Method for mounting electronic percussion instruments and sensors
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- JP · JP
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- ROLAND CORP
- Filing Date
- 2025-01-24
- Publication Date
- 2026-08-05
Smart Images
Figure 2026126954000001_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] The present invention relates to an electronic percussion instrument and a method for attaching a sensor, and particularly to an electronic percussion instrument and a method for attaching a sensor that can accurately detect a strike on an edge portion of a striking surface.
Background Art
[0002] For example, Patent Document 1 describes a cymbal damper 20 that is swingably supported by a rod 2 on the lower surface side of a cymbal 10. Since striking portions 22a and 23a that rise above the edge portion 13 of the cymbal 10 are formed on the outer edge of the cymbal damper 20, when a performance of striking the edge portion 13 of the cymbal 10 is performed, the striking portions 22a and 23a of the cymbal damper 20 are struck. Since the vibration at the time of striking the striking portions 22a and 23a is detected by a vibration sensor 26 attached to the cymbal damper 20, it is possible to detect a strike on the edge portion 13 of the cymbal 10 based on the vibration of the cymbal damper 20, rather than by pushing in a membrane switch or the like.
Prior Art Documents
Patent Documents
[0003]
Patent Document 1
Summary of the Invention
Problems to be Solved by the Invention
[0004] However, in the conventional technology described above, since both the cymbal 10 and the cymbal sound dampener 20 are supported by the rod 2 so as to be able to swing, the relative height between the edge portion 13 (striking portion 22a, 23a) and the striking portion 22a, 23a tends to change when the edge portion 13 (striking portion 22a, 23a) of the cymbal 10 is struck. When such a change in height occurs, the striking portion 22a, 23a may not be struck, and in this case, there is a problem that the vibration caused by the strike to the edge portion 13 cannot be detected by the vibration sensor 26.
[0005] This invention was made to solve the above-mentioned problems and aims to provide an electronic percussion instrument and a method for mounting a sensor that can accurately detect strikes to the edge portion of the striking surface. [Means for solving the problem]
[0006] To achieve this objective, the electronic percussion instrument of the present invention comprises a striking surface frame that is pivotably supported on a stand and whose upper surface is a striking surface, an edge frame connected circumferentially to the lower surface of the outer edge of the striking surface frame, and an edge sensor attached to the edge frame for detecting vibrations of the edge frame, wherein the edge frame rises upward from the outer edge of the edge frame and includes a striking portion that constitutes the edge portion of the striking surface.
[0007] The present invention relates to a method for mounting a sensor in an electronic percussion instrument, comprising a striking surface frame that is pivotably supported on a stand and whose upper surface is a striking surface, and an edge frame connected circumferentially to the lower surface of the outer edge of the striking surface frame, wherein a striking portion is formed on the edge frame, rising upward from the outer edge of the edge frame and constituting the edge portion of the striking surface, and an edge sensor for detecting vibrations of the edge frame is attached to the edge frame. [Brief explanation of the drawing]
[0008] [Figure 1] This is a cross-sectional view of the electronic percussion instrument according to the first embodiment. [Figure 2]This is a magnified cross-sectional view of part II of an electronic percussion instrument, as shown in Figure 1. [Figure 3] This is a cross-sectional view of an electronic percussion instrument along line III-III in Figure 1. [Figure 4] This is a cross-sectional view of the electronic percussion instrument according to the second embodiment. [Modes for carrying out the invention]
[0009] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments will be described with reference to the attached drawings. First, the overall configuration of the electronic percussion instrument 10 of the first embodiment will be described with reference to Figure 1. Figure 1 is a cross-sectional view of the electronic percussion instrument 10 of the first embodiment. Note that Figure 1 shows a cross-section including the axis of the electronic percussion instrument 10 (bottom frame 11 and striking surface frame 12). Also, in order to simplify the drawing, some of the components of the electronic percussion instrument 10 are omitted from the illustration in Figure 1, and only the essential parts are shown.
[0010] As shown in Figure 1, the electronic percussion instrument 10 is an electronic hi-hat that mimics an acoustic hi-hat cymbal. The electronic percussion instrument 10 comprises a bottom frame 11 (bottom cymbal) and a striking surface frame 12 (top cymbal) that moves up and down above the bottom frame 11, and each of these frames 11 and 12 is supported by a stand 1.
[0011] The bottom frame 11 is formed in a disc shape using metal or resin material, and a through hole 11a is formed in the center of the bottom frame 11 for supporting the bottom frame 11 on the stand 1. The bottom frame 11 slopes gently upward from the through hole 11a toward the outer edge, and a cushioning material 11b is bonded to the outer edge portion of the upper surface of the bottom frame 11.
[0012] The cushioning material 11b is formed in a ring shape using an elastic material such as rubber or thermoplastic elastomer. As will be described in detail later, this cushioning material 11b reduces the impact when the bottom frame 11 and the striking surface frame 12 come into contact.
