Deployable handle devices
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Solution Overview
Problem
Household and bathing environments often lack adequate safety support, particularly in slippery conditions, where traditional handles can be aesthetically unpleasing and difficult to install, and there is a need for emergency contact capabilities.
Innovation Solution
Development of stowable and deployable handle devices with integrated emergency communication units that can be seamlessly integrated into walls, including those of free-standing tubs, featuring gear tracks, springs, and locking mechanisms for easy deployment and concealment, allowing users to contact emergency services.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional handles are installed in bathing environments, then safety support is provided, but aesthetic appearance deteriorates and wall structure is disrupted
Solution Approach 1:
The handle device is nested within a recess in the wall, with the handle contained inside a handle housing that is itself positioned within the wall recess. When not in use, the handle remains concealed within the housing, maintaining wall aesthetics. When needed, the handle can be deployed from the housing, providing safety support without permanently disrupting the wall structure or appearance.
2Shape
If handles are concealed in walls for aesthetics, then aesthetic appearance improves, but accessibility and ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The handle is pre-positioned within the handle housing in a ready state. The spring mechanism is pre-loaded to automatically deploy the handle when activated. This preliminary positioning allows the handle to be quickly accessed and deployed when needed, maintaining both aesthetic concealment and operational accessibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The handle device transitions from a static concealed state to a dynamic deployed state. The spring mechanism enables the handle to move automatically from the retracted position within the housing to the deployed position for use. This dynamic capability ensures the handle remains accessible and functional while maintaining aesthetic appearance when not in use.
3Reliability
If locking mechanisms are added to secure handle deployment, then reliability of handle position improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The spring mechanism automatically deploys the handle when activated, and the locking mechanism automatically engages to secure the handle in its deployed position. The system serves itself by using the spring's stored energy to both deploy and lock the handle without requiring additional manual intervention or complex control systems, thereby maintaining reliability while minimizing added complexity.
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
Provides enhanced safety and aesthetic appeal by offering a hidden yet accessible handle system that can be easily deployed in emergencies, improving user safety in hazardous environments while allowing for emergency contact without compromising the environment's appearance.
Implementation Method 1
The handle device can include a spring connected to the handle housing that can bias the handle to the deployed configuration.
Implementation Method 2
The first gear can engage the first gear track. The second gear can engage the second gear track. The handle moving relative to the handle housing between the stowed and deployed configurations can rotate the first and second gears via the first and second gear tracks moving along the travel direction and engaging the first and second gears.
Implementation Method 3
The arm can block the elongate protrusion from entering the groove of the lock housing to inhibit movement of the elongate protrusion into the groove to lock the handle in the deployed configuration.
Data Source
AI summary
Handle devices for building, including bathing, environments that can be stored in and deployed from recesses in the walls of the environments. The handle devices may include emergency contact capabilities to enable a user to contact an emergency contact. Universal handle devices can be mounted to the contoured walls of a free standing tub. Handle devices may have a handle, a handle housing, a gear shaft connected to the handle, a spring and a lock housing. Other handle devices have housings with a gear rod and a guide channel. Some handle devices have a plurality of links rotatably coupled to the housing and the handle, and a stowage locking lever housed within the handle.