Research on Wet Floor Cleaning

Transcription

Research on Wet Floor Cleaning
Domestic Appliances :: Applied Ergonomics
Group 8A
Maarten Geerse
Gerwin Jansen
Onno Kramer
Nicolas Meunier
Rick van der Wee
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Index
1. Introduction
2
2. About Philips
2.1 Philips Vision
2.2 Philips Product Style
3
4
3. User Research
3.1 Segmentation; defining target group
3.2 Competent cleaner
3.3 Sub segmentation
3.4 Living Environment
3.5 Consumer Behaviour
3.6 Design
3.7 Health Status
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5
6
8
8
8
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4. Product Market & Future Technologies
4.1 Research on Consumer Cleaning Devices
4.2 Research on Professional Cleaning Devices
4.3 Patents on Wet Floor Cleaning Devices
4.4 Sinner Circle
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14
19
22
5. Product
5.1 Function
5.2 Meaning
5.3 Usage
5.4 Components
5.5 Products with Same Function
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24
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6. Sustainability
6.1 Sustainability is a necessity
6.2 Definitions of sustainability
6.3 EcoDesign Strategies
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7. Ergonomics
7.1 Physical Parameters Concerning Mopping
7.2 Research Proposal
7.3 Cleaning Process
7.4 Analysis
7.5 Ergonomic Guidelines & Criteria
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34
36
35
45
8. Design Criteria
47
9. References
48
10. Appendix
10.1 Interview
10.2 Anthropometrics
10.3 Ergonomic design recommendations
and considerations
10.4 Floor cleaning process
10.5 Floor cleaning machine layout
10.6 Anatomical Movements
10.7 Results Interviews
Research on Wet Floor Cleaning group 8A
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1. Introduction
Cleaning the household is a hard work. There are a lot of different cleaning processes for each
surface and different equipments for each one that demands time and effort. Some tasks that are
especially hard are the ones that have to do with the floor care. Here you need to have good solutions
and designs due to the large surfaces that are involved and that one have to clean.
Philips research about floor cleaning came to the conclusion that there could be a market opportunity
for their company in this segment because “Today vacuum cleaners are used to clean hard and soft
floors about three times per week. However, consumer research shows that consumers think that only
if their floor has been cleaned with a wet mop it is really hygienically clean. However, wet mopping a
floor is strenuous work and convenient solutions are required to facilitate this task.” (Assignment by
Philips DAP for TU Delft)
Our goal is to design a wet floor cleaning device for a specific target group given by Philips.
First a definition must be made about what it is understood by wet mopping:
Making use of a cleaning implement consisting of absorbent material
fastened to a handle; for wet cleaning of hard floors.
To achieve this, a study is made of the target group, their characteristics, cleaning habits, analyse the
market, the products usage, sustainable aspects, ergonomics and the subjects related to this.
To make the report more clear, the ergonomic research, that is part of the Applied Ergonomics course,
will be included in the Domestic Appliances report but in a separate chapter (see Chapter 7Ergonomics). This way the report can have a more linear sequence of analysis and use both
investigations to get more complete conclusions.
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2. About Philips
2.1. Philips Vision
To get a deeper understanding on the Philips way of thinking, and try to feed our investigation with
their design vision, some quotes are collected that give us some keywords that can be interesting for
the future product development and design.
• “Improve the quality of people’s lives and make them happier”
• “We have tried to strike a balance so people are empowered – and not overpowered – by
technological innovation”
• “Our design solutions should be responsible and sustainable”
(Above quotes from: Philips Mission & Vision; www.design.philips.com, 2006)
• “A similar glut of information is apparent in the products we use. They confuse us with their vast
number of functions and, again, their seductive exterior merely covers a void. It is this void, or silence,
which prevents us from entering into any meaningful relationship with the product: we are unable to
‘feel’ the object.”
• “Today’s consumers are increasingly individualistic. Whereas they once fell into clearly defined
national, cultural or social groups (e.g., the yuppies) and acquired products (often status symbols) in
order to affirm their membership of one of these groups, today they are transversal in their
behaviour.”
• “The consumer is moving away from group style towards individual style.”
• “In the past, the emphasis was on quantity: products were impressive for their number of functions,
the number of gears or the number of programs. It is perhaps because of this quantitative, materialistic
approach that we have now reached the limits to growth. Concentration on quantity is therefore no
longer possible. Instead, we must shift to quality. We must focus on the ‘soft’ values – the aspects
which will make the consumer experience richer and more meaningful.”
• “Yet the ultimate happiness for man is the realisation of pure beauty and truth, which are the ultimate
values.”
• “And the way to do this is to make sure we create relevant objects.”
• “If miniaturization continues, then obviously products will occupy less and less space in the home.
They may (and probably will) virtually merge invisibly into the domestic environment, leaving the
inhabitant room for more meaningful and relevant objects.”
• “Design is, as I noted earlier, moving from ‘hard’ to ‘soft’, from quantity to quality. Products no longer
convey image, but identity.”
• “There is considerable disaffection with products that are overdesigned and overcomplicated. Short
and wasteful life-cycles have just enlarged this sense of distance.”
• “We must abandon our obsession with adding extra functions or fancy gadgets to products.
Instead we must enhance the quality of the consumer experience by making products easier to use.”
• “Their interface is natural, and they are not tied down to an external source of energy. They are
infinitely far removed from the ‘white plastic look’ we are so familiar with.”
(Above quotes from: The Philips Design philosophy; www.design.philips.com, 2006)
• “Its basic assumption is that through technology and innovation, we can enhance people’s quality of
life by providing solutions that are attractive to the individual, valuable to society, friendly to the
environment and profitable to the business.”
(A sustainable future; www.design.philips.com, 2006)
• “The living room of the near future will contain less clutter and be full of meaningful objects that
convey the technological benefits in forms that are familiar and inviting to us.”
(Living room; www.design.philips.com, 2006)
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2.2. Philips Product Style
Within the Philips product catalogue, four different product styles can be distinguished. Even between
domestic products mayor differences do exist; based on potential buyer. The first collage contains
products with the so called “white plastic look” as Philips described into their philosophy. They look
very clean and a bit boring; Philips does not dissuade to use this style. The second collage, the one
right above, shows more colour into the products. The style gives the impression that these products
are quite modern and qualitatively good. Because of the hue of the colours and older target group is
suspected. The third collage gives an impression of a luxury style; usage of stainless steel in
combination with black plastic. The last product style that is found among Philips products is very
colourful and probably aims at the younger users. Although there is a big difference in colour, the
shape can be the same. Colour has a big influence on potential buyers, and therefore a target group
may like or dislike a certain product.
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3. User
3.1. Segmentation; defining target group
In order to get better insight into the different types of consumers in the Floor Care market in Western
Europe, a segmentation study has been conducted by Philips in 1999. The results have been updated
and validated again in 2002. Based on these results, Philips has chosen 3 different existing segments:
competent cleaners, home proud cleaners and family cleaners. Philips asked us to focus on the first
segment. This segment is the most attractive one to Philips. The attractiveness is firstly based upon
the size in volume, 15 % of the respondents of the research fall into this category. Other attractive
things mentioned are their willingness to pay, their motivation to clean and the future innovation
potential. On the other hand, the competitive position for this segment is weak; there are a lot of floor
cleaning products available for this target group.
3.2. Competent cleaner
Competent cleaners are cleaning experts. According to Philips, these are mainly older women. They
are married, but with no children in the household. They often live in cities. Their homes are well
organised and they are in perfect control of their home environment. Being such good housekeepers,
they in fact do not need to clean very often. They clean so thoroughly, effectively and competently that
the house is always presentable. Competent cleaners can almost be seen as (semi-)professionals.
They really take pride in being a housekeeper. They are willing to put in time and effort for good
results.
The quality of their vacuum cleaner is its essential characteristic, this is more important than cost and
speed of cleaning. They are not satisfied with superficial cleaning, cleaning should be done
thoroughly. They are not at all satisfied if their house is not dirty, is must be beautiful.
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3.3. Sub segmentation; double-income couples in Northwest Europe
Sub segmentation is made, because “competent cleaners” is a bit vague. Sub segmenting the group
gives handles during design process, which makes decision making a lot easier. Seven sub segments
have been defined: housewives; housemen; couples; yups; domestic helpers; elderly people and
allergic people. The segment with the most advantages is double-income couples. In contrary with the
other segments, they have both a lot of money to spent and, when one is working part-time, have
enough time to do the cleaning.
The couples are between the ages of 40 and 60 years. These people have the highest income
and often don’t have too spent as much money on their children as younger couples do. There are no
infants in the household; the youngest child is five years or above. In that case, the mother is not older
than about 45 years. One of them is working part time, mostly the woman. Because she doesn’t have
to take care for the children anymore, she has enough time for cleaning.
A wet floor cleaning product might be more interesting for Northwest European people, than
for Southwest European people because of several reasons. At first, living in the Northwest is more
‘indoor’ because of the cold climate. As they spent most time in their houses, it’s important to have a
clean house. Also the floor gets dirtier because of the wet climate. Therefore Northwest people will
clean their house more regularly and might be more willing to afford a new cleaning product. Another
difference might be that the Northwest is more progressive than the south, when it comes to cleaning.
Southern people stick to their more traditional cleaning equipment.
As the design problem is limited to cleaning hard floors, it’s interesting to know what floor
types are common in Northwest Europe. According to Philips, the United Kingdom has more carpets
than any other country in Western Europe. Information on the other countries could not be found,
that’s why table X is only based upon speculations. The other countries probably have less carpets
and thus more hard floors than the UK. Especially in Scandinavia, they have a lot of wooden floors.
That’s why only the UK and Ireland are skipped.
Hard floors
Carpet
Belgium, Holland, Luxembourg
+
+
United Kingdom, Ireland
0
++
Norway, Sweden, Finland, Denmark
+
+
France
+
0
Germany Swiss, Austria
+
+
Table 1
Northwest Europe consists of different cultures. However, the following information concerns
only Dutch people. This is because of a lack of information that is available on consumers in the other
countries. As it is presumed that the cultural differences in Northwest Europe are not that big, Holland
is representative for this region.
Financial and social status
“Double-income couples have a relatively high income. It is even higher when there are no minors
(younger than 18 years) in the household. They often live in big houses, the older ones in particular”.
(http://statline.cbs.nl/StatWeb/...).
The couples that were interviewed do all live in medium size or large family houses (row,
(semi-) detached). All couples have an active social life and working part-time or full-time, so the time
they can spend on cleaning is limited. The reason they work both is because they have the time for it
(no children to raise anymore). They do not need the extra money, but can live more comfortable with
it. It is not common to have a cleaner. The cleaning process is done by one of the persons in the
household. The person who cleans is used to clean, and has an effective and efficient way of
cleaning. When they clean they do it very thoroughly. Because most of the couples do not have
children at home anymore, the volume of the house is relatively large compared to the amount of
people living there. This means that the floor that has to be cleaned is large. There is no reason to
remove from the house they live in. The persons in the target group have an above average social
status, because of the activities they undertake besides their daily work.
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Values in cleaning behaviour
Philips’ segmentation study reveals some universal values in cleaning behaviour. Firstly, everyone
wants to feel at ease by being in a healthy environment and by being in control over the cleaning
process and the time that it takes. Next to this people want to be in control over the home
environment. This is not only control over the appliance and the cleaning job, but also control over the
total process. Also their household should be well organized. Finally saving time on the cleaning job
should lead to freedom to do other activities that people enjoy more than cleaning.
Generally the cleaning job can be divided in two aspects: the process and the result. For competent
cleaners, the result is far more important than the process. That means they don’t really mind putting
effort in the cleaning process. This is confirmed by our ergonomic research, which is discussed in
Chapter 7. Half of the participants within this research, even enjoy wet floor cleaning. This might be
because a good result leads to satisfaction.
Competent cleaners strive for 3 different types of cleanliness, which are thoroughness,
hygiene and beautiful cleanliness.
1. Thoroughness is about cleaning as deep as possible. This means cleaning the entire floor surface
including all corners and crevices, removing all loose dust & dirt (e.g. dust & crumbs) and all sticky
dirt (e.g. old dust sticking to the surface and in the carpet fibres & sticky spills).
2. Hygiene has thoroughness in it; at least as far as the actual hygiene part concerns. You have to
remove (visible, invisible and dangerous) dirt before something can be hygienic. To really become
sterile, which is of course the ultimate hygiene, also all germs need to be killed and / or removed.
On the other hand there also exists an impression aspect of hygiene, since one cannot see the
invisible dirt and bacteria that are removed. Therefore this type of cleanliness also has elements of
belief in it. This belief can be achieved by influencing the consumer's senses, a good example of
this are the detergent commercials.
3. Beautiful Cleanliness can be split up into two aspects; permanent beauty and temporary beauty.
Permanent beauty is occurring as a result after the cleaning. And temporary beauty is perceived
during the process of cleaning. For example, it makes the air coming out of the vacuum cleaner,
smell nicer and more pleasant. However in both cases beauty is perceived with the senses.
Cleanliness mainly concerns the permanent beauty.
Competent cleaners stress the importance of thoroughness in particular. Because they
clean so thoroughly, they don’t have to do it very often. According to our research, they clean only
once a week for almost 30 minutes. They do it often on defined days, mostly in the morning, together
with other cleaning activities.
CC = Competent cleaner
FC = Family cleaner
HP = home proud
Hob= Hobbyist
DH = disheartened
cleaner
DI = Disinterested cleaner
Table 2
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3.4. Living environment
Competent cleaners love living in a clean environment. As our research shows, they only feel
comfortable when their house is really clean and well organised. Also, competent cleaners are very
careful with their interior. When they use products like the vacuum cleaner, they don’t want to scratch
their furniture. Their living environment is visualised in figure 2. It shows that they like tidy interiors with
a lot of space.
