Integrally Bent Liner for Folding Knife Button-Lock and Axis-Lock
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current folding knives with locking mechanisms, such as button-lock and axis-lock, have complex structures that increase manufacturing costs due to redundant accessories and intricate machining processes.
Innovation Solution
A liner with a simple, integrally bent and formed structure that eliminates the need for limiting pins and redundant accessories, facilitating easier production and installation, and allowing for precise blade rotation without additional limit posts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional folding knife structures are used with multiple accessories such as limiting pins, spacers, and separate locking mechanisms, then the knife can achieve stable blade positioning and locking functions, but the device complexity increases and manufacturing costs rise
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple functional components (liner, limiting pin, spacer, and locking mechanism elements) into a single integrated liner component. The liner is formed with built-in limiting features (limiting protrusions) and positioning features (positioning grooves) that previously required separate accessories, thereby reducing part count while maintaining blade positioning stability and locking reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated liner serves multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as a structural support element, a blade limiting mechanism, a positioning feature, and part of the locking system. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate dedicated components for each function, reducing overall device complexity while preserving all necessary knife functions
2Reliability
If multiple separate components such as limiting pins, spacers, and locking mechanisms are used in folding knives, then reliable blade limiting and locking functions are achieved, but the manufacturing process becomes more complex and costly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the locking mechanism features directly into the liner structure through integrated locking protrusions and corresponding grooves. This consolidation reduces the number of separate parts that need to be manufactured, assembled, and quality-checked, thereby improving ease of manufacture while maintaining reliable locking function through the same fundamental mechanical principles
3Ease of operation
If traditional folding knife designs include redundant accessories like limiting pins and spacers, then comprehensive blade control is achieved, but production costs increase due to more parts and assembly steps
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines blade control features (limiting protrusions, positioning grooves) directly into the liner, eliminating the need for separate limiting pins and spacers. This reduction in part count streamlines the manufacturing process, reduces assembly steps, and improves production efficiency while maintaining precise blade control through the integrated features
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments provide a liner, a folding knife with button-lock and a folding knife with axis-lock. The liner includes a first liner surface and second liner surface provided parallel to each other, and a connecting part connecting upper ends of the first liner surface and the second liner surface; the first liner surface, the second liner surface, and the connecting part are integrally bent and formed. Specifically, the first liner surface, the second liner surface and the connecting part can be bent and formed integrally by a metal sheet to facilitate the production and processing of the liner. The whole stability and strength of the folding knife can be enhanced when installing the liner onto the folding knife. At the same time, there is no need to use the limiting pin to space the two liner surfaces, such that the structure is simpler and easier to install.