Adjustable Knife Handle With Cam-Driven Pliable Grip
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cutlery, such as knives, often have fixed handles that do not accommodate users with varying hand sizes, leading to slippage and potential injury, necessitating the purchase of multiple knives for different users or tasks.
Innovation Solution
A knife handle assembly with a selectively adjustable width, featuring a pliable section, an elongated rod, user-engageable knob, and cam mechanisms that allow for rotation-driven adjustment of the handle's circumference, utilizing worm gears and a clutch gear for precise control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a fixed handle size is used, then the manufacturing simplicity is maintained, but the adaptability to different users and tasks deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The handle incorporates a pliable section that can dynamically change its circumference through the action of cams and rods. When the rod is rotated, the cams push against the pliable section, causing it to expand or contract in circumference, thus adapting to different hand sizes while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The handle's physical parameter (circumference) is made changeable through the mechanical adjustment mechanism. By rotating the rod, the user changes the circumference of the pliable section, allowing the same handle to accommodate different hand sizes without requiring multiple fixed-size handles.
2Ease of operation
If a fixed handle width is used, then the device complexity is minimized, but the ease of operation for different users deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The handle transitions from a static fixed-width design to a dynamic adjustable-width design. The pliable section allows the handle to change its grip circumference, improving ease of operation for different users while introducing an adjustment mechanism that maintains reasonable complexity through the use of simple cam and rod components.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple knives are purchased for different users, then the adaptability to different hand sizes is improved, but the loss of substance (number of tools) increases
Solution Approach 1:
The handle is designed with universal adaptability through its adjustable circumference feature. A single knife can serve multiple users with different hand sizes by allowing the pliable section to expand or contract, eliminating the need to purchase and maintain multiple knives for different users.
Solution Approach 2:
The dynamic adjustment capability of the handle circumference allows one knife to replace multiple fixed-size knives. The pliable section's ability to change size enables the same tool to be comfortably used by different users, reducing the total number of tools needed in a household or organization.
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 a customizable grip for different users and tasks, enhancing safety and effectiveness by ensuring a secure hold regardless of hand size or task requirements.
Implementation Method 1
a first cam positioned within the cavity and in abutting relation to the pliable section and engaged with the rod, wherein rotation of the rod about its longitudinal axis translates to movement of the first cam into said pliable section an amount corresponding to the degree of rotation
Implementation Method 2
first and second worm gears integrated with the rod; and first and second gears integrated with the first and second, cams, respectively, wherein each of the first and second worm gears mesh with the first and second gears, respectively
Implementation Method 3
an elongated handle having a cavity formed therein and a pliable section positioned adjacent the cavity
Data Source
AI summary
A knife handle assembly adapted for attachment to a knife blade, including an elongated handle having a cavity formed therein and a pliable section positioned adjacent the cavity; an elongated rod extending along a longitudinal axis and into the cavity; a user engageable member attached to the rod on the exterior of said handle and adapted to permit selective rotation of the rod about its longitudinal axis; and a first cam positioned within the cavity and in abutting relation to the pliable section and engaged with the rod, wherein rotation of the rod about its longitudinal axis translates to movement of the first cam into said pliable section an amount corresponding to the degree of rotation.