Vibraphone Fan Drive Magnetic Coupling Vibration Isolation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing keyboard percussion instruments face issues with unreliable and costly mechanisms for stopping fan discs in a vertical position when the vibrato effect is off, and vibrations from the fan motor are coupled to the resonators, affecting sound quality.
Innovation Solution
A magnetic coupling system with a motor drive assembly and sensor mechanism that ensures fan discs stop in a vertical position when the vibrato function is deactivated, using a magnetic sensor to detect near-vertical orientation and interrupt motor power, preventing vibration transfer.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a mechanical coupling system is used to drive fan discs, then the motor can be physically connected to the discs for reliable power transmission, but vibrations from the motor are transferred to the resonators, degrading sound quality
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces magnetic fields as an intermediary between the motor and fan discs. The motor drives a magnet that creates a magnetic field, which in turn drives the fan discs without physical contact. This magnetic intermediary transmits rotational force while isolating the motor vibrations from the resonators, solving both the reliability of power transmission and the harmful vibration transfer.
2Manufacturing precision
If conventional stopping mechanisms are used to position fan discs vertically, then the discs can be stopped in the vertical position when vibrato is off, but the mechanisms are unreliable, awkward, and costly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical stopping mechanisms with a magnetic sensing and control system. A magnet mounted on the fan shaft actuates a reed switch when the fan reaches the vertical position, which then interrupts power to the motor. This electronic control system achieves precise stopping position without the complexity, unreliability, and high cost of mechanical stopping mechanisms.
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 provides a vibration-free rotary driving force, ensuring fan discs stop vertically, enhancing sound clarity and reducing motor-induced vibrations, resulting in a more pristine sound quality.
Implementation Method 1
The present system employs a magnetic coupling to transmit rotational power from a motor to a set of KPI resonator (vibrato) fans or discs
Implementation Method 2
A magnet 120A' on the driven pulley 100B' activates a magnetic sensor 525 when in proximity to the sensor 525
Data Source
AI summary
A vibrato assembly for a keyboard percussion instrument comprises a motor and a vibrato fan or disc assembly. A motor (510) is responsive to a controller (1000), a run/stop switch (1035), and a potentiometer (1020). Pulleys (100A, 100B′, 515) and a timing belt (520) couple rotation of the motor to an assembly of resonator or vibrato fans (720) via one or more magnets (120) or magnetically susceptible members to isolate vibrations. A sensor is activated by one of the magnets to sense the rotational position of a pulley when the fans are oriented vertically. When a run/stop switch 1035 is in a “stop” condition, sensor 525 signals controller 1000 to stop the motor, thereby leaving the fans vertical so that resonant tubes (725) are in an open condition when the vibrato function is stopped.