Wireless Pedalboard Coupling for Fast Effect Chain Reconfiguration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Reconfiguring pedal boards with effect pedals is time-consuming and cumbersome due to the need for frequent rearrangement of power and signal cables, especially when musicians want to change the configuration or location of pedals.
Innovation Solution
The integration of wireless charging and signal coupling technology into pedal boards, allowing for inductive power transfer 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 power and signal connections, then reliable power supply and signal transmission are achieved, but reconfiguration of pedal boards 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 coils that generate electromagnetic fields to simultaneously power multiple effect pedals and transmit control signals without physical cable connections, thereby eliminating the time-consuming process of plugging and unplugging cables during reconfiguration.
Solution Approach 2:
The wireless charging coil system performs multiple functions simultaneously: it provides power delivery to effect pedals, transmits control signals for parameter adjustment, and enables communication between the pedal board and individual pedals. This multi-functionality consolidates what would otherwise require separate power cables and signal cables into a single wireless interface.
2Reliability
If multiple cables are used to connect power and signal to each effect pedal, then reliable power and signal delivery are ensured, but the system becomes complex with numerous cables and wires
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the power delivery function and signal transmission function into a single wireless electromagnetic field system. The pedal board's wireless charging coils generate electromagnetic fields that simultaneously carry both power and control signals to multiple effect pedals, eliminating the need for separate power cables and signal cables for each pedal.
Solution Approach 2:
The wireless electromagnetic field acts as an intermediary medium that transfers both power and control information between the pedal board and effect pedals without requiring direct physical cable connections. This intermediary field-based transmission simplifies the system architecture by replacing the complex web of individual cables with a unified wireless communication and power delivery mechanism.
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 allows for rapid and flexible reconfiguration of pedal boards without disturbing existing connections, enhancing the ease of use and creativity for musicians by simplifying the process of rearranging and powering effect pedals.
Implementation Method 1
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.
Implementation Method 2
Wireless charging systems typically rely on inductive charging over short distances, on the order of a few millimeters to less than 50 millimeters between the wireless charger and the charged device.
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.