Musical instrument tension detection device

Abstract

To provide a musical instrument tension detection device that reduces restrictions on live performance.SOLUTION: A musical instrument tension detection device 10 includes; a first component 11 to be coupled to a side of a strap 210; a second component 12 to be coupled to a side of an electric guitar 200 which is a musical instrument; and a load cell 50 that detects tension between the first component 11 and the second component 12.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a tension detection device for a musical instrument. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, there have been provided foot-operated devices for adjusting the volume output to a speaker amplifier for the output of an electric or electronic musical instrument, foot pedals for adjusting the tone of an effector such as wah or distortion, and foot switches for switching between effectors. For example, Patent Document 1 proposes an effector device that is integrated with a foot switch for switching between effectors and a foot pedal for adjustment. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2002-23757 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In musical instruments that are played using both hands, the player can adjust the tone with his feet, making it possible to make adjustments while playing. However, this limits live performances, as the player cannot leave the instrument.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a tension detection device for a musical instrument that reduces restrictions on live performances. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The tension detection device for a musical instrument of the present invention comprises a first member to be connected to a strap side, a second member to be connected to the musical instrument side, a load cell that detects the tension between the first member and the second member, a first shaft member connected to the load cell and to which the first member is connected so as to be rotatable around an axis, and a second shaft member connected to the load cell and to which the second member is connected so as to be rotatable around an axis. Effect of the Invention

[0007] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a tension detection device for a musical instrument that reduces restrictions on live performances. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] 1 is a configuration diagram of a performance system including a tension detection device for a musical instrument according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] 1 is a perspective view showing the appearance of a tension detection device for a musical instrument according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 3] 3 is a cross-sectional view of the tension detection device for a musical instrument according to the embodiment of the present invention taken along line III-III of FIG. 2. [Figure 4] 4 is a cross-sectional view of the tension detection device for a musical instrument according to the embodiment of the present invention taken along line IV-IV of FIG. 2. [Diagram 5] 1 is an exploded perspective view of a tension detection device for a musical instrument according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] 1 is a front view showing a sensor device of a tension detection device for a musical instrument according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] 1 is a perspective view showing a strain element in a sensor device of a tension detection device for a musical instrument according to an embodiment of the present invention; DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The performance system 1 shown in Fig. 1 includes an effector device 100, an electric guitar 200 which is an electric musical instrument (i.e., a musical instrument), and a guitar amplifier 300. A musical instrument tension detection device 10 according to the present invention is attached between the electric guitar 200 and a guitar strap 210 for hanging the electric guitar 200 on the shoulder.

[0010] The electric guitar 200 is connected to the effector device 100 via a guitar cable 220. The effector device 100 has an effect section 120 that is connected to an electric signal input section 110, an electric signal output section 130, and a control signal input section 140. The electric signal input section 110 is connected to the guitar cable 220, and receives an electric signal (audio signal) from the electric guitar 200. The input electric signal is given various effects such as wow and distortion by the effect section 120, and is output via the electric signal output section 130. The electric signal output section 130 is connected to a guitar amplifier 300. The electric signal output from the electric signal output section 130 is output as sound from the guitar amplifier 300.

[0011] The effect section 120 applies an effect to the electrical signal input from the electrical signal input section 110 based on a control signal from the control signal input section 140. The degree of the effect, such as wow or distortion, is adjusted as desired by the musical instrument tension detection device 10. The control signal input section 140 is connected to the receiving device 80. The receiving device 80 can receive an output from the communication section 43 of the musical instrument tension detection device 10.

[0012] With electric guitar 200 hanging from the shoulder by strap 210, the player applies tension to strap 210 by, for example, stretching electric guitar 200. Then, musical instrument tension detection device 10 detects the tension of strap 210 (i.e., the tension between first member 11 and second member 12 described below). Musical instrument tension detection device 10 includes a communication section 43 described below, and transmits a detection value that is the detected tension of strap 210 by a predetermined wireless communication method. Receiving device 80 receives the detection value transmitted from musical instrument tension detection device 10 and inputs it to control signal input section 140. Control signal input section 140 controls effect section 120 according to the input detection value related to tension.

