Elastic Pin Support for Xylophone Bars
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing supporting structures for sonorous elements in percussion instruments, such as xylophones and glockenspiels, often result in low sound quality due to increased vibration disturbances and contact area between the sonorous element and the support, leading to dull sounds.
Innovation Solution
A new supporting structure featuring a cylindrical elastic material with annular protuberances at both ends and cone-shaped protuberances on the inner surfaces, which reduces the contact area and minimizes extraneous vibrations, thereby enhancing sound quality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a traditional pin support with large contact surface is used, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the sound quality deteriorates due to increased vibration and dull sound
Solution Approach 1:
The supporting structure incorporates localized shock-absorbing elements (elastic inserts or foam material) at specific contact points with the sonorous element, while maintaining a simple overall pin structure. This localized application of shock-absorbing material reduces vibration and improves sound quality without complicating the manufacturing process of the entire support structure.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the contact area between sonorous element and support is reduced, then sound quality improves, but the shock absorption capability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The supporting structure combines rigid pin material (for structural support) with elastic or shock-absorbing materials (such as foam inserts or elastic rings) at the contact surfaces. This composite construction allows the structure to provide both mechanical support and effective shock absorption while maintaining minimal contact area with the sonorous element, thereby improving sound quality.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If a complex supporting structure with multiple components is used, then vibration is reduced, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The supporting structure merges multiple functions into a single integrated component: the pin provides structural support, while integrated elastic inserts or foam elements provide shock absorption and vibration reduction. This unified design achieves effective vibration control without requiring separate components, thereby maintaining simplicity in the overall device structure.
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 proposed solution effectively reduces unwanted vibrations and improves sound quality by minimizing contact area and providing efficient shock absorption, while also being versatile, easy to manufacture, and maintaining consistent sound quality across different positions.
Implementation Method 1
cylinder 1 is made from an elastic material
Implementation Method 2
The inner surfaces facing a cylinder are supplied with two cone-shaped protuberances
Data Source
AI summary
Provided are percussion musical instruments and details therefor, and more particularly a supporting structure for a sonorous element of a xylophone-type instrument and an instrument in which said supporting structure is used. They can be used in the construction of percussion musical instruments that produce music using sound generated by the vibration of a sonorous element. The present supporting structure is made from resilient elastic materials shaped to form a cylinder, the ends of which are provided with annular protuberances having mutually facing conical protuberances, the tips of which are separated by a distance determined by the width of the sonorous element. The supporting structure simultaneously performs the functions of a support and a damper in a musical instrument. The technical result is that of broadening the range of supporting structures for use in percussion musical instruments, which provide for reduced mechanical impact on the vibration of a sonorous element and, thus, improved sound quality, while also simplifying the structure of musical instruments in which the claimed damping support is used.