Modular Putty Knife with Adjustable Blade Connector

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing putty knives have limited flexibility in design, leading to issues with spare parts availability and increased replacement costs, as they consist of permanently connected modules with additional accessories, making them less economical and less recyclable.

Innovation Solution

A putty knife design featuring a metal blade with a modular assembly system using a bolt and butterfly nut connection, allowing for adjustable angles and easy replacement of the blade, with a handle and connector system that uses universal sizes and radial protrusions for flexible use and recyclability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If putty knives consist of permanently connected modules with additional accessories, then structural stability is improved, but spare parts availability deteriorates and replacement costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural stabilityVSAvoidspare parts availability
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The putty knife is divided into separate modular components: a handle, a connector, and a blade that can be independently replaced. The connector features standardized openings that accept universal assembly kits, allowing the blade to be segmented and replaced without replacing the entire tool, thus improving spare parts availability while maintaining structural stability during use.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Strength

If putty knives consist of permanently connected modules with additional accessories, then structural integrity is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural integrityVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The putty knife is divided into separate modular components: a handle, a connector, and a blade that can be independently replaced. The connector features standardized openings that accept universal assembly kits, allowing the blade to be segmented and replaced without replacing the entire tool, thus improving spare parts availability while maintaining structural stability during use.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Ease of manufacture

If putty knives use non-modular designs, then manufacturing simplicity is improved, but recyclability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanufacturing simplicityVSAvoidrecyclability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The putty knife is divided into separate modular components: a handle, a connector, and a blade that can be independently replaced. The connector features standardized openings that accept universal assembly kits, allowing the blade to be segmented and replaced without replacing the entire tool, thus improving spare parts availability while maintaining structural stability during use.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

4Manufacturing precision

If putty knives have fixed blade angles, then manufacturing precision is improved, but adaptability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveblade angle precisionVSAvoidangle adjustability
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The connector is designed with openings that allow the blade to be attached at various angles relative to the handle. The universal assembly kit enables the blade angle to be dynamically adjusted and locked in position, providing adaptability for different application requirements while maintaining precise angular positioning through the standardized connection mechanism.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP4137655B1Putty knife
Publication Date: 2024.07.03 GRUPA NARZEDZIOWA SOLID SP Z O O SP KOMANDYTOWA
  • EP4137655B1 patent drawingFigure 1~5
  • EP4137655B1 patent drawingFigure 6~10
  • EP4137655B1 patent drawingFigure 11~12

AI summary

A putty knife (1) including a metal blade (2) and a handle (3) placed inside a connector (4), wherein the connector (4) is an angle-adjusted, removable connection between the handle (3) and the fixing profile, in which the working blade (2) is placed. The connector (4) includes a support (6) connected with the flat fixing profile (5) for the blade (2) using connecting elements (8) provided as bolts with butterfly nuts, and in addition, the connector (4) has a socket (9.1) with an opening (10) for the connecting element (11) connecting the connector (4) and the handle (3). The support (6) is flat in the area where the fixing profile (5) of the blade (2) is fixed. The handle (3) is provided at the end with a socket (9.2) cooperating with the socket (9.2) of the connector (4) using a connecting element (11). The sockets (9.1, 9.2) include complementary radial protrusions (12) with a triangular cross-section at cooperating contact surfaces. The support (6) is provided with stiffening elements in the form of ribs (7) and an aperture (13) for insertion of the fixing profile (5). The fixing profile (5) for the blade (2) and the connector (4) include at least two cooperating openings (14) each.