Piano pedal with half-stepping function
By incorporating a piano pedal design with a half-step function, the pedal can instantly trigger sustain at any step angle, solving the problem of precise force control required in existing technologies. This achieves stable sustain, reduces playing difficulty, and enhances the tonal quality of the electronic piano.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Utility models(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- SHENZHEN TELUNSI MUSICAL INSTR CO LTD
- Filing Date
- 2026-03-24
- Publication Date
- 2026-05-05
AI Technical Summary
The sustain pedal of a current electronic piano requires precise control of the foot pressure to keep the pedal in the predetermined position, which increases the difficulty of playing control and muscle fatigue, and is prone to loosening and interruption of sustain.
Design a piano pedal with a half-step function, using a housing, circuit board, knob, and transmission component. The pedal drives the knob to rotate through the transmission component to trigger the sustain function. The sustain is triggered immediately at any pedal angle, maintaining the sustain effect when pedaled. Stable reset is ensured by elastic elements and limiting structures.
It reduces the difficulty of playing control and foot muscle fatigue, prevents accidental loosening of sustain, and improves the smoothness and tonal effect of the playing process.
Smart Images
Figure CN224203834U_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This utility model relates to the technical field of musical instruments, and in particular to a piano pedal with a half-step function. Background Technology
[0002] The sustain pedal is a crucial component in electronic pianos used to control the duration of notes. Most existing electronic pianos employ a switch-type sustain pedal mechanism. Its working principle is as follows: an internal contact switch is installed in the pedal mechanism, and mechanical transmission actuates the contact. When the player presses the pedal to the predetermined travel position, the contact closes, triggering the sustain effect; once the pedal leaves the predetermined position, even if it doesn't fully return to its original position, the contact opens, and the sustain effect stops.
[0003] This "on when in position, off when out of position" triggering logic means that maintaining the sustain effect depends on the pedal remaining within the predetermined trigger range. In passages requiring long sustain, the performer must precisely control the pressure on their foot to prevent the pedal from rebounding out of the trigger range. This increases the difficulty of control and foot muscle fatigue, and also makes it easy to release the sustain pedal during playing, thus affecting the pitch of the performance. Utility Model Content
[0004] The main purpose of this invention is to propose a piano pedal with a half-step function, which aims to improve the tonal effect when playing an electronic piano.
[0005] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention proposes a piano pedal with a half-step function, comprising:
[0006] A housing having an internal mounting cavity and a movable opening on the housing that communicates with the mounting cavity;
[0007] A circuit board, which is mounted on the housing and located within the mounting cavity;
[0008] A knob, the knob being electrically connected to the circuit board; and
[0009] The pedal and transmission assembly are provided, with one end of the pedal rotatably connected to the mounting cavity and the other end of the pedal extending from the mounting cavity to the movable opening and protruding outward from the movable opening; the pedal is connected to the knob via the transmission assembly.
[0010] In one embodiment, the transmission assembly includes a transmission rod, the two ends of which are respectively connected to the knob and the pedal.
[0011] In one embodiment, the transmission rod includes a first transmission rod and a second transmission rod, one end of the first transmission rod is fixedly connected to the pedal tongue, the other end of the first transmission rod is rotatably connected to one end of the second transmission rod, and the other end of the second transmission rod is fixedly connected to the knob.
[0012] In one embodiment, the knob includes a limiting protrusion, and the second transmission rod is provided with a first limiting groove. The limiting protrusion has at least one non-circular arc surface, and the limiting protrusion is adapted to the first limiting groove. The second transmission rod is limited to the knob by the cooperation of the limiting protrusion and the first limiting groove.
[0013] In one embodiment, the second transmission rod is provided with a second limiting groove, and when the first transmission rod rotates at a predetermined angle, the first transmission rod abuts against the groove wall of the second limiting groove.
[0014] In one embodiment, an elastic element is also included, through which the foot pedal is elastically connected to the housing.
[0015] In one embodiment, the elastic element includes a spring, with its two ends connected to the spring and the housing, respectively.
[0016] In one embodiment, the device further includes a mounting base and a mounting post, the mounting base being connected to the housing, the spring being sleeved on the mounting post, and the mounting post being connected to the mounting base.
[0017] In one embodiment, a rotating shaft is further included. One end of the pedal is provided with a rotating hole. The rotating shaft is fixedly connected to the housing and located in the mounting cavity. The pedal is rotatably connected to the housing through the cooperation of the rotating shaft and the rotating hole.
