Resilient Blade Positioning Mechanism for Folding Knife
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Solution Overview
Problem
Assisted-opening folding knives have a long rotation path for blade extension, leading to low smoothness of operation and safety issues, along with increased complexity and production costs.
Innovation Solution
A knife design featuring resilient elements with engaging portions that adjust to minimize the space required for blade extension, allowing the blade to be easily inserted or extended by deforming and moving along tracks within the handle, ensuring secure positioning and reduced operational complexity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the blade rotates at least 180 degrees to extend out of the handle, then the blade can be fully deployed for use, but the operation path becomes long and the smoothness of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The blade positioning mechanism transitions from a fixed rotation path to a dynamic adjustable path. The resilient elements allow the blade to adapt its extension path based on engagement position, enabling either full extension or retracted positioning. This dynamic adjustment reduces the operational travel distance while maintaining deployment functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the geometric parameters of blade movement by introducing resilient elements that modify the engagement geometry. The resilient elements with engaging portions create variable engagement points along the second tracks, allowing the blade to achieve functional deployment with reduced rotation angle and travel distance compared to conventional 180-degree rotation.
2Ease of operation
If improvements are made to the actuating mechanism to enhance smoothness, then the operation becomes smoother, but the structural complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges the actuating function with the positioning function into a single integrated mechanism. The pushing element acts simultaneously as the actuator and the positioning controller, while the resilient elements serve both as the actuating medium and the positioning elements. This consolidation reduces the number of separate components and simplifies the overall structure compared to complex multi-component actuating mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The resilient elements automatically perform the positioning function without requiring separate positioning mechanisms. When the pushing element actuates the blade, the resilient elements self-adjust through deformation to engage with the second tracks at appropriate positions, providing automatic positioning and smooth operation without additional complex control systems.
3Ease of operation
If the blade rotation path is reduced to improve smoothness, then operation becomes smoother, but the positioning stability may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The positioning system is segmented into multiple engagement points along the second tracks. The resilient elements can engage at different positions (fully retracted, partially extended, or fully extended) providing multiple stable positioning states. This segmentation allows short travel distance while maintaining stability at each engagement position through discrete locking points.
Solution Approach 2:
The resilient elements utilize elastic deformation (curvature change) to achieve engagement and disengagement. The resilient nature allows smooth transition between positions while the engagement portions provide stable locking when engaged with the second tracks. This curvature-based mechanism enables both smooth operation and stable positioning without requiring long travel paths.
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 design enhances the smoothness and safety of blade operation, reduces the space needed for extension, and maintains durability, making the knife more convenient and cost-effective to produce and use.
Implementation Method 1
the resilient elements are deformed, and the distance between the engaging portions is adjusted
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention is to provide a knife including a blade and a handle, wherein the blade has a first end provided with a projection and two resilient elements, each resilient element has one end protrudingly provided with an engaging portion, and the handle has a receiving space for receiving the blade and has a first track and two second tracks provided longitudinally thereon. The projection can be movably inserted in the first track. The distance between each pair of the corresponding ends of the second tracks corresponds to the distance between the engaging portions. Thus, when the engaging portions are respectively engaged in a pair of the corresponding ends of the second tracks, the engaging portions cannot move along the second tacks, such that either the blade is completely received and positioned in the handle, or a second end of blade is extended and positioned outside the handle.