Folding Knife Sealed Pivot Mechanism

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Solution Overview

Problem

Folding knives often experience fouling due to contaminants like mud and sand, which interfere with the pivot mechanism and are difficult to clean, potentially damaging the knife.

Innovation Solution

A sealed pivot mechanism is implemented using annular blade seals and O-ring pivot seal members to prevent contaminants from entering, combined with a locking mechanism that includes a lock plate and release knob for easy engagement and disengagement, ensuring the blade remains securely in open or closed positions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of repair

If the pivot mechanism is left open for easy cleaning, then maintenance is simpler, but contaminants can enter and foul the mechanism

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of cleaningVSAvoidcontaminant entry

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of repairVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs elastomeric blade seals positioned in grooves on the blade and handle elements that flex to maintain contact and seal the pivot mechanism. These flexible seals prevent contaminant ingress while allowing the blade to rotate freely, resolving the contradiction between sealed protection and operational movement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

2Object-affected harmful factors

If the pivot mechanism is sealed to prevent contaminant entry, then the mechanism is protected from fouling, but cleaning becomes more difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontaminant preventionVSAvoidcleaning difficulty

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The sealing system is segmented into multiple independent elastomeric seals positioned at different locations within the pivot mechanism. This segmentation allows each seal to function independently while collectively providing comprehensive protection, and the modular design facilitates individual seal replacement without complete disassembly.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The elastomeric seals are designed to self-adjust and maintain sealing contact through their elastic properties, automatically compensating for wear and dimensional variations without requiring external adjustment mechanisms. This self-service capability maintains effective sealing while simplifying maintenance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Object-affected harmful factors

If the blade seal is made tighter to improve sealing, then contaminant protection increases, but blade movement freedom decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesealing effectivenessVSAvoidblade movement freedom

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The elastomeric blade seals utilize the elastic deformation of the seal material to maintain continuous contact with the blade and handle surfaces throughout the blade's range of motion. The flexibility allows the seals to conform to slight variations in positioning while maintaining sealing pressure, protecting against contaminants without restricting blade movement freedom.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Data Source

PatentUS8291597B2Folding knife with sealed mechanism

Publication Date: 2012.10.23 KAI US

AI summary

A folding knife includes a handle having a blade channel, a blade rotatably coupled to the handle, and annular blade seals coupled to either side of the blade between the blade and inner surfaces of the blade channel. A locking mechanism having first and second control pins coupled to the blade within the circumference of the blade seal so as to extend toward the first handle element. A lock plate is movably coupled to the handle and engages the first and second control pins when the blade is in the open and closed positions, respectively. A release knob coupled to the lock plate allows a user to move the lock plate to release the blade. A seal positioned between the release knob and the handle seals a space between the release knob and the handle.