Removable Handle Locking Mechanism for Secure Vessel Attachment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing removable handles for cooking vessels with curved sides are not perfectly immobilized, leading to parasitic movements during dynamic tasks and fail to adapt to varying thicknesses of the vessel's side walls, resulting in poor ergonomics and safety concerns.
Innovation Solution
A removable handle with a latch that includes a blocking wall generating a vertical force to immobilize the free end of the curved portion against an upper support member, using a pressurizing means like a compression spring, and featuring internal and external support members that adapt to different thicknesses, ensuring secure attachment and reduced play along the vertical axis.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a latch is used to secure the handle to the cooking vessel, then the handle can be attached and detached, but the latch cannot perfectly immobilize the handle, resulting in unwanted movements during dynamic tasks
Solution Approach 1:
The locking mechanism transitions from a static latch to a dynamic system with a movable locking element that can shift between locked and unlocked positions. The spring-loaded design allows the locking element to automatically adjust and maintain constant pressure against the retaining wall, ensuring reliable immobilization while still allowing easy operation through simple pressing motion.
Solution Approach 2:
The handle assembly is divided into separable components: the handle body, the movable locking element, the spring mechanism, and the cooking vessel interface. This segmentation allows the handle to be easily attached and detached while the internal locking mechanism provides secure connection during use.
2Reliability
If the locking mechanism is designed for a specific thickness, then it can securely lock the handle, but it cannot accommodate different side wall thicknesses of cooking vessels
Solution Approach 1:
The locking mechanism uses a spring-loaded design that allows the locking element to adjust its position and apply force adaptively. The spring constant and pre-compression force can be designed to accommodate a range of thicknesses, allowing the same handle to securely lock onto cooking vessels with varying side wall thicknesses while maintaining reliable locking in each case.
3Device complexity
If the latch is fixed in position, then the structure is simple, but it cannot generate sufficient vertical force to block the free end against the upper support member
Solution Approach 1:
The spring mechanism automatically generates the necessary vertical blocking force without requiring external actuation or complex mechanical advantage systems. The spring is pre-loaded to exert continuous force on the locking element, which in turn applies force against the retaining wall. This self-generating force system maintains secure locking while keeping the overall structure relatively simple.
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
The solution provides improved ergonomics and safety by eliminating play between the handle and the vessel, allowing secure handling and adaptation to various thicknesses, enhancing user experience and handle retention during dynamic tasks.
Implementation Method 1
under the action of a pressurizing means, said force comprising a vertical component for blocking the free end of the curved portion against the upper support member
Implementation Method 2
using a pressurizing means like a compression spring
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~9
AI summary
The invention relates to a removable handle (1) intended for engaging with a cooking vessel (60) having a side wall (61) which is extended upwards by a portion (64) which is curved towards the outside and including a free end (65), said removable handle (1) extending in a longitudinal direction (3) and comprising an inner bearing member (12) and an outer bearing member (14) intended for engaging, respectively, with an inner surface (62) and an outer surface (63) of the side wall (61), as well as an upper bearing member (15) intended for engaging with the free end (65) of the curved portion (64), said removable handle (1) comprising a bolt (20) which can translate between an open position and a closed position. According to the invention, the bolt (20) includes a blocking wall (21) intended for being separated from the upper bearing member (15) in the open position of the bolt and intended for resting against a lower edge (67) of the free end (65) in the closed position of the bolt (20) so as to block the free end (65) of the curved position (64) against the upper bearing member (15).