Folding Knife Sliding Liner Block for Ergonomic Blade Storage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Folding knives with blades longer than the handle face challenges in ergonomics and handling due to the need for additional mechanisms to manage the excess blade length, often requiring external accessories for storage and complicating one-handed operation.
Innovation Solution
A folding knife design featuring a slidable liner block that moves between distal and proximal positions, allowing the blade to pivot and translate, enabling the blade to be fully enclosed within the handle when closed, and locked in the active position, using a combination of a blade lock and handle lock mechanism.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of moving object
If the blade length is increased for hunting uses, then the cutting capability is improved, but the handle length must also be increased to store the blade, which deteriorates the handling and manoeuvrability
Solution Approach 1:
The handle is segmented into two functional zones: a first portion that stores the blade when folded, and a second portion that extends beyond the blade storage area. This segmentation allows the blade to be stored in a dedicated space while the extended handle portion maintains ergonomic grip and control, resolving the contradiction between long blade storage needs and handling comfort.
2Length of moving object
If the blade length is increased beyond the handle length, then the cutting capability is improved, but additional mechanisms are required to manage the excess blade length, which increases device complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The liner block is designed to be movable rather than fixed, allowing it to slide between a first position (when the blade is folded) and a second position (when the blade is deployed). This dynamic adjustment automatically manages the excess blade length without requiring complex external accessories or multiple locking mechanisms, as the liner block's movement naturally accommodates the blade's extended position.
3Reliability
If a liner lock system is used to lock the blade in the active position, then the locking reliability is improved, but the ease of opening is reduced due to the force required to disengage the liner lock
Solution Approach 1:
The movable liner block serves as an intermediary mechanism between the blade and the handle. When the blade is deployed, the liner block slides to a second position where it can be disengaged from the blade's locking position. This intermediary action reduces the force needed to open the knife, as the user only needs to move the liner block rather than directly overcome the full locking force, thus maintaining reliability while improving ease of opening.
Data Source
AI summary
A folding knife including a handle with a liner block with two parallel liners, defining a storage space between them. A blade pivotably mounted on the liner block with a pivoting axis engaged through the base of the blade and mounted on the liner block so that the blade can pivot between an inactive position, in which the blade is received in the storage space in the liner block, and an active position, in which the blade extends in line with the handle. A blade lock capable of blocking the blade in the active position.