Integrated Window Cleaning Head for Fluid Delivery and Recovery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current window and hard surface cleaning methods require multiple tools and steps, leading to inefficiency and potential damage to sensitive surfaces, as they often lack a compact, all-in-one solution for delivering, squeegeeing, and collecting cleaning fluid without leaving residue.
Innovation Solution
A cleaning device with a support head mounting a squeegee blade and a substrate structure impregnated with cleaning fluid, allowing simultaneous delivery and collection of fluid, featuring a removable and pivotable design for improved positioning and pressure control, using materials like polyester fiber or melamine foam for effective fluid management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If multiple separate tools are used for cleaning (spray bottle, sponge, squeegee, rag), then each tool can be optimized for its specific function, but the cleaning process becomes complex and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple cleaning tools (fluid delivery system, working element, squeegee, and collection system) into a single integrated cleaning device. The support head assembly integrates the substrate structure for fluid delivery, the working element for application, the squeegee for removal, and the collection reservoir for waste collection, all in one unit that can be operated with a single stroke motion.
Solution Approach 2:
The cleaning device is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: delivering cleaning fluid through the substrate structure, working the fluid along the surface with the working element, squeegeeing used liquid off the surface, and collecting the used liquid in the collection reservoir. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate tools for each cleaning step.
2Reliability
If cleaning fluid is delivered and worked along the surface, then cleaning effectiveness improves, but liquid may drip or run off causing mess on adjacent surfaces
Solution Approach 1:
The collection reservoir is integrated into the support head assembly, positioned to receive and contain used cleaning liquid as it is squeegeed off the surface. This integration ensures that liquid is captured immediately upon removal from the surface, preventing it from dripping or running off onto adjacent surfaces such as paint or flooring.
3Weight of moving object
If a compact design is used to reduce weight and size, then portability improves, but the collection capacity and fluid delivery capacity may be limited
Solution Approach 1:
The support head assembly is designed as a removable, replaceable component that can be separated from the handle. This segmentation allows the compact support head to be lightweight and easy to handle, while the entire assembly can be replaced if larger capacity is needed. The substrate structure itself is replaceable, allowing users to swap between different fluid delivery configurations.
Solution Approach 2:
The collection reservoir is integrated within the support head assembly, with the squeegee and substrate structure nested within the same housing. This nested arrangement maximizes the use of available space within the compact head assembly, allowing fluid collection capacity to be optimized without significantly increasing the overall device size or weight.
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
Enables efficient, single-stroke cleaning of surfaces without additional tools, minimizing waste and residue, with the substrate structure acting as a filter to reprocess cleaning fluid for reuse, thus reducing weight and environmental impact.
Implementation Method 1
The substrate structure is impregnated with a cleaning fluid and is suitable to deliver cleaning fluid to the surface
Implementation Method 2
The substrate structure is impregnated with a cleaning fluid
Implementation Method 3
a squeegee blade and a substrate structure. The substrate structure is impregnated with a cleaning fluid and is suitable to deliver cleaning fluid to the surface as well as to collect used cleaning fluid driven by the squeegee blade off the surface
Implementation Method 4
the substrate structure...collect used cleaning fluid driven by the squeegee blade off the surface
Implementation Method 5
the substrate structure is impregnated with a cleaning fluid and is suitable to deliver cleaning fluid to the surface as well as to collect used cleaning fluid
Implementation Method 6
there is a spring linked to the handle and support head to control pivotal movement of the support head (to improve positioning of the blade relative to the substrate and glass, and to equalize pressure
Data Source
AI summary
A cleaning implement is disclosed which is of the all-in-one type. It has a substrate structure that delivers impregnated cleaning liquid to the window being cleaned, a squeegee to drive used cleaning liquid off the window, and an absorbent to collect the used liquid. A single block of substrate structure can provide the applicator, scrubbing, and collecting functions, as well as filter and reprocess used cleaning liquid for further use. The substrate may be replaced separately from the squeegee, or may be replaced as a unit with the squeegee.