[0013] The striking surface frame 12 comprises a bell portion 12a that mimics the shape of a cymbal bell, a bow portion 12b that mimics the shape of a cymbal bow, and a connecting portion 12c that connects the bell portion 12a and the bow portion 12b. The upper surface of the striking surface frame 12 is the striking surface that is struck by the performer, with the central part of the striking surface formed by the bell portion 12a and the outer peripheral part of the striking surface formed by the bow portion 12b.
[0014] The bell portion 12a and the bow portion 12b are formed using metal or resin material, respectively. The bell portion 12a and the bow portion 12b may be formed as plates with multiple through holes distributed therein (for example, using perforated metal if made of metal), or they may be formed as plates without such through holes.
[0015] A through hole 120a is formed in the center of the bell section 12a for supporting the striking surface frame 12 on the stand 1. The bell section 12a is formed in a bowl shape that slopes downward from the through hole 120a toward the outer circumference, and the bow section 12b is formed in an annular shape that surrounds the bell section 12a. The bow section 12b slopes downward toward the outer circumference more gently than the bell section 12a, and the striking surface frame 12 as a whole is formed in a substantially disc shape by the bell section 12a and the bow section 12b.
[0016] The inner edge of the bow portion 12b is connected to the outer edge of the bell portion 12a via a connecting portion 12c. This connecting portion 12c has the same configuration as the first and second connecting portions (for example, the first connecting portion 30 and the second connecting portion 40) described in Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2014-089369, and is formed in an annular shape using an elastic material such as rubber or thermoplastic elastomer.
[0017] By interposing such an elastic connecting part 12c between the bell section 12a and the bow section 12b, even if the bell section 12a and the bow section 12b are made of metal, the vibrations of each of these sections 12a and 12b during striking can be attenuated by the connecting part 12c. Therefore, the sound of striking the striking surface frame 12 can be reduced.
[0018] A bell sensor 14 is attached to the lower surface of the bell part 12a via a bell frame 13, and a bow sensor 16 is attached to the lower surface of the bow part 12b via a bow frame 15. Further, an edge sensor 18 is attached to the lower surface on the outer edge side of the bow part 12b via an edge frame 17, and each of these sensors 14, 16, 18 is a piezoelectric element that detects vibration when the respective parts of the hitting surface frame 12 are struck.
[0019] A stand 1 that supports the bottom frame 11 and the hitting surface frame 12 includes a cylindrical shaft 2, and the shaft 2 is configured to be self-standing on the installation surface by legs (not shown). At the upper end of the shaft 2, a substantially cylindrical support 3 for supporting the bottom frame 11 is attached, and a rod 4 for supporting the hitting surface frame 12 is inserted on the inner peripheral side of the shaft 2 and the support 3. In FIG. 1, the detailed cross-sectional structure of the support 3 is omitted and hatched.
[0020] By passing the rod 4 through the through-hole 11a of the bottom frame 11, the bottom frame 11 is supported on the upper surface of the support 3 so as to be swingable. The rod 4 extends above the support 3, and a cylindrical tubular member 5 is attached to the upper end side of the rod 4.
[0021] From the lower end of the tubular member 5, an overhanging portion 50 for supporting the hitting surface frame 12 projects in a flange shape, and a lower washer 6a and an upper washer 6b are sequentially mounted on the overhanging portion 50. These upper and lower washers 6a, 6b are each formed in a cylindrical shape using a material such as felt.
[0022] After passing the rod 4 (tubular member 5) through the through-hole 120a of the hitting surface frame 12 (bell part 12a) and stacking the hitting surface frame 12 on the lower washer 6a, the upper washer 6b is stacked on the hitting surface frame 12. A male thread is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the tubular member 5, and by tightening the nut 7 to press the upper washer 6b downward, the hitting surface frame 12 (bell part 12a) is sandwiched between the upper and lower washers 6a, 6b. Thereby, the hitting surface frame 12 is supported by the rod 4 so as to be swingable.
[0023] A clutch 8 is fixed to the upper end of the cylinder member 5. By tightening the wing bolt 9 from the side surface of the clutch 8 toward the rod 4, the cylinder member 5 is fixed to the rod 4. On the other hand, by loosening the wing bolt 9, the relative position of the cylinder member 5 (the hitting surface frame 12) with respect to the rod 4 can be adjusted.
[0024] Although not shown in the figure, a pedal that is stepped on by the performer is provided at the lower part of the stand 1, and the rod 4 moves up and down by operating this pedal. In FIG. 1, the state where the pedal is released and the bottom frame 11 and the hitting surface frame 12 are separated vertically in an open state is shown. When the pedal is stepped on from this open state, the hitting surface frame 12 that is displaced downward contacts the bottom frame 11 and becomes a closed state.
[0025] During the performance of the electronic percussion instrument 10 by the performer, performances such as hitting the hitting surface frame 12 with a stick or closing the hitting surface frame 12 are performed. The hitting of the hitting surface frame 12 is detected by the above-described bell sensor 14, bow sensor 16, and edge sensor 18.
[0026] Also, the closed state of the hitting surface frame 12 accompanying the stepping on of the pedal is detected by a displacement sensor (not shown) that detects the amount of vertical displacement of the hitting surface frame 12. Since a known configuration can be adopted for this displacement sensor, a detailed description thereof is omitted. As a known configuration, the displacement sensor described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2009-069848 is exemplified.
