Drum Pedal Switching Mechanism for Compact Beater Folding

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing drum pedal devices require inconvenient and burdensome operations to fold the beater with respect to the pedal, leading to coil spring fatigue and potential loss, as well as surface scratches during storage and carrying.

Innovation Solution

A drum pedal device with a switching mechanism that allows the spring to be selectively positioned between a use position and a non-use position, reducing tension and enabling the beater to be folded without disengaging the spring, thereby reducing fatigue and eliminating holding forces.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the coil spring is disengaged from the cam member to fold the beater with respect to the pedal, then the beater can be folded for storage and carrying, but the coil spring becomes unfixed and may move to scratch the posts or pedal, and may be lost

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefolding beater for storageVSAvoidspring fixation and safety

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies a switching device that allows the coil spring to dynamically change its connection state between the cam member and the pedal. The spring can be selectively connected to the cam member during use and disconnected during storage, enabling the beater to be folded without permanently removing the spring. This dynamic connection resolves the contradiction by providing both secure fixation during use and foldability during storage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Ease of operation

If the coil spring is disengaged from the cam member, then the beater can be folded with respect to the pedal, but the surface of the posts or pedal may be scratched by the moving spring

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefolding beaterVSAvoidsurface scratches

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a switching device as an intermediary mechanism between the coil spring and the pedal assembly. This switching device controls the connection and disconnection of the spring, allowing the beater to be folded while preventing the spring from moving freely and scratching the posts or pedal surface. The intermediary device mediates between the spring's need to be disconnected for folding and the need to prevent surface damage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Ease of operation

If the spring arm is pivotal around its proximal end to fold the beater, then the beater can be folded with respect to the pedal, but the tension of the coil spring is maintained and fatigue progresses

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefolding beaterVSAvoidspring useful life

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the tension-maintaining function from the folded state by using a switching device that completely disconnects the coil spring from the cam member when the beater is folded. This removes the source of continuous tension and fatigue during storage, thereby extending the spring's useful life while still allowing the beater to be folded for convenience.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

4Duration of action of stationary object

If the beater is folded with respect to the pedal without disengaging the coil spring, then the spring remains fixed and fatigue is reduced, but the beater cannot be compactly stored and carried

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvespring useful lifeVSAvoidpedal device size

Core Design Contradiction:

Duration of action of stationary objectVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses a switching device that enables the coil spring to dynamically change its connection state. During use, the spring is connected to the cam member to maintain tension and prevent fatigue. During storage, the spring can be disconnected to allow the beater to be folded compactly. This dynamic capability resolves the contradiction between maintaining spring health and achieving compact storage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The solution allows for easy folding of the beater with reduced spring tension, minimizing fatigue and preventing surface damage, while maintaining the angular positions of the pedal and beater, facilitating compact storage and use.

Implementation Method 1

The pedal device is used in a state where the pedal and the beater are held at respective predetermined angular positions by the tension caused by pulling the upper and lower ends of the coil spring

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

the tension caused by pulling the upper and lower ends of the coil spring

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectTension: Tension

Data Source

PatentUS10147405B1Drum pedal device

Publication Date: 2018.12.04 HOSHINO GAKKI COMPANY LIMITED

AI summary

A pedal device includes a switching device, which is capable of selectively switching the position of a spring between a use position, at which the spring is disposed during the use of the pedal device, and a non-use position, at which the spring is disposed during the non-use of the pedal device. The switching device is configured such that the length between a first end and a second end of the spring when the spring is disposed at the non-use position is less than the spring length when the spring is disposed at the use position.