Headphone Driver Thickness Reduction via Concave Diaphragm Nesting

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Solution Overview

Problem

The thickness of headphone drivers is increased by the installation of noise cancellation components, which affects the overall design and functionality of the device.

Innovation Solution

A headphone device with an external magnet type magnet unit and a diaphragm formed from a material where the dome section has an outward concave shape on the inner circumference of the voice coil, continuous with the edge section outside the voice coil, reducing the thickness of the driver section.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a noise cancellation function is installed in the headphone device, then noise reduction effect is improved, but the thickness of the driver increases due to additional microphone installation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenoise reduction effectVSAvoidthickness of driver

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLength of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the noise pickup microphone with the diaphragm structure itself, integrating it into the dome section. This merging approach allows the microphone to be part of the driver assembly rather than a separate component, thereby achieving noise cancellation functionality without increasing driver thickness

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The microphone is nested within the dome section of the diaphragm structure. By placing the microphone inside the existing dome geometry, the patent accommodates the noise sensing component without adding external thickness to the driver assembly

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Strength

If the diaphragm has an outward convex shape, then structural integrity is improved, but the thickness of the driver increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural integrityVSAvoidthickness of driver

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSLength of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent inverts the conventional outward convex dome shape into an outward concave dome shape. This inversion allows the microphone to be positioned within the recessed area, eliminating the need for additional thickness while maintaining structural integrity through the alternative geometric configuration

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the dimensional configuration of the dome section from convex to concave, creating a three-dimensional recess that accommodates the microphone component. This dimensional change allows component integration without increasing the overall driver thickness

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

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 allows for a significant reduction in the thickness of the headphone driver while maintaining noise cancellation functionality, even with the inclusion of a noise pickup microphone.

Implementation Method 1

an external magnet type magnet unit that is disposed outside a voice coil, and vibrates the voice coil

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetic interaction: Lorentz Force

Implementation Method 2

a diaphragm that is vibrated by vibration of the voice coil

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMechanical vibration: Vibration

Data Source

PatentUS11363366B2Headphone device

Publication Date: 2022.06.14 SONY GROUP CORP

AI summary

There is provided a headphone device including: an external magnet type magnet unit that is disposed outside a voice coil, and vibrates the voice coil; and a diaphragm that is vibrated by vibration of the voice coil, and formed of a material in which a dome section having an outward concave shape on an inner circumference of the voice coil is continuous with an edge section outside the voice coil.