Electronic Percussion Instrument Sensor Placement for Reduced Delay
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Solution Overview
Problem
Electronic drums face challenges in reducing delay time for sound production control and manufacturing costs, while maintaining detection sensitivity, due to differing sensor structures at the central and peripheral portions of the struck surface.
Innovation Solution
The electronic percussion instrument employs strike sensors with the same structure at the central and peripheral portions, positioned closer to the struck surface, using a cushion member to absorb impact and prevent damage, with the peripheral sensors configured to transmit signals faster than the central sensor, allowing for quicker detection of strikes and reduced manufacturing complexity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If strike sensors with the same structure are used at both central and peripheral portions, then manufacturing costs are reduced and device complexity is simplified, but detection sensitivity at peripheral portions decreases due to lower vibration amplitude
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by positioning peripheral strike sensors closer to the struck surface than the central sensor. This creates a spatial differentiation where sensors at different locations have different installation characteristics optimized for their specific function. The peripheral sensors' closer positioning compensates for the lower vibration amplitude at peripheral portions, maintaining detection sensitivity while using identical sensor structures throughout.
2Device complexity
If the central sensor and peripheral sensors are positioned at the same distance from the struck surface, then device structure is simplified, but delay time for sound production control increases when central portion is struck
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by pre-positioning peripheral sensors closer to the struck surface than the central sensor. This anticipatory spatial arrangement ensures that when the central portion is struck, the peripheral sensors are already in optimal position to detect the strike and transmit signals quickly, reducing the delay time for sound production control without requiring real-time adjustment.
3Measurement precision
If peripheral sensors are positioned closer to the struck surface, then detection sensitivity is improved and delay time is reduced, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the sensor positioning into two distinct groups: central sensors positioned at one distance from the struck surface, and peripheral sensors positioned at a closer distance. This segmentation allows each group to be optimized independently for their specific functional requirements, with peripheral sensors closer for high sensitivity and central sensors at standard distance, while maintaining manageable manufacturing precision through clear differentiation.
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 solution shortens the delay time for sound production control and reduces manufacturing costs by ensuring consistent sensor performance across the instrument, while maintaining or improving detection sensitivity through optimized sensor placement and structure.
Implementation Method 1
using a cushion member to absorb impact and prevent damage
Data Source
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AI summary
There is provided an electronic percussion instrument (1). The electronic percussion instrument (1) includes a struck surface (3a) and a plurality of strike sensors (10, 20, 30, 40) configured to detect a strike on the struck surface (3a). The plurality of strike sensors include at least one central sensor (10) that is disposed on a back side of the struck surface (3a) and disposed at a center side of the struck surface (3a) and a plurality of peripheral sensors (20, 30, 40) that are disposed on a peripheral side of the struck surface (3a). The central sensor (10) and the peripheral sensors (20, 30, 40) each have the same structure. The peripheral sensors (20, 30, 40) are configured to transmit a strike signal in a shorter time than the central sensor (10) when the struck surface (3a) is struck.