Percussion Tone Bar Fastening With Segmented Connecting Element
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing tone bar fastening systems in percussion instruments face issues with secure attachment, especially when tone bars are changed multiple times, leading to potential detachment or breakage, and compromise production costs due to height differences in the playing surface.
Innovation Solution
A tone bar design featuring a blind recess with a thread on the lower side for secure fastening, combined with a connecting element having a second connecting area with a larger cross-sectional area, allowing for adjustable properties like holding force and elasticity, and potentially molded as an integral component for cost-effectiveness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a retaining pin with elastic material is used to allow swinging and detachable fastening of the tone bar, then the tone bar can be easily changed, but the thickening at the end of the second connecting area is strongly elastically deformed each time, leading to shear-off and loss of secure fastening
Solution Approach 1:
The connecting element is divided into distinct functional areas: a first connecting area for attachment to the percussion instrument body, a second connecting area for attachment to the tone bar, and a third area serving as a support between them. This segmentation allows each area to be optimized independently - the third area can be designed with sufficient cross-sectional area to support the tone bar without undergoing elastic deformation during tone bar changes, while the second connecting area maintains elasticity for easy attachment and detachment.
2Strength
If rigid materials are used for the retaining pins, then the risk of breakage is reduced, but the tone bar cannot be easily detached and changed
Solution Approach 1:
Different areas of the connecting element are assigned different material properties or structural characteristics. The third area (support area) is designed with larger cross-section and can be made of rigid material to prevent breakage and provide stable support. The second connecting area (connecting to tone bar) maintains elastic properties to enable easy attachment and detachment. This local differentiation of properties allows the same component to simultaneously provide both strength and ease of operation.
3Shape
If the same tone bar profile is used for all pitches to avoid height differences, then the playing surface height is uniform, but compromises must be made between pitch and tone bar profile
Solution Approach 1:
The solution moves the pitch determination from the tone bar profile (one-dimensional constraint) to the tuning bow design (separate adjustable component). The tone bar profile is freed from pitch constraints and can be optimized for uniform playing surface height across all pitches. The pitch is then determined by the length and tension of the tuning bow, allowing full adaptability in pitch range without compromising surface uniformity.
4Adaptability or versatility
If the surface of the percussion instrument is adjusted to accommodate different tone bar profiles, then different pitch ranges can be achieved, but production costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The pitch-determining function is extracted from the tone bar and placed in a separate component (the tuning bow). This allows the tone bar to be manufactured with a standardized profile optimized for uniform playing surface, while the tuning bow can be adjusted to provide different pitches. This separation eliminates the need for expensive custom surface adjustments or multiple tone bar profiles, significantly reducing production costs while maintaining full pitch adaptability.
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
Ensures secure and durable fastening of tone bars even after multiple changes, reduces production costs, and allows for adjustable properties independent of tone bar and connecting element properties, while accommodating different tone bar profiles and height differences.
Implementation Method 1
the recess has a thread. This, in conjunction with a complementary thread on a surface of an associated connecting element, can create a releasable and secure fastening
Data Source
AI summary
A tone bar of a percussion instrument and an associated connecting element are presented. A percussion instrument having at least one tone bar and at least one connecting element are also presented.