[0013] Therefore, a player of the electric guitar 200 can adjust the effect such as wow or distortion by applying tension to the strap 210, for example by pulling the electric guitar 200 tight while playing.

[0014] As shown in FIG. 2, the tension detection device 10 for musical instruments is provided with a case 20 in the shape of a relatively thin box having a substantially rectangular shape. The case 20 is provided by combining a front case 21 arranged on the front side (front side) and a rear case 22 arranged on the rear side. From the case 20, a first shaft member 31 protrudes on the strap 210 side, and a second shaft member 32 protrudes on the electric guitar 200 side. A first member 11 that connects to the strap 210 is connected to the first shaft member 31. A second member 12 that connects to the electric guitar 200 is connected to the first shaft member 31. In the following description, the first shaft member 31 side is referred to as the top, and the second shaft member 32 side is referred to as the bottom. Also, when viewing the tension detection device 10 for musical instruments from the front, the left side is referred to as the left, and the right side is referred to as the right.

[0015] The first member 11 is made of sheet metal and is formed in a plate shape, and is connected to the first shaft member 31 via a horizontal bar 31d, which will be described later. A second strap pin 11a for engaging the strap 210 is provided on the substantially triangular upper side of the first member 11. As shown in FIG. 3, the second strap pin 11a is inserted into a hole 211 formed in a slit shape in the strap 210. In this manner, the first member 11 is connected to the strap 210. The other end of the strap 210 is engaged with a strap pin (not shown) on the opposite side to the neck of the electric guitar 200. The strap 210 used in this embodiment is a known guitar strap.

[0016] The second member 12 is provided in a substantially plate-like shape with a substantially convex arc-shaped lower end, and is connected to the second shaft member 32 via a horizontal bar 32d, which will be described later. The second member 12 is provided with a hole 12a. As shown in FIG. 5, the hole 12a has a large hole 12a2 and a small hole 12a1 that is connected to the large hole 12a2. The large hole 12a2 is provided closer to the load cell 50, which will be described later, than the small hole 12a1. As shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 4, the first strap pin 201, which is the strap pin on the neck side of the electric guitar 200, is arranged in the small hole 12a1 via the large hole 12a2. The first strap pin 201 of the electric guitar 200 arranged in the small hole 12a1 has an outer diameter larger than the large hole 12a2, and is engaged with an annular elastic member 15 having an inner diameter smaller than the diameter of the top of the first strap pin 201. In this manner, the second member 12 is connected to the electric guitar 200. Both the first strap pin 201 and the second strap pin 11a are fixed to the electric guitar 200 and the first member 11 by screws.

[0017] The second member 12 is attached to the first strap pin as follows. First, the first strap pin 201 on the electric guitar 200 side is inserted into the large hole 12a2 of the second member 12 of the musical instrument tension detection device 10. Then, the second member 12 and the electric guitar 200 are moved so as to be relatively separated from each other, and the first strap pin 201 is moved toward the small hole 12a1 side. Next, the elastic member 15 is fitted from above the first strap pin 201 toward the second member 12. Then, the frictional force between the elastic member 15 and the second member 12 restricts the movement of the first strap pin 201. In this way, the hole 12a of the second member 12 engages with the first strap pin 201 provided on the electric guitar 200 side. The hole 12a of the second member 12 and the first strap pin 201 are locked by the elastic member 15.

[0018] As shown in FIG. 2, an annular inclined portion 21a having a C-chamfered shape is provided on the outer periphery of the edge on the front side of the front case 21. A substantially U-shaped cover 21b having an opening on the lower side is provided along the inclined portion 21a on the upper part of the inclined portion 21a. The cover 21b is made of a material having translucency. A user can visually recognize light from a light-emitting portion 41 (see FIG. 5) provided on a board 40 described later from the outside through the cover 21b. Four button switches 42 provided on the board 40 are exposed from the flat surface 21c of the front case 21.

