Keyboard Actuator with Angled Ridge for Stable Sensor Contact
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Solution Overview
Problem
In electronic keyboard instruments, the lack of stable reaction forces and sound generation occurs due to off-center key pressing forces and clearances between hammers and their securing members, leading to failures in sound production, especially when keys press sensors or hammers do not press sensors.
Innovation Solution
An actuator with a pivot and a ridged surface featuring specific angular relationships and arc-shaped ridge parts is used, allowing for stable reaction force generation and sound production by ensuring proper contact and movement between the hammer-side loading part and the sensor, preventing catching and friction issues.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a hammer is actuated to press a sensor for sound generation, then sound can be generated, but the sensor may not stably operate and sound generation may fail due to off-center forces or clearances
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the hammer mechanism from the system and replaces it with a simplified key-direct-press structure. The key is designed with specific geometric features (ridged surface with angled portions) that directly engage with the sensor, eliminating the need for hammers while maintaining sound generation capability and improving operational stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a ridged surface structure on the key as an intermediary element between the key and sensor. This ridged surface with specific angular portions (45-60 degrees) acts as a mediator that ensures stable, centered force transmission to the sensor, preventing off-center forces and improving reliability without adding complex hammer mechanisms.
2Device complexity
If a key directly presses a sensor without hammers, then the structure is simplified, but off-center forces may cause failure in sound generation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by designing specific geometric features on the key surface - a ridged surface with angled portions (45-60 degrees) at the key tip. This localized structural modification ensures centered force application to the sensor while maintaining overall structural simplicity and avoiding complex hammer mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the geometric parameters of the key tip by introducing a ridged surface with specific angle measurements (45-60 degrees). This parameter modification optimizes the force transmission characteristics, ensuring stable, centered contact with the sensor and preventing off-center forces that would cause sound generation failures.
3Ease of manufacture
If clearances exist between hammer and securing member, then assembly is easier, but hammer may move in scale direction causing unstable sensor operation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the hammer and its securing member entirely, eliminating the clearance issue at its source. The key directly presses the sensor through its ridged surface structure, so no hammer positioning or clearance management is needed, maintaining assembly simplicity while ensuring stable operation.
Data Source
AI summary
A relationship of 0<α1<2θ1 is satisfied, where α1 is an angle formed between a first line which is vertical to a parallel line passing through a pivot center point and being parallel to a pivot extending direction, passes through a center point of a first portion from the center point of the first portion toward the parallel line, and a second line which is vertical, at the center point of the first portion, to a first portion extending direction, passes through the center point of the first portion toward a vertical line being vertical to the parallel line and passing through the pivot center point, and where θ1 is an angle formed between the first line and a third line connecting the pivot center point and the center point of the first portion from the center point of the first portion toward the pivot center point.