Effect Device Enclosure with Segmented Base and Lid

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Effect devices for electronic music instruments, such as electric guitars and basses, face accidental control adjustments during live performances and are vulnerable to moisture and dirt exposure, which can damage their internal components.

Innovation Solution

A protective enclosure with a combined rectangular base and cuboid-shaped upper portion, featuring a lid for control protection, a foot switch opening with reinforcing ring, ventilation openings for heat dissipation, and secure attachment options, allowing for operable controls while shielding the device from environmental hazards.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If effect devices are left exposed for easy access during live performances, then control operation is convenient, but the controls are vulnerable to accidental adjustments and environmental damage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontrol accessibilityVSAvoidprotection from accidental adjustment and environmental damage

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The protective enclosure is divided into a base portion and an upper portion that can be separated. The base portion contains the effect device, while the upper portion with opening 48 can be removed or opened to provide access to controls. This segmentation allows the device to be protected when enclosed and accessible when needed, resolving the contradiction between protection and ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The protective enclosure acts as an intermediary structure between the effect device and the external environment. It provides physical protection against accidental foot adjustments and environmental hazards while incorporating specific openings and access points that maintain control accessibility. The enclosure mediates between the need for protection and the need for operational access.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If a protective enclosure is added to shield effect devices from moisture and dirt, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotection from moisture and dirtVSAvoidenclosure structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The protective enclosure serves multiple functions simultaneously: it protects against moisture and dirt, provides structural support, facilitates heat dissipation through ventilation openings, and allows control access through designed openings. By combining these functions into a single enclosure structure, the patent avoids adding separate components for each function, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity while achieving comprehensive protection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent combines protection features, ventilation, and control access into a single integrated enclosure structure. Rather than adding separate protective covers, ventilation systems, and access mechanisms, all these functions are merged into the enclosure design itself, minimizing the increase in overall device complexity while achieving reliable environmental protection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Temperature

If ventilation openings are added to the enclosure for heat dissipation, then temperature control is improved, but protection from environmental exposure is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheat dissipationVSAvoidexposure to moisture and dirt

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The enclosure incorporates ventilation openings at specific locations where heat dissipation is needed, while maintaining solid enclosure walls in areas requiring protection from moisture and dirt. The foot switch opening 19 and control access opening 48 are strategically positioned to provide necessary access while minimizing environmental exposure. This local differentiation of enclosure quality allows simultaneous achievement of ventilation and protection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

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 enclosure effectively protects effect devices from accidental control adjustments and environmental exposure, ensuring reliable operation and extending the lifespan of the devices by maintaining functionality and preventing damage from moisture and dirt.

Implementation Method 1

ventilation openings for heat dissipation

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHeat dissipation: Convection

Data Source

PatentUS10733969B2Protective enclosure for effect devices

Publication Date: 2020.08.04 WILFER HANS PETER

AI summary

A protective enclosure for an effect device includes a substantially rectangular shaped base portion and a substantially cuboid shaped upper portion. The base portion and upper portion communicate with one another and form a common receiving space to enclose an effect device. The base portion includes two opposite side walls, and each side wall has a respective opening to each provide access to the receiving space. An upper wall extends laterally across the base portion side walls, and a foot switch opening is disposed along the upper wall.