[0019] As shown in Fig. 5, a board 40 is provided inside the case 20. The board 40 is provided with a light-emitting unit 41. The light-emitting unit 41 is configured by arranging a plurality (nine pieces) of light-emitting diodes (LEDs) in a substantially U-shape with an opening on the lower side, following the cover 21b of the front case 21. In addition, four button switches 42 are provided on the board 40 and are exposed to the outside through holes 21d of the front case 21.

[0020] The substrate 40 is also provided with a communication unit 43 that outputs a detection value detected by a sensor device 30 (load cell 50) described below to the outside. The communication unit 43 includes a circuit that transmits a signal including a detection value related to tension detected by the sensor device 30 to a receiving device 80 (see FIG. 1) via an antenna (not shown) using a predetermined wireless communication method. This circuit has a filter, an amplifier, and a modulator / demodulator. The predetermined wireless communication method may be, for example, Bluetooth (registered trademark) or Bluetooth Low Energy (registered trademark) (BLE) related to version 4 or later of Bluetooth (registered trademark).

[0021] Furthermore, although not shown, the board 40 has a processing unit such as a CPU or a microcomputer as a processor, and a storage unit constituted by a flash memory, an EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable ROM), etc., and performs various control processes.

[0022] A battery box 22a capable of storing dry batteries 25 is provided in the rear case 22 of the case 20. The battery box 22a is capable of storing the dry batteries 25 from the rear side of the rear case 22. A battery box cover 22b is attached to the battery box 22a. The front case 21 and the rear case 22, and the battery box cover 22b and the rear case 22 are assembled with screw members (not shown).

[0023] Inside the case 20, a sensor device 30 including a load cell 50 is provided on the back side of the substrate 40. As shown in FIG. 6, the sensor device 30 has a first shaft member 31 and a second shaft member 32. The first shaft member 31 is provided in a generally cylindrical rod shape and is elongated in the vertical direction. The first shaft member 31 has a lower outer cylinder 31a having a flange portion 31a1 on the bottom surface and an upper outer cylinder 31b, and a center shaft 31c is inserted inside the lower outer cylinder 31a and the upper outer cylinder 31b. At the upper end of the center shaft 31c, a generally cylindrical horizontal bar 31d is inserted in an axis CL2 direction perpendicular to the axis CL1 of the first shaft member 31, and is inserted with a certain amount of play into a hole in the center shaft 31c that penetrates in the axis CL2 direction. The center shaft 31c is provided rotatably around the axis CL1 of the first shaft member 31. The horizontal bar 31d is provided rotatably around the axis CL2 of the horizontal bar 31d. The lower end side of the first member 11 is fixed to the horizontal bar 31d in a manner that the lower end side of the first member 11 is wrapped around the horizontal bar 31d.

[0024] In this way, the first member 11 is rotatable around the axis CL1 of the first shaft member 31 (center shaft 31c), and is rotatable around the axis CL2 perpendicular to the axis CL1 of the first shaft member 31 (center shaft 31c).

[0025] The second shaft member 32 is provided in a substantially cylindrical rod shape, with a length in the vertical direction sufficiently shorter than that of the first shaft member 31. The total length of the second shaft member 32 is provided to be approximately 1 / 3 or less of the total length of the first member 31. In the second shaft member 32, a center shaft 32c is inserted into a lower outer cylinder 32a having a flange portion 32a1. At the lower end of the center shaft 32c, a horizontal bar 32d is inserted into a hole that penetrates the center shaft 32c in the axis CL3 direction, which is a direction perpendicular to the axis CL1 of the second shaft member 32. The center shaft 32c is provided rotatably around the axis CL1 of the second shaft member 32. The horizontal bar 32d is also provided rotatably around the axis CL3 of the horizontal bar 32d. The cross bar 32d is provided at the upper end of the second member 12, and is inserted into and fixed to a hole 12c that has a notch 12c1 in the center and penetrates the second member 12 in a direction parallel to the plate surface.

[0026] In this manner, the second member 12 is provided so as to be rotatable about the axis CL1 of the second shaft member 32 (center shaft 32c) and also rotatable about the axis CL3 perpendicular to the axis CL1 of the second shaft member 32 (center shaft 32c). The first shaft member 31 and the second shaft member 32 are arranged concentrically on the axis CL1.