[0027] Signals based on the detection results of each sensor 14, 16, 18 and the displacement sensor are output to a sound source device (not shown). Thereby, musical sounds corresponding to the performance of hitting the hitting surface frame 12 and the performance of closing the hitting surface frame 12 are generated.
[0028] Next, the detailed configuration of the electronic percussion instrument 10 will be described with reference to Figures 2 and 3. Figure 2 is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view of the electronic percussion instrument 10, which is an enlargement of part II in Figure 1, and Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of the electronic percussion instrument 10 along line III-III in Figure 1. Note that the bottom frame 11 is not shown in Figure 3.
[0029] As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the bell frame 13 is formed in a disc shape with a through hole 13a in the center, and the outer edge of the bell frame 13 is directly connected (bonded) to the bell portion 12a by adhesive or the like. Although not shown in the figures, the connection (bonding) area between the bell portion 12a and the bell frame 13 is continuous around the entire circumference of the bell frame 13 (bell portion 12a).
[0030] An annular elastic body 19 is bonded to the lower surface of the bow portion 12b on the inner circumference side (left side in Figure 2) of the radial center C by an adhesive or the like. The elastic body 19 is formed using an elastic material such as rubber or thermoplastic elastomer, and the bow frame 15 is bonded to the lower surface of this elastic body 19 by an adhesive or the like. The bow frame 15 is formed in a disc shape with a through hole 15a in the center, and the diameters of the through holes 13a and 15a of the bell frame 13 and the bow frame 15 are formed to such a size that the frames 13 and 15 do not come into contact with any part of the stand 1 (for example, the protruding part 50 of the cylindrical member 5 shown in Figures 3 and 4) when the striking surface frame 12 swings relative to the stand 1 (rod 4).
[0031] The bell sensor 14 and the bow sensor 16 are attached to the lower surfaces of their respective frames 13 and 15. However, in a configuration where the bell sensor 14 is directly attached to the lower surface of the bell section 12a, if the bell section 12a is struck near the area directly above the bell sensor 14, the output value of the bell sensor 14 tends to become extremely large. On the other hand, if the bell section 12a is struck at a position away from the bell sensor 14, the sensor output value of the bell sensor 14 becomes small. This results in a problem where there is variation in the sensor's sensitivity distribution to impacts on the bell section 12a, and a similar problem occurs when the bow sensor 16 is directly attached to the bow section 12b.
[0032] In contrast, in this embodiment, the bell sensor 14 is attached to the lower surface of the bell portion 12a via the bell frame 13, so that vibrations from the impact on the bell portion 12a can be transmitted to the bell sensor 14 via the bell frame 13. Therefore, even if the bell portion 12a is struck near the area directly above the bell sensor 14, it is possible to suppress the output value of the bell sensor 14 from becoming excessively large.
[0033] Furthermore, since the bell frame 13 is connected to the lower surface of the bell portion 12a along the circumferential direction, even if the impact occurs at a position far from the bell sensor 14 in the circumferential direction, the vibrations from that impact are more easily transmitted to the bell sensor 14 via the bell frame 13. As a result, the sensitivity distribution of the bell sensor 14 to impacts on the bell portion 12a can be made uniform regardless of the impact position, so that impacts on the bell portion 12a can be detected accurately by the bell sensor 14.
[0034] Similarly, with respect to the bow portion 12b, the bow frame 15 is connected to the lower surface of the bow portion 12b along the circumferential direction (via an elastic body 19 extending in the circumferential direction), and the bow sensor 16 is attached to this bow frame 15. This allows the sensitivity distribution of the bow sensor 16 to be made uniform regardless of the impact position. Therefore, impacts to the bow portion 12b can be detected accurately by the bow sensor 16.
[0035] Furthermore, since an elastic connecting part 12c is interposed between the bell section 12a and the bow section 12b, vibrations transmitted between the bell section 12a and the bow section 12b can be attenuated by the connecting part 12c. This prevents false detection of vibrations when striking the bell section 12a by the bow sensor 16, and false detection of vibrations when striking the bow section 12b by the bell sensor 14. Thus, the impacts on each part 12a and 12b of the striking surface frame 12 can be accurately detected by the bell sensor 14 and the bow sensor 16.
[0036] Here, since the rigidity of the bell section 12a is higher than that of the bow section 12b, when the bell section 12a is struck, the deformation of the bell section 12a is relatively small, while when the bow section 12b is struck, the deformation of the bow section 12b tends to be larger than that of the bell section 12a. For this reason, in a configuration in which the bow frame 15 is directly attached to the lower surface of the bow section 12b, the load due to the deformation of the bow section 12b tends to act on the connection point between the bow section 12b and the bow frame 15. Also, in a configuration in which the bow frame 15 is directly attached to the bow section 12b, the deformation of the bow section 12b is easily inhibited by the bow frame 15, resulting in a decrease in the feel of striking the bow section 12b.
