Vehicle Grab Handle with Integrated Handwash and Eye Wash
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Solution Overview
Problem
The need for hand wash and eye wash stations at job sites is often unmet due to their unavailability or impractical location, requiring the transportation of dedicated trailers, which can be inconvenient and impractical for smaller jobs or inaccessible locations.
Innovation Solution
A grab handle integrated with a water dispensing system, attachable to a vehicle's rear panel, providing a handhold and capable of dispensing water for hand washing or eye flushing, with multiple configurations and independent activation mechanisms for both functions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a dedicated trailer with hand wash and eye wash stations is transported to the job site, then washing facilities are available, but the requirement for a dedicated vehicle and the complexity of transportation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the hand wash and eye wash stations with a utility vehicle's existing grab handle structure. The water dispensing system is integrated into the handle body, merging two separate functions (grab handle and wash station) into a single integrated component mounted on the vehicle.
Solution Approach 2:
The grab handle structure serves multiple functions: it provides a handhold for climbing into the vehicle bed and simultaneously functions as a water dispensing station for both hand washing and eye flushing. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate dedicated wash trailers.
2Ease of operation
If a wash trailer is transported to the job site, then hand wash and eye wash stations are available, but the time required to transport and set up the trailer increases
Solution Approach 1:
The water dispensing system is pre-integrated into the grab handle structure that is already mounted on the utility vehicle. The attachment flanges and water supply connections are prepared in advance, allowing the wash function to be immediately available when the vehicle arrives at the job site without requiring additional setup time.
3Ease of operation
If a dedicated vehicle is used to tow a wash trailer, then washing facilities are available, but the cost and resource allocation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The utility vehicle's grab handle is transformed into a multi-functional component that serves both as a climbing aid and as a water dispensing station. This eliminates the need for a separate dedicated vehicle or trailer, allowing the existing utility vehicle to provide both transportation and washing facilities.
4Ease of operation
If wash facilities are located at fixed positions, then infrastructure is established, but the accessibility to remote or varying job locations decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The wash station is made mobile by integrating it with the utility vehicle rather than being fixed to a permanent location. The vehicle can transport the wash function to various job sites, including remote or inaccessible locations where fixed infrastructure cannot be established.
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 convenient and portable access to hand washing and eye flushing facilities on-site, eliminating the need for dedicated trailers and accommodating various job site requirements.
Implementation Method 1
a pump which receives water from the tank and provides a flow of water to the grab handle
Data Source
AI summary
A grab handle has a U-shaped hollow body. The U-shaped body has a water dispensing section which is configured to dispense a flow of water from an interior of the U-shaped body where the flow of water may be used, among other uses, as a hand wash station, an eye wash station, or for providing water for utilitarian purposes. The grab handle may be attached to a panel of a vehicle and also function to provide assistance to a person to climb up or onto the vehicle. The water dispensing section may have a slot, a plurality of nozzles, an outlet with a fixture, or any combination of the same.