Folding Knife Spring Biasing Mechanism for Smooth Blade Rotation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional folding knives require user-initiated force and mechanical stud or flipper engagement to open and close, leading to inefficient and rough blade rotation due to constant biased contact with the blade's rear surface.
Innovation Solution
A U-shaped spring member assembly within the knife handle biases a cross bar against indents on the blade's rear surface, allowing smooth rotation by engaging only when necessary, reducing contact and enhancing ease of opening and closing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a spring member continuously biases the cross bar against the blade's rear surface, then the blade is held securely in open or closed position, but the blade rotation becomes rough and inefficient
Solution Approach 1:
The spring member is designed to engage periodically with the blade's rear surface through indents, providing biased contact only at specific positions (open and closed) rather than continuously. This periodic engagement maintains positioning stability while allowing smooth rotation between positions, resolving the contradiction between reliability and ease of operation.
2Ease of operation
If a stud or flipper mechanism is used to initiate blade opening, then the blade can be opened from stowed position, but the opening process requires user-initiated force and is not automatic
Solution Approach 1:
The spring member is pre-loaded and positioned to automatically engage with the blade's rear surface, providing the preliminary action needed to initiate blade opening without requiring user force. The spring's stored energy automatically propels the blade from stowed to open position, improving both ease of operation and productivity.
3Reliability
If the cross bar constantly contacts the blade's rear surface, then the blade is held in place, but the contact creates friction and resistance during rotation
Solution Approach 1:
The spring member is designed to contact the blade's rear surface at specific localized points (indents) rather than along the entire surface. This local contact provides sufficient positioning reliability while minimizing the contact area and associated friction during rotation, reducing rotational resistance.
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
Facilitates faster and smoother blade movement between open and closed positions by minimizing biased contact, improving operational efficiency and user experience.
Implementation Method 1
a U-shaped spring member formed into at least one or preferably two opposing side panels of the assembly which is operatively mounted in the knife handle. The spring members are positioned to impart a biasing force to a cross bar
Data Source
AI summary
A knife assembly, having a blade rotationally engaged therewith, is provided. The assembly is positionable within a handle cavity of a knife handle. The blade is rotatable from a closed position located within a member cavity between two side members to an open position. Spring members formed into the side members deflect within a slot defining them to provide a biasing force to hold a cross bar engaged therewith in either a first indent or second indent on the blade, to hold the blade in the open or closed position. The cross bar is out of contact with the blade in a rear surface edge in between the two detents to allow for easy movement between the open and closed positions.