Fold-Flat Cover Handle Assembly for Space-Saving Kitchen Lids
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing kitchen vessel covers with projecting gripping knobs or handles require significant space, making them unsuitable for compact storage in dishwashers or drawers, and occupy more space when in use or stored.
Innovation Solution
A kitchen vessel cover-handle assembly featuring a central supporting body with pivotably coupled semicircular gripping elements that lie flat in a rest position and swing outward at a slanted attitude when in use, minimizing space occupation and utilizing a spring mechanism to maintain the rest position.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a central projecting gripping knob is provided on the cover, then the cover is easy to handle, but it occupies large space in storage or washing dish machine
Solution Approach 1:
The gripping element is designed to be movable between a retracted position (lying substantially in the plane of the cover surface) and a protruding gripping position. This dynamic configuration allows the element to provide easy handling when needed while minimizing space occupation during storage or washing by simply being pushed into the gripping position temporarily.
2Ease of operation
If radial gripping handles project from the cover circumference, then the cover is easy to handle, but it occupies large space both during use and storage
Solution Approach 1:
The gripping element transitions from a retracted state (lying flat on the cover surface) to a protruding state only when needed for handling. This dynamic behavior eliminates the continuous space occupation problem of fixed radial handles while maintaining ease of operation when required.
3Volume of moving object
If a movable gripping element is provided that swings from rest position to use position, then space occupation is minimized in storage, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cover is segmented into the stationary cover body and the movable gripping element that can independently change position. This segmentation allows the gripping function to be separated from the storage configuration, enabling the element to be retracted during storage and deployed only when needed for handling.
Solution Approach 2:
The gripping element is designed to be manually operable by simple pushing or lifting actions without requiring complex mechanisms. The element's weight and geometry provide natural stability in both retracted and gripping positions, eliminating the need for motors, sensors, or complex spring mechanisms.
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 allows for a compact non-protruding design in storage, while providing accessible gripping elements when needed, optimizing space usage and ease of handling.
Implementation Method 1
a resilient means, for example a spring 12 or a silicone body, tending to drive the body of the supporting body 2 permanently toward the surface 5 of the cover 1
Data Source
AI summary
A cover-handle assembly for a kitchen vessel comprises a cover element having an outer central support element swingably housing plate gripping means which, in a rest position thereof, adjoin the surface of the cover element and, in a use position thereof, project with a slanted attitude from the cover element surface.