Figure 2: Living environment
3.5. Consumer behaviour
Because of the above average income of the target group, they have enough money to spend on
luxury goods. However, the participants of our research only buy new products when the old ones are
worn out or really outdated. But when new products are needed, they choose to have high quality
products, because they have more comfort and appearance. Also the period the product can be used
is long. The people in our target group do not feel the need to have ‘the newest of the newest’. Quality
and life time is more important.
The researched participants have tried new cleaning devices, but after a while they use the
cleaning device they used before, again. Reason for this is that the new devices do not have the
quality of the old ones. The intended advantage is not there. Because they are familiar with the
cleaning devices they now use, they are not really interested in products with new technologies, like
for example the steam cleaner. Especially the more expensive a product with a new technology is, the
higher the threshold. Reason for this is that there might be a chance they will not use the product after
a short period of time. People of our target group will only spend money on products if they are really
worth it. During our research was mentioned by most of the participants that they would like to buy
new floor cleaning devices, but they do not know which ones. The products really have to have an
advantage to the ones they are used to.
The participants of our research buy their non-electrical floor cleaning devices at Blokker or in
the supermarket (also at Aldi), only when the old devices are worn out. The cleaning products are
bought by the users, in our case only females.
3.6. Design
A vacuum cleaner that Philips designed in particular for
competent cleaners is the Marathon. This bag-less vacuum
cleaner has the highest suction power of all their products. That’s
because they prefer high quality products; the product has to
function well and does not have to be a status symbol itself. The
luxury style will be a bit over the top for them. Probably they buy
products that are presented in the second Philips product style
collage as shown in figure 3. These are high quality products with
a nuanced usage of colour, giving an impression of products that
express themselves as modern, qualitative and trustful.
So a wet floor cleaning product has to do a very good cleaning. It
should reach every need of the competent cleaner:
thoroughness, reliability, etc. Also a good product for them
should consider the simplicity when using, as this target group
includes people up to 60 years old that are not very up to date
with the latest technologies or with the new interfaces. Products
they like need to have simplicity, but high quality. They are willing
to pay for reliability, durability and steadiness.
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Figure 3
Fig 4: Beautiful products
Figure 5: Ugly products
All these facts are confirmed by our research. Many participants like the design of the Philips Senseo
Crema. Besides that, they are content with this product, because of its reliability and durability. Figure
4 shows some other products they like. Common style criteria are black colours, chrome, stainless
steel and round forms.
Products that they find ugly are shown in figure 5. These are often old yellowed products that
are outdated. Their main common style is the “white-plastic look”.
They find some of their products annoying, because it makes noise (e.g. vacuum cleaner) or
because it takes a lot of time to clean it (e.g. blenders, mixers, toast irons).
3.7. Health status
Aging comes with health problems, both physical and cognitive. According to CBS, people in the
age of 40 until 60 encounter significantly more limitation than younger people. They are particularly
limited in their sight and mobility. (http://statline.cbs.nl/StatWeb/...)
Older people are not really capable of squatting and kneeling anymore, because it requires a
lot of energy. That’s why they bend forward instead to reach for something on the ground. As a result
back problems occur. According to our research, bending forward is experienced as the most tiring
posture.
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4. Product market and future technologies
Introduction
An important step of the analysis phase is the product market and future technology research. It
contains information about products that are already available in stores or on the internet and new
technologies. To get a broad overview of interesting products and technologies, research is also done
on other cleaning devices than mops.
The market research contains both consumer- and professional products. The products are presented
per cleaning technique. Both regular technologies and technologies that might have a large influence
on the cleaning devices in the near future are explained in the market research part. All this
information will be useful in the design process.
4.1. Research on consumer cleaning devices
Introduction
The kind of device used for cleaning floors depends on the properties of the floor. When looking in the
stores, the vacuum cleaner is the most common cleaning device for floors. Because this project is
about ‘make mopping easier’, the focus is on other floor cleaning devices than vacuum cleaners.
However, vacuum cleaners can be interesting when looking at design solutions and technologies
(especially for ergonomic improvement). These features can be interesting when designing a device
for this project.
Several stores sell cleaning devices. Where for example Mediamarkt sells electric devices
(like steam cleaners and vacuum cleaners), Blokker sells non-electric devices (like wet and dry mops,
sponges and dust removers). Other visited stores are: It’s, Hema and V&D.
The internet gives a broad view on consumer cleaning devices. Products can be found that
would not be in normal stores, and that are not very common. A disadvantage is that it is not always
clear how a certain product works, and what the dimensions and weight are. This research contains
both products found in stores and products found on the internet.
Technique
Vacuum cleaning
Mopping
Steam cleaning
High pressure cleaning
Multifunctional cleaning
Application
All floors
Hard floors
All floors
All floors
All floors
Vacuum cleaning
Several vacuum cleaners can be found that differ from regular vacuum cleaners. Some of the most
interesting products are shown underneath.
Philips floor cleaners
Because Philips is involved in this project, a
research had been done on interesting cleaning
devices within the Philips assortment. The first
interesting device is the Triathlon 2000. This
product is a vacuum cleaner with wet/dry function.
It has a reservoir for water and shampoo, to clean
hard and soft floors.
Secondly, the FT 6125/01 is interesting
because it is a rechargeable, lightweight sweeper
with electric rotating brush for cleaning all types of
hard floors and short-pile carpets.
Triathlon 2000
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FC 6125/01 rechargeable sweeper
Dyson floor cleaners
Dyson vacuum cleaners work with a centrifugal reservoir for dust, so sacks are
not needed anymore. Lots of other brands are copying this technology at the
moment. The price of a Dyson is around 300 euros. The plus of this technology
is that the most annoying part of vacuum cleaning, replacing the dirty sack, is
avoided. When designing a device that makes mopping easier, it is important
to keep in mind the most annoying elements of the wet mopping process.
These elements have to be removed in the new product.
Dyson vacuum cleaner
Bestron wet/dry hand vacuum cleaner
V&D cleaner
Bestron handheld wet/dry vacuum cleaner
Mediamarkt also sells a hand vacuum cleaner from Bestron, with wet/dry function. It has a reservoir
for the vacuum cleaned fluid. The picture is shown above.
Easy maneuverable vacuum cleaner
Some of the vacuum cleaners are designed to be more manoeuvrable than regular vacuum cleaners.
This way, the appearance is more in the direction of a mop. V&D sells such a vacuum cleaner for less
than 30 euros. Dyson also has a so called ‘upright cleaner range’, but they look more massive and are
more expensive (250 euros).
Mopping
Cotton wet mops (and sweepers) are found a lot in stores. The products consist of a long handle with
at the end a cotton part. Both the parts can be bought separately. Wet mops have a cotton piece in the
form of long dreads, while the sweepers have a flat towel-like cotton part that wraps around the bottom
part. The wet mops are usually used with a bucket and a wringer. Sweepers with a sponge bottom are
also available. The pictures below show some variants of wet mops and sweepers found at Hema,
V&D and Blokker.
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Mops are available with several other working principles than already mentioned. The pictures
underneath show a mop with use of ‘dry’ steam, a mop that works with a sponge that can be
squeezed out, and a mop that sprays cleanser fluid behind the cotton fabric.
An interesting one is the steam mop. This mop does not use detergents or other fluids, just
water. It can remove dirt and grease from carpets, and for hard floors a fibre fabric can be put
underneath the mop.
Steam mop
Sponge mop
Mop with cleanser reservoir
Steam cleaning
Mediamarkt has a selection of Hoover steam cleaners in its assortment. The steam
cleaners consist of a reservoir that has to heat up for several minutes. The more
expensive steam cleaners have an in-built vacuum cleaner. Also cleaning fluid is
added. For small surfaces, Hoover has a mini-cleaner with the size of a hand
vacuum cleaner. It heats up in 20 seconds. Prices of the Hoover products vary
between 59 and 599 euros.
Mini steam cleaner
Tell-sell steam cleaner
Vapor steam cleaner
Korean steam mop
Steam Cleaning is a way to deep clean and remove dirt, stains, and kill dust mites, mold,
germs, spores and bacteria. Steam cleaners sanitize and disinfect but without using chemicals,
instead they use steam of levels of 115°C and above.
Tell-sell has lower quality domestic products in its assortment. For 120 euros, a steam
cleaning device can be ordered, without vacuum clean option. The Vapor cleaner however, does
combine the features of a steam cleaner and a vacuum cleaner. This device is a bit more expensive
than the FloorMate. (www.vapor-systems.com)
High pressure cleaning
High pressure cleaners are also available for the consumer market. Although they might be too
rigorous for domestic use, the technology can be interesting for removing sticky dirt from hard floors.
The high pressure cleaner underneath has a pressure between 70 and 140 bar. The price is 94 euros.
Clatronic high pressure cleaner
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Multifunctional cleaning
The Hoover FloorMate is a manoeuvrable device of around 150 euros. It has a dry
vacuum cleaner to remove loose dirt, a function to wet clean the floor, and a wet
pickup that reduces drying time of the floor surface.
Hoover FloorMate
Robotic floor cleaning
Latest technologies in cleaning are so called robotic cleaners. Scooba has
developed a robotic cleaner that integrates vacuum cleaning and mopping. The
working principle is shown underneath. It picks up loose crumbs, sand and dirt.
Then it washes the floor with a clean solution, where after it picks up the dirty
solution. The floor is clean and dry afterwards. The process takes around 45
minutes for a medium size kitchen floor.
Electrolux has also developed a robotic cleaner. This device only has a vacuum
clean function.
Scooba Robot floor washer with working principle
Electrolux vacuum cleaner
Various wet cleaning devices (Kärcher)
The website www.HermesElectronics.nl gives an overview of various cleaning devices of several
brands, but mostly of Kärcher (and Nilco for professional use). Especially Kärcher has a collection of
several kinds of wet cleaning devices: window cleaners, steam cleaners (also with iron), and wet/dry
vacuum cleaners. An interesting product is the window cleaner. It sprays water and cleanser, and a
vacuum cleaner with rubber strip sucks the wet dirt up.
The assortments of Hermes Electronics are for consumer and professional market. Consumer
products, dependent on the properties, are priced between 70 and 400 euros.
Steam cleaner, window cleaner and handsize steam cleaner from Karcher
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Bosch wet/dry vacuum cleaner
4.2. Research on professional cleaning devices
Introduction
Even though this project is about products for domestic appliances, a research on the Internet has
been done on professional wet floor cleaning devices. The reason for this is that technical solutions
used for the professional market might be introduced into the domestic market after a while.
The focus of this research is on the technical solutions, because all the other aspects, like
ergonomics and aesthetics of the product differ very much from consumer products as a result of a
difference in requirements. For example, because of the large surfaces, it is very imp ortant that a
professional cleaning device is efficient. That’s why these machines are often a lot bigger.
Professional cleaning devices can be used for the following cleaning areas: retail, factories,
bathrooms, pools, sport surfaces, hospitals, offices, schools, rail and air terminals, exhibition halls,
cinema, etc. These areas can be both indoor and outdoor.
Within the professional market for cleaning devices, a number of similar techniques can be
recognized. Each technique can be applied on one or more particular surfaces.
Technique
Scrubbing
Polishing
Scarifying
Water injecting
Pressure washing
Steam cleaning
Application
All floors
Hard floors
Hard floors
Carpets
All floors
All floors
Scrubbing
Sit-on Floor Scrubbers
These devices are used for scrubbing and drying of indoor hard surfaces such as hardwood floors,
ceramic floor tiles, bare and painted concrete, terrazzo flooring and marble. Water may be mixed with
detergents and scrubbed with brushes onto a hard surface to agitate and suspend the dirt and debris
in the cleaning solution. A squeegee then sucks up the slurry into a recovery tank.
(www.chapelcleaning.co.uk)
Alto Floor Scrubbers
Kärcher BR Trike BAT Pack
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Multiwash Multi Purpose Floor Scrubbing Machine
This Multiwash device claims to be the worlds most versatile and
effective floor washer, scrubber and dryer. It washes, mops, scrubs,
dries, polishes and effectively cleans all surfaces from awkward profile
floors and tiles, to rubber and wood. The all-in-one machine can also be
used on soft floor coverings including woven and non-woven short pile
carpet, carpet tiles, and can even be used on escalators or entrance
matting.(www.parish-supply.com)
Multiwash device with working principle
Port A Scrub Multi Purpose Scrubbing Machine
The Port A Scrub cleans virtually any hard floor and short nap carpeting. It puts the water and
chemical down, scrubs with two counter rotating cylindrical brushes and picks up the dirty water,
leaving the floor virtually dry. This machine has four height settings for brush wear and brush height.
A one gallon clean water tank is conveniently located on the handle. (www.parish-supply.com)
A similar device is the scrubbing machine of Kärcher.
Battery Powered MotorScrubber
The MotorScrubber is a powerful, lightweight, telescoping cleaning machine. It quickly and effortlessly
cleans restrooms, shower/ locker rooms, windows, stairwells, pools and motor vehicles.
The MotorScrubber operates from a 12-volt DC battery, which is safe for use around water. It provides
up to 4 hours of use and recharges in 10 hours. The device allows you to scrub and polish where
there are no electric outlets available. The permanently lubricated submersible head pivots 70 degrees
to follow the contour of the surface. (www.parish-supply.com)
Port A Scrub
Kärcher BDP 43/Duo C
MotorScrubber
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Polishing
Polishing is the process of creating a smooth and shiny surface by rubbing with a cotton or wool
polishing pad. Floor polishers are typically used for Terrazzo, stone quarry tiles, vinyl and marble.
