Wire Clip Knife Handle Assembly to Prevent Clip Rotation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Folding knives with wire clips face challenges in securely attaching the clip to plastic or composite handles without the need for metal inserts, as screw holes can deform or strip, leading to rotation and movement of the clip.
Innovation Solution
A handle design with through-holes, clip holes, and recessed slots, combined with a screw fastener, secures the wire clip by engaging both the handle and clip ends, preventing rotation and movement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If wire clips are attached to plastic or composite handles with screws, then the clips can be securely attached, but the screw holes deform or strip causing the clips to rotate and move
Solution Approach 1:
The attachment interface is segmented into multiple components: a through-hole for screw insertion, a clip hole for clip end reception, and a recessed slot for positive engagement. This segmentation allows each feature to perform its specific function - the through-hole provides access, the clip hole positions the clip end, and the recessed slot prevents rotation and movement, collectively solving the attachment security problem without requiring metal inserts
Solution Approach 2:
The recessed slot acts as an intermediary feature between the clip end and the handle body. It provides a positive engagement surface that mediates the connection, preventing the clip from rotating or moving while allowing the screw to secure the assembly. This intermediary feature enables reliable attachment to soft plastic or composite materials without causing hole deformation or stripping
2Reliability
If metal inserts are used to securely attach wire clips, then the connection is more secure, but the cost and labor increase
Solution Approach 1:
The handle design incorporates self-service features that eliminate the need for separate metal inserts. The recessed slot and clip hole configuration allows the clip end itself to create the engagement features during assembly, with the clip end forming its own retention mechanism within the recessed slot. This self-service approach provides secure attachment without additional components, reducing both material cost and assembly labor
Solution Approach 2:
The attachment features (through-hole, clip hole, recessed slot) are merged into the handle body as integral features rather than separate components. The recessed slot and clip hole are formed directly in the plastic or composite handle material, combining the functions of positioning, retention, and screw mounting into a single integrated attachment interface. This merging eliminates the need for separate metal inserts while maintaining connection security
Data Source
AI summary
A knife includes a blade, a handle coupled to the blade, and a clip coupled to the handle at a plurality of attachment interfaces. The clip may be a wire clip which can be difficult to couple to a handle. The coupling at each of the plurality of attachment interfaces includes a through-hole in the handle, a clip hole in the handle intersecting the through-hole, a recessed slot in the handle extending from the clip hole, a clip end of the clip positioned at least partially within the clip hole and extending at least partially into the recessed slot, and a fastener removable positioned within the through-hole. The fastener may be a screw with threads configured to engage both the handle and the clip end to secure the clip to the handle and prevent twisting of the clip relative to the handle.