Serving Dish Cover with Retractable Handle for Reduced Storage Height
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional food serving dishes with covers face challenges in storage efficiency due to non-retractable handles and lack of stacking compatibility, leading to increased storage height and potential instability during stacking.
Innovation Solution
A serving dish cover with a retractable handle that oscillates between storage and operative positions, featuring a detent pin system for secure positioning and support feet for stable stacking, allowing for reduced storage height and improved stacking stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the handle is made non-retractable for ease of operation, then the ease of operation is improved, but the storage height increases and storage efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The handle is designed to be dynamic rather than static, allowing it to oscillate between a horizontal storage position and a vertical operative position. This dynamic configuration enables the handle to adapt its orientation based on operational needs, reducing storage height when not in use while maintaining ease of operation when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The handle transitions from a fixed linear structure to a multi-dimensional element that can rotate and change orientation. By moving the handle between horizontal and vertical positions, the design utilizes dimensional transformation to resolve the conflict between operational accessibility and compact storage.
2Length of stationary object
If the handle is made retractable to reduce storage height, then the storage efficiency is improved, but the device complexity increases due to the oscillation mechanism
Solution Approach 1:
The handle mechanism is segmented into discrete functional elements: the handle body, the oscillation pivot point, and the detent pin system. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function independently, simplifying the overall design and making the oscillation mechanism easier to manufacture and maintain.
Solution Approach 2:
The detent pin system provides automatic positioning and locking of the handle in its operational or storage positions without requiring external actuators or complex control systems. The mechanism self-locks into place through the interaction of detent pins with corresponding holes, eliminating the need for motors, sensors, or additional fastening components.
3Device complexity
If the covers are designed without stacking features, then the device complexity is reduced, but the storage stability deteriorates during stacking
Solution Approach 1:
The cover is equipped with pre-formed stacking features including a recessed area on the top surface and protruding feet on the bottom surface. These features are built into the cover structure during manufacturing, allowing covers to be stacked stably without requiring additional components or assembly steps. The recessed area and feet are positioned to automatically align and secure stacked covers.
Solution Approach 2:
The stacking features are merged with the overall cover structure rather than being separate attachments. The recessed area and feet are integrated into the cover body, combining the structural integrity of the cover with the stacking functionality, thereby maintaining simplicity while achieving stable stacking.
4Length of stationary object
If the handle is made retractable to enable stacking, then the storage efficiency is improved, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase for the oscillation mechanism
Solution Approach 1:
The detent pin system provides localized precision positioning at specific discrete points (the detent holes) rather than requiring continuous precision throughout the entire handle range of motion. The handle needs to be positioned accurately only at the horizontal and vertical extremes, which are maintained by the detent pin engagement, reducing overall manufacturing precision requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The design allows for tolerance compensation through the detent mechanism, where small variations in handle positioning are absorbed by the mechanical engagement of the detent pins with the holes. This parameter-based approach to positioning is more tolerant of manufacturing variations than rigid fixed-position designs.
Data Source
AI summary
A cover for serving dish includes a main body with a handle depression. A handle is mounted within the depression for oscillation between a storage position and a operative position. A detent pin on the handle interacts with detent holes in the handle depression to hold the handle in the storage and operative positions against unintended movement.