(www.instawares.com)
Euroclean Ultra-Speed
Kärcher BD 53-1100
Polishing pad
Water injecting
Carpet cleaning machines inject water and cleaning chemical solution into the carpet and then
vacuuming away the dirty water and debris into a recovery tank. They remove dirt, stains, spills and
dust from carpets and upholstery. The machines are used with either floor tools or hand held tools for
stairs and upholstery. (www.chapelcleaning.co.uk)
Figure: Numatic Carpet Cleaners
Figure: Kärcher puzzi 300
Figure: Kärcher PW 20
The Kärcher PW 20 has an third function, that is brushing the carpet. After the water and cleaning
solutions are sprayed on the carpet, the roller brush opens the carpet pile, dislodges the dirt and
washes it away thoroughly but gently. Dirt water is vacuumed away at the same time through the
suction duct, the carpet is dried in this process. (www.kärcher.de)
Scarifying
Scarifying machines break down stubborn impregnated contamination
from hard indoor floors. Oil, coolant, rubber, grease and swarf often
combine to produce slippery, flammable and unhygienic surfaces.
There are many alternative types of brushes and wire blocks to cater
for all levels of contamination. The broken down debris is then
removed by a sweeper. Chapel Cleaning Machines
(www.chapelcleaning.co.uk)
Chapel Scarifying machine
16
Pressure washing
A pressure washer is a mechanical device that uses high-pressure water to clean. Professional
equipment can produce pressures of 5000psi or more. Pressure washers can be used for a lot of
applications. However, they are mostly used by contract cleaning companies for concrete cleaning,
especially to clean oil impregnated concrete floors.
The pressure washer consists of an electric motor or gasoline-powered engine, a water pump and a
nozzle designed to focus the water jet.
Several different types of nozzles are available, each useful for a particular application. Some nozzles
cause the water jet to be ejected in a triangular plane, while others emit a pencil-thin jet of water,
which spirals around rapidly.
Some pressure washers, in combination with a particular nozzle, allow detergent to be introduced into
the water stream, assisting in the cleaning process. (wikipedia.org)
Most pressure washers use cold water, but some use hot water, like the device that is shown in figure
12. Pressure washers that use water with temperatures above 115°C are also known as steam
cleaners.(www.kärcher.de)
Kärcher HD 10/25 S
Alto SUPER 2000 Pressure Washer
Kärcher HDS 551
Steam cleaning
As mentioned before, steam cleaners are already widely available for domestic appliances.
A unique professional steam cleaner is the Gum buster, it removes sticky gum from the streets, by
using steam at very high temperatures with low pressure. In contrary to the other steam cleaners,
detergents are used to disintegrate the gum. At the end of the cleaning wand there is a small brush.
(www.gumbusters.com)
Gum buster
UV-unit to clean private swimming pools
Other techniques and future technologies
The right image above shows a device that kills micro organisms in swimming pools by means of Ultra
violet radiation with a wavelength between 200 and 280 nm. This solution works instead of clorine,
which has a prevailing and unpleasant smell. It claims to kill 99,99 of the micro organisms.
17
Ultrasonic is the application of mechanical sound waves to the cleaning process. This type of cleaning
is one of the most effortless, quick and efficient methods known today. Although the applications are
virtually limitless, for floor cleaning the device, as shown in figure X, can only be used for carpets that
fit in it. (www.ultrasonicmachines.com)
Ultrasound cleaning might be very interesting for domestic appliances. Figure X shows a product that
uses highly energized sound waves through a spray of water for cleaning dishes. (www.hight3ch.com)
Morantz Ultrasound cleaning device
Sonoclean Ultrasound cleaning device
18
4.3. Patents on wet floor cleaning devices
During the research it is important to take a look at new and innovative ideas, to get inspiration for the
further development of the wet mop. An effective way to find new ideas is to look at recent patents of
floor cleaning devices. Some of the most interesting patents will be mentioned, with matching patent
numbers. You can find the patents on Espacenet, the European Patent Office.
Interesting patents
Patents can be given to persons who have an interesting technological innovation. Even if this
innovation does not exist yet, the idea can be claimed by someone. One interesting claim is about a
cleaning device with a handle and a removable cleaning pad to clean surfaces. This cleaning pad is
impregnated with an acidic cleaning composition, and is dry to touch. US2005155628
Figure 1 shows an innovation of the company Hoover. It is an all-in-one device, integrating the
functions of wet mopping and wet/dry vacuum cleaning into one device. GB2420268
As shown in figure 2 on the next page, there can be thought about a mopping device that can
be placed on the tube of a vacuum cleaner. This mopping device can be used for wet cleaning, while
the vacuum cleaner cleans the floor from loose dirt. JP2006068272
Figure 3 shows an invention that makes it possible to attach a wet cloth to a brush used in a
vacuum cleaner. A plus is that with this product, the two steps of wet cleaning (dust removal and wet
cleaning) can be reduced to one step. EP1674013
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
Figure 4 shows an intelligent mop. It includes a spraying system for fluid, a
water reservoir, and needs power supply for electronics. Sensors register
how much the mop oscillates, so that cleaning fluid will be sprayed when
needed. US2006140703
The patent of figure 5 (next page) is about a handle with a head having two
parallel supports. These supports can take the form of the plates, so
various cleaning surfaces can be attached. Examples are: scrub pads,
brushes, cloths and sponge surfaces. US2006195996
Figure 6 shows a hand mop, which can be used for cleaning small surfaces.
The mop can be detached of the handle in order to wash it. TW236362B
Figure 4
19
Figure 7 shows a patent of a mop made of fluid absorbent material that can be wringed out. Besides
this, there is some kind of brush or piece of felt attached, to remove dry dirt. GB2424175
The two pictures in figure 8 show a device that is both brush and wet mop. The brush heads
also have the function of wringing out the fluid absorbing material, where after the floor can be
brushed (or the other way around). US2006130255
Another interesting patent is about a steaming device that has a piece of cloth attached to the
end of the tube. This way, the moist (condensed steam + dirt) can be taken away. EP1224899
Figure 5
Figure 6
Figure 7
Figure 8
The most futuristic patent to be found is the autonomous floor cleaning robot, as shown in figure 9.
The robot chassis carries a first cleaning zone comprising cleaning elements arranged to suction loose
particulates up from the cleaning surface and a second cleaning zone comprising cleaning elements
arraigned to apply a cleaning fluid onto the surface and to thereafter collect the cleaning fluid up from
the surface after it has been used to clean the surface. US2006190133
Figure 9
20
Conclusion
The most seen cleaning devices in stores are vacuum cleaners and mops. Vacuum cleaners are
interesting, because there seems to be a lot competition in latest technology, more than with mops,
especially by imitating the Dyson-principle. A small amount of the vacuum cleaners has a wet clean
function. This makes the product more expensive, but also heavier because of the larger motor that is
needed.
When looking at the consumer mops, the most seen products are with the old fashioned
principles of a long handle with a sponge or a dread cloth. It is remarkable that most of these products
are made of low quality plastics, which makes them look and feel fragile.
Most of the consumer wet cleaning devices are non-electric. The electric set cleaning devices that can
be found are steam cleaners. Although these products are already on the market for a long time, there
is not a real break-through yet. Steam cleaners without vacuum clean function also result in very wet
surfaces.
The robotic cleaning devices for consumer market look promising for the future. But at this moment,
just a few variants of it are available.
Most seen wet cleaning products in the professional market are the scrubbing machines.
Large floor scrubbers often have a vacuum clean function included. Professional wet cleaning devices
are often working electrically, to make it possible to clean very thoroughly without using a lot of energy
as a user.
Professional mops are usually made of metal in combination with thick plastic.
As can be expected, some technical solutions for wet floor cleaning have been introduced into the
domestic market. Good examples are the steam cleaners and the ultrasound cleaning devices.
The use of ultrasound technology in cleaning products is promising for the near future.
Interesting patents are about integrating the various steps of the wet floor cleaning process
into one product, to make the process easier and less time consuming. Other interesting patents are
about materials and ways to clean the floor surface thoroughly.
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4.4. Sinner circle
The sinner circle is used to make an overview of the different techniques that are mentioned before.
It describes the activity of detaching dirt by analysing the importance of four parameters, namely time,
temperature, chemical actions and mechanical actions. Modifying any one of the four parameters must
be compensated by changes in one or more of the remaining parameters. The factor ‘time’ describes
the lead time of preparation, the actual cleaning and aftercare. ‘Temperature’ can be low, moderate or
high. The factor ‘chemical actions’ describes the use of cleaning agents and the effect on the dirt, the
chemical bonding and the substrate. The factor ‘mechanical actions’ describes the abrasive or nonabrasive contact.
a. Vacuum cleaning
b. Mopping
c. Steam cleaning
d. High pressure cleaning
e. Scrubbing
f. Polishing
g. Scarifying
h. Water injecting
i. Ultrasound cleaning
Time
Temperature
Chemical actions
Chemical actions
Figure 10: Sinner circles
As you can see, ‘mechanical actions’ is in a lot of cases the most important parameter.
Scrubbing with the mop is a ‘mechanical action’ that is most important for this technique. Also
‘chemical actions’ is an important parameter, that is because detergents are used to detach the dirt.
By the way, mopping is the only technique in which all four parameters are manifested. Time and
temperature are relatively unimportant.
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5. Product
This chapter will give a deeper understanding of the cleaning aspects, it is included some information
about the meaning, the procedures, the usage, analyze from an abstract perspective and then have a
better understanding of the product.
5.1 Function
The function refers not to the way that a cleaning device works, but a general view of the purpose of
cleaning without concerning a specific cleaning object. It could be mentioned for example the
practical function and the aesthetical function.
Practical function
This is a main issue when speaking of cleaning devices because the easy to use or ready to use
device is one of the first aspects to be concern of when designing a cleaning object. The human
being by nature tries to do things as easy as possible in the cognitive and physical sense, and this
includes also cleaning tasks.
Aesthetical Function
Normally the cleaning devices are hidden while stored because they are not appealing. And for this
reason, they are kept separated from the daily life objects making the usage more difficult.
5.2 Meaning
As Philips says, “Only wet is a real clean”, but what does wet cleaning means?
Cleaning a hard floor with wet products produce a sensation of cleaning that is not present in
the sweep or the broom. Water has a very strong cleaning connotation. In nature water cleans rivers,
cities, etc. and in this case it is an optimal way to dissolve and remove dirt. Water traps the loose dust
from the floor and keeps it attached to it.
One important aspect is that if you spend time, and especially if the work is hard work, you
feel that you have cleaned thoroughly. But those concepts, hard work and thoroughly are not directly
related as one may commonly think. The first one expresses a quantity work while the second one
represents a quality work.
5.3 Usage
This section explains the process of cleaning. But to specify a little more in our field it will centre in the
cleaning process of hard floors, as tiles, wood floors, linoleum, etc. with wet product.
When cleaning a floor one thinks first in sweeping or vacuum clean the room. This is the most
common cleaning process. But with only the dry cleaning there are some problems and suddenly dry
cleaning is not enough.
The most important problems of dry cleaning are:
• The dry cloth or broom spreads the dirt to a larger extension.
• Vacuum cleaner faces the ‘boundary layer’. Resistance of air to flow: viscosity. Less speed near the
ground.
• Fine dirt embeds in this greasy layer. This can’t be removed with dry cleaning or vacuum cleaners.
• There is a greasy layer that generates and uneven gloss in the floor.
air flow
greasy layer
floor surface
Figure 1
23
Wet mopping is a tiring time-consuming task that is usually avoided by everyone, in spite of that is
seen as the ultimate cleaning. It is clear that every person has their different cleaning style and using
habits but all of them have a structure and some clear steps that they follow.
The cleaning process is divided in 4 basic steps:
1.
2.
3.
4.
– Cleaning dry dust and dirt.
– Preparing.
– Cleaning.
– Aftercare process.
1. Cleaning dry dust and dirt.
The first step to clean a solid floor is to clean the loose dirt with a dry product, call it broom, sweeper,
etc.; otherwise the wet device will become dirty instantly. This process is very superficial, you clean
what you see, and the fact that the dirt is loose, doesn’t give you a sensation of a clean floor. This
type of cleaning is a memory process. This means that you don’t have the whole vision of what you
have done; you don’t know where you have passed the broom.
2. Preparing.
The second step refers to the preparation of all the materials
needed for the cleaning process. This includes tasks such as
changing cloth, putting the gloves on, preparing the mixture, etc.
These are tasks that, although not every one makes them, are
necessary to take into account for the design analysis.
The time of preparation, the different activities that a person does
before cleaning are relevant for the next development of the design
because gives guidelines through the process. Some of this tasks
are intimately related to the mop cleaning process and thus to the
object, while some others, like changing cloth, have to be
acknowledge but does not change the final product directly.
Figure 2: Dry cleaning
3. Cleaning.
The third step is the process of cleaning itself. The introduction of the wet factor into the cleaning
task. It is the main action performed by the object. In hard floor surfaces cleaning process there are
two acts or instances that are performed, one of those is the general cleaning action and the other
one is the scratching of sticky dirt. While mopping, you have some
feedback about the area that you have cleaned. There is a path of
wet floor (not like with the broom or the sweeper) that organized
you for the cleaning process and it turns an area into a nontrespassing area, so you have to plan your way trough and be the
last to leave the room so it dries properly. In the cleaning process,
some other aspects are important, like how to move the furniture
and how to keep them intact, also, there are always objects
attached to the main one that has to be carried around.
Figure 3: Wet cleaning
4. After care process. After de usage there are several operations, it is not like a vacuum cleaner or a
broom that you just leave it a side. This last step is the one that centered on the process after the use
like cleaning the mop, dispose the dirty water, the storage, etc.
5.4 Components
We are not going to describe or make a list of the parts that a mop should or should not have. For
develop an innovative product is needed to reach a more abstract level, but first it should have a
common structure of the components so there is a clear idea of what is needed.
For the cleaning process of a hard floor with wet products the first part that shows up is the
space where the water will be kept, the “water reservoir” that has to follow all the cleaning process.
