Pivoting Rear Handle Structure for Ergonomic Portable Tools
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing portable tools, particularly stick tools used in the landscape industry, face challenges in providing comfortable and versatile grip configurations that reduce user fatigue during extended use, especially when maneuvered in various orientations.
Innovation Solution
A portable tool design featuring a handle that can pivot relative to the frame, allowing an angle of no more than 15° with a horizontal reference plane, and includes a gripping assembly with movable connectors for adjustable positioning, enabling comfortable grip adjustment and reduced fatigue.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the handle is fixed at a standard angle to the frame, then the tool structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but user comfort and ergonomics deteriorate when the tool is used in different orientations
Solution Approach 1:
The handle is made pivotable relative to the frame, allowing it to dynamically adjust its angle from a first position (e.g., upwardly projecting) to a second position (e.g., forwardly projecting). This dynamic adjustment enables the handle to adapt to different tool orientations and user preferences, improving ergonomics without requiring multiple fixed-handle configurations.
Solution Approach 2:
The angle parameter of the handle relative to the frame is made variable. The handle can be positioned at different angles (e.g., substantially perpendicular to the frame in one position, or at a different angle in another position) to optimize user comfort for different operating conditions. This parameter change resolves the contradiction by allowing ergonomic optimization without permanently complicating the structure.
2Ease of operation
If the handle is positioned to accommodate one hand grip, then the grip comfort is improved, but the space for finger accommodation and overall ergonomics worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The handle's pivotability allows the spatial relationship between the handle and the frame to change dynamically. When the handle is in the first position, it provides optimal finger accommodation space; when pivoted to the second position, it optimizes grip comfort for different hand positions. This dynamic reconfiguration resolves the space-comfort contradiction.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the handle is fixed in a single position, then the device complexity is reduced, but the adaptability to different user preferences and operating conditions deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
A single dynamic pivot mechanism replaces multiple static handle configurations. The handle can be manually positioned and locked at different angles, providing adaptability to different user preferences and operating conditions while maintaining relatively simple device complexity through a single adjustable component rather than multiple fixed components.
4Ease of operation
If the handle angle is optimized for upright orientation, then ergonomics are improved for vertical use, but versatility across different tool orientations deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The handle is designed with multi-functionality to serve different operating orientations. By allowing the handle to pivot between multiple positions, a single handle design can optimize ergonomics for upright orientation while also adapting to horizontal, angled, or inverted tool positions, thus achieving universality across multiple functions and orientations.
Data Source
AI summary
A portable tool having an elongate frame with a front-to-rear lengthwise axis. The portable tool is configured to be held in a starting orientation, wherein the lengthwise axis of the frame extends substantially horizontally, with a user's hands separately engaging the portable tool at a first region and a second region forwardly of the first region. The portable tool has: a) a gripping assembly at the second region; and b) an engaging structure at the first region and including a handle with a gripping length that extends along a gripping line. The handle is connected to the frame and configured so that with the portable tool in the starting orientation and the handle in a first position: i) the handle gripping line makes an angle of no more than 15° with a horizontal reference plane containing the lengthwise axis of the elongate frame; and ii) a space is formed between the gripping length and the elongate frame to accommodate fingers on the user's one hand with the user's one hand grasping the gripping length.