Tone-producing sheet and method for its production

Abstract

Sound-producing reed for a wind instrument, especially a woodwind instrument.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a sound-generating reed for a wind instrument, in particular for a woodwind instrument, such as a clarinet or a saxophone, wherein the sound-generating reed comprises an elongated base body which is formed from or comprises a composite material, wherein the composite material contains at least one thermotropic liquid crystal material, at least one thermoplastic material and at least one mineral filler material.

[0002] Corresponding tone-generating blades are known from the state of the art in various designs.

[0003] In particular, it is also known that the composition of the material forming the clay-producing sheet, in addition to the shaping, has a considerable influence on the properties of the clay that can be produced, so that composite materials are sometimes used for the production of the clay-producing sheet, which contain, among other things, thermotropic liquid crystal materials.

[0004] For example, US 2018 / 0322851 A1 describes an embodiment of a toner-generating sheet made of a composite material, which comprises a matrix of a thermotropic liquid crystal material containing a thermoplastic material and an inorganic filler. The proportion of the inorganic filler is limited, in particular, to 1 to 5 wt.%.

[0005] Further sound-producing sheets of the same type are known from the documents US 2 342 836 A, DE 10 2020 007 172 B3 and DE 89 04 968 U1.

[0006] Despite the large number of known tone-producing reeds, there is still a need on the part of both manufacturers and users for further developments and improvements of tone-producing reeds, particularly with regard to the quality of the sounds that can be produced with them.

[0007] Based on this, the present invention has the object of providing an improved tone-generating sheet.

[0008] The object is achieved by a tone-generating sheet according to independent claim 1. The dependent claims relate to possible embodiments of the tone-generating sheet according to independent claim 1.

[0009] A first aspect of the invention relates to a sound-producing reed, sometimes also referred to as a "reed", for a wind instrument, in particular for a woodwind instrument, such as a clarinet, a saxophone, in particular an alto or tenor saxophone, or an oboe.

[0010] The sound-producing reed comprises an elongated body, thus defining a longitudinal axis. The body typically has a front region forming a tongue and a rear region forming a shaft, or typically defines a front region forming a tongue and a rear region forming a shaft.

[0011] The front region forming the tongue can extend over at least 35%, in particular at least 40%, further in particular at least 45%, further in particular at least 50% of the total length of the base body. The rear region forming the shaft can correspondingly extend over at least 35%, in particular at least 40%, further in particular at least 45%, further in particular at least 50% of the total length of the base body, wherein the respective longitudinal extensions of the front and rear regions typically add up to 100% of the total length of the base body.

[0012] The base body is formed from or comprises a composite material. The composite material is typically an injection-moldable composite material, meaning it can typically be processed using an injection molding process. The clay-generating blade can therefore be a component manufactured using an injection molding process.

[0013] The composite material contains at least three components: at least one thermotropic liquid crystal material, at least one thermoplastic material, and at least one mineral filler material. The at least one liquid crystal material can also be referred to or considered a liquid crystal polymer (LCP).

[0014] The at least one thermotropic liquid crystal material typically contains, in particular, rod-shaped, molecular chains in a specific orientation. Individual, multiple, or all molecular chains of the at least one thermotropic liquid crystal material are typically oriented in the longitudinal direction of the base body. In particular, individual, multiple, or all molecular chains of the at least one thermotropic liquid crystal material can be oriented longitudinally from the rear region of the base body forming the shaft to the front region of the base body forming the tongue. The molecular axes of the respective molecular chains of the at least one thermotropic liquid crystal material can thus be oriented (substantially) parallel to the longitudinal axis of the base body, which typically leads to anisotropic properties and, in particular, self-reinforcement in the orientation direction.

[0015] The term “thermotropic liquid crystal material” may also include mixtures of at least two different thermotropic liquid crystal materials, ie those differing in at least one chemical and / or physical parameter.

[0016] The term “thermoplastic material” may also include mixtures of at least two different thermoplastic materials, i.e. those differing in at least one chemical and / or physical parameter.

[0017] The term “mineral filler material” may also include mixtures of at least two different mineral filler materials, i.e. those that differ in at least one chemical and / or physical parameter.

[0018] The at least one thermoplastic material typically differs from the at least one thermotropic liquid crystal material in that it does not have thermotropic properties. The at least one thermoplastic material can generally be any thermoplastic material.

[0019] The at least one thermotropic liquid crystal material and / or the at least one thermoplastic material can, in all embodiments, form a matrix for the at least one mineral filler material.

[0020] The chemical and / or physical properties of the at least one thermoplastic material are therefore typically selected in all embodiments such that the at least one thermotropic liquid crystal material and the at least one thermoplastic material can be mixed at least in the molten state.

[0021] The composite material is distinguished from the prior art cited at the outset in particular by the fact that it has a comparatively high or higher weight proportion of the at least one mineral filler material, which surprisingly leads to improved properties, i.e. in particular improved sound properties, of the sound-producing reed. The invention is therefore based on the surprising finding that the properties, i.e. in particular the sound properties, can be improved by increasing the weight proportion of the at least one mineral filler. The invention therefore represents a departure from the teaching of the prior art described at the outset, according to which the proportion of the at least one mineral filler material is below 6 wt.%.

