Piano Drop Action Key Support via Oblique Bearing Grooves
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional pianos with drop actions require a large number of components and increased vertical length due to the use of balance rail pins for supporting keys, leading to higher manufacturing costs and piano height.
Innovation Solution
A piano design featuring a support member with obliquely extending bearing grooves and key guide grooves, where the second key is pivotally supported by pin-shaped shafts engaged with the bearing grooves, reducing the number of components and working steps, and incorporating a molded synthetic resin support member for cost-effectiveness and stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If balance rail pins are used to support the second key, then the key can be pivotally supported, but the number of components increases and manufacturing costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the pivotal support function directly into the key body by forming recesses that receive shafts, eliminating the need for separate balance rail pins and their supporting structures. This merging of functions reduces the number of components while maintaining reliable pivotal support for the second key.
2Reliability
If balance rail pins are used to support the second key, then the key can be pivotally supported, but the vertical length of the support structure increases
Solution Approach 1:
The pivotal support mechanism is integrated within the key body itself through recesses and shafts, eliminating the need for external balance rail pins that extend vertically. This integration significantly reduces the vertical length of the support structure while maintaining stable pivotal support.
3Reliability
If multiple components are used for key support, then the key can be pivotally supported, but the number of working steps increases
Solution Approach 1:
The support function is merged into the key body structure itself, requiring only the formation of recesses and reception of shafts. This eliminates multiple assembly steps involving separate balance rail pins, plates, and bushing cloths, significantly reducing the number of working steps while ensuring stable pivotal support.
4Reliability
If the key support structure is made taller to accommodate balance rail pins, then the keys can be supported, but the piano height increases
Solution Approach 1:
The pivotal support mechanism is integrated within the key body through recesses and shafts, eliminating the need for tall external support structures. This integration reduces the overall height requirement of the piano while maintaining stable key support.
Data Source
AI summary
A piano including a drop action is provided with an upper first key pivotally movable and a lower second key pivotally supported by a support member and having a front end contacted by the first key. In accordance with depression of the first key, the second key pivotally moves to lift up a wippen of the action via a connection member (wire member), whereby a string is struck by a hammer. The support member has a plurality of support walls formed with bearing grooves which extend obliquely with respect to a vertical direction. The second key includes a pair of shafts protruding toward opposite lateral sides and is pivotally supported by the support member in a state in which the shafts are engaged with bottoms of the bearing grooves formed in each adjacent two support walls.