Cantilever Spring Assisted Opening Folding Knife
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Solution Overview
Problem
Folding knives with additional features like assisted opening and blade locking mechanisms increase complexity and cost, and existing designs often require significant space within the handle, making it challenging to incorporate multiple functions without bulkiness.
Innovation Solution
A folding knife design that incorporates a cantilever spring for assisted opening and a plunge lock mechanism, where the spring exerts a closing force in the closed position and an opening force during opening, and the locking device moves between locked and unlocked positions to secure the blade, all while maintaining a compact size by utilizing space efficiently within the handle.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If additional features like assisted opening and blade locking mechanisms are added to folding knives, then functionality and ease of operation are improved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the assisted opening function and blade locking function into a single integrated mechanism. The spring-loaded plunger serves dual purposes: it provides the opening assist by propelling the blade forward and simultaneously acts as the locking mechanism that secures the blade in the open position. This merging of functions reduces the number of separate components needed while maintaining both desired functionalities.
Solution Approach 2:
The plunger component is designed to perform multiple functions within the knife mechanism. It acts as both the actuator for assisted opening and the locking element for securing the blade. This multi-functional design allows the knife to provide both assisted opening and reliable locking without requiring separate dedicated components for each function, thereby reducing overall device complexity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If additional features like assisted opening and blade locking mechanisms are added to folding knives, then functionality is improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the locking function with the assisted opening mechanism into a single plunger component. This integration means that one component performs both the opening assist and the locking functions, reducing the total number of parts that need to be manufactured, inventoried, and assembled. This directly reduces manufacturing complexity and cost while maintaining the desired blade locking functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The plunger is designed as a universal component that fulfills multiple roles in the knife mechanism. By making this single component responsible for both assisted opening and blade locking, the design reduces the bill of materials and assembly steps required, thereby lowering manufacturing costs while providing versatile functionality.
3Ease of operation
If mechanisms for assisted opening and blade locking are incorporated into folding knives, then functionality is improved, but space utilization within the handle is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the assisted opening mechanism and blade locking mechanism into a single integrated plunger assembly. This merging eliminates the need for separate mechanisms that would each require their own space within the handle. The unified design allows both functions to share the same structural space, significantly improving space utilization within the handle compared to having separate dedicated mechanisms for each function.
4Length of moving object
If a compact design is maintained while incorporating multiple features, then portability is improved, but space for mechanisms within the handle is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple functions (assisted opening and blade locking) into a single integrated mechanism that occupies minimal space within the handle. This allows the knife to maintain a compact overall size while still providing multiple desirable functions. The space-efficient integrated design enables small form factor without sacrificing functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The plunger component is designed as a multi-functional element that provides both assisted opening and reliable blade locking within a compact footprint. This universal component approach allows the knife to offer versatile functionality while maintaining a small, portable size, as the multi-functional design maximizes the utility of the limited space available within the handle.
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
The design provides assisted opening and locking functions using minimal space, reducing manufacturing costs and maintaining a compact form factor, allowing for multiple features without excessive bulkiness, thus addressing the need for cost-effective and functional folding knives.
Implementation Method 1
The spring exerts a closing force on the implement when the blade is in a closed position
Implementation Method 2
The spring exerts an opening force on the implement during at least a portion of the travel of the implement between the closed position and the open position
Data Source
AI summary
A folding tool includes a handle and an implement pivotally coupled to the handle. The implement is adapted to travel between a closed position and an open position. The implement includes a tang having a contoured surface. The folding tool also includes a locking device movable between a locked position and an unlocked position along an axis that is transverse to a plane defined by the implement. The folding tool further includes a cantilever spring having a first end coupled to the handle and a second end adapted to interact with the tang of the implement. The spring exerts a closing force on the implement when the blade is in a closed position. The spring exerts an opening force on the implement during at least a portion of the travel of the implement between the closed position and the open position.