Electronic Flute External Sensor Extraction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electronic wind instruments, such as flutes, face challenges due to the interference of internal sensors with air flow, leading to compromised sound quality and increased production costs, requiring separate mouthpieces for acoustic and electronic use.
Innovation Solution
An electronic flute design with external sensors and electronics that do not obstruct air flow, utilizing capacitive proximity sensors, pressure sensors, and an inclination detector, integrated into a modular structure that maintains the instrument's acoustic functionality and allows connectivity with smart devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If sensors are disposed inside the channel of the flute to detect finger positions, then the electronic functionality is achieved, but the air flow is obstructed and sound quality deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the sensors from the internal channel space and relocates them to the external surface of the flute body. The capacitive proximity sensors are mounted on the outer surface to detect finger positions without being inserted into the air flow path, thereby eliminating the obstruction problem while maintaining electronic detection functionality.
2Device complexity
If a PCB is disposed inside the tubular channel to support sensors, then sensor integration is achieved, but the air flow is interfered with and sound emission is negatively affected
Solution Approach 1:
The PCB is extracted from the internal channel and relocated to the external surface of the flute. The circuit board is mounted on the outer surface where it can support the capacitive proximity sensors without interfering with the air flow through the internal channel, thus resolving the contradiction between integration and air flow interference.
3Adaptability or versatility
If electronic components are integrated inside the flute body, then the electronic instrument functionality is achieved, but the structure of the flute is altered and acoustic functionality is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
All electronic components (sensors, PCB, processing unit) are extracted from the internal structure and relocated to the external surface of the flute. This maintains the original internal structure and acoustic properties of the flute while adding electronic functionality on the outside, thus preserving structural stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The flute is designed with multi-functionality by integrating both acoustic and electronic capabilities. The external electronic components enable the flute to function as both a traditional acoustic instrument and an electronic instrument, allowing it to adapt to different usage scenarios without compromising its original acoustic structure.
4Measurement precision
If sensors are mounted inside the empty body to detect key positions, then electronic detection is achieved, but the air flow is obstructed and separate mouthpieces are required
Solution Approach 1:
The sensors are extracted from the internal empty body and mounted on the external surface. The capacitive proximity sensors detect finger positions on the outside of the flute body, maintaining precise detection capability while completely avoiding obstruction of the air flow through the internal channel.
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 solution enables an inexpensive, versatile, and user-friendly electronic flute that preserves sound quality, eliminating the need for separate mouthpieces and reducing production costs while facilitating communication with smart devices.
Implementation Method 1
seven capacitive proximity sensors (52) disposed outside the central body (1) in correspondence of the seven holes (12), each sensor being suitable for detecting the position of a finger of the user covering the corresponding hole (12)
Implementation Method 2
a pressure sensor (55) disposed outside the central body (1), the pressure sensor (55) being in communication with the channel (10) near the inlet (10a) to detect the pressure of air introduced by the user
Implementation Method 3
an inclination detector (58) disposed outside the central body (1)
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
An electronic flute (100) comprises a central body (1), a lower cover (2) and an upper cover (3) that enclose the central body a first printed circuit board (PCB) (5) disposed between the central body (1) and the upper cover (3), a second PCB (6) disposed between the lower cover (2) and the central body, a control unit (4) connected to the first and to the second PCB (5, 6), and a battery (B) connected to the control unit (4). The central body (1) reproduces the structure of a non-electrophonic recorder and the electronics mounted in the first and in the second PCB does not interfere with the air flow that passes through the central body.