Ice Screw Cutting Edge Notch for Sharpening Reserve

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing ice screws face difficulties in sharpening their cutting edges, which is a complex and potentially hazardous process that can compromise the integrity and performance of the device.

Innovation Solution

The ice screw features a notch at the base of each cutting edge to create a reserve for sharpening, facilitating maintenance and indicating when the drill bit has reached its end-of-life state.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of repair

If a user sharpens the cutting edge of a tooth using a sharpening file, then the cutting edge is maintained, but the process is complex and requires dexterity to avoid starting the shaft

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesharpening processVSAvoidsharpening operation complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of repairVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The tooth is segmented into distinct zones: a sharpening reserve (notch) at the base and a cutting edge at the tip. This segmentation allows the sharpening operation to be confined to a specific, accessible region without affecting the entire tooth or requiring manipulation of the shaft, thereby simplifying the repair process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A sharpening reserve (notch) is pre-formed at the base of each tooth during manufacturing. This preliminary action creates a dedicated sharpening zone that is easily accessible to users, eliminating the need for complex sharpening operations and preventing accidental engagement of the shaft during maintenance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Ease of repair

If the shaft is started during sharpening, then the sharpening can be performed, but the integrity of the device may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesharpening accessibilityVSAvoiddevice integrity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of repairVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The tooth structure is divided into a sharpening reserve (notch) and a cutting edge, isolating the sharpening operation to a specific safe zone. This segmentation ensures that the shaft cannot be accidentally engaged during sharpening, protecting device integrity while maintaining ease of repair.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The notch acts as an intermediary structure between the shaft and the cutting edge. It provides a safe, accessible sharpening zone that mediates the maintenance operation, allowing users to sharpen without risking shaft engagement or compromising device integrity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Manufacturing precision

If the cutting edge extends to the base of the tooth, then the tooth is sharp, but there is no reserve material for sharpening maintenance

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecutting edge sharpnessVSAvoidsharpening capability
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The tooth is segmented into a sharpening reserve (notch) at the base and a cutting edge at the tip. This segmentation preserves the sharpness of the cutting edge while creating a dedicated reserve zone for maintenance, allowing the tooth to be both sharp and maintainable.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A sharpening reserve (notch) is pre-formed at the base of the tooth during manufacturing. This preliminary action creates a dedicated sharpening zone that preserves the sharpness of the cutting edge while providing material for maintenance, eliminating the need to sacrifice edge sharpness for repair capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP2599528B1Ice screw for forming a removable mooring point comprising a sharpening recess at the base of each tooth
Publication Date: 2015.01.14 ZEDEL CORP
  • EP2599528B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2599528B1 patent drawingFigure 2~4

AI summary

The ice screw for forming a removable anchor point comprises an elongated shaft (1) with an external thread (2), and a drill bit (3) with teeth (4), each tooth (4) having a cutting edge (5), said drill bit (3) being disposed at a longitudinal end (El1) of the shaft (1). A notch (8) is formed in the drill bit (3) at the base of each cutting edge (5) so as to delimit a sharpening reserve for the associated tooth.