Interchangeable Toilet Brush Head Release With Rod-and-Spring Ejection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing toilet bowl cleaning brushes lack a convenient and cost-effective design for replacing used brush heads, often relying on plastic parts that degrade over time, and do not provide a simple mechanism for disposing of used heads.
Innovation Solution
A toilet bowl cleaning brush with a removable brush head featuring a press fit connection and an actuator release button and trigger assembly using rods and springs, allowing easy replacement of the brush head without requiring plastic parts to expand or bend, ensuring durability and cost-effectiveness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If plastic parts are used for the release mechanism, then the device can be manufactured with simpler materials, but the parts degrade and break over time due to expansion and contraction
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical expansion/contraction system with a spring-loaded piston system. The spring (element 40) provides the necessary force to eject the brush head, while the piston (element 30) and rod (element 20) provide a simple mechanical linkage that does not require expansion or bending of plastic parts. This substitution eliminates the degradation issue while maintaining manufacturability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operational parameters from elastic deformation of plastic parts to a spring-based mechanical system. The spring constant and piston geometry are designed to provide the required ejection force without requiring plastic parts to expand or contract, thereby improving reliability while keeping the design simple to manufacture.
2Reliability
If a complex release mechanism is used, then the brush head can be securely retained, but the device becomes more complicated with more parts that can fail
Solution Approach 1:
The release mechanism is segmented into distinct functional elements: a trigger (element 10) that the user operates, a rod (element 20) that transmits the motion, a piston (element 30) that interacts with the spring (element 40), and a crown (element 50) on the brush head. This segmentation allows each part to have a simple, single function, reducing overall complexity while ensuring reliable retention and release.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring-loaded piston system provides self-service by automatically ejecting the brush head when the trigger is pressed. The spring stores energy during normal use and automatically releases it to eject the brush head, eliminating the need for complex manual release mechanisms or additional actuating components.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the brush head is permanently attached, then the structure is simpler, but the used brush head cannot be replaced for continued use
Solution Approach 1:
The connection between the brush head and handle is made dynamic rather than static. The spring-loaded piston system allows the connection to transition from a retained state (during normal use) to a released state (when the trigger is pressed). This dynamic connection enables brush head replacement while keeping the overall structure relatively simple.
Solution Approach 2:
The design facilitates discarding the used brush head and recovering the handle for continued use with a new brush head. The spring mechanism stores energy during the attachment phase and releases it during the detachment phase, enabling easy replacement of the consumable brush head while preserving the durable handle assembly.
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 design facilitates easy and efficient replacement of used brush heads, enhancing durability and cost-effectiveness by eliminating the need for plastic parts that degrade, providing a more simplistic and reliable cleaning solution.
Implementation Method 1
an actuator release button and trigger assembly using rods and springs
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus for an improved toilet bowl cleaner with removable cleaning brush head. The apparatus provides a more simplistic design than previous toilet bowl cleaners with removable brush ends by providing an actuator release button and trigger assembly that functions primarily with a series of rods and springs.