[0037] In contrast, in this embodiment, the bell frame 13 is directly connected (without an elastic body) to the lower surface of the bell section 12a, while the bow frame 15 is attached to the lower surface of the bow section 12b via an elastic body 19. By directly connecting the bell frame 13 to the bell section 12a, it becomes unnecessary to provide a component such as the elastic body 19, thus reducing the product cost of the electronic percussion instrument 10. Furthermore, since the bell section 12a has relatively high rigidity, deformation during impact is less likely to occur, so even if the bell frame 13 is directly connected to the bell section 12a, damage at the connection point can be suppressed.
[0038] On the other hand, since an elastic body 19 is interposed between the bow section 12b and the bow frame 15, the deformation of the bow section 12b caused by impact can be absorbed by the elastic body 19. Therefore, the load due to the deformation of the bow section 12b can be suppressed from being applied to the connection part between the bow section 12b and the bow frame 15, thereby suppressing damage to the electronic percussion instrument 10. In addition, by interposing the elastic body 19 between the bow section 12b and the bow frame 15, the deformation of the bow section 12b can be suppressed from being hindered by the bow frame 15, so that the bow section 12b can undergo natural deformation.
[0039] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the bell frame 13 is formed using a metal plate, while the bow frame 15 is formed using a resin plate. Since the rigidity of the bow frame 15 is lower than that of the bell frame 13, the deformation of the bow portion 12b is more effectively suppressed by the bow frame 15. Therefore, natural deformation can be generated in the bow portion 12b, improving the feel when striking the bow portion 12b.
[0040] As described above, since an elastic connecting portion 12c is interposed between the bell portion 12a and the bow portion 12b, the bow sensor 16 can generally suppress false detection of vibrations when the bell portion 12a is struck. However, in order to reliably suppress such false detections, it is preferable to widen the distance between the elastic body 19 and the connecting portion 12c in the radial direction.
[0041] On the other hand, if the elastic body 19 is attached, for example, near the radial center C of the bow section 12b in order to widen the gap between the elastic body 19 and the connecting portion 12c, then when the bow section 12b is struck during performance, both the outer and inner circumferences of the elastic body 19 will be more likely to be struck than the elastic body 19. In such a configuration, the behavior of the bow frame 15 in response to vibrations when the bow section 12b is struck (how vibrations are transmitted to the bow sensor 16) will easily change depending on whether the outer circumference or the inner circumference of the elastic body 19 is struck. Therefore, there is a risk that the sensitivity distribution of the bow sensor 16 in response to strikes to the bow section 12b may not be sufficiently improved.
[0042] In contrast, in this embodiment, the elastic body 19 is attached to the inner circumference of the bow portion 12b, which is closer to the radial center C. Therefore, when playing involves striking the bow portion 12b, the outer circumference is always more likely to be struck than the elastic body 19. As a result, the behavior of the bow frame 15 in response to vibrations when the bow portion 12b is struck becomes more consistent, and the sensitivity distribution of the bow sensor 16 in response to strikes to the bow portion 12b can be made uniform.
[0043] Furthermore, even when the elastic body 19 (the connection point between the bow section 12b and the bow frame 15) is brought close to the connecting section 12c, the vibrations during impact to the bell section 12a are attenuated at two points: the connecting section 12c and the elastic body 19. This suppresses false detection of these vibrations by the bow sensor 16. Therefore, vibrations during impact to the bell section 12a and the bow section 12b can be accurately detected by the bell sensor 14 and the bow sensor 16.
[0044] Furthermore, the elastic body 19 is bonded to the upper surface of the outer edge side of the bow frame 15 (outer circumference than the radial center of the bow frame 15), and the bow frame 15 is provided so as to extend inward from the elastic body 19. Since the bow sensor 16 is attached to the inner edge side of this bow frame 15 (inner circumference than the radial center of the bow frame 15), the bow sensor 16 can be positioned closer to the center of the striking surface frame 12.
[0045] In particular, in this embodiment, the inner edge of the bow frame 15 is located on the inner circumference side of the connecting portion 12c, and the bow sensor 16 is attached to the inner edge side of the bow frame 15, so the bow sensor 16 can be positioned on the inner circumference side of the connecting portion 12c. By positioning the bow sensor 16 closer to the center of the striking surface frame 12 in this way, the vibration transmission distance from the striking position to the bow sensor 16 can be made uniform regardless of differences in the striking position in the circumferential direction of the bow portion 12b. Therefore, the sensitivity distribution of the bow sensor 16 to striking the bow portion 12b can be made uniform.
[0046] Here, as shown in Figure 3, in a vertical view of the electronic percussion instrument 10, two imaginary lines drawn from the axis of the electronic percussion instrument 10 toward the bow sensor 16, which are tangent to the outer edge of the bow sensor 16, are defined as imaginary lines V1 and V2. The region R between these two imaginary lines V1 and V2 is the region that overlaps with the bow sensor 16 in the radial direction, and this region will be referred to as the region R near the bow sensor 16 in the following explanation.