[0022] Specifically, the weight proportion of the at least one mineral filler material in the composite material is above 7 wt.%, in particular between 7 and 50 wt.%. The proportion of the at least one mineral filler material in the composite material can therefore be: 8 wt%, 9 wt%, 10 wt%, 11 wt%, 12 wt%, 13 wt%, 14 wt%, 15 wt%, 16 wt%, 17 wt%, 18 wt%, 19 wt%, 20 wt%, 21 wt%, 22 wt%, 23 wt%, 24 wt%, 25 wt%, 26 wt%, 27 wt%, 28 wt%, 29 wt%, 30 wt%, 31 wt%, 32 wt%, 33 wt%, 34 wt%, 35 wt%, 36 wt%, 37 wt%, 38 wt%, 39 wt%, 40 wt%, 41 wt%, 42 wt%, 43 wt%, 44 wt%, 45 wt.%, 46 wt.%, 47 wt.%, 48 wt.%, 49 wt.% or 50 wt.%. The above values ​​can also be understood as limit values ​​of intervals; the composite material can therefore, for example, contain a proportion of the at least one mineral composite material which, for example,in the range between 7 and 45 wt% or between 15 and 30 wt% or between 10 and 15 wt%.

[0023] If the composite material contains several mineral fillers, their respective weight proportions typically add up, so that the total weight proportion of all mineral filler materials in the composite material is above 7 wt.%, in particular between 7 and 50 wt.%.

[0024] In all embodiments, the respective components of the composite material add up to 100 wt.%. The respective weight fractions of the at least one thermotropic liquid crystal material, the at least one thermoplastic material, and the at least one mineral filler material thus add up to 100 wt.%, provided the composite material contains no further fillers.

[0025] The weight fraction of the at least one thermotropic liquid crystal material in the composite material is typically above 15 wt.%, in particular between 15 and 65 wt.%. The proportion of the at least one thermotropic liquid crystal material in the composite material can therefore be: 16 wt.%, 17 wt.%, 18 wt.%, 19 wt.%, 20 wt.%, 21 wt.%, 22 wt.%, 23 wt.%, 24 wt.%, 25 wt.%, 26 wt.%, 27 wt.%, 28 wt.%, 29 wt.%, 30 wt.%, 31 wt.%, 32 wt.%, 33 wt.%, 34 wt.%, 35 wt.%, 36 wt.%, 37 wt.%, 38 wt.%, 39 wt.%, 40 wt.%, 41 wt.%, 42 wt.%, 43 wt.%, 44 wt.%, 45 wt.%, 46 wt.%, 47 wt.%, 48 wt.%, 49 wt.%, 50 wt.%, 51 wt.%, 52 % by weight, 53 % by weight, 54 % by weight, 55 % by weight, 56 % by weight, 57 % by weight, 58 % by weight, 59 % by weight, 60 % by weight, 61 % by weight, 62 % by weight, 63 % by weight, 64 % by weight or 65 % by weight. The above values ​​can also be understood as limit values ​​of intervals; the composite material can therefore, for example,a proportion of the at least one thermotropic liquid crystal material, which, for example, is in the range between 17 and 29 wt.%, or between 25 and 32 wt.%, or between 40 and 60 wt.%. It has been shown that the properties, ie, in particular the sound properties, of the sound-generating sheet can be further improved by a corresponding weight proportion of the at least one thermotropic liquid crystal material in combination with a corresponding weight proportion of the at least one mineral filler material.

[0026] If the composite material contains several thermotropic liquid crystal materials, their respective weight proportions typically add up so that the total weight proportion of all thermotropic liquid crystal materials in the composite material is above 15 wt.%, in particular between 15 and 65 wt.%.

[0027] The weight fraction of the at least one thermoplastic material in the composite material is typically above 20 wt.%, in particular between 21 and 50 wt.%. The fraction of the at least one thermotropic liquid crystal material in the composite material can therefore be: 22 wt.%, 23 wt.%, 24 wt.%, 25 wt.%, 26 wt.%, 27 wt.%, 28 wt.%, 29 wt.%, 30 wt.%, 31 wt.%, 32 wt.%, 33 wt.%, 34 wt.%, 35 wt.%, 36 wt.%, 37 wt.%, 38 wt.%, 39 wt.%, 40 wt.%, 41 wt.%, 42 wt.%, 43 wt.%, 44 wt.%, 45 wt.%, 46 wt.%, 47 wt.%, 48 wt.%, 49 wt.%, or 50 wt.%. The aforementioned values ​​can also be understood as limit values ​​of intervals; the composite material can thus, for example, contain a proportion of the at least one thermoplastic material which, for example, lies in the range between 22 and 29 wt.%, or between 25 and 45 wt.%, or between 30 and 45 wt.%.It was shown that the properties, ie in particular the sound properties, of the sound-generating sheet could be further improved by a corresponding, comparatively high weight proportion of the at least one thermoplastic material compared to the state of the art mentioned at the beginning, in combination with a corresponding weight proportion of the at least one mineral filler material.

[0028] If the composite material contains several thermoplastic materials, their respective weight proportions typically add up, so that the total weight proportion of all thermoplastic materials in the composite material is above 20 wt.%, in particular between 21 and 50 wt.%.

[0029] For all embodiments, the weight fraction of the at least one thermotropic liquid crystal material is typically higher than the weight fraction of the at least one thermoplastic material.

[0030] For all embodiments, it also applies that the weight proportion of the at least one thermoplastic material is typically higher than the weight proportion of the at least one mineral filler material.

