Folding Knife Locking Post With Rotatable Stud
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing folding knives lack a simple and efficient mechanism for single-handed operation, particularly for locking and unlocking the blade, which limits their utility and ease of use.
Innovation Solution
A folding knife design featuring a locking mechanism with a sliding post and biasing member that allows the blade to be easily opened and closed with a thumb-actuated motion, utilizing a stud with a polygonal or non-polygonal shape that engages a locking surface on the handle, enabling secure locking and smooth operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a traditional locking mechanism is used in folding knives, then the blade can be secured in the open position, but the mechanism becomes complex and difficult to operate with one hand
Solution Approach 1:
The locking mechanism is segmented into distinct functional components: a locking post with a stud for engagement, a slot for controlled movement, and a biasing member for automatic positioning. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function efficiently, simplifying the overall mechanism while maintaining reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The biasing member automatically pushes the locking post into the engaged position with the locking surface, eliminating the need for manual intervention to maintain the locked state. The mechanism serves itself by automatically returning to and maintaining its functional position, reducing operational complexity
2Reliability
If a complex locking mechanism is used, then reliable locking is achieved, but ease of operation for one-handed use is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The essential locking function is extracted from a complex multi-component system and embodied in a single integrated locking post with stud. This extracted simple mechanism performs the complete locking and unlocking function, making it easily operable with one hand while maintaining reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The locking post is designed to be dynamically movable within the slot, allowing it to transition smoothly between engaged and disengaged states. This dynamic capability enables easy one-handed operation while the biasing member ensures reliable engagement, resolving the contradiction between simplicity and reliability
3Ease of manufacture
If the stud has a simple shape, then manufacturing is easier, but the locking surface engagement and durability are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The stud incorporates a specifically contoured surface that locally matches the locking surface geometry. This localized quality enhancement at the engagement point ensures reliable locking while the rest of the stud maintains a simple manufacturable shape, balancing ease of manufacture with engagement reliability
Data Source
AI summary
A folding knife includes a handle having a locking surface, a blade coupled to the handle and configured to rotate, relative to the handle, between a closed position and an open position, and a locking mechanism. The locking mechanism includes a locking post coupled to the blade and configured to move along a slot between a locking and a releasing position, with a biasing member configured to bias the post in the direction of the locking position. The post includes studs positioned above and below the plane of the blade. The studs may be rotatable around the axis, and the slot is positioned such that, when the blade is in the open position, the post may be moved toward the locking position until a face of the stud engages a locking surface of the handle, thereby locking the blade in the open position.