Electronic Pedal Spring Mechanism for Silent Drum Actuation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electronic percussion instrument pedals generate unwanted secondary sounds due to the physical striking of the drum head and require complex sensor systems, making them less comfortable to use and prone to missed strikes.
Innovation Solution
A pedal device with a spring structure between the foot pedal board and the bottom surface that adjusts the angle and striking power, using insulated electrodes to detect foot pedal movement and eliminate the need for a beater, providing a virtually silent operation by electronically generating sounds.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-generated harmful factors
If a beater unit is used to physically strike the drum head, then sound production is achieved, but unwanted secondary sounds are generated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the beater unit from the system entirely. Instead of using a mechanical beater to strike the drum head, the invention uses a sensor-based system that detects foot pedal movement and electronically generates sound, thereby eliminating the source of unwanted secondary sounds while simplifying the device structure
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical striking system (beater hitting drum head) with an electronic sensing and sound generation system. The foot pedal movement is detected by sensors and converted to electronic sound signals, substituting mechanical action with electronic processes to eliminate harmful secondary sounds
2Measurement precision
If a complex sensor system is used to detect foot pedal movement, then detection accuracy is improved, but device complexity increases and missed strikes occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a spring structure as an intermediary mechanical element between the foot pedal and the sensor system. This spring mechanism amplifies and transmits foot pedal movement in a controlled manner, enabling simple sensors to accurately detect movement without requiring complex sensor arrays, thereby maintaining detection precision while reducing overall system complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a dynamic spring-based mechanical linkage that adapts to varying foot pedal forces. The spring structure provides progressive resistance and movement amplification, allowing the system to accurately detect both light and heavy strikes with simple sensors, improving detection precision without increasing device complexity
3Ease of operation
If the foot pedal board structure is fixed in position, then structural simplicity is maintained, but user comfort and striking power are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic, adjustable foot pedal board structure that can change its resting angle and position. The pedal board is connected through a spring mechanism that allows it to be adjusted to different angles relative to the bottom surface, enabling users to customize the playing position for optimal comfort and striking power while maintaining reasonable structural simplicity
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 enhances user comfort and reduces the likelihood of missed strikes by mimicking the feel of an acoustic bass drum, while eliminating secondary sounds and simplifying the sensor system, resulting in a more intuitive and efficient electronic percussion instrument experience.
Implementation Method 1
a spring structure in a space between a bottom surface structure and a foot pedal board structure
Implementation Method 2
utilize a spring structure in a space between a bottom surface structure and a foot pedal board structure to detect, via a sensor, the movement of the foot pedal board structure relative to the bottom surface structure
Implementation Method 3
insulated electrodes are provided to communicate data from the sensors as output
Data Source
AI summary
An electronic percussion instrument pedal device uses a spring structure in a space between a bottom structure and a foot pedal board structure to regulate the movement of the foot pedal board structure. Even when the foot pedal board structure is not being moved, it is regulated by the above mentioned spring structure into a proper near horizontal position. If the foot board is stepped on, the coil spring will stretch and a load (stability) will become strong. As a result, when the foot board is in a position near the position in which it is not stepped on, the load is initially relatively light and then becomes heavier as the user continues to further step on the foot board. This is approximated to the action of an acoustic bass drum, and a good actuation feeling.