Recorder Mute Sheet With Convex Acoustic Profile

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Solution Overview

Problem

Musical rehearsals with instruments like the flute often disturb neighbors due to unregulated volume and quality, particularly in residential settings where soundproofing is not feasible.

Innovation Solution

A device is inserted between the mouthpiece and bevel of a flute, comprising a convex sheet with removable fastening means, designed to reduce sound volume while maintaining sound quality, featuring two semirigid arc-shaped bands for secure attachment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-generated harmful factors

If a mute device is inserted in the recorder window to reduce sound volume, then the harmful noise to neighbors is reduced, but the sound quality of the instrument may be affected

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenoise disturbance to neighborsVSAvoidsound quality
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-generated harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The mute device applies local quality modification by inserting a sheet with specific acoustic properties into the recorder window. The sheet's material characteristics and convex shape are optimized to selectively reduce sound volume while preserving the instrument's tonal quality, addressing different acoustic requirements at different locations within the sound path.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The sheet is designed with a convex face toward the recorder mouth, utilizing curvature to optimize acoustic wave interaction. This spherical geometry helps maintain sound quality by evenly distributing acoustic pressure and minimizing distortion while still achieving volume reduction.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

2Object-generated harmful factors

If a complex mute device with multiple components is used to achieve volume reduction, then the sound volume control is effective, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesound volumeVSAvoiddevice structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-generated harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts only the essential function needed for volume reduction, eliminating unnecessary components found in complex mute devices. By using a simple sheet with removable fastening means instead of multiple mechanical parts, the device achieves effective volume control while maintaining simplicity in structure and manufacturing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The mute device is segmented into a simple sheet component and removable fastening means, allowing for easy assembly and disassembly. This segmentation simplifies the overall device structure while maintaining effectiveness, and enables the user to easily attach and remove the mute when needed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Stability of the object's composition

If a mute device with fixed attachment is used to ensure secure positioning, then the device stability is improved, but the ease of operation for removal and installation is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepositioning stabilityVSAvoidremoval and installation
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The fastening means transitions from a fixed attachment to a dynamic, removable connection. This allows the device to adapt between two states: securely attached during play for stable positioning, and easily removed when practice sessions end, providing both stability and operational ease.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The removable fastening means is designed to facilitate preliminary preparation by allowing the mute to be easily attached before practice sessions and removed afterward. This preliminary action capability ensures the device is ready for use when needed while maintaining ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

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

Effectively reduces sound volume without significantly impairing the flute's sound quality, allowing for practice without disturbing others while preserving the instrument's tone.

Implementation Method 1

a sheet (2) that has removable fixing means (3) to the recorder mouth, said sheet being destined to be inserted in the window (9) of the recorder... the face of said sheet intended to be facing the recorder mouth is convex from the point of view of the mouth

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAcoustic absorption: Acoustic Absorption

Data Source

PatentEP3340232B1Mute for a recorder
Publication Date: 2020.04.15 JUAREZ SALAS FRANCISCO JOSE
  • EP3340232B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3340232B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

The present invention relates to a device which is introduced into the window of the mouthpiece, between the mouthpiece and the bevel, and which allows the volume of the sound produced by the recorder to be reduced, slightly affecting the quality of the sounds produced by same.