Two-Material Squeegee Head Molding for Durable Cleaning Tools
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cleaning devices, such as brooms with attached squeegees, face issues like costly manufacturing processes, excessive parts, durability problems, and the use of uniform materials, which can lead to inefficiencies and performance issues.
Innovation Solution
The manufacturing process involves molding a squeegee blade out of a softer material and a head member out of a harder material, with bristles and a handle attached, allowing for a modular design that reduces parts and enhances durability, using a method where the squeegee blade is initially molded and then integrated with a harder material head member and handle.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If existing cleaning devices are manufactured using traditional processes, then the device structure is complete, but the manufacturing cost is high and the process is time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the squeegee blade and head member into a single integrated component manufactured through one-shot molding. This eliminates the need for separate manufacturing and assembly processes, reducing both manufacturing cost and time while maintaining structural completeness.
Solution Approach 2:
The molded head member serves multiple functions: it provides structural support, attaches the squeegee blade, and incorporates features for broom attachment. This multi-functionality reduces the number of separate parts needed, simplifying manufacturing without compromising device completeness.
2Reliability
If existing cleaning devices use uniform materials, then the manufacturing process is simple, but the device durability is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different material properties to different regions of the squeegee blade within a single molded component. The blade incorporates both rigid sections for structural integrity and flexible sections for effective floor contact and water removal, optimizing durability and performance without requiring multiple separate parts.
Solution Approach 2:
The molded head member is constructed as a composite structure combining different materials or material densities in specific zones. This allows the single component to exhibit both rigidity for structural support and flexibility for functional performance, enhancing durability while maintaining manufacturing simplicity.
3Device complexity
If existing cleaning devices have excessive parts, then the device is durable, but the manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the squeegee blade, head member, and attachment features into a single molded component. This integration reduces the number of separate parts while maintaining the structural integrity and durability previously achieved through multiple components, as the molding process creates strong internal bonds.
Solution Approach 2:
Within the single molded head member, the patent incorporates distinct functional zones or segments that provide different mechanical properties. This internal segmentation maintains the durability benefits of multi-material construction while presenting a unified single-part structure that simplifies manufacturing and assembly.
Data Source
AI summary
A cleaning device and a method of manufacturing a cleaning device are provided. The method may include molding a squeegee blade out of a first material, providing a mold insert including a slot, providing a mold including a mold cavity, placing a first portion of the molded squeegee blade into the slot of the mold insert with a second portion of the molded squeegee blade exposed externally of the mold insert, placing the mold insert with the molded squeegee blade therein into the mold cavity, and subsequently molding a head member of the cleaning device, out of a second material of greater hardness than said first material, to the second portion of said previously molded squeegee blade by adding the second material to the mold cavity.