Recessed Grip Handle Design for Compact Household Appliance Components
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing household appliance handles are either too bulky or limited in functionality, often featuring protruding parts that hinder ergonomic usability and information presentation.
Innovation Solution
A handle design with a top-covered damper bounded by a front wall and a slanted bottom wall, allowing for a compact structure while enhancing user-friendliness through intuitive information representation and preventing slipping, featuring an inclined bottom wall with electronic controls and a TFT display for improved operability and aesthetics.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a traditional handle design is used, then the handle is easy to manufacture, but the handle structure becomes bulky and functionality is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the handle structure with the device component housing, integrating the grip function directly into the housing rather than using a separate protruding handle. This merging reduces overall device complexity while maintaining versatility through the recessed grip design that can accommodate various operational modes.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from a traditional three-dimensional protruding handle to a two-dimensional recessed grip area integrated into the housing surface. This dimensional change eliminates the need for deep protrusions while preserving grip functionality, thereby reducing structural complexity.
2Ease of operation
If a protruding handle is used, then the handle is easy to grip, but the installation space in the depth direction increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of creating a protruding handle that extends outward, the patent inverts the approach by creating a recessed grip area that indents into the housing. This inversion allows users to grip the device by pressing into the recessed area rather than pulling on an outward extension, significantly reducing the depth requirement while maintaining ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The recessed grip area is nested within the housing structure itself, utilizing the existing housing depth rather than adding external protrusions. This nesting approach allows the grip function to be embedded within the overall device footprint, minimizing the installation space required in the depth direction.
3Length of stationary object
If a compact handle design is used, then the installation space is reduced, but the ergonomic usability may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating a specifically designed recessed area with optimized dimensions and positioning that enhances grip comfort despite the compact overall structure. The recessed grip area is strategically located and dimensioned to provide ergonomic finger placement and pressure distribution, ensuring usability is not compromised by the compact design.
Solution Approach 2:
The recessed grip area is designed to dynamically adapt to user interaction, allowing fingers to naturally settle into the recessed space and apply pressure in the most effective manner. This dynamic adaptation ensures ergonomic usability is maintained even though the overall handle structure is compact and integrated into the housing.
4Adaptability or versatility
If information display elements are added to the handle, then functionality is enhanced, but the handle structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The recessed grip area serves multiple functions: it provides ergonomic grip functionality and simultaneously serves as an integrated platform for information display elements. By making the grip area multi-functional, the patent enhances versatility without requiring separate dedicated spaces for display, thereby limiting the increase in structural complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the information display function with the handle structure by integrating display elements directly into the recessed grip area. This combination allows information to be presented in the same space where user interaction occurs, enhancing functionality while avoiding the need for separate complex handling mechanisms for display elements.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a home appliance (1) comprising a housing (2), an appliance component (7) which is arranged on the housing (2), is separate from the housing (2) and is movable relative to the housing (2), and a handle (10) on the appliance component (7); the handle (10) has a handle recess (11) which can be gripped from above and which is delimited by a front wall (12) of the handle (10) and a slanted bottom wall (13) of the handle (10).