Adjustable Knife Sharpener Guide Rod Mechanism

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing knife sharpeners lack the ability to securely fix a guide rod in an adjustable position, control the depth and alignment of the knife blade, and achieve precise sharpening angles, especially below ten degrees, making them inadequate for sharpening complex cutting edges like those on Japanese knives and sport knives.

Innovation Solution

An adjustable knife sharpener apparatus with pivotably attached guide rods, clamping members, and an angle adjustment assembly that includes a universal joint and control gear, allowing for precise adjustment of the sharpening angle and depth, and an inclinometer for accurate angle measurement.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a fixed clamp mechanism is used to hold the knife, then the knife position is stable, but the sharpening angle cannot be adjusted

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveknife position stabilityVSAvoidsharpening angle adjustability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The guide rod is made pivotably attached to the base rather than fixed, allowing the system to transition from a static to a dynamic configuration. This enables the sharpening angle to be adjusted while maintaining knife stability during operation, resolving the contradiction between position stability and angle adjustability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The pivotable guide rod allows changing the geometric parameters of the sharpening system, specifically the angle between the guide rod and the base. This parameter change enables different sharpening angles to be achieved while the clamp mechanism maintains reliable knife holding

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Adaptability or versatility

If the guide rod is pivotably attached to allow angle adjustment, then sharpening angle is adjustable, but the guide rod position becomes unstable

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesharpening angle adjustabilityVSAvoidguide rod position stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The pivotable connection is implemented locally at the junction between the guide rod and base, concentrating the adjustability function at this specific location. This allows the guide rod to be adjustable in position while maintaining stability during the actual sharpening operation, as the pivot mechanism provides both movement capability and positional locking

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Device complexity

If simple clamp members are used, then the device structure is simple, but the knife depth and alignment cannot be controlled

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveclamp mechanism structureVSAvoidknife depth and alignment control

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The guide rod acts as an intermediary element between the simple clamp members and the sharpening stone. It transmits and controls the alignment and depth parameters, enabling precise knife positioning without requiring complex clamp mechanisms. The guide rod mediates between the simple clamping structure and the precision requirements

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Device complexity

If no angle measurement device is used, then the device is simpler, but precise sharpening angles cannot be achieved

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveapparatus structureVSAvoidsharpening angle accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The inclinometer replaces complex mechanical angle setting mechanisms with a electronic sensing and display system. This substitution achieves precise angle measurement and control while keeping the overall apparatus structure relatively simple, as the inclinometer provides accurate feedback without requiring intricate mechanical angle adjustment mechanisms

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentUS9216488B2Adjustable sharpening apparatus and method for cutting implements

Publication Date: 2015.12.22 ALLISON CLAY A

AI summary

An apparatus for sharpening a cutting implement has a base, a first clamping member and a second clamping member extending above the base. The clamping members have opposite top portions, bottom portions, and vertical inside surfaces substantially parallel to a vertical plane of the cutting implement. At least one guide rod is pivotably attached to the base. The guide rod distal end extends above the base at an angle to the vertical plane. An abrasive implement holder is configured to slidably move along the at least one guide rod. The abrasive implement holder has a body and holder aperture therethrough that extends along a guide rod axis and that is sized and configured to receive the guide rod. An adjustable face plate is pivotably connected to the body and defines a second angle with the guide rod axis. Pivoting the adjustable face plate changes the second angle.