Headphone Speaker Assembly Current Divider for Tactile Bass
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional headphone devices with tactile bass vibrators require a dedicated amplifier to produce tactile vibrations, which adds complexity and cost, and existing solutions do not efficiently utilize available electrical power to generate these vibrations.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a current divider that provides greater electrical resistance to the audio speaker than to the tactile bass vibrator, allowing the tactile bass vibrator to generate vibrations without a dedicated amplifier, using a resistor in the electrical flow path connected to the audio speaker to control current distribution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a dedicated amplifier is used to power the tactile bass vibrator, then the tactile vibrations can be produced effectively, but the device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the audio speaker and tactile bass vibrator into a single integrated assembly that shares a common power source and housing. The tactile bass vibrator is positioned within the same ear cup as the audio speaker, and both components are powered through the existing audio signal without requiring a separate dedicated amplifier, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining effective tactile vibration production
Solution Approach 2:
The audio speaker serves multiple functions: it produces audible sound and simultaneously powers the tactile bass vibrator through the existing audio signal. The housing and ear cup structure serve dual purposes as both acoustic enclosures and structural supports for the integrated assembly, eliminating the need for separate dedicated amplifier components
2Reliability
If a dedicated amplifier is added to power the tactile bass vibrator, then effective bass frequency reproduction is achieved, but the cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the power delivery function into the existing audio signal path, eliminating the need for separate dedicated amplifier components. The tactile bass vibrator is powered directly through the audio signal that also powers the audio speaker, reducing component count and manufacturing cost while maintaining effective bass frequency reproduction
Solution Approach 2:
The audio signal serves dual purposes: it powers both the audio speaker and the tactile bass vibrator. The existing audio system's power is self-sufficiently distributed to both components without requiring additional dedicated power amplification, thereby reducing manufacturing cost while maintaining functional performance
3Ease of operation
If electrical resistance is increased for the audio speaker, then current distribution is controlled, but the power delivery to the audio speaker decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different electrical resistance characteristics to different components through the use of separate voice coil assemblies. The audio speaker's voice coil has different resistance properties compared to the tactile bass vibrator's voice coil, allowing each component to receive appropriate current levels tailored to its specific operational requirements, thereby achieving effective current distribution control without uniformly reducing power delivery
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
Enables the production of tactile vibrations using existing audio system power without the need for additional amplification, reducing complexity and cost while maintaining effective bass frequency reproduction.
Implementation Method 1
a current divider is operatively connected to the audio speaker and the tactile bass vibrator. In some embodiments, the current divider provides greater electrical resistance to flow of current to the audio speaker than to flow of current to the tactile bass vibrator
Implementation Method 2
a tactile bass vibrator distinct from the audio speaker. The tactile bass vibrator is configured to produce tactile vibrations in response to receiving the audio signal at the tactile bass vibrator
Implementation Method 3
an audio speaker configured to produce audible sound in response to receiving an audio signal at the audio speaker
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a headphone device that comprises a headband sized and shaped to rest on a user's head; and an ear cup secured by an attachment structure at each of two ends of the headband, the ear cups being located proximate a user's ears when the user wears the headband, each ear cup supporting a speaker assembly within an internal cavity defined by a housing of each ear cup, each speaker assembly comprising an audio speaker configured to produce audible sound in response to receiving an audio signal at the audio speaker; and a tactile bass vibrator distinct from the audio speaker, the tactile bass vibrator being configured to produce tactile vibrations in response to receiving the audio signal at the tactile bass vibrator, the tactile bass vibrator being operatively connected to the audio speaker; and wherein a pivoting portion of the attachment structure of each ear cup intersects with a geometrical central axis of the respective ear cup and the audio speaker and tactile bass vibrator do not intersect with the geometrical central axis of the respective ear cup and to a method of forming a speaker assembly for a headphone device.