Sponge Mop Wringing Hinge for Hands-Free Solution Extraction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sponge mops lack an effective method to expel cleaning solution without wetting hands, requiring significant body bending, or lifting the sponge above a bucket, while maintaining simplicity and robustness.
Innovation Solution
A mop design featuring a hinged connector with wing sections that rotate to apply pressure, a pressure applying member to facilitate wringing, and a mop block structure with swivels and rails for stability, allowing the sponge to be wrung without lifting it above a bucket.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a sponge mop is used to expel cleaning solution without lifting the sponge above a bucket, then the operation convenience is improved, but the pressure application effectiveness deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The connector is divided into two separate wing sections that can rotate independently relative to each other. This segmentation allows the wings to fold the sponge from opposite directions simultaneously, distributing the pressure application across multiple points and maintaining effectiveness while enabling operation within limited space without lifting the sponge above the bucket.
Solution Approach 2:
The wing sections are designed to rotate dynamically from a parallel configuration during mopping to a folded configuration during wringing. This dynamic transformation allows the same structure to serve dual purposes: maintaining operational convenience during mopping and generating sufficient pressure during wringing by folding the sponge against itself through rotational motion.
2Force
If a complex wringing mechanism is added to the sponge mop, then the pressure application effectiveness is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The connector serves multiple functions: it connects the sponge to the handle, allows rotational movement for wringing, and provides structural support. By making the connector multi-functional rather than adding a separate wringing mechanism, the design maintains pressure application effectiveness while avoiding increased device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The wing sections utilize the user's manual rotation action to simultaneously achieve both the wringing function (by folding the sponge) and the positioning function (by rotating to the parallel configuration). This self-service approach eliminates the need for separate mechanisms, maintaining simplicity while ensuring effective pressure application through the folding action.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the wing sections are made rigid to maintain stability, then the stability is improved, but the ease of folding the sponge deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The wing sections incorporate rotational joints that provide dynamic adaptability: they allow easy rotation during wringing operations and maintain a stable parallel configuration during transport and storage. The hinged connection enables the structure to transition between flexible and stable states as needed, resolving the contradiction between rigidity and ease of folding.
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 efficient and hygienic removal of cleaning solution from the sponge mop without hand wetting or substantial body bending, maintaining simplicity and robustness in the mopping process.
Implementation Method 1
a hinged connector with wing sections that are configured to rotate together to fold a mop sponge against itself to apply pressure to expel cleaning solution from the sponge
Implementation Method 2
a mop block structure with swivels that mate with a hinged connector to allow the hinged connector to move from an open wing position to a closed wing position, and vice versa
Data Source
AI summary
An enhanced sponge mop is presented for extracting cleaning solution from a mop head. The enhanced sponge mop may include a mop block structure, a hinged connector, and a sponge structure. Also, a rod may be threaded through a mop handle and attached to the hinged connector on one end and a pressure applying member on the other end. When the pressure applying member is moved from one position to another, swivels located on the mop block structure may allow a sponge attached to the sponge structure to be wrung. In addition, the mop block structure may include rails that mate with teeth located on the hinged connector to give additional stability to the enhanced sponge mop.