Patent Grant
8841527
1. Technical Field
The present disclosure relates to the field of electronic musical instruments and, more particularly, to electronic percussion instruments.
2. Description of the Related Art
There are various types of electronic musical instruments, including electronic percussion instruments. Electronic drums, also known as digital drums, are a common type of electronic percussion instruments and are typically categorized as drum pads and cymbals. In general, a drum pad is comprised of either a rubber pad or a mesh-type pad.
In a conventional drum pad with a rubber pad, a thin metallic plate is adhered to the rubber pad with a piezoelectric sensor disposed in or near the center of the metallic plate. In a conventional cymbal, the piezoelectric sensor is directly disposed on the rubber pad.
The present disclosure provides various embodiments of an electronic percussion instrument, such as an electronic drum or an electronic cymbal. Compared with existing electronic percussion instruments, an electronic percussion instrument according to the present disclosure produces signals with improved stability for electronic sound generation. Additionally, an electronic percussion instrument according to the present disclosure offers an increased range of signal detection with respect to the size of percussion area.
In one aspect, an electronic percussion instrument may comprise a percussion member that generates vibrations when percussed, a vibration resonance member, a vibration damping member, and an electronic sound generation unit. The vibration resonance member may comprise a hub portion, a plurality of radial portions extending radially from the hub portion, and a plurality of spiral portions. Each of the spiral portions may be disposed between and connects respective two of the radial portions. Each of the radial portions may be connected to a respective adjacent one of the radial portions by one or more of the spiral portions. The vibration damping member, disposed between the percussion member and the vibration resonance member, may propagate the vibrations generated by the percussion member to the vibration resonance member. The electronic sound generation unit, connected to the vibration resonance member, may sense the vibrations through the vibration resonance member and output a signal used in generation of an electronic percussion sound.
In at least some embodiments, a shape of the vibration resonance member may generally resemble a spider web.
In at least some embodiments, a profile of a primary surface of the vibration resonance member that faces the percussion member may be generally polygonal-shaped.
In at least some embodiments, a profile of a primary surface of the vibration resonance member that faces the percussion member may be generally fan-shaped.
In at least some embodiments, a profile of a primary surface of the vibration resonance member that faces the percussion member may be generally round-shaped.
In at least some embodiments, a thickness of the vibration resonance member may be between 0.3 mm and 5.0 mm approximately.
In at least some embodiments, a contour of a primary surface of the vibration resonance member that faces the percussion member may be shaped to approximately match a contour of a portion of a primary surface of the percussion member that faces the vibration resonance member.
In at least some embodiments, the vibration resonance member may comprise a plastic material.
In at least some embodiments, the vibration resonance member may comprise a metallic material.
In at least some embodiments, the vibration damping member may comprise a plurality of damping pads, and at least some of the damping pads may be disposed between the percussion member and at least some of the spiral portions of the vibration resonance member.
In at least some embodiments, the vibration damping member may comprise a plurality of damping pads, and at least some of the damping pads may be disposed between the percussion member and at least some of the radial portions of the vibration resonance member.
In at least some embodiments, the vibration damping member may comprise a foam material.
In at least some embodiments, the vibration damping member may comprise a silicon-based material.
In at least some embodiments, the electronic sound generation unit may comprise a sensor and a circuit coupled to the sensor. The sensor may sense the vibrations and generate an electronic signal based on the vibrations. The circuit may receive the electronic signal and generate the electronic percussion sound.
In at least some embodiments, the sensor may comprise a piezoelectric sensor.
In at least some embodiments, the sensor may be at least partially disposed on the hub portion of the vibration resonance member and on a surface of the hub portion that faces the percussion member.
In at least some embodiments, the sensor may be at least partially disposed on the hub portion of the vibration resonance member and on a surface of the hub portion that faces away from the percussion member.
In at least some embodiments, the percussion member may comprise a metallic plate.
In at least some embodiments, the percussion member may further comprise a rubber pad, and the metallic plate may be disposed between the rubber pad and the vibration resonance member.
In at least some embodiments, the electronic percussion instrument may further comprise a hoop and a holder. The percussion member, the vibration resonance member, the vibration damping member, and at least a portion of the electronic sound generation unit may be disposed between the hoop and the holder.
