Foldable Knife Locking Bar Assembly for Secure Blade Retention
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing folding knives lack a reliable locking mechanism that prevents accidental closure of the blade during use, compromising safety and convenience.
Innovation Solution
A locking assembly comprising a shaped peripheral edge and a slidable locking bar with biasing device, which engages and disengages with locking edges to securely lock the blade in extended or folded positions, using tabs and slots for enhanced stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a locking mechanism is added to prevent accidental closure, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The locking bar is designed to be slidable along an axis between extended and retracted positions, allowing dynamic adjustment of the locking state. This dynamic mechanism provides reliable locking when needed while maintaining simplicity through a single sliding component rather than complex multi-part assemblies.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking mechanism is segmented into distinct functional elements: the locking bar, the stop, and the locking edges on the blade. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function independently, improving reliability through specialized design while keeping the overall structure simple and manageable.
2Reliability
If a locking bar with multiple locking edges is used, then reliability is improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The blade's shaped periphery includes specific localized locking edges positioned at critical locations to engage with the locking bar. These localized features provide reliable locking with minimal overall manufacturing complexity, as only specific areas require precise geometry rather than the entire blade requiring high precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking bar acts as an intermediary component between the blade and the handle, transferring and distributing locking forces through its interaction with the locking edges. This intermediary design allows for reliable locking while accommodating standard manufacturing tolerances by distributing the locking function across multiple contact points.
3Ease of operation
If the locking bar is made slidable for easy operation, then ease of operation is improved, but reliability may worsen due to potential disengagement
Solution Approach 1:
The locking bar is designed to automatically engage with the locking edges when slid into the extended position, and the stop prevents unintended disengagement. The mechanism serves itself by using the sliding motion to both unlock and lock the blade, eliminating the need for separate locking actions while maintaining reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The stop is positioned in advance to prevent the locking bar from moving beyond the safe engagement zone. This preemptive design ensures that even if the locking bar is accidentally displaced, the stop prevents complete disengagement, cushioning against potential failure modes while maintaining ease of operation.
Data Source
AI summary
A locking foldable knife includes a locking assembly that reliably locks a blade in an extended position for use. The locking assembly utilizes the surface area of a shaped peripheral edge at a second end of the blade, together with, confirming structures of a locking bar, and one or more stops to reliably lock the blade in the extended position. The locking assembly can also lock the blade in a folded position in one or more configurations of the locking foldable knife.