[0031] A first concrete, exemplary embodiment of the composite material provides a proportion of at least one thermotropic liquid crystal material of 49 wt.%, a proportion of at least one thermoplastic material of 21 wt.%, and a proportion of at least one mineral filler material of 30 wt.%. Such a weight-based composition of the composite material is characterized not only by improved properties, ie, in particular sound properties, of the sound-generating sheet, but also by good processability in an injection molding process.

[0032] A second specific, exemplary embodiment of the composite material provides a proportion of the at least one thermotropic liquid crystal material of 36 wt. %, a proportion of the at least one thermoplastic material of 56 wt. %, and a proportion of the at least one mineral filler material of 8 wt. Such a weight-proportional composition of the composite material is also characterized not only by improved properties, ie, in particular, sound properties, of the sound-generating sheet, but also by good processability in an injection molding process.

[0033] A third specific, exemplary embodiment of the composite material provides a proportion of at least one thermotropic liquid crystal material of 50 wt. %, a proportion of at least one thermoplastic material of 32 wt. %, and a proportion of at least one mineral filler material of 18 wt. Such a weight-based composition of the composite material is also characterized not only by improved properties, ie, in particular, sound properties, of the sound-generating sheet, but also by good processability in an injection molding process.

[0034] Nevertheless, embodiments are also conceivable in principle in which the weight proportion of the at least one thermoplastic material is higher than the weight proportion of the at least one thermotropic liquid crystal material and the weight proportion of the at least one thermotropic liquid crystal material is higher than the weight proportion of the at least one mineral filler material.

[0035] The at least one thermotropic liquid crystal material can specifically be, for example, at least one thermotropic plastic material from the following group or at least comprise one such material: "Sumikasuper LCP" available from Sumitomo Chemical Industry; "Vectra LCP" or "Zenite," each available from Ticona; or "Xydar LCP" available from Solvay.

[0036] The at least one thermoplastic material can, for example, be or comprise at least one thermoplastic material from the following group: polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), polyethersulfone (PES), polyoxymethylene (POM), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polybutylene terephthalate (PBT), polyamide (PA), polyimide (PI), acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS), styrene-acrylonitrile (SAN), or polycarbonate (PC), or a mixture of at least two of the aforementioned. Polyether-based thermoplastic materials or polyester-based thermoplastic materials are particularly suitable.

[0037] It is also conceivable that the at least one thermoplastic material is a thermoplastic elastomer or that the at least one thermoplastic material comprises at least one thermoplastic elastomer. Specific examples of thermoplastic elastomers are thermoplastic polyamides or copolyamides (TPA), thermoplastic copolyesters (TPC), thermoplastic polyolefins (TPO), thermoplastic styrene polymers (TPS), thermoplastic urethanes (TPU), polyolefin blends with cross-linked rubber (TPZ), and thermoplastic elastomers based on PVC with NBR or PBA.

[0038] The at least one mineral filler material may be in particle form. The average particle size may be in a range between 5 and 25 µm, in particular between 10 and 20 µm.

[0039] The at least one mineral filler material can be or comprise a silicate, in particular a phyllosilicate. Specifically, the at least one mineral filler material can be, for example, a phyllosilicate, such as talc, or a mineral filler material comprising a phyllosilicate, such as talc.

[0040] In addition to the aforementioned components, i.e., the at least one thermotropic liquid crystal material, the at least one thermoplastic material, and the at least one mineral filler material, the composite material may contain one or more additional, particularly particulate or fibrous, organic or inorganic fillers. These include, for example, particles or fibers based on wood, glass, or carbon.

[0041] The at least one thermoplastic material can have a modulus of elasticity of at least 2000 MPa, in particular of at least 2500 MPa, more particularly of at least 3000 MPa. A correspondingly high modulus of elasticity can have a positive effect on the properties, i.e. in particular the sound properties, of the composite material and thus also of the sound-generating reed formed from it. The modulus of elasticity of the at least one thermoplastic material can be determined, for example, in a conventional manner in a tensile test. In particular, the modulus of elasticity of the at least one thermoplastic material can be determined in accordance with DIN EN ISO 527-1.

[0042] The composite material itself can have a modulus of elasticity of at least 6000 MPa, in particular of at least 6500 MPa, more particularly of at least 7000 MPa, more particularly of at least 7500 MPa, more particularly of at least 8000 MPa, more particularly of at least 8500 MPa, more particularly of at least 9000 MPa, more particularly of 9500 MPa, more particularly of at least 10000 MPa. The above values ​​can also be understood as limit values ​​of intervals; the composite material can therefore, for example, have a modulus of elasticity which lies in a range between 6500 MPa and 9000 MPa or in a range between 7000 MPa and 8500 MPa. A correspondingly high modulus of elasticity can have a positive effect on the properties, i.e. in particular the sound properties of the composite material and thus also of the sound-generating reed formed from it. The elastic modulus of the composite material can be, for example,can be determined in a conventional manner using a tensile test. In particular, the elastic modulus of the composite material can be determined according to DIN EN ISO 527-1.

[0043] In the following, useful geometric-constructive aspects of the clay-producing sheet are described, which may be independent aspects of the invention and independent of the weight-percent composition of the composite material.

[0044] As mentioned, the main body of the sound-producing reed may have a front portion forming a tongue and a rear portion forming a shaft.

