Segmented Elastic Handle Shell for Custom Fit
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing handles lack adaptability to the user's hand shape and are often costly to produce, with limited options for customization in terms of physical and optical properties.
Innovation Solution
A handle design featuring a cylindrical base body with an enveloping structure that is partially or fully elastically deformable, segmented into multiple elements that can be produced separately and customized for specific properties, allowing for precise adaptation to the user's hand shape and reduced material usage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If handles are made from solid material to ensure structural integrity, then strength is improved, but material cost and production complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The handle is divided into multiple discrete elements including a base body, enveloping structure with segments, and intermediate elements. These segmented components can be manufactured separately using cost-effective processes and then assembled, reducing overall production complexity while maintaining structural integrity through the coordinated design of the segments.
Solution Approach 2:
The enveloping structure is designed as a flexible shell that partially or fully surrounds the base body. This thin-walled structure provides necessary structural support and comfort adaptation while using minimal material, reducing both material cost and production complexity compared to solid handles.
2Ease of operation
If handles are made as custom-adapted to user hand shape, then usability is improved, but manufacturing complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The enveloping structure is divided into multiple segments that can be independently shaped and customized. Each segment can be optimized for specific regions of the handle to match different parts of the user's hand, allowing customization without requiring complete redesign of the entire handle.
Solution Approach 2:
Different segments of the enveloping structure can have different physical properties, geometries, and material characteristics tailored to specific locations. This allows local optimization for comfort and grip in different hand zones while keeping other areas simpler and easier to manufacture.
3Ease of manufacture
If handles use uniform material properties throughout, then production is simpler, but adaptability to different user needs is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The handle is segmented into multiple elements that can be manufactured using different materials or material properties. This allows each segment to be optimized for specific functions (e.g., grip area, structural support, vibration damping) while maintaining relatively simple manufacturing processes for each individual segment.
Solution Approach 2:
The handle employs composite construction with different materials or material combinations in different segments. This enables customization of physical properties such as elasticity, hardness, and density in specific regions to meet different user requirements while keeping the overall manufacturing approach systematic and manageable.
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 provides improved usability and cost-effectiveness by being customizable in shape and material properties, allowing for precise fit and reduced weight, while maintaining structural integrity and comfort.
Implementation Method 1
an enveloping structure (104) which extends along a longitudinal direction (106) of the base body (102) and along an outer circumference (116) of the base body at least partially at a distance from the base body and is at least partially elastically deformable
Data Source
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AI summary
To provide a handle that is adaptable to the user's hand shape and, moreover, simple and inexpensive to manufacture, it is proposed that the handle comprise a substantially semi-cylindrical or cylindrical base body extending along a longitudinal direction and having a shell structure extending substantially along the longitudinal direction of the base body and along an outer circumference of the base body, and at least partially spaced from the base body. The shell structure comprises several segments arranged parallel to each other with respect to their median plane, which are oriented substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the base body, and the shell structure is at least partially elastically deformable.