Tension detecting device for musical instrument

Abstract

To provide a tension detection device for a musical instrument which reduces restrictions on live performance.SOLUTION: The tension detection device for a musical instrument 10 includes a first member 11 connected to a strap 210 side, a second member 12 connected to an electric guitar 200 side which is a musical instrument, and a load cell 50 that detects a tension between the first member 11 and the second member 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 integrates a foot switch for switching between effectors and a foot pedal for adjustment. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2002-23757 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] For instruments that require two hands to be played, adjustments such as tone control can be made with the feet, even while playing. However, this limits live performances because the performer 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 case that can be seen entirely from the outside, a first member provided at one end of the case and connected to the strap, a second member provided at the other end of the case and connected to the musical instrument, a tension detection member housed in the case that detects the tension between the first member and the second member, and an axis member that protrudes from the case so that at least either the first member or the second member can rotate. [Effects 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 explanation 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. [Figure 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. [Figure 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 the line III-III in FIG. 2. FIG. [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 in FIG. 2. FIG. [Figure 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. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[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 wah 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 detecting device 10. The control signal input section 140 is connected to the receiving device 80. The receiving device 80 can receive output from the communication section 43 of the musical instrument tension detecting device 10.

[0012] With the electric guitar 200 hanging from the shoulder by the strap 210, the performer applies tension to the strap 210 by, for example, pulling the electric guitar 200 tight. The tension of the strap 210 (i.e., the tension between the first member 11 and the second member 12 described below) is then detected by the musical instrument tension detection device 10. The musical instrument tension detection device 10 includes a communication unit 43 described below, and transmits a detected value representing the tension of the strap 210 via a predetermined wireless communication method. The receiving device 80 receives the detected value transmitted from the musical instrument tension detection device 10 and inputs it to the control signal input unit 140. The control signal input unit 140 controls the effect unit 120 in accordance with the input detection value relating to the tension.

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

[0014] As shown in FIG. 2, the musical instrument tension detection device 10 is provided with a relatively thin, box-shaped case 20 that is approximately rectangular. The case 20 is provided by combining a front case 21 that is disposed on the front side (front side) and a rear case 22 that is disposed on the rear side. A first shaft member 31 protrudes from the case 20 toward the strap 210, and a second shaft member 32 protrudes toward the electric guitar 200. 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 explanation, the side of the first shaft member 31 will be referred to as the top, and the side of the second shaft member 32 will be referred to as the bottom. Furthermore, when viewing the musical instrument tension detection device 10 from the front, the left side will be referred to as the left, and the right side will be referred to as the right.

[0015] The first member 11 is made of sheet metal and has a plate-like shape, and is connected to the first shaft member 31 via a horizontal bar 31d (described later). A second strap pin 11a for fastening the strap 210 is provided on the upper side of the generally triangular shape of the first member 11. As shown in FIG. 3, the second strap pin 11a is inserted into a slit-shaped hole 211 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 fastened to a strap pin (not shown) on the opposite side of the neck of the electric guitar 200. The strap 210 used in this embodiment is a well-known guitar strap.

[0016] The second member 12 is generally plate-shaped with a convex arc-shaped lower end and is connected to the second shaft member 32 via a horizontal bar 32d (described later). The second member 12 has a hole 12a. As shown in FIG. 5, the hole 12a includes a large hole 12a2 and a small hole 12a1 that connects to the large hole 12a2. The large hole 12a2 is located closer to the load cell 50 (described later) than the small hole 12a1. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, a first strap pin 201, which is the strap pin on the neck side of the electric guitar 200, is disposed in the small hole 12a1 via the large hole 12a2. The first strap pin 201 of the electric guitar 200 disposed in the small hole 12a1 is fitted with an annular elastic member 15 having an outer diameter larger than the large hole 12a2 and 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 screw members.

[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 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 apart relative to each other, and the first strap pin 201 is moved toward the small hole 12a1. Next, the elastic member 15 is fitted onto the first strap pin 201 from above toward the second member 12. The friction between the elastic member 15 and the second member 12 then 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 on the electric guitar 200. The elastic member 15 locks the first strap pin 201 into the hole 12a of the second member 12.

