Wiper Mop Plate Joint Locking to Maintain Wringing Force

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing wiper plates face difficulties in being easily fed into wringing devices due to joint tilting during pressing, which reduces the force applied and worsens the wringing result.

Innovation Solution

A locking device is integrated into the base body to fix the joint along the longitudinal axis when the wiper plate wings pivot from the working to the wringing position, preventing pivoting or tilting, and ensuring all applied force is utilized for wringing, with a universal joint design allowing pivoting in both directions and enhanced by spring mechanisms and stop elements for secure fixation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the joint is designed to be pivotable for ease of operation, then the ease of operation is improved, but the joint tilts during pressing which reduces the force applied and worsens the wringing result

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of operationVSAvoidforce applied
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSForce

Solution Approach 1:

The joint is designed with dynamic characteristics allowing pivoting during insertion, but includes a locking mechanism that activates in the wringing position to fix the joint and prevent tilting, thus maintaining full force application during wringing while preserving ease of insertion

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Force

If the joint is fixed along its longitudinal axis to prevent tilting, then the force applied is improved, but the device complexity increases due to the locking mechanism

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveforce appliedVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ForceVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The locking mechanism is designed to activate automatically when the mop plate wings are in the wringing position, fixing the joint along its longitudinal axis without requiring additional manual operation, thus preventing tilting and maintaining full force application while minimizing user burden

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Adaptability or versatility

If the mop plate wings are pivotable between working and wringing positions, then the adaptability is improved, but the joint tilting during position change reduces the wringing effectiveness

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveadaptabilityVSAvoidwringing effectiveness
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The joint allows dynamic pivoting during the transition from working to wringing position for adaptability, but includes a locking mechanism that activates in the wringing position to fix the joint and prevent tilting, thus maintaining full force application and wringing effectiveness

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The locking mechanism automatically activates when the mop plate wings are in the wringing position, fixing the joint without requiring additional user action, thus ensuring reliable wringing effectiveness while maintaining adaptability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

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

This configuration allows for effective wringing by maintaining the full force applied through the handle, improving the wringing result and preventing the wiper plate from folding over during cleaning, especially on damp floors.

Implementation Method 1

The first joint body (15) accommodates a spring needle (17) that extends through a longitudinal opening (18) provided in the first joint body (15). The second joint body (16) has a recess (19) that is congruent with the longitudinal opening (18) when the second joint body (16) is aligned relative to the first joint body (15) in the direction of the longitudinal axis (9).

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSpring mechanism: Spring

Data Source

PatentEP3801170B1Wiper
Publication Date: 2024.07.24 CARL FREUDENBERG KG
  • EP3801170B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3801170B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3801170B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a wiper mop plate (1) comprising a main body (2) to which a first wiper mop plate wing (3), a second wiper mop plate wing (4), and a joint (5) are pivotably connected, the wiper mop plate wings (3, 4) being pivotable between a working position (6) and a wringing-out position (7), and the main body (2) being assigned a device (8) for locking the joint (5), said device (5) fixing the joint (5) along the longitudinal axis (9) of the joint (5) when the wiper mop plate wings (3, 4) are outside the working position (6).