Cleaner dispensing toilet bowl brush and holder
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Toilet bowl brushes often require complete replacement when only the brush head is unsanitary, and existing holder bases lack features for easy replacement of the brush head, leading to unnecessary disposal of the entire assembly and lack of cleaner dispensing functionality.
Innovation Solution
A toilet bowl brush assembly with a handle and brush head that includes a fastener portion and anti-motion features in the base, allowing for easy separation and replacement of the brush head without touching it, and a cavity for a cleaner cartridge that can be refilled or replaced without handling the head.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the entire brush assembly is replaced when the brush head is unsanitary, then sanitation is improved, but material waste increases and cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The brush assembly is divided into separable components: a reusable handle assembly and a replaceable brush head. The handle assembly includes a holder base with a cup that can receive and retain different brush heads, allowing the sanitary handle to be reused while only the contaminated brush head is discarded.
2Reliability
If the entire brush assembly is replaced when the brush head needs replacement, then sanitation is maintained, but time and effort are wasted
Solution Approach 1:
The brush is segmented into a reusable handle and replaceable head, enabling quick replacement of only the brush head component without replacing the entire assembly, thus reducing replacement time and effort.
Solution Approach 2:
The reusable handle assembly is recovered and retained after the brush head is removed and discarded. The holder base with its cup structure is designed to be reused multiple times with different brush heads, reducing overall replacement time.
3Reliability
If the brush head is firmly attached to the handle, then cleaning effectiveness is improved, but ease of replacement deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The connection between the brush head and handle assembly is designed to be dynamically adjustable - firmly attached during cleaning operations for effective cleaning, but easily separable when replacement is needed. The holder base provides secure retention during use but allows simple removal.
4Reliability
If cleaner is used with the brush but not dispensed from it, then cleaning capability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cleaner dispensing function is merged with the brush head structure. The brush head includes a cavity for receiving cleaner and a dispensing mechanism that integrates with the bristle structure, allowing cleaner to be dispensed through the brush head itself rather than requiring a separate dispensing system.
Data Source
AI summary
A toilet bowl brush assembly, a toilet bowl brush, and a method of manufacturing the same. The brush includes a handle assembly that has a proximal end and a distal end and a brush head that includes a plurality of tufts of bristles disposed on an outer surface of the brush head, a cavity defined by an inner surface of the brush head, and a fastener portion. The toilet bowl brush assembly includes a base that forms a cup for receiving the brush head. The brush head selectively couples to the handle assembly distal end at the fastener portion of the brush head at a handle assembly-brush head connection. At least one of the base and the brush head define an interference feature for preventing the brush head from moving relative to the base as the handle assembly is selectively separated from the brush head.