[0018] As shown in FIG. 2, a circular inclined portion 21a with 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 with an opening on the bottom is provided along the inclined portion 21a on the top of the inclined portion 21a. The cover 21b is made of a light-transmitting material. A user can see light from a light-emitting portion 41 (see FIG. 5) provided on a circuit board 40, which will be described later, from the outside through the cover 21b. Four button switches 42 provided on the circuit 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. A light-emitting unit 41 is provided on the board 40. The light-emitting unit 41 is configured by arranging a plurality of (nine) light-emitting diodes (LEDs) in a substantially U-shape with the opening facing downward, following the pattern of the cover 21b of the front case 21. Four button switches 42 are also provided on the board 40, and are exposed to the outside through holes 21d in the front case 21.

[0020] The substrate 40 is also provided with a communication unit 43 that outputs detection values ​​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 the 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 microcomputer as a processor, and a storage unit configured with a flash memory, an EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable ROM), etc., and performs various control processes.

[0022] The rear case 22 of the case 20 is provided with a battery box 22a capable of storing dry batteries 25. The battery box 22a is configured to store 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 rear case 22, and the battery box cover 22b and rear case 22 are assembled with screws (not shown).

[0023] A sensor device 30 including a load cell 50 is provided inside the case 20 on the rear side of the substrate 40. As shown in FIG. 6, the sensor device 30 includes a first shaft member 31 and a second shaft member 32. The first shaft member 31 is a generally cylindrical rod-shaped member that is elongated in the vertical direction. The first shaft member 31 includes a lower outer cylinder 31a having a flange portion 31a1 on its bottom surface and an upper outer cylinder 31b. A center shaft 31c is inserted through the lower outer cylinder 31a and the upper outer cylinder 31b. A generally cylindrical horizontal rod 31d is inserted at the upper end of the center shaft 31c in the direction of axis CL2 perpendicular to axis CL1 of the first shaft member 31, with a loose fit in a hole in the center shaft 31c that penetrates the center shaft 31c. The center shaft 31c is rotatable about the axis CL1 of the first shaft member 31. The horizontal rod 31d is rotatable about its own axis CL2. The lower end side of the first member 11 is fixed to the horizontal bar 31d in a manner that it is wound 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 a generally cylindrical rod-shaped member, and its vertical length is sufficiently shorter than that of the first shaft member 31. The overall length of the second shaft member 32 is approximately one-third or less of the overall length of the first shaft member 31. The second shaft member 32 has a center shaft 32c inserted into a lower outer cylinder 32a having a flange portion 32a1. A horizontal rod 32d is inserted into a hole at the lower end of the center shaft 32c, penetrating the center shaft 32c in the direction of axis CL3, which is perpendicular to the axis CL1 of the second shaft member 32. The center shaft 32c is rotatable about the axis CL1 of the second shaft member 32. The horizontal rod 32d is also rotatable about its own axis CL3. The horizontal bar 32d is provided at the upper end of the second member 12, has a notch 12c1 in the center, and is inserted into and fixed to a hole 12c that penetrates the second member 12 in a direction parallel to the plate surface.

[0026] In this way, 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 so as to be 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 element 38. As shown in FIG. 7, a sensor 44 is provided on the upper surface of the flexure element 38. The sensor 44 may be any sensor device capable of detecting the expansion and contraction of the flexure element 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 element 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 and 38b on one side (the left side) and the other side (the right side), respectively. 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 direction (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 connecting member 33, which is made of a sheet metal member having a generally S-shape in side view, abuts against the upper surface of the flexure body 38. The first connecting member 33 is fixed to the flexure body 38 by fastening members 35a, which are made of bolts and nuts inserted into holes 38a and through holes 38a that penetrate the left side of the first connecting member 33. The right lower surface of the first connecting member 33 has a predetermined distance S1 from the upper surface of the flexure body 38. The flange portion 31a1 of the lower outer tube 31a is disposed on the lower surface of the right side of the first connecting member 33, and the lower outer tube 31a is fixed thereto. In this way, the first shaft member 31 is connected to the right side of the first connecting member 33. The first shaft member 31 is connected to the flexure body 38 (load cell 50) via the first connecting member 33.

