Folding String Instrument Neck With Recessed Hinge Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing stringed musical instruments, such as guitars and violins, face challenges in mechanical stability and ease of transport due to their bulky nature, and previous hinge designs for folding necks are complex to install, require precise alignment, and lack sufficient clearance and structural integrity for guitar applications.
Innovation Solution
A string instrument design featuring a neck extension and base primary member with Soss link assemblies and hinge butts that allow for easy installation and secure attachment of hinges, enabling a double hinge configuration with greater opening clearance and securement, facilitating easier transport and improved mechanical stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional acoustic stringed instruments are used, then high-quality sound production is achieved, but the instruments are bulky and difficult to transport
Solution Approach 1:
The guitar is divided into separable components: a body portion and a neck portion that can be detached and reattached. The body includes a body hollow, body top, body back, and body sides, while the neck includes a neck hollow, neck top with fretboard, and a hinge mechanism. This segmentation allows the instrument to be broken down for compact transport while maintaining structural integrity for high-quality sound production when assembled.
2Volume of moving object
If folding neck designs are implemented to improve portability, then transportability is enhanced, but the instruments require significant handwork and fine tuning
Solution Approach 1:
The hinge mechanism is recessed into the body hollow and neck hollow, creating nested structures where the hinge butts are received within designated cavities. The body hollow receives the hinge butt, and the neck hollow receives the opposite hinge butt, allowing the hinge mechanism to be concealed within the instrument's structure rather than protruding outward. This nesting approach simplifies manufacturing by providing defined recesses for hinge installation without requiring extensive handwork or fine tuning.
3Area of stationary object
If hinges are installed in narrow surfaces, then the instrument structure is compact, but the hinge mechanism lacks sufficient clearance for proper operation
Solution Approach 1:
The hinge mechanism utilizes the depth dimension by recessing the hinge butts into the body hollow and neck hollow. Instead of requiring a large surface area, the hollows provide three-dimensional space that allows the hinge pins and linkages to operate with sufficient clearance within the recessed cavities. This dimensional approach enables compact surface footprint while maintaining adequate operational clearance for the hinge mechanism.
4Stability of the object's composition
If precise hinge alignment is required for proper function, then mechanical stability is improved, but the installation process becomes complex and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The body and neck are prepared with pre-formed hollows and recesses that accommodate the hinge butts before final assembly. The hinge butts are designed to fit into these pre-prepared cavities, which establishes proper alignment and mechanical stability without requiring complex alignment procedures during installation. This preliminary preparation of mounting structures significantly reduces installation time and complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A string instrument comprising a neck extension primary member, having a neck extension securement end and a tuning assembly support head end, an extension top and a length extending between the ends, is disclosed. The neck extension primary member defines a neck extension cutaway volume configured to receive a hinge butt. The neck extension cutaway volume extends to be open at the neck extension securement end and open at the top of the neck extension primary member. A neck base primary member has a neck base securement end, a base top and an opposite end. The neck base primary member is made to define a neck base cutaway volume configured to receive a hinge butt. The neck base cutaway volume extends to be open at the neck base securement end and open at the top of the neck base primary member. A hinge has a first hinge butt positioned in the neck extension cutaway volume and a second hinge butt positioned in the neck base cutaway volume. A neck fretboard portion is secured over the open top of the neck extension cutaway volume and bears against the first hinge butt. A base cover is secured over the open top of the neck base cutaway volume and bears against the second hinge butt. A string instrument main body is secured to the neck base primary member.