Handle Grip Axial Locking Mechanism for Unintentional Release Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing handle grips for construction and agricultural machines can unintentionally open due to axial pressure on the hand rest, leading to unintended release of the grip, which compromises operator control and safety.
Innovation Solution
A handle grip design featuring pivotally connected front and rear rest parts that require a radial locking action to be released before swiveling, with the rear rest part being designed as two elements that move axially to secure the hand rest, preventing unintentional opening by ensuring an active axial movement is necessary to release the locking action.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a self-locking clamping connection is used between the rest parts and the grip part, then the hand rest can be securely clamped to the grip part, but the hand rest can unintentionally open when high axial resting pressure is applied due to the existing lever arm to the swivel axis
Solution Approach 1:
The hand rest is divided into a front rest part and a rear rest part that are pivotally connected. The rear rest part is further divided into a lower element and an upper element. This segmentation allows the locking action to be decoupled from the swiveling function, enabling secure clamping while preventing unintentional opening under axial pressure.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking action is changed from a radial swiveling movement to an axial movement between the upper and lower elements of the rear rest part. By introducing this dimensional change, the locking mechanism becomes insensitive to axial pressure forces that would otherwise cause unintentional opening through the lever arm effect.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the rear rest part is made swivelable to allow adjustment, then the hand rest can be adapted to different operator preferences, but the swivelable connection can be accidentally released under axial load
Solution Approach 1:
The rear rest part is segmented into two elements that can move relative to each other axially. This segmentation creates a distinct locking mechanism that is separate from the swiveling function, allowing adjustment while preventing accidental release.
Solution Approach 2:
The axial movement between the upper and lower elements acts as an intermediary mechanism that controls the locking action independently from the swiveling movement. This intermediary mechanism ensures that axial load does not directly translate to release of the swivelable connection.
3Ease of manufacture
If a simple pivotal connection is used between the rest parts, then the structure remains simple and easy to manufacture, but the connection cannot prevent unintentional release under operational pressure
Solution Approach 1:
The rear rest part is divided into two elements with a relative axial movement capability. This segmentation adds minimal structural complexity while providing a reliable locking mechanism that prevents unintentional release without requiring complex additional components.
Solution Approach 2:
The connection between the upper and lower elements is made dynamic through relative axial movement. This dynamic element provides active locking that responds to operational forces, preventing unintentional release while maintaining structural simplicity.
Data Source
AI summary
A handle (10) for controlling a machine, has a largely vertical shaft (12) forming a grip part (11) and has an upper end forming a receptacle (14) that holds switch units (15-17) and a lower end forming a hand rest (20). The hand rest can be adjusted along the shaft (12) and can be detachably clamped to the shaft. The hand rest (20) comprises front and rear rest part (26, 27) that are pivotally, or swivelably, connected to one another. To prevent unintentional opening of the hand rest (20) by axial pressure on the latter, the two rest parts (26, 27) can be moved relative to one another in the axial direction to effect a locking and unlocking of their relative pivotabilities.