Edged Tool Plasma Nitrogen Oxygen Treatment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Edged tools, such as surgical blades and shaving razors, require improved cuttability while maintaining durability, which existing technologies have not adequately addressed.

Innovation Solution

A manufacturing method involving plasma treatment of a metal base with a mixed gas composition, primarily nitrogen and oxygen, to enhance the sharpness and durability of the tool's edge, using a plasma device with specific pressure and bias voltage conditions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If ion beam treatment or plasma processing is applied to enhance edge sharpness, then cuttability is improved, but durability may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveedge sharpnessVSAvoiddurability
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the gas composition parameter from pure argon to a mixed gas containing nitrogen (70-99.9 vol%) and oxygen (0.1-30 vol%), which fundamentally alters the plasma chemistry and ion bombardment characteristics, enabling simultaneous improvement of sharpness and durability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The plasma treatment creates a composite surface layer on the metal base, combining the base metal properties with plasma-induced surface modifications that enhance both sharpness and durability through synergistic effects

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Ease of manufacture

If conventional plasma treatment with argon is used, then processing is simple, but cuttability enhancement is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprocessing simplicityVSAvoidcuttability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

By modifying the gas composition from conventional argon to a nitrogen-oxygen mixed gas, the invention achieves superior cuttability enhancement while maintaining the simplicity of the plasma processing method itself

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If hard coating is applied to increase durability, then wearing resistance is improved, but edge sharpness may be reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewearing resistanceVSAvoidedge sharpness
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The invention uses parameter changes in plasma treatment (gas composition, pressure, power) to create surface modifications that simultaneously enhance wearing resistance and maintain or improve edge sharpness, avoiding the need for separate hard coating applications

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 method results in an edged tool with superior cuttability and durability, as demonstrated by enhanced edge sharpness and performance in cutting tests, with the mixed gas plasma treatment significantly improving the tool's machining surface characteristics.

Implementation Method 1

treating a metal base, having a machined surface obtained by machining, with a plasma generated in an atmosphere filled with a mixed gas mainly composed of a major gas and a reactive gas

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPlasma treatment: Plasma

Implementation Method 2

subjecting sharp metal edged tools to vacuum evaporation, while applying in vacuo negative voltage to the blade edges of sharp metal edged tools to cause ion implantation of anion on the surface of the blade edge

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectIon implantation: Ion Implantation

Data Source

PatentEP2839936B1EDGED TOOL and MANUFACTURING METHOD THEREFOR
Publication Date: 2019.02.06 KAI R&D CENT CO LTD
  • EP2839936B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2(b)
  • EP2839936B1 patent drawingFigure 3(a)~3(f)
  • EP2839936B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5(b)

AI summary

The invention addresses the problem of providing an edged tool such as a surgical blade or a razor blade that is durable and sharp, and a manufacturing method therefor. The problem is solved by an edged tool manufacturing method provided with a process of treating a metal base material, which has a machined surface obtained by machining, using a plasma generated in an atmosphere filled with a mixed gas having a main gas and a reaction gas as the main components.