Portable Knife Sharpener with Adjustable Clamping and Guide Rod

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing knife sharpeners lack portability, precision, and consistency in sharpening angles, particularly for knives with non-uniform thickness and complex cutting edges, and often require additional tools and steps for adjustment, limiting their effectiveness for field use and precise sharpening.

Innovation Solution

A portable knife sharpener with a clamping mechanism that includes adjustable jaws and a guide rod system, allowing for precise control of sharpening angles and depths, and the ability to securely hold knives of varying thicknesses, featuring a base with a mounting rail and angle adjustment assemblies for secure attachment of components, enabling repeatable and controlled sharpening.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Weight of moving object

If a portable knife sharpener is designed to be compact and lightweight, then portability is improved, but precision and stability during use deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveweight of sharpenerVSAvoidsharpening angle precision

Core Design Contradiction:

Weight of moving objectVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The sharpener is divided into separate modular components: a base unit, a clamping assembly, and an angle adjustment assembly. These segments can be disassembled for compact storage and transport, then reassembled at the point of use to provide precision sharpening. The segmentation allows the device to be lightweight yet maintain precision when assembled.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The clamping members are designed to be movable rather than fixed, allowing adjustment of the clamping force and position to accommodate different knife types and thicknesses. The angle adjustment assembly enables dynamic modification of the sharpening angle to match specific knife requirements, maintaining precision across various applications.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If clamping members are made adjustable to accommodate various knife thicknesses, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadjustability to different knife thicknessesVSAvoidcomplexity of clamping mechanism

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The adjustment mechanisms for clamping members and angle adjustment are integrated into a unified assembly that works together through a common adjustment system. This merging reduces the number of separate complex mechanisms needed, allowing versatile adjustment capability while controlling overall device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The clamping assembly is designed with universal adjustment capabilities that can accommodate multiple knife types and thicknesses through a single mechanism system. The same adjustment components serve multiple functions: positioning, clamping, and angle adjustment, reducing the need for specialized components for each function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Device complexity

If a fixed clamping position is used to simplify the mechanism, then device complexity is reduced, but the ability to handle non-uniform thickness and complex edges deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesimplicity of clamping mechanismVSAvoidability to handle non-uniform thickness

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The clamping members transition from fixed to dynamic positioning, allowing movement along the knife blade to accommodate non-uniform thickness. This dynamic capability enables the user to adjust the clamping position to match the specific geometry of different knife edges while maintaining a relatively simple overall mechanism.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The clamping members are designed with differentiated local properties: one clamping member provides primary positioning while the other provides adjustment capability. This local differentiation allows handling of non-uniform thickness without requiring complete complexity throughout the entire clamping mechanism.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

4Manufacturing precision

If additional adjustment components are added to achieve precise angles, then manufacturing precision is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesharpening angle consistencyVSAvoidnumber of adjustment steps

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple adjustment functions (clamping position, angle adjustment, and securement) are merged into an integrated assembly that can be adjusted and secured in a single operational sequence. This merging reduces the number of separate adjustment steps while maintaining precise angle control through the unified mechanism design.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS11685010B2Adjustable sharpening apparatus and method for cutting implements

Publication Date: 2023.06.27 ALLISON CLAY A

AI summary

A sharpening apparatus includes a base having a top surface with a channel or mounting rail. A clamping assembly is configured to be secured to base via the rail or channel. When installed, the clamping assembly includes a pair of jaws extending upward from the top of the base in opposed alignment with distal ends of each jaw adjustably spaced to grip a cutting implement. A guide rod has an end configured to be pivotably mounted to the base via the rail or channel and so that the rod's position along the base is adjustable by sliding movement along the rail or channel.