Polyimide Pick Resists Wear and Warping

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional stringed instrument picks, particularly those made of plastic, nylon, glass, and wood, suffer from lack of durability and dimensional stability, leading to wear and loss of tonality and lubricity, while tortoise shell picks are scarce and costly due to conservation concerns.

Innovation Solution

A pick constructed from polyimide material, known for its increased dimensional stability, desirable lubricity, and resistance to wear, providing exceptional tonality and longevity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If plastic picks are used to provide desirable tonality and lubricity, then tonality and lubricity are improved, but dimensional stability and durability deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedimensional stabilityVSAvoidtonality and lubricity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the material parameter from conventional plastics to polyimide, which fundamentally alters the physical and chemical properties of the pick. This material substitution provides both dimensional stability and desirable tonality/lubricity simultaneously, resolving the contradiction between reliability and ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs polyimide, a high-performance polymer with composite-like properties that combine the dimensional stability of engineering plastics with the tonal qualities of natural materials. This advanced material integrates multiple desirable characteristics into a single substance, addressing both reliability and performance requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Reliability

If plastic picks are used, then ease of manufacture is improved, but durability and wear resistance deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewear resistanceVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the material parameter from conventional plastics to polyimide, which fundamentally alters the physical and chemical properties of the pick. This material substitution provides both dimensional stability and desirable tonality/lubricity simultaneously, resolving the contradiction between reliability and ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If tortoise shell picks are used to provide desirable tonality and durability, then tonality and wear resistance are improved, but availability and cost deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovedurabilityVSAvoidavailability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces scarce, expensive natural materials (tortoise shell) with an abundant, manufacturable synthetic material (polyimide). This substitution maintains the durability and tonality of tortoise shell picks while eliminating supply constraints and high costs, making the product widely available and sustainable.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs polyimide, a high-performance polymer with composite-like properties that combine the dimensional stability of engineering plastics with the tonal qualities of natural materials. This advanced material integrates multiple desirable characteristics into a single substance, addressing both reliability and performance requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Data Source

PatentUS10366678B2Pick for use with a stringed instrument

Publication Date: 2019.07.30 BLUE CHIP MACHINING INC

AI summary

Described is a pick for use with a stringed instrument, the pick being constructed of a polyimide material. Because of the various physical properties of the polyimide material, the pick exhibits increased dimensional stability, desirable lubricity throughout the pick, increased resistance to wear, and desirable rigidity. The combined properties of the pick provide exceptional tonality and longevity.