Piano Support Assembly Simplification via Lever Geometry
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Solution Overview
Problem
The complex assembly of acoustic piano components, particularly the support assembly, leads to increased 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 rotatably disposed support with a repetition lever and a spring element, where the rotating portion of the repetition lever is positioned on an extension line connecting the support and contact portions, allowing for a parallel alignment of the repetition lever and spring element, and utilizing a resin structure for the support and jack components.
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 is greatly changed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple separate components into an integrated support assembly structure. The support, repetition lever, and spring element are combined into a unified assembly that functions as a single unit, reducing the total number of parts while maintaining the necessary mechanical functions for proper touch feeling during key operation
Solution Approach 2:
The support assembly is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: it provides structural support, enables rotational movement of the repetition lever, stores and releases elastic energy through the spring element, and maintains proper geometric relationships between components. This multi-functionality allows a single integrated assembly to replace what would traditionally require multiple separate components
2Device complexity
If the structure of the support assembly is simplified to reduce manufacturing cost, then manufacturing cost is reduced, but the touch feeling at the time of key operation is greatly changed
Solution Approach 1:
The support assembly incorporates specific geometric features at critical locations: the support portion, contact portion, and rotating portion are designed with precise local geometries that ensure proper force transmission and rotational characteristics. The rotating portion is specifically positioned on the extension line of the straight line connecting the support and contact portions, creating optimal local mechanical conditions for maintaining touch feeling while using a simplified overall structure
Solution Approach 2:
The spring element is pre-configured with specific elastic properties and geometric orientation to automatically provide the necessary rotational force to the repetition lever during key operation. The preliminary design of the spring element's elastic characteristics ensures that the complex mechanical behavior required for proper touch feeling is achieved through pre-planned elastic deformation rather than complex mechanical linkages
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
This design reduces manufacturing costs while minimizing changes to the touch feeling during key operation, achieving a more efficient and cost-effective assembly process for acoustic piano support assemblies.
Implementation Method 1
a spring element supporting the rotation of the repetition lever
Data Source
AI summary
A support assembly according to one embodiment of the present invention includes a support rotatably disposed with respect to a frame, a repetition lever rotatably connected to the support, an spring element supported by a support portion fixed to the support, the spring element which provides a rotational force to the repetition lever, and a contact portion between the repetition lever and the spring element, wherein a rotating portion of the repetition lever is provided with respect to the support portion on a side opposite to the contact portion between the repetition lever and the spring element.