Adjustable Chin Support with Ball Joint and Eccentric Post
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current chin support designs for violinists and violists are inadequate, failing to accommodate the varied neck lengths, chin shapes, and playing styles, leading to discomfort and health issues due to their one-size-fits-all approach, lacking sufficient adjustability along multiple axes.
Innovation Solution
A chin support device featuring a chin-plate with a ball joint and clamp for adjustable angles and an eccentric post with a base-clamp for customizable height and lateral position, allowing players to adjust rotation, yaw, pitch, tilt, and roll, along with a bracket for secure attachment to the instrument.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a one-size-fits-all chin support design is used, then the device complexity is reduced and manufacturing is simplified, but the adaptability to different players' needs deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The chin support is divided into multiple independently adjustable segments: the chin plate can be adjusted along the x-axis (lateral position), y-axis (height), and z-axis (rotation angle). Each axis has its own adjustment mechanism, allowing players to customize the position to match their unique anatomy while maintaining manageable device complexity through modular design.
Solution Approach 2:
The chin support transitions from a static, fixed-position design to a dynamic, multi-axis adjustable system. Players can adjust the chin plate position along three axes and lock it in place, enabling the device to adapt to different players' needs while maintaining structural integrity through locking mechanisms.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple adjustment mechanisms are added to accommodate varied player needs, then the adaptability improves, but the device complexity and difficulty of operation increase
Solution Approach 1:
The adjustment mechanisms use universal components and standardized interfaces that allow a single type of mechanism to handle multiple adjustment functions. The chin plate can be adjusted along three axes using similar mechanical principles, reducing the learning curve and operational complexity despite the multiple degrees of freedom available.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the chin support structure is made more adjustable with multiple axes, then the comfort and security for individual players improves, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The multi-axis adjustability is achieved through segmented, modular components rather than a single complex mechanism. Each axis of adjustment has its own independent mechanism with standardized tolerances, allowing manufacturing precision to be maintained at each component level while achieving overall high adaptability when assembled.
Data Source
AI summary
Instrument chin support, and method providing a means for adjusting placement along any and all 3-dimensional axes (x, y, z). An assembled chin support can include a chin-plate shaped to provide the player with comfort; a ball joint and clamp that allow the adjustment of any or all angles in the x, y and z axes (i.e. rotation, yaw, pitch, tilt, and roll); an eccentric post that mates with a base-clamp so as to provide the player with a means to customize the height and lateral position (i.e. y and z axes) of the chin-plate; and a bracket commonly known in the art to affix the chin support to the instrument. Advantages include providing players with a chin support that players can customize to their individual body. By doing so this chin support can help alleviate most of the adverse health concerns many players struggle with while playing their instrument.