Utility Knife With V-Shaped Housing and Adjustable Blade Stop
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing utility knives require separate production for right- and left-handed users due to design asymmetry, leading to increased manufacturing and organizational expenses, and often lack automatic blade retraction, which complicates safe storage and handling.
Innovation Solution
A utility knife with a V-shaped front end and adjustable, lockable stop element allows the blade to be used by both right- and left-handed users, featuring a spring-actuated blade holder that can be secured in multiple positions, enabling adjustable blade extension lengths without additional manufacturing costs or complex mechanisms.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If separate production for right- and left-handed users is implemented, then ergonomic usability for specific user groups is improved, but manufacturing complexity and organizational expenses increase
Solution Approach 1:
The knife housing features an asymmetric V-shaped front end with a single actuator positioned on one side, creating a design that works ergonomically for both right-handed and left-handed users without requiring separate mirror-reversed versions. This asymmetric configuration resolves the contradiction by maintaining ease of operation for all users while avoiding the manufacturing complexity of producing multiple variants.
2Reliability
If automatic blade retraction is implemented, then safety during storage and handling is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The blade holder incorporates a spring mechanism that automatically retracts the blade into the housing when the actuator is released. This self-service mechanism ensures safety during storage and handling without requiring complex additional systems, as the spring automatically performs the retraction function upon release of the actuating force.
3Adaptability or versatility
If adjustable blade extension lengths are implemented, then adaptability to different applications is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The blade holder is designed with an adjustable stop element that can be positioned at different locations along the guide, allowing dynamic adjustment of the blade extension length. This enables the same knife to adapt to different cutting applications by simply repositioning the stop element, without requiring complex mechanisms or multiple knife variants.
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 solution enables comfortable use by both handedness groups with reduced manufacturing expenses, improved ergonomic design, and automatic blade retraction for enhanced safety and convenience.
Implementation Method 1
A spring braced between the holder and the housing urges the holder and the actuator longitudinally rearward in the housing toward the rear position
Data Source
AI summary
A utility knife for use with a replaceable flat blade, has an elongated housing having a longitudinally extending guide open at the front end, a longitudinally extending and transversely open slot, and a longitudinally extending holding face directed transversely opposite to the stop. A blade holder having a seat for the blade is slidable in the housing between a front use position forwardly bearing on a longitudinally displaceable stop and with the blade projecting longitudinally forwardly from the guide past the front end and a rear storage position with the blade wholly contained in the housing rearward of the front end and the holder out of engagement with the stop. The stop can be secured in any of a plurality of longitudinally offset positions in the housing to adjust the front position of the blade.