[0047] The elastic body 19 (the connection portion between the bow portion 12b and the bow frame 15) is partially divided in its circumferential direction, and this divided portion of the elastic body 19 is formed in a region R near the bow sensor 16 (a position aligned with the bow sensor 16 in the radial direction). This allows the vibration transmission path from the point of impact to the bow sensor 16 to be lengthened when the bow portion 12b is struck in region R near the bow sensor 16. In other words, the length of the vibration transmission path can be made uniform whether the bow portion 12b is struck in region R near the bow sensor 16 or outside the circumferential direction of region R. Therefore, the sensitivity distribution of the bow sensor 16 to impacts on the bow portion 12b can be made uniform.
[0048] In this embodiment, a portion of the elastic body 19 (the end of the divided portion) is located within the region R near the bow sensor 16, but this is not necessarily the only configuration. For example, the elastic body 19 may not be located within the region R near the bow sensor 16.
[0049] Furthermore, in this embodiment, one bow sensor 16 is attached to the bow frame 15, but other bow sensors may be provided in addition to the bow sensor 16, for example. In this case, a divided portion of the elastic body 19 may be formed in the vicinity of the other bow sensors, or a configuration in which no divided portion is formed in the elastic body 19 (the elastic body 19 is formed as a continuous ring in the circumferential direction) may be used.
[0050] Next, the detailed configuration of the edge portion of the electronic percussion instrument 10 will be described. An annular elastic body 20 is bonded to the lower surface of the outer edge of the bow portion 12b using an adhesive or the like. The elastic body 20 is formed using an elastic material such as rubber or thermoplastic elastomer, and the edge frame 17 is bonded to the lower surface of this elastic body 20 using an adhesive or the like.
[0051] The edge frame 17 is formed in an annular shape using a resin plate (see Figure 3), and the outer edge of the bottom frame 11 (see Figure 2) is located on the inner side of the edge frame 17. This prevents the outer edge of the bottom frame 11 from contacting the edge frame 17 when the striking surface frame 12 is in a closed state, thereby preventing the edge sensor 18 from falsely detecting vibrations caused by such contact.
[0052] Furthermore, since a cushioning material 11b is attached to the outer edge of the upper surface of the bottom frame 11, the impact when the bottom frame 11 and the striking surface frame come into contact can be mitigated by the cushioning material 11b. This makes it possible to more effectively suppress the edge sensor 18 from falsely detecting vibrations when the striking surface frame 12 is in the closed position.
[0053] A striking portion 17a (see Figure 2) rises upward from the outer edge of the edge frame 17, and this striking portion 17a, together with the upper surface of the bow portion 12b, forms the edge portion of the striking surface. Since the striking portion 17a protrudes above the outer edge of the bow portion 12b, when a performer strikes the edge portion of the bow portion 12b, the striking portion 17a is struck before the bow portion 12b. The vibrations when the striking portion 17a is struck are detected by an edge sensor 18 attached to the edge frame 17.
[0054] Since the edge frame 17 is connected to the lower surface of the bow section 12b, when the edge portion (striking portion 17a) of the bow section 12b is struck, the striking surface frame 12 and the edge frame 17 can be oscillated together with respect to the stand 1 (see Figure 1). As a result, the relative height between the outer edge of the bow section 12b and the striking portion 17a does not change easily during playing, so that vibrations caused by striking the edge portion of the bow section 12b can be accurately detected by the edge sensor 18.
[0055] Furthermore, since the edge frame 17 is connected to the lower surface of the bow portion 12b via the elastic body 20, the edge frame 17 can be swung using the elastic body 20 as a pivot point when striking the target portion 17a. This makes it easier for the vibrations during the striking of the target portion 17a to be detected by the edge sensor 18.
[0056] Furthermore, by interposing the elastic body 20 between the bow portion 12b and the edge frame 17, the deformation of the edge frame 17 when the striking portion 17a is struck can be absorbed by the elastic body 20. This reduces the load applied to the connection between the bow portion 12b and the edge frame 17 compared to, for example, directly connecting the edge frame 17 to the lower surface of the bow portion 12b. As a result, the electronic percussion instrument 10 becomes less prone to damage.
[0057] As described above, a bow sensor 16 (striking surface sensor) is attached to the lower surface of the bow portion 12b on the inner circumference side of the elastic body 20 (the connection portion between the bow portion 12b and the edge frame 17). The vibrations when the bow portion 12b is struck are detected by the bow sensor 16, while the vibrations transmitted to the edge frame 17 (edge sensor 18) during that strike are dampened by the elastic body 20. This allows the bow sensor 16 to accurately detect the vibrations when the bow portion 12b is struck, while suppressing false detection of those vibrations by the edge sensor 18.
[0058] Furthermore, as described above, since the bow frame 15 to which the bow sensor 16 is attached is connected to the lower surface of the bow portion 12b via the elastic body 19, the vibrations during impact to the edge portion (impacted portion 17a) of the bow portion 12b can be dampened by the elastic body 19. Thus, vibrations during impact to the edge portion of the bow portion 12b can be accurately detected by the edge sensor 18, while preventing the bow sensor 16 from falsely detecting those vibrations.