[0045] In one embodiment, the front region of the base body can be formed with or include a longitudinally extending comb section. The comb section represents a geometric design measure for influencing and improving the sound characteristics of the sound-generating reed.

[0046] Viewed cross-sectionally, the comb section can be considered the highest point on the upper side of the front region of the base body forming the tongue; the distance between the underside of the front region of the base body forming the tongue and the comb section is thus, viewed cross-sectionally, the maximum in each case. The comb section can be formed by a radius on the upper side of the front region of the base body. The radius forming the comb section can form an outward or upward curvature of the upper side of the front region of the base body.

[0047] With regard to its longitudinal extent, the comb section can be designed or arranged in a linear manner, in particular straight or straight-line, descending in the direction of the free end of the front region of the base body.

[0048] The comb section can be arranged or formed centrally when viewed in cross-section. The comb section can thus divide the front region of the base body into a left and a right section. The left and right sections can each be designed in a flank-like or flank-shaped manner, in particular sloping in a flank-like or flank-shaped manner, toward a respective side edge of the front region of the base body.

[0049] The comb section can extend over a length of 50 to 95% of the total length of the front region of the base body, which forms the tongue. The comb section can thus extend longitudinally over a substantial portion of the front region of the base body, which leads to the aforementioned influence or improvement of the sound characteristics of the tone-producing reed. As mentioned, the front region of the base body, which forms the tongue, can typically extend over a length of 45 to 55% of the total length of the base body.

[0050] The front region of the base body, viewed in cross-section, can be formed with at least one convex or concave curved section extending outward from the comb section and defined by at least one radius. The aforementioned flank-like or -shaped sections can thus be convex or concave, whereby the properties, ie, in particular the sound properties, of the tone-generating reed can be further influenced or improved.

[0051] In particular, the front region of the base body, viewed in cross-section, can be formed with at least one first convexly or concavely curved section defined by at least one radius, extending from the comb section to a first outer side of the base body, and with at least one second convexly or concavely curved section defined by at least one radius, extending from the comb section to a second outer side of the base body opposite the first outer side of the base body. In other words, the sections to the left and right of the comb section can be formed with a convex or concave curvature, which also represents a geometric-design measure for influencing and improving the sound properties of the sound-generating blade. This applies in particular when the radii taper from the comb section to the side edges of the sound-generating blade.

[0052] Typically, for a given cross-sectional position of the base body, the respective sections to the left and right of the comb section are formed with the same convex or concave curvature. However, the curvatures of the respective sections to the left and right of the comb section can differ at different cross-sectional positions of the base body; thus, the curvatures of the respective sections to the left and right of the comb section can have a first convex or concave curvature at a first cross-sectional position of the base body, and the curvatures of the respective sections to the left and right of the comb section can have a second convex or concave curvature different from the first convex or concave curvature at a second cross-sectional position of the base body different from the first cross-sectional position.

[0053] The front region of the base body can, viewed in cross-section, be formed with a plurality of convex or concave curved sections, each extending outward from the comb section and described by at least one radius, wherein the radii of the respective sections differ, in particular such that the radius of a section arranged closer to the tip of the front region of the base body forming the tongue is larger or smaller than the radius of a section arranged comparatively less close to the tip of the front region of the base body forming the tongue. With regard to desired sound properties, designs are particularly expedient in which the radius of a section arranged closer to the tip of the front region of the base body forming the tongue is larger than the radius of a section arranged comparatively less close to the tip of the front region of the base body forming the tongue.

[0054] In all embodiments, the cross-sectional area of ​​the respective sections can be reduced towards the tip of the front region of the base body forming the tongue.

[0055] In specific, yet exemplary embodiments of the sound-generating blade, the radius forming the comb section can form an outward curvature of the upper side of the front region of the base body, whereas the curvatures of the respective sections can each be curved inward, i.e., toward the underside of the front region of the base body. Such geometric-structural configurations of the sound-generating blade result in particularly good sound properties of the sound-generating blade.

[0056] In further specific, yet exemplary embodiments of the sound-generating blade, the radius of the comb section can vary in the longitudinal direction of the base body. In particular, the radius of the comb section can increase at least in sections in the longitudinal direction of the base body. The base body can thus, in particular, have regions in which the radius of the comb section increases toward the free end of the front region of the base body.

[0057] In further specific, yet exemplary embodiments of the sound-generating blade, the radius of respective sections to the left and right of the comb section can vary in the longitudinal direction of the base body. In particular, the radius of respective sections to the left and right of the comb section can increase at least in sections in the longitudinal direction of the base body. The base body can thus, in particular, have regions in which the radius of respective sections to the left and right of the comb section increases toward the free end of the front region of the base body.

[0058] A second aspect of the invention relates to a method for producing a tone-generating sheet according to the first aspect of the invention. According to the method, at least one shaping production step is carried out, in which a composite material containing at least one thermotropic liquid crystal material, at least one thermoplastic material, and at least one mineral filler material, wherein the weight fraction of the at least one mineral filler material in the composite material is above 7 wt. %, in particular between 7 and 50 wt. %, is processed to form the tone-generating sheet.

[0059] The method can be implemented, for example, as an injection molding process, wherein a corresponding composite material is introduced as a plasticized mass into a molding cavity of a mold. After cooling, at least one clay-generating sheet can be removed from the mold, in particular by means of a handling device, e.g., a robot. The removal of the at least one clay-generating sheet from the mold can be followed by at least one post-processing step, optionally thermal and / or mechanical, for example, to remove burrs.

