Guitar-Mounted Portable Speaker With Strap-Button Stabilization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Electric string instruments, such as electric guitars, face portability issues due to the need for separate amplifiers and speakers, which are often large and require a power source, and retrofitting with built-in speakers is costly and alters the instrument's integrity, limiting mobility and flexibility for users.
Innovation Solution
A portable speaker system that includes a housing with an audio jack, amplifier, speaker, power supply, and a mounting mechanism for a portable computing device, allowing attachment to an electric string instrument via a strap button connector and stabilizer, enabling wireless or wired audio processing and supplementation without tethering the user.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If separate amplifiers and speakers are used for electric string instruments, then audio output quality is improved, but portability deteriorates due to large size and power source requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the amplifier, speaker, and power supply into a single integrated portable speaker system that attaches to the electric string instrument. This merging of previously separate components (amplifier, speaker, power source) into one compact unit enables high-quality audio output while maintaining portability, as the integrated system can be easily attached and detached without requiring separate equipment or external power sources.
Solution Approach 2:
The portable speaker system serves multiple functions: it amplifies the instrument's audio signal, provides wireless connectivity for music playback, offers auxiliary audio inputs, and includes a rechargeable power supply. This multi-functionality allows the system to replace multiple separate devices (amplifier, speaker, radio, power supply) with a single unit that maintains audio quality while improving portability.
2Ease of operation
If built-in speakers are installed in electric string instruments, then portability is improved, but manufacturing cost and instrument alteration cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of integrating speakers directly into the instrument during manufacturing, the patent segments the speaker system into a separate, detachable unit that attaches to the instrument's existing strap buttons. This segmentation allows the instrument manufacturer to sell the instrument in its original form while a separate portable speaker system provides the portability enhancement, avoiding the need for expensive built-in speaker installation and preserving the instrument's original integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The portable speaker system acts as an intermediary between the electric string instrument and the user's ear, providing audio amplification without requiring modification of the instrument itself. The system connects to the instrument's existing output jack and attaches to external strap buttons, serving as a mediator that enables portability while avoiding direct integration into the instrument's structure, thereby reducing manufacturing and alteration costs.
3Ease of operation
If separate portable speaker units are used, then portability is improved, but user mobility deteriorates due to tethering requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the power supply requirement from the speaker system by incorporating a rechargeable battery into the portable speaker unit itself. This extraction of the power source from external dependencies (wall outlets or instrument power) enables the speaker to operate independently and wirelessly, allowing users to move freely while playing without being tethered to power sources or equipment.
Solution Approach 2:
The portable speaker system provides dynamic adaptability through wireless connectivity options, including Bluetooth for wireless music playback and wireless instrument connection capabilities. This dynamic wireless operation eliminates physical tethers and cables, enabling users to move freely and perform in various locations without being constrained by cable length or power source proximity, thereby enhancing user mobility while maintaining portability.
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 users to play electric string instruments freely while generating amplified sound, allowing for supplementary audio processing and mobility without the need for separate amplifiers or speakers, preserving the instrument's original form and enhancing user experience.
Implementation Method 1
an amplifier coupled to the audio jack and configured to receive an audio signal and amplify the audio signal to generate an amplified audio signal
Implementation Method 2
a speaker coupled to the amplifier and configured to receive the amplified audio signal and generate output sound from the amplified audio signal
Data Source
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AI summary
A portable speaker system for an electric string instrument such as a guitar. The portable speaker system has a housing including an audio jack for receiving a raw audio signal from a guitar, an amplifier, a speaker, and a power supply. The portable speaker system attaches to the guitar by a button connector which releasably attaches to a strap button of the guitar, and a stabilizer for inhibiting rotation of the portable speaker system when attached to the guitar. The portable speaker system portably generates output sound from the raw audio signal. The portable speaker system can couple with a portable computing device, which can process the raw audio signal and provide a supplementary audio signal, from which the portable speaker system can portably generate output sound.