Vacuum coupling system for vinyl record players

Abstract

The invention relates to a vacuum coupling system for a vinyl record player (13) on which a turntable platter (1) is located, the platter rotating by means of a platter-rotating spindle (2) moved by an electric motor (14), wherein the platter (1) contains a vacuum chamber (6) comprising a circular inlet closed by an air-inlet valve (7) and an air-evacuation outlet valve (5) with a coupling nozzle (8), while the upper part of the platter comprises at least two vacuum valves (11) and two concentric toroidal elastic pieces (10), on which the vinyl record (4) is supported, and wherein an air extraction hose (9) is provided, as an element outside the case (13), connected at one end to the vacuum valve (11) and at the other end to a vacuum pump (12).

Description

[0001] DESCRIPTION

[0002] Vacuum coupling system for vinyl record players

[0003] OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

[0004] The present invention, as expressed in the statement of this descriptive memorandum, refers to a vacuum coupling system for vinyl record players and the like, where the vinyl or similar is placed on the platter and by means of the proposed system a vacuum is made on its lower part which causes a surprising stability effect of the vinyl on the assembly, noticeably improving the quality of the sound, maintenance and life of the vinyl.

[0005] FIELD OF APPLICATION OF THE INVENTION

[0006] The field of the invention corresponds to the industry of acoustic devices and the reproduction and recording of vinyl records and similar devices.

[0007] BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0008] Currently and historically, there have been several vacuum systems for attaching discs to playback platters.

[0009] The existing systems can be reduced to two main systems:

[0010] 1. An external pump draws air from the platter through passages in the platter's spindle bearing. This is a factory design feature of the turntable. The pump must run throughout the entire playback process. The platter may or may not have a vacuum chamber of varying size.

[0011] 2. A small additional platter is added and placed on top of the main platter. The vinyl record is placed on this additional platter, and an external pump removes the air from it. The additional platter is an accessory added to the original turntable. It generally does not contain a vacuum chamber, or if it does, it is very small. If it does not have a vacuum chamber, only the air between the record and the top surface of the platter is removed. The pump only needs to run while the air is being removed before playback begins; afterward, it can be switched off and the suction hose disconnected.

[0012] The #1 vane requires constant air suction because the air passages through the bearing cannot be completely sealed to allow free rotation of the bearing with low friction. The vacuum is lost as soon as the pump stops. The pump and the pressure pulsations it generates are sources of vibration for the platter and vinyl record, resulting in a loss of fidelity in record playback. Additionally, the pump can emit noise into the environment, interfering with the listening experience.

[0013] The second platter, being a thin addition that simply rests on the platter without any mechanical attachment, lacks the structural rigidity that the main platter typically provides. The apparent mass the record sees when mounted on this additional platter is much less than it would see if it were mounted on a main platter, which can be much thicker. This leads to vibrations and microscopic movements of the additional platter that affect sound quality. Furthermore, this type of additional platter has a very limited vacuum capacity because its dimensions are restricted in diameter and height, as it is an accessory mounted on an existing turntable. Any small leak reduces the vacuum level very quickly, and the turntable may lose its vacuum during playback of one side, resulting in a loss of sound quality and requiring the vacuum to be reapplied to continue listening.

[0014] This is the purpose for which the inventor designed this equipment.

[0015] The inventor is unaware of any similar device to the proposed invention that could be considered a noteworthy precedent.

[0016] EXPLANATION OF THE INVENTION

[0017] The system proposed by the invention incorporates a plurality of novel features in relation to other elements used within the sector and solves problems that had not been raised until now.

[0018] The invention relates to a vacuum coupling system for vinyl record players or turntables and / or acetate cutting lathes.

[0019] The discs are never perfectly flat, and when placed on the platter, many areas of the disc can be raised and out of contact with the platter (they are exposed). This makes the discs very prone to vibration.

[0020] Similarly, it is very common for records to have ripples resulting from the manufacturing process. These ripples force the tonearm to move vertically, following the ripples, which generates distortion and can even cause the stylus to skip ("mistracking").

[0021] During the playback of a vinyl record, vibrations are generated due to:

[0022] - the needle of the phono cartridge reads the groove of the record by mechanically interacting with the walls of the groove.

[0023] - The acoustic waves from the speakers excite the exposed top surface of the record. To reduce the amplitude of the vibrations, the record can be pressed against the platter to bring as much of the record surface into contact with the platter as possible.

[0024] The method for achieving this in this invention is vacuum coupling. It involves sucking out the air that remains between the vinyl record and the top of the turntable where the record rests during playback.

[0025] Seals on the platter make contact with the record and seal the space from which air is drawn. This ensures the record is firmly supported and coupled to the platter, increasing its apparent mass, which greatly reduces record vibrations and consequently improves playback fidelity.

[0026] The novel and unique aspects of this design are:

[0027] - A longer vacuum duration is achieved compared to vane #2, thanks to the ability to use an inner chamber in the plate with much larger dimensions than in the vane of the added plate.

[0028] - A higher vacuum is achieved than in variant #1 because there are no leaks through channels in the plate's rotating bearing. The high vacuum allows for a higher coupling force, which reduces the amplitude of vibrations.

