Rotating Barrel Pickup Switch for Guitar Tone Preservation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing string vibration pickup systems for musical instruments, such as electric guitars, are bulky, unsightly, and disrupt the guitar's tone due to their large footprint and limited configuration options, making them inefficient for musicians who need to switch between different pickup settings.
Innovation Solution
A compact device with a cradle and rotating barrels that house multiple pickup systems, allowing for easy switching and independent operation of each system, minimizing bulk and maximizing configuration options without affecting the instrument's tone.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a plate with multiple microphone sets is integrated to the front face of the guitar, then the musician can switch between different pickup combinations, but the device becomes voluminous and occupies significant surface area
Solution Approach 1:
The device is divided into a stationary cradle integrated to the front face and a separate rotating barrel that contains the pickup systems. This segmentation allows the barrel to be compact and rotate within a limited space, reducing the overall footprint on the front face while maintaining multiple pickup configuration options.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of arranging multiple pickup sets in a two-dimensional layout on the front face, the invention uses a rotating barrel that provides access to multiple pickups through rotational movement. This transitions from a planar arrangement to a three-dimensional rotating structure, minimizing the surface area occupied while maintaining versatility.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple pickup systems are arranged on a rotating plate, then pickup switching is enabled, but the device becomes unsightly and affects the guitar tone
Solution Approach 1:
The pickup systems are nested within a compact barrel structure that rotates to bring different pickups into the working position. This nested arrangement keeps the pickups contained within a small volume, minimizing their visual impact and reducing their interference with the guitar's natural vibration and tone.
Solution Approach 2:
The barrel rotates dynamically to bring different pickup systems into the working position as needed. This dynamic switching mechanism allows for pickup changes without requiring a large static structure, thereby maintaining a compact and aesthetically pleasing design that minimizes tone disruption.
3Area of stationary object
If a compact barrel design is used with rotation axis parallel to the front face, then the footprint is minimized, but the mechanical structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The rotating barrel serves multiple functions: it holds multiple pickup systems, provides rotational switching between them, and maintains electrical connections throughout the rotation. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional separate components, thereby simplifying the overall structure despite the compact design requirements.
Data Source
AI summary
A device for switching electrical or electronical systems for picking up the vibrations of the strings of a musical instrument having a front face includes: a cradle to be fastened or integrated to the front face and provided with a unit for electrical connection to an amplification circuit; at least one barrel that is provided with at least two pickup systems, which is fitted to the cradle so as to be mobile in rotation with respect to the cradle between at least two positions so as to place, in each position, one pickup system in working position opposite the strings and that includes a unit for electrically coupling at least the pickup system opposite the strings to the connection unit; and a unit for rotating the barrel. The axis of rotation of the barrel is substantially parallel to the front face when the cradle is fastened to the latter.