Folding Knife Interlocking Blade System for One-Handed Operation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Folding knives have a weak point at the interface of the single blade member and handle, lacking the structural integrity of fixed blade knives, and often require two-handed operation to open and close, which can be inconvenient or impractical.
Innovation Solution
A folding knife assembly with a blade system comprising a fixed blade portion and a movable blade portion that interlock in an open configuration, allowing one-handed operation and enhanced structural integrity by securing a substantial portion of the blade to the handle, along with a self-cleaning mechanism to minimize maintenance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a single blade member is used in a folding knife, then the knife can be compact and portable, but the structural integrity at the blade-handle interface is weak
Solution Approach 1:
The blade is divided into two separate members: a fixed blade member that remains in the handle and a movable blade member that can be inserted and removed. This segmentation allows the fixed blade member to provide strong structural integration with the handle while the movable blade member provides the cutting function, resolving the contradiction between strength and complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The movable blade member is designed to nest within the handle when not in use, similar to a nested doll. The movable blade member fits into a recess in the handle, creating a compact configuration that maintains portability while allowing the blade to be deployed when needed, thus resolving the contradiction between compactness and functionality.
2Reliability
If a lock mechanism is added to prevent inadvertent closure, then user safety is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
A lock mechanism is introduced as an intermediary component between the movable blade member and the handle. This lock mechanism engages with both the movable blade member and the handle to prevent inadvertent closure, providing reliable blade retention while using a standardized intermediary component to minimize overall complexity.
3Stability of the object's composition
If a single blade member is used, then the knife structure is simple, but the blade lacks the stability and strength of a fixed blade knife
Solution Approach 1:
The blade system is segmented into a fixed blade member that provides stable, permanent integration with the handle and a movable blade member that provides the cutting function. This segmentation allows the fixed blade member to offer the stability of a traditional fixed blade knife while the movable blade member enables the folding knife functionality, resolving the contradiction between stability and complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A folding knife assembly includes a blade system which is disposable between an open configuration and a closed configuration using a single hand. The blade system includes a fixed blade portion and a movable blade portion, wherein the fixed blade portion and moveable blade portion are cooperatively structured to engage one another in an interlocked configuration when the blade system is disposed in an open configuration. The folding knife assembly also includes a positioning assembly structured to facilitate disposition of the blade system between an open configuration and a closed configuration. A locking assembly is provided and is structured to operatively engage at least a portion of the positioning assembly to releasably secure the blade system in the open configuration, and to operatively disengage the positioning assembly to permit disposition of the blade system into a closed configuration.