Flush Door Handle Elastic Link Safety
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Solution Overview
Problem
Door handles hidden within the door surface pose a safety risk as users' fingers or clothing can get caught between the handle and the recess edge during automated retraction, leading to potential harm.
Innovation Solution
A door handle assembly with a flexible attachment means, such as a helical spring or elastic ribbon, is used to connect the handle to the door or its base, allowing for safe extension and retraction while preventing excessive force on obstacles during retraction by maintaining the handle's motionlessness until obstacles are cleared.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Shape
If the door handle is made flush with the door surface or retracted into the door, then the aesthetic appearance and surface smoothness are improved, but the safety of users is worsened due to risk of fingers or clothing being caught during retraction
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies beforehand cushioning by introducing a flexible attachment means (spring or elastic element) between the door handle and the door body before retraction occurs. This flexible connection acts as a cushion that limits the maximum force the handle can exert on obstacles during automated retraction, preventing injury while maintaining the flush appearance benefit
2Extent of automation
If the door handle is retracted automatically into the door, then the convenience and automation are improved, but the safety is worsened due to inability to detect obstacles in time
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible attachment means serves as a mechanical safety device that works in conjunction with automated retraction. It provides inherent protection by limiting force regardless of whether obstacle detection systems are present, allowing automation to proceed while maintaining safety through the physical cushioning mechanism
3Strength
If a rigid attachment means is used between the handle and door, then the structural strength and stability are improved, but the safety during retraction is worsened due to excessive force on obstacles
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the parameter of attachment flexibility by replacing a rigid connection with a flexible one (spring or elastic element). This parameter change allows the attachment to maintain structural strength during normal operation while simultaneously limiting the force transmitted to obstacles during retraction, resolving the contradiction between strength and safety
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 attachment means ensures user safety by limiting the force exerted on extremities during handle retraction, preventing accidents and discomfort by keeping the handle stationary until obstacles are removed.
Implementation Method 1
Preferably, these flexible attachment means is a helical spring, elastic ribbon, or plurality thereof
Data Source
AI summary
This invention is directed to a door handle which is normally hidden within the door, be it either completely flush with a door surface, or partially protruding from said door surface. If a user wants to use the handle, then the user activates the handle using convention actuating techniques to extend the handle from the recess. Should an external object be placed between the handle and the door surface after the handle is operated and the retraction process begins, the handle movement is limited in the downward direction by the extension of an elastic link between the door handle and the rest of the retraction mechanism.