Electric Flat Mop Cleaning Bucket with Automatic Washing and Wringing

The problem

Washing a flat mop requires filling a basin, dunking the pad repeatedly, and then wringing it out by hand or using a mechanical press plate that demands physical force. For users who clean large floor areas daily, this repetitive bending, gripping, and pressing causes fatigue. Manual buckets also make it difficult to control how much water remains in the pad after wringing; too much water leaves streaks on hard floors, while too little reduces cleaning effectiveness on the next pass. Furthermore, keeping the electrical components safe from splashing water inside a washing bucket is a persistent design challenge.

The solution

This patent describes a system where the washing and wringing actions are handled entirely by internal mechanisms powered by electricity.

1. The mop bucket (100) consists of a bucket body (101) and a bucket cover (102) fixed over the upper opening. An insertion hole (103) in the cover accepts the mop.
2. The flat mop (200) has a mop rod (201) and a hinged mop head (202) holding the wiping material. A magnet (203) is fixed at the lower end of the rod.
3. Inside the bucket, a positioning recess (104) aligns with the insertion hole. A guide tube (106) containing a reed switch sits in this recess, sealed against water intrusion.
4. On the opposite inner wall, a positioning boss (105) protrudes inward to help align the mop head during insertion.
5. A cleaning mechanism inside the bucket body performs the actual washing and wringing of the wiping material.
6. A driving mechanism, including a driving motor mounted in an external recess, connects to the cleaning mechanism through the bucket wall via a connecting assembly.
7. A circuit board (108) housed in a sealed box under the bucket controls a solenoid valve (107) linked to a water inlet (109).

Who it is for

• Household cleaning brands looking to offer an automated alternative to traditional spin-mop or press-mop buckets for their retail lines.
• Janitorial supply distributors serving commercial cleaners who need to reduce the physical strain of washing flat mops between rooms.
• Amazon private-label sellers seeking a differentiated floor-care product with electronic features that stand out in search results.
• Hospitality purchasing groups equipping housekeeping staff with tools that speed up room turnover by automating the mop preparation step.

How it works

The main parts

Operating steps

1. Insert the mop - Push the flat mop down through the insertion hole (103) in the bucket cover. The positioning recess (104) and boss (105) keep the mop head aligned.
2. Trigger the sensor - As the mop reaches the correct depth, the magnet (203) on the rod aligns with the reed switch inside the guide tube (106), sending a signal to the circuit board (108).
3. Fill and wash - The circuit board opens the solenoid valve (107). Water flows from the external source through the water inlet (109) into the bucket body. Simultaneously, the driving motor turns the connecting assembly, which drives the cleaning mechanism to agitate and wash the wiping material.
4. Drain and wring - After the wash phase, the circuit board closes the solenoid valve to stop the water flow. The motor continues to drive the cleaning mechanism, which now squeezes the water out of the wiping material.
5. Remove the mop - Pull the mop out through the insertion hole. The pad is washed and wrung, ready for the next floor section.

Applications

Residential hard-floor cleaning

Homeowners with large areas of tile, hardwood, or laminate use flat mops daily. This bucket allows them to wash and wring the mop pad by simply inserting it, avoiding the need to bend over a sink or manually twist a heavy, wet cloth.

Commercial janitorial services

Cleaning crews working in office buildings or schools move from room to room constantly. Carrying a bucket that automatically rinses and wrings the mop saves time and reduces the repetitive wrist and back strain associated with manual wringing mechanisms.

Hospitality housekeeping

Hotel maids must clean multiple rooms quickly. An automated bucket stationed on a cleaning cart or in a utility closet lets them refresh the mop pad between rooms without leaving the floor to find a utility sink, keeping the workflow continuous.

Healthcare facility maintenance

Hospitals and clinics require frequent floor sanitization. Automating the washing step ensures the mop pad is rinsed consistently each time it is inserted, preventing the spread of dirt from one zone to another due to inadequate manual rinsing.

Retail store upkeep

Store employees often clean spills or sweep aisles during operating hours. A self-contained bucket with an external water hookup keeps the process tidy and fast, minimizing disruption to shoppers.

Where it is less suitable

• Outdoor or unsealed surfaces - The device relies on an external water connection and electrical power, making it impractical for patios, garages without plumbing, or construction sites.
• String or sponge mops - The insertion hole and internal cleaning mechanism are shaped specifically for flat mop heads; round string mops or thick sponge mops will not fit or function correctly.
• Travel or camping - Because it requires a plumbed water inlet and mains or battery power for the motor, it is designed for fixed indoor locations rather than portable use.