Concentric Handle Coupling Mechanism for Compact Door Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing handle devices for doors, windows, and gates are complex, bulky, and unsuitable for electrical control, requiring many moving parts and a large handle escutcheon, with disengagement only possible at specific rotational positions, and lacking compactness and ease of control from either side.
Innovation Solution
A handle device with a concentric coupling system featuring an outer and inner coupling member, an axially displaceable activating member, and a radially moveable engaging member, allowing selective disengagement and coupling with minimal moving parts, enabling easy electrical control and compact design, with all necessary components housed in the handle grip.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conventional coupling device with multiple moving parts is used, then selective disengagement and coupling can be achieved, but the device becomes complex and bulky
Solution Approach 1:
The inner coupling member is nested concentrically within the outer coupling member, both rotating about the same axis. The engaging member is radially displaceable within the inner coupling member, creating a compact nested structure that reduces the number of separate components while maintaining the selective coupling function
Solution Approach 2:
The coupling device serves multiple functions: it enables selective engagement and disengagement, provides mechanical coupling transmission, and can be controlled by either mechanical or electromechanical means through the activating member, making it versatile for different application requirements
2Reliability
If a conventional coupling device with many moving parts is used, then selective disengagement can be achieved, but the handle escutcheon must be large to enclose necessary parts
Solution Approach 1:
By nesting the inner coupling member within the outer coupling member and positioning all controlling elements (engaging member, activating member) within the concentric arrangement, the overall footprint is minimized, allowing a compact handle escutcheon design
Solution Approach 2:
The engaging member operates radially (perpendicular to the rotation axis) while the activating member operates axially (parallel to the rotation axis), utilizing different spatial dimensions to achieve coupling control without requiring additional lateral space
3Ease of operation
If disengagement is enabled at any rotational position, then ease of operation is improved, but the coupling mechanism becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The engagement status is determined by the radial position of the engaging member relative to the hole in the outer coupling member, independent of rotational position. This extracts the engagement condition from the rotational position dependency, allowing disengagement at any orientation
Solution Approach 2:
The activating member acts as an intermediary that translates axial displacement into radial movement of the engaging member. This mediation allows the engaging member to be positioned radially inward or outward regardless of the rotational orientation of the coupling members
4Adaptability or versatility
If electromechanical control is implemented, then authorized access control is achieved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system can operate in two modes: purely mechanical control where the activating member is directly manipulated, or electromechanical control where an electromotor or solenoid actuates the activating member. This substitution allows flexible energy usage based on the control mode selected
Solution Approach 2:
When electromechanical control is used, the electromotor or solenoid operates periodically or intermittently to actuate the activating member into the required position, rather than requiring continuous energy input, thus reducing overall energy consumption
Data Source
Figure 1~4b
Figure 5~7b
Figure 8a~9b
AI summary
Handle device for operating doors, windows and the like, comprising a first element, which is rotatable about an axis of rotation, a second element, and a coupling device which is connected to the first and the second element and is designed to selectively allow or prevent relative rotation about the axis of rotation between the first and the second element, the coupling device comprising an outer coupling member (3, 50) and an inner coupling member (5, 31), which is concentrically accommodated, rotatable about the axis of rotation, in the outer coupling member. The handle device comprises at least one engaging member (20), which is radially displaceable in the inner coupling member (5, 31), and an activating member (12, 60) which is accommodated in the inner coupling member and axially displaceable therein, parallel to the axis of rotation. The engaging member and the activating member have interacting contact surfaces (12b, 12c, 61, 63) in order, during axial displacement of the activating member, to press the engaging member into a radially projecting position for simultaneous engagement with the inner and outer coupling member.