Then the “User-Floor Link”. How to reach the floor from above? You need some connection between
you and the floor for cleaning the floor. Then you need a cleaning element that makes the contact
with the floor and consider every aspect of it, all the cleaning habits, etc.
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5.5 Products with same function
These are related by function, these are the products that fulfil the same function in one way or the
other. These functions are applied most of all to the end bottom part of the mop. Some of them have
double functions linking different tasks along the cleaning process releasing the user to make some
tasks several times. Like in these examples, the one above has a
water reservoir that keeps the mop wet so the user doesn’t need to ad
cleaning mixture from a bucket. In the left, the cleaning device has an
attached part to squeeze the mop.
Conclusion
Wet cleaning and its meaning have a strong connotation that carries
ideas of cleanliness, hygiene and purity. Wet cleaning should be
understood as a process beyond the cleaning itself. For a new design
you have to have a wide idea of what this implies. Taking aspects of
the entire process going from the first steps of just removing the dry
dust to the storage stage. One thing that is important is about the
meaning of the mopping process. People think that a hard work is a
thorough work, but this aspect is determined by the properties of the
mop.
Figure 4: Products with same
function
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6. Sustainability
6.1. Sustainability is a necessity
Royal Philips is one of the world leading electronic companies and with that prominent position comes
social responsibility. At Philips they say they are in the unique position to link their brand heritage to
the challenge of improving the quality of people’s lives. “Sustainability is built into our heritage, our
values and our commitment to improve the quality of people’s lives.”
(www.philips.com/about/company/sustainability).
They also conclude that sustainable development is a necessity and the right thing to do.
Because a new floor cleaning device has to be developed, that embraces the values of Philips
and its costumers, an insight about sustainability will be gained. Philips noticed that sustainable
development is a ‘necessity’, this is in line with a research they did about social trends. In this writing
there are some points of interest concerning the environment.
Trends
Demand for reduction of
hazardous substances in products
Waste reduction
Issues
Clean water and sanitation
Philips strategic response
EcoVision program
Climate change (global warming)
EcoDesign of products with weight,
energy reduction and recyclability
as focal areas
EcoDesign with hazardous
substances as focal area
Active role and participation in
recycling programs
Sustainability as business driver
Limited resources (energy,
materials)
Table 1: (Philips Sustainability Report 2005, responding to societal trends)
Nowadays the consumer becomes more and more environmental conscious. Informing
organizations like ‘Greenpeace’, ‘WWF’ and the consumer organizations are paying attention to these
items hoping to gain consumer support to force companies to design more sustainable products. With
the introduction of the European Eco-label consumers are even able to choose whether they will or will
not buy ‘sustainable’ products.
Big electronic companies such as Philips did respond to consumer requests to design
products that produce less impact on the environment. In fact these new requests lead to healthy
concurrence between the companies.
Companies are now worldwide doing research to possibilities of more efficient production and
innovative product design. “The net result is not only dramatically lower environmental impact but also
lower costs, better product quality, and enhanced global competitiveness.” (M Porter 1995)
This innovating process may bring benefits for the manufacturer and also for consumers
because the innovated ‘sustainable’ products will, for instance, use less energy and that will result to a
lower energy bill after all. As a result of this ‘EcoDesign’ process, consumers may find attractive to buy
a ‘sustainable’ product because of its additional consumer benefits.
6.2. Definitions of sustainability
“Sustainable development implies exploring new ways of
business value creation, stimulating companies to be creative in
thinking solutions that will answer people’s requirements with regard to
environmental and social values, for the current and next generations.”
(www.design.philips.com).
“The ASHRAE GreenGuide (Grumman 2003) defines green
design as “…one that is aware of and respects nature and the natural
order of things; it is a design that minimizes the negative human
impacts on the natural surroundings, materials, resources, and processes that prevail in nature.”
(Gowri 2003)
“Green Engineering Design (or Green Design) is an approach to product and process design
that reduces environmental impact without compromising a product's quality or its commercial viability.
The aim is to identify, develop, and exploit new technologies that can bolster productivity while
minimizing impact to the environment.” (Sriram 2000).
“Green design is the catch-all term for a growing industry trend within the fields of architecture,
construction, and interior design. Also referred to as "sustainable design" or "eco-design", the broad
26
principles of green design are fairly simple: choose energy efficiency wherever possible; work in
harmony with the natural features and resources surrounding the project site; and use materials that
are sustainably grown or recycled rather than new materials from non-renewable resources. …”
(Wikipedia 2006)
“Sustainability, in its most recent and comprehensive definitions, is ultimately a matter of
guaranteeing a certain quality of life to current and future generations. Sustainability ‘implies a system
of production and consumption able to assure a greater equity, quality of life and environmental wellbeing today and for future generations’ (definition of the World Business Council for Sustainable
Development, 1999).” (A sustainable future; www.design.philips.com 2006)
6.3. EcoDesign strategies
To define what aspects of a product can be influenced by EcoDesign, it is needed to know how this
procedure is done and what strategies can be used in sustainable development. In “Milieugerichte
Productontwikkeling’, by Han Remmerswaal, the LiDS (Lifecycle Design Strategies) wheel is
described. This wheel explains what strategies can be used to make a product more sustainable.
A short summary of the strategies inside the LiDS wheel:
Select low-impact materials) Some materials and additives can be hazardous for the environment,
because they can produce toxic emissions. Materials taken from sources that are not naturally filled
and are scarce should also be avoided. Some materials need a lot of energy to be used in production
or to be salvaged. To save energy, materials with low energy content should be chosen. Choose a
recycled material to create a new material. And off course choose materials that are recyclable.
Reduce Material) When less material is used, it is made a really work on prevention. We also
directly save weight for transport. When one has done the product smaller the (transport) volume will
also be smaller and the weight less. This strategy really starts on the drawing table.
Optimization production techniques) When choosing production techniques we should also
consider that these are environmental friendly. They should use as little as possible energy, extra
materials, and be efficient with energy and material. Also as little as possible production techniques
should be used.
Select efficient distribution system) This is also a real prevention strategy. The less packaging
materials are used, the lower the transport weight, and transport energy will be saved. The way of
transporting is also very important. A plane is much less friendly than a boat. The people that transport
the products should also know how to efficiently place the cargo, so again transport energy can be
saved. The material of the packaging should also be made out of clean materials and may be re-used.
Reduce users-impact) In the using phase of the product users will need extra materials and
supporting products (water, energy, batteries, cartridges, etc.) to keep the product functioning. All this
usage should be as efficient as possible. Low energy usage is very important, also for the customer,
same for maintenance and repairs of the product. No energy and materials should be spilled. If the
product could use an environment friendly energy source such as the sun, think about ways of using it.
Optimize initial lifetime) The technical lifespan (the time the product functions well) and the ethical
lifespan (the time the user likes the product) should be as long as possible. There should be a
maintenance and repairs services easy and make sure it will function for a long time. From the ethical
point of view, modularity is good and fashion sensitiveness should be low. The user/product relation
should be tight.
Optimization end-of-life system) One of the most important steps for the environment will be the
disposal. If the product itself could be re-used, it should. If the product is broken, a lot of parts will still
be able to be re-used or recycled. If the company used recyclable materials, those could always be
used again. People should know how to dispose their products so end-of-life systems can be
optimized. If nothing can be re-used, a safe disposal is very important. The methods of disposal
should be efficient and clean.
New Concept development) By this strategy new solutions are being developed for certain needs.
What is the need of the product and can it be achieved in a better, more sustainable way.
27
Conclusion: sustainable mop
When considering applying EcoDesign strategies to a designing process, an insight should be gained
of which possibilities there are to do so.
First of all a selection of the materials should be made, for example for the handle, housing, dirt
absorption medium, etc. All used materials do have impact on the environment, so use as less as
possible of them. The reduction of weight is very important, but be sure that the mop remains
functional. To reduce the user’s impact as less energy and water should be used while operating the
mop. Polluted water does have a negative influence on natural life and therefore it can be preferred
not to use and chemicals for instance. Of course the product has to function well so the buyer uses it a
lot till it fails. The product does need to have a long lifespan, but it we have to keep in mind that no
matter what at a certain moment people just dislike the product because it is old although it still
functions well.
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7. Ergonomics
For cleaning tools the interaction between user and product is very important, especially the physical
interaction because during cleaning users are forced into various postures which are not always
comfortable. To design a new cleaning tool insight into the ergonomical characteristics of the target
group is required, as well as data and design recommendations from previous research. In paragraph
7.1 these data and design recommendations from previous research on professional cleaning are
presented, it ends with some conclusions on the major problems which are faced nowadays. The rest
of the chapter will consist of a research done for this project to gain more insight in the process of wet
mopping and identify the problems the specific target group, the competent cleaners, are facing.
Paragraph 7.2 presents the research proposal, form research objectives to the realization and
implementation. In paragraph 7.3 the common wet cleaning process of the target group is presented,
and in 7.4 this process is analyzed and the main conclusions are presented. The chapters end with
paragraph 7.5 in which the ergonomic guidelines and criteria are presented which will be used for the
design of a new wet cleaning tool.
7.1. Physical Parameters Concerning Mopping
The ergonomics on floor cleaning can be divided into a physical and cognitive part. On physical
ergonomics already a lot of information is available by research in the professional cleaning sector. A
general overview is presented in the next chapters. Specific data on anthropometrics can be found in
Appendix 10.2. About the cognitive part hardly any information is available in literature, more about
this part can be found in the results of the research.
Professional and domestic cleaning
The main difference between professional cleaning and domestic cleaning is the time people spend on
their activities. In domestic cleaning the different tasks are only done for a short period of time
(minutes) and only a few times per week, the variation of tasks in time is high and the working surface
is quite small. In contrast, for professional cleaning one task could be performed for a complete day, or
at least a few hours, the variation is much less and the working surface is big. The basic (nonelectronic) tools they use for floor cleaning are almost the same for both applications, though the
electronic tools for professional use are often slightly different because these machines are designed
for heavy duty and bigger capacity. Because both worlds differ significantly it’s not possible to
compare the ergonomic factors on the same level. Due to the longer duration of tasks, professional
cleaners face much more physical problems caused by ergonomic factors. But these problems do also
hold for domestic cleaners, only on a lower level, because the interaction with their equipment is
almost equal. And that’s why the results from research on professional cleaning are a good guideline
to improve the domestic cleaning.
The cleaning process
Research done in the past indicates that cleaning work is demanding and labour intensive.
Professional Cleaners regularly use heavy powered tools (e.g. buffing machines/floor polishing
machines, wet and dry vacuums) in addition to conducting a wide range of physically demanding tasks
including mopping, wiping surfaces, polishing and heavy manual handling (e.g. carrying and emptying
rubbish, moving furniture, filling, carrying and emptying buckets of water), often under time constraints.
Several studies have found that cleaning work is physiologically demanding for both the cardio
respiratory and musculoskeletal systems. Cleaning tasks are characterised by a high level of physical
demand including high aerobic strain, static muscular loads and repetitive movements, high frequency
of unsatisfactory postures such as stooping and crouching and subjective feelings that the work is
strenuous. Two types of professional cleaning are considered in more detail: floor cleaning machines
and mopping systems.
Floor cleaning machines
Machines for polishing and scrubbing floors are generally based on a buffing pad or scrubbing brush
that rotates about the vertical axis. They may also have a tank and dispensing system for cleaning or
shampoo solutions (see Appendix 10.3 for specifications). The machines are operated by continuous
pulling of a finger lever or depression of a trigger switch, mounted on a T-shaped handle. There are
two different categories of cleaning motion: swinging side to side or straight line. Appendix 10.4 shows
a typical professional floor cleaning process.
29
Ergonomics
The main ergonomic issues of care are:
• Lifting and carrying machines
• Vibration from machines
• Handle shape, size and angle
• Handle adjustment
Lifting and carrying machines
When cleaning a floor the machine constantly has to be moved (pushing and pulling) in order to reach
the complete surface. When passing a threshold, going to another floor (upstairs), or performing
maintenance the machine has to be lifted. This means that there is a limitation to the weight of such a
machine: lifting forces have a maximum level of 100 N (corresponding weight: 10 kg) for men and 70
(corresponding weight: 70 kg) N for women [Woods and Buckle, 2005]. Note that the force required to
move furniture are much higher: up to 200 N. Professional floor cleaning machines are often much
heavier, around 35 kg, and in this way not suitable for lifting.
Vibration from machines
Although floor cleaning machines do not produce a lot of vibration, most cleaners find it noticeable
[Haslam and Williams, 1999]. Almost 30% find it annoying (figure 1), the other effects are quite small.
These vibrations could be due to poor machine maintenance or to incorrect fitting of discs or pads.
Figure 1: The effects of machine vibration
Figure 2: Power grip
Handle shape, size and angle
The handles of most floor cleaning machines should be operated with both hands (Appendix 10.5).
When releasing both hands, the machine automatically stops. This means that all controls must be
within reach of the handle. This is not always possible and leads to problems like stretching to reach a
certain control switch or trigger. Because of the continuous operation of the controls, no relaxation of
the operator’s grip is possible to ease fatigue and improve blood flow, leading to pain and discomfort
in fingers [Wood, 1994]. The maximum recommended force level to operate triggers or levers is 10 N.
From research it turns out that most of the existing machines exceed this level [Haslam and Williams,
1999]. The hand grips all have a circular cross section with diameters within the range of 30-50 mm,
the recommended diameter for power grips (Figure 2) by literature [Pheasant, 1996]. Grip surfaces
include smooth plastic, textured plastic, ribbed plastic and ribbed rubber. Especially the hard plastic
grips could cause unnecessary tissue compression.
Handle adjustment
The optimum handle height should be slightly above knuckle height, reducing the muscular effort
required to maintain the arms in a raised position. Because the anthropometric characteristics of users
vary, it is important that the handle height is adjustable. In practice people are not aware of the
optimum handle height and need to be advised on identifying the appropriate setting for them.
