Keyboard Actuator Reducing Key Pushing Force
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing keyboard musical instruments require a significant force to play, especially for lower sounds and are difficult for individuals with less strength, such as beginners, children, and older adults, as they lack a system to reduce the reaction force during manual operation.
Innovation Solution
A key actuating system that includes a pressure detection sensor, a status detection sensor, and an actuator controlled by a control portion to maintain a pressure threshold lower than the normal pushing pressure required to produce sound, assisting the player in reducing the reaction force and enabling easier key operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If natural or non-electric keyboard musical instruments are used, then natural sounds are generated by hitting strings, but a larger force is necessary to push or operate the key for lower sounds and it is difficult to quickly push the keys
Solution Approach 1:
The actuator applies a counteracting force to offset the weight and resistance of the key mechanism, particularly for lower keys that require more force. This counterweight mechanism reduces the net force the player must apply, making key operation easier across all pitch ranges.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts the pressure threshold parameter based on the key being pressed and the player's strength characteristics. By changing this parameter, the system adapts the force requirement to match different playing scenarios and player capabilities.
2Extent of automation
If actuators are used to operate keys independently for automatic playing, then music can be automatically played, but the reaction force of the key becomes much lighter than that of natural or non-electric keyboard musical instruments
Solution Approach 1:
The system changes the pressure threshold parameter dynamically based on detection results from pressure and status sensors. This allows the actuator to adjust its operation to maintain appropriate reaction force characteristics while preserving automatic playing capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback from pressure detection sensors and status detection sensors to continuously monitor key conditions and adjust actuator operation accordingly. This feedback mechanism ensures the reaction force remains natural while enabling automatic playing functions.
3Device complexity
If the pressure threshold is set to a fixed value, then the control is simple, but it cannot adapt to different players with varying strength
Solution Approach 1:
The pressure threshold is transformed from a fixed static value to a dynamic adjustable parameter. The system can adapt the threshold in real-time based on player strength characteristics and playing conditions, enhancing versatility while maintaining manageable control through automated adjustment.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs self-adjustment of the pressure threshold based on detection results from sensors. By automatically adapting to different players without requiring manual intervention, the system achieves high adaptability while keeping the control interface simple.
Data Source
AI summary
A key actuating system (1) of a keyboard musical instrument is provided which helps quickly push the keys by reducing reaction force with respect to force of pushing the keys during manual operation, and which supports a person having less strength to play the keyboard musical instrument. The key actuating system for a keyboard musical instrument generates a sound when a key (3) is pushed including: a pressure detection sensor (11) detecting a pushing pressure on the key; a status detection sensor (13) detecting a movement status of the key: an actuator (15) actuating the key in a pushing direction of the key; and a control portion (19), when the pressure detection sensor detects the pushing pressure and the status detection sensor detects motion of the key, controls operations of the actuator in order to maintain the detected pressure by the pressure detection sensor at a pressure threshold which is in a range larger than 0 and smaller than a pushing pressure on the key which is necessary for making a sound.