Variable-Radius Coupler Handle for Ergonomic Grip Access

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Solution Overview

Problem

Traditional manually actuated couplers in fluid transport systems have ergonomic issues, as users often hold the fluid conduit instead of the handle, and there is limited space for hand placement due to surrounding components, affecting usability and safety during fluid transfer.

Innovation Solution

A coupler with a handle that has a non-constant radius, featuring regions of reduced and increased diameter along its length, providing multiple hand placement options and improved maneuverability, and designed to guide the operator's grip away from connecting members for enhanced ergonomics and safety.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a traditional constant-radius handle is used, then the structure is simple, but the ergonomics are poor and users cannot properly grip the handle

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveergonomicsVSAvoidhandle structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The handle employs local quality variation through non-constant radius design, creating distinct grip zones with different radial distances from the central axis. This allows different portions of the handle to serve different functional purposes: some areas optimized for hand placement while others provide structural connection, thereby improving ergonomics without requiring complete structural redesign

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The invention transitions from a constant-radius cylindrical handle to a handle with variable radius along its length, adding dimensional variation to the handle geometry. This creates multiple grip surfaces at different radial positions, providing users with better hand placement options while maintaining the overall simple handle structure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Area of stationary object

If the handle is positioned close to connecting members, then the coupler is compact, but there is limited space for hand placement

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehand placement spaceVSAvoidcoupler compactness

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The handle is segmented into multiple regions with different radial characteristics along its length. This segmentation creates distinct zones: some regions provide adequate hand placement space away from connecting members, while other regions maintain compact proximity to the coupler body, thereby resolving the conflict between compactness and hand placement space

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Reliability

If users hold the fluid conduit instead of the handle, then the handle design is simple, but the operation safety is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoperation safetyVSAvoidhandle design

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

By creating local variations in handle radius, the invention provides distinct grip zones that are ergonomically optimized for hand placement. This makes it naturally more comfortable and intuitive for users to grip the handle rather than the conduit, thereby improving operational safety through better ergonomics rather than through complex safety mechanisms

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentUS11215294B2Handle for a coupler

Publication Date: 2022.01.04 MANN TEKNIK AB

AI summary

A coupler for a fluid transport system comprising a handle being continuous around the coupler, the coupler having a first end and a second end, the handle having a non-constant radius with respect to the central longitudinal axis of the coupler, the handle comprising a plurality of regions being proximal the first end of the coupler, and a plurality of regions being distal the first end of the coupler.