Appliance Door Handle Plug-In Locking for Stress-Free Attachment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing household appliance door handles face issues with mechanical stress and potential damage due to aging of materials under external influences, particularly when using plastic components, as they require high clamping forces for secure attachment, which can lead to damage over time.
Innovation Solution
A door handle system that replaces the non-positive clamping connection with a force-free positive connection using a securing element, ensuring the handle is securely attached to the appliance door without relying on high pressing forces, utilizing a plug-in extension and receptacle with a securing element that engages in a form-fitting manner to prevent detachment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a non-positive clamping connection is used to secure the handle tube to the handle holders, then the handle can be firmly attached to the door, but mechanical stresses occur on the end faces of the handle tube and the circumferential wall must be dimensioned to be sufficiently stable, causing damage over time due to material aging
Solution Approach 1:
The connection system is segmented into three distinct components: the handle tube, the handle holders, and a separate securing element. The securing element is inserted into recesses in both the handle tube and handle holders, creating a modular connection system where each component has a specific function. This segmentation allows the handle tube to be free of clamping stresses while the securing element bears the locking function.
Solution Approach 2:
A securing element is introduced as an intermediary component between the handle tube and the handle holders. This securing element with locking lugs engages with corresponding recesses, mediating the connection and eliminating the need for direct clamping forces on the handle tube. The intermediary component absorbs the mechanical stresses and protects the handle tube from damage.
2Reliability
If high clamping forces are applied to secure the handle, then the handle is firmly attached, but the plastic material ages and loses component stability, leading to damage
Solution Approach 1:
The traditional mechanical clamping connection relying on high pressing forces is replaced by a positive locking mechanism using form-fitting contours. The securing element with locking lugs engages in geometric interlocking with recesses in the handle tube and handle holders, substituting the need for continuous high clamping forces with a discrete locking engagement that does not degrade over time.
Solution Approach 2:
The connection mechanism changes from a force-based parameter (clamping force magnitude) to a geometric parameter (form-fitting contour engagement). By changing the fundamental parameter from force to geometry, the system eliminates time-dependent degradation since geometric interlocking does not rely on material properties that age.
3Reliability
If a clamping connection is used to secure the handle, then the handle is firmly attached, but unintentional detachment can occur due to material aging and loss of component stability
Solution Approach 1:
The connection system employs asymmetric form-fitting contours where the locking lugs of the securing element engage with specifically shaped recesses in the handle tube and handle holders. This asymmetric geometric interlocking provides inherent resistance to unintentional detachment while maintaining ease of intentional assembly, as the contours are designed to engage in one direction but can be released with deliberate action.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a domestic appliance having a appliance door (1), the door handle (3) of which comprising a handle piece (7) that is connected to the appliance door (1) via at least one handle piece holder (5). Said handle piece holder (5) is in a plug-in connection with the handle piece (7), a plug-in attachment (28) being inserted into a plug-in receptacle (29). According to the invention, a securing element (37) is provided for securing the plug-in attachment (28) against slipping out from the plug-in receptacle (29), characterized in that the handle piece holder (5) and the handle piece (7) can be brought into a form-fitting connection by means of said securing element (37).