Removable Pan Handle Jaw Locking for Variable Vessel Diameters
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing removable handles for cooking vessels struggle to securely attach to containers of varying diameters without causing deformation or play, especially when significant forces are applied, and often compromise on safety and locking reliability.
Innovation Solution
A removable handle design featuring a flared jaw with intersecting linear projections, a rotatable actuating lever, and a locking mechanism that ensures secure pinching of the container's peripheral lip, allowing adaptation to different diameters and preventing deformation through a toggle joint and spring-assisted locking system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a clamp applies clamping forces on a large surface of the side wall to ensure mechanical strength, then the handle can withstand significant forces, but it becomes unsuitable for containers of greatly different diameters and may cause deformation or surface deterioration
Solution Approach 1:
The clamping surface is segmented into multiple discrete contact points through the use of fingers with protruding studs. Instead of a continuous large surface contact, the handle uses multiple localized contact points (studs on fingers) that can adapt to different container diameters while maintaining sufficient clamping force at each contact point.
Solution Approach 2:
The clamping force is concentrated at specific local points (the protruding studs on the fingers) rather than distributed uniformly across a large surface. This local concentration of force allows the handle to grip containers of varying diameters effectively without requiring large surface contact, while still providing sufficient mechanical strength.
2Reliability
If the contact surfaces are made large to prevent play when significant forces are applied, then the locking security is improved, but the handle becomes unsuitable for containers of different diameters and may cause surface deterioration
Solution Approach 1:
The locking mechanism is segmented into multiple discrete finger-stud contact points rather than a single large contact surface. This segmentation allows the handle to achieve reliable locking through cumulative effect of multiple contact points while minimizing surface deterioration at any single location.
Solution Approach 2:
The protruding studs are designed as replaceable wear elements on the fingers. If the studs become worn or damaged, they can be replaced without replacing the entire handle, allowing the main body to remain serviceable while the contact elements are periodically renewed to prevent surface deterioration.
3Reliability
If a locking mechanism is added to prevent separation of the movable jaw, then user safety is ensured, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The locking mechanism is designed to be self-actuating through the movement of the handle itself. When the handle is engaged with the container, the movement of the fingers and studs automatically triggers the locking action, eliminating the need for separate manual locking operations or complex control systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking function is merged with the clamping function. The same fingers and studs that provide clamping force also participate in the locking mechanism, combining multiple functions into a single integrated structure rather than requiring separate clamping and locking systems.
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 handle effectively grips a wide range of cooking container diameters without deformation, ensuring secure attachment and minimal play, with a reliable locking mechanism that provides user reassurance and prevents surface damage, suitable for containers with diameters between 140 and 320 mm.
Implementation Method 1
a spring arranged to urge the movable jaw towards its release position
Implementation Method 2
two projections adapted to pinch the wall of a container
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
Figure 4
AI summary
The invention relates to a removable handle (3) for a cooking vessel (2), including a gripping body (4) of which a front end (402) forms a flared jaw comprising two projections (404) that are adjusted such as to pinch the wall of a vessel and have substantially linear shapes, the directions of which intersect in the front of the gripping body (4), a movable flared jaw (5) that is mounted rotatably on the gripping body (4) about a first axle between a release position and a pinching position, comprising two projections (504) having substantially linear shapes, the directions of which intersect in the front of the gripping body (4), an actuation lever (7) that is mounted rotatably on the gripping body about a second axle, and a latching mechanism (6) for latching the movable jaw in the pinching position, actuated by the actuation lever.