Folding Multi-Tool Jaw Biasing and Locking for Secure Positioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Multipurpose tools face challenges in providing controlled movement and secure engagement of tool members between open and closed positions, while maintaining a compact and lightweight design, which affects their usability and durability.
Innovation Solution
The tool incorporates a resilient member and a tool lock mechanism with a cam follower system to apply bias forces to the jaws, allowing for infinite positioning and secure engagement of tool members, along with a handle interlock to prevent lateral movement in the closed position, enhancing the tool's versatility and durability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Weight of moving object
If a multipurpose tool is designed to be foldable with tool members stored within handles, then the tool size and weight are reduced for portability, but the control and secure engagement of tool members during deployment become more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The tool members are segmented into modular components that can be independently deployed and secured. Each tool member (knife, saw, scissors) can be independently rotated from a stowed position within the handle to an operational position, where it is secured by a separate lock mechanism. This segmentation allows each component to be reliably engaged independently while maintaining overall tool compactness.
Solution Approach 2:
The resilient member is pre-loaded to store elastic energy that automatically engages the tool member with the lock mechanism upon deployment. When the tool member is rotated to its operational position, the resilient member's stored energy automatically secures it in place without requiring additional user action, ensuring reliable engagement before the user begins work.
2Volume of moving object
If tool members are stored within handles to reduce tool size, then compactness is improved, but the movement control and positioning precision of tool members deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The resilient member and lock mechanism form a self-servicing system that automatically positions and secures the tool member in its operational state. As the tool member is rotated from the stowed position, the resilient member's elastic force automatically guides it into proper alignment and secures it at the precise operational position, eliminating the need for complex external positioning mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The system utilizes changes in the resilient member's elastic parameters (force, displacement) during the deployment process to achieve precise positioning. The resilient member's force-displacement characteristics are designed to provide stable equilibrium positions that correspond to the desired operational positions of the tool members, ensuring precise positioning through material parameter optimization.
3Ease of operation
If a resilient member is used to apply bias force to jaws during rotation, then controlled movement and infinite positioning are achieved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The resilient member acts as an intermediary element between the user's manual deployment action and the tool member's operational positioning. It mediates the force transmission and provides continuous bias force during rotation, enabling smooth controlled movement and infinite positioning without requiring complex control systems or multiple discrete components.
Solution Approach 2:
The resilient member exploits changes in its elastic parameters (compression, tension, bending) during the rotation process to provide controlled movement. As the handles rotate from closed to open position, the resilient member's deformation state changes continuously, providing the necessary bias force to control movement while maintaining simplicity through a single elastic element rather than complex mechanical systems.
4Reliability
If the tool lock has a curved profile to engage with planar end wall, then secure retention is achieved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The tool lock employs an asymmetric design where the curved profile is localized to the engagement surface that contacts the planar end wall of the tool member. This asymmetric curvature provides secure retention through geometric interlocking while the rest of the lock body maintains simple, manufacturable forms. The asymmetric feature is concentrated only where needed for functional performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The curved profile of the tool lock's engagement surface provides secure retention by complementing the planar end wall of the tool member through curved-to-flat contact. This curvature enables reliable engagement and resistance to disengagement forces while the curved surface can be manufactured using standard forming or machining processes, balancing retention performance with manufacturing feasibility.
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 enables smooth and controlled movement of handles between open and closed positions, secure retention of tool members, and prevents inadvertent opening or closing, thereby improving the tool's functionality and user experience.
Implementation Method 1
a resilient member disposed at least partially within the opening in order to apply a bias force to the first jaw during rotation of the first jaw relative to the first handle
Implementation Method 2
a tool lock mechanism with a cam follower system to apply bias forces to the jaws, allowing for infinite positioning and secure engagement of tool members
Implementation Method 3
a handle interlock to limit or prevent lateral movement of the handles relative to one another in an instance in which the multipurpose tool is in a closed position
Data Source
AI summary
A tool is provided in order to facilitate utilization by users in a wide variety of applications. By way of example, a multipurpose tool may include first and second handles configured for relative movement between a closed position and an open position. At least the first handle includes an axle extending thereacross. The multipurpose tool also includes one or more tool members rotatably mounted upon the axle and foldable into the first handle and first and second jaws rotatably connected to the first and second handles, respectively. At least the first jaw defines an opening through which the axle of the first handle extends. The multipurpose tool further includes a resilient member disposed at least partially within the opening in order to apply a bias force to the first jaw during rotation of the first jaw relative to the first handle.