Wind Instrument Branch Pipe Structure for Pitch Adjustment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing wind instruments face challenges in allowing users to easily attach and detach desired mouthpieces while maintaining accurate tone colors and pitch adjustments.

Innovation Solution

A pipe structure for wind instruments featuring a branch pipe with a main pipe and an auxiliary pipe, equipped with pitch adjusting means such as sound holes, bypass pipes, or slide pipes, allowing for variable air column lengths to achieve desired pitches and tone colors.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a branch pipe structure with main pipe and auxiliary pipe is used, then pitch adjustment capability and tone color versatility are improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepitch adjustment capabilityVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The pipe structure is divided into a main pipe and an auxiliary pipe that are connected in parallel between the blow member and the mouthpiece. This segmentation allows independent control of air flow paths, enabling pitch adjustment by selectively opening or closing the auxiliary pipe with a valve, thus providing multiple pitch options without significantly complicating the overall device structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A valve is introduced to dynamically control the opening and closing of the auxiliary pipe, allowing the player to switch between different air column lengths and pitch configurations during performance. This dynamic control mechanism enables real-time pitch adjustment while maintaining a relatively simple structural design.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Measurement precision

If the auxiliary pipe length is varied to adjust pitch, then pitch accuracy and tone color control are improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepitch accuracyVSAvoidmanufacturing precision

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of manufacturing pipes with precisely different lengths, the invention uses a valve to dynamically open or close the auxiliary pipe, effectively adjusting the air column length. This approach achieves pitch accuracy through operational control rather than manufacturing precision, reducing the stringency of manufacturing requirements while maintaining accurate pitch control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the operational parameter (valve opening/closing state) to adjust the effective length of the air column in the auxiliary pipe, thereby achieving pitch variation. This parameter-based control method allows for accurate pitch adjustment without requiring high-precision manufacturing of different pipe lengths.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple pitch adjusting means are provided, then versatility and tone color options are improved, but ease of operation decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetone color optionsVSAvoidease of operation

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The pipe system is segmented into main pipe and auxiliary pipe with a single valve controlling the auxiliary pipe. This segmentation provides multiple pitch and tone color options through the simple binary state (open/closed) of one valve, maintaining ease of operation while enhancing versatility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The auxiliary pipe equipped with a valve serves multiple functions: pitch adjustment by changing air column length, and tone color modification by altering the resonance characteristics. This multi-functionality is achieved through a single valve mechanism, avoiding the need for multiple separate controls and maintaining operational simplicity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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

Enables users to detachably attach mouthpieces, suppress tone color variations, and produce desired pitches by varying the air column length within the auxiliary pipe, enhancing the versatility and acoustic performance of wind instruments.

Implementation Method 1

The auxiliary pipe is equipped with an auxiliary pipe varying means which varies the length or amplitude of an air column resonating inside the auxiliary pipe

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectResonance: Resonance

Data Source

PatentUS8334447B2Wind instrument and pipe structure thereof and a method of operating the wind instrument

Publication Date: 2012.12.18 YAMAHA CORP

AI summary

A wind instrument is constituted of a mouthpiece and a pipe structure including tapered/straight pipes. The pipe structure is constituted of a blow member and a branch pipe. The branch pipe is branched into a main pipe and an auxiliary pipe, which are straight pipes having openings and connected together in a branch shape. The blow member is connected to a branch point of the branch pipe. The branch pipe simulates resonance characteristic of a tapered pipe having a predetermined length, a predetermined distance between the upper base and the vertex, and a predetermined sectional area of the upper base commensurate with the sectional area of the main pipe.