Replaceable Workpiece Lockback Tool Handle
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional folding knives and similar tools lack versatility and convenience due to fixed workpiece structures, making it difficult for consumers to adapt to new tool types and increasing production costs for manufacturers.
Innovation Solution
A lockback tool design featuring a replaceable workpiece body with a handle and lockback element, allowing for easy replacement of workpieces such as blades, axes, or chisels through a combination of engagement parts and a resilient plate mechanism, enabling users to switch between different tools and reducing production costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a fixed workpiece structure is used in conventional folding knives, then the structural simplicity and manufacturing ease are maintained, but the versatility and adaptability to different consumer demands deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The workpiece is divided into a fixed handle portion and a replaceable workpiece portion. The handle maintains its original simple structure while the workpiece can be detached and replaced, allowing different workpieces to be used with the same handle to meet different consumer demands.
Solution Approach 2:
The handle is designed as a universal base that can accommodate multiple types of workpieces through the replaceable workpiece mechanism. This allows a single handle to serve multiple functions by simply changing the workpiece attachment.
2Ease of manufacture
If a fixed workpiece structure is used, then the manufacturing cost per unit is lower, but the total production cost increases due to needing to produce multiple separate tool types
Solution Approach 1:
By creating a universal handle that can accept different workpieces, the manufacturer can produce one handle design in large quantities and then produce various workpieces separately. This reduces the total production cost compared to manufacturing multiple complete tool types, while still meeting diverse consumer demands.
Solution Approach 2:
The workpiece is designed to be replaceable and potentially disposable, while the expensive handle component is retained and reused. This allows consumers to replace only the workpiece when needing a different function, rather than purchasing entirely new tools.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a replaceable workpiece mechanism is implemented, then the versatility and consumer adaptability improve, but the device complexity and initial manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The tool is segmented into a permanent handle and a replaceable workpiece. This segmentation allows the complex replacement mechanism to be minimized to only what is necessary for attaching and detaching workpieces, rather than redesigning the entire tool structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The replacement mechanism is designed to be user-operated without requiring special tools or complex procedures. The user can easily attach and detach workpieces themselves, which simplifies the overall system design while maintaining high versatility.
4Ease of repair
If conventional fixed blade structures are used, then the structural reliability is maintained, but the ease of repair and replacement deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
By separating the workpiece from the handle, the system allows easy replacement of worn or damaged workpieces while preserving the reliable handle structure. The handle remains permanently attached and tested for reliability, while the workpiece becomes a replaceable component.
Solution Approach 2:
When a workpiece becomes worn or damaged, only the workpiece portion needs to be replaced rather than the entire tool. The handle is recovered and reused, making the repair process simple and cost-effective while maintaining the reliability of the proven handle design.
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
Enables users to easily replace workpieces, reducing purchase and maintenance costs while allowing manufacturers to produce tools more flexibly, meeting diverse consumer demands with a single handle and interchangeable workpieces.
Implementation Method 1
the free end of the resilient plate outwardly pushes the other end of the lockback element
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention is to provide a lockback tool, which includes a workpiece body having a workpiece portion adjacent to an end thereof and a positioning slot disposed thereon adjacent to the other end thereof; a handle defining an accommodating space therein and having a resilient plate and at least one positioning stud disposed inside accommodating space so that, when the other end of workpiece body is inserted into accommodating space, positioning stud can be engaged into positioning slot; and a lockback element pivotally connected in the handle and having one end adjacent to the workpiece portion and the other end being pushed by the resilient plate so that the workpiece portion can be locked by the end of the lockback element or, when the other end being pressed by an external force against the resilient plate, the workpiece portion can be released from the end of the lockback element.