Forearm-Operated Door Handle Actuator for Contactless Entry
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing door handles require manual operation, which can spread diseases through hand contact and is inconvenient for individuals with full hands, necessitating a solution for hand-free door opening.
Innovation Solution
A device comprising a mount attached to a door adjacent to the handle, a spring-activated or pneumatically-activated plunger with a door handle engager and an arm rest that allows users to open doors using their forearm, either by pushing or pulling, depending on the door's configuration, with a guide to limit rotation and ensure ergonomic comfort.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a manual door handle is used, then the door can be opened easily, but hand contact spreads diseases and is inconvenient for individuals with full hands
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a plunger mechanism with a door handle engagement element that acts as an intermediary between the user's forearm and the door handle. The plunger transfers the pushing force from the forearm to the door handle, enabling hand-free operation while eliminating direct hand contact with the handle surface, thus preventing disease transmission.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the traditional manual hand-operated mechanical system with a pneumatic or spring-activated plunger system. This substitution allows the door to be opened using forearm pushing motion instead of hand gripping and turning, providing a contactless operation method that addresses the health concern.
2Ease of operation
If a plunger mechanism is added to enable hand-free operation, then hand-free door opening is achieved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the door opening function into separate components: a mount attached to the door, a plunger mechanism for force application, and a door handle engagement element. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function efficiently and enables modular installation and maintenance, reducing the overall system complexity despite adding hand-free capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The plunger mechanism is designed to be self-activating through spring recovery or pneumatic pressure, eliminating the need for additional actuators or complex control systems. The spring automatically returns the plunger to its initial position after activation, providing self-service functionality that reduces device complexity.
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
Enables safe and convenient hand-free operation of doors, accommodating various door and handle sizes, and configurations, providing a natural and smooth opening mechanism that can also unlock doors equipped with locking handles.
Implementation Method 1
The plunger may be spring-activated or pneumatically-activated
Implementation Method 2
The plunger may be spring-activated or pneumatically-activated
Data Source
AI summary
A device is provided that includes a mount adapted to attach to a door above a door handle, and a spring-activated plunger coupled to the mount is adapted to move with respect to the mount. A door handle engager is coupled to a first end of the spring-activated plunger and adapted to engage the door handle. An arm rest is coupled to a second end of the spring-activated plunger and is adapted to be mounted in various ways. A base region of the arm rest is adapted to receive a first force from above that engages the spring-activated plunger. A vertical region of the arm rest is adapted to receive a second force to push the door open when the door opens away from a user. The vertical region is adapted to receive a third force to pull the door open when the door opens towards the user.