Stringed Instrument Fingerboard Display with Neck-Secured Frets
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing stringed instruments with liquid crystal or electroluminescent displays on the fingerboard face issues of damage due to string tension and require precise alignment of LEDs or displays, making them costly and prone to display damage.
Innovation Solution
A stringed instrument design featuring frets secured to the neck body with support portions, spanning the fingerboard and maintained out of contact with the display surface, using a transparent cover to adjust depression depth, and receiving control data for displaying musical performance aids.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If a plurality of LEDs is arranged on the underside of the fingerboard to indicate string positions, then the display function is improved, but the alignment precision requirement increases and manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces individual LED components with a liquid crystal display that copies the visual indication function. The LCD panel displays string position information through liquid crystal material properties, eliminating the need for precise physical alignment of multiple discrete LED components while maintaining the instructional display function.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges multiple individual LED functions into a single integrated liquid crystal display panel. Instead of arranging and aligning multiple separate light-emitting components, the LCD panel combines all display functions into one unified structure that can be mounted as a single unit on the fingerboard.
2Ease of operation
If frets are arranged directly on the display surface to enable musical performance, then the playability is improved, but the display may be damaged by press force from string tension
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the fingerboard structure into distinct functional layers: the display panel layer and the fret layer. The display panel is mounted on the front surface of the neck, while frets are positioned on the rear surface, physically separating the display function from the mechanical playing function to prevent damage.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent resolves the conflict by moving the frets to another dimension - the rear surface of the neck - while keeping the display panel on the front surface. This spatial separation in opposite directions eliminates the direct contact between fret press forces and the display, allowing both functions to coexist without interference.
3Loss of information
If the fingerboard is made essentially of a liquid crystal display to show various information, then the information display capability is improved, but the structural strength to withstand string tension decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the fingerboard into functionally separate components: a liquid crystal display panel for information display and a traditional fingerboard structure for mechanical strength. The display panel is mounted on the front surface while the rear structure provides the necessary strength to handle string tension, allowing each component to optimize its specific function.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a multi-functional system where the neck assembly serves both display and structural functions. The liquid crystal display panel provides information display capability while the traditional fingerboard structure behind it provides mechanical strength, combining multiple functions in a single integrated assembly.
Data Source
AI summary
To provide a guitar that enables various information items for assisting musical performance to be displayed on a fingerboard constituted by a liquid-crystal display and an electroluminescent display, and that enables musical performance without damage to the display. What is disclosed is a guitar having a fingerboard 5 that is provided on the surface of a neck body 4 and that comprises a liquid-crystal display or an electroluminescent display; and a plurality of frets f that are arranged atop the finger-board 5 at predetermined intervals from each other. The frets f each have a support section fa at both ends in a length direction, and the frets f span the fingerboard 5 as a result of the support sections fa being fixed to the neck body 4.