Electronic Percussion Head Vibration Control
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional electronic percussion instruments generate a high-pitch impulsive sound when struck, which degrades sound quality due to the entire internal area of the head vibrating upon impact, leading to mechanical noise and reduced articulation.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates a head with a main strike area connected to auxiliary areas via thinner, linearly elongated connecting parts and a vibration-damping member, which reduces impulsive sound by attenuating vibrations and improving sound quality through air ventilation and precise vibration suppression.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If the entire internal area of the head is made to vibrate upon impact, then the head can produce sufficient volume and presence, but a large impulsive sound is generated which degrades sound quality and articulation
Solution Approach 1:
The head is divided into a main strike area and auxiliary areas separated by thinning parts. When struck, the main strike area vibrates to produce the desired sound, while the thinning parts restrict vibration transmission to the auxiliary areas, thereby reducing impulsive sound without compromising the overall volume and presence of the drum head
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the head are given different thickness properties: the main strike area maintains sufficient thickness for volume production, while thinning parts are created in specific locations to control vibration transmission. This local variation in thickness allows the head to simultaneously achieve sufficient volume and reduced impulsive sound
2Strength
If the head is made of elastic material with higher flexibility than the frame, then the head can respond dynamically to striking operations, but the entire internal area vibrates causing mechanical noise
Solution Approach 1:
The head structure is segmented into regions with different thicknesses. The thinning parts act as vibration isolation zones that prevent the entire internal area from vibrating when the main strike area is struck, thereby reducing mechanical noise while maintaining the flexibility needed for dynamic response
Solution Approach 2:
The thinning parts serve as intermediary elements between the main strike area and the auxiliary areas. These thinning parts mediate the vibration transmission by restricting it, thereby preventing the propagation of mechanical noise to the frame and surrounding structures
3Measurement precision
If the impact sensor is positioned to detect vibration from the main strike area, then precise detection of striking operations is achieved, but vibrations from the entire internal area interfere with detection precision
Solution Approach 1:
The head is segmented so that the main strike area is separated from the auxiliary areas by thinning parts. This segmentation ensures that vibrations are localized to the main strike area where the impact sensor is positioned, preventing vibration interference from the entire internal area and improving detection precision
Solution Approach 2:
The thinning parts, which might be considered as structural weaknesses, are actually beneficial as they restrict vibration propagation. By converting what could be seen as a structural limitation into a vibration control feature, the design improves detection precision by preventing unwanted vibration interference at the sensor location
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 suppresses impulsive sounds, enhances sound quality by reducing mechanical noise, and improves the precision of detecting striking operations, making it suitable for electronic percussion instruments like twin-beater bass drums.
Implementation Method 1
The impact sensor converts a vibration occurring on the main strike area subjected to a striking operation into an electric signal
Implementation Method 2
At least part of the main area of the head is connected to the auxiliary area via a connecting part which is reduced in thickness in comparison with the auxiliary area
Data Source
AI summary
An electronic percussion instrument includes a head, a frame, and an impact sensor. The back of the head is divided into a main area (e.g. a main strike area) and an auxiliary area. At least one connecting part is arranged above or below the main area in the back of the head and reduced in thickness compared to the auxiliary area, thus reducing vibration from being transmitted through the head. The impact sensor is attached to the back of the main strike area of the head via a cushion member. When the main strike area of the head is being struck with a beater, a vibration is caused to occur in the head and detected by the impact sensor to produce an electric signal which is used to generate an electronic musical sound while suppressing mechanical noise due to an impact between the beater and the head.