Foot-Operated Door Handle Actuation With Push-Lock Force Conversion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Doorknobs and handles are frequently contaminated, posing a health risk of disease transmission due to inadequate hand hygiene, and existing solutions do not provide a convenient, hands-free operation for doors.
Innovation Solution
A foot-operated system that attaches to an existing door handle assembly, allowing operation through a push-lock mechanism activated by a foot pedal, converting translational force into rotational motion to open or close doors without direct hand contact.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a doorknob or handle is used for door operation, then the door can be opened and closed, but the doorknob becomes contaminated and poses a health risk of disease transmission
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a foot-operated pedal as an intermediary device that transmits force to operate the door mechanism without requiring hand contact with the doorknob. The pedal acts as a mediator between the user's foot and the door handling mechanism, eliminating direct contact with contaminated surfaces while still enabling door operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the traditional hand-based mechanical operation of the doorknob with a foot-based mechanical system. The foot pedal converts translational force into rotational motion through a linkage mechanism, substituting the hand-operated mechanical system with a foot-operated one that achieves the same door opening/closing function without contamination risk.
2Ease of operation
If hand contact with doorknob is required for door operation, then the door mechanism can be actuated, but hands must be exposed to contaminated surfaces
Solution Approach 1:
The foot pedal serves as an intermediary that allows the user to operate the door mechanism without direct hand contact. The pedal transfers the user's input force through a mechanical linkage to the door handle assembly, maintaining hygiene safety while ensuring reliable door operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent divides the door operation system into separate functional components: the foot pedal for input, the linkage mechanism for force transmission, and the door handle assembly for actuation. This segmentation allows the hands to be completely separated from the contaminated door handle area, improving hygiene safety while maintaining operational reliability.
3Reliability
If a foot-operated mechanism is added to enable hands-free operation, then hygiene safety is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The foot pedal mechanism is designed to perform multiple functions: it can open the door, close the door, and potentially lock or unlock the door mechanism. By making the foot-operated system multi-functional, the patent reduces the need for separate controls for each function, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity while maintaining hygiene safety.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the foot pedal operation with the existing door handle assembly by integrating the linkage mechanism that connects the two. This merging approach allows the foot-operated system to work in conjunction with the existing door mechanism rather than requiring a completely separate system, thus limiting complexity increase while achieving hygiene safety.
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 safe, hygienic door operation by eliminating direct hand contact, benefiting hospitality and industrial settings where frequent sterilization is necessary, and facilitating access for those with full hands or limited reach.
Implementation Method 1
converting translational force into rotational motion
Data Source
AI summary
Systems, devices, and methods are provided herein for the handless operation of a door. Illustrative examples of a system disclosed herein include a user interaction assembly configured to be disposed at a bottom edge of the door, the user interaction assembly configured to generate a signal, a push-lock assembly configured to attach to a door handle external to a mounting rose of the door handle, and the push-lock assembly configured to receive the signal from the user interaction assembly and translate the signal into rotational movement configured to operate the door handle.