[0029] - The platter is less sensitive to potential air leaks at the seals compared to Vahante #2 because the large volume of the vacuum chamber acts as a reservoir. A small air leak causes only a slight decrease in the vacuum level, as the chamber volume is significantly larger in comparison. In variant #2, a small air leak can cause almost complete loss of vacuum. The mass to which the disc is attached is much greater than what an additional platter can provide.

[0030] - The pump does not need to be running during playback, as in variant #1. The pump can be integrated into the turntable chassis, in a module above the record, or be external. The pump can be sized and designed without considering the noise or vibration levels it generates because, since it is not running during playback, it does not affect the sound quality.

[0031] DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0032] To complement the description being made and in order to help a better understanding of the characteristics of the invention, a sheet of drawings is attached to this descriptive report as an integral part thereof, in which identical elements are indicated with identical references and where, for illustrative and non-limiting purposes, the following has been represented:

[0033] FIGURE No. 1.

[0034] Vertical cross-section view of the system with all its elements.

[0035] FIGURE NO. 2.

[0036] Vertical cross-section view of the system with a variation in the placement of its main elements.

[0037] And in these figures, the same elements are identified with identical numbering:

[0038] (1). - turntable of the vinyl record player,

[0039] (2). - plate rotation axis,

[0040] (3). - centered upper clamping axis,

[0041] (3'). - Inner channel of the centered upper support shaft

[0042] (4). - vinyl record,

[0043] (5). - air evacuation valve,

[0044] (6). - vacuum chamber,

[0045] (7). - air inlet valve,

[0046] (8). - adapter nozzle,

[0047] (9). - air outlet hose,

[0048] (10). - elastic sealing elements,

[0049] (11). - vacuum conduits,

[0050] (12). - vacuum pump,

[0051] (13). - turntable chassis

[0052] (14). - electric motor PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

[0053] The system proposed by the invention incorporates novel features in relation to other elements used within the sector and solves problems that until now were difficult to solve regarding the stability and control of the vinyl record player.

[0054] More precisely, the present invention consists of the following elements:

[0055] - vinyl record player platter (1),

[0056] - Turntable chassis (13) on which the turntable platter (1) is located, which rotates by means of a platter spindle (2) driven by an electric motor (14), and where inside the platter (1) there is a vacuum chamber (6). The motor may or may not be directly coupled to the platter spindle or drive it by means of a belt, wheel, handles, etc.

[0057] - The vacuum chamber (6) is a chamber, in which at two opposite ends there is a circular inlet closed by an air inlet valve (7) and at the opposite end an air evacuation outlet valve (5) with a hooking nozzle (8) while at its top it has at least two vacuum ducts (11) and two concentric elastic toroidal pieces (10), one near the outer edge and the other a short distance from the centering axis (3) where the vinyl record (4) is held.

[0058] In this way the vinyl record (4) is fully supported on the elastic toroidal surfaces (10) and fixed / centered by means of the fixing / centering axis (3).

[0059] As an external element to the chassis (13) but forming part of the system there is an air extraction hose (9) connected at one end to the air evacuation vacuum valve (11) and at the other end to a vacuum pump (12).

[0060] The equipment operates as follows:

[0061] The chassis (13) has a turntable rotation axis (2) which, by means of an electric motor (14), rotates the turntable platter (1) that supports the vinyl record (4), centered by means of the upper centered support axis (3).

[0062] The plate (1) has inside a vacuum chamber (6) which has an air inlet valve (7) which is entered by simply opening the valve which is balanced by the external air pressure and which will close to make the vacuum of the vacuum chamber (6) and said vacuum face (6) also has a vacuum valve (11) with an adapter nozzle (8) to which a hose (9) is adapted to make the vacuum of the chamber (6) by means of a vacuum pump (12).

[0063] The vacuum chamber (6) has at least two vacuum valves (11) and two concentric elastic toroidal pieces (10) at the top, one near the outer edge and the other a short distance from the centering axis (3) where the vinyl record (4) rests.

[0064] In this way the vinyl record (4) is fully supported on the elastic toroidal surfaces (10), fixed by means of the fixing shaft (3) and between the elastic toroidal surfaces are located the vacuum valves, so that when with the air inlet valve (7) it is closed and by means of the air evacuation valve (5) attached to the hose (9) by means of the nozzle (8) it is connected to a vacuum pump (12) and it comes into operation, a vacuum is produced inside the vacuum chamber (6).

[0065] If the vacuum valves (11) are opened during this interval, the air between the vinyl record (4) and the platter (1) is reduced to a minimum, as is the distance between them. This causes the vinyl record (4) to be firmly attached to the platter, increasing its apparent mass. This significantly reduces vibrations of the record and consequently improves fidelity during playback. This effect lasts until the air inlet valve (7) is opened.

[0066] There may be some variations in the situation of the main elements that make up the system, among which the following can be mentioned:

[0067] -The vacuum pump (12) can be placed on the turntable chassis (13) with a hose (9) coming out of the side of the chassis (13) and connecting to the side nozzle (8) of the platter (1) manually.