This summary is provided to introduce concepts relating to an electronic percussion instrument with a spider web-like sensor. Some embodiments of the electronic percussion instrument are further described below in the detailed description. This summary is not intended to identify essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended for use in determining the scope of the claimed subject matter.
The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further understanding of the disclosure, and are incorporated in and constitute a part of the present disclosure. The drawings illustrate embodiments of the disclosure and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the disclosure. It is appreciable that the drawings are not necessarily in scale as some components may be shown to be out of proportion than the size in actual implementation in order to clearly illustrate the concept of the present disclosure.
Overview
An electronic percussion instrument according to the present disclosure utilizes a novel vibration resonance member. The vibration resonance member senses resonates in response to sensing, via a resonance damping member, vibrations generated by a percussion member of the electronic percussion instrument when the percussion member is beaten, struck or otherwise percussed by a user. The vibration resonance member comprises a hub portion, a plurality of radial portions extending radially from the hub portion, and a plurality of spiral portions. Each of the spiral portions is disposed between and connects respective two of the radial portions. Each of the radial portions is connected to a respective adjacent one of the radial portions by one or more of the spiral portions. Accordingly, the vibration resonance member has a configuration that generally resembles a spider web, and acts as an effective sensor of vibration with its spider-web like configuration. The profile of the vibration resonance member may be adopted to fit the particular shape and size of the percussion member, e.g., a metallic plate or a combination of a metallic plate and a rubber pad, of the electronic percussion instrument. The resultant range of signal detection of a piezoelectric sensor of the electronic percussion instrument of the present disclosure is thus relatively large, i.e., covering most of the area of the percussion member, and the signal for generation of an electronic percussion sound is stable.
Exemplary Embodiments
The percussion member 110 is configured to generate vibrations when percussed. For instance, the percussion member 110 may be a metallic plate such as, for example, a steel plate (e.g., when the electronic percussion instrument 100 is an electronic cymbal). In some embodiments, when the electronic percussion instrument 100 is an electronic drum, as depicted in
The vibration resonance member 120 is configured to sense and resonate with the vibrations generated by the percussion member 110. As shown in
A profile of the vibration resonance member 120 may take on a variety of shapes.
In some embodiments, to maximize the range of detection, a contour of a primary surface of the vibration resonance member 110 that faces the percussion member 120 is shaped to approximately match a contour of a portion of a primary surface of the percussion member 110 that faces the vibration resonance member 120.
In some embodiments, the vibration resonance member 120 comprises a plastic material. Alternatively, in some other embodiments, the vibration resonance member 120 comprises a metallic material.
The vibration damping member 130 is disposed between the percussion member 110 and the vibration resonance member 120, and is configured to propagate the vibrations generated by the percussion member 110 to the vibration resonance member 120. In some embodiments, as shown in
In some embodiments, the vibration damping member 130 comprises a foam material. Alternatively, in some other embodiments, the vibration damping member 130 comprises a silicon-based material. In some embodiments, a thickness of the vibration resonance member 130 is between 0.3 mm and 5.0 mm approximately.
The electronic sound generation unit 140 is connected to the vibration resonance member 120 and is configured to sense the vibrations through the vibration resonance member 120 and output an electronic signal that is used in the generation of an electronic percussion sound. In some embodiments, the electronic sound generation unit 140 comprises a sensor such as, for example, a piezoelectric sensor. In some embodiments, the electronic sound generation unit 140 comprises the sensor and a circuit 145 that is coupled to the sensor to generate a signal that causes one or more speakers to output the electronic percussion sound.
In some embodiments, the sensor of the electronic sound generation unit 140 is at least partially disposed on the hub portion of the vibration resonance member 120 and on a surface of the hub portion that faces the percussion member 110. For example, the sensor may be disposed on the vibration resonance member 120 and between the percussion member 110 and the vibration resonance member 120, as shown in
In some embodiments, as shown in
The percussion member 810 is configured to generate vibrations when percussed. For instance, the percussion member 810 may be a metallic plate such as, for example, a steel plate (e.g., when the electronic percussion instrument 800 is an electronic cymbal).