[0018] In one embodiment, the housing includes a bottom shell and an outer shell, the bottom shell and the outer shell enclosing each other to form the mounting cavity, and the outer shell is detachably connected to the bottom shell.
[0019] The electronic piano in this invention includes a housing, a circuit board, knobs, a transmission assembly, and pedals. When the player presses the pedal, the pedal rotates around its rotating end, driving the knob to rotate via the transmission assembly, thereby triggering the sustain function. Due to the knob's rotational triggering characteristic, the pedal can instantly trigger the sustain effect at any pressing angle, unlike existing switch-type structures that require reaching a predetermined travel position, completely solving the control limitation of traditional pedals that only trigger when fully depressed. Simultaneously, when the player holds the pedal at any pressing angle (i.e., not fully released), The knob remains in the triggered state, ensuring a continuous sustain effect and avoiding the problem of sustain interruption caused by the pedal leaving the predetermined position, as is the case in existing technologies. In musical passages requiring long sustain, the player does not need to precisely control the foot pressure to lock the pedal in a specific range; simply keeping the pedal not fully released is sufficient to maintain the sustain. This significantly reduces the difficulty of playing control and foot muscle fatigue, effectively preventing accidental release of the sustain due to slight foot movements, thus ensuring the smoothness of the performance and improving the tonal effect of the electronic piano. Attached Figure Description
[0020] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of this utility model or the prior art, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments or the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of this utility model. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on the structures shown in these drawings without creative effort.
[0021] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the structure of the piano pedal with half-step function provided by this utility model when it is not pressed;
[0022] Figure 2 A schematic diagram of the structure of the piano pedal with half-step function provided by this utility model when it is in the step position;
[0023] Figure 3 for Figure 1 Remove the sectional view of the transmission assembly;
[0024] Figure 4 for Figure 1 A cross-sectional view from a specific perspective;
[0025] Figure 5 for Figure 2 A cross-sectional view from a specific perspective.
[0026] Explanation of icon numbers:
[0027] 10. Housing; 101. Mounting cavity; 102. Movable opening; 11. Bottom shell; 12. Outer shell; 13. Mounting base; 14. Mounting post; 15. Rotating shaft; 20. Circuit board; 30. Knob; 31. Limiting protrusion; 40. Foot pedal; 51. First transmission rod; 52. Second transmission rod; 521. First limiting groove; 522. Second limiting groove; 60. Spring.
[0028] The realization of the purpose, functional features and advantages of this utility model will be further explained in conjunction with the embodiments and with reference to the accompanying drawings. Detailed Implementation
[0029] The technical solutions of the present utility model will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings of the embodiments. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present utility model, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present utility model, all other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of the present utility model.
[0030] It should be noted that if the embodiments of this utility model involve directional indicators (such as up, down, left, right, front, back, etc.), the directional indicators are only used to explain the relative positional relationship and movement of the components in a specific posture. If the specific posture changes, the directional indicators will also change accordingly.
[0031] Furthermore, if the embodiments of this utility model involve descriptions such as "first" or "second," these descriptions are for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying their relative importance or implicitly specifying the number of technical features indicated. Therefore, a feature defined with "first" or "second" may explicitly or implicitly include at least one of those features. Additionally, the use of "and / or" or "and / or" throughout the text includes three parallel solutions. For example, "A and / or B" includes solution A, solution B, or a solution where both A and B are satisfied simultaneously. Furthermore, the technical solutions of the various embodiments can be combined with each other, but this must be based on the ability of those skilled in the art to implement them. When the combination of technical solutions is contradictory or impossible to implement, it should be considered that such a combination of technical solutions does not exist and is not within the scope of protection claimed by this utility model.
[0032] Reference Figures 1 to 5 This utility model proposes a piano pedal with a half-step function, comprising:
[0033] The housing 10 has a mounting cavity 101 formed inside it, and a movable opening 102 is formed on the housing 10, which is connected to the mounting cavity 101.
[0034] Circuit board 20, which is mounted on the housing 10 and located within the mounting cavity 101;
[0035] Knob 30, the knob 30 being electrically connected to the circuit board 20; and
[0036] The pedal 40 and the transmission assembly are provided. One end of the pedal 40 is rotatably connected to the mounting cavity 101, and the other end of the pedal 40 extends from the mounting cavity 101 to the movable opening 102 and protrudes outward from the movable opening 102. The pedal 40 is connected to the knob 30 through the transmission assembly.
