Keyboard Flexible Section Segmentation for Piano Tactile Feedback
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Electronic keyboards fail to replicate the touch feeling of acoustic pianos due to differences in key movement and deformation, leading to an inability to accurately mimic the tactile experience.
Innovation Solution
A keyboard apparatus with a rotating section comprising a rod-like flexible member and supporting sections that allow for bending deformation, enabling the key to rotate while maintaining a stable rotation center, thus replicating the tactile feedback of acoustic pianos.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a thin plate structure is used to enable key rotation, then key movement flexibility is improved, but structural stability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible section is divided into multiple regions with different cross-sectional dimensions. The first region has a larger cross-section for stability, the second region has a smaller cross-section for flexibility, and the third region transitions back to larger dimensions. This segmentation allows different parts of the same component to serve different functional requirements simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the flexible section have different local properties - the first region has larger cross-sectional dimensions for structural support, the second region has smaller dimensions for flexibility and rotation, and the third region provides transition and support. This local variation in geometry optimizes both stability and flexibility in their respective zones.
2Ease of manufacture
If the flexible section has uniform cross-section, then manufacturing simplicity is improved, but functional performance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible section features non-uniform cross-sectional dimensions that vary along its length. The first region has larger dimensions for stability, the second region has smaller dimensions for flexibility, and the third region provides transition. This local variation in geometry optimizes both stability and flexibility in their respective zones.
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 effectively replicates the touch feeling of acoustic pianos by allowing the key to rotate and deform in a manner similar to acoustic pianos, enhancing the tactile experience and positional accuracy of electronic keyboards.
Implementation Method 1
a rod-like flexible member having flexibility in a direction other than a longitudinal direction
Data Source
AI summary
A keyboard apparatus includes a key, a frame, a flexible section configured to rotate the key with respect to the frame, the flexible section having a longitudinal direction, and including a region where a length of the flexible section in a first direction continuously increases toward a first end and a second end of the flexible section in a cross section perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the flexible section, and a first supporting section supporting side closer to the first end than the region, the first supporting section including a bonding section bonded to the first end, the bonding section including a first section and a second section, the first section and the second section keeping continuity with the flexible section, and a recessed section being arranged at a position, in a scale direction and sandwiched between the first section and the second section, of the bonding section.