[0060] All aspects relating to the tone-producing sheet according to the first aspect of the invention apply analogously to the method according to the second aspect of the invention and vice versa.

[0061] Various features of the invention are explained below using exemplary embodiments with reference to the drawings. Fig. 1 - 4 are schematic diagrams of a tone-generating sheet according to a first embodiment; and Fig. 5 - 8 Schematic diagrams of a tone-generating sheet according to a second embodiment.

[0062] The Fig. 1 - 4 show schematic diagrams of a tone-generating sheet 1 according to a first embodiment, wherein the tone-generating sheet 1 is Fig. 1 is shown in a perspective view of the top, in Fig. 2 is shown in a side view, in Fig. 3 is shown in a plan view with various cutting lines each indicating a cross section and in Fig. 4 the corresponding cross-sectional views of the Fig. 3. The first embodiment may be an embodiment for a soprano saxophone.

[0063] The same applies to the Fig. 5 - 8 shows the second embodiment of the tone-generating reed 1, which can be an embodiment for a clarinet.

[0064] The tone-producing reed 1, which can also be referred to as a “reed”, is therefore to be used in all embodiments with a wind instrument, in particular a woodwind instrument, such as a clarinet, a saxophone, in particular an alto or tenor saxophone, or an oboe.

[0065] As can be seen, the sound-producing blade 1 comprises an elongated base body 2 which thus defines a longitudinal axis. The base body 2 has a front region 3 forming a tongue and a rear region 4 forming a shaft, or defines a front region 3 forming a tongue and a rear region 4 forming a shaft.

[0066] As can be seen, the front region 3 can extend over at least 35%, in particular at least 40%, further in particular at least 45%, further in particular at least 50% of the total length of the base body 2. The rear region 4 can correspondingly extend over at least 35%, in particular at least 40%, further in particular at least 45%, further in particular at least 50% of the total length of the base body 2, wherein the respective longitudinal extensions of the front and rear regions 3, 4 add up to 100% of the total length of the base body 2.

[0067] The base body 2 is formed from or comprises a composite material. The composite material is an injection-moldable composite material, which means that the composite material can typically be processed using an injection molding process. The clay-generating sheet 1 can therefore be a component manufactured using an injection molding process.

[0068] The composite material contains at least three components, namely at least one thermotropic liquid crystal material, at least one thermoplastic material and at least one mineral filler material.

[0069] The at least one thermotropic liquid crystal material typically contains, in particular, rod-shaped, molecular chains in a specific orientation. Individual, multiple, or all molecular chains of the at least one thermotropic liquid crystal material are typically oriented in the longitudinal direction of the base body 2. In particular, individual, multiple, or all molecular chains of the at least one thermotropic liquid crystal material can be oriented from the rear region 4 of the base body 2 in the longitudinal direction to the front region 3 of the base body 2. The molecular axes of the respective molecular chains of the at least one thermotropic liquid crystal material can thus be oriented (substantially) parallel to the longitudinal axis of the base body 2, which typically leads to anisotropic properties and, in particular, self-reinforcement in the orientation direction.

[0070] The at least one thermotropic liquid crystal material and / or the at least one thermoplastic material can form a matrix for the at least one mineral filler material.

[0071] The chemical and / or physical properties of the at least one thermoplastic material are therefore typically selected such that the at least one thermotropic liquid crystal material and the at least one thermoplastic material can be mixed at least in the molten state.

[0072] The composite material is characterized by having a high weight proportion of the at least one mineral filler material, which surprisingly leads to improved properties, ie, in particular, improved sound properties, of the sound-generating sheet. The invention is therefore based on the surprising finding that increasing the weight proportion of the at least one mineral filler can improve the properties, ie, in particular, the sound properties, of the sound-generating sheet 1.

[0073] Specifically, the weight proportion of the at least one mineral filler material in the composite material is above 7 wt.%, in particular between 7 and 50 wt.%. The proportion of the at least one mineral filler material in the composite material can therefore be: 8 wt%, 9 wt%, 10 wt%, 11 wt%, 12 wt%, 13 wt%, 14 wt%, 15 wt%, 16 wt%, 17 wt%, 18 wt%, 19 wt%, 20 wt%, 21 wt%, 22 wt%, 23 wt%, 24 wt%, 25 wt%, 26 wt%, 27 wt%, 28 wt%, 29 wt%, 30 wt%, 31 wt%, 32 wt%, 33 wt%, 34 wt%, 35 wt%, 36 wt%, 37 wt%, 38 wt%, 39 wt%, 40 wt%, 41 wt%, 42 wt%, 43 wt%, 44 wt%, 45 wt.%, 46 wt.%, 47 wt.%, 48 wt.%, 49 wt.% or 50 wt.%. The above values ​​can also be understood as limit values ​​of intervals; the composite material can therefore, for example, contain a proportion of the at least one mineral composite material which, for example,in the range between 7 and 45 wt% or between 15 and 30 wt% or between 10 and 15 wt%.

[0074] If the composite material contains several mineral fillers, their respective weight proportions typically add up, so that the total weight proportion of all mineral filler materials in the composite material is above 7 wt.%, in particular between 7 and 50 wt.%.

[0075] In all exemplary embodiments, the respective components of the composite material add up to 100 wt.%. The respective weight fractions of the at least one thermotropic liquid crystal material, the at least one thermoplastic material, and the at least one mineral filler material thus add up to 100 wt.%, provided the composite material contains no further fillers.

