Ball and Socket Bracket for Angular Speaker Adjustment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing audio speaker mounting systems lack a convenient and secure method to adjust the angular orientation of speakers relative to the support structure, often requiring installers to handle heavy speaker cabinets while adjusting brackets, and they do not effectively protect against moisture ingress or theft during construction.

Innovation Solution

A bracket assembly featuring a ball and socket joint with a clamping mechanism that allows for wide angular adjustment in two orthogonal planes, integrated electrical connectors for quick and secure mounting, and sealing elements to prevent moisture ingress, allowing for independent adjustment and secure mounting of speakers without supporting the cabinet's weight.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a traditional rigid mounting bracket is used to secure the speaker cabinet, then the mounting is stable and secure, but the angular orientation of the speaker cannot be adjusted

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveangular orientation adjustmentVSAvoidmounting stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a ball and socket joint mechanism that enables dynamic angular adjustment of the speaker cabinet relative to the support structure. The ball rotates within the socket to allow orientation changes, while a clamp mechanism provides dynamic locking to maintain stability at the desired angle, thus resolving the contradiction between adjustability and stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Ease of operation

If the speaker cabinet is mounted directly to the support structure, then the mounting is secure, but the installer must handle the heavy cabinet during adjustment

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadjustment easeVSAvoidcabinet weight
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The mounting system is segmented into three independent components: the support structure, the adjustable bracket assembly (with ball and socket joint), and the speaker cabinet. This segmentation allows the bracket to be adjusted independently without requiring the cabinet to be supported by the installer, as the bracket self-supports during adjustment operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Object-affected harmful factors

If the wiring is routed externally through the bracket assembly, then the electrical connection is simple, but the wires are exposed to moisture and potential theft

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemoisture protectionVSAvoidwiring complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The wiring harness is nested within the bracket assembly structure, passing through internal channels and passages formed within the bracket components. This nesting conceals the wires from external exposure to moisture and theft, while the wires remain accessible for electrical connections, thus protecting against harmful factors without significantly increasing wiring complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Data Source

PatentEP3407620B1Angularly adjustable housing mount assembly
Publication Date: 2020.07.22 ROBERT BOSCH GMBH
  • EP3407620B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3407620B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP3407620B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

A bracket assembly is used to secure a housing to a support structure such as a post, wall or ceiling. The bracket assembly includes an inner bracket, an outer bracket and a connector. The inner bracket is configured to be mounted on the support structure separately from the outer bracket, and the outer bracket is configured to be quickly mounted on the inner bracket. The outer bracket and connector are joined by a ball and socket joint. Angular adjustment of the ball relative to the socket is made prior to mounting of the outer bracket on the inner bracket, and the desired orientation is maintained using a clamping assembly. The bracket assembly includes sealing features that prevent moisture from entering the assembly.