Cutting Tool Cable Routing via Handle Channel

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional cutting tools face challenges in maintaining a compact and ergonomic profile, which can lead to inconvenience when handling components like wires, and often require additional housing for cable management, compromising their functionality.

Innovation Solution

A cutting tool design featuring a first and second blade pivotally coupled with handles that enclose a cable within a channel, allowing for improved packaging and reduced cable length, eliminating the need for an additional extension housing and ensuring the cable is protected from damage and entanglement.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If conventional cutting tools package wires and components within the tool structure, then the tool becomes more functional, but the compactness and ergonomics are compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecable management functionalityVSAvoidcompactness and ergonomics
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The cable is nested within a channel that is formed by the handle structure itself, with the cable running through the handle and around the pivot point. This nesting approach allows the cable to be integrated into the existing tool geometry without requiring separate external housings, thus maintaining compactness while providing functional cable management.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The cable management function is merged with the handle structure. The channel that guides and protects the cable is formed as an integral part of the handle design, combining the structural function of the handle with the cable management function. This eliminates the need for separate extension housings and maintains the tool's compact profile.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Reliability

If additional extension housing is added to guide cable between handles, then cable protection is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecable protection from damage and entanglementVSAvoidnumber of additional components
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The handle structure itself provides the cable management function. The channel is formed by the handle's own geometry, and the pivot point arrangement naturally guides the cable. The tool structure serves its own cable management needs without requiring separate dedicated components, reducing complexity while maintaining protection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The handle structure serves multiple functions: it provides the structural framework for the cutting tool, guides the cable through its channel, protects the cable from damage, and the pivot point arrangement manages cable routing. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate extension housings and reduces overall device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP4096386B1Cutting tool
Publication Date: 2024.01.10 HUSQVARNA AB
  • EP4096386B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4096386B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4096386B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A cutting tool (100) comprising: a first blade (102); a second blade (104) pivotally coupled to the first blade (102) at a pivot point, wherein the first blade (102) and the second blade (104) together perform a cutting action on an object placed therebetween; a first handle (108) operatively coupled to the first blade (102); a second handle (110) operatively coupled to the second blade (104); and a cable (134) disposed within at least one of the first handle (108) and the second handle (110), characterized in that: the first handle (108) is pivotally coupled to the second handle (110) at the pivot point; and the cable (134) is fully enclosed by the first handle (108) and the second handle (110), and at least one of the first handle (108) and the second handle (110) comprises a channel (136, 142), wherein the cable (134) is at least partially disposed in the channel (136, 142) and wherein at least one of the first blade (102) and the second blade (104) delimits the channel (136, 142).