Camera-Mountable Parabolic Acoustic Reflector Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing parabolic microphone systems are not suitable for handheld or small camera applications, as they require separate audio engineers and are not designed for portable, compact, and acoustically isolated sound reflection and collection.
Innovation Solution
A camera-mountable acoustic reflector and collection assembly with a parabolic-shaped sound reflector, a rigid support frame, and acoustically isolated connections to minimize extraneous sounds, allowing for high-quality sound capture with adjustable microphone positioning and illumination options.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a parabolic microphone system is designed for broadcast-quality sound capture, then sound quality is improved, but the device becomes too large and complex for handheld camera mounting
Solution Approach 1:
The system is divided into separate functional components: a camera-mounted acoustic collection assembly with a small parabolic reflector and microphone, and a separate audio processing system. This segmentation allows the acoustic collection device to be compact and camera-mountable while maintaining sound quality through proper acoustic design.
Solution Approach 2:
The acoustic collection assembly is designed to nest within or attach to the camera body structure. The microphone is positioned within the camera housing, and the parabolic reflector is mounted to direct sound toward the microphone, creating a nested configuration that minimizes overall device size while preserving acoustic functionality.
2Stability of the object's composition
If a parabolic microphone system uses rigid support structures, then structural stability is improved, but extraneous sounds from the support structure are transmitted to the microphone
Solution Approach 1:
An intermediary acoustic isolation element is introduced between the rigid support structure and the microphone. This intermediary component blocks the transmission path for extraneous sounds generated by the support structure while still allowing the microphone to receive the focused acoustic signal from the parabolic reflector.
Solution Approach 2:
The acoustic isolation is applied locally at the critical interface between the support structure and the microphone, rather than throughout the entire structure. This localized treatment is sufficient to block harmful sound transmissions while maintaining the overall structural stability of the assembly.
3Measurement precision
If a parabolic reflector is designed for remote reconnaissance, then sound collection capability is improved, but the device becomes too heavy for portable handheld operation
Solution Approach 1:
The parameters of the parabolic reflector are optimized for the specific application of camera-mounted operation rather than remote reconnaissance. The reflector size, focal length, and microphone positioning are adjusted to achieve effective sound collection at the smaller scale required for portable operation, maintaining adequate sound collection capability while reducing weight.
Solution Approach 2:
The acoustic collection assembly uses composite construction with lightweight materials for the reflector structure and housing, combined with dense materials only where acoustically critical. This composite approach reduces overall weight while preserving the sound collection capability needed for portable handheld operation.
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
Provides professional-grade, focused sound capture without extraneous noise, suitable for handheld cameras, and can be easily transported and adapted for various recording equipment, ensuring high sound quality in compact and portable settings.
Implementation Method 1
a generally parabola-shaped sound reflector exhibiting a peripheral lip at a front of said reflector
Implementation Method 2
connections are acoustically isolated from frame and/or microphone supports to minimize extraneous sounds from the assembly
Data Source
AI summary
An acoustic collection and collection assembly comprises an acoustic collection dish, a support frame, and a microphone mount extending from the support frame that allows one or more microphones to be positioned at the acoustic focal point of the dish for optimal capture of distant sounds.