Isolated DC Outputs for Pedalboard Signal Chain Reliability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing battery-powered pedal boards for musical instruments suffer from the issue of individual pedals stopping work without notice when batteries deplete, potentially rendering the entire signal chain useless.
Innovation Solution
A power control device with control electronics that receive a power signal from a DC power source, providing multiple isolated outputs from a single battery source, ensuring all pedals stop working simultaneously when the battery is depleted, thus maintaining signal chain integrity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple pedals are powered by individual batteries, then each pedal can operate independently, but the signal chain becomes unreliable when one battery depletes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the power distribution system into multiple isolated DC outputs, each with its own ground reference. This allows the system to provide independent power channels that can be monitored and managed separately, improving reliability by preventing single-point failures from affecting the entire signal chain.
Solution Approach 2:
The power control device acts as an intermediary between the single battery source and multiple pedals. It provides isolation and ground referencing that individual battery connections cannot achieve, thereby improving signal chain reliability while maintaining simple battery power management.
2Ease of operation
If a single battery powers all pedals, then battery replacement is simplified, but all pedals stop working simultaneously when depleted
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates battery life monitoring that provides feedback about the charge status of the single battery. This allows users to proactively replace batteries before complete depletion occurs, maintaining signal chain continuity while preserving the simplicity of single-battery operation.
3Productivity
If isolated DC outputs are provided from a single AC source, then multiple devices can be powered, but ground loops and electrical interference may occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent provides multiple isolated DC outputs, each with its own ground reference, segmenting the electrical pathways. This prevents ground loops and electrical interference between connected devices while maintaining efficient power distribution from a single battery source.
Data Source
AI summary
Power control devices are provided with electrically isolated outputs. One exemplary power control device comprises control electronics configured to: (i) receive a power signal from a DC power source, wherein the control electronics comprise an input ground for the DC power source; and (ii) provide multiple outputs, wherein the multiple outputs is supplied power from the DC power source; wherein the multiple outputs comprise at least one output that is electrically isolated from at least one other output of the multiple outputs that each provide power to one or more of a plurality of loads, wherein the electrical isolation is based on the at least one output having a first output ground that is isolated from a second output ground of the at least one other output, and wherein the input ground, the first output ground, and the second output ground are electrically isolated from each other.