Wind Instrument Pathogen Filter with Acoustic Transparency

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Solution Overview

Problem

Wind instruments contribute significantly to the dispersion of airborne pathogens during play, posing a risk in pandemic situations due to the high air exchange and condensation of exhaled air within the instrument, which existing hygiene measures fail to adequately address.

Innovation Solution

A pathogen-reducing device is mounted on the flared end of wind instruments, featuring a greater surface area than the instrument's cross-sectional area, with layers of filtering material similar to HEPA filters or surgical masks, supported by a lightweight frame to minimize pathogen dispersion while allowing sound propagation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If a protective device with greater surface area than the instrument's cross-sectional area is mounted on the flared end, then pathogen dispersion is reduced, but air flow resistance increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepathogen dispersionVSAvoidair flow resistance

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The protective device extends the surface area in the radial dimension rather than blocking the axial flow path. By creating a dome or conical structure that projects outward from the bell, the device increases filtration surface area without significantly impeding the axial air flow, thus resolving the contradiction between pathogen reduction and air flow resistance

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The protective device incorporates porous filtering materials that allow air molecules to pass through while capturing pathogenic particles. The porous structure provides high surface area for filtration while maintaining permeability to air flow, addressing both the need for pathogen reduction and minimal air flow resistance

Inventive Principle:

Principle #31Porous materials

2Object-affected harmful factors

If layers of filtering material are added to the protective device, then filtration efficiency increases, but sound transmission may be muffled

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefiltration efficiencyVSAvoidsound muffling

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The protective device employs different material properties in different regions: the filtering layers are positioned where they can capture pathogens without interfering with sound wave propagation, while the frame and support structures are designed to be acoustically transparent. This local differentiation allows simultaneous achievement of high filtration efficiency and clear sound transmission

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The device combines multiple materials with complementary properties: porous filtering materials for pathogen capture, acoustically transparent materials for sound transmission, and lightweight frame materials for structural support. This composite approach enables the device to simultaneously achieve filtration efficiency and maintain sound quality

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

3Object-affected harmful factors

If the protective device is designed with greater surface area, then pathogen reduction capability improves, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepathogen reduction capabilityVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The protective device adopts a dome or conical shape that naturally provides greater surface area compared to a flat shield of the same footprint. This curved geometry achieves enhanced pathogen reduction capability while maintaining structural simplicity and ease of attachment to the instrument bell, thus improving pathogen reduction without proportionally increasing device complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

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 device effectively reduces the dispersion of pathogens into the air during instrument play, providing a high level of filtration efficiency comparable to HEPA filters, while maintaining clear sound transmission with minimal muffling and distortion.

Implementation Method 1

The shield includes one or more layers of material that limit the quantity or volume of pathogens that can pass through the layers

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhysical filtration: Filter (physical)

Implementation Method 2

providing greater surface area and volume for sound propagation

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAcoustic wave propagation: Sound

Data Source

PatentUS11328697B1Protective device minimizing dispersion of airborne pathogens from wind instruments

Publication Date: 2022.05.10 STEWART DAVID B

AI summary

Apparatus attached to the flared open end of a wind instrument includes one or more layers of particle filtering materials for preventing the dispersion of pathogens from the wind instrument while enabling sound transmission with little muffling and distortion, and minimal resistance for the musician.