Acoustic Conversion Apparatus With Isolated Vibration Plate

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Solution Overview

Problem

Acoustic conversion apparatuses face challenges in improving acoustic characteristics in both high and low frequency regions without increasing manufacturing costs or device size, as existing methods either require increased power consumption or larger device sizes.

Innovation Solution

The apparatus includes a drive unit with a yoke, magnets, and a coil, and a vibration plate unit with a holding frame, film, and transmission beam, where the vibration plate is isolated from the holding frame, and the transmission beam is formed by bending from the vibration plate, ensuring constant distance and curved shapes to facilitate translational motion and reduce stress, thereby enhancing acoustic performance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the amplitude of the drive portion in the armature is increased to improve acoustic characteristics in both high and low frequency regions, then the acoustic characteristics are improved, but the input voltage and conversion efficiency need to be increased, leading to increased power consumption

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveacoustic characteristicsVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the boundary condition parameter of the vibration plate from fixed (cantilever) to isolated/free, allowing the vibration plate to vibrate in translation without rotation. This parameter change improves acoustic characteristics across both high and low frequency regions without requiring increased input voltage or conversion efficiency, thus avoiding increased power consumption

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If the area of the vibration plate is increased to improve acoustic characteristics in both high and low frequency regions, then the acoustic characteristics are improved, but the sizes of other members such as the holding frame need to be increased, leading to increased device size

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveacoustic characteristicsVSAvoiddevice size

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the vibration mode parameter from cantilever (rotational) to isolated translation, which allows the existing vibration plate area to be used more effectively. This improves acoustic characteristics without requiring enlargement of the vibration plate or holding frame, thus avoiding increased device size

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If one end portion of the vibration plate is fixed to the holding frame by adhesive to create cantilever vibration, then stable sound pressure is obtained in high frequency region, but the acoustic characteristics in low frequency region are not improved

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesound pressure stabilityVSAvoidacoustic characteristics coverage

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the boundary condition parameter from fixed (cantilever) to isolated/free, allowing the vibration plate to vibrate in pure translation. This parameter change maintains stable sound pressure in high frequency region while also improving acoustic characteristics in low frequency region, achieving broader frequency coverage

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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 configuration improves acoustic characteristics in both frequency regions without increasing power consumption or device size, ensuring stable sound pressure and reduced curvature during vibration, thus enhancing the overall acoustic output.

Implementation Method 1

a coil to which a drive current is supplied, and an armature provided with a vibration portion that vibrates when the drive current is supplied to the coil

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 2

a transmission beam that transmits vibration of the vibration portion to the vibration plate

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectVibration transmission: Vibration

Data Source

PatentUS10587959B2Acoustic conversion apparatus and sound output equipment

Publication Date: 2020.03.10 SONY GROUP CORP

AI summary

To improve acoustic characteristics without increasing the manufacturing cost or increasing the size. Provided are a drive unit and a vibration plate unit. The drive unit includes a yoke formed by a magnetic material, magnets attached to the yoke, a coil to which a drive current is supplied, and an armature provided with a vibration portion that vibrates when the drive current is supplied to the coil. The vibration plate unit includes a holding frame including an opening, a film covering the opening and pasted on the holding frame, a vibration plate pasted on the film and held inside of the holding frame, and a transmission beam that transmits vibration of the vibration portion to the vibration plate. An entire circumference of an outer circumference of the vibration plate is isolated from an entire circumference of an inner circumference of the holding frame.