Foldable Knife Locking Structure for Durable Blade Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional foldable knives with locking mechanisms suffer from reliability issues due to complicated designs that can lead to blade wear or weakened clamping forces over time.
Innovation Solution
A foldable cutting tool with a simplified locking mechanism featuring a pivoting blade and handle structure, utilizing a locking and unlocking structure that rotates to secure the blade in an unfolded position and allows smooth folding by engaging/disengaging with a hook part, assisted by a lock auxiliary structure and resilient member for enhanced stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a complicated locking mechanism is used to clamp the blade, then the blade can be secured in position, but the mechanism wears out or clamping force weakens over time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the essential locking function from complex clamping mechanisms and implements it through a simple rotation-based system. The locking mechanism consists of a locking component that rotates between a locked position (where it engages the blade) and an unlocked position, eliminating the need for complicated multi-component clamping systems while maintaining reliable blade securing.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using a complex mechanism that gradually applies clamping force, the patent inverts the approach by using a simple rotational switch that abruptly transitions between locked and unlocked states. The locking component rotates to engage or disengage from the blade, providing reliable locking through a single rotational motion rather than gradual clamping.
2Ease of manufacture
If a simple locking mechanism is used, then the structure is easier to manufacture, but the blade stability during use may be insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The locking mechanism is designed to be self-actuating through rotation. When the locking component rotates to the locked position, it automatically engages with the blade to secure it. The system uses the rotational motion itself to provide the locking action without requiring additional actuators or complex control mechanisms, maintaining simplicity while ensuring stable blade fixation.
Data Source
AI summary
A pivoting shaft extending in a first direction is combined with the first pivoting member and the second pivoting member. The blade structure or the handle structure can be turned about the first direction to be switched between an unfolded working state and a folded storage state; and a locking and unlocking structure disposed in a first accommodation space of the handle structure, and rotatable about the second direction. The locking and unlocking structure is rotated to a first position to be in contact with a first part of the blade structure to secure the blade structure in the unfolded working state, and rotated to a second position different from the first direction to have a retracting part facing a second part of the blade structure, wherein the second part of the blade structure can pass the retracting part of the locking and unlocking structure to enter the folded storage state.