- Joined
- Dec 2, 1999
- Messages
- 12,249
This idea came to me in the middle of the night right after I woke up from a dream. So you guys can tell me if I ate too much pizza the evening before or if it's a good idea. Also I know Spyderco doesn't really make autos but I thought I mention it here first.
Basic Idea
Use rare earth magnets, a power source and some wire to electromagnetically open a folding knife.
Background
I wanted to use an example of where this idea came from. Have you ever taken a toy DC motor apart? IF you have you would see the following. There is a metal can with internal brackets to hold two often ferrite magnets. There is a central armature with three poles or lobes in which wire is wrapped. The ends of the wires are joined at a comutator and is contacted by the brushes that carry power to the wires. The action of the comutator controls current direction and rapidly flips the magnetic orientation of the poles. The pole change results in pushing and pulling in relation to the stationary magnets causes rotation.
Electro Magnetic Knife Opener Version 1
In version one of the backspacer of the knife is a permanent magnet oriented such that the N and S poles of the magnet are pointed out from the back along the spine of the knife and 180 degress out the opening channel. There may or may not be liners that would allow focussing of the lines of force.
The handle contains a power source* and electronis and switch. It also has contact "wipers" near the pivot.
The knife blade has milled channels near the pivot in which heavy wire is wrapped an inlayed. At each end if the inlay area there is a contact strip. These contact strips match the handle contacts when the knife is closed.
Theory of Operation
With the knife closed, The switch is pressed and the current sets up a field between the blade (armature) and the handle causing a force that ehjects the blade from the handle.
Version 2
Similar as version 1 but with magnets in the handle closer to the blade which will give a higher force then a backspacer magnet.
Version 3
In this version the blade itself has an imbedded magnet, and the coil of wires are now part of the handle. The magnet could even follow the contour of the blade, that is thicker towards the spine, so that the magnetic flux is also concentrated there. I think this would provide better opening action as the concentration of flux away from the coils towards the opening direction would results in greater leverage.
Theory of operation is the same, but there is now no need for the inlayed wire in the blade or any of the contact areas. Pressing the switch creates the field in the handle ejecting the blade.
Power source
My idea is to use a rechargeable Lithion battery in the handle with an inductive charger like the sonicare toothbrushes. The charger could be operated of an USB port on your computer for example.
The electronic controller could be programmed for different power release curves resulting is different openign behaviors. Perhaps there is even a small piezo electric element to privide audible feedback before or during the openign sequence. ( Think roadrunner sounds: "Beep Beep PWANGG")
Another improvement would be to allow manual opening and closing with would generate a smallamoutn of current ala regenerative breaking.
What to name it
I've come up with the following names so far. I think a catchy name helps with adoption and marketing. Feel free to suggest something.
MagDa
EMag
DIGMON - Dave's I'm Gonna be a Millionaire On royalties opening systeM
Basic Idea
Use rare earth magnets, a power source and some wire to electromagnetically open a folding knife.
Background
I wanted to use an example of where this idea came from. Have you ever taken a toy DC motor apart? IF you have you would see the following. There is a metal can with internal brackets to hold two often ferrite magnets. There is a central armature with three poles or lobes in which wire is wrapped. The ends of the wires are joined at a comutator and is contacted by the brushes that carry power to the wires. The action of the comutator controls current direction and rapidly flips the magnetic orientation of the poles. The pole change results in pushing and pulling in relation to the stationary magnets causes rotation.
Electro Magnetic Knife Opener Version 1
In version one of the backspacer of the knife is a permanent magnet oriented such that the N and S poles of the magnet are pointed out from the back along the spine of the knife and 180 degress out the opening channel. There may or may not be liners that would allow focussing of the lines of force.
The handle contains a power source* and electronis and switch. It also has contact "wipers" near the pivot.
The knife blade has milled channels near the pivot in which heavy wire is wrapped an inlayed. At each end if the inlay area there is a contact strip. These contact strips match the handle contacts when the knife is closed.
Theory of Operation
With the knife closed, The switch is pressed and the current sets up a field between the blade (armature) and the handle causing a force that ehjects the blade from the handle.
Version 2
Similar as version 1 but with magnets in the handle closer to the blade which will give a higher force then a backspacer magnet.
Version 3
In this version the blade itself has an imbedded magnet, and the coil of wires are now part of the handle. The magnet could even follow the contour of the blade, that is thicker towards the spine, so that the magnetic flux is also concentrated there. I think this would provide better opening action as the concentration of flux away from the coils towards the opening direction would results in greater leverage.
Theory of operation is the same, but there is now no need for the inlayed wire in the blade or any of the contact areas. Pressing the switch creates the field in the handle ejecting the blade.
Power source
My idea is to use a rechargeable Lithion battery in the handle with an inductive charger like the sonicare toothbrushes. The charger could be operated of an USB port on your computer for example.
The electronic controller could be programmed for different power release curves resulting is different openign behaviors. Perhaps there is even a small piezo electric element to privide audible feedback before or during the openign sequence. ( Think roadrunner sounds: "Beep Beep PWANGG")
Another improvement would be to allow manual opening and closing with would generate a smallamoutn of current ala regenerative breaking.
What to name it
I've come up with the following names so far. I think a catchy name helps with adoption and marketing. Feel free to suggest something.
MagDa
EMag
DIGMON - Dave's I'm Gonna be a Millionaire On royalties opening systeM
