Perforated Cymbal with Resilient Coating for Volume Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional acoustic drum sets, particularly metal cymbals, produce high volume sounds that are difficult to manage for practice purposes, and electronic drum kits lack the natural feel and aesthetic appeal of traditional cymbals.
Innovation Solution
A low volume cymbal is designed using a metal plate with perforations and a resilient coating or dampening elements, such as a ring around the circumference, to reduce acoustic wave amplitude while retaining natural vibratory properties, allowing for a quieter practice experience similar to traditional cymbals.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a metal cymbal is used to retain natural vibratory properties and aesthetic appeal, then the playing feel and natural characteristics are preserved, but the sound volume becomes excessively high for practice purposes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by attaching dampening elements (such as rubber rings, foam, or felt) to specific locations on the metal cymbal surface, particularly at the strike zone and edges. These localized dampening materials reduce sound volume and control unwanted vibrations at specific areas while preserving the natural vibratory properties and aesthetic appearance of the overall cymbal structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite materials by combining metal (for structural integrity, vibratory properties, and aesthetics) with dampening materials (such as rubber, foam, or felt) to create a hybrid cymbal system. This composite approach allows the metal component to provide natural playing feel while the dampening component reduces excessive sound volume, effectively resolving the contradiction between maintaining natural characteristics and reducing harmful noise.
2Object-generated harmful factors
If electronic drum kits are used to reduce sound volume, then the noise level is reduced for practice, but the natural feel and aesthetic appeal of traditional cymbals are lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses composite materials by combining metal with dampening materials to create a hybrid cymbal that maintains the natural playing feel of traditional acoustic cymbals while significantly reducing sound volume. This allows drummers to practice quietly without sacrificing the authentic tactile feedback and aesthetic appearance that electronic drum pads cannot replicate.
Solution Approach 2:
The dampening elements act as intermediaries between the metal cymbal and the environment. These materials (rubber, foam, felt) are attached to the cymbal surface to mediate the sound transmission, reducing excessive volume and controlling unwanted vibrations while preserving the natural vibratory properties and playing characteristics of the metal cymbal.
3Object-generated harmful factors
If dampening elements are added to reduce sound volume, then the acoustic wave amplitude is reduced, but the complexity of the cymbal structure increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by placing dampening elements only at specific strategic locations on the cymbal, such as the strike zone, edges, or particular vibration nodes. This localized approach effectively reduces acoustic wave amplitude and controls unwanted vibrations while minimizing the addition of structural complexity compared to uniformly dampening the entire cymbal surface.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs flexible dampening materials (such as rubber rings, foam sheets, or felt layers) that can be easily attached to the metal cymbal surface. These thin, flexible dampening elements effectively reduce sound volume and control vibrations without adding significant structural complexity or weight to the cymbal assembly.
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 the volume of sound produced by the cymbal while maintaining its natural playing feel and vibratory characteristics, making it suitable for quiet practice and electronic detection systems.
Implementation Method 1
a coating of a resilient material in contact with the metal plate that covers at least a portion of the surface of the metal plate
Implementation Method 2
a dampening element mechanically coupled to the surface of the metal plate that reduces the amplitude of acoustic waves generated by a strike of the metal plate
Data Source
AI summary
According to some aspects, a cymbal is provided comprising a metal plate having a plurality of perforations therein, and a coating of a resilient material in contact with the metal plate that covers at least a portion of the surface of the metal plate. According to some aspects, a cymbal is provided comprising a metal plate, and a dampening element attached to at least a portion of the circumference of the metal plate. According to some aspects, a method of producing a cymbal is provided, comprising forming a metal plate having a plurality of perforations therein, and forming a resilient material over at least a portion of the surface of the metal plate and in contact with the metal plate.