Drive device for a vibraphone

Abstract

The invention relates to a drive device (60) for a vibraphone (1) which comprises a drive motor (50) for rotatable resonator flaps (25, 26), the drive device (60) comprising: - a stepper motor (70) as a drive motor (50), wherein the stepper motor can be coupled into a toothed belt drive (40, 41) of a vibraphone (1); - a rotational angle sensor (80) mechanically (79) coupled to the stepper motor (70); - a control device (100) having a stepper motor driver (110), wherein the control device is configured to control the stepper motor via the stepper motor driver; and - at least one actuation device (130) having an actuation element (131), wherein the actuation device is configured to output an actuation device output signal (135, 136, 165), which is proportional to the deflection (113, 114) of the actuation element, in the event of a deflection (133, 134) of the actuation element; - wherein the control device (100) is configured to detect actuation device output signals (135, 136, 165) and rotational angle sensor output signals (85, 86, 87, 88) and, on the basis of a detected actuation device output signal (135, 136, 165), to output a motor driver control signal (105) to the stepper motor driver (110) in order to control at least one desired target value input signal (115) of a motor rotational speed (116) and / or motor rotational direction (117) and / or rotational angle position (118) of the stepper motor (70).

Description

[0001] DRIVE DEVICE FOR A VIBRAPHONE

[0002] FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0003] The invention relates to a drive device for a vibraphone, wherein the vibraphone comprises a number of sound plates arranged in two rows, wherein a resonator tube open to the sound plate is arranged under each sound plate and each resonator tube can be closed periodically with a rotatable resonator flap, wherein the resonator flaps each assigned to a row of sound plates are each fastened to a common rotatably mounted output shaft and the two output shafts are coupled in terms of movement to a drive motor by means of a toothed belt drive.

[0004] STATE OF THE ART

[0005] The vibraphone is a percussion instrument with chromatically tuned metal bars or sound plates mounted on a metal and / or wooden frame. The bars or sound plates are arranged in two rows. Vertically beneath each sound plate there is a tuned resonance tube, also known as a resonator tube or simply a resonator, which serves to amplify the sound of the respective sound plate. At the upper, open end of the resonance tubes there are cover keys, also known as resonator keys. These cover keys are usually thin, round plastic or metal discs, with the resonator keys assigned to a row of sound plates each being attached to a common rotatable shaft.The two bearing shafts on which the resonator keys are attached are coupled to a drive motor by means of a belt drive and can be driven by this. By rotating the motor-driven resonator keys, the resonance tubes are periodically opened and closed, which creates a more or less rapid tremolo effect when the vibraphone is played, depending on the rotation speed of the motor. For example, a conventional drive device for a vibraphone is known from patent DE 100 17 510 C2, wherein the drive device for driving the bearing shafts on which the resonator keys are attached has a conventional DC motor that can be switched on and off with a simple changeover switch.To operate the DC motor, it is proposed that instead of a complex microcomputer circuit, an electrical circuit constructed from simple and inexpensive components be used for the drive device. Only an operating speed potentiometer, a creeping speed potentiometer, one or two excitation magnets, and a reed switch are required to construct this circuit. This circuit ensures that, after the drive device is switched off, the resonator flaps preferably come to rest in an end position in which the resonator flaps open the resonance tubes to their maximum and the tube center axis lies in the plane of the resonator flaps. A drive shaft of the drive motor is coupled to a reduction gear via a toothed belt.During the stopping process, the current for the DC motor is switched off and the braking process takes place automatically in a short time due to the existing frictional resistance.

[0006] A disadvantage of this design, as disclosed in DE 100 17 510 C2, is that the control options for the conventional drive motor, using a simple changeover switch and without a microcomputer, are very limited while the vibraphone is being played. Creative, modulating playing or music-making is not possible, or only possible to a limited extent, with such a vibraphone. Furthermore, the design of the electrical circuit for the DC motor, as well as the use of the mechanical gear transmission proposed here, from the DC motor to the bearing shafts on which the resonator keys are attached, are both complex to construct.

[0007] From the publication US 4,619,178 A, for example, a conventional control for a vibraphone drive has become known in which the speed of a conventional drive motor can be manually regulated using a slide control. The angular position of the rotating resonator flaps can be detected using a sensor. The control can be used to fully open and fully close the resonator flaps. However, this control is very complex and has not yet been adopted in practical use. It is therefore still common practice when playing or making music with the usual vibraphone models to open the resonator flaps by hand before starting to play or to adjust them so that they are open. In this position, the resonator tubes are open towards the sound bars. In summary, creative, modulating playing is possible.Playing a vibraphone is not possible even with the control system known from US 4,619,178 A.

[0008] OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

[0009] It is therefore an object of the invention to avoid the disadvantages of conventional vibraphone drives known from the prior art and to provide an improved drive device for a vibraphone which is compact in design, operates as quietly as possible and can be operated and controlled as flexibly and precisely as possible while the vibraphone is being played in order to enable individual sound modulations and to be able to actively change the sound of the vibraphone while playing or making music. Furthermore, it is an object of the invention to provide an improved drive device which can be retrofitted to a vibraphone particularly easily in place of an existing conventional drive.

[0010] PRESENTATION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] To achieve the object according to the invention, a drive device for a vibraphone is specified, the vibraphone comprising a number of sound plates arranged in two rows, wherein a resonator tube open to the sound plate is arranged under each sound plate and each resonator tube can be periodically closed with a rotatable resonator flap, the resonator flaps each assigned to a row of sound plates being each fastened to a common rotatably mounted output shaft and the two output shafts being coupled in terms of movement to a drive motor by means of a toothed belt drive, the drive device comprising the following: a stepper motor as the drive motor, the stepper motor driving a drive shaft equipped with a drive gear which can be coupled into a toothed belt drive of a vibraphone; a rotary angle sensor mechanically coupled to the stepper motor;a control device comprising a stepper motor driver signal-coupled to the stepper motor, wherein the control device is configured to control the stepper motor via the stepper motor driver; and at least one actuating device with at least one actuating element, wherein the actuating device is configured to output an actuating device output signal, which is proportional to the deflection of the at least one actuating element, upon a deflection of the actuating element;wherein the rotary angle sensor is designed to detect at least one current actual value of a motor speed and / or motor rotation direction and / or rotation angle position of the stepper motor and to output it to the control device in the form of at least one rotary angle sensor output signal, as well as at least one setpoint value input signal, which setpoint value input signal the stepper motor receives from the stepper motor driver, with which at least one currently detected actual value of the;

[0012] To adjust the motor speed and / or motor direction of rotation and / or rotational angle position of the stepper motor and, if necessary, to regulate the motor speed and / or motor direction of rotation and / or rotational angle position of the stepper motor and to adapt it to the setpoint input signal; and wherein the control device is designed to detect actuator output signals and rotary encoder output signals and, based on a detected actuator output signal, to output at least one motor driver control signal to the stepper motor driver for controlling at least one desired setpoint input signal of a motor speed and / or motor direction of rotation and / or rotational angle position of the stepper motor.