[0076] The weight fraction of the at least one thermotropic liquid crystal material in the composite material is typically above 15 wt.%, in particular between 15 and 65 wt.%. The proportion of the at least one thermotropic liquid crystal material in the composite material can therefore be: 16 wt.%, 17 wt.%, 18 wt.%, 19 wt.%, 20 wt.%, 21 wt.%, 22 wt.%, 23 wt.%, 24 wt.%, 25 wt.%, 26 wt.%, 27 wt.%, 28 wt.%, 29 wt.%, 30 wt.%, 31 wt.%, 32 wt.%, 33 wt.%, 34 wt.%, 35 wt.%, 36 wt.%, 37 wt.%, 38 wt.%, 39 wt.%, 40 wt.%, 41 wt.%, 42 wt.%, 43 wt.%, 44 wt.%, 45 wt.%, 46 wt.%, 47 wt.%, 48 wt.%, 49 wt.%, 50 wt.%, 51 wt.%, 52 % by weight, 53 % by weight, 54 % by weight, 55 % by weight, 56 % by weight, 57 % by weight, 58 % by weight, 59 % by weight, 60 % by weight, 61 % by weight, 62 % by weight, 63 % by weight, 64 % by weight or 65 % by weight. The above values ​​can also be understood as limit values ​​of intervals; the composite material can therefore, for example,a proportion of the at least one thermotropic liquid crystal material, which, for example, is in the range between 17 and 29 wt.%, or between 25 and 32 wt.%, or between 40 and 60 wt.%. It has been shown that the properties, ie, in particular the sound properties, of the sound-generating sheet can be further improved by a corresponding weight proportion of the at least one thermotropic liquid crystal material in combination with a corresponding weight proportion of the at least one mineral filler material.

[0077] If the composite material contains several thermotropic liquid crystal materials, their respective weight proportions typically add up so that the total weight proportion of all thermotropic liquid crystal materials in the composite material is above 15 wt.%, in particular between 15 and 65 wt.%.

[0078] The weight fraction of the at least one thermoplastic material in the composite material is typically above 20 wt.%, in particular between 21 and 50 wt.%. The fraction of the at least one thermotropic liquid crystal material in the composite material can therefore be: 22 wt.%, 23 wt.%, 24 wt.%, 25 wt.%, 26 wt.%, 27 wt.%, 28 wt.%, 29 wt.%, 30 wt.%, 31 wt.%, 32 wt.%, 33 wt.%, 34 wt.%, 35 wt.%, 36 wt.%, 37 wt.%, 38 wt.%, 39 wt.%, 40 wt.%, 41 wt.%, 42 wt.%, 43 wt.%, 44 wt.%, 45 wt.%, 46 wt.%, 47 wt.%, 48 wt.%, 49 wt.%, or 50 wt.%. The aforementioned values ​​can also be understood as limit values ​​of intervals; the composite material can thus, for example, contain a proportion of the at least one thermoplastic material which, for example, lies in the range between 22 and 29 wt.%, or between 25 and 45 wt.%, or between 30 and 45 wt.%.It was shown that the properties, ie in particular the sound properties, of the sound-generating sheet could be further improved by a corresponding, comparatively high weight proportion of the at least one thermoplastic material compared to the state of the art mentioned at the beginning, in combination with a corresponding weight proportion of the at least one mineral filler material.

[0079] If the composite material contains several thermoplastic materials, their respective weight proportions typically add up, so that the total weight proportion of all thermoplastic materials in the composite material is above 20 wt.%, in particular between 21 and 50 wt.%.

[0080] For all embodiments, the weight fraction of the at least one thermotropic liquid crystal material is typically higher than the weight fraction of the at least one thermoplastic material.

[0081] For all embodiments, it also applies that the weight proportion of the at least one thermoplastic material is typically higher than the weight proportion of the at least one mineral filler material.

[0082] The at least one thermotropic liquid crystal material can specifically be, for example, at least one thermotropic plastic material from the following group or at least comprise one such material: "Sumikasuper LCP" available from Sumitomo Chemical Industry; "Vectra LCP" or "Zenite," each available from Ticona; or "Xydar LCP" available from Solvay.

[0083] The at least one thermoplastic material can, for example, be or comprise at least one thermoplastic material from the following group: polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), polyethersulfone (PES), polyoxymethylene (POM), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polybutylene terephthalate (PBT), polyamide (PA), polyimide (PI), acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS), styrene-acrylonitrile (SAN), or polycarbonate (PC), or a mixture of at least two of the aforementioned. Polyether-based thermoplastic materials or polyester-based thermoplastic materials are particularly suitable.

[0084] It is also conceivable that the at least one thermoplastic material is a thermoplastic elastomer or that the at least one thermoplastic material comprises at least one thermoplastic elastomer. Specific examples of thermoplastic elastomers are thermoplastic polyamides or copolyamides (TPA), thermoplastic copolyesters (TPC), thermoplastic polyolefins (TPO), thermoplastic styrene polymers (TPS), thermoplastic urethanes (TPU), polyolefin blends with cross-linked rubber (TPZ), and thermoplastic elastomers based on PVC with NBR or PBA.

[0085] The at least one mineral filler material may be in particle form. The average particle size may be in a range between 5 and 25 µm, in particular between 10 and 20 µm.

