Ball-Bearing Quick-Release Connector for Microphone Vibration Isolation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional quick release connectors for microphones and sound equipment are not suitable for minimizing vibrations, leading to unwanted noise and feedback during attachment and detachment, which affects sound quality.
Innovation Solution
A quick release connector using a plurality of ball bearings that engage a smooth, non-grooved shaft, providing a precise press fit connection and minimizing lateral displacement to reduce vibration transmission, with additional features like rotational alignment members and apertures to prevent rotation and enhance stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional quick release connectors are used for microphones, then attachment and detachment can be performed quickly, but vibrations occur leading to unwanted noise and feedback
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs spherical ball bearings as the core connecting element between the microphone and stand. These balls engage with corresponding spherical recesses in the quick-release mechanism, creating a rounded, curvature-based connection that reduces vibration transmission compared to conventional flat or grooved interfaces. The spherical geometry allows for smooth engagement and disengagement while minimizing vibrational coupling.
Solution Approach 2:
The ball bearing acts as an intermediary element between the microphone shaft and the stand mounting. Rather than direct contact between rigid components, the ball serves as a mediating element that facilitates quick release while isolating vibrations. The ball's spherical geometry and point contact nature reduce the transmission of vibrational energy from the stand to the microphone.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a secure connection is provided to minimize vibrations, then vibration transmission is reduced, but the attachment and detachment process becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The quick-release connector is divided into distinct functional segments: a ball bearing component, a receiving socket with spring mechanism, and a locking interface. This segmentation allows each part to perform its specific function efficiently - the ball provides vibration isolation, the spring provides engagement force, and the locking interface provides secure attachment - while keeping the overall mechanism simple and modular.
Solution Approach 2:
The connector incorporates a spring-loaded mechanism that dynamically adjusts the engagement force of the ball bearing with the mounting socket. The spring allows for automatic compression and expansion during attachment and detachment, providing a self-adjusting connection that maintains secure contact while enabling quick release without complex manual operations.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If a smooth non-grooved shaft is used with ball bearings, then lateral displacement is minimized reducing vibration, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting socket features an asymmetric spring-loaded engagement structure that compensates for minor variations in shaft alignment. The spring mechanism can accommodate slight deviations from perfect alignment while maintaining consistent contact pressure on the ball bearing, reducing the need for extremely tight manufacturing tolerances on the shaft itself.
Solution Approach 2:
The design allows for adjustment of the spring compression force and ball bearing size parameters to optimize the balance between vibration reduction and manufacturing tolerance requirements. By adjusting these parameters, the system can accommodate a range of shaft tolerances while maintaining effective vibration isolation through minimized lateral displacement of the ball bearing.
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
The solution effectively minimizes vibrations, improving acoustic quality and reducing unwanted noise and feedback, allowing for quick and easy attachment and detachment of microphones and cameras while maintaining structural integrity.
Implementation Method 1
When attached, vibration on the microphone is minimized
Data Source
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AI summary
A quick release connector is provided that uses a plurality of the ball bearings to engage shaft of a releasable member. The use of multiple ball bearings along different faces of a shaft of a releasable member minimizes vibrations and provides an improved quick release connector adapted for use with microphones, boom arms, ball joints and similar structures used with sound recording or photography equipment.