Piano Key Haptic Actuation With Dynamic Resistive Force Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electronic piano technologies fail to accurately replicate the dynamic and non-linear force feedback of acoustic pianos, often being bulky, expensive, or lacking sufficient control over key dynamics.
Innovation Solution
A haptic control device for electronic musical instruments that includes detection means, calculation means, and a rotary electric actuator with mechanical linkage means, allowing for a compact, inexpensive design that mimics the feel of acoustic pianos by applying a dynamic opposing force to key depression, using flexible and rigid elements to ensure proper key return.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional acoustic piano key mechanisms are replicated with heavy components (hammers, key weights, levers), then realistic force feedback and touch sensation are achieved, but device weight and inertia increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the traditional heavy mechanical key mechanism (hammers, key weights, levers) with an electric motor that applies controlled force directly to the key. This substitution eliminates the need for massive inertial components while maintaining realistic force feedback through electronic control of the motor's torque and speed, thereby resolving the contradiction between force feedback realism and device weight.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the control parameters from passive mechanical inertia to active electronic control. By using a motor with controllable torque and speed parameters, the system can dynamically adjust the force applied to the key to simulate various piano touch characteristics without being constrained by fixed mechanical mass, thus achieving realistic force feedback with minimal weight.
2Reliability
If complex multi-degree-of-freedom dynamic mechanisms are used to accurately model acoustic piano behavior, then touch sensation quality improves, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex multi-degree-of-freedom mechanical mechanisms with a simplified system using an electric motor and software control. The motor's electronic control system can simulate the complex dynamic behavior of acoustic piano mechanisms through programmed torque and speed profiles, eliminating the need for physically complex mechanical linkages while maintaining touch sensation quality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a functional copy of acoustic piano key behavior through software modeling rather than physical replication. By programming the motor control system to reproduce the force-displacement characteristics and temporal dynamics of acoustic piano keys, the system achieves authentic touch sensation without copying the complex mechanical structure, thereby reducing device complexity.
3Speed
If heavy weights and inertial components are used in the key mechanism, then proper key return speed and operation are ensured, but the device becomes bulky and space-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces inertial mass-based key return mechanisms with an electric motor that actively controls key movement speed. The motor can precisely regulate the key return speed through electronic control of torque and rotation speed, eliminating the need for heavy weights and large mechanical components, thus achieving proper key return speed in a compact form factor.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from static inertial mass to dynamic electronic control for key return. The motor control system can adaptively adjust the key return speed based on real-time feedback and programmed parameters, providing consistent and proper key return characteristics without relying on fixed mechanical mass, thereby reducing device volume.
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 device provides a realistic acoustic piano playing experience with reduced inertia and instability, offering adjustable resistance and dynamic force feedback, while being cost-effective and space-efficient.
Implementation Method 1
a rotary electric actuator arranged to produce this resistive force
Implementation Method 2
mechanical linkage means arranged between this rotary electric actuator and the key to apply this resistive force to the key, comprising at least one element flexible in pressure and rigid in tension
Data Source
Figure 1~2b
Figure 3a~3b
Figure 4a~4b
AI summary
The invention relates to a haptic device (1) for controlling a key of a keyboard with which an electronic musical instrument is equipped, said device being associated with a key (K) mounted so as to be able to pivot with respect to a frame, the key extending in a longitudinal direction and having an angular movement between a high angular position, and a low angular position, characterized in that said device comprises: - means (30) for detecting the dynamic state of the key, - computing means for computing, depending on the dynamic information, an instantaneous resistive force to be exerted on said key in response to a depression of said key, - a rotary electrical actuator (10), - mechanical linking means (20) placed between the actuator and the key so as to apply, to said key, said resistive force, comprising at least one element that flexes under pressure and stiffens under traction.