[0086] The at least one mineral filler material can be or comprise a silicate, in particular a phyllosilicate. Specifically, the at least one mineral filler material can be, for example, a phyllosilicate, such as talc, or a mineral filler material comprising a phyllosilicate, such as talc.

[0087] In addition to the aforementioned components, i.e., the at least one thermotropic liquid crystal material, the at least one thermoplastic material, and the at least one mineral filler material, the composite material may contain one or more additional, particularly particulate or fibrous, organic or inorganic fillers. These include, for example, particles or fibers based on wood, glass, or carbon.

[0088] The at least one thermoplastic material can have a modulus of elasticity of at least 2000 MPa, in particular of at least 2500 MPa, more particularly of at least 3000 MPa. A correspondingly high modulus of elasticity can have a positive effect on the properties, ie, in particular the sound properties, of the composite material and thus also of the sound-generating sheet 1 formed therefrom.

[0089] The composite material itself can have a modulus of elasticity of at least 6000 MPa, in particular of at least 6500 MPa, more particularly of at least 7000 MPa, more particularly of at least 7500 MPa, more particularly of at least 8000 MPa, more particularly of at least 8500 MPa, more particularly of at least 9000 MPa, more particularly of 9500 MPa, more particularly of at least 10000 MPa. The above values ​​can also be understood as limit values ​​of intervals; the composite material can therefore, for example, have a modulus of elasticity which lies in a range between 6500 MPa and 9000 MPa or in a range between 7000 MPa and 8500 MPa. A correspondingly high modulus of elasticity can have a positive effect on the properties, ie in particular the sound properties of the composite material and thus also of the sound-generating sheet 1 formed from it.

[0090] In the following, conceivable geometric-constructive configurations of the two embodiments of the sound-generating blade 1 shown in the figures are explained in more detail: As mentioned, the base body 2 has a front region 3 forming the tongue and a rear region 4 forming the shaft.

[0091] As can be seen, the front region 3 can be formed with or include a comb section 5 extending in the longitudinal direction. The comb section 5 represents a geometric-constructive measure for influencing and improving the sound properties of the sound-generating reed 1.

[0092] Based on the Fig. 4 and Fig. 8 shows that the comb section 5, viewed in cross-section, can be considered as the highest point on the upper side of the front area 3 of the base body 2; the distance between the underside of the front area 3 and the comb section 5 is thus, viewed in cross-section, maximum. Fig. 4 and Fig. 8 also shows that the comb section 5 can be formed by a radius on the upper side of the front region 3. In the exemplary embodiments, the radius forming the comb section 5 forms an outward or upward curvature of the upper side of the front region 3.

[0093] From the figure it can be seen that the comb section 5 can be designed or arranged in a linear manner, in particular straight or straight-line, descending in the direction of the free end of the front region 3 and can extend over a length of 50 to 95% of the total length of the front region 3.

[0094] In the exemplary embodiments, the comb section 5 is arranged or formed centrally when viewed in cross-section and thus divides the front region 3 of the base body 2 into a left and a right section 6, 7. The left and right sections 6, 7 can each be designed in a flank-like or -shaped manner, in particular sloping in a flank-like or -shaped manner, in the direction of a respective side edge of the front region 3.

[0095] The aforementioned sections 6, 7 can generally be convexly or concavely curved, whereby the properties, ie, in particular the sound properties, of the sound-generating sheet 1 can be further influenced or improved. In the exemplary embodiments, the sections 6, 7 are concave, ie, curved toward the underside of the sound-generating sheet 1.

[0096] Specifically, in the exemplary embodiments, the front region 3 of the base body 2, viewed cross-sectionally, is formed with a first concavely curved section 6 extending from the comb section 5 to a first outer side (first side edge) of the base body 2, and with a second concavely curved section 7 extending from the comb section 5 to a second outer side (second side edge) of the base body 2 opposite the first outer side of the base body 2. In other words, the sections 6, 7 to the left and right of the comb section 5 are formed with a concave curvature, which also represents a geometric-structural measure for influencing and improving the sound properties of the sound-generating reed 1.

[0097] It can be seen that, for given cross-sectional positions of the base body 2, the respective sections 6, 7 to the left and right of the comb section 5 are formed with the same concave curvature in the exemplary embodiments. Nevertheless, the curvatures of the respective sections 6, 7 to the left and right of the comb section 5 can differ at different cross-sectional positions of the base body 2; thus, the curvatures of the respective sections 6, 7 to the left and right of the comb section 5 can have a first concave curvature at a first cross-sectional position of the base body 2, and the curvatures of the respective sections 6, 7 to the left and right of the comb section 5 can have a second concave curvature different from the first concave curvature at a second cross-sectional position of the base body 2 that is different from the first cross-sectional position.

[0098] Based on the Fig. 4 and Fig. 8 it can be seen that the front region 3 of the base body 2, viewed in cross-section, can be formed with a plurality of concavely curved sections 6, 7, each extending outward from the comb section 5 and described by at least one radius, wherein the radii of the respective sections 6, 7 differ, in particular such that the radius of a section 6, 7 arranged closer to the tip of the front region 3 of the base body 2 is smaller than the radius of a section 6, 7 arranged less close to the tip of the front region 3 of the base body 2.

[0099] Based on the Fig. 4 and Fig. 8 it can be seen that the cross-sectional area of ​​respective sections 6, 7 can be reduced in the direction of the tip or the free end of the front region 3 of the base body 2.

