Snap-Off Serrated Multi-Tool Blade for Longer Edge Life
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing oscillating tool blades wear out quickly and are typically discarded as a whole assembly, leading to material and cost waste, despite being usable for only a fraction of their potential lifespan.
Innovation Solution
A blade assembly for oscillating tools featuring serrated edges with strategically placed cutouts along the blade section, allowing the worn front edge to be snapped off, revealing a new cutting edge, thereby extending the blade's usable life and reducing waste.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the entire blade assembly is discarded when the cutting edge wears out, then a new sharp blade is guaranteed, but material and cost are wasted
Solution Approach 1:
The blade section is segmented into multiple cutting edges by providing lines of cutouts along its length. Each segment between cutouts can be independently snapped off to reveal a fresh cutting edge, transforming the blade from a single-use component into a multi-segment reusable tool that reduces material waste.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of discarding the entire blade assembly when one cutting edge wears out, only the worn front segment is snapped off and discarded. The remaining blade section with intact cutting edges is recovered and continues to be used, significantly reducing material waste and cost.
2Duration of action of moving object
If multiple lines of cutouts are provided along the blade section, then the blade can be used up to eleven times longer, but the blade section requires more material
Solution Approach 1:
The blade section is divided into multiple segments by cutouts, creating up to eleven usable cutting edges from a single blade section. This segmentation allows the blade to be reused multiple times by snapping off only the worn segment, extending its operational life without requiring proportionally more material.
Solution Approach 2:
The blade section is made slightly longer than a standard blade to accommodate multiple lines of cutouts, but the additional material used is minimal compared to the ten-fold extension in usable life. This partial increase in material quantity delivers excessive value in terms of blade longevity.
3Ease of repair
If cutouts are provided along the blade section, then worn edges can be snapped off to reveal new edges, but the structural integrity of the blade section is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The blade section is segmented by cutouts that create controlled weakness lines, allowing the blade to be easily snapped at these predetermined locations to refresh the cutting edge. The segmentation enables easy repair without compromising the overall structural integrity when the blade is complete.
Solution Approach 2:
The cutouts are pre-formed during manufacturing to create predetermined break lines. This preliminary action ensures that when the blade needs refreshing, it can be cleanly snapped at these pre-weakened locations rather than requiring complex repair procedures, maintaining structural integrity through design.
4Ease of manufacture
If the blade assembly is made as a single welded unit, then manufacturing is simplified, but the entire assembly must be discarded when the blade wears
Solution Approach 1:
The blade assembly is segmented into the attachment section and the blade section, which are detachably connected rather than permanently welded. This allows the blade section to be independently replaced or refreshed without discarding the attachment section, reducing material waste while maintaining manufacturing simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The detachable connection enables selective discarding and recovering of components. When the blade wears out, only the blade section is discarded or replaced, while the attachment section is recovered and reused with a new blade section, reducing overall material waste.
Data Source
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AI summary
A blade for an oscillating multi-tool is disclosed. The blade has multiple snap-off sections which can be removed to reveal a new serrated cutting edge. At least one line of cutouts is provided along the width of the blade section, behind a serrated front edge, each cutout defining at least one substantially forward-facing point, and the cutouts are spaced apart along the width of the blade section, a front part of the blade section forward of the cutouts being attached a rear part of the blade section behind the cutouts at least by material in the spaces laterally between the cutouts.