Utility Knife Cam Lever Fire Starter Access

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing multi-functional knives with integrated fire-starting kits often suffer from cumbersome access mechanisms, vulnerability to moisture, and compromised structural integrity, making them less reliable and efficient for outdoor and survival scenarios.

Innovation Solution

A knife design featuring a cam lever mechanism with a waterproof storage cavity and dual-purpose hollow fuel tablets, allowing tool-less access to a ferrocenium rod and tinder, ensuring quick and reliable fire-starting capabilities without hindering the knife's primary function as a cutting tool.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a fire-starting kit is integrated into the knife handle, then fire-starting capability is improved, but the knife becomes more complex and harder to access

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefire-starting capabilityVSAvoidaccess mechanism complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The handle is divided into separate components: a removable top cover, a bottom cover, and a middle section containing the fire-starting kit. This segmentation allows the fire-starting components to be accessed by simply removing the top cover, eliminating complex access mechanisms while maintaining knife functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The fire-starting kit is extracted as a separate, removable module within the handle structure. The ferrocenium rod, tinder, and fuel tablets are housed in a dedicated compartment that can be independently accessed and even removed, simplifying the overall access mechanism.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Ease of operation

If the fire-starting kit is easily accessible, then ease of operation is improved, but waterproofing becomes more difficult to achieve

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccess to fire-starting kitVSAvoidwaterproofing

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The fire-starting components are nested within a waterproof cavity inside the handle structure. The top cover, when closed, creates a sealed environment that protects the ferrocenium rod, tinder, and fuel tablets from moisture while allowing quick access by simply removing the cover.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

A waterproof membrane or coating is applied to the interior surfaces of the handle cavity and top cover interface, creating a moisture barrier that maintains waterproofing while allowing the simple snap-fit or screw-based access mechanism to function effectively.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

3Reliability

If separate fire-starting tools are carried, then fire-starting reliability is improved, but weight and volume increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefire-starting reliabilityVSAvoidtotal gear weight

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The fire-starting kit is merged with the knife structure, integrating the ferrocenium rod, tinder, and fuel tablets into the handle. This combination eliminates the need to carry separate fire-starting tools, reducing total gear weight and volume while maintaining fire-starting reliability through the proven ferrocenium chemistry.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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

The design provides a robust, waterproof, and easily accessible fire-starting kit integrated seamlessly with the knife, enhancing its utility while maintaining structural integrity and ease of use, ensuring reliability in various environments.

Implementation Method 1

a ferrocenium rod (504) configured to initiate combustion when exposed to moisture and oxygen

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectOxidation: Oxidation

Implementation Method 2

hollow fuel tablets (506) configured to retain moisture

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAbsorption: Absorption (physical)

Data Source

PatentUS20240066727A1Utility knife with built-in fire starter kit

Publication Date: 2024.02.29 HELZER JACOB MICHAEL

AI summary

A knife with an integrated fire-starting kit, characterized by a blade with a tang portion comprising a jimping portion and a striking edge. The handle assembly of the knife, consisting of a removable top cover and a non-removable bottom cover, defines a storage cavity aligned with a slot in the tang portion of the blade. Within this cavity, a fire-starting kit is housed, which includes multiple hollow fuel tablets and a ferrocenium rod. Unique to this invention, a cam lever mechanism, pivotably positioned on a hollow bushing, allows for easy attachment and detachment of the top cover, granting swift access to the fire-starting kit. Additionally, the design incorporates O-ring seals for waterproofing, threaded inserts for fastener engagement, and buffer rings beneath the fastener heads to allow user-defined elevation adjustments ensuring optimal engagement.