Wind Instrument Shield with Filtered Vents
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing musical instrument shields fail to effectively prevent the transmission of infectious droplets and aerosols during the play of wind and brass instruments, as they are either not designed to capture air from the instrument, are cumbersome, or do not provide adequate protection against airborne pathogens like COVID-19 and other viruses.
Innovation Solution
A clear, translucent plastic shield with filtered vents and adjustable cuffs that encloses the instrument, allowing unobstructed playing while directing airflow away from others and providing protection against droplets, using materials like extruded polyethylene tubing and fabric for the shield and vents, respectively.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If musicians play wind and brass instruments without protection, then playing is easy and unobstructed, but infectious droplets and aerosols spread freely to others
Solution Approach 1:
The shield is divided into multiple functional segments: a main body enclosing the instrument, filtered vents for air passage, adjustable cuffs for securing, and hand access openings for playing. This segmentation allows each part to address specific protection needs while maintaining playing functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The shield acts as an intermediary barrier between the musician's instrument and the surrounding environment. It intercepts and contains droplets and aerosols generated during playing, while filtered vents provide a controlled pathway for necessary air exchange, mediating between protection and playing requirements.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a shield encloses the instrument to contain droplets, then protection against transmission is improved, but visibility and sound quality may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The shield incorporates filtered vents made of porous filtering material that allows air to pass through while blocking infectious droplets and aerosols. This enables the shield to maintain containment effectiveness while permitting necessary air flow for instrument playing and preventing pressure buildup.
Solution Approach 2:
The shield body is made of translucent or transparent material that allows visual observation of the instrument and musician's hand positioning through the shield. This maintains visibility information while preserving the protective barrier function.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If existing instrument cases are used for protection, then damage protection is provided, but they are not designed to capture air from the instrument and are cumbersome
Solution Approach 1:
The shield incorporates adjustable cuffs with drawstrings or elastic components that can be dynamically adjusted to fit different instrument sizes and shapes. Hand access openings can be opened or closed as needed during playing, providing adaptability without adding excessive complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The shield serves multiple functions simultaneously: it protects against airborne pathogens, allows unobstructed playing through hand access openings, provides adjustable fit for different instruments, and includes filtered vents for air management. This multi-functionality reduces the need for multiple separate protective devices.
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 solution effectively reduces the risk of virus transmission by containing infectious droplets and aerosols, allowing safe playing conditions in close proximity without compromising the musician's visibility or sound quality, and is cost-effective and easy to clean.
Implementation Method 1
a filtered vent to allow air to pass through
Data Source
AI summary
The musical instrument shield invention is a clear or translucent enclosure made of flexible plastic material that aids to contain droplets from spreading while still providing full view of the instrument. Access ports for the musicians' hands, fingers, clip rings, and thumb rests are cut in the plastic and reinforced as needed to prevent tearing. The musical instrument shield is attached to the neck of the instrument with ties, string, elastic, laces, Velcro or other suitable material to hold the proximal end of the shield around the instrument. The woodwind shield can incorporate one or more filtered vents that prevent pressure from building up during playing yet still resist any infectious droplets from passing out of the shield. The access ports are closed when not in use and direct any aerosols that may escape through the ports while in use down toward the ground. The clear shield allows teachers and others to see the instrument and musician's fingering while still providing unencumbered playing and clear producing sound. The see through shield can be made of any non-porous material that can effectively block transmission of infectious droplets or air borne viruses. A hybrid shield made of both clear and opaque materials would allow for the instrument to be visualized as well as vented to prevent pressure build-up within the shield.Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following claims and detailed description of the invention taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.