[0013] According to the invention, a stepper motor, also referred to as a "stepper motor", serves as the drive motor, wherein the stepper motor drives a drive shaft equipped with a drive gear, which can be coupled into the toothed belt drive of a vibraphone. Thus, the drive device according to the invention can also be used in existing vibraphones as a retrofit solution instead of a conventional drive. Either such a conventional drive is already equipped with a toothed belt drive, in which case the drive device according to the invention can be coupled directly into this toothed belt drive. Otherwise, it may be necessary to replace another belt drive with a toothed belt drive in order to be able to use the advantages of a drive device according to the invention with an existing vibraphone.

[0014] A stepper motor is a synchronous motor whose rotor is rotated by a rotating electromagnetic field of the stator. It typically operates by electrical impulses sent to the motor winding, generating a magnetic field. This magnetic field rotates the rotor in small "steps." The number of steps determines the position and speed of the rotor. By connecting the stepper motor to a drive shaft equipped with a drive gear, the vibraphone's toothed belt drive allows the position of the rotating resonator keys to be precisely aligned.

[0015] The invention is not restricted to any specific design or size of stepper motor. Stepper motors are generally available in three possible designs: permanent magnet stepper motor, reluctance stepper motor, and hybrid stepper motor. The hybrid stepper motor has established itself as the most common stepper motor due to its various advantages. In a hybrid stepper motor, permanent magnets from the permanent magnet motor are used as the rotor, combined with soft magnetic toothed disks that represent two poles. This enables important properties of stepper motors such as small step angles, high torque, and self-holding torque.

[0016] A rotary encoder is mechanically coupled to the stepper motor via a connecting shaft. A rotary encoder is a sensor for measuring the angle of rotation, usually providing digital output signals that must be decoded by an evaluation device at the other end of a sensor cable. Rotary encoders can be designed, for example, as incremental encoders or as absolute encoders.

[0017] Incremental encoders are sensors for detecting linear position changes or rotating angular changes. They can measure distance and direction, or angular change and direction of rotation. Incremental encoders have a measuring scale with repeating, periodic graduations. The measurement is based on a direction determination and digital counting. Incremental encoders can operate with sliding contacts, photoelectrically, or magnetically. Rotating optical incremental encoders are the most commonly used.

[0018] Incremental encoders—unlike absolute encoders—may need to be referenced after switching on, as position changes are not detected when switched off. They always deliver two signals at the output, phase-shifted by 90 degrees, which can be used to determine the direction of rotation, speed, and angle of rotation.

[0019] With absolute encoders, the direction and angle of rotation are detected via a coded disk. Multiple revolutions are detected, for example, by a built-in gear, and the measured values ​​are then transmitted serially to the evaluation device.

[0020] In the context of the invention, an "actuating device" is understood to mean all possible pedals, modulation wheels, buttons, clock buttons, rotary controls, push buttons and the like that can be operated by the musician by hand or foot, which have at least one actuating element and which are designed to output an actuating device output signal when the actuating element is deflected, which is proportional to the deflection of the at least one actuating element. According to the invention, the rotary encoder is designed to detect current actual values ​​of a motor speed and / or motor rotation direction and / or rotational angle position of the stepper motor and to output corresponding rotary encoder output signals to the control device.Conversely, the rotary angle encoder is designed to compare setpoint input signals that the stepper motor receives from the stepper motor driver with the currently recorded actual values ​​of the motor speed and / or motor rotation direction and / or rotation angle position of the stepper motor and, if necessary, to regulate the motor speed and / or motor rotation direction and / or rotation angle position of the stepper motor and to adapt it to the setpoint input signal.

[0021] According to the invention, the control device is designed to detect actuator output signals, which are generated by the musician during playing by deflecting the corresponding actuating elements, as well as rotary angle sensor output signals and, based on the detected actuator output signals, to output corresponding motor driver control signals to the stepper motor driver for controlling the desired setpoint value input signals of a motor speed and / or motor rotation direction and / or rotation angle position of the stepper motor.

[0022] Further advantageous embodiments of the invention are set out in the dependent claims and the description. Furthermore, the position information of parts or components used here, such as the terms "top", "bottom", "above", "below", "front", "rear", "side", "inside", "outside", "in the axial direction", "in the radial direction" and the like, essentially serve to better understand the invention, in particular in conjunction with the following drawings. The position information used can possibly refer to specific positions of individual parts or components during operation of a drive device according to the invention or to individual views in the figures. In any case, such position information is familiar to the person skilled in the art.

[0023] In a preferred embodiment of a drive device according to the invention, it can be particularly expedient if the control device further comprises at least one microcontroller, at least one analog-digital converter, at least one I / O expander and preferably a data memory, wherein the at least one microcontroller is set up to calculate at least one motor driver control signal for controlling the stepper motor driver from the rotary encoder output signals and the actuating device output signals, and wherein the at least one analog-digital converter is set up to convert an analog actuating device output signal into a digital actuating device output signal.

[0024] A "microcontroller" is a single-chip computer system that contains a processor and various peripheral functions. For example, a main memory and program memory can be implemented partially or completely on one and the same chip. For example, an ESP32 microcontroller can be used, which, due to its open design, is suitable for the control task in question. Such a microcontroller can capture analog signals with an integrated analog-to-digital converter and convert them into digital signals or values.

[0025] A microcontroller usually has a limited number of built-in pins, which restricts the number of external components that can be directly controlled. An I / O expander is used to expand the number of available inputs and outputs (I / O; abbreviated for "In / Out") of a microcontroller by providing additional pins via a standardized bus system, such as I2C (Inter-Integrated Circuit) or SPI (Serial Peripheral Interface). By using an I / O expander, the microcontroller can communicate with the expander using just a few of its pins, thus indirectly accessing a larger number of inputs and outputs. For example, commercially available I / O expanders only require two pins for I2C communication and in return provide eight additional digital I / O pins.

