Bucket

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional buckets with transverse handles are ergonomically disadvantageous, causing strain and discomfort when carrying heavy loads, and result in uncontrolled pouring and spilling during emptying, especially in household settings.

Innovation Solution

A bucket design with a handle extending in the longitudinal direction, allowing for natural hand positioning and minimizing strain, combined with a self-contained through-hole spout on the front transverse side for controlled pouring, reducing rocking and spilling.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If the handle extends in the transverse direction (conventional design), then the bucket structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the user experiences ergonomic strain and discomfort when carrying heavy loads

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehandle structure simplicityVSAvoidcarrying comfort

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The handle extension direction is inverted from the conventional transverse direction to the longitudinal direction. This inversion allows the user's hand to remain in a natural position during carrying, eliminating the need to rotate the hand 90 degrees and reducing ergonomic strain on the shoulder, arm, and hand.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

2Quantity of substance

If the bucket has a large capacity for maximum filling, then the bucket can hold more contents, but the bucket becomes very heavy and difficult to handle

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebucket capacityVSAvoidhandling ease

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

By inverting the handle extension direction to longitudinal, the bucket can be carried closer to the user's body in a natural hand position, improving control and reducing the perceived weight and handling difficulty of fully loaded buckets.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

3Productivity

If the upper rim forms a spout for pouring out contents, then the bucket can be emptied, but a too powerful and wide stream is created that is difficult to control and direct

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveemptying capabilityVSAvoidpouring control

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The spout function is extracted from the upper rim and repositioned to the front transverse side of the bucket. This extraction allows for a more controlled pouring stream that is easier to direct into small household sinks or toilet bowls, preventing spilling and making the emptying process more manageable.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

4Ease of operation

If the spout is positioned on the front transverse side, then the pouring stream is more controlled and easier to direct, but the bucket structure becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepouring controlVSAvoidspout structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The spout is merged with the front transverse side of the bucket body, forming an integrated structure. This combining achieves controlled pouring without requiring separate, complex spout assemblies, maintaining manufacturing simplicity while improving pouring control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS10335007B2Bucket

Publication Date: 2019.07.02 CARL FREUDENBERG KG

AI summary

A bucket having a longitudinal direction and a transverse direction includes: a first extension in the longitudinal direction; a second extension in the transverse direction, the first extension being greater than the second extension; two longitudinal sides; a front transverse side; a rear transverse side; and at least one substantially bow-shaped handle. The at least one handle extends in the longitudinal direction and is pivotable in the transverse direction. A spout of the bucket includes a self-contained through-hole and is arranged in the front transverse side.