Knife Armoring Element Axial Connection Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing methods for connecting a knife handle to a blade require a significant amount of high-quality blade material for the tang, which is not only expensive but also wasteful, as the tang is usually integral with the blade and must project through the handle, limiting the use of less expensive materials and complicating production.
Innovation Solution
An armoring element with a bar extending axially and a connecting means at one end forms a non-positive connection with the tang of the knife blade, minimizing the blade material used for the connection and allowing for the use of less expensive materials, with a frictional connection that cannot be released axially, and optional material bonding or positive locking for secure attachment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the tang is made integral with the knife blade from the same high-quality steel material, then the connection stability between knife haft and blade is ensured, but the amount of expensive blade material used increases and the cutting length available is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The connection system is divided into two separate components: the tang made from blade material and the armoring element made from different material. The armoring element with connecting means (projection or recess) segregates the connection function from the blade material, allowing the tang to be shorter while maintaining connection stability through the combined structure of both components working together.
Solution Approach 2:
The armoring element acts as an intermediary component between the tang and the knife haft. It mediates the connection by providing additional connecting means that engage with the tang, thereby stabilizing the connection without requiring the tang itself to be made entirely of expensive blade material or to extend through the entire haft.
2Reliability
If the tang projects through the entire length of the knife haft, then the connection stability is maximized, but the blade material is wasted and the production complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The connection system is segmented into the tang, the armoring element with connecting means, and the haft material. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function: the tang provides the base connection, the armoring element provides additional engagement points, and the haft material provides structural support, eliminating the need for a single complex through-length tang design.
Solution Approach 2:
The connection structure uses composite construction by combining the tang (blade material) with the armoring element (different material) and haft material. This composite approach achieves connection stability through the combined properties of multiple materials and structures rather than relying on a single monolithic tang extending through the haft.
3Reliability
If a longer tang projection is used to ensure stable connection, then the connection reliability improves, but the amount of expensive blade material consumed increases
Solution Approach 1:
The armoring element serves as an intermediary that enhances connection reliability without requiring increased blade material. It provides additional connecting means that engage with the tang, effectively multiplying the connection points and distributing the connection forces, thereby achieving higher reliability with the same or reduced amount of blade material.
Solution Approach 2:
The armoring element introduces local quality enhancement at the connection points by providing specialized connecting means (projections or recesses) that concentrate and optimize the connection function at specific locations along the tang, rather than requiring uniform material distribution throughout a longer tang projection.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This solution reduces the amount of blade material needed for the connection, simplifies production, and allows for the use of less expensive materials while ensuring a secure and stable bond between the handle and blade, enabling balanced and symmetrical knife designs.
Implementation Method 1
The connection between the armoring element and the knife blade is frictional in an axial direction, i.e. in the direction defined by the knife blade and the bar of the armoring element, and thus cannot be released in this direction.
Implementation Method 2
The connection is produced by positive locking and/or material bonding between the connecting means of the armoring element and a corresponding counter piece at the tang of a knife blade.
Implementation Method 3
For material bonding, the connecting means of the armoring element may be designed as a surface which is glued, welded, soldered, or fixed in a different fashion to the counter piece of the tang
Implementation Method 4
For material bonding, the connecting means of the armoring element may be designed as a surface which is glued, welded, soldered, or fixed in a different fashion to the counter piece of the tang
Implementation Method 5
For material bonding, the connecting means of the armoring element may be designed as a surface which is glued, welded, soldered, or fixed in a different fashion to the counter piece of the tang
Data Source
AI summary
The invention comprises an armoring element (1) of a knife haft, which has a bar (10) extending in an axial direction (100) and is connected to the tang (20) of a knife blade (2) using a connecting means (11). A secure, frictional connection in an axial direction (100) between the armoring element (1) and the knife blade (2) is formed by positive locking and/or material bonding between the connecting means (11) of the armoring element (1) and a corresponding counter piece (21) on the tang (20) of the knife blade (2). In an inventive method for producing a knife, the tang (20) and the armoring element (1) are coated with haft material, e.g. haft shells in the connected state. The haft material forms the actual body of the knife haft, wherein parts of the surface of the armoring element (1) may be disposed in the outer surface of the knife haft such that they are visible.