[0026] I2C is a serial communication protocol that can be used to control one or more I / O expanders. SPI is a serial communication protocol that can be used, for example, to control a display for status indications. This communication protocol enables control and communication with various components, such as a display, the stepper motor driver, and one or more I / O expanders.

[0027] For example, an ESP32 microcontroller supports wireless communication via Bluetooth and Wi-Fi with other devices and networks. This allows an ESP32 microcontroller to communicate with other Bluetooth- or Wi-Fi-enabled devices, such as smartphones or tablet computers. This allows data to be transferred wirelessly and the microcontroller or drive device to be remotely controlled.

[0028] In order to provide a drive device according to the invention which can be retrofitted particularly easily in place of an existing conventional drive on a vibraphone, it can be expedient if the stepper motor is arranged on a mounting bracket which can be fastened to a vibraphone.

[0029] Advantageously, the mounting bracket can be manufactured, for example, using 3D printing or injection molding, whereby corresponding reinforcing ribs and reinforced areas for screw connections can serve to ensure rigid and, as far as possible, low-vibration mounting of the stepper motor or other components. For example, the mounting bracket can be made of one or more plastic components.

[0030] It can be particularly advantageous if the mounting bracket is preferably made of a vibration-damping material and / or is attached to a frame section of the vibraphone in the installed position using a vibration damper made of a vibration-damping material. For example, foam or felt can be used as vibration-damping materials. Likewise, the invention provides for the stepper motor to be covered with a vibration-damping housing or casing cover during operation so that, as far as possible, no disturbing noises and / or vibrations are transmitted from the motor or the moving parts to the frame or the vibraphone frame during operation.

[0031] Particularly precise control of the drive device according to the invention can be achieved while playing the vibraphone if the stepper motor has a step number of at least 60 steps, preferably a step number of at least 120 steps, particularly preferably a step number of at least 200 steps. Our own preliminary tests have shown that a step number of at least 60 steps, which corresponds to a step angle of a maximum of 6 degrees, forms the lower limit for enabling precise control of the resonator flaps while playing. The larger the selected step number, the more precisely the speed and angular position of the resonator flaps can be controlled. With a step number of at least 120 steps, the step angle is advantageously reduced to a maximum of 3 degrees.

[0032] In full-step mode, with a step count of 200 steps, for example, 200 step pulses are required for one shaft revolution. The rotational speed is directly proportional to the pulse frequency. In this case, the step angle is reduced to 1.8 degrees, allowing the resonator flaps to be controlled with particular precision using the stepper motor.

[0033] In conjunction with a specific number of steps of the stepper motor, the precise control of the drive device according to the invention can be further improved if the rotary encoder has a coding disk with at least the same number of steps, preferably with a larger number of steps, compared to the number of steps of the stepper motor.

[0034] In photoelectric scanning for determining the direction of rotation, speed of rotation, and angle of rotation, a coding disk with slots is located between an LED and two slightly offset photodetectors or photosensors. When this coding disk rotates, the two photosensors are illuminated alternately. From these two output signals, the control device can determine the direction of rotation and generate the corresponding pulses. To enable particularly precise, high-quality measurements, three sensors can be used, with the third photosensor serving to determine a preset zero point position for the resonator flaps. The "zero point" is preset, for example, so that the resonator flaps are either in the fully closed or fully open position.If necessary, additional photosensors can be used, each connected in anti-parallel in pairs, in order to obtain a defined zero crossing and to compensate for possible drift and aging phenomena.

[0035] Scanning can also be carried out using magnetic sensors, whereby in the case of magnetic scanning the measuring standard consists of a hard magnetic carrier in which a graduation has been inscribed by magnetization.

[0036] A particularly precise control of the drive device according to the invention can be achieved if the rotary angle encoder comprises at least one direction of rotation sensor, one position sensor and one zero point sensor, wherein the sensors are designed to detect the current actual value of the motor speed and motor direction of rotation and rotational angle position of the stepper motor, and to output a motor speed output signal, a direction of rotation output signal and a rotational angle position output signal to the control device.

[0037] In a further development of the invention, in a drive device, the sensors of the rotary encoder can optionally be optical sensors or magnetic sensors, wherein the detection of the motor speed and motor rotation direction and rotation angle position of the stepper motor can preferably be carried out without contact.

[0038] To simplify the control of the drive device according to the invention, it can be advantageous if the drive gear of the drive shaft of the stepper motor has the same number of teeth as a first output gear arranged on the first output shaft of a vibraphone, as well as a second output gear arranged on the second output shaft of the vibraphone. In this embodiment, a simultaneous transmission is provided, which enables particularly simple calculation and programming. The rotational speed or rpm of the drive gear of the drive shaft corresponds here to the rotational speed or rpm of the two output gears, which offers advantages in terms of control technology.

[0039] In order to make the operability of the drive device according to the invention as flexible as possible while playing the vibraphone, it can be expedient if the at least one actuating device comprises at least one potentiometer, wherein the at least one actuating element is coupled in terms of movement to the at least one potentiometer, and wherein the actuating device is designed to output a change in resistance of the potentiometer as a result of a deflection during actuation of the actuating element in the form of an actuating device output signal. A potentiometer (also potentiometer) is an electrical resistance component whose resistance values ​​can be changed mechanically, for example by rotating or shifting, magnetically or electronically.

[0040] In order to enable the drive device according to the invention to be operated with a foot while playing the vibraphone, the at least one actuating device can be or comprise a foot pedal, wherein the at least one actuating element is a spring-mounted footrest, which footrest is mechanically or magnetically coupled to a potentiometer, and wherein a change in resistance of the potentiometer as a result of a deflection during actuation of the footrest can be output in the form of an actuating device output signal. In this embodiment, the footrest can be mechanically or magnetically coupled to the potentiometer.

[0041] In a particularly robust embodiment of the invention, the potentiometer in the at least one actuating device in the form of a foot pedal can be a rotary potentiometer, and the footrest can be coupled to the rotary potentiometer by means of a rack attached to the footrest. The rack engages a gear connected axially to the rotary potentiometer and is configured to convert the change in the footrest's travel into a translational movement for driving the gear connected to the rotary potentiometer. In this embodiment, the footrest is mechanically coupled to the potentiometer.

