Keyboard Device Let-Off Mechanism Using Removable Elastic Members
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional keyboard devices for keyboard instruments face challenges in achieving a compact size and stable let-off feeling due to the requirement of a large space between hammers and keys for the let-off member, making assembly and maintenance cumbersome and resulting in inconsistent let-off feelings across the keyboard.
Innovation Solution
The keyboard device incorporates a design with partition walls and removably mounted let-off and guide members, where hammers have engagement portions that interact with these members to provide let-off feeling, allowing for compact construction and easy assembly/maintenance, and ensuring stable engagement for consistent let-off across the keyboard.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a let-off member is provided between the hammer and the key to achieve let-off feeling, then let-off feeling is obtained, but a relatively large space is required between the hammer and the key, which increases the height dimension of the keyboard device
Solution Approach 1:
The let-off member is repositioned from a vertical arrangement (between hammer and key) to a horizontal arrangement (on the keyboard chassis beside the hammer). This dimensional change allows the let-off mechanism to function without increasing the height dimension of the keyboard device, while still providing the necessary let-off feeling through the engagement protrusion and let-off member interaction.
2Reliability
If a let-off member is mounted between the key and the hammer, then let-off feeling is achieved, but the work for mounting the let-off member on the keyboard chassis or replacing the let-off member is troublesome and takes much time and labor
Solution Approach 1:
The let-off member is designed as a separate, independently replaceable component mounted on the keyboard chassis rather than being integrated into the hammer or key assembly. This segmentation allows the let-off member to be easily removed and replaced without disassembling the entire keyboard mechanism, significantly reducing mounting and maintenance time.
3Reliability
If engagement protrusion and let-off member are provided on the hammer and keyboard chassis respectively, then let-off feeling is obtained, but let-off feeling varies from one key to another due to manufacturing error or assembly error
Solution Approach 1:
The engagement protrusion on the hammer is designed to automatically engage with the let-off member on the keyboard chassis through a self-aligning mechanism. The geometric configuration of the engagement surfaces ensures that even with minor manufacturing or assembly variations, the protrusion naturally finds its correct engagement position, eliminating the need for precise manual alignment and ensuring consistent let-off feeling across all keys.
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
This design enables a compact keyboard device with stable let-off feeling across all keys, simplifying assembly and maintenance by eliminating the need for extensive space between hammers and keys, and ensuring consistent tactile feedback.
Implementation Method 1
a let-off member made of an elastic material and protruding obliquely downward and forward
Data Source
AI summary
A keyboard device for a keyboard instrument, which is capable of obtaining stable let-off feeling from across the whole keyboard device. A let-off member is removably mounted on each of adjacent two of ribs of a keyboard chassis. On a first arm disposed between the two ribs, there are provided a first engagement portion that is temporarily engaged with an engagement protrusion of one of the two let-off members mounted on the adjacent two ribs upon depression of a key to thereby add let-off feeling to touch feeling of the key having been depressed, and a second engagement portion that is engaged with a guide portion of the other let-off member such that the second engagement portion is brought into sliding contact with the guide portion, thereby being guided in a vertical direction.