Magnetic Cymbal Mounting for Concurrent Percussion

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Solution Overview

Problem

Percussion musicians face limitations in playing multiple instruments simultaneously due to the need to switch hands or hold instruments differently, and mechanical fasteners for attaching auxiliary percussion instruments to cymbals can alter the sound quality and restrict placement.

Innovation Solution

A magnetic coupling system using magnetic components on the cymbal and auxiliary percussion instrument, allowing for secure attachment without altering the cymbal and enabling easy repositioning, utilizing ferromagnetic properties or rare-earth magnets for strong magnetic fields.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If mechanical fasteners are used to attach auxiliary percussion instruments to cymbals, then secure attachment is achieved, but the cymbal's natural acoustics are altered and placement is restricted

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveattachment securityVSAvoidacoustic quality degradation

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces mechanical fasteners with a magnetic coupling system. Magnets embedded in the cymbal and corresponding magnetic components on the auxiliary instrument create secure attachment through magnetic attraction, eliminating the need for mechanical fasteners that would alter the cymbal's acoustics or restrict placement options.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the attachment mechanism from mechanical to magnetic, fundamentally altering the physical parameter of attachment force. This allows the auxiliary instrument to be securely held while maintaining the cymbal's acoustic integrity and enabling flexible placement across the cymbal surface.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If mechanical fasteners are used to attach auxiliary percussion instruments to cymbals, then secure attachment is achieved, but placement flexibility is restricted

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveattachment securityVSAvoidplacement flexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The magnetic coupling system replaces mechanical fasteners, allowing the auxiliary instrument to be attached at any location on the cymbal where magnetic attraction can be maintained. This provides placement flexibility while ensuring secure attachment through the magnetic force.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Ease of operation

If traditional hand-switching method is used to play multiple percussion instruments, then instrument control is maintained, but musical expression and productivity are limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinstrument controlVSAvoidmusical expression capability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the cymbal and auxiliary percussion instrument into a single integrated unit through magnetic coupling. This allows the musician to play both instruments simultaneously by striking the cymbal, which naturally vibrates and causes the auxiliary instrument to produce sound, eliminating the need to switch hands and expanding musical expression capabilities.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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

Enables concurrent sound production from both the cymbal and auxiliary percussion instrument without interfering with the cymbal's natural acoustics, allowing flexible placement and improved musical expression.

Implementation Method 1

the at least one first magnetic component and at least one second magnetic component being coupled to the cymbal, at least in part, by a magnetic force of attraction between the at least one first magnetic component and the at least one second magnetic component that acts through the cymbal

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMagnetic force of attraction: Magnetism

Implementation Method 2

utilizing ferromagnetic properties or rare-earth magnets for strong magnetic fields

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFerromagnetic properties: Ferromagnetism

Data Source

PatentUS10262636B2Techniques for magnetically mounting a percussion instrument to a cymbal and related systems and methods

Publication Date: 2019.04.16 AVEDIS ZILDJIAN COMPANY

AI summary

According to some aspects, a cymbal system is provided comprising a cymbal, and a percussion instrument magnetically coupled to the cymbal, said magnetic coupling between the percussion instrument and the cymbal provided at least in part by at least one first magnetic component disposed on a lower side of the cymbal, and at least one second magnetic component disposed on an upper side of the cymbal and attached to the percussion instrument, the at least one first magnetic component and at least one second magnetic component being coupled to the cymbal, at least in part, by a magnetic force of attraction between the at least one first magnetic component and the at least one second magnetic component that acts through the cymbal.