[0042] Alternatively or in addition to one or more actuating devices, for example in the form of a foot pedal, in a drive device according to the invention, the at least one actuating device can be or comprise a manually actuated modulation wheel. In this case, the at least one actuating element is a spring-loaded handwheel that is mechanically coupled to a potentiometer, and a change in resistance of the potentiometer resulting from a deflection during actuation of the handwheel can be output in the form of an actuating device output signal.

[0043] Such a modulation wheel is also referred to as a "mod wheel" and is usually used as a playing aid on electronic keyboard instruments such as keyboards to control various sound parameters. The modulation wheel is a wheel that can be operated by hand or finger, is rotatably mounted and axially connected to a potentiometer. Depending on the design, a modulation wheel can be deflected from a central position, in which it is spring-mounted by one or two return springs, in one direction of rotation or in two opposite directions of rotation. The at least one return spring causes the modulation wheel to automatically return to the central position after being deflected. In the present case, the drive device can be controlled using a modulation wheel.

[0044] Alternatively or in addition to one or more further actuating devices, in a drive device according to the invention the at least one actuating device can be or comprise a clock generator device, wherein the at least one actuating element is a clock generator button which is signal-coupled to the control device, wherein the clock generator device is designed to detect an actuation of the clock generator button and to output it to the control device in the form of a clock generator output signal. Depending on requirements, such a clock generator device, which is also referred to as a "tap tempo" generator, can be designed as a pedal, switch or button for actuation with a foot or hand of the musician. With "tap tempo" the clock frequency is calculated which results from multiple, periodic pressing or actuation of the clock generator device.By precisely recording the times at which the clock generator device is activated, the time intervals between the respective activation times and thus the clock frequency can be precisely determined.

[0045] In order to further increase the operability of the drive device according to the invention, the control device can comprise at least one optical display device and / or a user display.

[0046] The control device can expediently have a user interface with a user display, one or more indicators, as well as control knobs, buttons, and / or controls. The user display can, for example, serve to graphically display the current actual speed of the stepper motor or the resonator flaps and illustrate current settings of the drive device.

[0047] LED signal lights can serve as additional or alternative display devices to inform the user or musician about the current status of the drive device while playing. For example, individual keys, buttons, knobs, switches, and / or controls of the drive device can each be assigned their own LED signal lights. These are designed as RGB LEDs and can provide the user with clear information about the current operating status of the drive device through a suitable variation of colored lights and flashing patterns.

[0048] In a particularly convenient embodiment of the drive device according to the invention, the control device can be equipped with at least one mode selection wheel, wherein the at least one mode selection wheel is configured to select one or more predefined control functions. Functions that are displayed graphically, for example, on the user display, can be selected using the mode selection wheel.

[0049] SHORT DESCRIPTION OF THE CHARACTERS

[0050] The invention will now be explained in more detail using exemplary embodiments. The schematic drawings are exemplary and are intended to illustrate the inventive concept.

[0051] Shown are: Fig. 1 a vibraphone with an inventive

[0052] Drive device in an oblique view from the front;

[0053] Fig. 2 Details of a vibraphone with a drive device according to the invention in an oblique view from the front;

[0054] Fig. 3 Details of the drive device shown in Fig. 2 obliquely from the front;

[0055] Fig. 4 shows the drive device shown in Fig. 3 obliquely from the rear;

[0056] Fig. 5 is a schematic signal flow diagram for controlling the drive device according to the invention;

[0057] Fig. 6 is a diagram showing the schematic sequence of a first variant for controlling the drive device by changing the engine speed;

[0058] Fig. 7 is a diagram showing the schematic sequence of a second variant for controlling the drive device by changing the engine speed;

[0059] Fig. 8 is a diagram showing the schematic sequence of a third variant for controlling the drive device by changing the angular position of the motor;

[0060] Fig. 9 shows a sectional side view of an actuating device in the form of a foot pedal;

[0061] Fig. 10 shows a schematic side view of possible pedal positions of an actuating device in the form of a foot pedal;

[0062] Fig. 11 is a diagram showing the schematic sequence of a fourth variant for controlling the drive device by changing the motor speed and the rotational angle of the motor;

[0063] Fig. 12 shows a sectional side view of an actuating device in the form of a first embodiment of a modulation wheel;

[0064] Fig. 13 shows a schematic side view of possible positions of the modulation wheel shown in Fig. 12; Fig. 14 shows a schematic side view of possible positions of an actuating device in the form of a second embodiment of a modulation wheel;

[0065] Fig. 15 is a schematic flow chart for controlling a drive device according to the invention;

[0066] Fig. 16 shows an embodiment variant of a user interface for controlling a drive device according to the invention.

[0067] WAYS OF IMPLEMENTING THE INVENTION

[0068] The following description refers equally to Figures 1 to 4, which show a vibraphone 1 with a drive device 60 according to the invention.

[0069] As can be seen in Fig. 1, the vibraphone 1 shown comprises, in a conventional manner, a frame 5 or stand, which in this case is equipped with casters. Arranged on the upper side of the frame 5 are several metal sound plates 10 or bars, specifically in a first row 11, here in the foreground of the image, and parallel to this in a second row 12, here in the background. The two rows 11, 12 of sound plates 10 are usually arranged next to one another in chromatic tuning. Vertically below each sound plate 10 is a tuned resonator tube 20, 21 for amplifying the sound of the respective sound plate 10.

[0070] As can be seen in Fig. 2, the resonator tubes 20, 21 each have resonator flaps 25, 26 or cover flaps arranged at their top-open tube ends.

[0071] These resonator flaps 25, 26 or cover flaps are, for example, thin round plastic discs, with the resonator flaps 25, 26 assigned to a row 11, 12 each being mounted on a common rotatably mounted shaft 30, 35. This can be clearly seen in Fig. 3, for example.

[0072] The first rotatably mounted shaft 30 is also referred to below as the first output shaft 30. At one end of the first shaft 30, a first output gear 31 is connected in a rotationally fixed manner to the first shaft 30, wherein the output gear 31 is designed as a toothed pulley. A first shaft axis 32 of the first shaft 30 is symbolized in Fig. 3 by a dash-dotted line. A first direction of rotation 33 of the first shaft 30 is symbolized by an arrow 33.

[0073] The second rotatably mounted shaft 35 is also referred to below as the second output shaft 35. At one end of the second shaft 35, a second output gear 36 is connected in a rotationally fixed manner to the second shaft 35, wherein the output gear 36 is also designed as a toothed pulley. A second shaft axis 37 of the second shaft 35 is symbolized in Fig. 3 by a dash-dotted line. A second direction of rotation 38 of the second shaft 35 is symbolized by an arrow 38.

