Blade Dispenser Actuator Mechanism for Single-Blade Extraction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing blade storage and dispensing apparatuses are often cumbersome, inconvenient, and pose safety hazards due to their operational inefficiencies and lack of features that enhance worker safety and efficiency during blade replacement and storage.
Innovation Solution
A blade dispenser apparatus with a body, articulating container portions, and a blade shuttle/actuator mechanism that allows for safe and efficient blade dispensing, storage, and containment, featuring pivotally and slidably coupled compartments and a mechanism that prevents the container from being opened when the blade holder is deployed, ensuring safe and convenient operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional blade storage apparatuses are used, then blades can be stored, but the apparatuses are cumbersome and inconvenient to operate
Solution Approach 1:
The blade storage apparatus is divided into separate functional components: a body portion, a container portion with lid, and a blade holder with actuator. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function independently, simplifying the overall operation while maintaining comprehensive functionality for safe blade storage and dispensing.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If traditional blade dispensing methods are used, then blades can be accessed, but safety hazards arise from worker exposure to multiple blades
Solution Approach 1:
The blade holder is designed to extract and present only a single blade at a time from the container. The actuator mechanism pushes the blade holder forward to dispense one blade, then retracts it, ensuring that workers are never exposed to multiple blades simultaneously. This extraction principle maintains safety while preserving operational efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The blade holder acts as an intermediary between the blade container and the worker. It safely presents the blade through a controlled dispensing mechanism, reducing direct worker exposure to hazardous blades while maintaining efficient blade replacement capability.
3Reliability
If the container is made accessible for blade storage, then blades can be stored securely, but the container may be accidentally opened or moved
Solution Approach 1:
The lid is designed with a latch mechanism that prevents accidental opening by requiring a deliberate unlocking action. The latch engages automatically when the lid is closed, creating a preliminary barrier that must be actively disengaged before the container can be opened, thus preventing unintended blade exposure while maintaining secure containment.
Data Source
AI summary
A blade dispenser apparatus includes a body, a blade receptacle coupled to and repositionable in relation to the body, a blade holder coupled to and repositionable in relation to the blade receptacle, and an actuator coupled to the blade holder, the actuator being deployable for repositioning of the blade holder to dispense a blade or for disengaging a portion of the blade receptacle from the body allowing a user of the blade dispenser to access the blade receptacle.