Vibration Sensor Segmentation for Percussion Impact Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing percussion instruments face a challenge in that the degree of freedom of vibration of the vibration sensor is low due to the restriction imposed by the elastic body, which limits the sensor's ability to accurately detect vibrations accompanying impacts.

Innovation Solution

The impact detection device and percussion instrument incorporate a vibration sensor sandwiched between a body to be struck and a support base via first and second elastic bodies, allowing for improved freedom of vibration and enhanced sensitivity to high-frequency vibrations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If a vibration sensor is held between a body to be struck and a support base using an elastic body, then the sensor is securely positioned, but the degree of freedom of vibration of the sensor is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepositioning stability of vibration sensorVSAvoidvibration freedom of sensor
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The elastic body is divided into multiple independent elastic elements (first elastic elements and second elastic elements) arranged in an array. Each element independently supports the vibration sensor, allowing the sensor to vibrate freely in multiple directions while maintaining stable positioning. This segmentation enables the sensor to respond to vibrations from different directions without being constrained by a single rigid elastic structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The elastic body comprises numerous small elastic elements distributed across the support base, creating localized support points rather than a continuous rigid structure. This local quality approach allows different regions of the sensor to vibrate independently while maintaining overall positioning stability, enhancing the sensor's ability to detect vibrations from various directions and frequencies.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Device complexity

If the vibration sensor is restricted by the elastic body, then the sensor structure is simplified, but the sensitivity to high-frequency vibrations is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesensor structure complexityVSAvoidvibration detection sensitivity
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

By segmenting the elastic body into multiple small elastic elements, the structure remains relatively simple while allowing the vibration sensor to vibrate with minimal restriction. This segmentation approach maintains structural simplicity compared to complex mechanical suspension systems, while significantly improving high-frequency vibration detection sensitivity through the distributed elastic support.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

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 configuration enhances the sensitivity of the vibration sensor to high-frequency vibrations, improving the response speed and allowing for the detection of vibrations across a wider frequency band, which enables more accurate musical expression and estimation of striking positions.

Implementation Method 1

a vibration sensor (piezoelectric element) for detecting vibration of a body to be struck (head) due to an impact or the like

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPiezoelectric effect: Piezoelectric Effect

Implementation Method 2

an elastic body (cushion material) is sandwiched between the vibration sensor and the body to be struck, and between the vibration sensor and the support base

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP3866156B1Impact detection device and percussion instrument
Publication Date: 2025.04.02 YAMAHA CORP
  • EP3866156B1 patent drawingFigure 1A~1B
  • EP3866156B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP3866156B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

An impact detection device includes: a body configured to be struck; a vibration sensor that detects vibration of the body; a support base that supports the vibration sensor; a first elastic body sandwiched between the vibration sensor and the body; and a second elastic body sandwiched between the vibration sensor and the support base. A dimension of each of the first elastic body and the second elastic body is smaller than a dimension of the vibration sensor when viewed from an arrangement direction in which the first elastic body, the vibration sensor, and the second elastic body are arranged.