Reed design with the theory of reliability combined with optimization

The design of reliable reeds with a uniform section that may be mechanically cantilevered in any shape is discussed. Many design factors, such as stress relaxation, contact force, resistance, temperature, chatter, material strength, and reed size, are considered as random variables. Their probabilistic distributions are derived. The extrapolation method of stress relaxation, which reduces contact force, is discussed from a probability standpoint. These results are verified by experiments. On the basis of this research, mathematical models used to design reeds and evaluate contact reliability are created. In these models the influences of harmful factors on contact reliability are minimized. A general computer program was compiled for reed design and contact reliability evaluation