Sliding Mop Head Attachment for Hygienic One-Direction Unlocking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing mop head attachment mechanisms require grasping with one hand to unlock and shift, making them unhygienic and impractical for use.
Innovation Solution
A mop head with an attachment part that slides along a groove and uses locking elements and unlocking elements, allowing the attachment part to be shifted between fixed positions with pressure applied in one direction, eliminating the need for grasping from two opposed directions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a traditional locking device is used that requires grasping with one hand to unlock, then the attachment part can be shifted between positions, but the operation becomes unhygienic and impractical requiring multiple manipulations and two-handed grasping
Solution Approach 1:
The unlocking element is designed to be actuated by foot pressure, allowing the user to release the locking mechanism without using their hands. The system serves itself by using the user's body weight and foot movement to perform the unlocking action, eliminating the need for manual grasping and manipulation of the locking device.
Solution Approach 2:
The operating interface is moved from the horizontal plane (hand grasping) to the vertical plane (foot pressure). By applying force vertically through foot pressure on the unlocking element, the system transitions the operation to a different dimensional approach, allowing one-handed or hand-free operation while maintaining the shifting function.
2Productivity
If pressure is applied in one direction only to the unlocking element, then the full operation may be performed with fewer manipulations, but the locking mechanism must be designed to respond to single-direction force
Solution Approach 1:
The locking elements are designed with resilient properties, allowing them to dynamically respond to the direction and magnitude of applied force. When pressure is applied to the unlocking element, the resilient locking elements flex and release from their locked position, enabling the attachment part to shift. The dynamics of the system allow reliable locking in the normal position while enabling easy release with minimal force in the opposite direction.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the attachment part requires grasping from two opposed directions to unlock, then the locking can be secure, but the operation becomes impractical for hygienic use
Solution Approach 1:
The unlocking element acts as an intermediary between the user's foot and the locking mechanism. Instead of directly grasping the locking elements with hands (which would cause hygiene contamination), the user applies pressure to the unlocking element, which then transmits the force to release the locking elements. This intermediary approach eliminates direct hand contact with the mop head area, maintaining hygiene while enabling easy operation.
Data Source
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Figure 4~6
AI summary
The invention relates to a mop head (1) with an attachment part (2) for receiving a handle (3). The attachment part (2) is arranged to slide along the mop head between at least two fixed positions, and in these fixed positions the attachment part (2) cooperates with the mop head in a locking fashion through the action of locking elements (5a-b, 9a-b). The attachment part (2) is provided with at least one unlocking element (8a, b) that, when a force directed towards another fixed position is applied on the unlocking element (8a, b), by acting on the locking element (5a-b, 9a-b) cancels the locking cooperation between the attachment part an the mop head. In particularly advantageous embodiments of the invention, the unlocking elements (8a, b) are embodied as ears arranged at the attachment part. Further, the locking elements (5a-b, 9a-b) may comprise attachment lips (9a, b) arranged on the unlocking elements (8a, b) that cooperates with attachment bores (5a, b) on the mop head. Yet further, the attachment part (2) may be arranged to slide in a groove (4) in the mop head with a receiving element (7).