[0068] - The vacuum pump (12) can be placed on top of a centering shaft with an air passage duct (3') and where air is drawn in through a duct made in the centering shaft (3') and which connects to the space between the vinyl record and the top of the platter and / or the vacuum chamber.

[0069] In this latter case, the air is drawn through slots or other ducts that exist in the centering shaft that connect with the space between the vinyl record and the top of the platter and / or the vacuum chamber.

[0070] - The vacuum pump (12) can be intelligent: controlled by a microcomputer and adapting the operating cycle to the different phases of the vacuum application, the flow rate and pressure can be adjusted by modifying them as the air is evacuated from the vacuum chamber (6).

[0071] All of this can also be applied to use on acetate cutting lathes where, instead of a vinyl record, an acetate sheet would be placed on top.

[0072] Having sufficiently described the nature of the invention, as well as the manner of carrying it out, it should be noted that the provisions indicated above and represented in the attached drawings are subject to detailed modifications as long as they do not alter their fundamental principles, established in the preceding paragraphs and summarized in the following claims.

Claims

CLAIMS 1 a- Vacuum coupling system for vinyl players and the like, consisting of a turntable chassis (13) on which the turntable platter (1) is located, which rotates by means of a platter rotation axis (2) driven by an electric motor (14), and characterized in that inside the platter (1) there is a vacuum chamber (6) in which at two opposite ends there is a circular inlet closed by an air inlet valve (7) and at the opposite end an air evacuation outlet valve (5) with a coupling nozzle (8), while at its upper part it has at least two vacuum valves (11) and two concentric elastic toroidal pieces (10),one near the outer edge and another a short distance from the centering axis (3) where the vinyl record (4) rests and where, as an external element to the chassis (13) but forming part of the system, there is an air extraction hose (9) connected at one end to the vacuum valve (11) and at the other to a vacuum pump (12). 2 a- Operating procedure of the vacuum coupling system for vinyl players and the like, consisting of a turntable chassis (13) on which the turntable platter (1) is located, which rotates by means of a platter rotation axis (2) driven by an electric motor (14), and characterized in that the vacuum chamber (6) has an air inlet valve (7) which works by the simple opening of the valve which is balanced by the external air pressure and which will close to create a vacuum in the vacuum chamber (6), and said vacuum chamber (6) also has a vacuum valve (11) with an adapter nozzle (8) to which a hose (9) is adapted to create a vacuum in the chamber (6) by means of a vacuum pump (12), and where the vacuum chamber (6) also has at least two vacuum valves (11) and two concentric elastic toroidal pieces (10) in its upper part,one near the outer edge and another a short distance from the centering axis (3) where the vinyl record (4) rests and is fixed by means of the fixing axis (3) and between the elastic toroidal surfaces are located the vacuum valves, so that when with the air inlet valve (7) it is closed and by means of the air evacuation valve (5) attached to the hose (9) by means of the nozzle (8) it is connected to a vacuum pump (12) and comes into operation, a vacuum is produced inside the vacuum chamber (6) and where if in that interval the vacuum valves (11) are opened, the air existing between the vinyl (4) and the platter (1) is reduced to the maximum and the distance between them also so that the vinyl (4) is, It is firmly attached to the platter, thereby increasing its apparent mass to reduce disc vibrations and consequently increasing fidelity during playback. This effect lasts until the air inlet valve (7) is opened, which balances the assembly. 3 a - Operating procedure of the vacuum coupling system for vinyl record players and the like, consisting of a turntable chassis (13) on which the turntable platter (1) is located, which rotates by means of a platter rotation axis (2) driven by an electric motor (14) according to claim 1 a and characterized in that the vacuum pump (12) is placed on the chassis of the record player with a hose (9) that comes out of the side of the chassis (13) and is connected to the adapter nozzle (8) on the side of the platter (1) manually. 4 a- Operating procedure of the vacuum coupling system for vinyl record players and the like, consisting of a turntable chassis (13) on which the turntable platter (1) is located, which rotates by means of a platter rotation axis (2) driven by an electric motor (14) according to claim 1 a and characterized in that the vacuum pump (12) is located above a centering shaft with an internal duct (3') and where air is drawn in through a duct made in the centering shaft (3') and which connects to the space between the vinyl record and the top of the platter and / or the vacuum chamber (6). 5 a- Operating procedure of the vacuum coupling system for vinyl record players and the like, consisting of a turntable chassis (13) on which the turntable platter (1) is located, which rotates by means of a platter rotation axis (2) driven by an electric motor (14) according to claim 2 a and characterized in that the vacuum pump (12) is controlled by a microcomputer and adapts the operating cycle to the different phases of the vacuum application to adjust the flow rate and pressure, modifying them as the air is evacuated from the vacuum chamber. 6 a- Vacuum coupling system for vinyl record players and the like, consisting of a turntable chassis (13) on which the turntable platter (1) is located, which rotates by means of a platter rotation shaft (2) driven by an electric motor (14) according to the previous claims and characterized in that the system, in addition to vinyl records, is applied for use in acetate cutting lathes where, instead of a vinyl record, an acetate sheet would be placed on top.

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