Tubular Polymer Violin Structure for Low-Cost Durability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing plastic stringed instruments replicate the form and shape of traditional violins but do not address the fragility or expense issues of wooden instruments, limiting accessibility and affordability, particularly in schools with budget constraints.
Innovation Solution
A stringed musical instrument made from thermoplastic or thermoset materials, featuring a tubular design with a peg box, bridge, and chin rest, which is manufactured by cutting and bending a hollow tube to form a scroll and peg box, and using polymer components to reduce costs and enhance durability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional wooden instruments are used, then sound quality is maintained, but cost and fragility increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies this principle by creating an affordable plastic violin that can be easily replaced if damaged, making it suitable for educational settings where instruments may be mishandled. The plastic construction allows the instrument to be inexpensive enough to replace rather than repair, while still providing functional value.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses composite materials by combining plastic components (body, neck, fingerboard) with traditional string and bow elements. This hybrid approach allows the instrument to maintain functional characteristics of traditional violins while using durable, inexpensive plastic materials for the structural components.
2Ease of manufacture
If plastic materials are used, then cost and durability are improved, but sound quality may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by carefully selecting and tuning the physical properties of the plastic materials used, such as density, thickness, and internal geometry of the body and neck. These parameter adjustments allow the plastic instrument to produce acceptable sound quality while maintaining the cost and durability advantages of plastic construction.
3Reliability
If complex wooden construction is used, then acoustic properties are optimized, but manufacturing complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the violin into separate plastic components (body, neck, fingerboard, scroll) that can be manufactured independently through molding processes. This segmentation simplifies manufacturing compared to traditional wooden construction, which requires complex carving and assembly of multiple wood pieces with different acoustic properties.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses copying by replicating the external form and structural geometry of traditional wooden violins using plastic materials. The molded plastic components copy the essential shapes and configurations of classical violin parts, providing familiar ergonomics and acoustic characteristics without the manufacturing complexity of woodworking.
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 instrument achieves a sound quality similar to traditional violins at a fraction of the cost, making it more durable and affordable, thus increasing access to musical education.
Implementation Method 1
softening the remaining longitudinal section of the first hollow tube before bending
Data Source
AI summary
A stringed musical instrument is disclosed comprising a first tube including a body portion having a bottom end and a top end, and a neck portion with a first end extending longitudinally from the bottom end of the body portion, and a second end. A first string support is connected to the second end of the neck portion, and includes a peg box supporting a plurality of tuning pins. A plurality of musical instrument strings extend from the body portion to the tuning pins. The instrument also includes a bridge with a body-contacting portion configured to engage with the body portion, and a string-contacting portion configured to engage with the plurality of strings, and a second tube extending outwardly from the top end of the body portion, forming a chin rest. Corresponding systems and methods also are disclosed.