Removable Pan Handle Locking Geometry to Eliminate Vertical Play
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cooking vessel handles with outwardly curved handles require significant mechanical play between the lock and shackle for disengagement, leading to imperfect immobilization and ergonomics, especially along a transverse axis.
Innovation Solution
A removable handle design with an inclined wall and a locking mechanism that minimizes contact area and applies force perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, ensuring secure grip and reduced mechanical play, facilitated by a spring-assisted return mechanism.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If significant mechanical play is provided between the lock and shackle for disengagement, then the handle can be disassembled from the cooking vessel, but the handle cannot be perfectly immobilized and vertical play remains
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the geometric parameters of the locking mechanism by introducing an inclined wall with a specific angle (15° between 10°-20°) relative to the horizontal plane. This angular parameter enables the lock to apply clamping force through a line contact on the shackle's lower edge, eliminating vertical play while maintaining disassembly capability through the same inclined geometry when the lock is retracted.
2Strength
If the inclined wall contacts the shackle over a larger area, then the gripping force is distributed, but the contact area increases and complicates the locking mechanism
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by concentrating the locking action at a specific location - the lower edge of the shackle - rather than distributing force over a large area. The inclined wall creates a localized line contact that generates sufficient clamping force through geometric leverage, simplifying the mechanism while maintaining strong gripping capability.
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 design provides enhanced ergonomics and secure handling by eliminating vertical play, allowing easy assembly and disassembly with minimal force, improving user experience and perceived quality.
Implementation Method 1
the inclined wall exerts a force on the lower edge to press the upper bearing face against the lower bearing wall along the axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axis in the coupling position
Implementation Method 2
a spring-assisted return mechanism
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
The invention relates to an assembly (50) formed by a cooking vessel (2) comprising at least one outwardly curved handle (21) in which an opening (22) is provided, and a removable handle (1) intended to cooperate with said handle (21), said removable handle (1) extending along a longitudinal axis (13) and having at one end a spout (12) capable of being inserted into said opening (22), said spout (12) being provided with a lower support wall (16) for cooperating with an upper support face (26) of the handle (21), said handle (1) having a locking device comprising a latch (31) movable in translation along the longitudinal axis (13) between a coupling position in which the handle (1) is assembled onto the handle (21) and a discoupling position in which the handle (1) can be disassembled from the handle (21), said handle (21) having a free end (27).According to the invention, the lock (31) has a wall (40) inclined at an angle α with respect to a horizontal plane passing through the longitudinal axis (13), which exerts a force on the free end (27) of the shackle (21) to press the upper bearing face (26) against the lower bearing wall (16) along an axis (17) perpendicular to the longitudinal axis (13) in the coupling position.