Flat Body Actuator Arrangement for Compact Acoustic Signal Generation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing actuator arrangements are often bulky, expensive, complex, and inefficient in terms of acoustic performance, failing to effectively generate audible sound signals for musical or speech information.

Innovation Solution

A compact actuator arrangement featuring a metal or composite flat body with an elastic coupling element, an electrodynamic vibration exciter, and a vibration decoupling mechanism to minimize noise transmission, utilizing a coil and magnets within an air gap to produce sound waves while being securely fastened to a vehicle or infrastructure component.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Volume of moving object

If existing actuator arrangements are used, then they can generate sound signals, but they are bulky and have poor acoustic efficiency

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveactuator arrangement sizeVSAvoidacoustic efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transitions from traditional three-dimensional bulky actuator arrangements to a two-dimensional flat body configuration. The electrodynamic actuator is mounted on a flat panel that radiates sound acoustically efficient, utilizing the planar surface area to enhance acoustic performance while reducing overall volume.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the physical parameters of the actuator arrangement by using a flat body with specific thickness ranges (0.5-5mm) and material properties. This parameter optimization enables compact sizing while maintaining high acoustic efficiency through controlled vibration transmission and radiation characteristics.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Device complexity

If existing actuator arrangements are used, then they can generate sound signals, but they are complex and expensive

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveactuator arrangement structureVSAvoidmanufacturing cost
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the actuator arrangement into distinct functional segments: the flat body (radiator), the electrodynamic actuator (driver), and the fastening device (mounting). This segmentation allows each component to be manufactured separately using simple processes and then assembled, reducing overall complexity and manufacturing cost.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The fastening device is designed to be self-contained with integrated vibration decoupling elements, eliminating the need for separate mounting brackets, dampers, and adjustment mechanisms. This self-service design simplifies the overall structure and reduces manufacturing complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Reliability

If the actuator is directly fastened to the vehicle, then secure mounting is achieved, but noise transmission to the vehicle interior increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemounting securityVSAvoidnoise transmission
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The fastening device acts as an intermediary between the actuator and the vehicle mounting surface. It incorporates vibration decoupling elements that isolate the actuator from the vehicle structure, preventing direct transmission of vibrations and noise while maintaining secure mechanical mounting.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent converts the potentially harmful vibrations generated by the actuator into beneficial sound radiation. The flat body is designed to radiate sound acoustically efficiently, and the vibration decoupling elements are optimized to allow controlled vibration transmission that enhances acoustic performance while minimizing noise transmission to the vehicle interior.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

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 achieves high acoustic efficiency, compactness, and reduced noise transmission to the vehicle interior, enabling clear sound emission of musical or speech signals with improved robustness and cost-effectiveness.

Implementation Method 1

an electrodynamic vibration exciter with a coil and magnets within an air gap to produce sound waves

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic interaction: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 2

The flat body is connected to the actuator by means of a coupling element, which is in particular elastic in design

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElastic deformation: Elasticity

Implementation Method 3

a vibration decoupling mechanism to minimize noise transmission

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectVibration isolation: Damping

Data Source

PatentEP4270989A1Actuator arrangement having a flat body and a fastening device
Publication Date: 2023.11.01 AUMOVIO ENGINEERING SOLUTIONS GMBH
  • EP4270989A1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4270989A1 patent drawingFigure 3a~4d
  • EP4270989A1 patent drawingFigure 5a~7

AI summary

Actuator arrangement, wherein the actuator (1) comprises an electric drive for converting electrical signals into mechanical forces and/or displacements, wherein the drive has at least one coil through which the current of the electrical signal can flow and has at least one magnet which can interact electromagnetically with the coil, wherein the actuator (1) is connected to a planar body (3) and can excite this planar body (3) to vibrate, whereby the planar body (3) can emit acoustic sound, wherein the planar body (3) is mechanically connected at at least two receiving points (4, 5) of a fastening device (4, 5, 6, 7) to this fastening device (4, 5, 6, 7), which has at least one fastening means (6, 20), for fastening in particular to a vehicle and/or a vehicle component and/or to an infrastructure object.