Blade Holder Actuation via Coupling Arm and Tension Spring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing blade holding devices lack efficient mechanisms for extending and retracting blades while ensuring safety and ease of operation, particularly in applications where blades need to be protected from accidental cuts.
Innovation Solution
A blade holding device with a housing and a movable blade holder actuated by a coupling arm and tension springs, allowing parallel movement and automatic retraction of the blade after use, utilizing a T-shaped part with a coupling and control arm mechanism for force transmission and alignment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a blade holding device with extendable and retractable blade is used, then safety is improved by protecting the blade from accidental cuts, but device complexity increases due to the need for actuators and coupling mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a coupling arm as an intermediary component between the actuator and the blade holder. This coupling arm simplifies the force transmission mechanism by providing a direct mechanical link, reducing the overall device complexity while maintaining the safety function of automatic retraction. The coupling arm acts as a mediator that translates actuator movement into blade holder movement without requiring complex linkage mechanisms.
2Ease of operation
If an actuator is used to move the blade holder along the length of the housing, then ease of operation is improved, but device complexity increases due to additional components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the actuation function into a separate, dedicated actuator component that operates independently within the housing. This actuator is simplified in design and directly coupled to the blade holder through the coupling arm, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining ease of operation. The actuator can be a simple spring-loaded or manually-operated mechanism that provides sufficient force for blade extension and retraction without requiring complex control systems.
3Manufacturing precision
If a coupling arm mechanism is used for force transmission, then manufacturing precision is improved for force transmission, but device complexity increases due to additional parts
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the coupling arm functionality with the actuator and blade holder into a integrated force transmission system. The coupling arm is designed as a simple lever or link that directly connects the actuator to the blade holder, eliminating the need for separate linkage mechanisms or complex joint systems. This merging approach maintains manufacturing precision for force transmission while reducing the total number of parts and overall device complexity.
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 safe and efficient extension and retraction of blades, reducing the risk of accidental cuts by automatically retracting the blade into a protected position, while maintaining operational flexibility and force transmission capabilities.
Implementation Method 1
a blade holder movable in a direction along a length of the housing; an actuator positioned within the housing and associated with the blade holder to move the blade holder along the length of the housing
Data Source
AI summary
A blade holding device comprising a housing and a blade holder positioned within the housing wherein the blade holder is movable in a direction along a length of the housing. The device also comprises an actuator positioned within the housing and associated with the blade holder to move the blade holder along the length of the housing wherein the actuator moves parallel to the blade holder within the housing. Another embodiment of the blade holding device comprises a housing and a blade holder wherein the blade holder is adapted to move in a direction within the housing. An actuator associated with the blade holder for moving the blade holder in the direction and a control surface connected to a rearward end portion of the housing and positioned in a direction nonparallel to the direction in which the blade holder travels wherein the control surface is associated with the coupling arm.