String Sustainer with Direction Detector for Power-Efficient Magnetic Resonance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing string sustainers for musical instruments face challenges in power efficiency, sound quality control, and the ability to independently resonate multiple strings, often requiring high voltage and lacking control over sound effects.
Innovation Solution
A sustainer system comprising a direction detector and an output actuator that generates a magnetic field in response to the string's movement, allowing for efficient power use, unique sound characteristics, and independent resonance of multiple strings, with embodiments including handheld and instrument-mounted designs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If existing string sustainers use high voltage to generate magnetic fields, then the magnetic field strength is sufficient to sustain string vibration, but power efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The sustainer system employs a direction detector that monitors string movement and provides feedback signals to control the output actuator. This feedback mechanism allows the system to generate magnetic fields only when and where needed, rather than continuously at high voltage, thereby improving power efficiency while maintaining sufficient magnetic field strength for string sustainer
Solution Approach 2:
The output actuator generates magnetic fields in periodic pulses synchronized with the string vibration cycle, rather than maintaining continuous high voltage. The magnetic field is activated during specific phases of string movement (when the string moves toward the pickup) and deactivated during other phases, reducing overall power consumption while maintaining effective string sustainer
2Ease of operation
If existing sustainers lack directional detection capability, then the device complexity is reduced, but the control over sound quality and effects deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The direction detector provides directional feedback about string movement, enabling precise control over when and how the magnetic field is applied. This feedback allows for sophisticated sound quality control and effects manipulation while keeping the circuit design relatively simple and modular
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts the magnetic field generation based on real-time detection of string movement direction. The output actuator responds dynamically to the detector's signals, creating time-varying magnetic fields that enhance sound quality control and enable various sound effects without requiring overly complex static circuitry
3Adaptability or versatility
If existing sustainers cannot independently resonate multiple strings, then the device complexity is reduced, but the versatility deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The sustainer system is segmented into independent detector-actuator units, each capable of independently detecting and sustaining individual strings. This modular segmentation allows multiple strings to be resonated independently while keeping each unit's complexity manageable and enabling scalable configuration for different instrument setups
Solution Approach 2:
The sustainer system is designed with universal components that can function with multiple different string configurations and instrument types. The direction detector and output actuator are configured to work with any resonant string or element, providing versatile multi-string resonance capability without proportionally increasing overall system complexity
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 system achieves greater power efficiency, unique sound effects, and improved control over sound quality, enabling sustained polyphonic sounds and pitch adjustments, while allowing each string to be resonated independently.
Implementation Method 1
detecting a movement of the resonant element by induction of a current in a direction detector
Implementation Method 2
an output actuator electrically coupled to the direction detector and configured to, in response to the electrical signal, generate an output magnetic field for sustaining the movement of the string
Implementation Method 3
generate an output magnetic field for sustaining the movement of the string when it is moving toward the direction detector
Data Source
AI summary
A sustainer is described for use with resonant strings in instruments like guitars, bases, slide guitars and others. Described sustainers can be handheld or integrated into an instrument. Sustainers under the current disclosure can include an approaching or direction detector that detects movement of a resonant element towards or away from the sustainer. Depending on the movement a signal can be fed to an output actuator that creates a magnetic field to sustain or otherwise interact with the resonance of the element.