Handheld Cutting Tool with Retractable Blade and Magnetic Actuator
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing utility knives are difficult to hold, pose a risk of injury due to exposed blades, and lack secure storage options, making them unsafe and inconvenient for use.
Innovation Solution
A handheld cutting tool with a body design that includes a planar first surface and a second surface, an actuator assembly that transitions between storage and cutting configurations, and a blade that retracts into the body for safe storage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the blade is exposed for cutting, then cutting functionality is improved, but the risk of self-inflicted wounds increases
Solution Approach 1:
The blade is designed to be dynamically extendable and retractable rather than fixed. The actuator assembly allows the blade to transition between retracted and extended positions, enabling the user to have the blade exposed only when needed for cutting, and retracted when not in use to prevent accidental injury.
Solution Approach 2:
The blade is preliminarily kept in a retracted position before cutting operations. The user must actively extend the blade using the actuator assembly before use, ensuring that the blade is only exposed when intentionally prepared for cutting, thereby preventing accidental contact.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the blade is retracted for safety, then the risk of injury is reduced, but cutting accessibility is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The blade position is made dynamic through the actuator assembly, allowing quick transition between retracted and extended states. This enables the blade to be easily accessible when needed while maintaining safety when retracted, resolving the contradiction between safety and accessibility.
3Ease of manufacture
If the utility knife has a simple design, then manufacturing cost is reduced, but secure storage capability is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The actuator assembly and blade are nested within the body of the utility knife. When the blade is retracted, it fits within the body housing, and the actuator assembly is contained within the same structure. This nested design provides secure storage capability while maintaining a compact, manufacturable form factor.
Solution Approach 2:
The utility knife is segmented into distinct functional components: the body, the blade, and the actuator assembly. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently while maintaining overall simplicity, with the actuator assembly providing the secure storage mechanism through its removable and retractable design.
4Productivity
If the blade is easily accessible, then cutting efficiency is improved, but the difficulty of securing storage increases
Solution Approach 1:
The blade accessibility is made dynamic through the actuator assembly, which allows quick extension and retraction. This dynamic mechanism enables efficient cutting when extended while providing secure storage when retracted, balancing productivity and storage security without excessive complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The actuator assembly is designed to be manually operated by the user without requiring additional tools or complex mechanisms. The user can easily extend and retract the blade through direct manual operation, making the system self-service oriented and reducing overall device complexity while maintaining efficient access and secure storage.
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 provides a safer cutting experience by reducing the risk of self-inflicted wounds and allows for secure storage, making it easier to handle and use, especially for users with limited dexterity or strength.
Implementation Method 1
The actuator assembly is magnetically coupled to the body
Data Source
AI summary
According to an embodiment, an apparatus includes a body having a first surface and a second surface, the first surface having a surface area greater than an area of a cross section normal to the first surface, the body defining an aperture that defines a normal axis substantially normal to the first surface and the second surface. The apparatus also includes an actuator assembly magnetically coupled to the body, at least a portion of the actuator assembly being disposed within the aperture. The apparatus also includes a cutting member coupled to the actuator assembly and having (1) a surface substantially normal to the first surface and (2) a cutting edge configured to be disposed (a) between the first surface and the second surface while the actuator assembly is in the storage configuration and (b) proud to the first surface while the actuator assembly is in the cutting configuration.