Vertical Dampening System for Keyboard Percussion Instruments
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing dampening systems for keyboard percussion instruments, such as vibraphones, suffer from imperfect dampening due to the arc motion of pivot arms, which causes uneven dampening of natural and sharp keys.
Innovation Solution
A vertical dampening system utilizing two spring towers and a damper T bar with integrated low friction guides and a centrally located strap re-direct system of low friction ball bearing rollers, ensuring rigid vertical motion and perfect vertical pull-down on the T bar.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If pivot arms with arc motion are used to control the damper bar, then the dampening mechanism is simple and inexpensive, but the dampening is uneven between natural and sharp keys
Solution Approach 1:
The single pivot arm is segmented into two separate control arms, each independently controlling dampers for specific key groups (naturals and sharps). This segmentation allows each arm to be optimized for its specific function, eliminating the arc motion problem that affected uniform dampening across all keys.
Solution Approach 2:
The control mechanism transitions from horizontal arc motion to vertical linear motion. The two control arms move vertically in parallel, maintaining constant distance from their respective fulcrums, which ensures uniform dampening pressure across all keys without the uneven contact caused by arc motion.
2Ease of operation
If control arms are mounted on the player side, then natural keys are dampened first, but if mounted on the audience side, sharp keys are dampened first
Solution Approach 1:
The unified control arm is segmented into two independent control arms, each with its own fulcrum and vertical motion path. This allows simultaneous control of natural and sharp key dampers without the sequential contact problem inherent in single arc-motion systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The control mechanism moves from horizontal arc motion to vertical linear motion. Both control arms move vertically in parallel, ensuring that dampers contact the bars simultaneously regardless of mounting side, eliminating the sequential dampening issue.
3Device complexity
If a single compression spring is used to provide upward pressure, then the mechanism is simple, but rigid vertical motion control between multiple spring towers is difficult
Solution Approach 1:
Two compression springs are positioned to provide upward counterbalancing forces on the two control arms. This counterweight arrangement maintains vertical balance and enables rigid vertical motion control while keeping the mechanism relatively simple.
Solution Approach 2:
Low-friction guides are introduced as intermediary elements between the control arms and spring towers. These guides mediate the motion, ensuring rigid vertical movement while accommodating the spring forces, thus achieving stable control without excessive complexity.
4Adaptability or versatility
If the damper bar moves in arc motion, then the mechanism follows traditional design, but the pad contacts keys at different times causing musical incorrectness
Solution Approach 1:
The damper bar motion transitions from horizontal arc motion to vertical linear motion. The control arms move vertically in parallel, ensuring that dampers contact natural and sharp keys simultaneously, which is musically correct while maintaining compatibility with traditional damper bar construction.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of moving the damper bar horizontally along an arc, the system inverts the approach by moving the control arms vertically. This inversion maintains the functional relationship between pedal and dampers while achieving simultaneous key contact through vertical motion.
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 system provides superior dampening by ensuring simultaneous contact with both natural and sharp keys, eliminating the arc motion and enhancing the dampening experience without issues of hanging, jamming, or listing.
Implementation Method 1
the spring towers include integrated low friction guides
Implementation Method 2
a centrally located 'strap re-direct' set of low friction ball bearing rollers
Implementation Method 3
low friction ball bearing rollers
Implementation Method 4
A single, centrally-located compression spring is mounted in the middle of the instrument to provide upward pressure to the damper bar
Data Source
AI summary
Described is a dampening system for keyboard percussion instruments. The dampening system includes two spring towers and a damper T bar with an extended vertical member connected with the two spring towers to assure rigid vertical motion between the two spring towers. To assist and maintain rigid directional control, the spring towers include integrated low friction guides. Further, a centrally located “strap re-direct” set of low friction ball bearing rollers to assure that the angle of the strap connected to a pedal can be adjusted for an absolutely perfect vertical pull down on the “T” bar.