[0074] A belt drive 40 of the vibraphone 1 comprises a toothed belt 41, several deflection pulleys 45, and several tension pulleys 46. The two output shafts 30, 35 are coupled to a drive motor 50 by means of the toothed belt drive 40, 41.

[0075] The drive device 60 according to the invention comprises a mounting bracket 65, which is fastened to the vibraphone 1 in the operating state and on which a stepper motor 70 is mounted as the drive motor 50. Vibration dampers 68, which are arranged on the one hand between the mounting bracket 65 and the stepper motor 70, and on the other hand between the mounting bracket 65 and a frame section 5 of the vibraphone 1, to which the mounting bracket 65 is fastened in the operating state, serve to mount the stepper motor 70 on the vibraphone 1 in a vibration-damping manner.

[0076] The stepper motor 70 drives a drive shaft 72 equipped with a drive gear 71, which can be coupled into an existing toothed belt drive 40, 41 of a vibraphone 1. Figures 1 to 4 each show the drive device 60 in the operating state, with the stepper motor 70 with the drive shaft 72 already coupled into the toothed belt drive 40, 41 of the vibraphone 1. A direction of rotation 73 of the drive gear 71 or the drive shaft 72 is symbolized in Figures 2 and 3 as an arrow 73. The drive gear 71 of the drive shaft 72 of the stepper motor 70 has, for example, the same number of teeth as the first output gear 31 arranged on the first output shaft 30 and the second output gear 36 arranged on the second output shaft 35 of the vibraphone 1. A rotary encoder 80 is mechanically coupled to the stepper motor 70 by means of a connecting shaft.

[0077] Fig. 4 shows the drive device 60 shown in Fig. 3, viewed diagonally from the rear. In the foreground of the image, the mounting bracket 65 can be seen, which here is equipped with a fastening bracket 66 in the form of a snap hook, so that it can be attached as a retrofit solution to a frame section 5 of an existing vibraphone 1.

[0078] Fig. 5 shows a schematic signal flow diagram for controlling the drive device 60 according to the invention.

[0079] The drive device 60 comprises a stepper motor 70 and a rotary encoder 80, which is mechanically coupled to the stepper motor 70 by means of a connecting shaft 79. Furthermore, the drive device 60 comprises a control device 100 with a stepper motor driver 110 that is signal-coupled to the stepper motor 70, wherein the control device 100 is configured to control the stepper motor 70 via the stepper motor driver 110.

[0080] Furthermore, several actuating devices 130 with at least one actuating element 131 are shown here.

[0081] For example, a first actuating device 130 is designed as a foot pedal 140, as is also illustrated in Fig. 1, for example.

[0082] A second actuating device 130 is designed here in Fig. 5, for example, as a modulation wheel 150 and is arranged on the vibraphone 1 such that the modulation wheel 150 is provided as a handwheel 151 for manual actuation. This embodiment is also shown in Fig. 1.

[0083] A further, third actuating device 130 is designed in Fig. 5, for example, as a clock device 160 or as a so-called "tab tempo button". Returning to Fig. 1, for example, such "tab tempo buttons" 160 are arranged in the form of clock buttons next to the foot pedal 140 and, in this embodiment, can also be actuated by the player with the feet while playing. As shown in Fig. 5 schematically shows the actuating devices 130 each configured to output at least one actuating device output signal 135, 136, 165 upon deflection in one direction 133 or optionally in two possible directions 134 of the actuating element 131, which is proportional to the deflection 113, 114 of the respective actuating element 131.Depending on the design of the respective actuating device 130, analog actuating device output signals 135 or digital actuating device output signals 136 can be output. The clock generator device 160 outputs corresponding clock generator output signals 165 upon actuation of the clock generator button 161.

[0084] The control device 100, which is symbolized schematically by a dashed line in Fig. 5, further comprises at least one microcontroller 101, at least one analog-digital converter 102, at least one I / O expander 103 and, in a preferred embodiment, a data memory 106 and a user display 108.

[0085] The rotary angle sensor 80 comprises at least one direction of rotation sensor 81, a position sensor 82 and a zero point sensor 83, wherein the sensors 81, 82, 83 are designed to detect a current actual value 75 of a motor speed 76 and / or motor direction of rotation 77 and / or rotational angle position 78 of the stepper motor 70, and to output a rotary angle sensor output signal 85, more precisely a motor speed output signal 86, a direction of rotation output signal 87 and a rotational angle position output signal 88 to the control device 100.

[0086] The rotary angle sensor 80 is designed to detect at least one current actual value 75 of a motor speed 76 and / or motor rotation direction 77 and / or rotation angle position 78 of the stepper motor 70 and to output it to the control device 100 in the form of at least one rotary angle sensor output signal 85, 86, 87, 88.

[0087] The rotary angle encoder 80 is further configured to compare setpoint values ​​of at least one setpoint input signal 115, a motor speed input signal 116, a direction of rotation input signal 117 and / or a rotation angle position input signal 118, which the stepper motor 70 receives from the stepper motor driver 110, with the at least one currently detected actual value 75 of the motor speed 76 and / or motor direction of rotation 77 and / or rotation angle position 78 of the stepper motor 70 and, if necessary, to regulate the motor speed 76 and / or motor direction of rotation 77 and / or rotation angle position 78 of the stepper motor 70 and to adapt it to the corresponding setpoint input signal 115, 116, 117, 118.

[0088] The microcontroller 101 is configured to calculate at least one motor driver control signal 051 for controlling the stepper motor driver 110 from the rotary encoder output signals 85, 86, 87, 88 and the actuator output signals 135, 136, 165. The at least one analog-to-digital converter 102 is configured to convert each analog actuator output signal 135 into a digital actuator output signal 136.

[0089] The control device 100 is configured to detect actuator output signals 135, 136, 165 and rotary encoder output signals 85, 86, 87, 88 and, based on a detected actuator output signal 135, 136, 165, to output at least one motor driver control signal 105 to the stepper motor driver 110 for controlling at least one desired setpoint value input signal 115 of a motor speed 116 and / or motor rotation direction 117 and / or rotation angle position 118 of the stepper motor 70.

