Pivoting Mop Plate with Automatic Locking Mechanism

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing cleaning devices face challenges in providing easy handling and secure attachment of mop covers during the cleaning process, with existing solutions often requiring complex engagement mechanisms and being difficult to manage post-use.

Innovation Solution

The cleaning device features form-fitting elements on the pivoting wings that securely engage with the central element, allowing for easy attachment and detachment of the mop cover, with the mop cover designed with parallel strips for positive locking, ensuring secure fixation and easy cleaning.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the pivoting wings are freely pivotable on the central element without locking means, then the handling and attachment of the mop cover is simple, but the mop cover cannot be securely fixed during the cleaning process

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehandling of mop coverVSAvoidsecure fixation of mop cover
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The pivoting wings are designed to be movable between a receiving position (for easy attachment) and a wiping position (for secure cleaning operation). The locking means engage automatically when the wings are in the wiping position, providing secure fixation only when needed, while maintaining ease of attachment when the locking mechanism is disengaged.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The state of the pivoting wings changes from unlocked to locked, transitioning the system from an easy-attachment state to a secure-fixation state. The locking means alter the mechanical state of the connection between the wings and the central element, providing different levels of security based on operational requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If the pivoting wings are locked in the wiping position, then the mop cover is securely fixed, but the attachment and detachment of the mop cover becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesecure fixation of mop coverVSAvoidengagement mechanism
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The locking means are designed to engage automatically when the pivoting wings are positioned in the wiping position, without requiring manual intervention. The system self-locks through the mechanical arrangement of the wings and central element, reducing complexity while maintaining secure fixation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The locking means are pre-positioned on the central element such that when the pivoting wings are brought into the wiping position, the locking engagement occurs automatically. This preliminary arrangement of the locking components eliminates the need for complex engagement mechanisms during operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP4076122B1Cleaning device, mop cover and cleaning system
Publication Date: 2024.07.17 CARL FREUDENBERG KG
  • EP4076122B1 patent drawingFigure 1

AI summary

Cleaning implement (1) comprising a mop-head plate (2) having a central element (3), which is connected in an articulated manner to a handle (4), and having a first pivot wing (5) and a second pivot wing (6), wherein the first pivot wing (5) and the second pivot wing (6) are attached in an articulated manner to the central element (3), and wherein the first pivot wing (5) and the second pivot wing (6) can be pivoted between a mopping position, in which the first pivot wing (5) butts against a first main side (7) of the central element (3) and the second pivot wing (6) butts against a second main side (8) of the central element (3), and a receiving position, in which the first pivot wing (5) and the second pivot wing (6) hang down from the central element (3), wherein the central element (3) is provided with locking means (9) in order to lock the first pivot wing (5) and the second pivot wing (6) in the mopping position, wherein form-fitting elements (11) for receiving a mop-head cover (12) in a form-fitting manner are arranged on the edges (10) of the first pivot wing (5) and second pivot wing (6), said edges being at a distance from the central element (3).