Break-away Door Handle Impact Absorption
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing door handles in merchandisers, particularly those in refrigerated retail environments, are prone to breaking or damage due to impacts from carts or other objects, lacking adequate flexibility to absorb forces effectively.
Innovation Solution
A door handle design featuring a handle section coupled to door mounts via a hinge mechanism and mating features that allow the handle to move from an aligned state to a deflected state in response to lateral forces, utilizing a spring-fastener combination to absorb impact and prevent damage to the door panel.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the door handle is fixed rigidly to the door frame or glass panel, then the handle provides stable support for opening and closing the door, but the handle is vulnerable to breaking or damage from impact forces from carts or other objects
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic handle system where the handle section can move relative to the door mount through a hinge mechanism. This allows the handle to transition from a fixed rigid state during normal operation to a movable state during impact, absorbing impact forces through controlled movement rather than rigid resistance, thereby preventing breakage while maintaining operational stability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical state and motion parameters of the handle by introducing a hinge mechanism that enables rotational movement. The handle section can pivot between a first state (aligned with the door mount for normal use) and a second state (deflected from alignment during impact). This parameter change allows the handle to adapt its mechanical properties dynamically, providing rigidity when needed and flexibility for impact absorption
2Stability of the object's composition
If the door handle is made fixed and rigid, then the handle maintains its position for proper door operation, but the handle cannot absorb impact forces and may cause damage to the door panel
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the harmful impact force from carts or objects into a beneficial controlled movement through the hinge mechanism. Instead of the impact force causing uncontrolled damage to the rigid door panel, the hinge allows the handle section to pivot in a controlled manner, absorbing the impact energy and redirecting it away from the door panel, thereby protecting the door from damage
Solution Approach 2:
The hinge mechanism serves as an intermediary element between the door mount and the handle section. This intermediary component absorbs and mediates the impact forces, allowing controlled movement of the handle section while protecting the door panel from direct impact damage. The hinge acts as a buffer that decouples the handle from the door panel during impact events
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The handle design effectively absorbs impact forces, preventing breakage of the door handle and panel by allowing the handle section to pivot and return to its aligned state, thus enhancing durability and safety in retail merchandiser applications.
Implementation Method 1
utilizing a spring-fastener combination to absorb impact and prevent damage to the door panel
Data Source
AI summary
A handle for a door. The handle includes a door mount that has a first end and a second end with a first mating feature, and a handle section that is coupled to the door mount by a fastener. The handle section has a second mating feature that is complementary to the first mating feature. The handle section is in a first state when the first mating feature and the second mating feature are engaged with each other, and the handle section is in a second state when the first mating feature and the second mating feature are at least partially disengaged from each other. In response to a force acting on the handle section, the handle section is movable from the first state to the second state.