Multifunctional tool
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional cleaning devices are difficult for individuals with limited mobility or disabilities to use, as they require arm extension to reach inaccessible areas, leading to strain and are not space-efficient in design.
Innovation Solution
A multifunctional tool with a pivotable handle and arm, allowing for ergonomic access to hard-to-reach areas without straining, featuring a detachable utility head and adjustable angle for improved accessibility and usability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a single piece or fixed construction is used, then structural simplicity is achieved, but accessibility to hard-to-reach areas and ease of operation deteriorate due to required arm extension
Solution Approach 1:
The device is divided into multiple segments including a handle, an arm, and a utility head that can pivot relative to each other. This segmentation allows the arm to be positioned at different angles to reach hard-to-access areas while reducing the strain on the user's arm, directly resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The device incorporates dynamic elements with pivotable joints between the handle and arm, and between the arm and utility head. These dynamic connections enable the arm to be adjusted to various angles and positions, allowing users to access difficult areas without extending their arms fully, thereby improving ease of operation while maintaining reasonable structural complexity
2Adaptability or versatility
If a permanently affixed utility head is used, then device simplicity is maintained, but adaptability to different functions deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The device features a universal mounting interface on the utility head that allows different types of heads to be interchangeably attached to the same arm assembly. This enables a single device to perform multiple functions (cleaning, scratching, massaging, etc.) by simply changing the utility head, thereby achieving high adaptability without requiring multiple separate devices, thus resolving the contradiction between versatility and device complexity
3Ease of manufacture
If a single piece construction is used, then manufacturing simplicity is achieved, but transport and storage efficiency deteriorate due to space requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The device is segmented into modular components (handle, arm, utility head) connected by pivotable joints. These segments can be collapsed or folded together to reduce the overall volume during transport and storage, while still being manufacturable as separate pieces that are assembled together, resolving the contradiction between ease of manufacture and compactness
Data Source
AI summary
A tool includes a handle, and arm, a pivotable coupler, and an implement. The handle has a first end and an opposing second end. The arm has a third end and an opposing fourth end. The pivotable coupler couples the opposing second end of the handle to the third end of the arm. The handle and the arm are pivotable relative to each other about the pivotable coupler between a closed orientation and an open orientation. The handle and the arm extend in a substantially same direction when arranged in the closed orientation. The arm extends at an angle from the handle when arranged in the open orientation. The implement is coupled to the opposing fourth end of the arm.