Utility Knife Auto-Ejecting Blade Carrier Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing utility knife designs face difficulties in easily accessing and securely storing spare blades due to a blade storing carrier that is hard to open and can disengage from the housing over time, making it inconvenient and unreliable for prolonged use.
Innovation Solution
A utility knife with an auto-ejecting mechanism featuring a blade storing carrier that includes a receiving portion with an elastic unit and a locking mechanism, allowing for easy insertion and secure storage of spare blades, which automatically biases the carrier to project out for easy access and removal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the blade storing carrier is pivotally connected and tightly fitted within the housing, then the carrier is securely held, but it becomes hard to grip and open
Solution Approach 1:
The blade storing carrier is designed to be movable between a stored position (received within the housing) and a protruding position (projecting from the housing). The elastic unit provides dynamic force to automatically eject the carrier from the housing, making it easily accessible without requiring manual gripping or opening operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The elastic unit is configured to automatically eject the blade storing carrier from the housing without requiring user intervention. When the carrier is inserted, the elastic unit stores energy and automatically propels the carrier outward, enabling self-service operation.
2Reliability
If the blade storing carrier is tightly fitted to the housing, then secure storage is achieved, but the carrier can disengage after prolonged use
Solution Approach 1:
The blade storing carrier is extracted from the tight fitting arrangement and redesign as a detachable component. The carrier can be easily removed from and reinserted into the housing, eliminating wear-related disengagement issues while maintaining secure storage through the detent mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The carrier transitions from a static tight-fitting design to a dynamic movable design. The elastic unit and detent mechanism work together to provide secure holding during storage while enabling easy removal and reinsertion, preventing disengagement over time.
3Volume of moving object
If the blade storing carrier is received within the housing, then compact storage is achieved, but access to spare blades becomes inconvenient
Solution Approach 1:
The blade storing carrier automatically transitions from a compact stored position within the housing to an accessible protruding position using the elastic unit. This dynamic movement provides convenient access to spare blades while maintaining compact storage when not in use.
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 auto-ejecting mechanism provides a convenient and reliable method for accessing spare blades, ensuring they are securely stored and easily retrievable, enhancing the usability and durability of the utility knife.
Implementation Method 1
an elastic unit, disposed between the housing and the blade storing carrier, biasing the receiving portion in a direction opposite to the assembling direction
Data Source
AI summary
A utility knife is provided, including: a housing, including first and second compartments; a blade holder, movably received within the first compartment; a blade storing carrier, detachably inserted in the second compartment, including a receiving portion for receiving at least one spare blade; an elastic unit, disposed between the housing and the blade storing carrier; and a locking mechanism, including a base body disposed to the housing, a movable member attached to the base body and movable between locking and release positions, a first engaging member disposed on the movable member and a second engaging member disposed on the receiving portion and releasably engagable with the first engaging member, when the is second engaging member is disengaged from the second engaging member, the elastic unit biases the receiving portion to eject the blade storing carrier.