Telescoping Plunger Handle with Antimicrobial Composite Shaft

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional plungers are difficult to store and often come into contact with bacteria, as they require two hands to operate and do not have built-in antimicrobial properties.

Innovation Solution

A single-hand use collapsible plunger with a telescoping shaft infused with a polymer-metal composite antimicrobial agent and a base for easy storage, featuring a foot tab for stabilization and a locking mechanism for one-handed extension and collapse, along with a suction cup and handle design that includes directional instructions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If a fixed handle plunger is used, then structural stability is improved, but storage convenience deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural stabilityVSAvoidstorage convenience

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The plunger shaft is designed to be telescopic rather than fixed, allowing it to extend when needed for use and collapse into a compact form for storage. This dynamic structure resolves the contradiction by providing both structural stability during operation and storage convenience when collapsed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The telescopic shaft consists of nested segments that can slide within each other, allowing the plunger to collapse into a compact nested form for storage while maintaining full extension capability during use, thus resolving the contradiction between stability and storage convenience.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Ease of operation

If an unfixed or detachable handle is used, then storage options are improved, but user safety deteriorates due to contact with bacteria-ridden shaft

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestorage optionsVSAvoidbacterial contact

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The handle is designed as a detachable component that can be separated from the shaft. This allows users to remove the handle after use, preventing contact with the bacteria-ridden shaft during storage and handling, thus resolving the contradiction between storage convenience and bacterial contact.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The detachable handle acts as an intermediary between the user's hand and the shaft. By removing this intermediary, direct contact with the contaminated shaft is avoided, protecting the user from bacterial exposure while maintaining storage flexibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Ease of operation

If a telescoping shaft is used, then storage convenience is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestorage convenienceVSAvoidstructure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The shaft is divided into multiple telescopic segments that can slide within each other. This segmentation allows the shaft to collapse into a compact form for storage while maintaining structural integrity during use, resolving the contradiction between storage convenience and structural complexity through modular design.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

4Object-affected harmful factors

If the shaft is covered with antimicrobial agent, then hygiene is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovehygieneVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The shaft is made from composite materials that inherently possess antimicrobial properties, or is coated with antimicrobial layers during the manufacturing process. This integrates hygiene functionality directly into the material structure, resolving the contradiction between hygiene improvement and manufacturing complexity through material science rather than additional manufacturing steps.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

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

Enables convenient single-handed operation and storage while providing antimicrobial protection by allowing the plunger to be easily collapsed and extended, reducing contact with bacteria and improving hygiene.

Implementation Method 1

a telescoping shaft infused with an antimicrobial/anti-bacterial agent, such as a polymer-metal composite designed to have antimicrobial/anti-bacterial properties

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAntimicrobial properties of polymer-metal composite:

Implementation Method 2

when the cup is pushed against an opening, the air or water in the opening is compressed and a vacuum is created when the cup is essentially flat. When the cup is pulled to its resting position, the vacuum decompresses, and the air or water in the opening is pulled in the direction of the vacuum

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectVacuum creation through compression: Compression

Data Source

PatentUS11608623B2Single-hand use collapsible anti-bacterial plunger

Publication Date: 2023.03.21 SALAS MICHELLE

AI summary

A single-hand use collapsible anti-bacterial plunger and base is disclosed herein. The single-hand use function of the present disclosure is facilitated by a locking mechanism in the handle, connection joints in the shaft, and a stabilizing foot tab on the base. The collapsible feature of the present disclosure is facilitated by a telescoping shaft. The anti-bacterial feature of the present disclosure is accomplished by an antimicrobial or anti-bacterial agent on the telescoping shaft.