Electronic Wind Instrument Variable Air Exhaust

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional electronic wind instruments face difficulties in producing sufficiently loud musical notes when insufficient air is blown, limiting control over volume, pitch, and tone.

Innovation Solution

An electronic wind instrument with a breath pressure detector and a variable air exhaust passage, allowing for adjustable sensitivity of the breath pressure detection and control over tone, volume, and pitch through a controller, enabling maximum volume output even with lower input pressures.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a fixed air exhaust passage is provided to reproduce the feeling of playing an acoustic instrument, then the acoustic realism is improved, but the volume control capability deteriorates when insufficient air is blown

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveacoustic realismVSAvoidvolume output

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The air exhaust passage is made variable rather than fixed, allowing the conductance to be dynamically adjusted based on the detected breath pressure. This resolves the contradiction by enabling the system to adapt between acoustic realism (when air pressure is sufficient) and volume compensation (when air pressure is insufficient).

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The conductance parameter of the air exhaust passage is changed based on the breath pressure detector's readings. When insufficient air is detected, the conductance is reduced to increase breath pressure sensitivity, enabling volume control without requiring more air from the performer.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Adaptability or versatility

If the breath pressure detector sensitivity is increased to detect lower air pressures, then the control range is improved, but the measurement precision deteriorates due to noise and instability

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontrol rangeVSAvoidbreath pressure detection accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The sensitivity of the breath pressure detector is made dynamically adjustable rather than fixed. The sensitivity is increased only when insufficient air pressure is detected, allowing the system to expand its control range to lower pressures while maintaining measurement precision under normal playing conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The detection sensitivity parameter is changed based on the current breath pressure level. When the air pressure is low, the sensitivity is increased to detect subtle pressure changes, thereby expanding the control range without sacrificing precision in the normal operating range.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Ease of operation

If a variable air exhaust passage is provided to enable volume control with lower air pressure, then the ease of operation is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevolume control easeVSAvoidair exhaust system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The mechanical adjustment of air exhaust conductance is replaced with an electronic control system. A breath pressure detector and controller automatically adjust the air exhaust passage conductance based on detected pressure, eliminating the need for manual mechanical adjustment while improving ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The air exhaust system automatically adjusts its own conductance based on feedback from the breath pressure detector. The system self-regulates to maintain optimal performance across different playing conditions without requiring external intervention or complex manual controls.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

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

Enables precise control over musical note volume, pitch, and tone, ensuring maximum volume can be achieved regardless of the performer's air pressure, mimicking the playing experience of acoustic instruments.

Implementation Method 1

a breath pressure detector that detects a breath pressure developed in the instrument by breath blown into the instrument and that outputs a signal corresponding to the detected breath pressure

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPressure detection:

Implementation Method 2

an adjustment unit providing an air exhaust passage for the breath blown into the instrument, the air exhaust passage being configured to have a variable conductance for air so that a sensitivity of the breath pressure detector relative to an input pressure of the breath blown into the instrument varies

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectVariable conductance flow control:

Data Source

PatentUS10109267B2Electronic wind instrument

Publication Date: 2018.10.23 CASIO COMPUTER CO LTD

AI summary

An electronic wind instrument includes: a breath pressure detector that detects a breath pressure developed in the instrument by breath blown into the instrument and that outputs a signal corresponding to the detected breath pressure; an adjustment unit providing an air exhaust passage for the breath blown into the instrument, the air exhaust passage being configured to have a variable conductance for air so that a sensitivity of the breath pressure detector relative to an input pressure of the breath blown into the instrument varies; and a controller that sets one or more among a tone, a volume, and a pitch of a sound to be generated by a sound source in accordance with the signal outputted from the breath pressure detector.