Electronic Hi-Hat Controller Merging Pedal and Cymbals
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current electronic high-hat cymbal controllers in drum sets fail to accurately emulate the playing feel and response of acoustic high-hat cymbals due to the separation of the foot pedal from the cymbals, leading to a different playing experience and visual presentation, and often require custom stands or separate electronic drum sets, which are costly or inconvenient for drummers switching between setups.
Innovation Solution
An electronic high-hat cymbal controller that integrates an upper and lower cymbal connected to a high-hat stand, with a foot pedal control module detecting the upper cymbal's position and generating control signals to a drum synthesizer, using force sensing resistors and additional sensors to replicate the stiffness and motion of acoustic high-hat cymbals, and can be mounted on existing stands for compatibility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a stand-alone foot pedal is used separate from the cymbals, then the device complexity is reduced and ease of manufacture is improved, but the playing feel and response accuracy deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the foot pedal controller with the upper cymbal assembly into a single integrated unit. The foot pedal is mounted directly on the cymbal stand, and the controller housing incorporates both the pedal mechanism and cymbal mounting structure, eliminating the need for separate stand-alone pedal and cymbal controllers.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated controller housing serves multiple functions: it houses the foot pedal mechanism, supports the upper cymbal, provides mounting for the lower cymbal, and contains the sensor assembly. This multi-functional design reduces the number of separate components needed while maintaining accurate emulation of acoustic high-hat behavior.
2Reliability
If a single cymbal controller is mounted on an acoustic high-hat stand, then the visual presentation and playing feel are improved, but the device complexity increases and compatibility with existing stands deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The controller is designed as a modular unit that can be segmented into functional components: foot pedal assembly, cymbal mounting structure, sensor assembly, and controller electronics. This segmentation allows for easier manufacturing and compatibility with existing stands while maintaining the integrated functionality needed for accurate playing feel.
Solution Approach 2:
The controller is designed to be universally compatible with standard acoustic high-hat stands through a universal mounting interface. The integrated design incorporates standard mounting holes and dimensions that allow attachment to existing stands without requiring custom fabrication, reducing device complexity while maintaining playing feel accuracy.
3Ease of operation
If the foot pedal is completely separated from the cymbals, then the ease of operation is improved, but the measurement precision of cymbal position and interaction deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The foot pedal and cymbal assembly are merged into a single integrated unit where the pedal mechanism is mounted directly on the cymbal stand. This integration allows the sensor assembly to directly measure the position and interaction of the cymbals with the pedal, maintaining measurement precision while keeping the operation simple and intuitive.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor assembly acts as an intermediary between the foot pedal mechanism and the controller electronics. It detects the position and interaction of the cymbals with the pedal, converting mechanical movements into electrical signals that accurately represent the playing action, thus maintaining measurement precision without complicating the operation.
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 provides a cost-effective and convenient high-hat cymbal controller that closely mimics the playing feel and response of acoustic high-hat cymbals, improving the overall drumming experience and eliminating the need for custom stands, while ensuring accurate detection of cymbal positions and interactions.
Implementation Method 1
A foot pedal control module detects the position of the upper cymbal relative to the foot pedal control cymbal and generates and transmits a control signal proportional to the plunger position
Data Source
AI summary
An electronic hi-hat cymbal controller is disclosed. The controller includes a hi-hat cymbal stand having a pedal and a shaft. The pedal is configured and arranged to move the shaft. A lower cymbal is mounted to the hi-hat cymbal stand and an upper cymbal is mounted to the shaft. A sensor assembly is mounted to the hi-hat cymbal stand. The sensor assembly is configured and arranged to detect the position of the upper cymbal relative to the lower cymbal.