Interchangeable Blade Holder Utility Knife with Tailored Support
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing utility knives with interchangeable blades often suffer from breakage issues due to uniform support mechanisms that do not adequately accommodate blades of different sizes and shapes, particularly thinner blades, leading to potential user injury and reduced effectiveness.
Innovation Solution
An interchangeable utility knife design featuring blade holders specifically dimensioned to provide tailored support for various blade styles, with a support upper portion matching the projected length of the cutting edge, ensuring proper alignment and reduced risk of breakage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a uniform support mechanism is used for all blade types, then the device complexity is reduced and manufacturing is simplified, but thinner and curved blades become vulnerable to breakage due to inadequate support
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by providing different support structures for different blade types within the same cartridge. Straight blades receive support from straight support members, while curved blades receive support from curved support members. This allows each blade type to receive customized support appropriate to its geometry, preventing breakage without requiring complex universal support mechanisms.
2Adaptability or versatility
If identical cartridge housings are used for all blade types, then the device complexity is reduced and interchangeability is improved, but the support provided does not account for variations in blade shape and length, leading to breakage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the support function by providing multiple interchangeable support members (straight and curved) that can be selected based on blade type. The cartridge housing remains uniform for interchangeability, but the internal support members are segmented into different configurations. This allows the support structure to be customized for each blade type while maintaining the simplicity and versatility of a standardized cartridge system.
3Device complexity
If a single support member configuration is used, then the device complexity is reduced, but it cannot provide adequate support for both straight and curved cutting edges, compromising blade effectiveness
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by designing a cartridge system that can accommodate multiple blade types (straight and curved) through interchangeable support members. The same cartridge housing and attachment mechanism serve universal functions for all blade types, while the interchangeable support members provide type-specific functionality. This maintains low device complexity while ensuring optimal cutting effectiveness for each blade style.
Data Source
AI summary
An interchangeable different style-blade utility knife includes an elongate handle having proximal and distal ends along a handle axis. A blade holder is provided for supporting a blade and actuating means is provided for selectively attaching and detaching the blade holder to the distal end of the handle at a parting line. A blade is supported by the blade holder and has an exposed cutting edge generally along a lower side of the handle and has a projected predetermined length along the axis. The blade holder has a support upper portion generally along an upper side of the handle and has a projected length along the axis substantially equal to or generally proportional to the predetermined length to provide support for the blade. A kit includes a plurality of blade holders each with a different style blade, each blade holder having a support upper portion proportional to an associated blade.