Squeegee Swiveling Head Design for Non-Uniform Surface Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing surface cleaning tools, such as squeegee devices, have fixedly positioned cleaning implements, limiting ease of access to non-uniformly shaped or difficult-to-reach areas due to their rigid configuration.
Innovation Solution
A surface cleaning tool with a movable and rotatable head that can be locked into various positions relative to the handle, allowing for adjustable angles and orientations to accommodate different surfaces, featuring a locking mechanism with an engagement mechanism that restricts movement when locked.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the cleaning implement is fixedly positioned relative to the handle, then the structural simplicity and ease of manufacture are improved, but the adaptability to non-uniformly shaped or difficult-to-reach areas deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The head is made movable relative to the handle body through a slot mechanism, allowing the head to change its position and orientation dynamically. The slot in the handle body receives a protrusion on the head, enabling the head to swivel and adjust to various angles while maintaining connection to the handle, thus adapting to non-uniform surfaces and difficult-to-reach areas
2Ease of operation
If the head is made movable and rotatable to improve adaptability, then the ease of operation and adaptability are improved, but the device complexity increases due to the locking mechanism
Solution Approach 1:
The locking mechanism is designed to be self-servicing through user interaction. When the user applies force to the head, it automatically engages with the locking mechanism via the protrusion and slot interaction, locking the head at the desired position without requiring additional components or complex operations. The system uses the user's own input force to achieve locking
3Reliability
If the head is restricted from moving when locked, then the stability and reliability are improved, but the ease of operation for adjustment deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically switches between two states: locked and unlocked. In the locked state, the protrusion engages with the slot to prevent movement, providing stability. In the unlocked state, the protrusion can move freely within the slot, allowing adjustment. The transition between states is achieved by applying force to the head, which automatically engages or disengages the locking mechanism based on the desired operation
Data Source
AI summary
A surface cleaning tool includes a handle body having a first longitudinal axis and a head configured to receive a wiper blade. A plane extending through a center of the head, parallel to the wiper blade, includes a second longitudinal axis of the head. The head is movable along a path of movement relative to the handle body. An orientation of the plane of the head remains constant relative to the longitudinal axis as the head moves along the path of movement.