Washable multi-component magnetic floor mat
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Solution Overview
Problem
High traffic areas require washable floor mats that can be easily cleaned, but existing one-piece mats pose challenges in alignment and deployment due to high adherence force and large surface area, leading to mis-alignment and trip hazards.
Innovation Solution
A multi-component magnetic floor mat with a textile component and a base component attached via magnetic attraction, allowing for easy removal and re-installation of the textile component for laundering, and utilizing alignment and deployment techniques to manage adherence force and surface area.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the textile component and base component are attached via strong magnetic attraction, then the floor mat holds together securely during use, but the initial alignment and deployment become difficult due to high total resistance to sliding and movement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by providing alignment guides and alignment channels before the magnetic attachment fully engages. The alignment guides extend from the base component to guide the textile component into proper position, and the alignment channels in the magnetic coating receive these guides, ensuring correct alignment is established before strong magnetic forces fully engage the components together
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses alignment guides and alignment channels as intermediary elements that mediate between the textile component and base component during installation. These intermediaries provide a mechanical guidance system that works in conjunction with the magnetic attraction, allowing operators to align components easily before the magnetic force secures them in place
2Area of stationary object
If the floor mat is designed as a one-piece mat, then it provides continuous coverage, but the entire mat including the base portion must be laundered, consuming significant water and energy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the floor mat into two separate components: a base component that remains installed and a textile component that is removable and washable. The base component contains the magnetic coating and provides structural support, while the textile component contains the absorbent material and can be detached for laundering, eliminating the need to wash the entire mat assembly
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements discarding and recovering by allowing the textile component to be removed, laundered, and reinstalled on the base component. This separates the washable textile portion from the non-washable base portion, enabling recovery and reuse of the base component while the textile component undergoes cleaning cycles
3Productivity
If the textile component is removed and re-installed multiple times, then it can be laundered and reused, but mis-alignment may create trip hazards and aesthetic issues
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-configuring alignment guides and alignment channels that automatically guide the textile component into correct position during reinstallation. The alignment guides extend from the base component and the alignment channels in the magnetic coating receive these guides, ensuring consistent proper alignment before magnetic attachment fully engages
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses alignment guides and alignment channels as intermediary elements that mediate during reinstallation to ensure proper positioning. These mechanical guides work in conjunction with the magnetic attraction to prevent misalignment, ensuring the textile component returns to its correct position after laundering
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 solution enables efficient cleaning and reduces labor and resource consumption while minimizing trip hazards and improving aesthetic appeal by facilitating easy alignment and deployment of the textile component on the base component.
Implementation Method 1
The textile component and the base component are attached to one another by magnetic attraction. The magnetic attraction is provided by incorporation of magnetic particles in both the textile and base components.
Data Source
AI summary
This invention relates to a washable multi-component magnetic floor mat. The floor mat contains a textile component and a base component. The textile component and the base component are attached to one another by magnetic attraction. The magnetic attraction is provided by incorporation of magnetic particles in both the textile and base components. The textile component is designed to be soiled, washed, and re-used, thereby providing ideal end-use applications in areas such as building entryways. The present invention eliminates the need to wash the base component of the floor mat which results in environmental, cost and labor conservation. Alignment and deployment of the textile component with the base component in an efficient manner is also described herein.