Segmented Cleaning Layer for Ball Surface Coverage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing devices for cleaning large-diameter balls, such as soccer balls, are expensive and inefficient, with previous methods failing to completely remove dirt from all surface areas due to limited cleaning mechanisms that often result in uncleaned strips and stress on the ball surface.
Innovation Solution
A device featuring a housing with rotating cleaning elements, covered with a segmented cleaning layer of bristle or microfiber material, which provides chaotic movement to ensure thorough cleaning, combined with injection nozzles for cleaning agents and a system for water management, allowing for effective cleaning of all ball surfaces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If washing water emerges from nozzles or bores, then cleaning process is simple, but cleaning is insufficient and uncleaned strips remain on ball surface
Solution Approach 1:
The cleaning layer is divided into multiple segments arranged around the cleaning element's circumference. Each segment can be independently positioned to create varying cleaning patterns as the cleaning element rotates, ensuring complete coverage of the ball surface without leaving uncleaned strips.
Solution Approach 2:
The cleaning elements rotate around the ball in one dimension while the segmented cleaning layers create motion in another dimension through their radial positioning. This multi-dimensional cleaning action ensures all surface areas of the ball are cleaned effectively.
2Device complexity
If ball rotates evenly in two dimensions, then cleaning mechanism is simple, but uncleaned strips remain on ball surface
Solution Approach 1:
The cleaning elements rotate at variable speeds rather than a constant speed. This dynamic rotation creates chaotic motion patterns that prevent uncleaned strips from forming, ensuring complete surface coverage while maintaining a relatively simple mechanical structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The cleaning elements undergo periodic rotation with varying speeds and directions. This periodic action ensures that different segments of the cleaning layer contact different areas of the ball surface over time, achieving complete cleaning coverage.
3Ease of operation
If traditional cleaning devices are used, then cleaning function is provided, but device cost is high and cleaning is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The cleaning system uses the ball's own rotation and the rotating cleaning elements to achieve cleaning without requiring complex external mechanisms. The segmented cleaning layers and variable speed rotation create effective cleaning action through the interaction between the ball and cleaning elements themselves.
Solution Approach 2:
The cleaning elements use replaceable cleaning layers that can be easily renewed rather than requiring expensive, complex mechanical structures. This approach reduces device cost while maintaining effective cleaning functionality.
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 device provides a cost-effective and efficient method for cleaning soccer balls, ensuring complete dirt removal and reducing stress on the ball surface by using rotating cleaning elements with different speeds and a chaotic motion to clean all areas, while also being easy to maintain and use.
Implementation Method 1
two cleaning elements rotating at different speeds are arranged, the rotating cleaning elements being provided with a cleaning layer on their outside
Implementation Method 2
cleaning elements rotating at different speeds are arranged... ensuring complete dirt removal
Implementation Method 3
injection nozzles for cleaning agents
Data Source
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AI summary
The device for cleaning large diameter balls, in particular footballs, consists of a housing (1) and an opening with a lid (5) for inserting and removing a ball (7) into a cleaning chamber (12) provided in the upper area of the housing (1) with a wash tub (2) in which two cleaning elements (3) rotating at different speeds are arranged and the rotating cleaning elements (3) are provided on their outside with a cleaning layer (4).