Portable Container Handle with Magnetic Position Locking

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing portable containers with arched handles face limitations in maintaining easy grip positions, particularly in vertical or almost vertical orientations, often requiring impractical mechanisms or two-handed operation, and lack flexibility in intermediate positioning.

Innovation Solution

A handle connected via a hinge with permanent magnets and ferromagnetic elements that interact magnetically to maintain the handle in desired positions, including reclined and almost vertical orientations, allowing for easy grip and adjustment without jamming.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If mechanical locking devices (ball-type locks, insertion forks with magnets) are used to maintain the handle in vertical positions, then the handle can be held in fixed positions, but the mechanisms become complex and may jam during operation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehandle position stabilityVSAvoidlocking mechanism complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces complex mechanical locking devices (ball-type locks, insertion forks) with a simple magnetic attraction system. The permanent magnet embedded in the handle interacts with ferromagnetic elements in the container wall to maintain the handle in vertical positions, eliminating the need for complex mechanical locks and reducing the risk of jamming during operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Stability of the object's composition

If fixed positioning mechanisms are used to define vertical handle positions, then the handle can be held in specific orientations, but the operator requires two hands to change positions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehandle position stabilityVSAvoidone-handed operation capability
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The magnetic positioning system is designed to automatically maintain the handle in vertical positions through magnetic attraction between the permanent magnet in the handle and ferromagnetic elements in the container wall. The operator simply needs to move the handle to the desired position, and the magnetic force automatically holds it there, enabling one-handed operation without requiring manual intervention from both hands.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Adaptability or versatility

If the handle is designed to rotate freely on the container side, then the handle can assume intermediate positions, but it cannot maintain stable vertical or reclined positions without additional locking mechanisms

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehandle positioning flexibilityVSAvoidhandle position stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent embeds a permanent magnet in the handle at a specific location to create localized magnetic attraction zones. This allows the handle to maintain stable vertical or reclined positions through magnetic attraction with corresponding ferromagnetic elements in the container wall, while still permitting free rotation to intermediate positions when needed, thus combining flexibility with stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

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 stable and easy handling of containers by maintaining the handle in desired positions through magnetic attraction, facilitating one-handed operation and preventing damage to the container, with improved flexibility in positioning.

Implementation Method 1

at least one permanent magnet acting on the rotation of the handle, close to the rotation hinge, in combination with at least one ferromagnetic element positioned in the handle or in the container to define, by magnetic attraction when facing the permanent magnet, at least one of said raised or almost vertical position of the handle

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMagnetic attraction: Magnetism

Data Source

PatentEP3790808B1An easy-grip handle for a portable container
Publication Date: 2022.10.12 NITTY GRITTY
  • EP3790808B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3790808B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP3790808B1 patent drawingFigure 4~6

AI summary

An easy grip handle (1) for a portable container (2) comprises a handle connected with a hinge (4) and rotating on the side (3) of the container itself to define lying positions and at least one raised position with respect to the same container; and has the handle maintained, at least in a raised position or in an almost vertical position, by at least one permanent magnet (7, 12, 21) acting on the rotation of the handle, close to the rotation hinge, in combination with at least one ferromagnetic element (8, 11, 22) positioned in the handle or in the container to define, by magnetic attraction when facing the permanent magnet, at least one said raised or almost vertical position of the handle on the portable container itself. Different constructive forms are described with various arrangements of the permanent magnet elements and corresponding ferromagnetic elements.