Wiping cloth support

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing wiper covering carriers subject the spray head to significant mechanical stress during cleaning, which is transferred to the connection between the spray head and the liquid container, requiring resilient designs to maintain a secure detachment.

Innovation Solution

The wiper covering carrier is directly connected to the liquid container using a first connecting element, allowing mechanical stress to be transmitted directly to the container, reducing the load on the spray head, and is connected to the spray head using a second element for power transmission, minimizing mechanical stress on the spray head.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If the wiper pad carrier is directly connected to the spray head, then the structure is simple, but the spray head is subjected to significant mechanical stress during cleaning

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructure simplicityVSAvoidmechanical stress on spray head
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The connecting element is divided into two distinct connecting elements: a first connecting element that directly connects the wiper pad carrier to the liquid container, and a second connecting element that connects the spray head to the wiper pad carrier. This segmentation allows the mechanical stress to be directed through the first connecting element to the liquid container, while the second connecting element only needs to support the spray head's weight and spraying function, thereby reducing the mechanical stress on the spray head.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If the spray head is designed to be robust to withstand mechanical stress, then the connection reliability is improved, but the manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnection reliabilityVSAvoidmanufacturing cost
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

By segmenting the connection system into two separate connecting elements, the mechanical stress-bearing function is separated from the spraying function. The first connecting element (to the liquid container) handles the mechanical stress, while the second connecting element (to the spray head) only needs to provide a secure but simpler connection. This allows the use of standard, inexpensive spray heads without requiring robust, costly designs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Stability of the object's composition

If the spray head transmits force from the wiper pad, then the structural integrity is maintained, but the detachable connection between spray head and liquid container is compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural integrityVSAvoiddetachable connection reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The force transmission path is segmented by introducing the first connecting element that directly connects the wiper pad carrier to the liquid container. This creates a separate force transmission channel that bypasses the spray head, allowing the detachable connection between the spray head and liquid container to remain reliable and uncompromised during cleaning operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

4Ease of manufacture

If standard spray heads are used to reduce cost, then manufacturing simplicity is improved, but the mechanical stress resistance is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanufacturing simplicityVSAvoidmechanical stress resistance
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The connection system is segmented into two separate connecting elements, which allows standard, inexpensive spray heads to be used. The first connecting element (to the liquid container) is designed to handle the mechanical stress, while the second connecting element (to the spray head) only needs to provide a secure connection for the spray head's weight and spraying function, thereby enabling the use of standard spray heads without compromising overall mechanical stress resistance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP3373788B1Wiping cloth support
Publication Date: 2022.06.01 ALFRED KARCHER SE & CO KG
  • EP3373788B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3373788B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3373788B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a wiping cloth support (20; 40; 70) for a hard surface wiping device (10; 130; 160) for cleaning a hard surface, comprising a support part (60, 142; 172) to which a wiping cloth (64) can be secured and comprising a connection part (68) to which a spray head (30) for applying a liquid from a liquid container (40) and for spraying the liquid onto the hard surface to be cleaned can be connected in a releasable manner. The aim of the invention is to develop the wiping cloth support (20; 140; 170) such that mechanical loads exerted onto the spray head (30) when cleaning the hard surface using the wiping cloth support (20; 140; 170) can be reduced. According to the invention this is achieved in that the connection part (68) has a first connection element for releasably connecting to the liquid container (40) and a second connection element for releasably connecting to the spray head (30).