Pump Handle Mechanism for Low-Force Vent Operation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current window and door designs require excessive force and twisting to open, close, and lock, particularly for larger vents, which violates ADA accessibility guidelines and is difficult in confined spaces.

Innovation Solution

A pump handle system that rotates a main shaft 180 degrees using a two-movement pull-push motion, allowing for easy operation without exceeding 5 pounds of force and minimizing twisting, by integrating a pump handle with a sliding plate and flippers to drive a pin and rotate the main shaft through a mechanism.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If larger vents are used to improve insulating performance and decrease costs, then insulating performance is improved, but the force required to open and close the vent exceeds ADA guidelines

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinsulating performanceVSAvoidforce required to open vent

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSForce

Solution Approach 1:

The vent system is divided into a fixed frame and a movable sash that can be independently operated. The pump handle mechanism provides mechanical advantage to move the heavy sash while the frame remains stationary, allowing large vent areas for insulation while maintaining operability within ADA force limits.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The pump handle acts as an intermediary mechanical device between the user and the vent sash. It provides mechanical advantage through its pumping motion to move the heavy sash, enabling operation of large insulated vents without exceeding the 5-pound force limit required by ADA guidelines.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If traditional crank mechanisms are used to open and close vents, then the vent can be operated, but excessive twisting of the wrist is required

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevent operation capabilityVSAvoidwrist twisting

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of using a traditional crank that requires rotational wrist motion, the pump handle uses a linear back-and-forth pumping motion to operate the vent. This inverts the traditional rotational mechanism into a linear reciprocating mechanism, eliminating wrist twisting while maintaining vent operation capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The traditional rotational crank mechanism is replaced with a linear pump handle mechanism. The pump handle converts linear reciprocating motion into rotational motion of the main shaft, substituting the mechanical system to eliminate harmful wrist twisting while achieving the same vent operation function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Force

If the pump handle is designed to rotate the main shaft 180 degrees using pull-push motion, then the force required is reduced to meet ADA guidelines, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveforce required to operate ventVSAvoidpump handle mechanism complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ForceVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The pump handle combines multiple functions into a single integrated mechanism: it provides mechanical advantage, converts linear motion to rotational motion, and controls both the opening/closing and locking/unlocking of the vent. This merging reduces the need for separate mechanisms while meeting ADA force limits.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The pump handle mechanism serves multiple functions: it opens and closes the vent sash, locks and unlocks the sash in the closed position, and provides mechanical advantage to keep the sash open when pulled away. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional separate mechanisms, offsetting the complexity of the pump handle design itself.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS10119317B2Pump handle system and method of use

Publication Date: 2018.11.06 ELSTON WINDOW & WALL LLC

AI summary

A pump handle system includes a pump handle and a main shaft. The pump handle is operable to radially pivot from a starting position in a first pivot direction and back to the starting position in a second pivot direction opposite the first pivot direction. The main shaft is driven by the pump handle to rotate approximately a first half of a predetermined rotational distance in a first rotational direction a first time the pump handle is pivoted out from the starting position in the first pivot direction, and rotate approximately a second half of the predetermined rotational distance in the first rotational direction a first time the pump handle is pivoted back to the starting position in the second pivot direction. The main shaft rotates in a second rotational direction opposite the first rotational direction a second time the pump handle is pivoted in the two-movement push-pull motion.