Audio Distortion Circuit With Dynamic Clip Voltage Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional solid state amplifiers fail to maintain distortion effects when input signal levels decrease, as they cannot replicate the overdrive effect of vacuum-tube amplifiers, and existing solutions cannot adjust distortion based on varying output levels.
Innovation Solution
A distortion imparting device with a first amplification part that attenuates and amplifies audio signals, a second amplification part, and a limiting part that sets a clip voltage based on user-defined attenuation factors and power supply voltage, simulating the overdrive effect of vacuum-tube amplifiers by dynamically adjusting the clip voltage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a constant limit value is used in the voltage limiting circuit, then the circuit structure is simple, but distortion cannot be maintained when the input signal level is decreased
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the clip voltage dynamic rather than constant. The clip voltage determination part automatically adjusts the clip voltage based on the attenuation factor setting, allowing the distortion characteristics to be maintained across different output levels. This resolves the contradiction by introducing adaptability without requiring complex manual adjustment circuits.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback by having the clip voltage determination part continuously monitor the attenuation factor and adjust the clip voltage accordingly. This feedback mechanism ensures that the distortion effect remains consistent regardless of the output level, solving the problem of distortion maintenance while keeping the overall system relatively simple.
2Reliability
If the clip voltage is adjusted to maintain distortion at lower levels, then distortion consistency is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the self-service principle by designing the clip voltage determination part to automatically adjust the clip voltage based on the attenuation factor without requiring external intervention or complex control systems. The system self-regulates to maintain distortion consistency, achieving reliability improvement with minimal added complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The clip voltage determination part serves multiple functions: it determines the clip voltage based on the attenuation factor, maintains distortion consistency across different levels, and adapts to various output settings. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate circuits for each function, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity.
3Ease of manufacture
If a voltage limiting circuit with constant limit value is used, then the implementation is simple, but the same distortion effect cannot be obtained across different output levels
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms the static constant limit value into a dynamic adjustable parameter. The clip voltage determination part automatically adapts the clip voltage to match the attenuation factor, enabling the distortion effect to remain consistent across different output levels while maintaining relatively simple implementation through automated control.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of clip voltage from a fixed constant to a variable that depends on the attenuation factor. This parameter change allows the distortion characteristics to adapt to different output levels, improving versatility without requiring a completely complex redesign of the limiting circuit.
Data Source
AI summary
A distortion imparting device capable of obtaining a natural distortion effect even when output is decreased is provided. The distortion imparting device includes a first amplification part which attenuates an input audio signal on the basis of an attenuation factor set by a user and amplifies the attenuated audio signal, a second amplification part serially connected to the first amplification part, and a limiting part which is connected between an output terminal of the first amplification part and an input terminal of the second amplification part and limits an input voltage of the second amplification part to a predetermined clip voltage, wherein the limiting part determines the clip voltage on the basis of the attenuation factor.