Piano Lid Pneumatic Support Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional piano lid support mechanisms, such as hinges and braces, are inadequate for safely opening, holding, and closing heavy piano lids, as they require significant user effort and can lead to injury due to the lid's weight and instability.
Innovation Solution
The use of pneumatic cylinders attached to the piano frame and arms pivotally connected to the lid allows for easy opening, closing, and stopping of the lid at any position, reducing the required force to that of a single finger, with optional internal braces and guiding cups for secure engagement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional hinges and braces are used to support the piano lid, then the lid can be opened and held open, but the lid is difficult to raise due to its heavy weight and requires significant user effort
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the traditional mechanical hinge and brace system with a pneumatic cylinder system. The pneumatic cylinder uses gas pressure to generate lifting force, substituting the purely mechanical leverage system with a pneumatic actuation system that provides greater mechanical advantage and easier operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a pneumatic cylinder connected to the piano lid through an arm mechanism. The pneumatic cylinder uses compressed gas to generate the force needed to lift and hold the heavy lid, eliminating the need for users to manually raise the lid against gravity.
2Reliability
If traditional braces are used to hold the piano lid open, then the lid can be supported, but the braces can be easily knocked out of place causing the lid to drop
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the manual brace insertion system with a pneumatic cylinder system that automatically maintains lid position. The pneumatic actuator provides continuous force to hold the lid open, eliminating the need for manual brace placement and the associated risk of improper positioning.
Solution Approach 2:
The pneumatic cylinder system is self-regulating and automatically maintains the lid in the desired position without requiring user intervention. The system self-corrects any positioning errors that would occur with manual braces, providing reliable and secure support.
3Adaptability or versatility
If traditional hinges and braces are used, then the lid can be opened, but it is difficult to bring the lid to rest at positions between open and closed
Solution Approach 1:
The pneumatic cylinder system provides dynamic control over the lid position, allowing smooth adjustment to any angle between fully closed and fully open. The pneumatic pressure can be precisely controlled to hold the lid at intermediate positions, unlike rigid mechanical braces that are designed for specific discrete positions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables continuous variation of the lid position parameter through pneumatic pressure control. By adjusting the pneumatic pressure in the cylinder, the lid can be positioned and held at any angle within its range of motion, providing versatile positioning capability.
4Speed
If the heavy piano lid is closed using traditional mechanisms, then the lid returns to closed position, but it can fall too quickly potentially injuring the user or piano
Solution Approach 1:
The pneumatic cylinder system applies preliminary counteracting force to prevent the lid from falling too quickly. The pneumatic pressure can be regulated to provide controlled resistance during closing, preventing dangerous speeds before they occur.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the uncontrolled gravitational closing mechanism with a pneumatic control system that actively manages the closing speed. The pneumatic cylinder provides regulated force to slow the lid's descent, preventing injury while maintaining efficient operation.
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
Enables effortless opening and closing of piano lids with reduced risk of injury, allowing the lid to be stopped at any position, using pneumatic cylinders that provide sufficient force to manage the weight of the lid with minimal user effort.
Implementation Method 1
a pneumatic cylinder to assist a user in opening and closing a piano lid
Implementation Method 2
An arm is pivotally attached to the lid of the piano. The pneumatic cylinder and arm are connected
Data Source
AI summary
A mechanism for supporting the weight of a piano lid is disclosed. One or more pneumatic cylinders and arms are used to assist a user in opening and closing the piano lid. In one embodiment, a guiding cup can be removably attached to the frame of the piano below each pneumatic cylinder. When the piano lid is open, the piston arm of the pneumatic cylinder engages the guiding cup. Because the pneumatic cylinder is not attached to the piano frame, the piano lid can be completely removed without the use of tools. Another embodiment provides a mounting bracket that fits over the rear frame of a piano, allowing the mechanism to be retrofit to any existing piano without any damage thereto.