Adjustable Abrasive Knife Sharpener with Pivoting Arms
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing knife sharpeners with fixed abrasive elements cannot accommodate the varying blade angles of different knife styles, as they are typically set at standard or Asian angles, which may not match the specific angles required by various knife types.
Innovation Solution
An adjustable abrasive knife sharpener with pivotally mounted abrasive elements and a rotary adjustment mechanism allows for varying the sharpening angle by moving the abrasive elements toward or away from each other, enabling selection of a sharpening angle that matches the prescribed manufacture specifications of the knife edge.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If fixed abrasive elements are used in the sharpener, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the sharpening angle cannot be adjusted to match different knife styles
Solution Approach 1:
The abrasive elements are mounted on pivotally mounted arms that can rotate about a horizontal axis, allowing the angle between abrasive elements to be dynamically adjusted. This dynamic configuration enables the sharpener to adapt to different knife styles and prescribed sharpening angles while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the parameter of the angle between abrasive elements from fixed to variable. By allowing the arms to pivot and rotate, the angle between abrasive elements can be adjusted to match different knife styles (e.g., Western, Asian, Santoku angles), thereby improving adaptability without significantly increasing structural complexity.
2Ease of operation
If fixed angle abrasive elements are used, then the manufacturing precision is maintained, but the ease of operation is reduced due to inability to match different knife angles
Solution Approach 1:
The pivotally mounted arms with rotational capability provide easy adjustment of the sharpening angle. The user can rotate the arms to the desired angle for different knife styles, making the sharpener easy to operate across various applications while maintaining precise angle control through the rotational mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The pivotally mounted arms act as intermediaries between the fixed housing and the abrasive elements. These arms can be rotated to intermediate positions corresponding to different prescribed angles, allowing easy adjustment while maintaining manufacturing precision through the controlled rotational interface.
3Adaptability or versatility
If standard or Asian angle preset is used, then the device is simple to manufacture, but the adaptability to match specific knife manufacture specifications is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The pivotally mounted arms provide a simple dynamic adjustment mechanism that can be easily manufactured. The rotational capability allows the angle between abrasive elements to be adjusted to match specific knife manufacture specifications, improving adaptability while maintaining ease of manufacture through the use of basic rotational joints.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention enables parameter change in the angle between abrasive elements from fixed preset values to variable angles. This allows matching of specific knife manufacture specifications (e.g., Western angles, Asian angles, Santoku angles) while maintaining ease of manufacture through the simple pivotal mounting and rotational adjustment mechanism.
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 adjustable mechanism allows users to precisely set the sharpening angle, ensuring optimal sharpening for different knife styles, enhancing the effectiveness and versatility of the sharpening process.
Implementation Method 1
abrasive elements forming a sharpening slot whereby the abrasive elements can selectively be moved toward and away from each other
Implementation Method 2
adjustable abrasive sharpener
Data Source
AI summary
An adjustable manual abrasive sharpener having a pair of sharpening slots formed in a frame with opposing abrasive arms being pivotally mounted in each of the sharpening slots. A rod is mounted on the frame for rotatable motion and for linear motion long its axis of rotation from a position at which the rod is locked against rotation to a depressed position whereby the rod may be rotated. The bottom end portion of the rod includes a pinion gear which engages a pair of gear racks which are mounted for movement laterally relative to the axis of rotation of the rod. The pair of gear racks respectively engage slots formed on the bottom of the abrasive arms in each sharpening slot. Rotation of the rod causes movement of the gear racks to adjust each pair of abrasive arms with respect to each other to vary the sharpening angle of the abrasive elements.