Cutting Tool Movable Locking Element

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing cutting tools with threaded joints face issues of unintended tightening or loosening during use, making adjustments difficult and user-unfriendly.

Innovation Solution

Incorporation of a movable locking element that prevents the first threaded part from rotating unintentionally, allowing easy adjustment by the user through a push-button mechanism, enabling efficient tightening or loosening of the joint.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a threaded screw is used to join blades, then the joint can be tightened or loosened for adjustment, but the screw may rotate unintentionally during use causing unnecessary tightening or loosening

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of joint adjustmentVSAvoidjoint stability during use
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The locking element is designed to be movable, transitioning between a locked position (engaging the threaded screw to prevent rotation) and an unlocked position (allowing the screw to rotate for adjustment). This dynamic mechanism resolves the contradiction by making the system adaptable: stable during normal use, but easily adjustable when needed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The locking element acts as an intermediary between the threaded screw and the user. It mediates the rotation of the screw by engaging its protrusion with the groove, preventing unintentional rotation while allowing controlled adjustment when the user actuates the locking element.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If a locking mechanism is added to prevent screw rotation, then joint stability is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvejoint stability during useVSAvoidjoint construction complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The joint is segmented into distinct functional components: the threaded screw for adjustment, the locking element for stabilization, the spring for automatic engagement, and the groove-protrusion interface for mechanical locking. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function efficiently while maintaining overall simplicity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The spring-loaded locking element automatically engages with the threaded screw when the adjustment hole is covered, providing self-service locking without requiring user intervention. This automatic engagement mechanism maintains joint stability while minimizing the complexity of user interaction.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP2623275B1A cutting tool
Publication Date: 2015.11.04 FISKARS FINLAND OY AB
  • EP2623275B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2623275B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

The invention relates to a cutting tool (1) comprising: a first (2) and a second (3) blade pivotally attached to each other via a joint (4), a first handle (5) attached to the first blade (2) and a second handle (6) attached to the second blade (3). In order to obtain a cutting tool with a joint that can be quickly and easily adjusted, a movable locking element (10) is engaged with at least one of the first handle (5) and the first blade (2). The movable locking element (10) comprises a first intermeshing surface (11) which is pressed against a second intermeshing surface (12) in the first threaded part (8) for preventing the first threaded part (8) from rotating in relation to the movable locking element (10). The movable locking element (10) has a push-button area (20) for moving the movable locking element (10) away from the second intermeshing surface (12) of the first threaded part (8) in order to allow the first threaded part (8) to rotate in relation to the movable locking element (10).