Ratchet Flat Mop Wringing Mechanism for Hygienic Water Removal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing flat mops require manual removal and wringing of the cleaning element, which is tedious and not hygienic after washing.
Innovation Solution
A self-wrung flat mop design featuring a plate, handle, swivel member, external ratchet, sleeve, transition tube, and universal joint allows for hygienic wringing without manual removal, utilizing torsional springs and ratchets to generate stretching forces for water expulsion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual removal and wringing of the cleaning element is used, then the structure is simple, but the operation is tedious and not hygienic
Solution Approach 1:
The cleaning element performs self-wringing through the wringing mechanism. When the handle is rotated, the swivel member rotates relative to the plate, causing the cleaning element to wrap around itself through the connecting ropes and hooks, automatically squeezing out water without manual intervention
Solution Approach 2:
The swivel member acts as an intermediary between the handle and the cleaning element. It converts the rotational motion of the handle into the wrapping motion of the cleaning element through the connecting ropes and hooks, enabling automatic wringing
2Object-affected harmful factors
If manual wringing is used, then the device structure is simple, but hygiene is compromised due to direct contact
Solution Approach 1:
The cleaning element wraps around itself during the wringing process, eliminating the need for direct manual contact with the cleaning element. The user only needs to rotate the handle, while the cleaning element performs its own wringing operation hygienically
Solution Approach 2:
The wringing mechanism is segmented into separate functional components: the handle for operation, the swivel member for motion conversion, the connecting ropes for force transmission, and the hooks for attachment. This segmentation allows the wringing function to be automated while maintaining simplicity
3Productivity
If the cleaning element is removed manually for wringing, then the structure is simple, but time is lost in removal and reattachment
Solution Approach 1:
The cleaning element remains permanently attached to the plate through the connecting ropes and hooks, eliminating the need for removal and reattachment. The entire wringing process is completed in-place by rotating the handle, significantly improving efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The cleaning element is pre-connected to the plate through the connecting ropes and hooks before use. This preliminary connection ensures that the cleaning element is always ready for wringing without requiring removal or reattachment, saving time during operation
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 convenient and hygienic wringing of the cleaning element by swiveling the handle to close the side plates, eliminating direct contact and manual wringing, thus improving usability and hygiene.
Implementation Method 1
The plate has two ends each is hinged on one of the two side plates through a torsional spring so that the two side plates can be flipped towards the middle plate when subject to an inward drawing force
Implementation Method 2
The external ratchet is fixedly coupled on the handle. The sleeve is coupled on the handle and includes at least one upright slide groove formed on an inner surface thereof and an internal ratchet formed on the inner surface thereof to mate the external ratchet
Data Source
AI summary
A self-wrung flat mop comprises a plate, a handle, a cleaning element connected the plate, a swivel member, an external ratchet and a sleeve. The plate includes a middle plate and two side plates that are hinged on two sides of the middle plate. The swivel member includes a lower end connected to the cleaning element and an upper end run through the middle plate to connect to the handle in a non-turnable manner. The external ratchet is fixedly coupled on the handle. The sleeve is coupled on the handle and includes an internal ratchet to mate the external ratchet. The sleeve is connected to the middle plate in a non-turnable manner. After the cleaning element is washed and cleaned, it can be wrung to squeeze water without being removed or touched, thus is more convenient in use and more hygienic.