Electronic Vibrato Arm for Stringed Instruments
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electronic vibrato systems fail to emulate the feel, tension, and robustness of mechanical systems, often obscure the instrument's aesthetics, require complex manufacturing, and need frequent adjustments, while mechanical systems can be cumbersome and prone to tuning issues and premature string failure.
Innovation Solution
An electronic vibrato system is integrated within the stringed instrument's body, featuring a position sensor, actuator, and chassis that replicates the radial motion and tension of mechanical systems, with a microcontroller processing control signals to modulate pitch, and a tension mechanism providing resistive forces, all housed below the instrument's surface to maintain aesthetics and robustness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If an electronic vibrato system is mounted on the surface of the instrument, then it can be removed and mounted on existing instruments without modification, but it obscures the aesthetics of the instrument by blocking the view of the instrument's facing areas
Solution Approach 1:
The patent relocates the electronic vibrato system from a surface-mounted configuration to an internal mounting within the instrument body. By moving the system into the third dimension (inside the instrument rather than on the surface), the design preserves the aesthetic appearance of the instrument's facing areas while maintaining all functional capabilities of the vibrato system.
2Strength
If mechanical vibrato systems are used, then they provide robust structural integration and can withstand heavy pressures, but they go out of tune and require frequent adjustments and calibration
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical linkage system with an electronic system that uses a position sensor to detect control arm position and a microcontroller to process this data. This substitution eliminates the mechanical components that cause tuning drift and adjustment requirements, while maintaining the robust structural integration through internal mounting within the instrument body.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent incorporates a position sensor that continuously monitors the control arm position and provides feedback to a microcontroller. This feedback mechanism enables real-time pitch adjustment and ensures the system returns to the correct tuning after use, eliminating the tuning instability problems of mechanical systems.
3Adaptability or versatility
If mechanical vibrato systems with many components are used, then they can provide advanced functionality, but they are difficult to manufacture due to large component count and precision tolerance requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical linkages with an electronic system consisting of a position sensor, microcontroller, and actuator. This substitution dramatically reduces the component count and eliminates the need for precision mechanical tolerances, making the system much easier to manufacture while maintaining advanced vibrato functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a microcontroller to handle multiple functions including position sensing, signal processing, and pitch control. This consolidation of multiple functions into a single electronic component reduces the overall component count and simplifies manufacturing compared to specialized mechanical components for each function.
4Ease of operation
If mechanical vibrato systems are used, then they provide physical feedback and tension, but they cause strings to break prematurely through work hardening
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical linkage that physically moves the bridge with an electronic system that uses a position sensor to detect control arm position and electronically adjusts pitch. This substitution eliminates the repeated physical bending of strings that causes work hardening and premature breakage, while maintaining the physical feedback feel through the control arm mechanism.
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 system provides a robust, aesthetically preserved, and easy-to-manufacture electronic vibrato solution that simulates mechanical systems' feel and functionality without user adjustments, ensuring durable and simple operation with reduced risk of damage.
Implementation Method 1
an actuator, disposed within and below a face of a stringed instrument. The actuator has a resting position and non-resting, rotated positions
Implementation Method 2
a tension mechanism providing resistive forces
Implementation Method 3
The system includes an actuator, disposed within and below a face of a stringed instrument. The actuator has a resting position and non-resting, rotated positions
Implementation Method 4
a microcontroller processing control signals to modulate pitch
Data Source
AI summary
An electronic vibrato system for a stringed instrument comprises an actuator and microcontroller which are disposed within a chassis. The control arm moves the actuator from a resting position to non-resting, rotated positions. The system is below a face of a stringed instrument such that the system has a disposed fulcrum within the instrument. The rotated positions impart resistive forces on said actuator and imparting control signals. The microcontroller processes said control signal and modulates pitch.