Folding Knife Handle With Dual Lighting and Sealed Non-Contact Switching
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional folding knives and flashlights are carried separately, increasing burden and leading to scattered equipment and inconvenient access, especially in low-light environments.
Innovation Solution
A folding knife integrated with flashlights, featuring a handle with a circuit board and batteries in each scale, lighting components at both ends, non-contact switching using a magnet and Hall switches, and a multi-layer lighting structure for enhanced sealing and illumination.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a folding knife and flashlight are carried separately, then each tool maintains its simple structure and portability, but the carrying burden increases and equipment becomes scattered
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines a folding knife and flashlight into a single integrated tool by embedding lighting components (LEDs, batteries, circuit boards) within the knife handle scales. The first handle scale contains a circuit board and second battery, while the second handle scale contains a first battery, with lighting components positioned at both ends of the handle to provide illumination functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated knife serves multiple functions: cutting (blade), illumination (lighting components at both ends), and power supply (batteries embedded in handle scales). The device can provide both ambient lighting and localized lighting, making it a versatile tool for outdoor activities and emergency situations.
2Ease of operation
If a folding knife and flashlight are carried separately, then each tool remains easy to operate, but access becomes inconvenient in low-light environments
Solution Approach 1:
By integrating the flashlight functionality directly into the knife handle, the user no longer needs to search for or retrieve a separate flashlight. The lighting components are accessible through the handle scales, allowing immediate illumination when needed during cutting operations or navigation.
3Weight of moving object
If lighting components are integrated into the knife handle, then portability is maintained, but dust and water resistance becomes challenging
Solution Approach 1:
The electronic components are nested within the handle scales structure. The circuit board is positioned in the first handle scale while batteries are embedded in the handle scales, creating a compact nested arrangement that maintains the knife's portable size while protecting electronics within the handle structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs sealing structures including a sealing ring at the blade pivot end and protective covers for the charging port to protect electronic components from dust and water. The sliding cover for the charging port can be extended or retracted to protect the charging interface while maintaining accessibility when needed.
4Illumination intensity
If multiple batteries and lighting components are integrated, then lighting functionality is enhanced, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The lighting system is segmented into multiple independent components: a first lighting component at the first end of the handle and a second lighting component at the second end. Each lighting component can be independently controlled through the switch assembly, allowing selective illumination based on specific needs while distributing the electrical load across multiple batteries.
Solution Approach 2:
The switch assembly with rotary switch and Hall effect sensors provides dynamic control of the lighting components. The rotary switch can be rotated to different positions to select between different lighting modes or individual lighting components, allowing flexible adaptation to various lighting requirements without increasing physical complexity.
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 integrated folding knife provides ambient and localized lighting, maintaining portability and operational comfort, with improved dust and water resistance, tactile feedback, and extended battery life.
Implementation Method 1
The circuit board is provided with at least two Hall switches that cooperate with the magnet; when the knob is rotated, the magnet triggers one of said at least two Hall switches when the magnet is rotated to a position above said one of said at least two Hall switches that enables a trigger signal to be transmitted
Implementation Method 2
the first lighting component comprises, installed sequentially from inside to outside of the lighting component mounting groove, an LED board, a centering piece, a reflector cup, a protective pad, a lens, and a retaining ring
Implementation Method 3
the second lighting component comprises a light guide plate installed within the first receiving space and extending to the second end of the handle; the circuit board is provided with an LED bead, and the LED bead is disposed adjacent to the light guide plate
Data Source
AI summary
A folding knife with flashlights, including a handle and a rotatable blade; the handle has two handle scales; the two handle scales are assembled with each other, and a receiving cavity for receiving the blade is formed between the two handle scales; a first receiving space is formed within the first handle scale, and a circuit board is installed within the first receiving space; a second receiving space is formed within the second handle scale, and a first battery electrically connected to the circuit board is installed within the second receiving space; two lighting components are installed at a first end and a second end of the handle respectively; both the two lighting components are electrically connected to the circuit board; a pivot end of the blade is located at the second end.