Wash-assisting brush device and method of use thereof

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing washing machine cleaning devices are inadequate for thoroughly cleaning dirty items like shoes, as they often result in tangled shoe laces and fail to provide effective scrubbing, with known devices either causing tangling, being ineffective for heavily soiled items, or dissolving in water.

Innovation Solution

A wash-assisting brush device with a plurality of bristles projecting from its outer surface, forming an internal washing cavity that isolates clothing from the washing machine's agitator, allowing for effective scrubbing and washing of items within the device, including shoes and their laces, while reducing friction and tangling risks.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If cleaning devices are distributed throughout the washing machine to aid in cleaning fabric, then cleaning coverage is improved, but shoe laces become tangled around the devices

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecleaning coverageVSAvoidtangling of shoe laces

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The washing machine interior is segmented into multiple zones with different cleaning mechanisms. A central cleaning device with rotating brush handles fabric items, while an outer cleaning device with stationary brush handles shoe laces and other items prone to tangling. This segmentation allows each zone to address specific cleaning needs without causing tangling issues.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different regions of the washing machine are equipped with different cleaning properties. The central region has a rotating brush suitable for fabric items, while the outer region has a stationary brush with different bristle characteristics suitable for shoe laces. This local differentiation ensures effective cleaning of various item types without universal tangling problems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Productivity

If a clothes-washing ball with bristles is used to brush clothes, then scrubbing capability is improved, but shoe laces become tangled around the ball

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvescrubbing capabilityVSAvoidtangling of shoe laces

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The single clothes-washing ball is segmented into two distinct cleaning devices: a central device with rotating brush for fabric scrubbing, and an outer device with stationary brush for shoe lace cleaning. This segmentation prevents tangling while maintaining scrubbing effectiveness for different item types.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of using a single rotating ball for all items, the invention inverts the approach by using a stationary outer brush for items prone to tangling (shoe laces), while reserving rotation for fabric items only. This inversion of the cleaning mechanism assignment eliminates the tangling problem.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

3Productivity

If cleaning devices are made of material with different buoyancy to distribute them throughout the washing machine, then cleaning coverage is improved, but shoe laces become tangled around the devices

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecleaning coverageVSAvoidtangling of shoe laces

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The floating cleaning device is segmented into two functional components with different buoyancy characteristics. The outer cleaning device has higher buoyancy to remain positioned at the periphery where shoe laces are cleaned, while the central device has lower buoyancy to sink to the center for fabric cleaning. This buoyancy segmentation prevents tangling while maintaining comprehensive cleaning coverage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

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 device provides efficient scrubbing and washing of clothing items, including shoes and laces, within the washing machine, eliminating the need for manual scrubbing and preventing tangling with the agitator, while maintaining effectiveness for heavily soiled items.

Implementation Method 1

a plurality of bristles projecting outwardly from the outer surface of the first and second wash-assisting bodies

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Implementation Method 2

at least a portion of the outer surface of the first and second wash-assisting bodies made of a fluid permeable material

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPermeation: Permeation

Data Source

PatentUS9540753B1Wash-assisting brush device and method of use thereof

Publication Date: 2017.01.10 CANDI APPLE TECH CORP

AI summary

A wash-assisting brush device including a first wash-assisting body having a curved outer surface and a second wash-assisting body having a curved outer surface, the second wash-assisting body coupled to the first wash-assisting body. The first and second wash-assisting bodies together define an internal washing cavity sized and shaped to hold an article of clothing. The wash-assisting brush device also includes a plurality of bristles projecting outwardly from the outer surface of the first and second wash-assisting bodies.