Foldable and pivotable support handle, in particular for the sanitary field
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Solution Overview
Problem
Folding support handles in the sanitary sector lack adjustable height and often occupy excessive space in their stowed position, posing challenges for nursing staff access and space efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A pivoting mechanism that allows the handle area to pivot relative to the base, enabling height adjustment and compact storage, combined with a safety mechanism to prevent accidental pivoting, utilizing positive locking elements and a stop to secure the handle in specific positions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the handle is folded upwards against the wall in its stowed position, then the storage space is minimized, but the handle height cannot be adjusted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a pivoting mechanism that allows the handle area to dynamically change its orientation relative to the base. The handle can pivot between a stowed position (folded against the wall) and an operating position (extended outward), and during the pivoting motion, the handle height can be adjusted. This dynamic capability resolves the contradiction by enabling both compact storage and height adjustability within the same system.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention adds a new degree of freedom by introducing a pivot axis that is perpendicular to the folding axis. While the folding mechanism operates in one dimension (moving the handle toward or away from the wall), the pivoting mechanism operates in another dimension (rotating the handle area around a vertical axis), allowing height adjustment independent of the folding state.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a pivoting mechanism is added to enable height adjustment, then adaptability is improved, but the risk of accidental pivoting increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates a locking mechanism that automatically engages when the handle is in the stowed position, preventing any pivoting motion before it can occur. This preliminary locking action eliminates the risk of accidental pivoting while the handle is stored, yet allows intentional pivoting when needed for adjustment.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking mechanism changes the mechanical state of the pivoting joint from mobile to fixed based on the handle position. When the handle is folded against the wall, the locking mechanism engages to fix the pivot angle, preventing accidental movement. When the handle is extended to the operating position, the locking mechanism disengages, allowing intentional pivoting for height adjustment.
3Ease of operation
If the handle area can pivot freely for height adjustment, then ease of operation is improved, but safety is worsened due to potential accidental movement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary locking mechanism that mediates between the user's intent to adjust the handle height and the safety requirement to prevent accidental movement. The locking mechanism acts as a gatekeeper: it remains engaged during storage to prevent any movement, and can be deliberately disengaged when the user intends to adjust the handle height, thus balancing ease of operation with safety.
Data Source
Figure 1~4
Figure 5~8
Figure 9
AI summary
The invention relates to a folding support handle (1) such as is used in particular in the sanitary sector. The folding support rail has a base (4) which can be attached to a holding structure (5), for example a wall. The folding support handle is also provided with a handle area (6) which extends in a longitudinal direction (7) away from the base. A folding mechanism (14) of the folding support handle enables a folding movement of the handle area (6) about a folding axis (17) running transversely to the longitudinal direction (7) relative to the base (4). In order to easily adjust the height of the handle area and to reduce the space required when the folding support handle is folded down, a pivoting mechanism (15) is provided according to the invention, which enables a pivoting movement of the handle area (6) relative to the base (4) by a distance parallel to the longitudinal direction (7th ) Allows extending pivot axis (19). It is of particular advantage if the pivoting movement (18) is automatically blocked over a region (16b) of the folding movement (16).