Offset Handle Disassembly Tool for Slicing Machine Blades

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing tools for disassembling and reassembling blades in slicing machines require excessive force and are awkward to use due to the central placement of the actuation handle, making it difficult to balance the blade during removal and reassembly, especially in conditions with dirt or oxide buildup.

Innovation Solution

A tool with a protective body and actuation handle system that includes a kinematic transmission to increase torque and a secondary axis for the actuation handle, allowing easier blade removal and reassembly with reduced force and improved balance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If the actuation handle is placed centrally on the protective body, then the tool structure is simplified, but the operator cannot balance the blade weight during movement, making the operation awkward and difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetool structureVSAvoidblade handling
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The actuation handle is moved from a central position to an offset position, creating an asymmetric arrangement that allows the operator to balance the blade weight during movement. This spatial repositioning in another dimension (offset distance from center) resolves the contradiction by maintaining structural simplicity while improving operational ease.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Device complexity

If the actuation element is rotated directly by the actuation handle, then the device structure is simple, but excessive manual force is required, especially in the presence of dirt or oxide

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveactuation mechanismVSAvoidmanual force required
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSForce

Solution Approach 1:

A transmission element is introduced as an intermediary between the actuation handle and the actuation element. This intermediary component provides mechanical advantage through a transmission ratio greater than 1, reducing the manual force required to rotate the actuation element while maintaining a simple overall device structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The transmission ratio of the actuation mechanism is changed to be greater than 1, which transforms the force parameter by reducing the input force required from the operator. This parameter change allows the system to overcome high friction conditions caused by dirt or oxide without increasing device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Ease of manufacture

If the actuation handle is positioned at the center of the protective body, then the tool design is symmetric and simple, but the weight of the blade cannot be balanced during movement

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetool designVSAvoidblade balance
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The actuation handle is positioned asymmetrically with respect to the center of the protective body, creating an offset arrangement that enables proper balancing of the blade weight during movement. This asymmetric design maintains ease of manufacture while significantly improving operational characteristics.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #4Asymmetry

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 tool enables safe and easy disassembly and reassembly of blades with lower manual force required, improving handling and balance, and is designed for absolute safety and cost-effectiveness.

Implementation Method 1

a kinematic transmission, which is adapted to increase the torque transmitted by said actuation handle to said actuation element

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectTorque: Torque

Data Source

PatentEP2723541B1Tool for safely disassembling and reassembling blades for slicing machines
Publication Date: 2015.08.05 SLAYER BLADES
  • EP2723541B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2723541B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2723541B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A tool for safely disassembling and reassembling blades for slicing machines. The tool (1) comprises a protective body (2) that is extended around a main axis (3) and has a perimetric profile adapted to be superimposed, with one of its sides, on a peripheral band of the blade (52). The protective body (2) supports rotatably, about the main axis (3), an actuation element (4) that can engage a rotatable locking element (59) of the blade (52) which is provided on the blade (52) and can engage the slicing machine. The protective body (2) supports, on its opposite side with respect to the side to be directed toward the blade (52), an actuation handle (5) which is connected to the actuation element (4) and can be maneuvered to turn the actuation element (4) with respect to the protective body (2) about the main axis (3). The actuation handle (5) is supported rotatably by the protective body (2) about a secondary axis (6), which is parallel and spaced with respect to the main axis (3) and is connected to the actuation element (4) through a kinematic transmission (7), which is adapted to increase the torque transmitted by the actuation handle (5) to the actuation element (4).