Additive Fabricated Stringed Instrument Resonance Box
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional stringed instruments manufactured using additive fabrication methods struggle to replicate the sound quality of wooden instruments due to differences in vibrational characteristics between wood and synthetic materials, making it difficult to produce instruments that meet player preferences and performance purposes.
Innovation Solution
The solution involves fabricating stringed instruments using an additive fabrication method where material constants, such as elastic stiffness and density, are selectively varied in specific areas of the resonance box and neck portions to alter vibrational characteristics, allowing for customization of sound volume, acoustic quality, and tone, and enabling the creation of instruments that can be easily adjusted or repaired.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If additive fabrication method is used to manufacture stringed instruments, then manufacturing complexity is reduced and production efficiency is improved, but the sound quality and vibrational characteristics cannot match traditional wooden instruments
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by varying material constants in different regions of the resonance box. Specifically, the elastic stiffness constant and density are adjusted locally to match the vibrational characteristics of traditional wooden instruments in different areas, allowing each region to contribute optimally to the overall sound quality while maintaining additive fabrication benefits
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes material parameters (elastic stiffness constant and density) of the additive fabrication material to replicate the vibrational characteristics of wood. By adjusting these parameters within the additive manufacturing process, the instrument achieves sound quality comparable to traditional wooden instruments while maintaining production efficiency
2Reliability
If material constants are varied in different areas of the resonance box, then vibrational characteristics and sound quality are improved, but manufacturing process complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements parameter changes by systematically varying material constants (elastic stiffness constant and density) in different regions of the resonance box during additive fabrication. This controlled variation achieves desired vibrational characteristics while the automated nature of additive manufacturing keeps the process complexity manageable
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by assigning different material constants to specific regions of the resonance box based on their functional requirements. This localized material property adjustment optimizes vibrational characteristics without requiring complex manual assembly, as the variations are integrated into the additive fabrication process
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
This approach allows for the production of stringed instruments that can be tailored to individual player preferences and performance needs, offering a range of sound options and extended instrument lifespan through modular design and weight reduction.
Implementation Method 1
material constants, such as elastic stiffness and density, are selectively varied in specific areas of the resonance box and neck portions to alter vibrational characteristics
Implementation Method 2
alter vibrational characteristics, allowing for customization of sound volume, acoustic quality, and tone
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides a stringed instrument capable of corresponding to a preference of a player of the stringed instrument, a purpose of performance, and so on as much as possible. A resonance box portion fabricated by an additive fabrication method and a neck portion protruding from the resonance box portion are included, and material constants at a desired area of the resonance box portion is made different from material constants at an adjacent area adjacent to the desired area step by step or continuously. Vibrational characteristics of the instrument are changed by the partial difference of the material constants, and thereby, the stringed instrument capable of corresponding to the preference of the player, the purpose of the performance, and so on is provided.