Compact Music Box With Interchangeable Comb Member
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional music boxes are large and inconvenient for carrying, and require replacement of both the comb member and cylinder to change the music played, making it difficult for users to easily switch between different songs, scales, and tones.
Innovation Solution
A compact music box design featuring an electric power unit, circuit board, driving member, operation unit, activation units with magnetic and match plates, and a comb member with keys, allowing for easy music changes by swapping the comb member and enabling wireless music code transfer from mobile devices via Bluetooth, infrared, or cloud connectivity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the music box uses conventional cylinder or disc design with comb member and cylinder, then it can play specific music, but the size becomes large and inconvenient for carrying
Solution Approach 1:
The invention divides the traditional integrated music box into separate functional modules: a reusable main body containing the motor, magnetic plates, and control circuitry, and interchangeable comb members with different key configurations. This segmentation allows the music box to play multiple songs by simply swapping comb members, eliminating the need for large cylinders or discs, and making the device compact and portable while maintaining music playback versatility
Solution Approach 2:
The main body of the music box is designed as a universal platform that can accommodate multiple different comb members. The standardized interface and magnetic activation mechanism allow a single main body to play various songs, scales, and tones by interchangeably mounting different comb members, thus achieving multi-functionality without increasing the size of the main device
2Adaptability or versatility
If the music box uses conventional cylinder with protrusions to lift keys, then it can generate specific sound, but both the comb member and cylinder must be replaced to change music
Solution Approach 1:
The invention separates the music storage function into the comb member (with keys arranged in specific patterns for different songs) from the activation mechanism (magnetic plates and motor in the main body). Users only need to replace the lightweight comb member to change songs, rather than replacing both the comb and cylinder as in conventional designs, significantly reducing replacement complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The magnetic plates serve as an intermediary between the motor and the keys. Instead of direct mechanical contact like conventional cylinders, the motor drives magnetic plates that magnetically attract corresponding keys on the comb member to vibrate. This intermediary mechanism allows for easier interchangeability of comb members while maintaining precise key activation for different music pieces
3Ease of operation
If the music box uses electromagnetic coil and magnetic plate system, then it can activate keys through magnetic attraction, but the structure becomes complex with multiple components
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges the magnetic activation mechanism directly into the comb member structure. The magnetic plates are positioned on the main body to align with keys, and when activated by the motor-driven electromagnetic coils, they directly attract the nearest key to vibrate. This integrated design reduces the number of separate components compared to conventional systems with distinct cylinders, comb members, and pluckers, simplifying the overall structure while enabling precise key activation
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 compact music box allows for easy music changes without replacing the entire device, providing a versatile and space-efficient solution for playing different ranges, scales, and tones, with precise key activation and sound generation.
Implementation Method 1
A coil is electrically connected with the circuit board and located between the magnetic plate and the match plate of each activation unit. The circuit board controls the coil to generate electric power to magnetically attract the activation plate to match the match plate
Implementation Method 2
Each activation unit has a magnetic plate, a match plate, an activation plate and a spring. The spring is located between the between the match plate and the activation plate of each activation unit
Implementation Method 3
The operation unit includes a first threaded rod, a second threaded rod and a wheel gear. The first threaded rod is connected to an output axle of the driving member. The wheel gear is mounted to the shaft and engaged with the operation gear
Implementation Method 4
Each activation plate has multiple lingers extending from the outer periphery thereof. The fingers push the keys to generate sound
Data Source
AI summary
A music box includes a box, an operation unit, multiple activation units and a comb member. A circuit board controls a coil in a desired one of the activation units to create a magnetic field with the magnetic plate so as to attract the activation plate to be matched with the match plate. The attached activation plate and the match plate are rotated by a shaft extending through the activation units. The shaft is driven by a driving member. Each activation plate includes fingers which push the keys of the comb member to generate sound.