[0037] The electronic piano in this invention includes a housing 10, a circuit board 20, a knob 30, a transmission assembly, and a foot pedal 40. When the player presses the foot pedal 40, the foot pedal 40 rotates around its rotating end, driving the knob 30 to rotate via the transmission assembly, thereby triggering the sustain function. Due to the rotation triggering characteristic of the knob 30, the foot pedal 40 can instantly trigger the sustain effect at any pressing angle, without needing to reach a predetermined travel position as in existing switch-type structures, completely solving the control limitation of traditional pedals that only trigger when fully in position. Simultaneously, when the player holds the foot pedal 40 at any pressing angle (i.e.,...), the sustain effect is triggered immediately. When not fully released, knob 30 remains in the triggered state, ensuring a continuous sustain effect. This avoids the problem of sustain interruption caused by the pedal leaving the predetermined position, as is common in existing technologies. In passages requiring long sustain, the player does not need to precisely control the foot pressure to lock the pedal in a specific range; simply keeping pedal 40 from being fully released is sufficient to maintain sustain. This significantly reduces the difficulty of playing control and foot muscle fatigue, effectively preventing accidental release of sustain due to slight foot movements. This ensures the smoothness of the performance and improves the tonal effect of the electronic piano.
[0038] Specifically, the transmission assembly includes a transmission rod, with its two ends connected to the knob 30 and the pedal 40, respectively. By using the transmission rod as the transmission element, motion transmission between the pedal 40 and the knob 30 is achieved: when the pedal 40 is pressed down and rotates around its rotating end, the oscillating motion of the pedal 40 is converted into the rotational motion of the knob 30 through the transmission rod, thereby triggering the sustain function. This transmission rod structure has the advantages of direct transmission and high motion precision, ensuring that even the slightest rotation of the pedal 40 can be accurately transmitted to the knob 30, reducing the problem of insensitive triggering due to transmission gaps or lags. At the same time, the transmission rod structure is simple, with fewer parts, facilitating assembly and manufacturing, which helps reduce production costs and assembly difficulty, and improves product production efficiency and quality stability. In addition, the direct connection of the two ends of the transmission rod to the knob 30 and the pedal 40 reduces intermediate transmission links, improves the reliability and service life of the transmission, and allows the pedal 40 to maintain stable triggering performance during long-term use.
[0039] Furthermore, the transmission rod includes a first transmission rod 51 and a second transmission rod 52. One end of the first transmission rod 51 is fixedly connected to the pedal 40, and the other end of the first transmission rod 51 is rotatably connected to one end of the second transmission rod 52. The other end of the second transmission rod 52 is fixedly connected to the knob 30. By adopting a split structure in which the first transmission rod 51 and the second transmission rod 52 are rotatably connected, the turning point and adaptive adjustment of the transmission path are achieved: when the pedal 40 is pressed, the first transmission rod 51 rotates with the pedal 40, and the rotational connection point between it and the second transmission rod 52 can automatically adjust the angle according to the movement trajectory, so that the second transmission rod 52 can drive the knob 30 to rotate more smoothly. This rotational connection structure effectively reduces the jamming phenomenon caused by installation errors or mismatch of movement trajectories, and improves the transmission smoothness of the pedal 40 at any pressing angle. At the same time, the split design makes the layout of the transmission components more flexible, and can adapt to the different shapes and spaces of the mounting cavity 101 within the housing 10, reducing the design limitations and installation difficulty of the electronic piano.
[0040] Of course, in other embodiments, the transmission rod can also be configured as a telescopic transmission rod, so that the pedal 40 can extend and retract to transmit the movement of the pedal 40 when driving the knob 30 to rotate. The transmission rod can also be an elastic telescopic rod, etc.
[0041] In one embodiment, the knob 30 includes a limiting protrusion 31, and the second transmission rod 52 is provided with a first limiting groove 521. The limiting protrusion 31 has at least one non-circular arc surface, and the limiting protrusion 31 is adapted to the first limiting groove 521. The second transmission rod 52 is limited to the knob 30 through the cooperation of the limiting protrusion 31 and the first limiting groove 521. By adopting the cooperation structure of the limiting protrusion 31 and the first limiting groove 521, circumferential limiting and torque transmission between the second transmission rod 52 and the knob 30 are realized. The non-circular arc surface on the limiting protrusion 31 forms surface contact or line contact with the inner wall of the first limiting groove 521. When the second transmission rod 52 rotates, its torque acts on the non-circular arc surface of the limiting protrusion 31 through the first limiting groove 521, thereby driving the knob 30 to rotate synchronously. Compared to simple cylindrical pin connections, this mating structure offers higher connection strength and torsional resistance, effectively preventing slippage or loosening due to excessive torque during long-term use. Simultaneously, the non-circular surface design ensures a tighter fit between the limiting protrusion 31 and the first limiting groove 521, reducing transmission clearance, improving transmission accuracy and response speed, and ensuring that every pedal stroke of the pedal 40 precisely triggers the sustain function.