[0027] On the other hand, the sensor device 30 has a load cell 50. The load cell 50 is provided with a rectangular parallelepiped flexure body 38. As shown in FIG. 7, a sensor 44 is provided on the upper surface of the flexure body 38. The sensor 44 may be any sensor device capable of detecting the expansion and contraction of the flexure body 38, such as a foil strain gauge or a semiconductor strain gauge. An active dummy method using two foil strain gauges may also be applied. The sensor 44 is electrically connected to the substrate 40. The load cell 50 includes the sensor 44 and the flexure body 38. The load cell 50 can detect the tension between the first member 11 and the second member 12 (i.e., the tension of the strap 210).

[0028] The flexure body 38 has through holes 38a, 38b on one side (the left side) and the other side (the right side). As shown in Fig. 6, the flexure body 38 is arranged so that its longitudinal direction is parallel to a direction perpendicular to the axis CL1 (the directions of axes CL2 and CL3, i.e., the left-right direction). The first shaft member 31 is connected by a first connecting member 33 to one side (the left side) of the flexure body 38 where the through hole 38a is provided. The second shaft member 32 is connected by a second connecting member 34 to the other side (the right side) where the through hole 38b is provided.

[0029] More specifically, the left lower surface of the first connection member 33, which is made of a sheet metal member having a substantially S-shape in side view, abuts against the upper surface of the strain body 38. The first connection member 33 is fixed to the strain body 38 by a fastening member 35a made of a bolt and a nut inserted into a hole portion penetrating the left side of the first connection member 33 and a through hole 38a. The right lower surface of the first connection member 33 has a predetermined distance S1 from the upper surface of the strain body 38. On the right side of the first connection member 33, the flange portion 31a1 of the lower outer tube 31a is arranged on the lower surface side, and the lower outer tube 31a is fixed. In this way, the first shaft member 31 is connected to the right side of the first connection member 33. The first shaft member 31 is connected to the strain body 38 (load cell 50) via the first connection member 33.

[0030] Similarly, the right upper surface of the second connection member 34, which is made of a sheet metal member having a substantially S-shape in side view, abuts against the lower surface of the flexure body 38. The second connection member 34 is fixed to the flexure body 38 by a fastening member 35b made of a bolt and nut inserted into a hole portion penetrating the right side of the second connection member 34 and a through hole 38b. The left upper surface of the second connection member 34 has a predetermined distance S2 from the upper surface of the flexure body 38. On the left side of the second connection member 34, the flange portion 32a1 of the lower outer tube 32a is arranged on the upper surface side, and the lower outer tube 32a is fixed. In this way, the second shaft member 32 is connected to the left side of the second connection member 34. The second shaft member 32 is connected to the flexure body 38 (load cell 50) via the second connection member 34.

[0031] Here, tension is applied to the strap 210 in the axis CL1 direction of the first shaft member 31 and the second shaft member 32. In other words, the first shaft member 31 and the second shaft member 32 are both provided parallel to the direction in which tension is generated. The strain body 38 of the load cell 50 is disposed with its longitudinal direction perpendicular to the axis CL1 direction in which tension is generated.

[0032] The operation of the musical instrument tension detection device 10 will now be described. Various operations such as initial settings can be performed on the musical instrument tension detection device 10 by operating the button switch 42 shown in Fig. 2. For example, a specific button switch 42 can be operated to enter setting mode, and the maximum strength at which the strap 210 is pulled relative to the weight of the electric guitar 200 (maximum tension) can be set. The musical instrument tension detection device 10 can then detect tension values ​​up to the set maximum tension, using the tension of the strap 210 applied due to the weight of the electric guitar 200 as a reference.

