Neck Adjustment Mechanism for Stringed Instruments
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing stringed musical instruments, such as guitars, lack versatility in adjusting the neck's angular position due to dimensional instability of wood and complex mechanisms, making it difficult for musicians to customize their instruments to suit their playing style without incurring high costs for custom-made instruments.
Innovation Solution
A mechanism featuring a metal piece with a groove and projection that allows for continuous adjustment of the neck's angular position relative to the instrument body using a main bolt, providing precise alignment and reinforcement against vibrations, enabling easy exchange of necks and fine-tuning without affecting the instrument's sound quality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a toothed adjustment mechanism is used to modify neck inclination, then discrete angular positions can be achieved, but the instrument lacks versatility due to predetermined positions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a static toothed mechanism with fixed discrete positions to a dynamic continuous adjustment system. The groove-shaped element allows the projection to slide smoothly along a curved path, enabling continuous angular adjustment rather than discrete steps. This dynamic approach provides unlimited angular positions while maintaining a simple mechanical structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the complex toothing geometry from the adjustment mechanism and replaces it with a simple groove-shaped element. By removing the teeth and replacing them with a smooth groove, the mechanism achieves continuous adjustment without the complexity of predetermined angular positions, directly resolving the contradiction between versatility and simplicity.
2Manufacturing precision
If wood is used for neck coupling portions, then the instrument can be manufactured traditionally, but dimensional instability prevents precise adjustment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces metal components (groove-shaped element and projection) into the wooden coupling portions, creating a composite structure. The metal elements provide dimensional stability and precision for the adjustment mechanism, while the wood maintains its acoustic properties. This composite approach allows precise angular adjustment without being affected by wood's dimensional instability.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a complex adjustment mechanism is used to achieve continuous angular adjustment, then versatility is improved, but the device becomes too complex for practical use
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the adjustment and setting functions into a single integrated mechanism. The groove-shaped element and projection work together as a unified system where the projection slides along the groove for adjustment and can be secured at any position. This merged design achieves continuous angular adjustment without requiring multiple separate components, maintaining simplicity while providing versatility.
Data Source
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AI summary
Stringed musical instrument comprising a mechanism for adjusting and setting the angular position of the neck with respect to the instrument body, characterised in that the mechanism comprises a metal projection secured in a metal insert arranged inside the neck coupling portion, and additionally a metal piece that defines a groove for receiving said metal projection, said metal piece being partially inserted into the instrument body coupling portion, said projection and said groove fitting together and being aligned with one another but without there being any contact therebetween, said groove having sufficient clearance for allowing variation of the angular position of the neck with respect to the instrument body by means of displacement of the projection along said groove.