Flexible Control Handle Assembly to Prevent Hand Pinching
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Solution Overview
Problem
Operators of walk-behind mobile vehicles or machines, such as floor scrubbers, experience fatigue due to the need to tightly grip handles for steering while simultaneously controlling operative functions, leading to difficulties in maneuvering and increased fatigue, especially in heavy or soiled areas where speed adjustments are required.
Innovation Solution
A control handle assembly with a rigid handle held in a stationary position and a movable control portion connected by a flexible extension, allowing for simultaneous steering and function control without pinching the operator's hands, reducing fatigue and improving handling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the operator tightly grips the handle for steering, then steering control is improved, but operator fatigue increases and hand pinching occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The handle assembly is segmented into a fixed handle portion and a movable control portion, allowing independent movement of each component. This segmentation enables the control portion to move without requiring tight gripping, thereby reducing hand pinching and fatigue while maintaining steering control.
Solution Approach 2:
The control portion is made dynamic by allowing it to move relative to the fixed handle along the longitudinal axis. This dynamic design enables the operator to control vehicle functions through movement rather than tight gripping, reducing fatigue and hand pinching while maintaining operational control.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a movable control portion is added to control operative functions, then function control capability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The movable control portion is merged with the handle assembly such that it moves along the longitudinal axis of the handle. This integration allows function control to be incorporated into the existing handle structure without significantly increasing overall device complexity, while still providing enhanced adaptability for controlling multiple vehicle functions.
3Ease of operation
If the control portion moves relative to the handle, then ease of function control is improved, but risk of hand pinching increases
Solution Approach 1:
A flexible extension acts as an intermediary element between the fixed handle and the movable control portion. This flexible extension accommodates the relative movement while preventing direct contact and pinching of the operator's hand, thereby enabling easy function control without increasing hand pinching risk.
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 flexible extension prevents hand pinching and reduces operator fatigue, enabling more efficient and comfortable control of walk-behind mobile vehicles or machines by allowing flexible movement of the control portion relative to the handle, thus overcoming previous handle assembly deficiencies.
Implementation Method 1
A flexible extension extends between the handle and the control portion and over the separation therebetween. Flexing of the flexible extensions prevents pinching of the operator's hand as a result of movement of the control portion relative to the handle
Data Source
AI summary
A control handle assembly (200) includes a rigid handle (202) for grasping by the operator to steer a walk-behind mobile machine (10) and a control portion (220) moveable relative to the handle (202) to control a function of the machine (10). A flexible extension (238) extends between the handle (202) and the control portion (220) and over the separation defined thereby. The flexible extension (238) flexes when pushed or pulled by the operator's hands and particularly when the flexible extension is engaged with both the control portion (220) and the handle (202) and when the operator's hand extends into the separation therebetween.