is improved, but the ability to access difficult-to-reach areas deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveabsorption capacityVSAvoidaccessibility to difficult areas
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The mop head is segmented into multiple narrow textile strips (80-120 strips) instead of using fewer wide strips. Each strip has a width of 1-2 cm, allowing them to penetrate into corners and tight spaces while the collective arrangement maintains sufficient absorption capacity through increased strip density.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Productivity

If the number of strips is increased, then the cleaning performance in tight spaces is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecleaning performanceVSAvoidnumber of strips
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple narrow textile strips are merged into a single integrated mop head structure. The strips are arranged and secured together as one unit, combining the cleaning benefits of numerous narrow strips while simplifying the user experience to that of a single tool rather than multiple separate components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Force

If the strip width is reduced, then the drag capacity and friction are improved, but the absorption capacity may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedrag capacityVSAvoidabsorption capacity
Core Design Contradiction:
ForceVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The parameters of the textile strips are optimized by reducing width to 1-2 cm while increasing the number of strips to 80-120. This parameter change increases the total surface area and edge contact for improved drag and friction, while the collective volume of all strips maintains sufficient absorption capacity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The textile strips utilize a composite material composition of polyester and polyamide in variable percentages. This composite structure provides both the friction and drag characteristics of synthetic fibers while maintaining the absorption properties needed for effective cleaning.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

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 improved mop design significantly enhances cleaning performance by maintaining absorption properties while increasing drag capacity and friction, effectively cleaning hard-to-reach areas like corners and small interior surfaces without compromising absorption.

Implementation Method 1

their main function being the absorption of liquid material (water and liquid cleaning substances) that are poured onto a floor surface

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCapillary action: Capillary Action

Implementation Method 2

increasing drag capacity and friction, effectively cleaning hard-to-reach areas

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Data Source

PatentEP4248830A1Improved cleaning mop
Publication Date: 2023.09.27 PASTOR FITA JUAN EMILIO
  • EP4248830A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4248830A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4248830A1 patent drawing

AI summary

Improved cleaning mop, comprising a plurality of strips of textile material, in that the strips have a unitary width comprised between 1 cm and 2 cm and allow a very substantial improvement in the cleaning performance.