[0033] When tension is applied to the strap 210, an upward force acts on the first member 11 and a downward force acts on the second member 12 in Fig. 6. In other words, forces in the opposite axial CL1 directions act on the first member 11 and the second member 12, respectively. Then, the left side, which is one side of the strain body 38, receives an upward force via the first shaft member 31 connected to the first member 11 and the first connecting member 33 connected to the first shaft member 31, and the other side of the strain body 38 receives a downward force via the second shaft member 32 connected to the second member 12 and the second connecting member 34 connected to the second shaft member 32. Then, the strain body 38 stretches, and the sensor 44 measures the amount of stretch of the strain body 38.

[0034] This amount of stretch can be processed and converted into a tension value by a control unit (not shown) included in the load cell 50 provided on the substrate 40. In this manner, the load cell 50 can detect the tension of the strap 210 (i.e., the tension between the first member 11 connected to the strap 210 and the second member 12 connected to the electric guitar 200).

[0035] Here, the light emitting section 41 can emit light in response to the output of the load cell 50 (tension, which is a detected value). For example, the brightness of the light emitting section 41 can be increased as the tension increases. Alternatively, it is possible to change which of the multiple light emitting diodes in the light emitting section 41 is to emit light as the tension increases. For example, when the tension is small, one light emitting diode on each of the left and right sides can be made to emit light, and as the tension increases, the adjacent light emitting diode can be made to emit light. Also, the color of the emitted light can be changed according to the output of the load cell 50.

[0036] The detection value detected by the load cell 50 is output to the outside via the communication unit 43 and received by the receiving device 80. The signal received by the receiving device 80 is input to the control signal input unit 140 of the effector device 100 to control the effect section 120. The signal transmitted from the communication unit 43 and the signal input from the receiving device 80 to the control signal input unit 140 can be, for example, an analog signal to replace an output signal based on the volume adjustment of an expression pedal, or a digital signal such as a MIDI signal.

[0037] In this way, for example, when the electric guitar 200 is stretched and a strong tension is applied, the degree of effect such as wow or distortion is increased, and when the tension is weak, a weak effect is applied, and so on, and an effect effect can be applied to the sound emitted from the electric guitar 200. Also, the effector device 100 can be controlled according to the way of applying tension (lifting the electric guitar 200 to set the tension to 0, applying tension intermittently, etc.).

[0038] According to the above embodiment of the present invention, the musical instrument tension detection device 10 comprises a first member 11 to be connected to the guitar strap 210, a second member 12 to be connected to the musical instrument, that is, an electric guitar 200, and a load cell 50 that detects the tension between the first member 11 and the second member 12.

[0039] This allows external devices such as the effector device 100 to be controlled based on the tension detected by the tension detection device 10 for musical instruments that can move with the performer, so that the performer can move on the stage, thereby reducing restrictions on live performance. Here, in this embodiment, the electric guitar 200 is shown as an example, but other musical instruments may be used. In addition, the load cell 50 may be of another type, such as a capacitance type or a magnetostrictive type, as long as it can detect the tension between the first member 11 and the second member 12. In addition, the detection value of the load cell 50 may be input to the effector device 100 or the like by a wireless device or by a wired device.

[0040] The second member 12 also has a hole 12a that engages with a first strap pin 201 provided on the electric guitar 200. This allows the second member 12 to be easily engaged and locked with an instrument such as the electric guitar 200.

[0041] Hole 12a also includes large hole 12a2 and small hole 12a1 connected to large hole 12a2, with large hole 12a2 being located closer to load cell 50 than small hole 12a1. This allows first strap pin 201 to remain positioned in small hole 12a1 even when electric guitar 200 is stretched.

[0042] The musical instrument tension detection device 10 also includes a communication unit 43 that outputs the detection value detected by the load cell 50 to the outside. This allows the performer greater freedom of movement compared to a wired system, further reducing restrictions on live performances.

[0043] Furthermore, the musical instrument tension detection device 10 includes a first shaft member 31 connected to the load cell 50 and to which the first member 11 is connected so as to be rotatable about the axis CL1, and a second shaft member 32 connected to the load cell 50 and to which the second member 12 is connected so as to be rotatable about the axis CL1. This allows the tension to be properly detected by the load cell 50 even if the electric guitar 200 is oriented in various directions, making it possible to perform live performances optimally.

