Unitary Cleaning Head With Multi-Fastener Substrate Attachment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing cleaning implements with integrated substrate systems are often designed as 'kit-type' systems, limiting versatility and increasing manufacturing complexity and costs, while also restricting the selection of available cleaning substrates.

Innovation Solution

A cleaning head with a unitary main body featuring load-receiving regions and mechanical fastener elements made from injection-mouldable materials, allowing for easy attachment and detachment of various substrates without the need for pre-formed hooks or additional handling steps, and incorporating multiple attachment means like snap clamps, pins, and magnetic fasteners for adaptability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a kit-type system with pre-adapted head and substrate designs is used, then handling is improved, but substrate selection is reduced and logistics are complicated

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovehandlingVSAvoidsubstrate selection
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The cleaning head is designed with a universal attachment system featuring multiple types of attachment means (mechanical fastener elements, snap clamps, pins, magnetic fasteners) that can accommodate various substrate types and configurations. This allows a single head design to work with multiple substrates without requiring kit-type adaptations, thereby improving substrate selection while maintaining ease of handling through standardized attachment procedures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple separate attachment means are provided on the cleaning head, then versatility is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesubstrate compatibilityVSAvoidstructure
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple attachment means (mechanical fastener elements, snap clamps, pins, magnetic fasteners) are integrated into a single unitary cleaning head body. This merging of multiple attachment functions into one consolidated structure provides versatile substrate compatibility while avoiding the complexity of separate, discrete attachment devices. The unitary design simplifies manufacturing and reduces the number of separate components needed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The cleaning head incorporates multiple types of attachment means in a single device, enabling it to work with various substrate types (different shapes, sizes, and attachment requirements) without requiring multiple specialized heads. This universal approach improves versatility while maintaining relatively simple device structure through intelligent integration rather than multiplication of separate components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Productivity

If a unitary main body with integrated fastener elements is used, then manufacturing efficiency is improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanufacturing efficiencyVSAvoidfastener element positioning
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The mechanical fastener elements are integrated directly into the unitary main body of the cleaning head, eliminating the need for separate assembly steps and reducing manufacturing complexity. This integration improves manufacturing efficiency by allowing the entire head to be produced as a single piece or pre-assembled unit, while the positioning of fastener elements is ensured through mold design and manufacturing processes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The mechanical fastener elements are designed with specific dimensional parameters and tolerances that are incorporated into the mold design and manufacturing process. By optimizing these parameters during the design and manufacturing stages, the system achieves both high manufacturing efficiency and the necessary positioning precision without requiring complex post-manufacturing adjustments.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP2684502B1Cleaning head of a cleaning implement comprising a unitary main body with mechanical fastener elements
Publication Date: 2015.09.16 AVET
  • EP2684502B1 patent drawingFigure 1A~1C
  • EP2684502B1 patent drawingFigure 2A~3D
  • EP2684502B1 patent drawingFigure 2B~2F

AI summary

A cleaning substrate can be releasably attached via mechanical fastener elements to a cleaning head of a cleaning implement. The cleaning head and the substrate can be used for cleaning of surfaces, especially hard and generally flat surfaces, such as flooring, walls, glass panes and the like. The cleaning head is adapted to allow squeezing in a press. The cleaning head can be easily manufactured by comprising a main body with load receiving regions which can be manufactures as a single piece with the mechanical fastener elements. The cleaning head design allows adaptation for including further attachment means so as to allow very versatile usage in combination of various substrates adapted for different types of attachment means.