Headphone System With Diaphragm-Less Driver For Low Frequency
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional headphones face challenges in accurately reproducing low frequency audio due to limitations in speaker diaphragm excursion and energy requirements, leading to distorted sound and potential damage from high power input, and are impractical to include sub-woofers due to size and weight constraints.
Innovation Solution
A headphone system with a control circuitry that segregates audio signals into two frequency ranges, using a first audio driver without a diaphragm to transmit low frequency vibrations through an ear cushion and a second driver to transmit medium/high frequency signals through the air, allowing for enhanced low frequency response and removable drivers with different tuning signatures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single audio driver is used to reproduce the entire audio range, then the device complexity is reduced, but the manufacturing precision of sound reproduction across the full frequency range deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The audio signal is segmented into two frequency ranges: low frequency (20Hz-200Hz) and medium/high frequency (200Hz-20kHz). A first audio driver without diaphragm handles the low frequency range while a second audio driver with diaphragm handles the medium/high frequency range. This segmentation allows each driver to be optimized for its specific frequency range, improving overall sound reproduction accuracy.
2Manufacturing precision
If the diaphragm excursion is increased to reproduce low frequency audio, then the low frequency sound quality is improved, but the reliability of the speaker deteriorates due to potential damage from high power input
Solution Approach 1:
The diaphragm component is extracted from the first audio driver, creating a diaphragm-less driver that operates without mechanical excursion limits. This allows the first audio driver to handle low frequency signals up to 200Hz without the diaphragm damage risks associated with conventional drivers, while maintaining reliable operation under high power input conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The ear cushion acts as an intermediary medium to transmit low frequency vibrations from the first audio driver to the user's ear. Instead of relying on diaphragm excursion, the ear cushion mediates the transmission of low frequency energy, enabling safe operation at high power levels without mechanical damage.
3Manufacturing precision
If a sub-woofer is included in the headphone to enhance low frequency response, then the low frequency audio quality is improved, but the weight of the headphone increases
Solution Approach 1:
The conventional mechanical sub-woofer system is replaced with a diaphragm-less first audio driver that uses alternative mechanisms (magnetic fields and ear cushion vibration transmission) to produce low frequency sound. This substitution eliminates the need for a separate sub-woofer unit, reducing weight while maintaining low frequency audio quality.
4Manufacturing precision
If multiple audio drivers are arranged to handle different frequency ranges, then the sound reproduction accuracy is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Each audio driver is designed with specific local qualities optimized for its frequency range: the first audio driver is diaphragm-less and optimized for low frequency (20Hz-200Hz) operation, while the second audio driver has a diaphragm optimized for medium/high frequency (200Hz-20kHz) operation. This local optimization simplifies the overall system by allowing each component to be highly specialized rather than requiring complex multi-functional drivers.
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 system provides improved low frequency sound reproduction, reduced fatigue, and a compact, cost-effective design with enhanced audio immersion and versatility across various music genres, while preventing muddy sound and minimizing distortion.
Implementation Method 1
a first audio driver operatively coupled to the control circuitry, the first audio driver being configured to convert the first set of audio signals into a first set of vibration signals
Implementation Method 2
a second audio driver operatively coupled to the control circuitry, the second audio driver being configured to convert the second set of audio signals into a second set of vibration signals
Implementation Method 3
an ear cushion coupled to the first audio driver, wherein the coupling of the first audio driver with the ear cushion allows the first set of vibration energy to pass from the first audio driver to the ear cushion
Data Source
AI summary
An headphone system (100) with improved sound reproduction capability is disclosed. The system includes a housing (101); a receiver configured with the housing (101) and to receive audio signals from one or more computing devices; a control circuitry (108) configured with the housing (101). A frequency of each of the received audio signals is determined by extracting audio attributes from the received audio signals. Then the determined frequency of each of the received audio signals is compared with a predefined threshold. In response to the comparison, the received audio signals are segregated into at least two set of signals including a first set of audio signals and a second set of audio signals. The first set of audio signals is converted into a first set of vibration signal energy and a second set of audio signals is converted into a second set of vibration signal.