Gravity-Fed Sanitizing Door Handle for In-Use Hand Sanitization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional door handles suffer from cleanliness and sanitation issues, necessitating improved sanitization solutions, particularly through the use of sanitizing fluid dispensers.
Innovation Solution
A sanitizing door handle that dispenses a sanitizing fluid onto the user's hands or the handle itself when operated, utilizing gravity-fed or pump mechanisms, with dispensers integrated into the handle or a manifold system, and optionally replaceable refill units.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a sanitizing fluid dispenser is integrated into the door handle, then the sanitation level of the door handle is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the door handle and sanitizing fluid dispenser into a single integrated unit. The dispenser mechanism, fluid reservoir, and dispensing components are merged with the door handle structure, allowing the handle to simultaneously provide its primary function of door operation and the secondary function of dispensing sanitizing fluid onto用户的 hands during normal use.
Solution Approach 2:
The door handle is designed to perform multiple functions: it serves as both a mechanical operant for opening/closing doors and as a sanitizing fluid dispenser. The integrated design allows the same component to provide both door operation capability and hand sanitization capability, making the device universal and multi-functional.
2Reliability
If sanitizing fluid is dispensed during door handle operation, then hand sanitization is improved, but the ease of operation may be affected
Solution Approach 1:
The sanitizing fluid dispenser is designed to automatically dispense fluid during the normal door handle operation process. When the user grasps and operates the door handle, the mechanism self-activates to dispense sanitizing fluid onto the user's hands without requiring any additional actions, buttons, or interventions from the user. The system serves itself by utilizing the mechanical motion of handle operation to trigger the dispensing action.
Solution Approach 2:
The door handle is designed so that sanitizing fluid is dispensed onto the user's hands before the user completes the door opening action. This preliminary dispensing ensures that hands are sanitized during the interaction process, and the fluid is already in place before the user finishes operating the door, combining hygiene protection with operational flow.
3Reliability
If a fluid reservoir and dispensing mechanism are added to the door handle, then the sanitation function is improved, but the weight of the door handle increases
Solution Approach 1:
The fluid reservoir and dispensing mechanism are nested within the door handle structure. The reservoir is positioned inside the handle body, utilizing the internal cavity space of the door handle. This nesting arrangement allows the addition of sanitization components without significantly increasing the external dimensions or weight of the door handle, as the components are housed within the existing structural envelope.
Solution Approach 2:
The fluid reservoir utilizes a flexible bladder or thin-film containment structure rather than a rigid tank. This flexible reservoir can be collapsed as fluid is dispensed and can be integrated into the handle's internal geometry with minimal material usage, reducing the overall weight addition compared to traditional rigid fluid storage containers.
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
Enhances the cleanliness and sanitation of door handles by providing controlled sanitization levels from sterilized to disinfected, addressing perceived and actual cleanliness concerns.
Implementation Method 1
utilizing gravity-fed or pump mechanisms
Implementation Method 2
utilizing gravity-fed or pump mechanisms
Data Source
AI summary
Various implementations of the invention are directed toward a sanitizing door handle and/or components of such sanitizing door handle that sanitizes the door handle during use. Various implementations of the invention are directed toward a gravity-fed sanitizing door handle and/or components of such sanitizing door handle. Various implementations of the invention are directed to a hand sanitizing dispenser that dispenses a fluid, such as a sanitizing fluid, onto hand(s) of a user when the user operates or otherwise engages a door handle, such as, but not limited to, the sanitizing door handles discussed above. In some implementations of the invention, the fluid is dispensed directly onto the hands of the user. In some implementations of the invention, the fluid is dispensed through dispensers and onto the hands of the user through contact with the dispensers. In some implementations of the invention, the fluid is dispensed onto the exterior of the sanitizing door handle and is subsequently passed onto the hands of the user through contact with the sanitizing door handle.