Magnetic Drum Suspension Reduces Vibration Transfer
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional mounting systems for percussion instruments transfer residual vibration to support structures, interfering with electronic signals and compromising the feel and sound quality of both electronic and acoustic drums, as they do not accurately replicate the boundary conditions of a freely floating drum.
Innovation Solution
A percussion instrument mount with a swing arm and magnetic energy absorber that reduces vibration through magnetic field resistance and adjustable friction, allowing for improved damping and alignment of the instrument, and an adjustable mounting system that minimizes interference with the instrument's natural resonance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional ridged mounting hardware is used to mechanically mount electronic percussion instruments on support structures, then the instrument is securely supported, but residual vibration is transferred to the support structure causing interference with electronic signals and compromising signal accuracy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a suspension system with elastic elements (springs, rubber isolators) as intermediaries between the electronic percussion instrument and the support structure. These elastic elements act as mediators that decouple the rigid mechanical connection, allowing vibration isolation while maintaining secure mounting. The elastic elements absorb and dampen residual vibrations before they can be transferred to the support structure and interfere with electronic signals.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the traditional rigid mechanical mounting system with a suspension system that incorporates magnetic elements. Magnets are positioned to create magnetic fields that interact with the drum shell, providing a non-contact or minimal-contact mounting mechanism. This substitution eliminates or significantly reduces mechanical vibration transfer paths while maintaining the instrument's secure positioning and support.
2Ease of operation
If traditional ridged mounting structure is used for electronic trigger pad, then the instrument is firmly supported, but the feel and stick response becomes significantly foreign to acoustic drums
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the mounting system's physical parameters by introducing elastic elements with specific damping characteristics and magnetic field strengths. These parameter changes allow the system to provide both firm support and natural stick response. The elastic elements are selected to have compliance values that replicate acoustic drum feel, while magnetic elements are positioned and sized to provide sufficient holding force without excessive rigidity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a composite mounting system combining multiple materials with different properties: elastic elements (springs, rubber isolators) for vibration absorption and feel replication, magnetic elements for stable positioning, and mounting hardware for structural support. This composite approach allows each material to contribute its optimal properties, achieving both natural stick response and reliable mounting stability simultaneously.
3Reliability
If acoustic drums are mounted on traditional support structures, then the instrument is securely positioned, but residual vibration is transferred to the support structure negatively impacting sound quality
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces elastic isolation elements as intermediaries between the acoustic drum and the support structure. These elements (springs, rubber isolators) serve as mediators that block the transmission path of residual vibrations to the support structure. By absorbing and dampening vibrations at the mounting interface, they prevent the transfer of harmful vibrations that would otherwise degrade the acoustic drum's sound quality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the rigid mechanical mounting system with a magnetic suspension system where magnets create fields that interact with the drum shell. This substitution eliminates direct rigid mechanical contact points that would transfer vibrations to the support structure. The magnetic field provides secure positioning while allowing the drum to vibrate freely, thereby preserving sound quality without compromising mounting stability.
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 reduces vibration transfer, enhancing the accuracy of electronic signals and improving the feel and sound quality of percussion instruments by allowing for better control over the instrument's mounting and resonance characteristics.
Implementation Method 1
A magnet is positioned on the swing arm or on the instrument, and another magnet is positioned on the base or on the instrument. The magnets are configured to provide magnetic field resistance to the rotation of the swing arm about the joint, thereby absorbing the playing impact energy.
Data Source
AI summary
A percussion instrument mount includes a base that supports a percussion instrument in a playing position. The percussion instrument mount also includes a swing arm that is coupled to the percussion instrument, and is also coupled to the base via a joint such that the swing arm rotates about the joint from an equilibrium position in response to a playing impact on the percussion instrument. The percussion instrument mount still further includes a playing impact energy absorber that provides a restoring force to the swing arm so as to return the swing arm to the equilibrium position.