Door Handle Assembly with Retractable Storage Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Handle assemblies for sliding and folding doors often protrude, causing obstructions and aesthetic issues, while flush designs compromise ergonomics and ease of operation.
Innovation Solution
A handle assembly with a storage mechanism that allows the handle to be selectively moved between a stored, flush position and a released, operable position, using an activation release mechanism and translation mechanism for rotational and axial movement, facilitated by biasing elements to ensure easy gripping and secure storage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the handle protrudes from the door surface, then the handle can be easily gripped and operated, but the handle obstructs proximal doors and compromises aesthetic appearance
Solution Approach 1:
The handle assembly is designed to dynamically change its configuration between a protruding operable state and a retracted stored state. The handle can be moved into a protruding position during operation to provide adequate gripping surface, then retracted close to the door surface when not in use to eliminate obstruction and improve aesthetics.
Solution Approach 2:
The handle is stored within a recess or cavity in the door surface when not in use, creating a nested configuration where the handle fits inside the door plane. This allows the handle to be concealed when not needed while being easily accessible when operation is required.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the handle is flush with the door surface, then the handle eliminates obstruction and improves aesthetics, but the handle becomes difficult to grip and operate
Solution Approach 1:
The handle assembly dynamically transitions between flush stored position and protruding operable position. During operation, the handle protrudes to provide adequate gripping surface area, then returns to flush position when not in use, eliminating obstruction while maintaining ease of operation when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The handle is pre-positioned in a flush state within the door surface, ready to be quickly protruded when operation is needed. The mechanism allows rapid transition from the preliminary flush position to the operational protruding position without requiring the user to construct or assemble the handle.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the handle is made movable between stored and released positions, then the handle provides both obstruction-free storage and operable gripping surface, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The handle assembly merges multiple functions into a single integrated mechanism: the same mechanism that allows the handle to protrude for operation also enables it to retract to the stored position. The activation release mechanism combines the functions of position change and locking in one unified system, reducing overall complexity despite the added functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The handle assembly serves multiple functions through a single mechanism: it provides a gripping surface when protruding, stores flush when retracted, and includes an activation release mechanism that controls both positions. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate mechanisms for each function, thereby managing complexity while achieving versatility.
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 assembly effectively reduces obstruction and enhances aesthetics by allowing the handle to be flush when not in use while providing a larger gripping surface when needed, improving ergonomics and security by ensuring the handle remains parallel to the door plane.
Implementation Method 1
a biasing member adapted to bias the handle towards the housing
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 2A~2B
Figure 3A~3B
AI summary
The present invention relates to a handle assembly for a door having a locking mechanism. The handle assembly comprises a handle; a housing adapted to receive and store the handle; and a handle release assembly. The handle release assembly comprises an activation release mechanism adapted to selective move the handle from a stored inoperable position into a released operable position, and a translation mechanism adapted to move the handle rotatably about and axially along an axis normal to the planar surface of the housing during operation.