Applying TRIZ to develop radical innovations for knife sheaths

摘要

A general knife sheath is used as a cover of a knife for safe keeping and carrying. However, the hygiene of the inside of the sheath can't be checked and maintained effectively. This study bases on user-centered considerations, reviews the food preparing-cutting-finishing process, and redefines the latent problems. TRIZ methods such as Contradiction Matrix and 40 Inventive Principles are applied to solve the finding problems. With the foldable-extendable structure, the new sheath design can not only effectively maintain hygiene, but also link the function of a cutting board. The result proposes a radical innovative entity, Cutting Mate, and provides more safety, convenience, and new cutting experience to the users.