[0100] The exemplary embodiments show that the radius forming the comb section 5 forms an outward curvature of the upper side of the front region 3 of the base body 2, whereas the curvatures of the respective sections 6, 7 can each be curved inward, i.e., toward the underside of the front region 3 of the base body 2. Such geometric-structural configurations of the sound-generating blade 1 result in particularly good sound properties of the sound-generating blade 1.

[0101] The exemplary embodiments further show that the radius of the comb section 5 can change in the longitudinal direction of the base body 2. In particular, the radius of the comb section 5 can increase at least in sections in the longitudinal direction of the base body 2. The base body 2 can therefore in particular have regions in which the radius of the comb section 5 increases towards the free end of the front region 3 of the base body 2 and thus enlarges (cf., for example, Fig. 8: Sections PP and TT).

[0102] Finally, the exemplary embodiments show that the radius of respective sections 6, 7 to the left and right of the comb section 5 can change in the longitudinal direction of the base body 2. In particular, the radius of respective sections 6, 7 to the left and right of the comb section can increase at least in sections in the longitudinal direction of the base body (cf., for example, Fig. 4: Sections PP and TT and Fig.8: Sections PP and TT). The base body 2 can thus in particular have regions in which the radius of respective sections 6, 7 to the left and right of the comb section 5 increases in the direction of the free end of the front region 3 of the base body 2.

[0103] A method for producing a tone-generating sheet 1 according to the embodiments can provide at least one shaping production step in which a composite material containing at least one thermotropic liquid crystal material, at least one thermoplastic material and at least one mineral filler material, wherein the weight proportion of the at least one mineral filler material in the composite material is above 6 wt.%, in particular between 6 and 50 wt.%, is processed to form the tone-generating sheet 1.

[0104] The method can be implemented, for example, as an injection molding process, wherein a corresponding composite material is introduced as a plasticized mass into a molding cavity of a mold and, after cooling, can be removed from the mold as a clay-producing sheet. Removal of the clay-producing sheet 1 from the mold can be followed by at least one post-processing step, possibly thermal and / or mechanical, for example, to remove burrs.

Claims

[1] Sound-generating reed (1) for a wind instrument, in particular for a woodwind instrument, comprising an elongated base body (2) which is formed from or comprises a composite material, wherein the composite material contains: at least one thermotropic liquid crystal material, at least one thermoplastic material and at least one mineral filler material, wherein the weight proportion of the at least one mineral filler material in the composite material is above 7 wt.%. [2] A toner-generating sheet according to claim 1, wherein the weight proportion of said at least one thermotropic liquid crystal material in said composite material is above 5 wt%. [3] Tone-producing sheet according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the weight proportion of the at least one thermoplastic material in the composite material is above 20 wt.%, in particular between 21 and 50 wt.%. [4] A toner-generating sheet according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the weight proportion of the at least one thermotropic liquid crystal material is higher than the weight proportion of the at least one thermoplastic material and the weight proportion of the at least one thermoplastic material is higher than the weight proportion of the at least one mineral filler material. [5] A toner-generating sheet according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the weight proportion of the at least one thermoplastic resin material is higher than the weight proportion of the at least one thermotropic liquid crystal material and the weight proportion of the at least one thermotropic liquid crystal material is higher than the weight proportion of the at least one mineral filler material. [6] Toner-producing sheet according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one thermoplastic material is or comprises at least one thermoplastic material from the group: PE, PP, PES, POM, PET, PBT, PA, PI, ABS, SAN or PC or a mixture of at least two of the foregoing. [7] Toner-generating sheet according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one thermoplastic material is or comprises at least one thermoplastic elastomer material from the group: PA, PO, PU, ​​PS or a mixture of at least two of the foregoing. [8] A toner-generating sheet according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one thermoplastic material has a modulus of elasticity of at least 2000 MPa. [9] A toner-producing sheet according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the composite material has a modulus of elasticity of at least 6000 MPa. [10] A tone generating sheet according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the base body (2) has a front portion (3) forming a tongue and a rear portion (4) forming a shaft, the front portion (3) being formed with a comb portion (5) extending in the longitudinal direction. [11] A tone generating sheet according to claim 10, wherein the comb portion extends over a length of 50 to 95% of the total length of the tongue forming front portion (3) of the base body (2). [12] Tone-generating sheet according to claim 10 or 11, wherein the front region (3) of the base body (2) forming the tongue is formed, viewed in cross section, with at least one convex or concave curved section extending outwardly from the comb section (5) and described by at least one radius. [13] Tone-generating sheet according to claim 12, wherein the front region (3) of the base body (2) forming the tongue is formed, viewed in cross-section, with a plurality of convexly or concavely curved sections, each extending outwardly from the comb section (5) and described by at least one radius, wherein the radii of the respective sections differ, in particular such that the radius of a section arranged closer to the tip of the front region (3) of the base body (2) forming the tongue is larger or smaller than the radius of a section arranged comparatively less close to the tip of the front region (3) of the base body (2) forming the tongue. [14] A method for producing a tone-generating sheet (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one shaping production step in which a composite material comprising at least one thermotropic liquid crystal material, at least one thermoplastic material and at least one mineral filler material, wherein the weight proportion of the at least one mineral filler material in the composite material is above 7 wt.%, is processed, is carried out to form the tone-generating sheet (1).

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