[0090] Fig. 6 shows in diagram form the schematic sequence of a first variant for controlling the drive device 60 by changing the motor speed. In the direction of the abscissa the time t or the time-varying speed is plotted as the number of revolutions of the stepper motor or of the driven resonator flaps per unit of time. In the direction of the ordinate the swelling and fading volume V or the loudness is plotted. By continuously rotating the resonator flaps the resonance tubes open and close and thus create a swelling and fading volume effect which in the world of music is known as a "tremolo" or in the case of the vibraphone also as a "wah-wah" effect.

[0091] By operating a clock device 160 or a so-called "tab tempo button" or an associated

[0092] In the drive device 60 according to the invention, the motor speed 76 of the stepping motor 70 can be adjusted by repeatedly actuating the clock generator device 160, symbolized in Fig. 6 by the times TI, T2, TS to T x The motor speed can be adjusted by pressing the tab tempo button. In the example shown, the motor speed is accelerated from an initial frequency fi to a higher frequency f2 by pressing the tab tempo button x times. The original starting motor speed can be adjusted in this way to a new motor speed corresponding to the specified tab tempo.

[0093] Fig. 7 shows a diagrammatic sequence of a second variant for controlling the drive device 60 by changing the motor speed. In this case, the motor speed can be adjusted by switching on pre-programmed tempos. This can be done with the drive device 60 according to the invention if at least one so-called pre-set tempo, i.e. a pre-programmed tempo, has been saved. In this way, the required motor speed of the stepper motor 70 can be quickly adjusted for different passages of a piece of music, each of which requires different sound images. An original speed, illustrated as an original, low frequency fo, can be set to a higher frequency fi by activating a first pre-set program Pi by pressing a button.After a certain period of time, the motor speed can be set to a different frequency f2 by pressing the button again and activating a second PreSet program P2.

[0094] Fig. 8 shows a diagram of the schematic sequence of a third variant for controlling the drive device 60 by changing the angle of rotation of the stepping motor 70. A further, artistically valuable effect can be achieved when playing with a vibraphone 1 equipped with the drive device according to the invention, in that the musician, by means of an actuating device 130, simultaneously transmits the movement of the actuating element 131, for example a footrest 141 of a foot pedal 140, to the stepping motor 70 or to the driven resonator flaps 25, 26. Thus, a "vibrato" individually generated by the musician during

[0095] Playing the vibraphone can be generated, as is otherwise known, for example, when playing wooden string instruments such as the cello, violin or double bass. By individually actuating or pressing FI, F2 of the foot pedal 140 and then individually releasing or releasing LI, L2, individual, non-repeatable frequency patterns f2 can be generated. As already mentioned, the above-mentioned use of a foot pedal 140 is only one possible embodiment. Likewise, other actuating devices such as a modulation wheel 150, in particular as a handwheel 151, can be used in addition to or as an alternative to a foot pedal.

[0096] Fig. 9 shows a sectional side view of an actuating device 130 in the form of a foot pedal 140. The actuating device 130 comprises a potentiometer 132, wherein the at least one actuating element 131 is coupled in terms of movement to the potentiometer 132, and wherein the actuating device 130 is configured to output a change in resistance of the potentiometer 132 as a result of a deflection 133 during an actuation of the actuating element 131 in the form of an actuating device output signal 135. Here, the actuating device 130 is designed as a foot pedal 140, wherein the actuating element 131 is a spring-mounted footrest 141, which footrest 141 is mechanically or magnetically coupled to a potentiometer 132, and wherein a change in resistance of the potentiometer 132 as a result of a deflection 133 during actuation of the footrest 141 can be output in the form of an actuating device output signal 135.A return spring 143, the spring travel 144 of which is symbolized by a double arrow 144, serves to resiliently mount the footrest 141, which is attached to a base plate of the foot pedal 140 in an articulated manner by means of a bearing joint 142. The potentiometer 132 here is a rotary potentiometer 147, and the footrest 141 is coupled to the rotary potentiometer 147 by means of a rack 145 attached to the footrest 141. The rack 145 engages a gear 149 connected to the rotary potentiometer 147 in an axial direction 148 and is designed to convert the change in travel 133 of the footrest 141 into a translational movement 146 for driving the gear 149 connected to the rotary potentiometer 147. Fig. 10 schematically shows possible pedal positions of the foot pedal 140, namely between an initial position, which is designated with "0", and a position with the maximum deflection in the direction of arrow 133, which is designated with "MAX".

[0097] Fig. 11 shows in diagram form the schematic sequence of a fourth variant for controlling the drive device 60 by changing the motor speed and the rotational angle of the motor 70. In the case shown, one or more actuating devices 130, for example a foot pedal 140 and a modulation wheel 150, can be used as speed controllers for the stepper motor 70. A program key for accelerating or braking or decelerating the stepper motor 70 can be used for this purpose. In Fig. 11, for example, by pressing a program key assigned the "Accelerate" function for a longer period, an increase from an initial speed or output frequency fo up to a predefined, maximum final speed or final frequency fi is achieved.

[0098] Fig. 12 shows an actuating device 130 in the form of a first embodiment of a modulation wheel 150. This modulation wheel 150 can be deflected as a handwheel 151 bidirectionally in two directions from an initial position designated "0": both in Fig. 12 to the left or "backwards" up to a first deflected position designated "MIN", and in the image in the opposite direction to the right or "forwards" up to a second deflected position designated "MAX". The possible deflection or change in path 134 is symbolized by the double arrow 134. The return to the initial position "0" is ensured by a return spring 152. A rotary potentiometer 147 is provided here as the potentiometer 132.The actuating element 131 is the spring-loaded handwheel 151, which is mechanically coupled to a potentiometer 147, and wherein a change in resistance of the potentiometer 132 as a result of a deflection 134 during actuation of the handwheel 151 can be output in the form of an actuating device output signal 135.

[0099] Fig. 13 shows in a schematic side view possible positions "O", "MIN", "MAX" of the in Fig. 12 shown

[0100] Modulation wheel 150. Fig. 14 shows, in a schematic side view, possible positions "0", "MAX" of an actuating device 130 in the form of a second embodiment of a modulation wheel 150, in which only a deflection in one direction is possible.

