”Anti-pandemic” door handle

koldun — Sat, 18 Apr 2020 16:21:26 GMT

Unfortunately, contact through door handles is one way of exchanging viruses and other pathogens. Since replacing all door handles with electronic non-contact devices is not realistic, it is suggested to minimize the contact between the hand and the door handle.

To do this, it is proposed to replace the locking mechanism of the locking latch with a cross-wedge, for example, such as in the attached drawing. Then the lock will open from a simple front push on the handle on one side and a simple pull on the opposite side. This will make it possible to make a handle in the form of an arc of stainless steel or other nickel-plated wire with a diameter of about 5 mm, and to carry out all manipulations on opening and closing of doors with only one finger. If necessary, the finger can be wrapped with a disposable cloth or napkin, which already minimizes the very possibility of contact with a possibly contagious substances left on it, such as sweat, which may contain viruses or other microorganisms.

The shape of the handle in the form of a half circle or an ellipse with no sharp edges, and if desired, a different simple geometric shape, makes the handle safe not only when opening and closing, but also with any unintended contact with it.

And of course, the handle of nickel-plated wire or monolithic stainless steel can be disinfected by any powerful chemicals or alternative means (UV or Infra-red light, ozone, ets) as often as deemed necessary with no negative effect on the material.

Projects That Fight Germs

14rhb — Sat, 14 Mar 2020 14:28:18 GMT

Just thinking....

I always think that us engineers are a very resourceful lot: TV shows like 'scrap heap challenge' and watching Youtube videos where someone makes an electronic circuit from junk are just a few examples. For anyone not familiar with what engineers do then just have a look around this website for a few minutes at the vast breadth of great project ideas. Therefore, given the current global outbreak of COVID-19, I wonder if there are a few things us engineers could devise that might help in some way. The idea being if they were affordable in terms of the component availability/resources then others with similar resources could replicate them and hopefully help a few friends, neighbours, colleagues out that way. Maybe even something that helps in the medium term while people, especially older folk, are in isolation. And finally looking much further ahead are there things that could help prevent the spread of germs.

My ideas, although most are not new: a contactless hand wash system would be very helpful, a contactless temperature monitor, a germ free door handle (can a low current effectively clean a metal handle?), a 3D printed gripper to open and close a variety of doors, a portable UV sterilizer for cutlery etc. If you could make a system that can electronically replace toilet roll then currently you'll be a hero/heroine in many countries - but please tone down any video evidence in subsequent blog posts .

Maybe this could be an 'E14 Flash Challenge' - a special E14 theme to address an urgent issue, tariq.ahmad . I'd also suggest no $100 shopping cart prizes for this but instead some unique badges? If not, then I'm sure any discussions or ideas below could help others make an electronics/engineering based project that they hope will make a slight difference in some way.

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”Anti-pandemic” door handle

Projects That Fight Germs