Handle for a domestic appliance

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing handle designs for household appliances face challenges in achieving a uniform surface structure and appearance when using different materials for the handle and fastening parts, requiring complex surface finishing processes and limiting product differentiation.

Innovation Solution

The handle part and fastening parts are made from the same material, specifically designed as extruded aluminum profiles with a uniform surface structure, allowing for identical manufacturing and surface treatment processes, ensuring a cohesive and durable design.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If different materials are used for handle part and fastening parts, then material properties can be optimized for specific functions, but surface structure uniformity deteriorates requiring complex surface finishing processes

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvematerial property optimizationVSAvoidsurface structure uniformity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies homogeneity by making the handle part and fastening parts from the same material (aluminum alloy), ensuring uniform surface structure and appearance across all components. This eliminates the need for complex surface finishing processes to achieve visual consistency while maintaining the functional advantages of different component designs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #33Homogeneity

2Reliability

If different materials are used for handle part and fastening parts, then functional properties can be enhanced, but the number of surface treatment processes increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefunctional propertiesVSAvoidsurface treatment processes
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

By using the same aluminum alloy material for all handle components, the patent reduces surface treatment complexity to a single uniform process applied to all parts, while maintaining functional reliability through proper material selection and component design.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #33Homogeneity

3Ease of manufacture

If one-piece injection molded plastic design is used, then production cost decreases, but product differentiation capability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveproduction costVSAvoidproduct differentiation
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses extrusion parameters (profile geometry, cross-sectional shape) to achieve product differentiation while maintaining cost-effective single-material manufacturing. Different handle profiles and fastening part geometries provide design variety without requiring multiple materials or complex assembly processes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

4Adaptability or versatility

If multiple separate parts are used for handle and fastening components, then design flexibility increases, but the number of individual parts increases affecting appearance and assembly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedesign flexibilityVSAvoidnumber of individual parts
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent maintains design flexibility through separate handle and fastening parts made from the same material, allowing functional optimization while achieving visual uniformity. The consistent material appearance masks the multi-part construction, presenting a cohesive aesthetic without requiring additional surface finishing to match different materials.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #33Homogeneity

Data Source

PatentEP1898157B2Handle for a domestic appliance
Publication Date: 2022.03.02 BSH HAUSGERATE GMBH
  • EP1898157B2 patent drawingFigure 1~3

AI summary

The handle consists of a handle part (1) designed as an elongated rod and at least one separate fastening part (2) for fastening the handle part (1) at a distance to an element (3) of the domestic appliance. According to the invention, the handle part (1) and the at least one fastening part (2) have a uniform surface structure made from the same material.