Guitar Pickup Shielding with Segmented Conductive Bobbin Plates
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing single coil guitar pickups are not ideally suited for noise-free operation without generating unwanted hum, due to increased ambient electromagnetic noise and interference from modern electronic devices.
Innovation Solution
A string instrument pickup design featuring conductive bobbin plates with electrically resistive portions to shield against electromagnetic interference and reduce eddy currents, while maintaining structural integrity and grounding the pole-pieces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If conductive bobbin plates are used to shield against electromagnetic interference, then noise and interference are reduced, but eddy currents are generated in the plates
Solution Approach 1:
The bobbin plate is divided into multiple segments by introducing cuts or slots that extend partially or fully through the plate thickness. These segments are electrically isolated from each other while maintaining structural integrity, preventing eddy currents from flowing continuously across the plate while still providing electromagnetic shielding.
Solution Approach 2:
The bobbin plate has different electrical properties in different regions - the segments provide shielding where needed while the cuts create electrical resistance to eddy currents. The plate structure combines conductive regions for shielding with resistive regions (cuts) to dampen eddy currents locally.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the bobbin plate is made entirely of electrically conductive material for shielding, then electromagnetic interference is blocked, but structural integrity and current resistance are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The plate is segmented into multiple conductive regions separated by cuts or slots. This segmentation maintains structural integrity by creating discrete, strength-preserving sections while allowing electrical isolation to prevent eddy current flow across the entire plate.
Solution Approach 2:
The bobbin plate functions as a composite structure combining conductive material (for shielding) with non-conductive features (cuts/slots that act as electrical insulators). This composite approach achieves both shielding effectiveness and eddy current resistance simultaneously.
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 effectively reduces noise and interference, resulting in a purer signal with a unique tonal profile, addressing the challenge of achieving noise-free operation without unwanted hum.
Implementation Method 1
at least one of the bobbin plates is made of an electrically conductive material for shielding the wire from ambient electromagnetic interference
Implementation Method 2
comprises a plurality of electrically resistive portions for resisting eddy currents in the plate
Implementation Method 3
The electrically resistive portions may comprise interruptions formed in the electrically conductive material that extend into the plate for resisting the flow of current across the interruption
Implementation Method 4
The windings of a pickup are configured specifically to pick up a variation in the magnetic flux generated by guitar string vibration through a pole-piece
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a stringed instrument pickup comprising a first bobbin plate and a second bobbin plate, a plurality of magnetic pole-pieces extending between the bobbin plates and conductive wire coiled around the pole-pieces. At least one of the bobbin plates is made of an electrically conductive material for shielding the conductive wire from ambient electromagnetic interference and comprises a plurality of electrically resistive portions for resisting eddy currents in the plate.