Pitch Bender Light Guide Holding Mechanism

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing electronic musical instruments lack a reliable mechanism to securely guide light emitted by LEDs during the operation of pitch benders, leading to potential displacement and reduced durability due to the lack of a robust holding mechanism for the light guide member.

Innovation Solution

A manipulator comprising a rotatable member with a holding portion that securely attaches a light guide member, which is attached to a disk-shaped operation wheel, ensuring the light guide member remains aligned and prevents displacement during rotation, enhancing the reliability of light guidance and instrument durability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a light guide member is used to guide light from the light emitting section, then light guidance function is improved, but the light guide member may be displaced or dropped due to lack of secure holding mechanism

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelight guidance reliabilityVSAvoidlight guide member position stability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The operation member is divided into distinct functional segments: the light guide member (with light incident section and light emitting section) and the wheel member, which are attached to each other but can be independently manufactured and assembled. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function while maintaining overall system reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The light guide member is nested within the operation member structure, with the wheel member arranged on one plate surface side of the light guide member. The holding portion of the rotatable member accommodates both components in a nested arrangement, securing the light guide member within the operational assembly and preventing displacement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Device complexity

If the light guide member is attached to the operation member without a holding mechanism, then device complexity is reduced, but durability is compromised due to potential displacement during rotation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveattachment mechanism complexityVSAvoidpitch bender durability

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The holding portion is integrated into the rotatable member structure, combining the functions of rotation support and light guide member retention in a single component. This merging approach provides secure holding without adding separate complex attachment mechanisms, maintaining simplicity while ensuring durability during repeated rotational operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Stability of the object's composition

If a holding portion is added to the rotatable member to secure the light guide member, then position stability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelight guide member position stabilityVSAvoidrotatable member structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The holding portion of the rotatable member serves multiple functions simultaneously: it supports the rotational movement of the operation member and securely retains the light guide member in its proper position. This multi-functionality approach provides stable positioning without significantly increasing structural complexity, as the same component performs both critical functions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 prevents the light guide member from being displaced or dropped, ensuring reliable light guidance and enhancing the durability of the pitch bender, allowing for consistent and visually appealing light emission during musical performance.

Implementation Method 1

a light guide member that guides light incident from the light source

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectTotal internal reflection: Total Internal Reflection

Data Source

PatentUS20230298549A1Manipulator for electronic musical instruments

Publication Date: 2023.09.21 CASIO COMPUTER CO LTD

AI summary

A manipulator includes a light source that emits light; a rotatable member that is rotatable around an axis; and an operation member having a substantially disk shape, attached to the rotatable member so as to be rotatable together with the rotatable member, the operation member including a light guide member that guides light incident from the light source, and a wheel member arranged on one plate surface side of the light guide member, wherein the rotatable member has a holding portion that holds the light guide member.