OTF Knife Shuttle Locking for Smooth Blade Retraction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing retractable knife designs lack comprehensive solutions for reliable blade locking, smooth blade deployment and retraction, and user-friendly operation, posing safety concerns and functionality issues.
Innovation Solution
A knife design featuring a base body and slider body with a cavity housing a shuttle and spring mechanism, allowing for secure blade extension and retraction through a shuttle pin engagement system, enhanced by magnets and textured surfaces for safety and stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a retractable blade mechanism is used, then blade safety and convenience are improved, but reliability of blade locking and stability during use deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The knife mechanism is divided into separate functional components: a blade assembly, a shuttle mechanism, a locking mechanism with lock arm, and a spring assembly. Each component performs a specific function, allowing the blade to be reliably locked in extended or retracted positions while maintaining ease of operation through the shuttle's engagement and disengagement with the lock arm.
Solution Approach 2:
The shuttle acts as an intermediary component between the blade assembly and the locking mechanism. It carries the blade and mediates the locking action by engaging with the lock arm, ensuring the blade is securely locked when extended while allowing smooth retraction when the spring releases it.
2Reliability
If locking mechanisms are added to secure the blade, then safety is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The locking mechanism is merged with the shuttle assembly, combining the blade carriage function and the locking function into a single integrated mechanism. The lock arm is positioned to engage directly with the shuttle, eliminating the need for separate locking components and reducing overall device complexity while maintaining reliable blade securing.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring assembly provides automatic resetting of the locking mechanism. When the blade is retracted, the spring automatically returns the lock arm to its engaged position, ensuring the blade is secured without requiring additional actuators or complex control systems.
3Reliability
If a shuttle mechanism with spring is used, then blade retraction reliability is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The spring assembly provides mechanical feedback to the shuttle mechanism, automatically returning the blade to the retracted position after extension. This feedback mechanism ensures reliable retraction while the user only needs to apply minimal force to initiate the extension, as the spring assists the return motion.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring assembly creates a periodic action where the blade is extended by user input, then automatically returned to the retracted position by spring force. This periodic extension-retraction cycle ensures the blade is reliably secured in both positions while maintaining ease of operation through the automatic resetting action.
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
Provides reliable blade locking, smooth operation, and user-friendly features, enhancing safety and functionality by preventing accidental deployment or retraction.
Implementation Method 1
The shuttle spring biases the shuttle in the retracted direction such that when the releasable key is released to an unlocked position, the shuttle is moved toward a second end of the base body
Implementation Method 2
Sliding the slider body causes the shuttle pin to be engaged or disengaged to the slider body, depending on whether the user is attempting to extend or retract the blade
Data Source
AI summary
A knife is disclosed, comprising a base body and a slider body with a cavity therebetween, housing a shuttle carrying a knife blade. The shuttle includes a shuttle pin configured to engage the base or slider body, and a shuttle spring configured to bias the shuttle to a retracted position. A releasable lock, constrained between the shuttle and base body, locks the shuttle in an extended position, with a releasable lock spring biasing it towards the locked position. A shoulder on the slider body engages the releasable lock upon slider retraction, releasing it to allow the shuttle to retract. This design provides a secure and efficient mechanism for deploying and retracting the knife blade, enhancing user safety and convenience.