[0042] In one embodiment, the second transmission rod 52 is provided with a second limiting groove 522. When the first transmission rod 51 rotates to a predetermined angle, the first transmission rod 51 abuts against the groove wall of the second limiting groove 522. By setting the second limiting groove 522, the rotation angle of the first transmission rod 51 is mechanically limited, reducing the excessive rotation of the pedal 40 beyond its designed stroke range. When the player presses the pedal 40 to the predetermined angle, the first transmission rod 51 contacts the groove wall of the second limiting groove 522, preventing the pedal 40 from continuing to rotate, thereby providing overload protection. This limiting structure can effectively reduce damage to the transmission components or electronic components inside the knob 30 caused by excessive pedaling force, extending the product's service life. At the same time, the setting angle of the second limiting groove 522 matches the normal working stroke of the pedal 40, providing the player with a certain tactile feedback, allowing them to feel the limiting resistance when pressing to the maximum working angle, indicating that the trigger limit has been reached, which helps to form a stable playing feel.
[0043] In one embodiment, an elastic element is also included, through which the pedal 40 is elastically connected to the housing 10. By providing the elastic element, a restoring force is provided to the pedal 40, allowing it to automatically return to its initial position when not pressed. When the player releases the pedal 40, the elastic potential energy stored in the elastic element is released, driving the pedal 40 to rotate in the opposite direction to reset, thereby rotating the knob 30 and stopping the sustain function. This elastic reset structure simplifies the reset mechanism of the pedal 40, eliminating the need for additional reset components or complex mechanical structures, thus reducing costs. Simultaneously, the elastic element provides appropriate damping and rebound force during the pedal pressing process, simulating the feel of a traditional piano pedal and enhancing the player's experience. The elastic element can also absorb some of the impact from pedaling, reducing wear and fatigue of the transmission components during long-term use, and improving the durability and reliability of the electronic piano.
[0044] Specifically, the elastic element includes a spring 60, with its two ends connected to the housing 10. The spring 60 has advantages such as simple structure, low cost, stable performance, and long service life, facilitating procurement and assembly. The spring constant of the spring 60 can be selected and adjusted according to actual needs to meet different pedaling forces and return speeds, providing flexibility for product design. When the pedal 40 is depressed, the spring 60 is stretched or compressed to store energy; when the pedal 40 is released, the spring 60 releases energy to drive the pedal 40 back to its original position. This spring 60 return structure provides a rapid response and stable return force, ensuring that the pedal 40 accurately returns to its initial position each time, guaranteeing a reliable stop of the sustain function. Simultaneously, the linear mechanical characteristics of the spring 60 make the resistance change during pedaling smoother, contributing to a uniform playing feel.
[0045] In one embodiment, the system further includes a mounting base 13 and a mounting post 14. The mounting base 13 is connected to the housing 10, and the spring 60 is sleeved on the mounting post 14, which is connected to the mounting base 13. The mounting base 13 and mounting post 14 provide a stable mounting foundation for the spring 60. The mounting base 13 is fixed to the housing 10, providing a reliable support point for the spring 60. The mounting post 14 is used to pass through the spring 60, guiding its extension and retraction direction, preventing the spring 60 from tilting or coming off during compression or stretching, and ensuring that the spring 60 always moves in the predetermined direction. This mounting structure improves the working stability and service life of the spring 60, avoiding abnormal noise or failure caused by spring 60 shaking or misalignment. Simultaneously, the structural design of the mounting base 13 and mounting post 14 makes the installation and removal of the spring 60 more convenient, facilitating product assembly and maintenance. The limiting effect of the mounting post 14 on the spring 60 also ensures that the preload of the spring 60 is evenly distributed, making the return force of the pedal 40 more stable and consistent, improving the player's control experience.
