Retractable Door Grip with Sliding Guides for Compact Appliance Doors

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing door handle configurations for household appliances, such as ovens, are either space-intensive, prone to catching clothing, or require significant installation space due to their design, and the accessibility of retractable handles is limited, making them difficult to use and install.

Innovation Solution

A retractable handle device with movable rod holders and sliding blocks that engage in guide tracks, allowing for compact and space-saving operation, featuring a coupling mechanism for synchronized movement and a locking device to secure the handle in a recessed position, ensuring easy operation and minimal space usage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a fixed handle permanently protrudes beyond the door surface, then the handle is easily accessible and operable, but operators' clothing can easily get caught on it and it requires more installation space

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehandle accessibilityVSAvoidinstallation space

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The handle device transitions from a static fixed position to a dynamic retractable position. The rod holder can move between protruding and recessed states, allowing the handle to adapt its position based on operational needs versus space requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The rod holder is designed to nest within the door structure when retracted. The handle bar and rod holder components are arranged to fit within the door's thickness, minimizing the protruding dimension when not in use.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Ease of operation

If a pivotable door handle is used that can be folded outwards or sunk in, then the handle can be retracted, but a relatively large amount of space is required to enable this movement

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehandle retractionVSAvoidinstallation space

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The handle device transitions from a static fixed position to a dynamic retractable position. The rod holder can move between protruding and recessed states, allowing the handle to adapt its position based on operational needs versus space requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The rod holder is designed to nest within the door structure when retracted. The handle bar and rod holder components are arranged to fit within the door's thickness, minimizing the protruding dimension when not in use.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Data Source

PatentEP2189726B1Retractable grip for a door of a household device and door of a household device with such a grip

Publication Date: 2016.04.13 BSH HAUSGERATE GMBH

Figure 1
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Figure 3a~3c

AI summary

The invention relates to a retractable handle device with a handle bar (6) and with rod holders (8, 9) which are connected to the handle bar (6) and a handle mount (7), the rod holders (8, 9) being movable relative to the handle bar ( 6) and for the handle holder (7) and at least one sliding block (18, 19, 24, 25) is arranged on a rod holder (8, 9) which is used to guide the movement of a rod holder (8, 9) in a guideway (20, 21, 22, 23, 27, 28, 30, 31) engages in the handle mount (7). The invention also relates to a door for a household appliance with a retractable handle device (5).