[0059] In this embodiment, the elastic body 20 is bonded to the upper surface of the inner edge of the edge frame 17, and the edge sensor 18 is attached to the edge frame 17 on the outer circumference side of the elastic body 20. Alternatively, it is also possible to adopt a configuration in which the edge frame 17 protrudes inward from the elastic body 20, and the edge sensor 18 is attached to the protruding portion. In such a configuration as well, the edge frame 17 can be swung around the elastic body 20 as a pivot point when the part to be struck 17a is struck, so that the vibrations associated with the swing can be detected by the edge sensor 18.
[0060] However, in the configuration described above, where the edge sensor 18 is attached to the protruding portion of the edge frame 17 (the part located on the inner circumference side of the elastic body 20), the vibrations transmitted from the edge frame 17 to the edge sensor 18 when the part to be struck 17a are attenuated by the elastic body 20. Therefore, the vibrations when the part to be struck 17a are attenuated to the edge sensor 18.
[0061] Therefore, it is preferable to install the edge sensor 18 between the elastic body 20 and the part to be struck 17a (on the outer circumference side of the elastic body 20), as in this embodiment. This allows the vibration of the edge frame 17 when the part to be struck 17a to be efficiently transmitted to the edge sensor 18, so that such impact can be detected accurately by the edge sensor 18.
[0062] Furthermore, the edge sensor 18 may be attached to the lower surface of the edge frame 17, but in this embodiment, the edge sensor 18 is attached to the upper surface of the edge frame 17. Since a space equal to the thickness of the elastic body 20 is formed between the upper surface of the edge frame 17 and the lower surface of the bow portion 12b, by placing the edge sensor 18 in this space, damage to the edge sensor 18 can be suppressed, and the appearance of the electronic percussion instrument 10 can be improved.
[0063] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 3, multiple edge sensors 18 are mounted in a line around the edge frame 17 (see Figure 3), and in this embodiment, eight edge sensors 18 are arranged at equal intervals in the circumferential direction. By mounting multiple edge sensors 18 arranged in the circumferential direction to the edge frame 17 in this way, the sensitivity distribution of the edge sensors 18 to the impact can be made uniform regardless of differences in the impact position in the circumferential direction of the impacted part 17a. Therefore, impacts to the edge portion of the bow part 12b can be accurately detected by the edge sensors 18.
[0064] Next, the electronic percussion instrument 210 of the second embodiment will be described with reference to Figure 4. In the first embodiment, the case in which the closed state of the striking surface frame 12 is detected by a displacement sensor on the stand 1 was described, but in the second embodiment, the case in which the closed state of the striking surface frame 12 is detected by a plurality of edge sensors 18 (see Figure 3) arranged in the circumferential direction will be described. Note that the same reference numerals are used for parts that are the same as in the first embodiment described above, and their descriptions are omitted. Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of the electronic percussion instrument 210 of the second embodiment.
[0065] As shown in Figure 4, the electronic percussion instrument 210 of the second embodiment includes a bottom frame 211 formed from a metal or resin material. This bottom frame 211 has substantially the same configuration as the bottom frame 11 of the first embodiment, except that its outer diameter is larger than that of the bottom frame 11 of the first embodiment and the cushioning material 11b is omitted.
[0066] The outer diameter of the bottom frame 211 is larger than the inner diameter of the edge frame 17. Although not shown in the diagram, when the striking surface frame 12 is in the closed position, the outer edge of the bottom frame 211 contacts the lower surface of the edge frame 17. The vibration at the time of this contact is detected by the edge sensor 18, which determines whether or not the striking surface frame 12 is in the closed position.
[0067] Since multiple edge sensors 18 are arranged circumferentially on the edge frame 17 (see Figure 3), when the bottom frame 211 comes into contact with the edge frame 17, the output values of each of the multiple edge sensors 18 become equivalent. On the other hand, when the edge portion of the bow section 12b (the part of the edge frame 17 that is struck 17a) is struck, the output value of the edge sensor 18 closest to the point of impact becomes larger than the output values of the other edge sensors 18.
[0068] Therefore, if the difference in output values of the multiple edge sensors 18 is relatively small, it can be determined that the striking surface frame 12 is in a closed state. On the other hand, if the output value of some of the edge sensors 18 is larger than that of the other edge sensors 18, it can be determined that the edge portion of the bow 12b has been struck. In this way, by detecting the closed state of the striking surface frame 12 based on the output values of the multiple edge sensors 18, a displacement sensor for detecting the closed state of the striking surface frame 12, as in the first embodiment, can be omitted. Therefore, the number of parts in the electronic percussion instrument 210 can be reduced, and thus the product cost of the electronic percussion instrument 210 can be reduced.
[0069] In this embodiment as well, an elastic body 20 is interposed between the lower surface of the bow portion 12b and the edge frame 17, and the edge sensor 18 is positioned between the elastic body 20 and the striking portion 17a. The outer diameter of the bottom frame 211 is formed to be larger than the outer diameter of the elastic body 20 (the outer edge of the bottom frame 211 is located on the outer circumference side of the elastic body 20), so when the striking surface frame 12 is in a closed state, the outer edge portion of the bottom frame 211 can be brought into contact with the edge frame 17 on the outer circumference side of the elastic body 20.
