Wind Instrument Key Cup Adjustment Device for Tone Hole Sealing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional wind instruments, such as saxophones, experience air leakage and inaccurate pitches due to the reduced tightness of key cups over tone holes after repeated use, leading to inconsistent sound production.
Innovation Solution
A key cup adjustment device featuring a hinge rod, key cup assembly with solid and adjusting arms, and abutting units that allow for precise adjustment to ensure tight closure of tone holes, using a screw mechanism to maintain contact with the key cup and prevent leakage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the key cup is mounted securely on the solid arm without adjustment mechanism, then the structure is simple and durable, but the tightness between key cup and tone hole reduces after repeated use causing air leakage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by introducing an adjustable mechanism that allows the key cup position to be modified. The adjusting arm with abutting unit enables dynamic repositioning of the key cup relative to the solid arm, allowing the system to adapt to wear and maintain proper tightness over time rather than being fixed in a static configuration.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies parameter changes by enabling modification of the positional parameter of the key cup through the adjusting arm mechanism. The abutting unit can be repositioned along the adjusting arm to change the distance and angle between the key cup and the solid arm, thereby adjusting the tightness parameter to compensate for wear after repeated use.
2Manufacturing precision
If the key cup is pressed tightly against the tone hole to prevent air leakage, then pitch accuracy improves, but the mechanism becomes more complex requiring adjustment mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The adjusting arm mechanism provides dynamic adjustment capability that allows precise positioning of the key cup to achieve optimal tightness against the tone hole. This dynamic system enables fine-tuning of the contact pressure and position to maintain pitch accuracy without requiring an overly complex fixed structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The adjusting arm with abutting unit provides a self-adjustment capability that allows the player to maintain proper key cup positioning and tightness without requiring complex external adjustment mechanisms or frequent professional servicing. The simple adjustment system enables user-maintained precision.
Data Source
AI summary
A key cup adjustment device for a wind instrument has a hinge rod and a key cup assembly. The key cup assembly is mounted on the hinge rod and has at least one solid arm, a key cup, at least one adjusting arm and at least one abutting unit. The at least one solid arm is mounted securely between the hinge rod and the key cup. The at least one adjusting arm is mounted securely on the at least one solid arm and corresponds to the key cup. The at least one abutting unit is connected to the at least one adjusting arm and can be adjusted to abut the key cup. Therefore, the key cup can close a corresponding tone hole tightly and pitches produced by wind instruments are accurate.