Rollable Grid-Casing Dirt Remover for Currentless Bag Cleaning

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing dirt removers require manual operation and are not suitable for cleaning difficult-to-access areas, such as small containers like bags or handbags, as they are typically large and electrically powered.

Innovation Solution

A powerless, automatic dirt remover with a grid-shaped, rollable casing and a dirt-absorbing body that moves independently, using static or adhesive surfaces to attract dirt through openings in the casing, allowing it to roll and collect dirt without electricity, especially in containers like bags or suitcases.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If manual operation is used for dirt removal, then the dirt remover can be simple in structure, but it cannot clean difficult-to-access areas and requires active user operation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveautomatic operationVSAvoidstructure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The dirt remover is designed to move and clean surfaces automatically without requiring manual operation. The device uses its own weight and the movement of the container it is placed in to roll across surfaces and collect dirt through its adhesive surface, making it self-sufficient in performing the cleaning function.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The dirt remover is divided into functional components: a rollable casing body with openings, a dirt-receiving body with adhesive surface, and a drive mechanism. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function while keeping the overall structure relatively simple.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Area of stationary object

If the dirt remover is made large for effective cleaning, then it can clean surfaces effectively, but it cannot be used in small containers like bags or handbags

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecleaning surface areaVSAvoiddevice volume
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The dirt remover utilizes the third dimension by rolling movement. Instead of expanding the cleaning surface area in two dimensions, the device maintains a compact volume by using a cylindrical/rollable shape that can move through the container space, effectively accessing areas that would be unavailable to a larger flat surface.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The dirt remover is designed to be placed inside containers like bags or handbags. The compact rollable structure nests within the container while its adhesive surface extends through openings to contact and clean the inner surfaces of the container, maximizing cleaning capability within limited space.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

3Extent of automation

If electricity is used to power the dirt remover, then automatic movement is achieved, but the device becomes complex and cannot be used in small containers

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveautomatic movementVSAvoidpower system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Extent of automationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The dirt remover exploits the movement of the container it is placed in as its power source. When the user moves or carries the container (bag, handbag, etc.), this movement is transmitted to the dirt remover, causing it to roll automatically. The device converts the container's movement into its own rolling motion through friction and mechanical coupling, requiring no separate power system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The container itself acts as an intermediary between the user's movement and the dirt remover's operation. The user's handling of the container transfers mechanical energy to the dirt remover, which then uses this energy to move and clean surfaces automatically without requiring an internal power source.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Strength

If the casing body is solid for structural integrity, then it protects internal components, but it cannot provide access for the dirt-absorbing body to interact with the environment

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecasing strengthVSAvoidenvironmental access
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The casing body is designed with a grid shape featuring multiple openings distributed across its surface. This porous-like structure allows the adhesive surface of the dirt-receiving body to contact and interact with dirt on external surfaces while the grid framework maintains sufficient structural strength to protect internal components and provide rollable integrity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #31Porous materials

Solution Approach 2:

Different regions of the casing body have different properties: the grid areas provide openings for environmental access and dirt contact, while the connecting framework maintains structural strength. The adhesive surface on the dirt-receiving body is concentrated in specific locations to maximize dirt collection while minimizing interference with the rollable movement.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

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 effective, automatic, and electricity-free cleaning of hard-to-reach areas by allowing the dirt remover to move and collect dirt within containers during user movement, effectively attracting and retaining dust, lint, and other debris without manual operation.

Implementation Method 1

the surface of the dirt-absorbing body is designed to attract dirt, in particular is statically charged and/or adhesive

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectStatic charge: Electrostatics

Implementation Method 2

the surface of the dirt-absorbing body is designed to attract dirt, in particular is statically charged and/or adhesive, for example provided with at least one adhesive layer

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAdhesion: Adhesive

Data Source

PatentEP3723575B1Automatic and currentless dirt remover
Publication Date: 2021.06.16 NO CRUMBS GMBH
  • EP3723575B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2

AI summary

A description is given of an automatic and currentless dirt remover (10) for collecting dirt from the area surrounding the dirt remover (10), having a dirt-collecting body (20) and a rolling-action sheath body (12), which defines a receiving space (18) for receiving the dirt-collecting body. The sheath body (12) has a lattice design and openings (14) for providing external access to the dirt-collecting body (20), which has a surface (22) that collects the dirt.