[0044] In addition, the first member 11 is connected to the first shaft member 31 so as to be rotatable around an axis CL2 perpendicular to the axis CL1 of the first shaft member 31, and the second member 12 is connected to the second shaft member 32 so as to be rotatable around an axis CL3 perpendicular to the axis CL1 of the second shaft member 32. This further increases the degree of freedom of movement of the first member 11 and the second member 12, further reducing restrictions on the movement of the player.

[0045] In addition, the first shaft member 31 and the second shaft member 32 are arranged concentrically. This allows the load cell 50 to be connected to the first shaft member 31 and the second shaft member 32, making it possible to properly detect the tension between the first member 11 and the second member 12 with a simple structure.

[0046] In addition, the load cell 50 has a rectangular parallelepiped-shaped elastic body 38 that is long in a direction perpendicular to the direction in which tension is generated between the first member 11 and the second member 12, and the first shaft member 31 is connected to one side, or the left side, of the elastic body 38 by a first connecting member 33, and the second shaft member 32 is connected to the other side, or the right side, of the elastic body 38 by a second connecting member 34.

[0047] This allows the sensor device 30 to be a Roberval mechanism, so even if the direction in which the electric guitar 200 is stretched changes and the direction in which the first member 11 and the second member 12 are pulled changes, the tension between the first member 11 and the second member 12 can be detected to be the same if the electric guitar 200 is stretched with the same force.

[0048] The musical instrument tension detection device 10 also includes a light emitting section 41 that emits light in response to the load cell 50. This allows the degree of adjustment to be visually grasped when controlling the effector device 100 by changing the force tensioning the electric guitar 200, i.e., the tension between the first member 11 and the second member 12.

[0049] Although some embodiments of the present invention have been described, these embodiments are presented as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These novel embodiments can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. These embodiments and their modifications are included in the scope and spirit of the invention, and are included in the scope of the invention and its equivalents described in the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0050] 1: Performance system 10: Musical instrument tension detection device 11: First member 12: Second member 20: Case 22: Rear case 30: Sensor device 31: First shaft member 32: Second shaft member 40: Circuit board 43: Communication section 44: Sensor 50: Load cell 80: Receiver 110: Electric signal input section 120: Effect section 130: Electric signal output section 140: Control signal input section 200: Electric guitar 210: Strap 220: Guitar cable 300: Guitar amplifier

Claims

1. A first member to be connected to the strap side; A second member that is connected to the instrument; A load cell for detecting a tension between the first member and the second member; a first shaft member connected to the load cell and to which the first member is connected so as to be rotatable about an axis; a second shaft member connected to the load cell and to which the second member is connected so as to be rotatable about an axis; Equipped with Tension detection device for musical instruments.

2. The second member has a hole that engages with a first strap pin provided on the instrument.

2. The tension detection device for a musical instrument according to claim 1.

3. The hole includes a large hole and a small hole connected to the large hole, The large hole is provided closer to the load cell than the small hole.

3. The tension detection device for a musical instrument according to claim 2.

4. A communication unit is provided which outputs a detection value detected by the load cell to an outside.

4. The tension detection device for a musical instrument according to claim 1.

5. The first member is connected to the first shaft member so as to be rotatable about an axis perpendicular to the axis of the first shaft member, The second member is connected to the second shaft member so as to be rotatable around an axis perpendicular to the axis of the second shaft member.

5. The tension detection device for a musical instrument according to claim 1.

6. The first shaft member and the second shaft member are arranged concentrically.

6. The tension detection device for a musical instrument according to claim 1.

7. The load cell has a rectangular parallelepiped strain element that is long in a direction perpendicular to a direction in which the tension is generated, the first shaft member is connected to one side of the strain body by a first connecting member, The second shaft member is connected to the other side of the strain body by a second connecting member.

7. The tension detection device for a musical instrument according to claim 1.

8. A light emitting unit that emits light in response to an output of the load cell is provided.

8. The tension detection device for a musical instrument according to claim 1.

9. The first member includes a second strap pin for fastening the strap.

9. The tension detection device for a musical instrument according to claim 1.

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