Removable Vessel Handle Latch for Safe Hot-Surface Release
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fitting parts for cooking or roasting vessels with removable handles pose a risk of injury due to the need for direct operation of a latching mechanism on a hot surface and potential finger wedging during removal, making them non-intuitive and unsafe.
Innovation Solution
A fitting part design featuring a handle that attaches via a linear motion with a latching device, where the latching element is on the carrying part and an operating element on the handle part, allowing secure attachment and removal without direct contact with hot surfaces, using a spring force for locking and unlocking, and an angled operating surface to facilitate easy detachment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the latching element is directly operated on the carrying part, then the attachment structure is simple, but the risk of injury from hot surface contact increases
Solution Approach 1:
An operating element is introduced as an intermediary component between the user's finger and the latching element. The operating element extends through the handle part and acts upon the latching element without requiring direct contact with the hot carrying part, thus mediating the interaction and eliminating the thermal hazard while preserving the simple attachment structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The latching mechanism is segmented into distinct functional components: the latching element mounted on the carrying part, the operating element mounted on the handle part, and the spring element providing biasing force. This segmentation allows the operating element to be positioned away from the hot surface while still controlling the latching element, separating the control function from the thermal environment.
2Ease of operation
If the latching element is pushed down during removal, then the detachable connection is achieved, but finger wedging risk occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The operating element serves as a mediator that extends the user's input force through a safe distance. By pushing the operating element rather than directly manipulating the latching element, the user's finger remains outside the danger zone where wedging could occur, while still achieving the necessary latching element displacement for removal.
Solution Approach 2:
The operating element extends in a direction perpendicular to the joining direction, creating a new dimensional approach for actuation. This allows the user to apply force through the operating element's extended path without the finger entering the compression zone between the latching element and carrying part, eliminating the wedging hazard while maintaining operational effectiveness.
3Reliability
If the handle part is attached by pivoting motion, then the connection is secure, but the structure becomes complex and operation non-intuitive
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using the conventional pivoting motion where the handle rotates around an axis, this invention inverts the approach by using a linear pushing motion along the joining direction. The latching element is displaced directly along the axis of attachment, simplifying the mechanism while maintaining secure connection through the spring-biased latching engagement.
Solution Approach 2:
The motion parameter is changed from rotational (pivoting) to translational (linear pushing). This parameter change simplifies the latching mechanism structure and makes the operation more intuitive, while the spring element ensures reliable engagement by maintaining constant biasing force during the linear motion sequence.
4Reliability
If the latching element is operated perpendicularly to joining direction, then secure latching is achieved, but contact with hot surface occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The operating element acts as a thermal and mechanical intermediary, allowing the user to exert force perpendicular to the joining direction (for secure latching) without the user's finger contacting the hot carrying part. The operating element transmits this perpendicular force to the latching element while remaining thermally isolated from the hot surface.
Solution Approach 2:
The mechanism is segmented so that the latching element remains mounted on the hot carrying part while the operating element is mounted on the cooler handle part. This segmentation allows the perpendicular actuation motion to be applied through the operating element without transferring thermal contact to the user's finger, maintaining latching security while avoiding thermal hazard.
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 design ensures safe and intuitive handling by preventing direct contact with hot surfaces and reducing the risk of injury, while providing a stable and secure attachment mechanism that automatically latches and detaches the handle, reducing production costs and complexity.
Implementation Method 1
a spring element (17) arranged in the carrying part (02), which is designed to exert a spring force on the latching element (11)
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a fitting part (01) for manually handling a useful object, in particular a cooking or roasting vessel, having a carrying part (02) which can be fixedly connected to the wall of the object or of the vessel or is a constituent part of the wall, having a handle part (07) which can be pushed onto the carrying part (02) in a joining direction and can be detachably attached thereto, having a latching device, in which the latching element can be moved from an unlocked position and into a locked position by means of a spring force, wherein the latching element in the locked position bears with a latching surface against an abutment in order to prevent the handle part (07) from being removed from the carrying part (02), wherein an operating element for unlocking the latching device is provided, the operating element and the abutment being arranged on the handle part (07) and the latching element being arranged on the carrying part (02).