30
Observations
Some general observations of using a floor cleaning machine done by professional cleaners (see
Appendix 10.6 for information on anatomical movements):
• The neck was always flexed while operating the machine.
• Buffing machines are designed to be gripped with both hands; however many cleaners were
observed to grip machines with one hand while holding a spray bottle in the other.
• Much wrist movement was apparent. Cleaners were observed to flex and extend the wrist and
radial deviation and ulnar deviation (figure 4) were also observed. Although the postures were
not always excessive, they were held in static positions for considerable periods of time.
• Power grips were evident.
• The finger that operated the trigger was held in a static pinch grip posture throughout the task.
• The back was generally held in an upright or slightly extended posture throughout the task.
• Some lateral side flexion and trunk rotation were apparent.
o
• Trunk flexion greater than 60 was observed when pads were changed. Squatting was also
common when changing pads.
Discomfort
While working with floor cleaning machines, users experience discomfort. Usually the complaints
caused by this discomfort disappear within 2 hours of ceasing cleaning [Haslam and Williams, 1999].
Note that cleaning in the professional practice means performing the same action for relatively long
time (up to 8 hours for a complete working day). Figure 3 shows the areas of discomfort.
Recommendations
These ergonomical issues of care together with some other practical problems, like handling the
power cable, maintenance and storage are translated into design recommendations and
considerations. These can be found in Appendix 10.3.
Figure 3: Location of discomfort
Figure 4: Wrist deviation
Mopping systems
There are a number of different mopping systems on the market. The most common are round head
mops (generally used in conjunction with a plastic or metal bucket with a drain), long tailed mops and
flat mops (often used with buckets with wringing systems). Cleaners use either one of two mopping
techniques: push/pull (i.e. move the mop back and forward) or figure of eight (i.e. move the mop in an
arc). A number of studies have looked at the effects of different mopping methods and resulting
postures adopted [Hagner and Hagberg, 1989; Huisman, 1992; Louhevaara et al., 2000; Søgaard et
al., 1996; Holshuijsen et al., 1997].
Ergonomics
The main ergonomic issues of care are:
• Handle shape and size
• Effort
• Squeezing the mop
31
Handle shape and size
The length of the mop handles is not adjustable, so people either have to work with a mop which is too
short or too long. The average height, measured on 6 common commercial mops, was 1378 mm
(standard deviation 17.2 mm) [Woods and Buckle, 2005]. Handles which don’t have an optimal length
lead to bad postures.
The average diameter of the mop handle was 24.3 mm (standard deviation 1.2 mm). The mops varied
in grip surface and material: ribbed plastic, smooth wood, metal and plastic. Metal and ribbed plastic
are considered uncomfortable and are in most times covered with a rubber coating.
Effort
Mopping is considered as a strenuous task [Woods and Buckle, 2005], in the workplace going
together with considerable time pressure. It was considered moderate on a scale of severity of work,
with an average heart rate above 90 beats per minute.
Squeezing the mop
For methods of squeezing mops, to get the dirty water out, high levels of force are needed. The size of
the mop head should suit the style of the bucket; a smaller mop head was easier to squeeze [Woods
and Buckle, 2005]. The strength of the drain in the standard mopping buckets was important as the
user must apply considerable force to squeeze water from the mop.
Bucket
Mop
Force*
Round
Method
Squeezed mop head into plastic drain
of bucket
200N
Comment
Some plastic drains inside buckets were
not strong enough
Standard
Hand lever
Long tailed
Pressed hand on wringer lever
200N
Had to place foot in front of wheels to
stop bucket moving
Foot pedal
Flat
Foot placed on lever, activated brake
and squeezed mop
64N
Splashing problem when drawing mop
through wringer
*Approximate force levels only: the aim was to squeeze as much excess water from the mop as possible and this varied
depending on strength and effort exerted by cleaners.
Table 1: Force measurements recorded to squeeze mops using three commonly used squeezing mechanisms
Observations
Some general observations of mopping done by professional cleaners (see Appendix 10.6 for visual
information on anatomical movements):
• The neck was generally flexed and often rotated.
• The arms were often abducted, working above mid chest height.
• The mop was gripped by both hands. One hand was placed lower on the handle to steer the
mop; the second was placed at the top of the handle to apply force; this meant that this arm
was generally abducted.
• Much wrist movement was apparent. The cleaner had to flex and extend the wrist and radial
and ulnar deviations of the wrist were also observed.
• Some repeated pronation and supination of the forearm was also observed.
o
o
• The main postures of concern were trunk rotation and trunk flexion between 20 and 60 .
These postures were adopted for the majority of the task. The trunk was sometimes flexed
o
greater than 60 in order to mop under furniture. Cleaners were also observed kneeling or in a
squatting posture to squeeze the mop.
• Some forward reaches over 400mm were observed. Restricted access and obstructions (e.g.
under tables, beds and cleaning very small toilet areas) in the workplace were a problem while
mopping.
Discomfort
Cleaners experience some pain and discomfort when handling a mop, where the main problem areas
are the back, shoulders, hands and wrists. They spend a maximum amount of time of 1 to 4 hours on
mopping. In the professional practice mopping is however one of many tasks, so it is not the only
cause of these complaints.
32
Recommendations
These ergonomic issues of care together with some other practical problems are translated into
design recommendations and considerations. These can be found in Appendix 10.3.
Biomechanics
Work related disorders in the shoulder region are common problems for many professional cleaners.
To indicate where these problems originate from research is done on the biomechanics of the cleaning
process. Biomechanical models combined with the measurement of forces, applied to the feet or the
hands, have been used to calculate joint forces and moments during occupational work tasks such as
lifting, walking or load carrying. Some studies have looked at the static and dynamic loads in the
shoulder and back region, during the process of mopping [Sogaard et al., 2001; Laursen et al., 2003].
A study done on floor mopping in train wagons [Kumar et al, 2005] indicated that this type of
cleaning, in small areas with a lot of obstacles (which is in some extend comparable to households), is
associated with moderately high cardiovascular load and high frequency of stressful working postures.
The introduction of a redesigned mopping tool (figure 5), with a flexible handle, allowed cleaners to
maintain more upright posture while mopping, which reduced biomechanical and physiological loads
on them.
The redesigned mopping tool (b) allowed a neutral wrist posture while mopping the floor as compared
to a conventional cleaning tool (a).
Figure 5: Conventional (a) versus redesigned (b) Mop
33
Conclusions
High occurrence rates of pain and discomfort were found amongst professional cleaners, and action
should be taken to reduce these problems as the implications for job performance, efficiency and
morale are serious. Cleaning floors consists of many tasks that require awkward postures, high levels
of force and repetitive actions. In order to address some of these issues, the ergonomics of cleaning
equipment identify the following problems:
• Excessive machine height and weight
• Vibration
• Poor grip, trigger and lever design
• High pressure required to activate controls
• Awkward location of controls
• Lack of feedback when attaching discs
Mopping systems
• Unsuitable mop heights
• Uncomfortable grip design
• High pressure required to squeeze mops
• Difficulty handling heavy buckets
• Bucket instability
7.2. Research proposal
7.2.1 Research objective
To gain more insight in the process of wet mopping and identify the problems the users are facing.
Motivation
Designing a device, which makes mopping easier, starts with identifying the major problems users
face during the cleaning process. It concerns ergonomically improvements both physical and
cognitive. The target group is especially interested in quality, feedback and appearance. For this
purpose we must first identify how they experience their own cleaning activities and what are their
values. Data on physical parameters is already widely available (see chapter 7 - Ergonomics).
7.2.2 Presumptions (hypothesis)
1 Besides vacuum cleaning regularly, wet mopping is often done occasionally.
2 Wet mopping is mostly used for wet floor cleaning.
3 People like to have feedback about how thoroughly clean the floor is.
4 People can see what they have done during the wet cleaning process.
5 The result of wet mopping leads to emotional satisfaction.
6 People do not want to put effort in wet mopping.
7 Handling mops leads to a certain discomfort.
8 Wet mopping is a time consuming process.
9 Women are mostly cleaning.
10 People prefer using a wet mop when removing sticky dirt from hard floors.
7.2.3 Research questions
1 Who does the wet mopping within the household, and why this specific person? 9
2 How do the participants operate with a wet mop and possible alternatives? 2, 6, 7, 8, 10
3 When does a user of a wet mop consider a floor as being ‘clean’? 3, 4
4 What are the reasons for a participant to use a wet mop? 1
5 How does a person feel after cleaning with a wet cleaning device? 5
(The numbers behind the research questions refer to the presumptions.)
7.2.4 Realisation
Form of the research
By using a qualitative, cross-sectional survey research, it is possible to gain data from the target group
at the time of the survey. A relative high amount of research elements (gender, age, households, way
34
of cleaning, kind of hard floor) can be chosen by samples taken at random to represent the target
group. This way, information can be gained about experiences with wet floor cleaning devices within
the target group.
The survey will be held in the form of an interview and an observation. By means of an
interview, a better view can be obtained on experiences of wet floor cleaning devices used by the
participants. The interview includes open-ended items, to gain as much as possible information from
the participant’s perspective. An interview gives the participants the ability to express their view and
say what they think is really important. Some factors, for example who is doing the floor cleaning
process in a household (male, female, both), will be researched in a retrospective way. This is
because only after taking the interviews, it becomes clear in what way this factor is divided. This way,
an approximation can be made on who commonly is doing the floor cleaning process. This gives
answer to presumption nine. The observation gives an opportunity to let the participants show their
handlings during the cleaning process. This gives more reliable information about the cleaning
process, the kind of products they use, and the way they use the products. During the observation, the
focus lies on the physical aspects during the various actions of the cleaning process. This is important,
to research on which actions the most physical problems can be found. This information is useful
when designing a new wet mopping device. The observation is also needed, because ergonomic
information of cleaning devices for domestic use is difficult to find. Most of the researches are done
with professional cleaning devices, for long lasting actions. Cleaning the household will give different
ergonomic problems than professional cleaning. For the observation, we make use of a scheme where
actions are set out against postures. This makes it easy to place crosses where needed.
If the participant has no problems with it, the interview and observation will be recorded on
tape. During the observation, photos will be taken, to have exact information about their cleaning
devices, and to photograph remarkable facts. The reason not to use video is that analysing pictures
will be less time consuming than analysing videotapes.
Research environment
The interviews will be held in the participants own environment. Reason for this is that people feel
most comfortable in their own environment. Besides this, all their own cleaning devices are available,
to show them during the cleaning process. Also, the observation will give more reliable information
when participants clean a part of their own house, instead of cleaning an area in a special research
environment. A disadvantage is that every cleaning area will be different, and cannot be compared
that easy.
Participants
First of all, a pilot is compulsory in order to see whether the research design is good. This is done by
asking one or two couples. Final adjustments have been made after the pilot.
All participants have the following profile:
• Couples between 40 and 60 years old,
• working full time or part time or both part time,
• using a wet cleaning device to clean hard floors,
• No young children at home,
• Regular or occasionally thorough cleaning, (not very often)
• Pets can be present,
• Relatively high income,
• Living in suburbs or small towns,
• Living in the Netherlands.
Our target group is couples living in North West Europe. It is presumed that Dutch people are
representative for this target group. Besides that, they are easy to investigate. Heterogeneity can be
achieved by choosing for example younger couples and older couples (but between the ages
mentioned above).
The amount of couples will be 8 to 12. According to the literature of Dr. Heimrich Kanis, doing
research with a small amount of people, the usability and reliability of the results will be relatively high.
For the quality of the participants: there is a low probability of being rare, and a high probability of
being there. In a short time, a lot of reliable information can be gained.
Instructions
Important to mention is that the person who usually mops the floor is getting interviewed. In case both
the persons mop regularly, it is best to let both of them be present at the interview. To keep the
35
questions simple, in open-ended form and in the mother language of the participants, just a few
instructions will be needed.
The interview consists of two parts, a questioning part and an observational part. During the
observational part, we let the participants clean a part of their hard floor the way they are used to. It is
important that a part with a lot of ‘obstacles’ is needed, for example the dining room with table and
chairs. This way, there can be researched how the participants deal with the various objects during the
floor cleaning process. The participants are asked to tell what they are doing and what their feelings
are during the different steps in the process, so this can be recorded and analysed. The interview can
be found in appendix 10.1.
7.3. Cleaning Process
7.3.1 Common wet floor cleaning process
The wet floor cleaning process differs per person, the activities and the sequence of them depends
mainly on the product that is used. But because all the participants use a mop, a common list of
activities can be recognized. The process can be subdivided into 3 phases, starting with the
preparation; this phase includes mainly getting the equipment and dry floor cleaning. After this, the
actual wet floor cleaning takes place. During this activity, the furniture is often moved and the
equipment is cleaned. Cleaning and storing the equipment is a common activity during the aftercare.
Preparation
1. Changing clothes
One of our presumptions is that the participants change clothes, as wet floor
cleaning is a dirty activity. However, only one participant says she puts on an
old T-shirt. One other participant stays in her pyjamas; she cleans in the
morning and takes a shower afterwards. Shoes are taken off sometimes, to
prevent the floor to get dirty again during the cleaning.
2. Getting dry floor cleaning equipment
All the participants clean their floor first with a vacuum cleaner or a broom.
These products are often stored in the garage or in the larder.
3. Dry floor cleaning
The dry floor cleaning is done very thoroughly to get rid of as much dirt as
possible, so that the mop has to be cleaned less often.
4. Getting wet floor cleaning equipment
In most cases, the cleaning equipment consists of a mop and a cloth, chemicals
and a bucket. These products are also often stored in the garage or in the
larder. Sometimes the chemicals are stored in a kitchen closet.