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

[0031] Here, tension is applied to the strap 210 in the direction of the axis CL1 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 arranged parallel to the direction in which tension is generated. The strain element 38 of the load cell 50 is arranged with its longitudinal direction perpendicular to the direction of the axis CL1, which is the 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 switches 42 shown in Figure 2. For example, a specific button switch 42 can be operated to enter setting mode, and the maximum strength of tension (maximum tension) on the strap 210 relative to the weight of the electric guitar 200 can be set. The musical instrument tension detection device 10 can then detect tension values ​​up to the set maximum tension, using the tension on the strap 210 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 act on the first member 11 and the second member 12 in opposite directions along the axis CL1. As a result, the left side, which is one side of the flexure 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 flexure 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. As a result, the flexure body 38 elongates, and the sensor 44 measures the amount of elongation of the flexure body 38.

[0034] This amount of elongation can be converted into a tension value by being processed by a control unit (not shown) included in the load cell 50 provided on the substrate 40. In this way, 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 unit 41 can emit light in response to the output of the load cell 50 (tension, which is the detected value). For example, the brightness of the light emitting unit 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 unit 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. Furthermore, the light color 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 unit 120. The signal transmitted from the communication unit 43 and the signal input to the control signal input unit 140 from the receiving device 80 can be, for example, an analog signal to replace the 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 a weak tension is applied, a weak effect is applied, and so on, and effect effects can be applied to the sound emitted from the electric guitar 200. Also, the effector device 100 can be controlled depending on how tension is applied (such as lifting the electric guitar 200 to set the tension to 0, or applying tension intermittently).

[0038] According to the above-described embodiment of the present invention, the musical instrument tension detection device 10 comprises a first member 11 connected to the guitar strap 210, a second member 12 connected to the electric guitar 200, which is the musical instrument, 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 musical instrument tension detection device 10, which can move with the performer, allowing the performer to move around on stage and thereby reducing restrictions on live performances. While the electric guitar 200 is used as an example in this embodiment, other instruments may be used. Furthermore, the load cell 50 may be of a different 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. Furthermore, the detected value of the load cell 50 may be input to the effector device 100 or the like via a wireless device or a wired connection.

[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 a musical instrument such as the electric guitar 200.

[0041] Hole 12a also includes large hole 12a2 and small hole 12a1 that connects 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 tensioned.

[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, musical instrument tension detection device 10 includes a first shaft member 31 connected to load cell 50 and having first member 11 rotatably connected about axis CL1, and a second shaft member 32 connected to load cell 50 and having second member 12 rotatably connected about axis CL1. This allows tension to be detected appropriately by load cell 50 even when electric guitar 200 is oriented in various directions, allowing for optimal live performances.

[0044] Additionally, the first member 11 is connected to the first shaft member 31 so as to be rotatable about an axis CL2 that is 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 about an axis CL3 that is 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, thereby further reducing restrictions on the movement of the performer.

[0045] Furthermore, 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] The load cell 50 also has a rectangular parallelepiped strain 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 of the strain body 38, that is, the left side, by a first connecting member 33, and the second shaft member 32 is connected to the other side of the strain body 38, that is, the right side, 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 tensioned 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 as the same value if the electric guitar 200 is tensioned 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 several 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 embodied 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 within the scope and spirit of the invention, and are also included in the scope of the invention and its equivalents as defined 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 unit 44: Sensor 50: Load cell 80: Receiver 110: Electric signal input unit 120: Effect unit 130: Electric signal output unit 140: Control signal input unit 200: Electric guitar 210: Strap 220: Guitar cable 300: Guitar amplifier

Claims

1. A case where the entire structure can be seen from the outside, a first member provided on one end of the case and connected to a strap; a second member provided at the other end of the case and connected to the instrument; a tension detecting member housed in the case and detecting tension between the first member and the second member; a shaft member that projects from the case so that at least one of the first member and the second member can rotate; Equipped with Tension detection device for musical instruments.

2. The shaft member includes a first shaft member to which the first member is rotatably connected around an axis.

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

3. The first member includes a first cross bar that is rotatable around an axis perpendicular to the axis of the first shaft member.

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

4. The shaft member includes a second shaft member to which the second member is rotatably connected around an axis.

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

5. The second member includes a second cross bar that is 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 4.

6. the shaft member includes a second shaft member to which the second member is rotatably connected around an axis, The first shaft member and the second shaft member are arranged concentrically.

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

7. the second member has a hole that engages with a first strap pin provided on the instrument; 7. The tension detection device for a musical instrument according to claim 1.

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

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

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