Movable Handle Assembly for Large Home Appliance Door Ergonomics

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional home appliances with large doors pose user inconvenience due to the weight and size, requiring significant effort and awkward postures to open and close, and existing ergonomic handle designs are prone to damage and instability.

Innovation Solution

A handle assembly that links the rotation of the handle to the door, with a handle link that varies in position as the door opens, using a handle link bracket and distance maintenance members to stabilize the handle and maintain contact with the door, and an elastic member for smooth operation and return to the closed state.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Volume of stationary object

If the door size and capacity are increased, then the storage capacity increases, but the door weight increases making it difficult for users to open and close

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestorage capacityVSAvoiddoor weight

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of stationary objectVSWeight of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The handle is designed to move dynamically with door rotation. The handle link connects the handle to the door rotating shaft, allowing the handle to automatically adjust its position and orientation as the door opens or closes, reducing the effort required from the user

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The handle link mechanism acts as a counterbalance system that offsets the door's weight during opening and closing operations, reducing the effective weight the user must overcome

Inventive Principle:

Principle #8Anti-weight (Counterweight)

2Device complexity

If a fixed handle is used on a large door, then the structure is simple, but the user experience deteriorates due to awkward postures and wrist bending

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehandle structureVSAvoiduser convenience

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The handle transitions from a fixed position to a dynamic position that changes with door opening angle. The handle link enables the handle to move in coordination with door rotation, maintaining ergonomic positioning throughout the opening and closing process

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The handle link serves as an intermediary mechanism between the user's manual input on the handle and the door's rotation. It translates and transmits the force while accommodating the geometric relationship between the handle position and door angle

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Stability of the object's composition

If the handle is fixed to the door, then the structure is stable, but the handle deviates from the user's visual field when the door is opened, making closing inconvenient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehandle stabilityVSAvoidhandle visibility and accessibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The handle is designed to dynamically reposition itself relative to the door surface as the door opens. The handle link mechanism ensures the handle remains visible and accessible to the user throughout the door's range of motion, automatically returning to its original position when the door closes

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

4Ease of operation

If a movable handle link is introduced to improve ergonomics, then user convenience increases, but the risk of handle damage and structural instability increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuser convenienceVSAvoidhandle durability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The handle link bracket acts as a robust intermediary structure that supports the movable handle link. It provides stable mounting points and structural reinforcement to handle the forces transmitted during door operation, preventing damage to both the handle and door

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The distance maintenance members are positioned in advance to prevent excessive movement or misalignment of the handle link. They maintain proper spacing and alignment, preventing structural damage before it can occur during normal operation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

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 user convenience by reducing the effort required to open and close the door, preventing handle damage, and ensuring stable and smooth operation while maintaining contact with the door in the closed state.

Implementation Method 1

an elastic member for smooth operation and return to the closed state

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentUS9777523B2Home appliance having movable door handle

Publication Date: 2017.10.03 LG ELECTRONICS INC

AI summary

A home appliance comprises a cabinet having a chamber, a door configured to open or close the chamber by being rotated about a door rotating shaft, and a handle assembly provided at the exterior of a front surface of the door. The handle assembly includes a handle configured to assist a user in opening or closing the door, a handle link rotating shaft, a handle link attached to the handle, and a distance spacer provided between the handle link and the handle link rotating shaft to maintain a distance between the handle link and the handle link rotating shaft. The handle link is rotatable about the handle link rotating shaft as the door is rotated to an open position and extends out of the door in an increasing length as an opening angle of the door increases.