Telescoping Pole With Torque Strap For Large Vehicle Windshield Cleaning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cleaning tools for large vehicles, such as tractor trailers, are ineffective in removing ice and snow due to limited range, cumbersome design, and inability to apply adequate downward pressure, posing a safety risk during winter driving.
Innovation Solution
A telescoping pole assembly with adjustable length, pivoting members, and removable attachments, including a torque member for enhanced cleaning functionality, allowing for effective removal of debris from high areas and providing ease of use, transport, and storage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of moving object
If a long-handled brush or scraper is used to reach high windshields on large vehicles, then the reach distance is increased, but the device becomes cumbersome to transport and manipulate
Solution Approach 1:
The pole is divided into multiple telescoping sections that can be extended or retracted. When the pole is collapsed, it fits within a carrying case, making it portable. When extended, it reaches high windshields on large vehicles like tractor trailers, thus resolving the contradiction between reach distance and portability.
Solution Approach 2:
The pole features a telescoping mechanism with detent pins that allow dynamic adjustment of length. The pole can be extended to reach high areas and collapsed for easy transport, providing adaptability between different operational states to balance reach and manipulability.
2Length of moving object
If a long pole is used to reach high windshields, then the reach distance is increased, but adequate downward pressure cannot be applied to dislodge ice
Solution Approach 1:
A torque member with a strap acts as an intermediary between the user and the cleaning attachment. The strap wraps around the pole and allows the user to pull downward, creating rotational force (torque) that amplifies the downward pressure on the attachment, enabling ice removal even when using an extended pole.
Solution Approach 2:
The torque member changes the mechanical parameter of force application by converting linear pulling force into rotational torque. This mechanical advantage allows the user to generate sufficient downward pressure on the attachment despite the extended length of the pole, resolving the force deficiency.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a fixed-length pole is used, then the device structure is simple, but it cannot reach various high areas on large vehicles of different sizes
Solution Approach 1:
The pole is segmented into telescoping sections that can be extended to different lengths. This segmentation allows the pole to adapt to various vehicle sizes and reach different high areas, while the sections collapse into each other when not in use, maintaining relatively simple structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The telescoping pole serves multiple functions: it can be extended to reach high windshields on large vehicles, collapsed for portability, and adjusted to different lengths for different vehicle types. The detachable attachment system further enhances versatility, allowing the same pole to work with different cleaning attachments.
4Adaptability or versatility
If cleaning attachments are permanently fixed to the pole, then the device structure is simple, but it cannot provide a range of cleaning functions for different surfaces
Solution Approach 1:
The cleaning system uses detachable attachments that can be removed and replaced. Different attachments (brushes, scrapers, squeegees) can be attached to the same pole, allowing the user to select the appropriate tool for different surfaces and cleaning tasks, thereby providing multi-functionality without requiring multiple complete tool sets.
Solution Approach 2:
The cleaning system is segmented into separate functional components (pole and attachments). This segmentation allows the attachments to be independently selected and replaced, providing versatility in cleaning functions while keeping the attachment system relatively simple through standardized connection interfaces.
Data Source
AI summary
A windshield maintenance assembly having a telescoping pole assembly that is selectively extendable and retractable. An upper end of the windshield maintenance assembly preferably includes a reversible snow brush and an ice scraper. The windshield maintenance assembly further includes a long strap that is attached at the top of the windshield maintenance assembly which allows a user to pull down or pull back on the upper end to increase operating forces. The windshield maintenance assembly beneficially enables a plurality of attachable heads, such as a squeegee, a broom, or a sponge, to be attached to the upper end to enable other maintenance functions.