Piezoresistive Percussion Sensor Array for Hit Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current percussion instruments lack efficient electronic systems for accurately detecting hit events, including location and velocity, on their surfaces, which limits their ability to generate precise audio representations and control functions.
Innovation Solution
A percussion device is designed with a dielectric substrate and a piezoresistive substrate, featuring an array of conductive traces that form sensor regions. Sensor circuitry drives and samples these sensors to determine hit events by interpolating sensor outputs, calculating location and velocity, and includes EMI shielding for improved performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional percussion instruments are used, then simplicity and ease of manufacture are maintained, but the ability to accurately detect hit events, location, and velocity is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The percussion device surface is divided into multiple sensor regions with conductive traces arranged in specific patterns (e.g., interlaced patterns, concentric circles). Each sensor region independently detects hit events, allowing the system to determine location and velocity through spatial distribution of sensor responses without requiring a single complex sensor array
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor system serves multiple functions: detecting hit events, determining location, measuring velocity, and providing tactile feedback. The same piezoresistive substrate and conductive trace structure perform all these measurement tasks simultaneously, reducing the need for separate specialized sensors for each function
2Measurement precision
If a dense array of sensors is used to improve location and velocity detection, then measurement precision improves, but device complexity and manufacturing difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses an interlaced pattern of conductive traces where not all trace intersections require active sensors. The pattern provides sufficient measurement coverage for location and velocity detection without requiring sensors at every possible intersection point, reducing manufacturing complexity while maintaining adequate precision
Solution Approach 2:
The system determines velocity by analyzing the temporal characteristics and magnitude of sensor responses rather than using dedicated velocity sensors. By changing the measurement approach from direct velocity sensing to inference based on sensor output dynamics, the system achieves velocity measurement without additional complex hardware
3Reliability
If multiple sensor regions are used to detect hit events across the surface, then hit event detection coverage improves, but electromagnetic interference increases
Solution Approach 1:
The dielectric substrate acts as an intermediary layer between the piezoresistive substrate and the conductive traces. This intermediate layer provides electrical isolation and reduces electromagnetic coupling between adjacent sensor regions, allowing multiple sensor regions to operate simultaneously with reduced interference while maintaining reliable hit event detection across the entire surface
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 system effectively detects hit events on the percussion device's surface, providing accurate location and velocity data, enabling precise audio representation and control functions while minimizing electromagnetic interference.
Implementation Method 1
A piezoresistive substrate is aligned with the dielectric substrate and in contact with the first surface of the dielectric substrate and the conductive traces
Data Source
AI summary
Percussion devices are described employing sensor arrays based on piezoresistive materials.