[0070] As a result, when the bottom frame 211 makes contact, the edge frame 17 is more likely to swing around the elastic body 20 as a pivot point, allowing the vibrations at the time of contact to be accurately detected by multiple edge sensors 18. In particular, in this embodiment, the edge sensors 18 are positioned to overlap with the outer edge of the bottom frame 211 when viewed in the vertical direction, so the vibrations at the time of contact between the bottom frame 211 and the edge frame 17 can be detected by the edge sensors 18 with even greater accuracy.
[0071] Although the above-described embodiments have been explained, the present invention is not limited in any way to the above embodiments, and it can be easily inferred that various improvements and modifications are possible without departing from the spirit of the present invention.
[0072] In the embodiments described above, resin or metal was used as the material for each frame 11, 211, 12, 13, 15, and 17 constituting the electronic percussion instrument 10, 210. Specific examples of resin include ABS resin, nylon, or fiber-reinforced resin. Specific examples of metal include bronze and stainless steel.
[0073] In the embodiments described above, the case in which the striking surface frame 12 is used as the top cymbal of an electronic percussion instrument 10,210 (electronic hi-hat) was explained, but the bottom frame 11,211 may be omitted and the striking surface frame 12 may be used alone.
[0074] In the embodiments described above, the case in which the outer edge of the bell portion 12a of the striking surface frame 12 and the inner edge of the bow portion 12b are connected by a connecting portion 12c (elastic body) has been explained, but the invention is not limited to this. For example, an elastic body corresponding to the connecting portion 12c may be bonded to the upper surface of the bow portion 12b, and the bell portion 12a may be placed on top of the elastic body. In this configuration, the bow portion 12b may be extended inward, and the extended portion may be supported by the stand 1 (rod 4).
[0075] In the embodiments described above, the case in which one bell sensor 14 and one bow sensor 16 are attached to the lower side (bell frame 13 and bow frame 15) of the bell portion 12a and the bow portion 12b was explained, but this is not necessarily the only case. For example, one or both of the bell sensors 14 and bow sensors 16 may be attached to the lower side of the bell portion 12a and the bow portion 12b in multiple locations.
[0076] In the embodiments described above, the bell sensor 14 and the bow sensor 16 are each attached to the lower surface of the striking surface frame 12 (bell section 12a and bow section 12b) via the bell frame 13 and the bow frame 15, but the invention is not limited to this. For example, the bell frame 13 or the bow frame 15 may be omitted, and either the bell sensor 14 or the bow sensor 16 may be directly attached to the lower surface of the striking surface frame 12. Alternatively, one or both of the bell sensor 14 and the bow sensor 16 may be attached to the upper surface of the bell frame 13 or the bow frame 15.
[0077] In the embodiments described above, the bell frame 13 is directly connected (without an elastic body) to the lower surface of the bell portion 12a, while the bow frame 15 is connected to the lower surface of the bow portion 12b via an elastic body 19. However, the invention is not limited to these cases. For example, the bell frame 13 may be connected to the lower surface of the bell portion 12a via an elastic body (a member corresponding to the elastic body 19). In this case, the divided portion of the elastic body may be formed in a region near the bell sensor 14 (a position aligned with the bell sensor 14 in the radial direction). Alternatively, the elastic body 19 may be omitted, and the bow frame 15 may be directly connected to the lower surface of the bow portion 12b.
[0078] In the embodiments described above, the bell frame 13 is formed using a metal plate, while the bow frame 15 is formed using a resin plate, and the case where the rigidity of the bow frame 15 is lower than that of the bell frame 13 has been explained. However, the invention is not limited to this. For example, the bell frame 13 may be formed using a resin material, or the bow frame 15 may be formed using a metal material. Furthermore, the rigidity of the bell frame 13 may be lower than that of the bow frame 15, or their rigidities may be the same.
[0079] In the embodiments described above, the case in which the bell frame 13 and the bow frame 15 are formed in a ring shape has been explained, but the invention is not necessarily limited to this. For example, one or both of the bell frame 13 and the bow frame 15 may be formed intermittently in the circumferential direction (for example, a configuration in which multiple fan-shaped frames 13, 15 are arranged in the circumferential direction).
[0080] Furthermore, in the embodiments described above, the bow frame 15 is provided so as to extend inward from the elastic body 19, and the bow sensor 16 is attached to the lower surface of the inner edge of the bow frame 15. However, the invention is not limited to this. For example, the bow frame 15 may be made to protrude outward from the elastic body 19, and the bow sensor 16 may be attached to the protruding portion (the outer edge of the bow frame 15).
[0081] Furthermore, in the embodiments described above, the inner edge of the bow frame 15 is located on the inner circumference side of the connecting portion 12c, and the bow sensor 16 is positioned on the inner circumference side of the connecting portion 12c. However, for example, the inner edge of the bow frame 15 may be located on the outer circumference side of the connecting portion 12c, or the bow sensor 16 may be positioned on the outer circumference side of the connecting portion 12c. In other words, the shape of the bow frame 15 and the arrangement of the bow sensor 16 are not limited to the above-described forms and can be changed as appropriate. The same applies to the shape of the bell frame 13 and the arrangement of the bell sensor 14.
