Window cleaning device
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing window cleaning devices made of rigid plastic can damage windows during cleaning and pose a risk of injury due to unintentional magnetic coupling.
Innovation Solution
A window cleaning device composed of two soft, single-piece molded cleaning units made of rubber or silicone rubber, which are magnetically coupled to each other and feature integral wipers or attachable cleaning cloths for effective cleaning without causing damage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If rigid plastic material is used for cleaning units, then structural strength and magnetic coupling force are improved, but window surface damage risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material parameter from rigid plastic to soft elastomeric material, which fundamentally alters the interaction between the cleaning unit and window surface. The soft material deforms under magnetic pressure instead of transmitting it rigidly, preventing scratches and surface damage while maintaining adequate structural strength for magnetic coupling.
Solution Approach 2:
The cleaning unit employs a composite structure combining soft elastomeric material with embedded magnetic members. This composite approach allows the outer surface to be soft and non-damaging while the internal magnetic components provide the necessary magnetic coupling strength to hold the cleaning units against the window.
2Reliability
If rigid plastic material is used for cleaning units, then magnetic coupling stability is improved, but user injury risk from unintentional coupling increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material parameter from rigid plastic to soft elastomeric material, which fundamentally alters the interaction between the cleaning unit and window surface. The soft material deforms under magnetic pressure instead of transmitting it rigidly, preventing scratches and surface damage while maintaining adequate structural strength for magnetic coupling.
Solution Approach 2:
The cleaning unit employs a composite structure combining soft elastomeric material with embedded magnetic members. This composite approach allows the outer surface to be soft and non-damaging while the internal magnetic components provide the necessary magnetic coupling strength to hold the cleaning units against the window.
3Ease of manufacture
If rigid plastic material is used for cleaning units, then manufacturing durability is improved, but device breakage during falling increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material parameter from rigid plastic to soft elastomeric material, which fundamentally alters the interaction between the cleaning unit and window surface. The soft material deforms under magnetic pressure instead of transmitting it rigidly, preventing scratches and surface damage while maintaining adequate structural strength for magnetic coupling.
4Object-affected harmful factors
If soft material is used for cleaning units, then window damage risk and user injury risk are reduced, but magnetic coupling strength may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The cleaning unit employs a composite structure combining soft elastomeric material with embedded magnetic members. This composite approach allows the outer surface to be soft and non-damaging while the internal magnetic components provide the necessary magnetic coupling strength to hold the cleaning units against the window.
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 reduces the risk of window damage and user injury by using soft materials that are less likely to scratch or break, while ensuring effective cleaning through magnetic coupling and integrated wipers or cloths.
Implementation Method 1
having an internal member and an external member sandwiching the window and maintaining the grip of the window by magnetic attraction forces applied between the members
Implementation Method 2
each of them is configured to be magnetically coupled with at least one magnetic member of the other unit
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure discloses a window cleaning device. The device is constituted by two cleaning units, each is configured to be attached to a different side of the window due to attraction force of the other cleaning unit. The attraction force is applied by magnetic members that are embedded in each of the cleaning units and each of them is configured to be magnetically coupled with at least one magnetic member of the other unit. Once the cleaning units are attached to the window, the window is engaged either by integral wipers of the cleaning unit and/or cleaning cloths attachable to the cleaning units to perform the cleaning process by the device. The cleaning units are each a single-piece molded article made of rubber, silicone rubber, elastomeric material or a thermosetting material, namely a relatively soft material, softer than the plastic material forming the known window cleaning devices.