Guitar Effector Loop Switch Logic for Tone Combinations

Solution Overview

Problem

The existing guitar effector loop systems have limited combinations of effects due to the number of switches, making it impractical to change combinations during performance without manual designation.

Innovation Solution

A guitar effector loop system with alternative and independent switches allows for various combinations of guitar effector modules to be turned on or off, increasing the number of possible combinations without adding more switches, using a control unit to manage the connections and settings.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple foot switches are installed to control different compactor combinations, then the number of available tone combinations increases, but the device complexity and physical size increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenumber of compactor combinationsVSAvoidnumber of foot switches

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Each foot switch is designed to perform multiple functions: it can independently control its assigned compactor, and when combined with other foot switches, it enables additional compactor combinations through the control unit. This multi-functionality allows a smaller number of foot switches to control a larger number of compactor combinations than would be possible with dedicated switches for each compactor.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

A control unit is introduced as an intermediary between the foot switches and the compactors. This control unit receives signals from the foot switches, processes the combination information, and accordingly activates or deactivates the compactors. This intermediary enables complex combination logic to be implemented without requiring complex physical switch arrangements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If more foot switches are added to provide more compactor combinations, then the versatility improves, but the ease of operation during performance deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenumber of compactor combinationsVSAvoidmanipulation difficulty during performance

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

Each foot switch is designed to perform multiple functions: it can independently control its assigned compactor, and when combined with other foot switches, it enables additional compactor combinations through the control unit. This multi-functionality allows a smaller number of foot switches to control a larger number of compactor combinations than would be possible with dedicated switches for each compactor.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Ease of operation

If the number of foot switches is reduced, then the ease of operation improves, but the number of available compactor combinations decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanipulation simplicityVSAvoidnumber of compactor combinations

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

A control unit is introduced as an intermediary between the foot switches and the compactors. This control unit receives signals from the foot switches, processes the combination information, and accordingly activates or deactivates the compactors. This intermediary enables complex combination logic to be implemented without requiring complex physical switch arrangements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the control parameter from direct one-to-one switch-to-compactor mapping to a combinatorial parameter system where the state of multiple foot switches collectively determines which compactors are activated. This parameter transformation enables exponential growth in possible combinations with linear growth in switch count.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS9905211B1Guitar effector loop and multi-type guitar effector using the same

Publication Date: 2018.02.27 LEE SEUNG JAE

AI summary

Provided is a guitar effector loop in which a plurality of foot switches (600) are installed in a body so that the plurality of foot switches (600) are connected to a guitar (a), an amplifier (b), and a plurality of compactors (500), and various combinations of the compactors (500) are obtained. In a state in which the No. 1 alternative switch (611) and the No. 2 alternative switch (612) are turned off, or the No. 2 alternative switch (612) is turned on, when the No. 1 alternative switch (611) is turned on, the compactor (500) set by the No. 1 alternative switch (611) is turned on, and the compactor (504) set by only the No. 2 alternative switch (612) is turned off. Thus, the number of combinations of the guitar effectors may increase without increasing the number of switches.