Pivotable Tailpiece Lever for String Instrument Tension Adjustment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional string instrument tailpieces require detuning and retuning of musical strings when breaking down and reassembling instruments for transport, as the tension across the strings and tailcord must be reduced and re-established, making the process cumbersome and time-consuming.
Innovation Solution
A pivotable tailpiece design with a lever and tailcord that allows for adjustable tension without rotating the tuning pegs, enabling the tailcord to be disengaged from the endpin at a reduced tension, facilitating easier disassembly and reassembly while maintaining instrument pitch.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the tailpiece uses a traditional single member design with tailcord, then the structure is simple, but the tension adjustment requires detuning and retuning the instrument which is time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The tailpiece incorporates a movable lever that can pivot between engaged and disengaged positions, allowing dynamic adjustment of tailcord tension without requiring changes to the musical string tension or detuning of the instrument
Solution Approach 2:
The tailpiece is divided into separate components: a base, a pivotable lever, and a tailcord. This segmentation allows the lever to be independently manipulated to adjust tailcord tension while the musical strings remain at constant tension
2Adaptability or versatility
If the instrument is designed to collapse or break down for transport, then the instrument becomes more compact and easier to transport, but the process of disassembly and reassembly becomes cumbersome and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The pivotable lever provides a quick mechanism to release tailcord tension, enabling rapid disengagement of the tailpiece from the endpin during instrument breakdown for transport, and rapid reengagement during reassembly
Solution Approach 2:
The lever is designed to pre-position the tailcord in a tensioned state during normal play, so that when the lever is pivoted to the disengaged position, the tailcord is already prepared for quick release without requiring additional tension reduction steps
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 quick and efficient detachment and reattachment of musical strings, reducing setup and breakdown time for collapsible instruments and simplifying maintenance tasks, while maintaining the instrument's tuning state.
Implementation Method 1
a base coupled to the lever along a pivot axis such that the lever is pivotable about the pivot axis
Data Source
AI summary
A string instrument tailpiece may include a lever including a tailcord. The string instrument tailpiece may also include a base coupled to the lever along a pivot axis such that the lever is pivotable about the pivot axis. The tailcord may engage an endpin of a string instrument. The tailcord may be under an engaged-tension when the lever is in an engaged position and a release-tension when the lever is in a release position. The engaged-tension may be greater than the release-tension. The tailcord may also be disengageable from the endpin when under the release-tension.