[0101] Fig. 15 shows a schematic flow chart for controlling a drive device 60 according to the invention. Starting in the image from top to bottom, actuator output signals generated by the musician while playing the vibraphone 1 using a foot pedal 130 and a modulation wheel 150 are detected by the control device 100. The control device 100 can detect rotary encoder output signals from the rotary encoder 80 and, based on the detected actuator output signals, output a motor driver control signal 105 to the stepper motor driver 110 for controlling desired setpoint value input signals for a motor speed and / or motor rotation direction and / or rotational angle position of the stepper motor 70.The control device 100 is symbolized here with dash-dotted lines and comprises a microcontroller 101 and optical display devices 107, for example, an LCD display and an LED activity indicator, as well as a user display 108. A mode selection wheel 109, which is designed, for example, as a rotary and push-button, serves to select one or more predefined control functions. Depending on the design, the mode selection wheel 109 can be designed as a separate operating component or actuating device, or it can be part of the control device 100 and, for example, integrated into the user display 108.

[0102] Fig. 16 symbolizes an embodiment of a user interface with a user display 108, several optical display devices 107, as well as with various operating buttons, keys, and controllers for controlling a drive device 60 according to the invention. The user interface including the user display 108 is part of the control device 100 and is also shown, for example, in Fig. 1. In this case, several optical display devices 107, for example in the form of RGB-colored LED displays, can show the status of the resonator flaps. A mode selection wheel 109, which is designed, for example, as a rotary and push-button, serves here to select one or more predefinable control functions. These control functions can advantageously be visualized on the user display 108.Furthermore, the user interface can include, for example, a manually operable clock button 161, various program buttons 170 for selecting programs Pi, P2, Ps for several preset tempo settings, a program button 171 for angle control, a program button 172 for accelerating or decelerating or braking the stepper motor 70, and a program button 173 for various pedal functions. Furthermore, an on / off switch 175 is provided here for starting up the control device 100 or the drive device according to the invention.

[0103] LIST OF REFERENCE SYMBOLS

[0104] 1 vibraphone

[0105] 5 Frame; frame of the vibraphone

[0106] 10 sound plate; sound bar

[0107] 11 first row of sound plates

[0108] 12 second row of sound plates

[0109] 20 (first) resonator tube; resonance tube

[0110] 21 (second or further) resonator tube; resonance tube

[0111] 25 (first) resonator flap; cover flap

[0112] 26 (second or further) resonator flap; cover flap

[0113] 30 (first) rotatable shaft; (first) output shaft

[0114] 31 (first) output gear; toothed pulley

[0115] 32 (first) shaft axis

[0116] 33 (first) direction of rotation (arrow)

[0117] 35 (second) rotatable shaft; (second) output shaft

[0118] 36 (second) output gear; toothed pulley

[0119] 37 (second) shaft axis

[0120] 38 (second) direction of rotation (arrow)

[0121] 40 Belt drive

[0122] 41 Timing belt

[0123] 45 pulley

[0124] 46 Tension pulley

[0125] 50 Drive motor LIST OF REFERENCE SYMBOLS (continued)

[0126] 60 drive device

[0127] 65 Mounting bracket

[0128] 66 mounting brackets; snap hooks

[0129] 68 vibration dampers

[0130] 70 stepper motor

[0131] 71 Drive gear; toothed pulley

[0132] 72 drive shaft

[0133] 73 Direction of rotation (arrow)

[0134] 75 Stepper motor output value; actual value

[0135] 76 current engine speed; actual value

[0136] 77 current motor rotation direction; actual value

[0137] 78 current angle of rotation; actual value

[0138] 79 Connecting shaft

[0139] 80 rotary encoders

[0140] 81 Direction of rotation sensor

[0141] 82 Position sensor

[0142] 83 Zero point sensor

[0143] 85 Angle encoder output signal

[0144] 86 Engine speed output signal

[0145] 87 Direction of rotation output signal

[0146] 88 Angle of rotation position output signal

[0147] 100 control device

[0148] 101 Microcontrollers

[0149] 102 analog-to-digital converters

[0150] 103 I / O expanders

[0151] 105 Motor driver control signal

[0152] 106 data storage

[0153] 107 optical display device

[0154] 108 User display

[0155] 109 Mode dial

[0156] 110 stepper motor drivers

[0157] 115 Setpoint input signal

[0158] 116 Engine speed input signal; setpoint

[0159] 117 Direction of rotation input signal; setpoint

[0160] 118 Angular position input signal; setpoint

[0161] 130 Actuating device LIST OF REFERENCE SYMBOLS (continued)

[0162] 131 Actuating element; actuating button

[0163] 132 potentiometers

[0164] 133 Deflection; change in path (arrow)

[0165] 134 Deflection; change in path (double arrow)

[0166] 135 (analog) actuator output signal

[0167] 136 (digital) actuator output signal

[0168] 140 Foot pedal

[0169] 141 Footrest

[0170] 142 bearing joint

[0171] 143 Return spring

[0172] 144 travel (double arrow)

[0173] 145 rack

[0174] 146 Translational movement (arrow)

