Folding Knife Blade Translation for Safe Cutting Without Unfolding
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional folding knives require unfolding the blade assembly for cutting, which can be cumbersome and poses safety hazards due to the exposed cutting edge during pivoting.
Innovation Solution
A folding knife design that allows the blade to be extended or retracted within the handle, enabling use in folded and stowed configurations, with a translation mechanism and stopper to control blade exposure, and a moving member for alternate modes of operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the blade assembly is unfolded for cutting, then the cutting function is achieved, but the operation becomes cumbersome and safety hazards arise due to exposed cutting edge during pivoting
Solution Approach 1:
The blade assembly is divided into separate components: the blade itself and the mounting support. This allows the blade to be independently extended or retracted without requiring the entire blade assembly to be unfolded, enabling safe operation with the blade partially exposed while maintaining security during storage and transport.
Solution Approach 2:
The mounting support is designed to be pivotable between unfolded and folded positions, while the blade can be independently extended or retracted. This dynamic configuration allows the knife to adapt between different operational modes (cutting, storage, transport) providing both ease of operation and safety by controlling blade exposure.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the blade assembly is unfolded, then cutting is enabled, but the structure becomes more complex and the knife cannot be used in folded configuration
Solution Approach 1:
By separating the blade from the mounting support, the design enables independent movement of each component. The blade can be extended or retracted independently of the mounting support's folded or unfolded state, creating multiple operational modes without requiring a completely complex reconfiguration of the entire blade assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The knife can operate in multiple configurations: the blade can be extended or retracted while the mounting support is in either folded or unfolded position. This multi-functionality allows the same knife structure to serve different purposes (cutting, storage, transport) without requiring separate designs for each mode.
3Ease of operation
If the blade is extended during pivoting, then cutting can be performed, but the exposed edge creates safety hazards
Solution Approach 1:
The separation of the blade and mounting support allows the blade to be extended independently. The blade can be extended to a safe position where it is accessible for cutting but not excessively exposed, while the mounting support remains in a secure folded position, reducing the risk of accidental exposure or injury during handling.
Solution Approach 2:
The independent extendability of the blade allows dynamic control of blade exposure. The blade can be extended just enough for cutting operations while the mounting support remains folded, providing a safe configuration that balances cutting capability with safety by limiting the overall exposure of the blade assembly.
Data Source
AI summary
A folding knife includes a grip portion, a working portion, a translation mechanism and a first locating structure. The grip portion defines an accommodating hollow therein, and the working portion includes a blade and a mounting support. The mounting support is able to pivot about the grip portion to switch between an unfolded position and a folded position. When the mounting support is in the unfolded position, a free end of the mounting support is located in front of the grip portion. When the mounting support is in the folded position, the free end of the mounting support is located in the accommodating hollow. When the mounting support is in the folded position, the translation mechanism is able to move in a lengthwise direction of the grip portion, causing the blade to move relative to the grip portion between the extended and retracted positions. The first locating structure is able to locate the blade in the extended and retracted positions.