Spring-Loaded Door Handle Dispenser for Controlled Fluid Release

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing fluid dispensers on door handles, whether electrical or mechanical, face issues with battery replacement needs and accidental activation during handle movement, leading to unintentional disinfectant liquid dispensing, which can be problematic for users allergic to the agents.

Innovation Solution

A fluid dispenser integrated into a cylindrical door handle with a spring-loaded button mechanism that creates overpressure to transport fluid from an inlet to an outlet channel, ensuring fluid-tight assembly and controlled dispensing without reliance on handle movement, using a piston and piston rod within a sealed cylinder system.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Use of energy by moving object

If a mechanical pump mechanism activated by handle movement is used, then the dispenser can operate without batteries, but liquid is dispensed unintentionally when the handle is moved

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebattery-free operationVSAvoidaccidental activation
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The spring mechanism is pre-loaded in a compressed state during assembly, storing potential energy. When the button is pressed, this pre-stored energy is released to drive the piston and dispense liquid. This preliminary preparation of energy allows the system to operate without batteries while maintaining controlled activation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The button acts as an intermediary control element between the user and the pump mechanism. Pressing the button releases the spring's stored energy in a controlled manner, preventing accidental activation during normal handle movement while enabling intentional dispensing when needed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Volume of moving object

If the pump mechanism is integrated into the door handle, then the structure is compact, but the sealing against inner sides becomes complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecompact structureVSAvoidsealing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The pump chamber utilizes the cylindrical door handle itself as the outer wall, eliminating the need for additional rigid housing. Flexible sealing elements are employed at the interfaces between the pump components and the handle interior, allowing compact integration while maintaining fluid-tight seals through conformal contact.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

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 solution provides a reliable, battery-free, and controlled dispensing mechanism that minimizes accidental activation, ensuring safe and intentional dispensing of disinfectant liquid, suitable for users who may be allergic to common disinfectants.

Implementation Method 1

a spring loaded button mechanism; a piston mutually adapted to the cylinder such that a movement of the piston in the cylinder causes transport of a fluid from inlet channel to outlet channel

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

the piston via the piston rod is moved in the cylinder by the spring loaded button mechanism and thereby generating an overpressure which transports a fluid from inlet channel to outlet channel

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPressure Increase: Pressure Increase

Data Source

PatentEP4006271B1Dispenser for handle
Publication Date: 2024.10.16 HØJSAGER, JAKOB
  • EP4006271B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4006271B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

The invention relates to a dispenser for arrangement in handles of the type extending from a door and comprising a cylindrical door handle which ends in a free end, and wherein the cylindrical door handle comprises an opening to the fluid dispensed which dispenser comprises an end portion for fluid-tight assembly with the free end of the handle which end portion comprises a spring loaded button mechanism. The dispenser also has a pump portion comprising a cylinder with an inlet channel and an outlet channel. A piston is arranged in the cylinder such that a movement of the piston in the cylinder causes transport of a fluid from inlet channel to outlet channel and a piston rod connects the spring loaded button mechanism to piston. The outlet channel may be connected with the opening to the fluid dispensed and distanced from the end portion, the pump portion is adapted to form a fluid-tight assembly with the inner sides of the cylindrical door handle such that the piston via the piston rod may be moved in the cylinder by the spring loaded button mechanism and thereby transport a fluid from inlet channel to outlet channel.