Long-Handled Hygiene Holder With Retractable Grips for Clean Release
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing personal hygiene tools are complex, costly, and lack adaptability, failing to provide freedom and independence for individuals with physical limitations, as they cannot perform multiple tasks, reach hard-to-reach areas, or be compactly portable, leading to unsanitary conditions and increased nursing care costs.
Innovation Solution
A long-handled personal hygiene device with a tubular handle, expandable/retractable gripping mechanism, and a rinse hole, allowing for multiple tool attachments and compact storage, enabling users to perform various hygiene and daily living tasks without touching soiled materials, such as toilet paper, and reaching difficult areas.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple functional tools are integrated into one device, then adaptability and versatility are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The holder device is designed with a universal gripping mechanism that can accommodate multiple different functional tools (shaver, sponge, pad, washcloth, etc.), allowing one device to perform multiple hygiene tasks. The tubular handle with expandable fingers provides a standardized interface for various tool attachments.
Solution Approach 2:
The device is divided into separate components: a reusable holder device with tubular handle and detachable functional tools. This segmentation allows users to replace only the functional tool when needed, rather than replacing the entire device, thereby reducing overall complexity and cost.
2Length of moving object
If the device is made long-reaching, then ability to reach hard-to-reach areas is improved, but portability and storage convenience deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The tubular handle incorporates an expandable/retractable gripping mechanism with fingers that can extend to grasp tools and retract for compact storage. This dynamic structure allows the device to transition between extended operational length and compact portable form.
Solution Approach 2:
The functional tools are designed to be inserted into and stored within the tubular handle when not in use. The hollow cylindrical structure of the handle acts as a container, nesting the functional tools inside to reduce overall size for portability.
3Strength
If the gripping mechanism is made secure, then retention strength is improved, but ease of releasing the tool deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The gripping mechanism uses a dynamic finger system that can transition between extended (gripping) and retracted (releasing) positions. This dynamic movement allows the same mechanism to provide both strong retention and easy release functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The expandable/retractable fingers are designed to automatically grip the tool when inserted and can be easily released by a simple actuating motion. The mechanism serves itself by using the insertion motion to trigger the gripping action without requiring separate tightening steps.
4Ease of operation
If the device includes compact storage capability, then portability is improved, but device functionality may be limited
Solution Approach 1:
By separating the holder device from the functional tools, the system achieves compact storage (holder only needs to be carried) while maintaining full functionality (multiple tools can be attached as needed). The functional tools can be kept separately and attached only when required.
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
The device provides increased independence and hygiene freedom by allowing users to perform multiple tasks, including shaving, wiping, and applying ointments, while reducing nursing care costs through its compact and portable design, addressing the limitations of existing tools.
Implementation Method 1
The inwardly-facing surfaces include one of a frictional resilient material and a rough surface for providing acceptably strong retention strength when in the retaining position
Data Source
AI summary
A long-handled personal holder device for personal cleaning, hygiene, and daily living, and is made of resilient material with extendable finger-like grips. The grips are configured to surely grip a tool, but also to release (e.g., so that a user does not have to soil their hands). The curved handle allows proper reach, and is designed for easy break-down, rinsing and cleaning, and for placement in a compact carry bag. The grips can grip a larger personal hygiene flushable wipe, a smaller flushable pad, a sponge for shower use, and/or a an ointment pad; and are also able to hold more rigidly-handled personal tools, such as a toothbrush, shaver, makeup applicator, pencil, pen, brush, and similar items.