Keyboard Apparatus Jack Stopper Integration
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Solution Overview
Problem
The assembly of acoustic piano action mechanisms is complex and costly due to the numerous components required, making it challenging to simplify the configuration while maintaining the desired touch feeling during key operation.
Innovation Solution
A keyboard apparatus with a simplified configuration that includes a support assembly with a rotatable support, a jack, a hammer unit, and a jack stopper, which reduces the number of components by integrating the jack stopper into the fixing portion, allowing for stable operation and similar touch feeling to grand pianos.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conventional action mechanism with multiple components is used, then the touch feeling and operational reliability are maintained, but the device complexity and manufacturing cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the jack stopper function into the fixing portion structure. The fixing portion serves dual purposes: it fixes the hammer unit and simultaneously acts as the jack stopper by having its end surface contact the jack during rotation. This eliminates the need for a separate jack stopper component while maintaining the escapement mechanism's touch feeling and operational reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The fixing portion is designed to perform multiple functions: it secures the hammer unit in position and simultaneously stops the jack's rotation by contacting it with its end surface. This multi-functional design reduces the total number of components while preserving the necessary mechanical functions for proper key operation and hammer striking.
2Ease of manufacture
If the number of components is reduced, then the manufacturing cost and assembly complexity decrease, but the operational stability and touch feeling may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
By combining the jack stopper function into the fixing portion, the patent reduces assembly complexity while maintaining operational stability. The integrated design ensures that the hammer unit remains securely fixed and the jack's rotation is properly controlled through the end surface contact, preserving the escapement mechanism's stability with fewer components.
3Productivity
If a simplified configuration is adopted, then the productivity and cost-effectiveness improve, but the precision of key operation transmission may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The fixing portion is designed with specific local characteristics: its end surface is positioned and oriented to precisely contact the jack during hammer rotation. This localized precision design ensures that despite the simplified overall configuration, the key operation transmission remains accurate and the hammer strikes the strings with proper force and timing.
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 effectively reduces the manufacturing cost and complexity of the action mechanism while maintaining the touch feeling, enabling a more efficient and cost-effective production of electronic pianos with a stable key depression mechanism.
Implementation Method 1
a jack with the one side rotatably supported by the support, and rotates with depression of any of the plurality of keys
Implementation Method 2
a jack stopper which makes contact with the jack which rotates with the depression of any of the plurality of keys
Implementation Method 3
a support assembly which includes a support with one side rotatably arranged with respect to a support rail
Data Source
AI summary
A keyboard apparatus includes a plurality of keys each rotatable with a predetermined stroke, a support assembly which includes a support with one side rotatably arranged with a support rail and a jack with the one side rotatably supported by the support, and rotates with depression of any of the plurality of keys, a hammer unit which is operated by receiving an action of the jack, a shank rail which rotatably supports the hammer unit, and a jack stopper which makes contact with the jack which rotates with the depression of any of the plurality of keys, the jack stopper being placed on a rotation path of the jack and provided to a fixing portion which does not rotate with the depression any of the plurality of keys.