Eccentric Rotor Tuning Machine for High Gear Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional geared tuning machines for stringed instruments are limited by small gear ratios due to fine teeth, which are prone to damage and cannot easily achieve high gear reduction ratios like 36:1 without increasing weight and cost, making them unsuitable for small or large instruments.
Innovation Solution
A tuning machine design featuring an input shaft with an eccentric, a rotor with external lobes, and ring gears with internal teeth, allowing for a wide range of gear reduction ratios, including high ratios, through a combination of upper and lower ring gears that accommodate the rotor's circular motion, enabling efficient string tension adjustment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional geared tuning machines use small gear teeth to achieve higher gear reduction ratios, then the gear reduction ratio is improved, but the teeth become too fine and are easily damaged
Solution Approach 1:
The gear system is divided into two separate ring gears (first ring gear and second ring gear) that work in sequence with the rotor. This segmentation allows each gear stage to operate at optimal tooth sizes while achieving cumulative high gear reduction ratio
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from a single-plane gear arrangement to a multi-dimensional configuration where the rotor moves through circular motion between two ring gears positioned at different heights (upper and lower), enabling high gear reduction without fine teeth
2Adaptability or versatility
If conventional tuning machines increase gear reduction ratio beyond 36:1, then the gear reduction capability is improved, but the device weight increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the fundamental parameters of the gear system by using lobes instead of traditional gear teeth and implementing a two-stage ring gear configuration, achieving high gear reduction ratios without proportionally increasing component size and weight
Solution Approach 2:
By arranging the gear components in a vertical stack (upper ring gear, rotor, lower ring gear) rather than expanding horizontally, the invention achieves high gear reduction ratios within a compact volume, minimizing weight increase
3Adaptability or versatility
If conventional tuning machines use traditional gear designs to achieve high gear reduction ratios, then the gear reduction capability is improved, but the manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The gear system is divided into two separate ring gears (first ring gear and second ring gear) that work in sequence with the rotor. This segmentation allows each gear stage to operate at optimal tooth sizes while achieving cumulative high gear reduction ratio
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from a single-plane gear arrangement to a multi-dimensional configuration where the rotor moves through circular motion between two ring gears positioned at different heights (upper and lower), enabling high gear reduction without fine teeth
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 design achieves high gear reduction ratios with simpler, lighter, and cost-effective components, suitable for various stringed instruments, reducing weight and manufacturing costs while maintaining reliability and versatility in gear ratios.
Implementation Method 1
a gear member or rotor with a central axial bore to receive the eccentric to move the rotor though a circular motion as the input shaft rotates, the rotor having a first or upper gear portion with external first lobes, and a second or lower gear portion with external second lobes; a first or upper ring gear having internal first teeth positioned around the first lobes of the upper gear portion; a second or lower ring gear separate from the upper ring gear and having internal second teeth positioned around the second lobes of the lower gear portion
Implementation Method 2
an input shaft having a first end, and an opposite second end having an eccentric, the input shaft being rotatable in response to an input from a user
Data Source
AI summary
A tuning machine for a stringed instrument comprising: an input shaft having a first end, and an opposite second end having an eccentric, the input shaft being rotatable in response to an input from a user; a gear member or rotor with a central axial bore to receive the eccentric to move the rotor though a circular motion as the input shaft rotates, the rotor having a first or upper gear portion with external first lobes, and a second or lower gear portion with external second lobes; a first or upper ring gear having internal first teeth positioned around the first lobes of the first gear portion; a second or lower ring gear separate from the upper ring gear and having internal second teeth positioned around the second lobes, said upper and lower ring gears being larger than the rotor to accommodate the circular motion of the rotor within said ring gears such that at least one of the first lobes meshes with at least one of the internal first teeth, and at least one of the second lobes meshes with and drives at least one of the internal second teeth of the lower ring gear as the rotor moves through its circular motion to rotate the lower ring gear about its central axis; and a string post driven by the lower ring gear to wind a string of the instrument as a result of rotation of the input shaft in one direction and unwind the string as a result of rotation of the input shaft in an opposite direction.