Window Cleaning Head Structure for Edge and Corner Contact
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cleaning apparatuses for vehicle windows, particularly the inner surfaces, struggle to effectively clean the edges and lower edges due to the design of the foam substrate and elastic cleaning element, leading to incomplete cleaning as the foam compresses and loses contact with the surface at critical areas.
Innovation Solution
A cleaning apparatus with a compressive material substrate mounted on the cleaning head, featuring a concave shape and a peripheral edge with varying thickness, allowing the cleaning element to maintain contact with the surface and prevent compression at the edges, ensuring complete cleaning of the window surfaces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a foam substrate with peripheral lip and elastic cleaning element is used, then the cleaning element is retained in formed shape and continuous contact with the surface, but the foam compresses at tip and corner edges causing separation from the surface and incomplete cleaning
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different properties to different parts of the cleaning head. The peripheral portion of the foam substrate has a reduced thickness (creating a peripheral groove) compared to the central portion. This local variation prevents compression at the edges while maintaining structural integrity in the center, allowing the cleaning element to remain in contact with the surface at all edges and corners without the foam compressing away from the surface in those critical areas.
2Reliability
If the foam layer thickness is increased to prevent compression, then the cleaning element maintains contact better, but the tool cannot reach extreme lower edges of windshield and backlight
Solution Approach 1:
The foam substrate is designed with non-uniform thickness, having a peripheral groove that reduces foam thickness at the edges while maintaining greater thickness in the central area. This local differentiation allows the cleaning head to reach extreme edges effectively while the thicker central portion provides sufficient foam cushioning to maintain cleaning element contact with the surface during operation.
3Device complexity
If a single-type cleaning element is used for scrubbing or drying, then the tool is simple in design, but it cannot perform both scrubbing and drying functions
Solution Approach 1:
The cleaning head is designed with a universal interface that can accommodate different types of cleaning elements. The foam substrate with peripheral groove provides a standardized mounting structure that can hold various cleaning element types (scrubbing pads, drying cloths, etc.). This allows a single cleaning head design to perform multiple functions by simply changing the cleaning element, eliminating the need for separate tools for scrubbing and drying.
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 improved cleaning efficiency by maintaining contact at the edges and corners of the window, ensuring thorough cleaning of all surfaces without gaps, enhancing the overall cleaning performance.
Implementation Method 1
the foam layer being compressed at the tip and corner edges and/or the side edges of the paddle to the point that the foam is unable to retain its full thickness
Data Source
AI summary
A cleaning apparatus includes different combinations of a reduced compressible material substrate and a thicker paddle head, and a reduced radius tip to clean sharp corners. A slide lock holds one pin end of the handle to the cleaning head. A small sized cleaning head with at least two reduced radius tips is also disclosed.