Micro-Speaker Surround with Continuous Corner Corrugations
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Solution Overview
Problem
Micro-speakers face challenges with non-linear behavior and fatigue due to stress concentrations at the corners of their surrounds, which affect the linear stiffness and acoustic performance during pistonic motion.
Innovation Solution
The introduction of continuous corrugations in the corner sections of the surround, oriented perpendicular to the maximum stress lines, helps to distribute deformation evenly and reduce stress concentrations, thereby enhancing linear stiffness and reducing fatigue.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of moving object
If a rectangular surround is used to increase the radiating surface in micro-speakers, then the radiating surface area is increased, but stress concentrations occur at the corners causing non-linear behavior and fatigue
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by modifying only the corner sections of the surround while keeping the straight sections rectangular. The corner sections incorporate curved transitions and corrugations specifically at the stress-prone corner regions, allowing the radiating surface to maintain its rectangular shape for maximum area while the corners have enhanced fatigue resistance through localized geometric modifications.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies curvature by replacing the sharp 90-degree corner angles with curved transitions. The corner sections use arcuate geometries with radii of curvature that smoothly connect the straight sections, eliminating stress concentration points and distributing mechanical stresses more evenly during diaphragm excursions.
2Productivity
If the surround moves away from rest position during diaphragm vibrations, then the acoustic output is produced, but circumferential stresses develop at the corners leading to non-linear behavior
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by incorporating corrugations in the corner sections that are designed to deform in a controlled manner during diaphragm excursions. These corrugations allow the surround to dynamically adapt its shape during operation, absorbing circumferential stresses through progressive deformation of the corrugation patterns while maintaining overall structural integrity and linear stiffness.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies parameter changes by modifying the geometric parameters of the corner sections through corrugations with specific amplitude, wavelength, and orientation. These geometric parameters are optimized to control the deformation characteristics of the corners during operation, ensuring that the surround maintains linear stiffness across its operating range while accommodating the dynamic stresses of acoustic production.
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 design improves the linear stiffness and reduces fatigue in micro-speakers by evenly absorbing radial and circumferential changes, maintaining acoustic performance over time.
Implementation Method 1
the surround deform in a controlled way to, for example, prevent the voice coil from hitting rigid components within the transducer and to maintain the most linear stiffness possible within the displacement extremes of the diaphragm
Data Source
AI summary
A transducer assembly including a frame, a diaphragm positioned within the frame, a surround connecting the diaphragm to the frame, the surround having a corner section and a plurality of corrugations formed within the corner section, wherein each corrugation of the plurality of corrugations comprises a length dimension perpendicular to a line of maximum stress intersecting a radial axis of the corner section, a voice coil extending from one side of the diaphragm and a magnet assembly having a magnetic gap aligned with the voice coil.