Trapezoidal Folding Mop Plate for Corner Access and Floor Contact

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing flat mops are ineffective in accessing and cleaning difficult-to-reach areas due to their rectangular shape and continuous ribbed structure, which limits their ability to reach corner areas and maintain even contact with the floor.

Innovation Solution

A trapezoidal mop plate with a honeycomb rib structure and bent winglet corners, allowing for better access to corner areas and improved clamping of the mop cover, enhancing cleaning performance and ease of use.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a rectangular mop plate with continuous ribbed structure is used, then the mop plate maintains high rigidity and structural strength, but it cannot effectively reach and clean corner areas of the floor

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaccess to corner areasVSAvoidrectangular shape
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The mop plate is divided into two foldable parts that can be collapsed together, transforming the rigid rectangular shape into a compact form that can reach corner areas. The segmentation allows the mop plate to adapt its shape while maintaining structural integrity through the hinge connection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The mop plate transitions from a static rectangular shape to a dynamic structure that can change its configuration. The foldable design allows the mop plate to adapt its shape and size according to the cleaning area, enabling access to corners while maintaining rigidity when extended.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Ease of operation

If the mop plate corners are bent to improve corner access, then the ability to reach difficult areas is enhanced, but the mop plate may slide on the mop cover during operation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecorner accessVSAvoidsliding prevention
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The mop plate features asymmetric corner design where only the corners on the longer longitudinal side are bent, creating winglet-shaped protrusions. This asymmetric configuration provides both corner access capability and improved grip on the mop cover through the protruding corners, preventing sliding during operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #4Asymmetry

3Manufacturing precision

If a honeycomb rib structure is used instead of continuous ribs, then the mop plate achieves even contact with the mop cover and improved cleaning uniformity, but the structural complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveeven contact with mop coverVSAvoidrib structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The continuous rib structure is segmented into discrete honeycomb-shaped ribs arranged in a pattern. This segmentation creates multiple contact points that distribute pressure evenly across the mop cover, ensuring uniform contact and consistent cleaning performance while maintaining manufacturing simplicity through injection molding.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

4Volume of moving object

If the mop plate is made foldable to improve storage and transport, then the compactness is enhanced, but the complexity of the clamping mechanism increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestorage compactnessVSAvoidclamping mechanism complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The foldable mop plate design allows the corners to naturally engage with the mop cover pockets through gravity and geometric configuration. The clamping action is simplified to a single step of folding the plate parts together, eliminating the need for complex locking mechanisms while achieving secure attachment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP2083666B1Folding flat mop comprising a trapezoidal mop plate
Publication Date: 2014.05.07 CARL FREUDENBERG KG
  • EP2083666B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2083666B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2083666B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a flat mop (1), comprising a mop plate (2) with a cleaning face (3), over which a mop cover (4) can be stretched. The mop plate (2) has two folding mop plate parts (5, 6) lying adjacent to one another and said mop plate (2) is trapezoidal.