5. Putting on gloves
Even though the participants have to put their hands in the water, which is full of
chemicals and dirt, they put no gloves on. Except for one participant, but she
wears them because of the sensitive skin she has.
6. Filling bucket
In most cases, a bucket is filled with water and chemicals. Which chemical is
used, depends on the type of floor. When cleaning downstairs, this is mostly
done in the kitchen sink.
7. Moving furniture
In nearly half of the cases, the participants move the furniture before the actual
floor cleaning begins. In the dining area for example, the chairs are moved so
that the floor underneath the table can be cleaned more easily. Other furniture
and obstacles that could be moved are lightweight things like couches, little
closets, tables, sculptures and flower pots.
36
Cleaning
1. Moving furniture
During the cleaning, furniture is moved in order to clean more easily.
2. Actual Cleaning
It is surprising that the actual cleaning is done so rapidly. Some participants clean the floor more than
once. They first mop the floor with soap and then mop it with only water to remove the soap together
with the dirt.
3. Cleaning the equipment
Cleaning the cloth is done repeatedly. The participant takes of the cloth and puts it in the bucket with
water and chemicals. To clean and dry the cloth, it is wrenched one or more times. When finished, the
participant attaches the cloth again to the mop.
4. Cleaning the water in the bucket
When the equipment is cleaned, the water gets dirty. Because it’s no use cleaning with dirty water,
new mixture has to be made after a while.
5. Moving bucket
When cleaning large surfaces, most participants take the bucket with them, so that they don’t have to
walk long distances to clean the equipment. One participant keeps the bucket stand in the sink,
2
probably because her floor surface is only 15 m .
Aftercare
1. Drying floor
One participant says the best result is achieved by not drying the floor with a towel. All the others
seem to agree, as they don’t do this either. When the floor is still wet, they don’t walk on it.
2. Emptying bucket
The bucket is emptied and cleaned in the sink.
3. Cleaning the equipment
The cloth is cleaned in the sink by wrenching it, and then often put in the washing machine so that it
can be used again.
4. Storing the equipment
After the equipment has been cleaned, it is stored again.
5. And then…
After the cleaning process, first the hands are washed. Then some take a shower to fresh up, others
take a rest in a chair and have a cup of coffee. There’s only one participant that continues with her
cleaning activities.
7.3.2 A time-consuming process
As you read before, the wet floor cleaning process consists of a lot of different activities. Some
activities, like moving the furniture, are even done repeatedly. All the activities are listed in the figures
underneath, together with an estimation of their time span. This estimation is based on the observation
and our own experience. During the observation, the participants are asked to clean a small surface
with obstacles on it. The time schedule of this process is show in Table 2. A time schedule for the
process of cleaning bigger surfaces like the living room and the hallway are shown in Table 1.
37
For both processes the preparation and aftercare phase consists of the same activities. The
number of activities during the cleaning however differs. When small surface cleaning, the equipment
doesn’t get that dirty and thus does not have to be cleaned during the actual cleaning. In that case, a
bucket is also not necessary.
Comparing the time span of the actual cleaning and the time span of the preparation together with the
aftercare, then we can see that this is only a small part of the overall cleaning process, especially in
the case of cleaning small surfaces.
As we presumed, wet floor cleaning is indeed a time consuming process and the reason for
this are the relatively long lasting phases of preparation and aftercare. To stress this, the time
schedule of the vacuum cleaning process of big surfaces is shown in Table 3.
Preparation
Getting vacuum cleaner or broom
Dry floor cleaning
Getting cleaning equipment
Filling bucket
Moving furniture
Cleaning
Moving furniture
Actual cleaning
Cleaning the equipment
Moving bucket
Cleaning the water in the bucket
Aftercare
Emptying bucket
Storing the equipment
Table 1: Time schedule for mopping big surfaces (e.g. living room, bedroom, hallway)
Preparation
Getting vacuum cleaner or broom
Dry floor cleaning
Getting cleaning equipment
Filling bucket
Moving furniture
Cleaning
Moving furniture
Actual cleaning
Aftercare
Emptying bucket
Table 2: Time schedule for mopping small surfaces (e.g. kitchen, bathroom, toilet)
Preparation
Getting vacuum cleaner
Moving furniture
Cleaning
Moving furniture
Vacuum cleaning
s
swssss
s
swssss
s
swssss
Aftercare
Table 3: Time schedule of vacuum cleaning of big surfaces (e.g. living room, bedroom, hallway)
38
7.4. Analysis
The results from the interview and observation are presented in the tables underneath (The actual
results can be found in appendix 10.7). Each research question is linked to some presumptions, as
shown in the research proposal. The outcome of the results per presumption does provide information
which gives the ability to answer the research question. So sometimes the rejection or confirmation of
one, or more presumptions formulates an overall conclusion in correlation to the presumption.
Research Question 1
Who does the wet mopping within the household, and why this specific person?
Presumption 9; Women are mostly cleaning.
This field research is about wet cleaning with a mop. All 9 participants are female and their age is
between 48 and 60 years, with an average age of 53.4 years. All this females are responsible for the
wet cleaning process in their household; they say that their husbands do not clean with a mop. All
these couples do not have young children in the household; the age of their youngest are between 13
and 32 years, with an average age of 22.2 years. Most of them (66.7%) live in a family row house and
2
2
there hard floor surface differs between 15 and 140 m , with an average of 76.8 m .
From the outcome of question 0.12 we can see what types of floors these female have to
clean in their households. 8 of the 9 participants do have tiles, and also laminate and parquet is
common in these households, both represented in 5 of the 9 households.
Types of hard floor surfaces
L
T
P
S
C
1
1
1
1
2
1
1
3
1
4
1
1
5
1
1
6
1
1
7
1
1
1
8
1
1
1
1
9
1
1
1
Total
5
8
5
2
2
Laminate (L), Tiles (T), Parquet (P), Natural Stone (S), Cork (C).
In question 0.14 the participant is asked which types of dirt they think they remove while
cleaning. Most participants associate dirt in their households with food rests and liquids, that has to be
removed from their floors.
Types of dirt
F
O
L
D
S
SL
1
1
1
2
1
1
1
3
1
1
1
1
4
1
1
5
1
1
6
1
1
1
7
1
8
1
1
1
9
1
1
1
1
1
Total
8
4
7
3
2
1
Food rests (F), Oil Substances (O), Liquids (L), Dust (D), Sand (S), Sticky Layer (SL)
Conclusion
The female is held responsible for the cleaning activities in the household, so the reason why they
clean does have a cultural, traditional background. The types of hard floor and types of dirt provide a
context for product and user.
Research Question 2
How do the participants operate with a wet mop and possible alternatives?
Presumption 2; Wet mopping is mostly used for wet floor cleaning.
In Questions 0.13 the participant is asked which cleaning devices they use during the wet floor
cleaning process. They could circle the optional devices like; vacuum cleaner, broom, dust pan with
broom, steam cleaner, mop, Swiffer, floor cloth or fill in anything else, to answer the question.
39
Although not all the mentioned devices are wet cleaners, they can be used in a pre-phase before the
actual wet cleaning phase, and thereby they play a role in the overall wet cleaning process.
Devices that are mentioned less than twice will be seen as an incident and will not be
displayed in the chart. It is likely that these devices are not commonly used for wet cleaning.
Types of cleaning devices
V
M
F
S
B
1
1
1
1
2
1
1
1
3
1
1
1
4
1
5
1
1
6
1
1
1
7
1
1
1
1
8
1
1
1
9
1
1
1
Total
7
5
7
3
3
Vacuum cleaner (V), Mop (M), Floorcloth (F), Swiffer (S), Broom (B).
Presumption 6; People do not want to put effort in wet mopping.
In Question 3.3 the participants are asked what they find most annoying about wet cleaning. Two say
they do not find wet cleaning annoying at all. The other participants came up with some actions that
are annoying to them. Two get a bit frustrated because it is hard to reach the corners and gutters, two
do not like the preparation phase and the other three do not like the cleaning itself; sitting down on
knees, wrenching the cloth or the cloth falls of the device all the time.
In Question 3.9 the participant is asked if the amount of energy they infest justifies the final
result. Four of the participants answer with a straight ‘yes’ and another four say they feel satisfied after
wet cleaning (which can be interpret as an indirect answer to ‘yes’). Probably they feel more
comfortable in a clean house, as two of them suggest. Only one participant says that the amount of
energy does not justify the result because she is vacuum cleaning very well, so the mopping does not
show a remarkable result.
In Question 0.11 the participant is asked to rank the factors; Speed, Result and Energy from
most to least important concerning mopping. 3 points are given when a factor is rated most important
according the participant, 2 points to the second in order of importance, and 1 point to the least
important.
Most important factor of wet cleaning
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
Total
Energy
1
1
1
1
1
1
3
3
1
13
Result
3
2
3
2
2
3
2
1
2
20
Speed
2
3
2
3
3
2
1
2
3
21
Speed is most important, after that Result and least important is Energy (sum of points). We
can also see that Speed is most important according 4 participants (dark grey), Result is most
important according 3 and Energy according 2 participants.
Presumption 7; Handling mops leads to a certain discomfort.
In question 3.3 it was already clear that people get frustrated from mental and/or physical discomforts.
Mental discomforts: hard to reach corners and gutters and the cloth falls from the device all the time.
Physical discomforts: sitting down on knees and wrenching the cloth.
In question 3.4 the participant is asked about possible problems while operating the wet
cleaning device. So this question provides an outcome in the form of problems with the cleaning
device itself, which will be displayed in the table underneath. To the question (a) if they are in pain
after wet cleaning, two answered with ‘yes’. One has chronic muscle pain and the other one has back
pain after cleaning. To the question (b) about grip; two participants said that they did not have enough
grip and this probably is because of wet hands after making the mixture or wetting the cloth. Four of
the nine participants do find problems while operating their device. Two came up with problems about
the fixation of the cloth to the mop device, one with a dysfunctional mechanical cloth wrenching
40
system and the last one could not reach underneath the closet. (Question c) Question d is about the
force participants have to use while wet cleaning. Two of the participants said they need more strength
when they are bending over to remove certain dirt. Nobody did have difficulties with the weight of the
cleaning device itself during the wet cleaning process. (Question e)
Problems/discomforts while cleaning
P
(a)
1
G
(b)
O
(c)
F
(d)
W
(e)
1
2
1
3
4
5
1
6
1
1
7
1
8
1
1
1
9
1
Total
2
2
4
2
0
Pain (P), Grip (G), Operating (O), Force (F), Weight (W)
The questions (a), (b), (c), (d) and (e) are linked to a certain problem/discomfort which matches in the chart.
In question 3.5 the participants gave answer to the question; if they abandon or extend wet
cleaning the floor when they have certain complaints or (health) problems. Four of the nine questioned
do have back pain from time to time and that is a reason for them to extend the wet cleaning.
Question 3.6 asks the participants about the postures they find uncomfortable during cleaning.
Five mentioned bending forward, four said bending trough the knees and one said sitting on the knees
is uncomfortable. So these people consider the mentioned postures as uncomfortable, but they do
pose themselves into these postures during wet mopping; according the observation underneath.
The postures of the participants where observed while they were mopping the floor; during
every action their postures where checked. So for example when a participant #4 kneels, stands on
one foot and pushes during moving the furniture, the posture boxes “Squat/kneel”, “On one foot” and
“Push” get the number 4 placed in it. The outcome is a list of postures during the actions of all
participants, which provides an overview of the most common postures during the actions.
Posture Observation during wet mopping
41
Presumption 8; Wet mopping is a time consuming process.
In Question 1.4 the participants are asked how much time they spend on cleaning in general. The
answers defer between 2.5 till 8 hours a week, the average time spent on general cleaning is 4.9
hours. The participants are also asked in question 1.5 which amount of this time they spend on wet
floor cleaning. These answers defer between 10 and 50 minutes; so the average time spent will be 28
minutes. That is like 10% of the general time will is spent on wet floor cleaning.
During the observation it became clear that mopping can take a little longer than the
participants suspected to. In fact the preparation and aftercare of wet cleaning takes a big amount of
time.
Presumption 10; People prefer using a wet mop when removing sticky dirt from hard floors.
In Question 3.14 the participant is asked which device is used while removing some sticky dirt from a
hard floor. Only two of the participants continue cleaning with their wet cleaning device such as a Mop
or wet Swiffer. Seven of the nine participants switch to cleaning with other materials when it gets really
hard to remove the local sticky dirt.
Device used for removing sticky dirt
S
F
MS
CT
B
1
1
2
1
3
1
1
1
4
1
5
1
6
1
7
1
1
8
1
9
1
Total
4
2
2
2
2
Sponge (S), Fingernail (F), Mop or wet Swiffer (M S), Cloth or Towel (C T), Brush (B)
Conclusion
From the results of presumption 2 it is clear that the vacuum cleaner and the floorcloth are the most
popular cleaning devices for wet cleaning process; 7 of the 9 questioned do have these devices in
their household and use them for or in combination with wet cleaning. So the devices can also be
used before wet cleaning the floor, and therefore they are a part of the overall wet cleaning process.
Only using a wet mop is not sufficient to most participants, because they have the need to use
additional cleaning devices.
The rejection of presumption 6 explains why people do want to put effort in mopping, although
they do not like certain tasks of the cleaning process. The competent cleaner does find result is more
important than the amount of energy they have to use to achieve their goal. So they are willing to put
effort in wet cleaning to get the outcome of a thoroughly cleaned floor, which is a great result to them,
in the least amount of time.
It is true that handling a mop leads to certain discomforts, which is investigated to be able to
confirm presumption 7. In the problems/discomforts chart the under laying irritations of the users came
clear and in Question 3.6 they even explain what they dislike about cleaning. In that way the
participants defined ‘uncomfortable’ but there actions during mopping a floor shows that they are
confronted with these ‘discomforts’. Although the participants say they do not have any mayor
problems while mopping, we can conclude that there are certain discomforts.