[0046] In one embodiment, a rotating shaft 15 is also included. One end of the pedal 40 has a rotating hole. The rotating shaft 15 is fixedly connected to the housing 10 and located within the mounting cavity 101. The pedal 40 is rotatably connected to the housing 10 through the cooperation of the rotating shaft 15 and the rotating hole. By adopting a rotating structure in which the rotating shaft 15 cooperates with the rotating hole, a reliable rotating connection between the pedal 40 and the housing 10 is achieved. The rotating shaft 15 is fixed to the housing 10, and the pedal 40 is sleeved on the rotating shaft 15 through the rotating hole at its end, forming a hinged connection, allowing the pedal 40 to rotate freely around the rotating shaft 15. This rotating structure has the advantages of flexible rotation, low frictional resistance, and smooth movement, ensuring that the pedal 40 always moves along a predetermined trajectory during pressing and resetting, avoiding jamming or shaking, thereby improving the stability and reliability of the electronic piano during operation.
[0047] Specifically, the housing 10 includes a bottom shell 11 and an outer shell 12, which together form the mounting cavity 101. The outer shell 12 is detachably connected to the bottom shell 11. By adopting a separate, detachable connection between the bottom shell 11 and the outer shell 12, the mounting cavity 101 inside the housing 10 is openable. When it is necessary to install, repair, or replace internal components such as the circuit board 20, knob 30, and transmission components within the mounting cavity 101, simply removing the outer shell 12 from the bottom shell 11 directly exposes the interior of the mounting cavity 101, facilitating inspection and maintenance by operators without damaging the housing 10 or disassembling other external structures. This detachable design significantly improves the maintainability and assembly convenience of the product, reducing the difficulty and cost of after-sales maintenance. Simultaneously, the separate structure also facilitates assembly during the production process; each component can be first installed separately on the bottom shell 11 or the outer shell 12 before being assembled together, helping to optimize the assembly process and improve production efficiency.
[0048] The above description is merely an exemplary embodiment of the present utility model and does not limit the scope of protection of the present utility model. Any equivalent structural transformations made based on the technical concept of the present utility model and the contents of the present utility model specification and drawings, or direct / indirect applications in other related technical fields, are included within the scope of protection of the present utility model.
Claims
1. A piano pedal with a half-pedal function, characterized in that, include: A housing having an internal mounting cavity and a movable opening on the housing that communicates with the mounting cavity; A circuit board, which is mounted on the housing and located within the mounting cavity; A knob, which is electrically connected to the circuit board; as well as The pedal and transmission assembly are provided, with one end of the pedal rotatably connected to the mounting cavity and the other end of the pedal extending from the mounting cavity to the movable opening and protruding outward from the movable opening; the pedal is connected to the knob via the transmission assembly.
2. The piano pedal with half-pedal function as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The transmission assembly includes a transmission rod, the two ends of which are respectively connected to the knob and the pedal.
3. The piano pedal with half-pedal function as described in claim 2, characterized in that, The transmission rod includes a first transmission rod and a second transmission rod. One end of the first transmission rod is fixedly connected to the pedal tongue, and the other end of the first transmission rod is rotatably connected to one end of the second transmission rod. The other end of the second transmission rod is fixedly connected to the knob.
4. The piano pedal with half-pedal function as described in claim 3, characterized in that, The knob includes a limiting protrusion, and the second transmission rod is provided with a first limiting groove. The limiting protrusion has at least one non-circular arc surface. The limiting protrusion is adapted to the first limiting groove. The second transmission rod is limited to the knob by the cooperation of the limiting protrusion and the first limiting groove.
5. The piano pedal with half-pedal function as described in claim 3, characterized in that, The second transmission rod is provided with a second limiting groove. When the first transmission rod rotates at a predetermined angle, the first transmission rod abuts against the groove wall of the second limiting groove.
6. The piano pedal with half-pedal function as described in claim 1, characterized in that, It also includes an elastic element, through which the foot pedal is elastically connected to the housing.
7. The piano pedal with half-pedal function as described in claim 6, characterized in that, The elastic element includes a spring, with its two ends connected to the spring and the housing, respectively.
8. The piano pedal with half-pedal function as described in claim 7, characterized in that, It also includes a mounting base and a mounting post, the mounting base being fixedly connected to the housing, the spring being sleeved on the mounting post, and the mounting post being connected to the mounting base.
9. The piano pedal with half-pedal function as described in claim 1, characterized in that, It also includes a rotating shaft, one end of the pedal is provided with a rotating hole, the rotating shaft is fixedly connected to the housing and located in the mounting cavity, and the pedal is rotatably connected to the housing through the cooperation of the rotating shaft and the rotating hole.
10. The piano pedal with half-pedal function as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The housing includes a bottom shell and an outer shell, which together form the mounting cavity. The outer shell is detachably connected to the bottom shell.