Key Height Adjuster for Brass Instruments
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for adjusting key heights on brass wind instruments, such as saxophones, require professional intervention and are not user-friendly, limiting musicians' ability to rapidly change key positions for tonal variation and individual key voicing without additional tools.
Innovation Solution
A user-adjustable key height adjuster with a threaded rod, stem, and a rounded knurled head allows for easy height adjustment of key guards on brass instruments, enabling players to modify key positions without additional tools, ensuring comfortable grip and operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If key guard screws are used for adjusting key heights, then the instrument can be professionally voiced, but the adjustment process requires professional technicians and additional tools
Solution Approach 1:
The key height adjuster enables the musician to independently adjust key heights without requiring professional technician intervention. The self-contained design with integrated knurled head allows direct manual operation, transforming a service requiring external expertise into a user-friendly self-service function.
Solution Approach 2:
The adjuster head is extracted as a separate, user-accessible component from the key guard assembly. This separation allows the adjustment mechanism to be operated independently without disassembling the key guard or requiring special tools, simplifying the overall adjustment process.
2Productivity
If key guard screws are used for adjusting key heights, then precise positioning can be achieved, but rapid adjustment for tonal variation is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The adjuster mechanism transitions from a static, fixed-position key guard to a dynamic, easily adjustable system. The threaded rod with knurled head allows rapid repositioning of the key guard along the stem, enabling musicians to quickly adapt key heights for different tonal requirements while maintaining secure positioning through the threading mechanism.
3Ease of operation
If key guard screws are used, then professional voicing is possible, but user convenience and accessibility are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The key height adjustment system is segmented into distinct functional components: the key guard, the threaded rod providing the adjustment mechanism, and the prominent knurled head for user interaction. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function while maintaining overall simplicity in manufacturing and assembly.
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 provides enhanced tonal flexibility and user convenience by allowing instant adjustments to key heights, enabling players to achieve specific voices and balanced tones without requiring technical expertise or additional tools, while maintaining instrument playability.
Implementation Method 1
a threaded rod configured to be received by a threaded bore of a key guard
Implementation Method 2
a rounded top and a knurled edge
Data Source
AI summary
A key guard height adjuster for a brass instrument having a threaded rod configured to be received by a threaded bore of a key guard; a stem connecting the threaded rod to a key guard height adjuster head; and the adjuster head having a rounded top and a knurled edge. According to one approach, the adjuster head height can be in the range of about 4 mm to 10 mm. According to one approach, the adjuster head diameter is in the range of about 8 mm to 12 mm. According to one approach, the adjuster head is about 8 mm in width and about 6 mm in height.