The presumption 8; wet mopping is a time consuming process can be interpreted in two ways;
the mopping task itself is time consuming or wet cleaning takes a lot of time during a weekly cleaning
schedule. Wet mopping costs 10% of the general cleaning time, which does not sound that much. But
consider that mopping is only done once a week and for example vacuum cleaning two or three times
a week. So in comparison with the time spent a week, mopping does not take a significant big amount
of time. But the mopping task itself does take more time than vacuum cleaning for example.
Presumption 10; People prefer using a wet mop when removing sticky dirt from hard floors,
can not be confirmed. The participants did not use a mop for removing locally sticky dirt but other
devices such as a sponge, cloth, fingernail or brush. Those alternatives are less time consuming
because you can skip the preparation phase. So for local dirt this is the most likely choice. When
talking about a sticky layer on the floor (which also is sticky dirt) it will be logical that the mop or wet
Swiffer will be used more often, because of the large surface.
So not only a mop is used for wet cleaning; additional devices are used for certain situations.
The additional cleaning devices maintain other benefits for the user which a mop does not have. For
42
instance a vacuum cleaner is used often in the preparation phase to remove the dust, which is hard to
do with a mop. Also during mopping additional devices are used; for instance a sponge to remove
local sticky dirt; which is easier to operate in this situation than a mop.
Research Question 3
When does a user of a wet mop consider a floor as being ‘clean’?
Presumption 3; People like to have feedback about how thoroughly clean the floor is.
In Question 5.2 the participants are asked how they know their floor is thoroughly clean. Five of them
answer that they know it because they can see it. A remark has to be made that this is mostly the case
after they have just cleaned the floor. One of the cleaners is very competent and just “knows” that her
floor is thoroughly clean. The other three regard their floors to be thoroughly clean just after they have
cleaned it by wet mopping as performed in the field research.
Presumption 4; People can see what they have done during the wet cleaning process.
In Question 3.12 the participants are asked how they know which part of the floor is already cleaned.
Five of them know it because they can see the floor is wet; so they must have cleaned it. The other
participants can really see that part of the floor looks cleaner compared to the rest, although it is not
always clearly visible. The amount of light should be sufficient. One of them, when cleaning bigger
surfaces, sometimes takes the tiles as a reference.
Conclusion
The users of a wet mop consider the floor to be clean after they have just cleaned the floor. Putting
effort in cleaning is not a problem for them (as you can see above in the conclusion of presumption 6)
because they want a thoroughly clean floor as a final result. Because of their experience and skills
they are convinced of this result and don’t need feedback to confirm this. Mopping leaves a wet floor
which is an indication for what they have done.
Research Question 4
What are the reasons for a participant to use a wet mop?
Presumption 1; Besides vacuum cleaning regularly, wet mopping is often done occasionally.
In Question 1.1 the participants are asked how many times a week they clean their house in general.
Most of the participating females (7 of 9, 77.8%) are cleaning the house once a week. Only one lady
says she cleans once a week upstairs and twice downstairs. A remark has to be made that vacuum
cleaning sometimes takes place more often than once a week.
In Question 1.6 the participants are asked how many times a week they wet clean their floors.
Most of the participating females (5 of 9, 56%) are wet cleaning their floors once a week. One is
cleaning her floor one to two times a week; one is cleaning her floor ones a week or once every two
weeks and one is cleaning her floor once every two weeks. There is one participant which is cleaning
a specific part, the kitchen floor, every day after dinner.
Times of wet cleaning in a week
<1
1
>1
1
1
2
1
3
1
4
1
5
1
6
1
7
1
8
1
9
1
Total
2
5
2
<1 is less than once a week, 1 is once a week and >1 is more than once.
In Question 1.10 the participants are asked if they wet clean their floors regularly or irregularly.
Six of them clean their floors irregularly (67%). Usually they decide to do it when they think it is
needed, for example after a certain activity has taken place which ‘causes’ dirt. One of them does it
irregularly within the week as long as it is done before the weekend. The other 33% clean their floors
regularly, where one especially cleans the bathroom because of its white tiles (see question 1.8). One
cleans the kitchen floor regularly but sometimes skips the wet cleaning when she decides it is not
really necessary.
43
Floors which are mostly cleaned (question 1.8)
K
B
T
L
1
1
1
1
2
1
1
3
1
1
4
1
5
1
1
6
1
1
7
1
1
8
1
1
9
1
1
1
Total
6
7
4
2
Kitchen (K), Bathroom (B), Toilet (T), Living room (L)
In Question 1.11 the participants are asked if they clean their floor as whole or clean only
specific parts when there is only local dirt. Four of them only clean the specific parts, but most of them
clean the whole floor. In this case when cleaning the whole floor they don’t do it very precise. That is
only done when it is scheduled that the floor should be done as a whole.
Conclusion
Mopping is not often done occasionally besides vacuum cleaning. The main reason to use a wet mop
is because it is the only way of cleaning that leads to a thoroughly clean floor. Wet mopping is in
general part of the total house cleaning process and done once a week. People sometimes use it
more often on specific floor parts, but only when they really need to be cleaned. Mopping a floor is not
a quick and easy job, so people prefer to use another tool. It is not really used to clean in corners and
in places which are difficult to reach, in most cases other tools are more appropriate for this. It is also
not used to remove sticky dirt, because this is also mostly done with other tools.
Research Question 5
How does a person feel after cleaning with a wet cleaning device?
Presumption 5; The result of wet mopping leads to emotional satisfaction.
In question 3.3 it was already clear that people get frustrated from mental and/or physical discomforts.
Mental discomforts: hard to reach corners and gutters and the cloth falls from the device all the time.
Physical discomforts: sitting down on knees and wrenching the cloth.
In question 3.7 the participant is asked if she feels tired after wet cleaning. Only three of the
nine questioned answer with ‘yes’, the others do not feel tired, although some of them mention that
they can feel they have done some physical exercise.
In question 3.8 the participants are questioned about the first activity they do after the wet
cleaning. Three said they are washing their hands and clean/store the mop, but this is just the
aftercare phase of the wet cleaning process. Four of the participants take a break to rest a bit and
three of them are drinking coffee while doing this. One immediately takes a shower, which also can be
seen as a relaxing activity. Only one participant starts cleaning other objects in the household.
Question 5.5 is about how the participant feels after wet cleaning. The most representative
feeling is satisfaction, which five of the participants mentioned. Three of them feel relieved after
completing the task; two feel dirty/sweaty; one feels comfortable and one feels tired.
Feelings after mopping
S
D
C
R
T
1
1
2
1
3
1
4
1
5
1
6
1
1
7
1
1
8
1
1
9
1
Total
5
2
1
3
1
Satisfied (S), Dirty (D), Comfortable in clean room (C), Relieved (R), Tired (T)
Conclusion
The wet cleaning process can be frustrating but is not very tiring. Still the participants like to take a
break after the mopping task because they find mopping is annoying. So wet cleaning provides a
change in moods from frustration during the mopping to relief when they have finished and in the end
the participants feel satisfied when they are relaxing.
44
7.5. Ergonomic guidelines and criteria
The information that was gathered on previous research of professional cleaning and the conclusions
from the research done on the process of wet cleaning of the target group, are translated in an
overview of the main ergonomic guidelines. These guidelines will be used for designing a new wet
cleaning tool. A categorization is made
7.5.1 Guidelines
User
•
•
•
In most cases women are doing the wet mopping; so the device should be designed based on
female anthropometry.
Some people feel dirty after mopping; avoid contact with dirty water.
Vibrations and noise are annoying to users, they should be reduced as much as possible.
Removal
• The mop is not used for removing dust; so it is interesting to do so and eliminate the vacuum
cleaner out of the wet cleaning preparation phase.
• It is impossible to scrub intensively with a mop; so make this possible in favour to remove hard
removable spots (local sticky dirt).
• Alternatives are used for cleaning local dirt; so make the mop more operational to handle with
local dirt than the additional tools are not needed anymore.
Flexibility
• It is hard to reach corners, gutters and underneath objects; so make the mop easier to
manoeuvre.
• The mop is used to clean the whole floor; so the proportions of the device should support this
specific task.
• Make a lightweight cleaning tool which is easy to lift and to manoeuvre.
• Moving and handling the bucket should be made easy
• Make the handle length adjustable to adapt it to the optimal handle height.
Time
•
•
•
Mopping is a time consuming process; so speed up the mopping action (movement of the
cloth on the floor) itself.
The preparation and aftercare take a significant amount of time; so speed up these phases.
The device is used once a week in general; so it does not have to be stand-by all the time.
Postures
• Mopping leads to some discomforting postures; so try to eliminate those postures out of the
mopping task.
• Wrenching the cloth is disliked by the users; so make this less frustration to do.
• Make the handle flexible to prevent uncomfortable postures when trying to reach difficult spots
(corners, under furniture)
Energy
• Mopping is not a very heavy task, but people get a bit tired of it; so try to decrease the amount
of energy that is needed for wet cleaning.
• The amount of force needed to squeeze a mop should be reduced
Feedback
• Only when the floor has been wet it is clean; so use water in this cleaning process.
• A wet floor provides a feedback to the user where it is already clean; so do not dry the floor
before is has been cleaned totally.
• Feedback on cleaning tool status (level of dirt, water level) should be provided.
45
Handling
• Design a grip which prevents unnecessary tissue compression and provides better control and
handling
• Controls should be within reach of the area where the user’s hands are placed on the grips
• Controls should be activated using low pressure
• Dispensing functions should be integrated into the cleaning tool to people can use both hands
for handling the tool.
7.5.2 Criteria
•
•
•
•
•
The weight of the mopping tool should not exceed 7 kg.
The hand grip diameter, when used for power grip, should be in the range of 30-50 mm.
The maximum recommended force level to operate triggers or levers is 10 N.
The average length of the mop handle must be around 140 mm.
The optimum handle height should be slightly above knuckle height
46
8. Design Criteria
According to Philips their competitive position for cleaning devices for the segment of competent
cleaners is weak. As shown in chapter 4 there are indeed a lot of professional products available. Our
research shows that a lot of people within the target group had experience with some of those
products. Even though the results are good, they don’t use it anymore and stick to their ‘old fashioned’
mop.
Therefore the challenge is to come up with a better product, which seduces the target group. In order
to do so, a list of design criteria is made.
Performance
• Thoroughly cleaning
• Less time consuming
• Doesn’t scratch furniture
• Energy reduction
Usage
•
•
•
•
•
Manoeuvrable
Reaches for small corners
Weight reduction
Ready to use, for cleaning occasionally
Easy to store
Design
• Simplistic
• Nuanced colour usage
• Firm
Lifetime
• Durable
Environment
• Sustainable
• Recyclable
47
9. References
References ergonomic articles:
Hagner, I.M., Hagberg, M., 1989. Evaluation of two floor mopping work methods by measurement of
load. Ergonomics 32, 401–408.
Haslam, R.A., Williams, H.J., 1999. Ergonomics considerations in the design and use of single disc
floor cleaning machines. Applied Ergonomics 30 (1999) 391- 399
Holshuijsen, J., Wichers, F., Harlaar, J., 1997. A traditional mop versus a flat mop: a study of the
effects of adjustment to the design of a mop on the muscle workload measured by means of
electromyography. Tijdschrift voor Ergonomie 22,109–114.
Huisman, M., 1992. Task analysis or safe lifting programmes? A case study. In: Laird, I., Slappendel,
C. (Eds.), Ergonomics: Design for Usability. Proceedings of the Fourth Conference of the NewZealand
Ergonomics Society, Palmerston North, 26–27 March 1992, pp. 75–77.
Kumar, R. , Chaikumarn, M., Kumar, S., 2005, Physiological,subjective and postural loads in
passenger train wagon cleaning using a conventional and redesigned cleaning tool. International
Journal of Industrial Ergonomics 35 (2005) 931–938
Louhevaara, V., 1997. Professional cleaning in the European Union: ergonomics. In: Das, B.,
Karwowski, W. (Eds.), Advances in Occupational Ergonomics and Safety 1997. IOS Press,
Amsterdam, pp. 565–568.
Louhevaara, V., Hopsu, L., Søgaard, K., 2000. Cardiorespiratory strain during floor mopping with
different methods. In: Ergonomics for the NewMillennium. Proceedings of the XIVth Triennial
Congress of the International Ergonomics Association and the 44th Annual Meeting of the Human
Factors and Ergonomics Society, vol. 5, San Diego, CA, USA, July 29–August 4, pp. 518–520.
Pheasant, S., 1996. Bodyspace: Anthropometry, Ergonomics and the Design of Work, 2nd ed., Taylor
and Francis, London.
Søgaard, K., Fallentin, N., Nielsen, J., 1996. Work load during floor cleaning: the effect of cleaning
methods and work technique. European Journal of Applied Physiology and Occupational Physiology
73, 73–81.
Wood, I., 1994. An ergonomics study of single disc cleaners. Camtech Systems, Huntingdon,
unpublished.
Woods, V., Buckle, P., 2005. An investigation into the design and use of workplace cleaning
equipment. International Journal of Industrial Ergonomics 35 (2005) 247–266
http://www.dined.nl, Dataset Dutch adults 31-60 years 2004
48
10. Appendix
10.1. Interview
Instructions for the interviewer
•
•
•
•
•
•
Always check if the participant fits within the profile of our target group.
In case the partner also cleans the floor, than he/she can be interviewed separately.
Use voice recording.
If asked, make pictures. Also make pictures of the participant, the interior and products that visualise the
lifestyle of the participant.
Use open questions and always let the participant finish talking.
Interrupt the interview if this is what the participant wants.
