Squeegee-Loop Cleaning Implement for High-Pressure Dirt Removal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing surface cleaning methods, such as flat mops, struggle to effectively remove difficult-to-clean dirt due to large surface contact areas that become immediately dirty and apply insufficient surface pressure, making it hard to remove stubborn dirt without dirtying the cleaning tool.
Innovation Solution
A cleaning implement with a squeegee made of elastic material attached to its frame, where the cleaning cloth is attached at two edges to form a loosely hanging loop or bag, allowing the squeegee to apply high surface pressure in a narrow linear area, effectively removing dirt from the surface as it is wiped.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If a flat mop with large surface area is used to clean the surface, then the cleaning cloth can cover a larger area, but the surface pressure applied to the surface becomes small and cannot remove difficult-to-remove dirt
Solution Approach 1:
The cleaning process is segmented into multiple passes with a smaller cleaning cloth area in contact with the surface at any given time. The squeegee mechanism divides the cleaning action into discrete linear segments that can be systematically applied across the entire surface, maintaining high pressure in each segment while eventually covering the full area.
Solution Approach 2:
The cleaning system concentrates cleaning effort locally at the squeegee contact point where high surface pressure is applied to a narrow linear area. This local quality of high-pressure cleaning contrasts with the distributed low-pressure approach of traditional flat mops, enabling removal of difficult-to-remove dirt while the cleaning cloth remains relatively clean.
2Productivity
If the entire surface of the cleaning cloth contacts the surface to be cleaned, then more area is cleaned at once, but the cleaning cloth becomes immediately dirty throughout and cannot be reused
Solution Approach 1:
The cleaning cloth usage is segmented into multiple reusable cycles. By limiting the contact area to a narrow linear path at the squeegee, the system creates discrete cleaning zones on the cloth. After each pass, clean portions of the cloth remain available for subsequent passes, extending the usable life of the cleaning cloth while maintaining cleaning productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The squeegee mechanism preliminarily concentrates the cleaning action to a narrow linear area before the dirt spreads to the rest of the cleaning cloth. This preliminary concentration of cleaning effort prevents immediate widespread contamination of the entire cloth surface, allowing for multiple cleaning passes with the same cloth.
3Stress or pressure
If a squeegee with narrow linear contact area is used, then high surface pressure can be applied to remove difficult-to-remove dirt, but the cleaning cloth gets dirty only in a narrow area and requires frequent replacement
Solution Approach 1:
The cleaning cloth is effectively segmented into multiple usable zones. As the squeegee progresses through narrow linear areas, different portions of the cloth are utilized sequentially. This segmentation allows the cloth to serve multiple cleaning cycles before replacement is needed, reducing the time loss associated with frequent cloth changes while maintaining the high surface pressure benefit.
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
This method allows for efficient removal of difficult-to-clean dirt by applying high surface pressure in a narrow area, keeping the cleaning cloth clean and extending its use by continuously exposing new clean spots, suitable for various surfaces including floors, windows, and ceilings.
Implementation Method 1
a squeegee which is attached to the frame of the cleaning implement and which consists of elastic material
Implementation Method 2
the surface pressure applied per surface area unit is large. This means that the large surface pressure between the cleaning cloth and the surface to be cleaned substantially facilitates the removal of more-difficult-to-remove dirt
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
Figure 4
AI summary
A method for cleaning a surface with the help of a cleaning implement (10) and a cleaning cloth (60) attached thereto, such that the surface (70) to be cleaned is wiped with the cleaning cloth and the cleaning cloth is simultaneously pressed against the surface to be cleaned with a squeegee (30) attached to the frame (40) of the cleaning implement (10) and consisting of elastic material. The cleaning cloth is attached, at two of its edges, to the frame of the cleaning implement such that the cleaning cloth (60) forms a loosely hanging loop or bag, inside which remains the squeegee attached to the frame (40) of the cleaning implement. The position of the squeegee inside the loop can be changed, which means that the cleaning of the surface can be performed using a new, clean spot of the cleaning cloth.