Microphone Assembly Vibration Isolation Using Segmented Dampers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing microphone assemblies for digital cameras suffer from vibration transmission issues, leading to noise contamination during video recording, and are either non-detachable or excessively large due to vibration isolation mechanisms.
Innovation Solution
A detachable microphone assembly with a vibration isolation mechanism using a first damper to absorb horizontal vibrations and a second damper to pivotally support the microphone unit, preventing vertical vibrations, allowing for high-quality sound recording while maintaining a compact size.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If an accordion elastic member is used to support the microphone unit at two points or in a range having a certain degree of length, then vibration isolation is improved, but the size of the microphone assembly is increased
Solution Approach 1:
The vibration isolation function is divided into two separate dampers: a first damper that supports the microphone unit at one point, and a second damper that supports at another point. This segmentation allows each damper to be compact while collectively providing adequate vibration isolation, resolving the contradiction between isolation effectiveness and assembly size.
Solution Approach 2:
The second damper provides pivotal support, adding a rotational degree of freedom to the vibration isolation mechanism. This dimensional change allows the dampers to work together in three-dimensional space, achieving effective vibration isolation with reduced overall assembly size compared to linear support arrangements.
2Reliability
If a damper is provided to support the outer circumference of the attachment shaft, then planar vibration is absorbed, but vertical vibration cannot be absorbed sufficiently
Solution Approach 1:
The vibration absorption function is segmented between two dampers with different orientations and support points. The first damper handles planar vibrations while the second damper, providing pivotal support, handles vertical vibrations. This segmentation enables comprehensive vibration absorption without requiring a single complex mechanism.
3Reliability
If the microphone assembly is made non-detachable from the camera body, then vibration isolation is maintained, but portability and storage convenience are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The microphone assembly transitions from a fixed non-detachable design to a dynamic detachable design. The assembly can be attached to or removed from the camera body as needed, allowing users to optimize between vibration isolation (when attached) and portability/storage convenience (when detached), resolving the contradiction through conditional functionality.
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 solution effectively isolates camera vibrations, enabling high-quality sound recording and allowing for easy detachment and reattachment, improving portability and storage convenience.
Implementation Method 1
a first damper, into which said protruding section is inserted, attached to an inside of said damper housing cylinder, said first damper being clamped between said projection and said holder so as to support a middle portion of said protruding section
Implementation Method 2
a second damper for pivotally supporting a lower portion of said holder in said damper housing cylinder
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
A microphone assembly (2) includes a microphone unit (3) and an attachment unit (4). The attachment unit (4) includes a camera shoe attachment section (43) which can be attached to a camera shoe (27), and a damper housing cylinder (44) is fixed to the camera shoe attachment section (43). A holder (46) is fixed to a lower end of an inner cylinder (38a) of a protruding section (38) protruding from the microphone unit (3). The lower end of the inner cylinder (38a) is pivotally supported by a second damper (42) contained in the damper housing cylinder (44) through the holder (46). The middle portion of the protruding section (38) is supported by a first damper (41) contained in the damper housing cylinder (44).