Wireless Pedal Board Coupling for Fast Effect Chain Reconfiguration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pedal boards require cumbersome reconfiguration of signal and power connections when rearranging effect pedals, involving many cables and wires, which is time-consuming and inefficient.
Innovation Solution
Integration of wireless charging transmitters and receivers into the pedal board allows for inductive coupling of power and wireless signal routing between effect pedals, eliminating the need for physical cables and enabling flexible reconfiguration of the signal chain.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If effect pedals are connected using traditional cable-based signal and power connections, then reliable power supply and signal transmission are achieved, but reconfiguration of the pedal board becomes time-consuming and cumbersome
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical cable connection system with a wireless electromagnetic field-based power and signal transmission system. The pedal board incorporates wireless charging transmitters that communicate with and supply power to effect pedals via electromagnetic fields, eliminating the need for physical cable connections and enabling instant reconfiguration of pedal positions without manual cable plugging and unplugging.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces wireless charging transmitters as intermediary devices between the power source and effect pedals. These transmitters are integrated into the pedal board and create an electromagnetic field that serves as a mediator to transfer both power and signal data wirelessly to the pedals, replacing the direct cable connection intermediary.
2Reliability
If multiple cables and wires are used to connect effect pedals to power and signal chain, then reliable power and signal connections are maintained, but device complexity and cable management become problematic
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the separate power supply function and signal transmission function into a single wireless electromagnetic field system. The wireless charging transmitters simultaneously handle both power delivery and digital signal communication with multiple effect pedals through the same electromagnetic medium, eliminating the need for separate power cables and audio cables for each pedal.
Solution Approach 2:
The wireless charging transmitter system performs multiple functions: it provides power supply to effect pedals, transmits audio signal data, and enables communication between the pedal board and individual pedals. This multi-functional system replaces the traditional separate cable infrastructure required for each function.
3Reliability
If effect pedals require physical cable connections for power and signal, then stable electrical connections are achieved, but flexibility in pedal positioning and signal chain reconfiguration is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms the static cable-connected system into a dynamic wireless system where power and signal connections are not fixed to specific physical locations. The wireless charging transmitters can dynamically establish electromagnetic field connections with effect pedals regardless of their precise positions on the pedal board, allowing flexible reconfiguration while maintaining stable connections through the wireless medium.
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 rapid and flexible reconfiguration of pedal boards without disturbing existing connections, improving the efficiency and convenience of setting up and rearranging effect pedals, while maintaining high-quality audio signal processing.
Implementation Method 1
wireless charging systems typically rely on inductive charging over short distances... The wireless charger has a charging pad with one or more planar charging coils that charge the device by resonant inductive coupling
Implementation Method 2
The wireless charger has a charging pad with one or more planar charging coils that charge the device by resonant inductive coupling with one or more planar coils in or on the device to be charged
Data Source
AI summary
A system and apparatus are disclosed for coupling effect pedals used by musicians and other audio performance artists to a signal processing chain and to a power source. Power is provided to effect pedals wirelessly by inductive coupling, and effect pedals may be coupled to a signal processing chain through cables or wirelessly.