Retractable Beverage Can Handle for Compact Storage and Secure Grip
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing beverage can handles, particularly those with a 'D' shape, are cumbersome due to their size, making storage and transport inefficient.
Innovation Solution
A beverage can handle with retractable arms that can be extended and locked into place using a trigger mechanism, featuring a groove for secure attachment to the can's lip to prevent slippage, allowing for compact storage and easy attachment to the can.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If a D-shaped handle is used to provide space between hand and beverage can, then the hand does not contact the can causing warming or cooling, but the handle size becomes at least as tall as the beverage can making storage and transport cumbersome
Solution Approach 1:
The handle employs telescopic arms that can extend and retract dynamically. When not in use, the arms retract to minimize handle volume for compact storage. When attached to the can, the arms extend to provide the necessary D-shape clearance between hand and can, preventing unwanted thermal transfer while maintaining compact form factor.
Solution Approach 2:
The telescopic arms utilize a nested structure where inner segments are housed within outer segments. This nesting allows the handle to collapse to a fraction of its extended size, enabling compact storage in pockets or bags while maintaining full functionality when deployed and attached to the beverage can.
2Ease of operation
If a D-shaped handle is made as one piece with height at least as tall as the beverage can, then it provides sufficient space between hand and can, but storage and transport become relatively cumbersome
Solution Approach 1:
The handle transitions from a static one-piece design to a dynamic telescopic structure. The arms can extend to provide adequate hand clearance for comfortable operation, then retract to improve portability and storage efficiency, effectively resolving the contradiction between operational comfort and transport convenience.
Solution Approach 2:
The handle is divided into multiple telescopic segments rather than being a single rigid piece. This segmentation allows the structure to compress into a compact form for storage while maintaining the ability to extend to the necessary height for proper hand clearance during use.
3Volume of moving object
If the handle arms are retractable with trigger mechanism, then compact storage is achieved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The telescopic arms incorporate a trigger mechanism that enables dynamic transformation between extended and retracted states. This mechanical system, while adding complexity, provides automatic locking and release functionality that simplifies user interaction compared to manual extension and retraction of rigid handles.
Solution Approach 2:
The trigger mechanism is pre-configured with spring-loaded articulating segments that automatically engage and lock when the arms are extended. This preliminary mechanical preparation eliminates the need for complex control systems during operation, as the mechanism self-actuates through simple trigger input.
Data Source
AI summary
A beverage can handle includes a first arm having a first end and a second end. The first end includes a protrusion for supporting a first lip of a beverage can. The protrusion is shaped for inhibiting slippage of the first lip of the beverage can off of the protrusion. The beverage can handle also includes a second arm that is slideably coupled to the first arm and extendable from a storage position to an extended position relative to the first end of the first arm. The second arm has a first end and a second end. The first end includes a groove for releasably mating with a second lip of the beverage can when in the extended position. The groove is shaped for inhibiting slippage of the second lip of the beverage can out of the groove when the second arm is in the extended position.