Segmented Bristle Hand Tool for Oil Spill Cleanup
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current tools for manually cleaning oil from shorelines are inefficient due to poor functionality, ergonomics, and usability, particularly when dealing with varied landforms and sticky oily substances that adhere poorly to tools and receptacles, leading to slow and unmeaningful cleaning processes.
Innovation Solution
A system featuring hand tools with bristle bunches arranged in lines at varying distances, allowing for effective collection and easy detachment of oily substances, combined with scraper elements that fit into the gaps between bristle bunches for efficient scraping and cleaning, enhancing the collection capacity and reducing the frequency of tool cleaning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If dishbrushes are used for oil collection, then oil can be collected manually, but the brush loses its cleaning property and oil-collection capacity quickly due to the sticky oily substance adhering to it
Solution Approach 1:
The brush element is segmented into multiple bristle bunches arranged in lines with gaps between them. This segmentation allows the oily substance to be collected in the gaps while preventing it from adhering to the entire brush surface, enabling easier detachment and extending tool service life.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the brush element have different properties - the bristle bunches provide structural support and the gaps between them provide collection capacity. This local differentiation allows the brush to collect oil effectively while maintaining areas where the substance can be easily removed.
2Quantity of substance
If greater force is applied during oil collection, then more oily substance can be collected, but the brush part loses its cleaning property and capacity more quickly
Solution Approach 1:
The segmented bristle bunch structure allows the brush to withstand greater application forces without losing its cleaning properties. The gaps between bunches prevent the sticky oily substance from bonding the entire brush to the surface, enabling effective collection even under higher force while maintaining ease of operation.
3Productivity
If the oily substance is scraped from the receptacle, then collection efficiency improves, but the process becomes more time-consuming and complex
Solution Approach 1:
The brush element is designed to facilitate self-cleaning through its segmented structure. The gaps between bristle bunches allow the oily substance to be easily detached and scraped off, enabling the tool to maintain its collection capacity without requiring complex cleaning procedures or additional equipment.
4Reliability
If the brush element is cleaned frequently, then collection capacity is maintained, but the cleaning frequency reduces overall productivity
Solution Approach 1:
The segmented bristle bunch design allows the brush to maintain its collection capacity for longer periods between cleanings. The gaps prevent the oily substance from adhering strongly to the entire brush surface, reducing the frequency required cleaning and thereby maintaining higher overall productivity.
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 system improves oil collection efficiency, reduces tool cleaning frequency, and accelerates the cleaning process by allowing for effective binding and detachment of oily substances, making the operation more meaningful and efficient for cleaners.
Implementation Method 1
The scraper elements of the scraper of at least one cleaning tool and the lines of bristle bunches of the brush element of the hand tool belonging to the system are arranged relative to each other for scraping the substance with an oil content from between the lines of bristle bunches by means of the scraper elements
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
The invention relates to a system for manually cleaning an environment of a substance (O) with an oil content, which includes one or several hand tools (10, 10.1 - 10.3), which include a handle part (49), a brush element (13), attached to the handle part, to which bristles (40.1, 40.2) are fitted, one or several cleaning tools (20, 20.1 - 20.3), which include one or several scrapers (24, 24.1 - 24.3) equipped with scraper elements (33, 33.1 - 33.3), for cleaning the hand tool's brush element of the substance with an oil content. In at least one hand tool belonging to the system at least some of bristles are arranged to form bristle bunches (41.1, 41.2) in the brush element and in the brush element at least some of the bristle bunches are at a distance (D) from each other. The scraper elements of the scraper of at least one cleaning tool and the bristle bunches of the brush element of the hand tool belonging to the system are arranged relative to each other for scraping the substance with an oil content from between the bristle bunches by means of the scraper elements. In addition, the invention also relates to a method for manually cleaning an environment of a substance with an oil content, as well as hand tools and their cleaning tools for the system.