Audio Cable With Unconnected Conductors For Shielding

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional cables for transmitting analog audio signals often have complex structures that require specific measures to ensure reliable transmission, but they can affect sound quality if not properly designed, particularly in terms of conductor cross-section and shielding.

Innovation Solution

The use of a cable with at least four conductors, where two are connected between the connection pieces and two remain unconnected, arranged without crossing, with the unconnected conductors separating the connected ones, and a shield that can be connected to either or neither connector, optimizing signal transmission by minimizing external interference.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional shielded cables with multiple connected conductors are used for audio signal transmission, then reliable signal transmission is achieved, but the cable structure becomes complex and sound quality deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesignal transmission reliabilityVSAvoidcable structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and removes the unnecessary conductive connections from the cable structure. Specifically, conductors 12.2 and 12.4 are left unconnected at both ends, eliminating complex shielding and connection measures while maintaining reliable signal transmission. This extraction of unnecessary elements simplifies the cable structure without compromising reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments the cable's conductor system into two functional groups: connected conductors (12.1 and 12.3) that carry the audio signal, and unconnected conductors (12.2 and 12.4) that provide electromagnetic shielding through their proximity without direct electrical connection. This segmentation allows the cable to achieve both reliability and simplicity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Power

If larger conductor cross-section is used in conventional cables, then current carrying capacity is improved, but cable complexity and material usage increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecurrent carrying capacityVSAvoidcable structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
PowerVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by using smaller cross-section conductors (0.5-6.0 mm²) only where necessary for signal transmission, while relying on the unconnected conductors arranged in specific spatial patterns to provide electromagnetic shielding and reduce interference. This localized optimization maintains power capacity while reducing overall cable complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Object-affected harmful factors

If complex shielding measures are implemented in conventional cables, then electromagnetic interference protection is improved, but the cable structure becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelectromagnetic interference protectionVSAvoidcable structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses the unconnected conductors (12.2 and 12.4) as intermediary elements that provide electromagnetic shielding through their spatial arrangement and proximity to the signal-carrying conductors. These conductors act as mediators that reduce electromagnetic interference without requiring direct electrical connection or complex shielding structures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of using traditionally connected conductors for shielding, the patent inverts the approach by using unconnected conductors arranged in specific patterns (including crossing arrangements) to provide electromagnetic protection. This inverted approach simplifies the cable structure while maintaining interference protection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

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 achieves excellent audio signal transmission quality, even with smaller conductor cross-sections, compared to conventional cables, and is effective for both low-frequency and loudspeaker cables, ensuring interference-free signal transmission over longer paths.

Implementation Method 1

at least one shield which shields the at least one conductor

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic shielding: Faraday Cage

Data Source

PatentEP3020102B1Use of a cable for the transmission of audio signals
Publication Date: 2021.09.29 ROHRER CHRISTIAN
  • EP3020102B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3020102B1 patent drawingFigure 3~5
  • EP3020102B1 patent drawingFigure 6

AI summary

According to the invention, a cable (10) is used to transmit audio signals, in particular analogue audio signals. Said cable comprises at least two conductors (12.1, 12.2, 12.3, 12.4), a first connection piece on a first end of the cable (10) for connecting the cable (10) to a first device and a second connection piece on a second end of the cable (10) for connecting the cable (10) to a second device. At least one of the conductors (12.2, 12.4) is neither conductively connected to the first connection piece nor conductively connected to the second connection piece.