Definitions
Cleaning:
Wet floor cleaning:
(Cleaning) devices:
(Cleaning) aids:
All cleaning activities in general
Cleaning the floor with water and/ or cleaning agents
Electronic products (e.g. vacuum cleaner, steam cleaner, etc.)
Non-electric products (e.g. mop, cloth, sponge, etc.)
Introduction
1.
2.
3.
4.
Say that the interview takes about 30 – 45 minutes.
Ask permission to voice record it and to take pictures.
Say that the results will be kept confidential and guarantee anonymity
Tell a little bit about the research and its goal.
Questions
1. Preliminary questions
1.
How many times a week do you clean your house (general)
2.
On what days of the week do you clean your house (general)
3.
On what moments do you clean (general)
4.
How much time a week do you spend on cleaning (general)
5.
How much time of that do you spend on the wet cleaning of the floor surface?
6.
How many times a week do you clean you floor surface?
7.
What types of floor surfaces do you clean?
8.
Which floors in you house do you clean most often?
9.
What makes you decide that it is needed to clean the floor surface?
10.
Do you clean your floor regularly or irregularly?
11.
Do you clean your floor surface completely, or only at places with local dirt?
2. Observation on wet Floor cleaning process
Could you please clean a small floor surface as if you do it normally?
(Checklist and pictures)(There have to be movable obstacles on the surface)
(Ask the participants to tell what they do during the observation)
49
3. Evaluation of the cleaning process
1.
How was it going?
2.
Ask why the actions that were not checked off on the checklist, aren't executed.
3.
What is the most annoying part of the floor cleaning process?
4.
Do you experience problems with the usage of the cleaning devices/products?
a.
Do you get pain in your hands, arms, shoulders, neck, hips etc.?
b.
Do you have enough grip when holding the device?
c.
Are there problems with the control of the devices/products?
d.
Does the force needed to scrub certain dirt from the floor give any problems?
e.
Is the weight of the devices/products a problem?
5.
Are there any complaints or problems that make you renounce from cleaning the
floor?
6.
What postures are uncomfortable during the cleaning process?
7.
Are you tired after the cleaning process?
8.
What is the first thing you do after the cleaning process?
9.
Does the amount of energy you put in the cleaning process justify the result?
10.
Do you make a plan before you clean the floor?
11.
On what place do you start cleaning?
12.
How do you know what part of the floor surface is clean? Is it visible where you have
been?
13.
Can you reach all the corners?
14.
If you cannot remove sticky dirt with these devices/products, what devices/products do
you use then?
15.
If you used other devices/products before:
a.
Which ones did you use?
b.
Why don't you use them anymore?
4. Aids and devices
1.
Where do you buy your cleaning equipment?
2.
Who in the house keeping is responsible for the purchase of the products and why?
3.
How often do you replace cleaning products, like: towels, floor cloths?
4.
How often do you replace cleaning devices?
5.
What brands do you connect to cleaning and why?
6.
What is your most beautiful device and why? (picture)
7.
What is your most ugly device and why? (picture)
8.
What is your most annoying device and why? (picture)
9.
What is your most reliable device and why? (picture)
10.
Do you have Philips devices in your household? Which ones?
11.
Would you consider to purchase another floor cleaner besides your vacuum cleaner?
a.
What product would that be?
b.
Why this particular product?
12.
What can you tell about steam cleaners?
5. Standards and values
1.
What is your definition of thoroughly cleaning?
2.
How do you know that your floor is thoroughly clean?
3.
Are you satisfied with the result after cleaning the floor surface?
4.
Are you doing the cleaning process with pleasure?
5.
How do you feel after you have cleaned the floor (tired, satisfied, cheerful)?
6.
How important is it that your house is clean?
7.
Are you careful to your furniture?
8.
What aspects are important for a nice interior?
6. Questionnaire
Ask the participant to answer the questionnaire.
Ask the participant if he/she has any comments.
Thank the participant for participating.
50
Questionnaire
Name participant:
M/F*
Age:
Profession:
City:
Do you want to participate in a possible next research? *:
Yes / No
In case your partner doesn’t participate:
Age partner:
Profession partner:
1. In case you have children, what is the age of the youngest child? ___________________________
2. In what type of house do you live *: separate house / family house (row) / flat / apartment / other:__
3. Estimate you hard floor surface (excluding carpet)?___________________________________m
2
4. Rank the following factors on importance for your cleaning process:
Speed, Result, Energy
1. ________________________
2. ________________________
3. ________________________
5. What kinds of floor do you clean with water and/ or cleaning agents? *
Concrete / Laminate / Wood / Parquet / Linoleum / Tiles / Stone / Carpet/ Other:.______________
6. What devices do you use for wet floor cleaning? *
Vacuum cleaner / Broom / Dustpan and brush / Steam cleaner / Mop / Swiffer / Cloth / Other:____
7. What types of dirt do you remove with water and/ or cleaning agents? *
Dust / Sand / Food rests / Liquids / Organic material / Lubricating jelly / Other:________________
* Draw a circle around the right answer(s)
51
10.2. Anthropometrics
Anthropometric measures of the target group are extracted the DINED 2004 survey, Dataset Dutch
adults Population. The measures are taken from people between 31 and 60 years old. This does not
exactly resemble the age of the target group (40-60), but it is the closest estimation possible.
In this case for DINED 2004 there are two sources:
1. From TU Delft the so called Geron-project 1993-1998 of the Ergonomics group, in which s
sample of 750 people were measured:150 young adults(aged 20-30) and 600 people aged
over 50 and living independently.
2. From TNO Human Factors Soesterberg, the circumferences within the DINED-2004 orginated
from the Caesar-project.
Data in this table is assumed to be Gaussian or normal distributed, although in some case this might
be discutable. Examples are all not long bone measurements, like body weight, body joint motion
forces and thigh thickness. In these more or less normal-distributed data the right halve of the
distribution can be larger then the left have. This means that P95-P50> P50-P5.
Label
Name
Male MEAN
Male SD.
Female MEAN
Female SD.
unit
6
stature
1770
76
1652
57
mm
46
eye height (standing)
1659
76
1551
55
mm
47
acromial height
1457
73
1352
52
mm
48
elbow height
1099
57
1018
43
mm
56
hip height
990
54
932
42
mm
7
fist height standing
797
45
741
35
mm
16
sitting height
925
35
865
31
mm
17
eye height sitting
814
35
764
31
mm
18
shoulder height sitting
612
31
565
29
mm
50
elbow height, sitting
253
28
230
30
mm
23
thigh clearance
144
12
145
15
mm
24
popliteal height
481
32
434
26
mm
57
head breadth
154
6
147
6
mm
13
shoulder breadth (bi-deltoid)
461
24
424
28
mm
14
breadth over the elbows
502
38
472
43
mm
52
15
hip breadth sitting
397
26
414
31
mm
58
head depth
198
8
187
7
mm
11
elbow-grip length
352
21
321
15
mm
19
arm length
746
47
688
34
mm
20
abdominal depth
299
35
293
38
mm
44
chest depth
300
39
310
42
mm
21
buttock-popliteal depth
503
27
499
27
mm
22
buttock-knee depth
631
32
613
28
mm
25
hand length
194
10
179
8
mm
52
hand breadth (with thumb)
119
5
93
6
mm
26
hand breadth without thumb
91
4
81
4
mm
27
thumb breadth
25
2
21
1
mm
28
forefinger breadth
19
1
16
1
mm
54
hand thickness
29
3
27
5
mm
8
foot length
266
15
245
11
mm
9
foot breadth
101
6
94
6
mm
5
body mass
82.3
12.0
70.5
11.4
kg
59
head circumference
576
17
551
15
mm
60
neck base circumference
497
37
447
35
mm
61
breast circumference
1044
102
1013
119
mm
62
waist circumference
949
108
863
130
mm
63
hip circumference
1031
76
1066
94
mm
53
10.3. Ergonomic design recommendations and considerations
General
• Lighten machines for easy manoeuvre, lowering/raising and control; this may be done by
using more plastic rather than metal parts
• Machines with different handle heights should be designed to accommodate all workers
• Reduce disc weight to 1–2 kg to make the task of attaching the disc to the machine easier to
complete; ensure spikes on disc are not too sharp; an audible click when the disc is attached
correctly is recommended
• Consider need for access under furniture and use in confined spaces
• Incorporate all dispensing functions within machine
• Ensure dispensing controls are easy and comfortable to use
• Enable convenient filling of cleaning solution tank/bottle
• Cleaning pad should be easy to change, without requiring user to lift machine or bend
• Incorporate wear indicators into disc alerting when replacement is necessary
• Provide convenient storage for accessories
• Eliminate high initial reaction torque on starting
• Keep height of motor as low as possible, allowing access under furniture etc
• Aim to reduce noise and vibration
• Avoid need for user lifting
• Incorporate wheels
• Provide other transportation aids
• Design to be maintenance free, beyond need for routine cleaning
• Provide easy to clean surfaces, without dirt traps
• Manufacture using resilient materials and components, able to withstand rough treatment
Controls
• Lower forces for adjusting levers or triggers to less than 10N [Mital and Kilbom, 1992];
alternatively other designs should be investigated (e.g. hand operated lever lower on the
handle or a foot pedal)
• Reduce span of levers and handles to 45–55mm [Pheasant, 1996]
• Ensure grip length is 120mm [Mital and Kilbom, 1992] to provide enough space for the hand
• Grip diameter should be 50–60mm for a power/force grip [Mital and Kilbom, 1992]
• Triggers should be longer to spread the load over four rather than on one or two fingers.
Kilpatrick et al. (1991) recommend 85mm for trigger length on buffing machines
• Trigger width should be 15mm and 2–3mm when depressed [Kilpatrick et al., 1991]; changing
the trigger thickness would reduce the distance the hand is required to span
• Ensure the surface of grips/ triggers/ switches are smooth to remove the risk of discomfort for
the user
• Experiment with hand contact area to improve comfort Discrete controls requiring continual
operation should allow some movement (play) within ‘on' state
• Consider implementing as continuous control, offering variable speed
• Provide a wide range of handle height adjustment, with fine adjustment in range 0.6 - 1.0 m
• Method of adjustment needs to be obvious, quick and easy
• Aid users to identify and return to their individual setting
Safety
• Provide safety lights and safety information on machines
• Ensure location of safety switch/button is suitable to avoid stretching and to increase the
user’s control and grip on the machine
• Provide safe method of cable management that does not conflict with manoeuvrability or ease
of use
54
Flex management
• Outriggers and flex restraints are useful to prevent the flex getting tangled in the users’ feet
• A hook on the front of the machine for storage of disc/pad is a useful feature
• Systems to allow easy storage and access to the flex are recommended
Mopping systems
•
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•
Mops with different length handles should be available for purchase
Design of adjustable mop handles could be explored
Mop handle surface should be smooth
User trials are required to ascertain if a larger grip diameter would be beneficial
A rubber coating on the top of the mop shaft improves grip
As some buckets were heavy when full, it is recommended that manual handling risks are
minimised by, for example, installing inner containers inside larger buckets
The pressure required to squeeze the mop should be reduced on all mop systems
Stronger plastic drains should be made for handheld buckets
The problem of splashing when dragging the mop through the squeezer system needs more
design consideration as chemicals are used to clean floors
A braking system is needed on buckets with wheels while squeezing
General considerations for purchasing cleaning tools
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
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•
•
•
•
•
•
Have you consulted your users about machine/equipment requirements?
Is the equipment an acceptable weight for all the users?
Is the equipment a suitable height for all the users?
Is the equipment easy to move (e.g. wheels move easily)?
Is the equipment stable and does it move smoothly (i.e. no sudden applications of force
required or shock loading to the hands)?
Are all controls/levers easy to reach and use (for left and right handed workers)?
Are the controls/levers comfortable to operate (e.g. no uncomfortable ridges)?
Is it possible to grip the machine easily: acceptable hand span (45–55 mm)?
Are the forces required to operate triggers, controls and levers acceptable (<10 N)?
Are all parts easily adjustable (including access to and use of attachments/accessories)?
Does the equipment provide feedback to the user when an action is completed (e.g. click
when attach disc correctly)?
Is there perceptible vibration from the equipment?
Is the noise from the equipment acceptable (<85 dB for full day exposure)?
Are safety lights and information provided on the equipment?
Are safety lights/controls in good locations in terms of visibility and reach?
Is flex management acceptable (e.g. outriggers that hold flex away from handle)?
Is cable length adequate (e.g. think about availability of plug sockets, extension leads etc)?
Is the equipment suitable for your work environment (e.g. stairs, lifts, ramps, access, size of
rooms, restricted spaces)?
Have you considered providing a range of equipment at the workplace to accommodate all
potential users?
Have you trialled this equipment at the workplace with a representative sample of your users
and taken the feedback from users into consideration?
Sources:
Woods and Buckle, 2005
Haslam and Williams, 1999
55
10.4. Floor cleaning process
Figure: Task analysis of floor cleaning operation
56
10.5. Floor cleaning machine layout
Figure: General characteristics and dimensions of 6 floor cleaning machines.
Figure: General characteristics of 6 floor cleaning machine handles and controls.
Source: Woods and Buckle, 2005
57
10.6. Anatomical movements
Spinal Column
The vertebral column has the following normal ranges of movement: Flexion, Extension, Lateral
Flexion and Rotation.
Shoulder Girdle
The shoulder girdle has the following normal ranges of movement: Elevation, Depression, Adduction
and Abduction.
Shoulder Joint
The shoulder joint has the following normal ranges of movement: Flexion, Extension, Adduction,
Abduction and Medial Rotation.
58
Elbow Joint
The elbow joint has the following normal ranges of movement: Flexion, Extension, Pronation and
Supination.
Wrist Joint
The wrist joint has the following normal ranges of movement: Flexion, Extension, Adduction,
Abduction and Circumduction.
59
10.7. Results interviews
60

Research on Wet Floor Cleaning

Transcription

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