Headphone Driver Assembly with Opposing Springs for Horizontal Vibration Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional headphones face issues with horizontal movement of driver components, which can lead to damage and undesirable vibration modes, affecting acoustic performance and durability.
Innovation Solution
The driver assembly incorporates opposing spring structures positioned at different vertical levels to impede horizontal movement while allowing vertical movement, reducing vibration amplitude and enhancing acoustic properties by limiting horizontal movement of the magnet, plate, and yoke structures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional driver assemblies are used without horizontal movement constraints, then the structure is simpler and easier to manufacture, but horizontal movement of driver components causes damage and undesirable vibration modes affecting acoustic performance
Solution Approach 1:
The driver assembly is segmented into distinct functional components: a magnet assembly, a diaphragm assembly, and a spring structure. The spring structure is divided into multiple springs arranged in a circular pattern, each independently supporting the magnet assembly. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function while collectively solving the horizontal movement constraint problem.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring structure acts as an intermediary element between the magnet assembly and the driver housing. It provides a compliant connection that permits vertical movement for acoustic function while restraining horizontal movement to prevent damage and unwanted vibrations. The spring structure mediates between the conflicting requirements of movement freedom and horizontal constraint.
2Strength
If opposing spring structures are added to impede horizontal movement, then durability and vibration control improve, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The spring structure combines multiple functions into a single component: it provides mechanical support for the magnet assembly, permits vertical movement for acoustic operation, and constrains horizontal movement for durability. By merging these functions into one integrated spring structure rather than using separate components for each function, the design achieves improved durability without proportionally increasing complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple identical springs are arranged in a circular pattern around the magnet assembly, providing uniform support and constraint in all horizontal directions. This homogeneous arrangement ensures consistent mechanical properties throughout the driver assembly, with each spring contributing equally to the overall support and constraint function, simplifying the design analysis and manufacturing.
3Reliability
If the spring structures permit vertical movement, then acoustic performance is maintained, but horizontal movement control must be enhanced
Solution Approach 1:
The spring structure exhibits different mechanical properties in different directions: it is compliant in the vertical direction to permit diaphragm movement for acoustic function, but stiff in the horizontal direction to constrain magnet assembly movement and prevent damage. This anisotropic mechanical behavior provides local quality optimization for each directional requirement.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring structure provides dynamic support that adapts to operational requirements: during normal acoustic operation, it permits vertical movement of the diaphragm and magnet assembly; during abnormal conditions such as impact or excessive vibration, it restrains horizontal movement to prevent damage. The dynamic response of the springs automatically adjusts to maintain both acoustic performance and durability.
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
This configuration prevents damage from horizontal movement, reduces vibration amplitude, and provides a more uniform vibration response across a wider frequency range, improving the acoustic performance and durability of the headphones.
Implementation Method 1
opposing spring structures configured to impede horizontal movement of the permanent magnet, the plate structure, and the yoke structure while permitting vertical movement thereof
Implementation Method 2
a voice coil circumscribing the permanent magnet and the plate structure
Data Source
Figure 1A
Figure 1B
Figure 1C
AI summary
A driver assembly comprises a housing structure, a magnet assembly within the housing structure, and opposing spring structures coupled to the housing structure at different vertical positions than one another. The magnet assembly comprises a permanent magnet, a plate structure underlying the permanent magnet, a voice coil circumscribing the permanent magnet and the plate structure, and a yoke structure at least partially surrounding the permanent magnet, the plate structure, and the voice coil. The opposing spring structures are configured to impede horizontal movement of the permanent magnet, the plate structure, and the yoke structure while permitting vertical movement thereof. A headphone and a method of forming a headphone are also described.