Keyboard Instrument Metal Frame Soundboard Vibration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing keyboard musical instruments struggle to reproduce the metallic sound feel in the treble range and maintain a natural sound image, as they either rely solely on soundboard vibration or use speakers that introduce unnatural directivity.
Innovation Solution
A keyboard musical instrument design that incorporates a metal frame vibrated by acoustic transducers, in conjunction with a wooden soundboard, to layer sounds of different timbres, allowing for natural and rich sound generation across various frequency ranges.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If a wooden soundboard is vibrated by an acoustic transducer to generate sounds, then the thickness of musical sounds is increased, but the metallic sound feel in the treble range peculiar to acoustic pianos cannot be reproduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines a wooden soundboard and a metal plate as separate sound-generating elements, each vibrated by its own acoustic transducer. The wooden soundboard produces the fundamental sound thickness, while the metal plate generates the metallic timbre in the treble range. By merging these two different materials and their respective sound characteristics, the system achieves both sound thickness and metallic sound feel simultaneously.
2Device complexity
If the soundboard is positioned considerably lower than the string, then the structure is simplified, but the sense of sound image is lowered and the sense of realism is impaired
Solution Approach 1:
The patent positions the metal plate at a height comparable to the strings, creating a vertical dimension arrangement where the metal plate and strings are aligned. This dimensional positioning allows the metal plate to contribute to the sound image in the upper register without requiring complex structural changes, thereby maintaining realism while preserving structural simplicity.
3Quantity of substance
If a speaker is provided apart from the soundboard to complement sound generation in the treble range, then the treble sounds are enhanced, but the strong directivity of the speaker gives an awkward or unnatural feeling
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the electronic speaker system with a mechanical vibration system using a metal plate vibrated by an acoustic transducer. This mechanical approach generates sound waves that propagate more naturally like traditional acoustic instruments, avoiding the directional and artificial characteristics of electronic speakers while still providing enhanced treble sound output.
4Quantity of substance
If the sound is generated by vibration of the soundboard along with the sound generation by striking the string, then the overall sound is enhanced, but the sound becomes massive owing to the vibration of the soundboard mainly in only the middle range and the bass range
Solution Approach 1:
The patent assigns different frequency ranges to different sound-generating elements: the wooden soundboard primarily handles the middle and bass ranges, while the metal plate is optimized for the treble range. This local specialization of each element's frequency response ensures balanced frequency distribution, preventing the sound from becoming overly massive in the lower ranges while maintaining rich overall output.
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
This design effectively reproduces the metallic sound feel in the treble range and enhances the overall sound image by layering timbres, providing a more natural and rich sound experience, even without string striking.
Implementation Method 1
an acoustic transducer is operated by a drive signal to thereby vibrate a soundboard
Implementation Method 2
a second acoustic transducer configured to vibrate the metal frame in accordance with a drive signal supplied thereto
Data Source
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AI summary
A keyboard musical instrument, including: a key (2); a board (7); a first member (70) formed of a material different from a material of the board; a first acoustic transducer (50) configured to vibrate the board in accordance with a drive signal supplied thereto; and a second acoustic transducer (80) configured to vibrate the first member in accordance with a drive signal supplied thereto.