Electronic Wind Instrument Moisture Infiltration Prevention
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Moisture from exhaled breath can infiltrate the internal space of electronic wind instruments through through-holes for operation pieces, potentially causing malfunctions or failures in the electronic components.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates grooves and protrusions around the through-holes on the instrument's outer surface, which redirect and trap moisture, preventing it from entering the internal space, and the shaft parts are made of self-lubricating materials for smooth operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a through-hole is provided for the operation piece, then the operation piece can be inserted and operated, but moisture can infiltrate the internal space causing component failures
Solution Approach 1:
The through-hole structure is segmented by adding grooves that divide the hole into multiple sections. The groove creates a stepped structure with an outer wall, inner wall, and groove bottom, which segments the moisture flow path and prevents direct infiltration to the electronic component
Solution Approach 2:
The groove structure acts as an intermediary element between the through-hole opening and the electronic component. It intercepts moisture condensing on the outer surface and redirects it away from the internal space, serving as a protective mediator
2Reliability
If grooves are added around the through-hole, then moisture infiltration is prevented, but the device structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The groove structure is merged with the existing through-hole rather than being a separate component. The groove is formed as an integral part of the instrument body structure, combining the hole and groove into a single molded feature that reduces overall device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The groove creates a thin-film-like barrier structure that redirects moisture without requiring thick protective layers or complex sealing mechanisms. The groove walls form a thin protective barrier that is effective yet structurally simple
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
This solution effectively impedes moisture infiltration, reducing the risk of component malfunctions and failures, while allowing for smooth operation of the instrument's keys, and does not require additional waterproofing or discharge passages.
Implementation Method 1
moisture in the exhaled breath of the performer that has condensed on the outer surface of the instrument body
Implementation Method 2
the shaft parts are made of self-lubricating materials for smooth operation
Data Source
AI summary
The electronic wind instrument (1) includes an instrument body (10) in which a through-hole leading into an internal space (11) opens on an outer surface (12), an operation piece (20) attached to the instrument body (10) at a position of a through-hole (14) and pushed down toward the internal space (11), and an electronic component disposed in the internal space (11). The electronic component includes a push-down sensor (6) that detects that the operation piece (20) is being pushed down, and the outer surface (12) of the instrument body (10) comprises an outer wall (16a) that is provided around the through-hole (14) and that faces toward the through-hole (14), an inner wall (16b) that is provided nearer to the through-hole (14) than the outer wall (16a) and that faces toward the outer wall (16a), and a groove bottom (16c) connecting the outer wall (16a) and the inner wall (16b) together.