Piano Support Assembly Component Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
The complex assembly of acoustic piano components, particularly the support assembly, results in high manufacturing costs and prolonged production times due to the large number of components involved, making it challenging to reduce costs without compromising the touch feeling during key operation.
Innovation Solution
A simplified support assembly design featuring a rotatable support with a recessed portion for the jack, an elastic jack pressing portion, and a stopper to regulate rotation, which reduces the number of components while maintaining equivalent operation, allowing for easier assembly and attachment, and minimizing changes to the touch feeling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the number of components in the support assembly is decreased to reduce manufacturing cost, then manufacturing cost is reduced, but the touch feeling during key operation may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple components into integrated structures. The support assembly integrates the support, jack support portion, and acting portion into a unified structure that maintains the necessary mechanical functions while reducing the total number of separate components, thereby lowering manufacturing cost without compromising touch feeling.
Solution Approach 2:
The support assembly is designed to perform multiple functions within a single integrated structure. It provides both structural support and the mechanical linkage necessary for key operation and hammer actuation, eliminating the need for separate specialized components and reducing overall complexity.
2Productivity
If the number of components in the support assembly is decreased to reduce manufacturing cost, then manufacturing time is reduced, but the operational reliability may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
By merging multiple components into integrated structures, the patent reduces the number of assembly steps and potential failure points from multiple connections, thereby reducing manufacturing time while maintaining operational reliability through fewer interfaces that could potentially fail.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated support assembly structure is designed to maintain its functional integrity through self-supporting design features, eliminating the need for additional reinforcement components and reducing assembly complexity while ensuring reliable operation.
3Device complexity
If the structure of the support assembly is simplified to reduce manufacturing cost, then the number of components is decreased, but the precision of key operation transmission may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by designing specific geometric features and surface characteristics at critical contact points within the integrated support assembly. These localized precision features ensure accurate force transmission from key to hammer while the overall structure remains simplified with fewer components.
Solution Approach 2:
The support assembly incorporates dynamic elements that allow for controlled movement and adjustment during key operation. The integrated structure includes flexible or movable joints that maintain precision in force transmission while accommodating operational variations, all within a simplified component architecture.
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
The solution decreases manufacturing costs by reducing the number of components while ensuring stable operation and maintaining the touch feeling similar to conventional grand pianos, facilitating easier assembly and attachment of the jack to the support assembly.
Implementation Method 1
The jack pressing portion may be an elastic member connected to the support.
Implementation Method 2
a jack having a recessed portion in a lower portion of the jack, the jack having the jack support portion inside the recessed portion and being rotatably disposed to the support
Implementation Method 3
The jack may have a stopper regulating a rotation range of the jack with respect to the rotating action.
Data Source
AI summary
A support assembly includes a support rotatably disposed with respect to a frame; a jack support portion connected to the support; a jack having a recessed portion in a lower portion of the jack, the jack having the jack support portion inside the recessed portion and being rotatably disposed to the support; and an acting portion fixed to the jack and receiving a downward action. The recessed portion has an open end with a width larger than a width of the jack support portion. The recessed portion may have an open end with a width larger than a width of the jack support portion.