Ergonomic Material Moving Handle Alignment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Traditional shovels require users to bend and react extraneous torques, leading to inefficiency and potential back injury when lifting and moving materials, as the hands are displaced from the center of mass of the load.

Innovation Solution

A material moving device with a second, pivotably coupled handle that aligns with the center of mass of the load, allowing for reduced torque reaction and adjustable grip locations to accommodate different load distributions, featuring a U-shaped handle with pivot coupling locations on opposite sides of the head for improved stability and ergonomic use.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If users grip the shovel handle near the head, then the shovel can be controlled, but users must bend over and react extraneous torques causing back strain and inefficiency

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuser comfort and efficiencyVSAvoidback strain and extraneous torque

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The handle is divided into two separate gripping locations: a first grip at the end of the elongated handle for one hand, and a second grip on the curved portion for the other hand. This segmentation allows each hand to be positioned optimally, with the second hand closer to the center of mass, reducing extraneous torque and back strain while maintaining control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Length of moving object

If the handle is elongated to reach the material, then the user can access the material, but the user's hands are displaced from the center of mass requiring torque reaction

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehandle lengthVSAvoidtorque reaction requirement

Core Design Contradiction:

Length of moving objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The handle includes a curved portion that dynamically adjusts the position of the second grip relative to the center of mass. When the shovel is loaded and lifted, the curved portion allows the second hand to be positioned closer to the center of mass, minimizing torque reaction requirements while maintaining the necessary handle length for reaching material.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Object-affected harmful factors

If a second handle is added to align with center of mass, then torque reaction is reduced, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveextraneous torqueVSAvoidhandle structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The curved portion integrates the function of a separate second handle into the existing handle structure. This merging achieves the torque reduction benefit of having a second grip near the center of mass without requiring a completely separate handle component, thus reducing device complexity while still minimizing extraneous torque.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS20190335645A1Ergonomic Material Moving

Publication Date: 2019.11.07 GREENBERGER HAL P

AI summary

Material moving devices include ergonomic improvements that reduce extraneous work required and lessen strain experienced by users. Material moving devices include a head for receiving material to be moved and a first elongated handle with a grip at the far end for gripping by a first hand of a user. A second handle is coupled to the head for gripping by a second hand of the user. The second handle can be pivotably coupled to the head in a location or locations generally longitudinally aligned with the expected location of the center of mass of the head when loaded with material to be moved.