[0082] In the embodiments described above, the case in which the elastic body 19 (the connection position between the bow portion 12b and the bow frame 15) is located on the inner circumference side of the radial center C of the bow portion 12b has been explained, but the invention is not necessarily limited to this. For example, the elastic body 19 may be attached near the radial center C of the bow portion 12b, or on the outer circumference side of the radial center C. In other words, the connection position between the bow portion 12b and the bow frame 15 is not limited to the above-described form, and the same applies when the elastic body 19 is omitted (the bow frame 15 is directly connected to the lower surface of the bow portion 12b).
[0083] In the embodiments described above, the case in which the elastic body 20 is attached between the lower surface of the bow portion 12b and the edge frame 17 has been explained, but this is not necessarily the only case. For example, the elastic body 20 may be omitted, and the edge frame 17 may be directly attached to the lower surface of the bow portion 12b. In this case, a portion with a thickness equivalent to that of the elastic body 20 should be provided on the edge frame 17.
[0084] In the embodiments described above, the case in which the edge sensor 18 is positioned between the elastic body 20 and the impacted portion 17a has been explained, but the invention is not limited to this. For example, the edge frame 17 may be made to protrude inward from the elastic body 20, and the edge sensor 18 may be attached to the protruding portion. Alternatively, the edge sensor 18 may be attached to the lower surface of the edge frame 17.
[0085] In the embodiments described above, a plurality of edge sensors 18 are attached to the edge frame 17, and in the second embodiment, the closed state of the striking surface frame 12 is detected by the plurality of edge sensors 18. However, the invention is not limited to this. For example, a single edge sensor 18 may be attached to the edge frame 17. Alternatively, a sensor that detects contact with the bottom frame 211 (for example, a pressure sensor) may be attached to the lower surface of the edge frame 17, and the closed state of the striking surface frame 12 may be detected by this sensor.
[0086] In the second embodiment described above, the case in which the outer edge of the bottom frame 211 contacts the edge frame 17 on the outer circumference side of the elastic body 20 when the striking surface frame 12 is closed was explained, but it is not necessarily limited to this. For example, the outer edge of the bottom frame 211 may contact the edge frame 17 directly below the elastic body 20. Also, if the edge frame 17 protrudes on the inner circumference side of the elastic body 20 as described above, the outer edge of the bottom frame 211 may contact the protruding portion. [Explanation of Symbols]
[0087] 1 Stand 10,210 Electronic percussion instruments 211 Bottom Frame 12-piece striking surface frame 13. Bell frame (sensor frame for striking surface) 14 Bell sensor (striking surface sensor) 15. Bow frame (striking surface sensor frame) 16 Bow sensor (striking surface sensor) 17 Edge Frame 17a Hit part 18 Edge Sensors 19. Elastic body (second elastic body) 20 Elastic body (first elastic body)
Claims
1. The device comprises a striking surface frame that is pivotably supported on a stand and whose upper surface is the striking surface, an edge frame connected circumferentially to the lower surface of the outer edge of the striking surface frame, and an edge sensor attached to the edge frame for detecting vibrations of the edge frame, The edge frame is characterized by having a striking portion that rises upward from the outer edge of the edge frame and constitutes the edge portion of the striking surface.
2. The electronic percussion instrument according to claim 1, further comprising a first elastic body attached between the lower surface of the striking surface frame and the edge frame.
3. The electronic percussion instrument according to claim 2, further comprising a striking surface sensor attached to the lower surface of the striking surface frame on the inner circumference side of the first elastic body, for detecting vibrations of the striking surface frame.
4. The electronic percussion instrument according to claim 3, further comprising: a second elastic body attached to the lower surface of the striking surface frame; and a striking surface sensor frame connected to the lower surface of the striking surface frame via the second elastic body, to which the striking surface sensor is attached.
5. The electronic percussion instrument according to claim 2, characterized in that the edge sensor is disposed between the first elastic body and the part to be struck.
6. The electronic percussion instrument according to claim 1, characterized in that a plurality of the edge sensors are arranged in a line in the circumferential direction of the edge frame.
7. It comprises a striking surface frame that is vertically displaceable, and a bottom frame that is pivotably supported by the stand below the striking surface frame, The electronic percussion instrument according to claim 6, characterized in that the outer edge of the bottom frame can contact the edge frame when the striking surface frame is displaced.
8. The system includes a first elastic body that is attached between the lower surface of the striking surface frame and the edge frame, The edge sensor is positioned between the first elastic body and the part that is struck. The electronic percussion instrument according to claim 7, characterized in that the outer edge of the bottom frame is located on the outer circumference side of the first elastic body.
9. A method for mounting a sensor in an electronic percussion instrument, comprising a striking surface frame that is pivotably supported on a stand and whose upper surface is a striking surface, and an edge frame that is connected circumferentially to the lower surface of the outer edge of the striking surface frame, A striking portion is formed on the edge frame, rising upward from the outer edge of the edge frame and constituting the edge portion of the striking surface. A method for mounting a sensor, characterized by attaching an edge sensor for detecting vibrations of the edge frame to the edge frame.