Music Amplifier Jump-Up Circuit for Vacuum-Tube Waveform Peaks

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional amplifiers simulating vacuum tube characteristics are unable to output waveforms exceeding the power supply voltage, limiting their ability to replicate the distinctive waveform features of vacuum tube amplifiers.

Innovation Solution

The proposed amplifier incorporates a jumping-up circuit with diodes and capacitors connected in series between the amplifying circuit and the speaker load, which includes an inductor, diodes, capacitors, and a resistor, allowing for overshooting and undershooting peaks that exceed the power supply voltage, mimicking the resonance and damping effects of vacuum tube amplifiers.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If a conventional amplifier circuit is used to simulate vacuum tube characteristics, then the circuit can reproduce the general waveform shape, but the output waveform cannot exceed the power supply voltage

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewaveform accuracyVSAvoidoutput voltage
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSPower

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a jumping-up circuit as an intermediary component between the amplifying circuit and the speaker load. This circuit includes an inductor connected in series with a capacitor and diode arrangement, which acts as a mediator to transfer and transform the electrical energy, enabling the output voltage to exceed the power supply voltage while maintaining waveform accuracy

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the electrical parameters of the circuit by introducing reactive components (inductor and capacitor) that can store and release energy. The inductor's inductance and the capacitor's capacitance are selected to create resonant conditions that produce voltage overshoot, allowing the output waveform to exceed the power supply voltage level

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Power

If a jumping-up circuit is added to enable output exceeding power supply voltage, then waveform peak values can exceed power supply voltage, but the circuit complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoutput voltageVSAvoidcircuit structure
Core Design Contradiction:
PowerVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the amplifier system into distinct functional segments: the amplifying circuit section and the jumping-up circuit section. This segmentation allows each part to perform its specific function independently - the amplifying circuit handles signal amplification while the jumping-up circuit handles voltage overshoot generation, making the overall complex system manageable and modular

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent combines multiple passive components (inductor, capacitor, diode) into a single integrated jumping-up circuit module that is connected in series between the amplifying circuit and speaker load. This merging approach achieves the voltage overshoot function using a compact arrangement of components rather than separate distributed elements

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 enables the output of waveforms with peak values exceeding the power supply voltage, achieving a waveform similar to that of vacuum tube amplifiers by suppressing ringing and maintaining a stable output.

Implementation Method 1

an inductor having one end connected to the output end of the amplifying circuit and another end connected to the speaker load

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 2

a first capacitor having one end connected to a cathode of the first diode and another end connected to the first power supply; a second capacitor having one end connected to an anode of the second diode and another end connected to the second power supply

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCapacitance: Capacitance

Implementation Method 3

a first diode having an anode connected to the other end of the inductor; a second diode having a cathode connected to the other end of the inductor

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDiode rectification: Diode

Data Source

PatentEP3843266B1Amplifier for music signal and method of outputting waveform of music signal
Publication Date: 2022.06.08 ROLAND CORP
  • EP3843266B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3843266B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3843266B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An amplifier and a method of outputting a waveform of a music signal capable of outputting a waveform of a music signal exceeding a power supply voltage is provided. An amplifier includes a power supply, an input terminal for a music signal, an amplifying circuit which amplifies the music signal using the power supply, and a jumping-up circuit which is connected to an output end of the amplifying circuit and outputs a waveform exceeding a voltage value of the power supply.