Cajón Playing Device Foot-Operated Mallet Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional cajón playing devices have complex structures, high component costs, and time-consuming assembly processes due to the use of a pedal assembly and cable system, which is prone to vibration-induced damage and limited adaptability to different user stepping habits.
Innovation Solution
A cajón playing device featuring a bottom plate with an extension arm, a mallet assembly with a rotating shaft and extension spring, and a pedal lever with a transmission member, allowing direct force transmission and adaptability to various foot placement angles through a simplified design with a bottom plate, mallet assembly, and pedal lever.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a pedal assembly with cable system is used to transmit force from the pedal to the mallet, then the mallet can be struck by foot operation, but the device complexity and component cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and removes the complex pedal assembly and cable transmission system from the conventional design. Instead of using a separate pedal assembly connected via cable, the patent integrates the foot-operated mechanism directly into the mallet assembly, eliminating the intermediary cable transmission component and simplifying the overall structure while maintaining foot-operated functionality
Solution Approach 2:
The invention merges the pedal function and mallet assembly into a single integrated unit. The foot-operated lever is directly connected to the mallet shaft, combining what were previously separate components (pedal assembly and striking mechanism) into one unified structure, thereby reducing component count and assembly complexity
2Power
If a cable system is used to connect the pedal to the mallet shaft, then force transmission is achieved, but the assembly process becomes time-consuming and laborious
Solution Approach 1:
The invention removes the cable from the force transmission path. By eliminating the cable connection between pedal and mallet shaft, the assembly process no longer requires time-consuming cable routing, tensioning, and securing operations, significantly reducing assembly time while maintaining effective force transmission through direct mechanical connection
Solution Approach 2:
By merging the force transmission function directly into the structural components (lever connected to shaft), the invention eliminates the need for separate cable installation steps. The integrated design allows for quicker assembly as components are directly connected rather than requiring intermediate cable connections
3Power
If the cable is connected to the transverse shaft where the mallet is provided, then force transmission is achieved, but the cable is subject to vibrations and may break or fall off
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the cable from the system entirely, removing it from the vibration-prone connection point at the transverse shaft. By eliminating the cable intermediary, the design removes the source of vibration-induced cable failure while maintaining force transmission through rigid mechanical connections that can withstand striking vibrations
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces the vulnerable cable (prone to breaking from vibration) with a more durable integrated mechanical connection. The direct structural connection between lever and shaft is designed to withstand repeated vibration and impact, eliminating the need for cable replacement and maintenance
4Ease of operation
If a conventional pedal assembly with multiple components is used, then foot-operated striking is achieved, but the production cost increases due to high component costs
Solution Approach 1:
The invention removes the expensive pedal assembly components (pedal plate, support structure, cable, connecting mechanisms) from the design. By eliminating these separate components, the bill of materials is significantly reduced, lowering production costs while maintaining the essential foot-operated striking function through a simplified integrated structure
Solution Approach 2:
By merging multiple expensive components into a single integrated mallet assembly, the invention reduces the total component count and associated manufacturing costs. The integrated design requires fewer parts to manufacture, assemble, and quality-check, thereby reducing overall production expenses
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 results in a more durable, cost-effective, and rapidly assembled device that can accommodate different user stepping habits, with improved durability and reduced component complexity, ensuring reliable operation and ease of assembly.
Implementation Method 1
an extension spring connected to one end of the rotating shaft so that, once the rotating shaft is rotated from its original position, the extension spring can rotate the rotating shaft reversely back to the original position
Implementation Method 2
The pedal lever is pivotally provided on the pivotal connection portion of the extension arm such that the pivotal connection portion serves as a fulcrum of the pedal lever. One end of the pedal lever defines a foot-operated portion to be stepped on and operated by a foot.
Data Source
AI summary
A cajón playing device consists essentially of a bottom plate, a mallet assembly, and a pedal lever. The mallet assembly is mounted on the bottom plate and has a rotating shaft, a mallet fixedly connected to the rotating shaft so as to pivot simultaneously with the rotating shaft when the rotating shaft is rotated, and a transmission member fixedly connected to the rotating shaft and extending toward the bottom plate. The pedal lever has a middle section pivotally provided on a lateral side of the bottom plate, one end connected to the extending end of the transmission member, and the opposite end bent into a curved foot-operated portion. When the foot-operated portion is operated, the pedal lever is pivoted and drives the transmission member to rotate the rotating shaft such that the mallet fixedly connected to the rotating shaft is pivoted and strikes the striking surface of a cajón.