The vibration resonance member 820 is configured to sense and resonate with the vibrations generated by the percussion member 810. As shown in
A profile of the vibration resonance member 820 may take on a variety of shapes, such as those shown in
In some embodiments, to maximize the range of detection, a contour of a primary surface of the vibration resonance member 810 that faces the percussion member 820 is shaped to approximately match a contour of a portion of a primary surface of the percussion member 810 that faces the vibration resonance member 820.
In some embodiments, the vibration resonance member 1820 comprises a plastic material. Alternatively, in some other embodiments, the vibration resonance member 820 comprises a metallic material.
The vibration damping member 830 is disposed between the percussion member 810 and the vibration resonance member 820, and is configured to propagate the vibrations generated by the percussion member 810 to the vibration resonance member 820. In some embodiments, as shown in
In some embodiments, the vibration damping member 830 comprises a foam material. Alternatively, in some other embodiments, the vibration damping member 830 comprises a silicon-based material. In some embodiments, a thickness of the vibration resonance member 830 is between 0.3 mm and 5.0 mm approximately.
The electronic sound generation unit 840 is connected to the vibration resonance member 820 and is configured to sense the vibrations through the vibration resonance member 820 and output an electronic signal that is used in the generation of an electronic percussion sound. In some embodiments, the electronic sound generation unit 840 comprises a sensor such as, for example, a piezoelectric sensor. In some embodiments, the electronic sound generation unit 840 comprises the sensor and a circuit 845 that is coupled to the sensor to generate a signal that causes one or more speakers to output the electronic percussion sound.
In some embodiments, the sensor of the electronic sound generation unit 840 is at least partially disposed on the hub portion of the vibration resonance member 820 and on a surface of the hub portion that faces the percussion member 810. For example, the sensor may be disposed on the vibration resonance member 820 and between the percussion member 810 and the vibration resonance member 8208. In some other embodiments, the sensor of the electronic sound generation unit 840 is at least partially disposed on the hub portion of the vibration resonance member 820 and on a surface of the hub portion that faces away from the percussion member 810. For example, the sensor may be disposed on the vibration resonance member 820 but not between the percussion member 810 and the vibration resonance member 820, as shown in
Additional and Alternative Implementation Notes
The above-described techniques, devices and apparatuses pertain to electronic percussion instruments, such as electronic drums and electronic cymbals, with a spider web-like sensor. Although the techniques have been described in language specific to certain applications, it is to be understood that the appended claims are not necessarily limited to the specific features or applications described herein. Rather, the specific features and applications are disclosed as exemplary forms of implementing such techniques.
In the above description of exemplary implementations, for purposes of explanation, specific numbers, materials configurations, and other details are set forth in order to better explain the invention, as claimed. However, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that the claimed invention may be practiced using different details than the exemplary ones described herein. In other instances, well-known features are omitted or simplified to clarify the description of the exemplary implementations.
The inventors intend the described exemplary implementations to be primarily examples. The inventors do not intend these exemplary implementations to limit the scope of the appended claims. Rather, the inventors have contemplated that the claimed invention might also be embodied and implemented in other ways, in conjunction with other present or future technologies.
Moreover, the word “exemplary” is used herein to mean serving as an example, instance, or illustration. Any aspect or design described herein as “exemplary” is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other aspects or designs. Rather, use of the word exemplary is intended to present concepts and techniques in a concrete fashion. The term “techniques,” for instance, may refer to one or more devices, apparatuses, systems, methods, articles of manufacture, and/or computer-readable instructions as indicated by the context described herein.
As used in this application, the term “or” is intended to mean an inclusive “or” rather than an exclusive “or.” That is, unless specified otherwise or clear from context, “X employs A or B” is intended to mean any of the natural inclusive permutations. That is, if X employs A; X employs B; or X employs both A and B, then “X employs A or B” is satisfied under any of the foregoing instances. In addition, the articles “a” and “an” as used in this application and the appended claims should generally be construed to mean “one or more,” unless specified otherwise or clear from context to be directed to a singular form.
For the purposes of this disclosure and the claims that follow, the terms “coupled” and “connected” may have been used to describe how various elements interface. Such described interfacing of various elements may be either direct or indirect.
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