[0175] 147 rotary potentiometer

[0176] 148 Rotary potentiometer axis

[0177] 149 gear

[0178] 150 Modulation wheel; Modwheel

[0179] 151 Handwheel

[0180] 152 return spring

[0181] 160 Clock setup; Tab tempo button

[0182] 161 clock buttons

[0183] 165 Clock output signal

[0184] 170 Program button for preset tempo

[0185] 171 Program button for angle control

[0186] 172 Program button for accelerating / braking the stepper motor

[0187] 173 Program button for pedal functions

[0188] 175 On / Off switch fo,fi,f2Frequency or speed

[0189] FI, F2Press or operate foot pedal

[0190] LI,L2Relieve or loosen the foot pedal

[0191] Pi,P2,P3Program selection for PreSet Tempo

[0192] TI,T2,T3 button press for tab tempo

Claims

P A T E N T A N S P R Ü C H E 1. Drive device (60) for a vibraphone (1), wherein the vibraphone (1) comprises a number of sound plates (10) arranged in two rows (11, 12), wherein a resonator tube (20, 21) open to the sound plate (10) is arranged under each sound plate (10), and each resonator tube (20, 21) can be periodically closed by a rotatable resonator flap (25, 26), wherein the resonator flaps (25, 26) assigned to a row (11, 12) of sound plates (10) are each fastened to a common rotatably mounted output shaft (30, 35), and the two output shafts (30, 35) are coupled for movement to a drive motor (50) by means of a toothed belt drive (40, 41), characterized in that the drive device (60) comprises: a stepper motor (70) as the drive motor (50) , wherein the stepper motor (70) drives a drive shaft (72) equipped with a drive gear (71) which can be coupled into a toothed belt drive (40, 41) of a vibraphone (1);a rotary encoder (80) mechanically (79) coupled to the stepper motor (70); a control device (100) comprising a stepper motor driver (110) signal-coupled to the stepper motor (70), wherein the control device (100) is configured to control the stepper motor (70) via the stepper motor driver (110); and at least one actuating device (130) with at least one actuating element (131), wherein the actuating device (130) is configured to output an actuating device output signal (135, 136, 165) upon a deflection (133, 134) of the actuating element (131), which is proportional to the deflection (113, 114) of the at least one actuating element (131); wherein the rotary encoder (80) is configured to detect at least one current actual value (75) of a motor speed (76) and / or motor rotation direction (77) and / or rotation angle position (78) of the stepper motor (70) and to output it to the control device (100) in the form of at least one rotary encoder output signal (85, 86, 87, 88), as well as at least one desired value input signal (115.116.117.118) , which setpoint input signal (115.116.117.118) the stepper motor (70) receives from the stepper motor driver (110), with which at least one currently detected actual value (75) of the motor speed (76) and / or motor rotation direction (77) and / or rotation angle position (78) of the stepper motor (70) is compared and, if necessary, the motor speed (76) and / or motor rotation direction (77) and / or rotation angle position (78) of the stepper motor (70) is regulated and adapted to the desired value input signal (115, 116, 117, 118); and wherein the control device (100) is configured to detect actuator output signals (135, 136, 165) and rotary encoder output signals (85, 86, 87, 88) and, based on a detected actuator output signal (135, 136, 165), to output at least one motor driver control signal (105) to the stepper motor driver (110) for controlling at least one desired setpoint value input signal (115) of a motor speed (116) and / or motor rotation direction (117) and / or rotation angle position (118) of the stepper motor (70).

2. Drive device (60) according to claim 1, characterized in that the control device (100) further comprises at least one microcontroller (101), at least one analog-digital converter (102), at least one I / O expander (103) and preferably a data memory (106), wherein the at least one microcontroller (101) is designed to calculate at least one motor driver control signal (105) for controlling the stepper motor driver (110) from the rotary encoder output signals (85, 86, 87, 88) and the actuating device output signals (135, 136, 165), and wherein the at least one analog-to-digital converter (102) is configured to convert an analog actuator output signal (135) into a digital actuator output signal (136).

3. Drive device (60) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the stepper motor (70) is arranged on a mounting bracket (65), which mounting bracket (65) can be fastened to a vibraphone (1), wherein preferably the mounting bracket (65) is made of a vibration-damping material and / or is fastened to a frame section (5) of the vibraphone (1) in the installed position using a vibration damper (68) made of a vibration-damping material.

4. Drive device (60) according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the stepper motor (70) has a step number of at least 60 steps, preferably a step number of at least 120 steps, particularly preferably a step number of at least 200 steps.

5. Drive device (60) according to claim 4, characterized in that the rotary angle encoder (80) has a coding disk with at least the same number of steps, preferably with a larger number of steps, compared to the number of steps of the stepping motor (70).

6. Drive device (60) according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the rotary angle sensor (80) comprises at least one direction of rotation sensor (81), a position sensor (82) and a zero point sensor (83), wherein the sensors (81, 82, 83) are designed to detect the current actual value (75) of the motor speed (76) and motor direction of rotation (77) and angle of rotation position (78) of the stepper motor (70), and to output a motor speed output signal (86), a direction of rotation output signal (87) and an angle of rotation position output signal (88) to the control device (100).

7. Drive device (60) according to claim 6, characterized in that the sensors (81, 82, 83) of the rotary angle sensor (80) are optionally optical sensors or magnetic sensors and the detection of the motor speed (76) and motor rotation direction (77) and rotation angle position (78) of the stepper motor (70) is preferably carried out without contact.

8. Drive device (60) according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the drive gear (71) of the drive shaft (72) of the stepping motor (70) has the same number of teeth as a first output gear (31) arranged on the first output shaft (30) of a vibraphone (1), and a second output gear (36) arranged on the second output shaft (35) of the vibraphone (1).

9. Drive device (60) according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the at least one actuating device (130) comprises at least one potentiometer (132), wherein the at least one actuating element (131) is coupled in terms of movement to the at least one potentiometer (132), and wherein the actuating device (130) is configured to output a change in resistance of the potentiometer (132) as a result of a deflection (133, 134) during actuation of the actuating element (131) in the form of an actuating device output signal (135, 136).

10. Drive device (60) according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the at least one actuating device (130) is or comprises a foot pedal (140), wherein the at least one actuating element (131) is a spring-mounted footrest (141), which footrest (141) is mechanically or magnetically coupled to a potentiometer (132), and wherein a change in resistance of the potentiometer (132) as a result of a deflection (133, 134) during actuation of the footrest (141) can be output in the form of an actuating device output signal (135, 136).

11. Drive device (60) according to claim 10, characterized in that the potentiometer (132) is a rotary potentiometer (147) and the coupling of the footrest (141) to the rotary potentiometer (147) is effected by means of a rack (145) fastened to the footrest (141), wherein the rack (145) engages in a gear (149) axially (148) connected to the rotary potentiometer (147) and is designed to convert the change in path (133) of the footrest (141) into a translational movement (146) for driving the gear (149) connected to the rotary potentiometer (147).

12. Drive device (60) according to one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the at least one actuating device (130) is or comprises a manually actuated modulation wheel (150), wherein the at least one actuating element (131) is a spring-loaded handwheel (151), which handwheel (151) is mechanically coupled to a potentiometer (132), and wherein a change in resistance of the potentiometer (132) as a result of a deflection (133, 134) during actuation of the handwheel (151) can be output in the form of an actuating device output signal (135, 136).

13. Drive device (60) according to one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that the at least one actuating device (130) is or comprises a clock generator device (160), wherein the at least one actuating element (131) is a clock generator button (161) which is signal-coupled to the control device (100), wherein the clock generator device (160) is designed to detect an actuation of the clock generator button (161) and to output it to the control device (100) in the form of a clock generator output signal (165).

14. Drive device (60) according to one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that the control device (100) comprises at least one optical display device (107) and / or a user display (108).

15. Drive device (60) according to claim 14, characterized in that the control device (100) is equipped with at least one mode selection wheel (109), wherein the at least one mode selection wheel (109) is configured to select one or more predefinable control functions.

Images