Audio Distortion Circuit With Variable 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 the voltage limiting circuit's constant limit value prevents consistent distortion across varying output levels, limiting their versatility in different performance scenarios.
Innovation Solution
A distortion imparting device with a first amplification part that attenuates and amplifies the audio signal based on user-set factors, a second amplification part for speaker-driving levels, and a limiting part that adjusts the input voltage to a clip voltage determined by the attenuation factor, allowing for dynamic distortion adjustment regardless of power control settings.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a constant voltage limit is used in the limiting circuit, then the circuit structure is simple, but the distortion effect cannot be maintained when the input signal level is decreased
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the clip voltage variable rather than fixed. The clip voltage is dynamically adjusted based on the attenuation factor setting, allowing the limiting circuit to adapt to different output levels and maintain consistent distortion characteristics across varying signal levels.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of clip voltage from a constant value to a variable value that depends on the attenuation factor. This parameter change enables the distortion effect to be maintained consistently regardless of the input signal level or power output setting.
2Power
If the attenuation factor is increased to reduce output level, then the power control function is achieved, but the distortion effect is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback by using the attenuation factor setting as input to dynamically determine the clip voltage. This feedback mechanism ensures that as the attenuation factor changes to control output power, the clip voltage adjusts accordingly to maintain the desired distortion effect.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts the clip voltage in response to changes in the attenuation factor, creating a adaptive distortion imparting system that maintains consistent distortion characteristics across different power levels.
3Reliability
If a vacuum-tube amplifier is used to obtain overdrive effect, then the distortion effect is natural, but the device cannot be driven at high output like solid state amplifiers
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses an intermediary approach by introducing a limiting circuit that dynamically adjusts clip voltage based on the attenuation factor. This intermediary mechanism allows solid state amplifiers to simulate vacuum-tube overdrive characteristics while maintaining the high output capability of solid state technology.
Data Source
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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.