Electrical actuator for percussion instruments

摘要

An improved striker mechanism for percussion instruments such as chimes, bells, drums, and the like, is disclosed. A clapper is mounted on an armature for motion between a rest position and an impact position. A solenoid-permanent magnet set is provided to hold the clapper in its rest position. Energization of the solenoid by a short electrical drive pulse produces a magnetic field in the solenoid core which repels the permanent magnet and drives the clapper to impact a percussion instrument sound-producing surface. The drive pulse is sufficiently short that it does not impede rebound of the clapper, so that the rebound force cooperates with the magnetic attraction of the permanent magnet to the solenoid to return the clapper to its rest position, substantially without bounce, thereby producing a highly damped clapper motion.