Piano Support Assembly Simplification via Integrated Jack and Lever
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Solution Overview
Problem
The complex assembly of acoustic piano support assemblies, with many components, leads to prolonged manufacturing times and increased costs, making it difficult to reduce manufacturing expenses without compromising the touch feeling during key operation.
Innovation Solution
A support assembly design featuring a jack and repetition lever with a protrusion and protrusion receiving portion, where the protrusion receiving portion defines the movable range of the protrusion and limits the rotation range of the jack and repetition lever, utilizing a resin structure and soft material contacting surfaces to maintain touch feeling while simplifying the assembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the number of components in the support assembly is decreased to simplify the structure, then manufacturing cost is reduced and manufacturing time is shortened, but the touch feeling during key operation is greatly changed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the jack and repetition lever into a single integrated component, reducing the total number of parts while maintaining the functional relationship between these elements. This merging reduces assembly complexity and manufacturing cost while preserving the mechanical interaction necessary for proper touch feeling
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated jack-repetition lever component performs multiple functions: it supports the hammer mechanism, provides the escapement function through the protrusion-receiving portion interaction, and maintains the let-off characteristic. This multi-functionality allows fewer components to achieve the same operational requirements, reducing manufacturing complexity without sacrificing performance
2Productivity
If the structure of the support assembly is simplified to reduce manufacturing expense, then manufacturing time is shortened, but the touch feeling at the time of key operation is greatly changed
Solution Approach 1:
By integrating the jack and repetition lever into one component, the assembly process is simplified and manufacturing time is reduced. The integrated structure eliminates the need to assemble separate jack and repetition lever parts, streamlining production while maintaining functional integrity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent modifies geometric parameters of the integrated component, specifically the shape and position of the protrusion and receiving portion, to achieve the desired let-off characteristic. By carefully controlling these dimensional parameters, the simplified structure reproduces the touch feeling of more complex designs
3Device complexity
If the number of components is decreased to simplify the support assembly, then device complexity is reduced, but the precision of maintaining touch feeling is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent achieves precise touch feeling control by optimizing geometric parameters of the integrated component, including the shape, size, and position of the protrusion and receiving portion. These parameter adjustments allow the simplified structure to maintain the let-off characteristic with high precision
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different material properties or surface treatments to specific local areas of the integrated component, such as the contacting surfaces of the protrusion and receiving portion. This local quality enhancement ensures precise interaction and consistent touch feeling at critical contact points, compensating for the overall simplification
Data Source
AI summary
A support assembly according to one embodiment of the present invention is provided, the support assembly including a jack rotatably supported by a support; a repetition lever rotatably supported with respect to the support; a protrusion disposed at an intersecting portion of the jack and the repetition lever; and a protrusion receiving portion for receiving the protrusion; wherein the protrusion receiving portion defines a movable range of the protrusion and limits a rotation range of the jack.