Moving Magnet Audio Transducer for Enclosure Vibration
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Solution Overview
Problem
As electronic devices become smaller, the internal space for audio speakers decreases, leading to reduced sound quality and volume, particularly in the lower frequency range, due to limited mass movement and air volume.
Innovation Solution
An audio transducer system that uses a magnet and electromagnetic coil to move the enclosure or a supporting surface, producing sound waves without the need for a traditional diaphragm, allowing for increased volume and improved sound quality while maintaining a compact design.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the speaker size is decreased to fit smaller electronic devices, then the device compactness is improved, but the sound quality and volume deteriorate due to limited mass movement and air volume
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the speaker functionality with the device enclosure itself. The enclosure surface acts as both the housing and the sound-radiating surface, eliminating the need for a separate traditional speaker assembly. This allows the entire enclosure to function as the diaphragm, significantly increasing the effective radiating surface area while maintaining device compactness.
Solution Approach 2:
The enclosure serves multiple functions: it provides structural housing, contains internal components, and simultaneously acts as the sound-radiating diaphragm. This multi-functionality allows the same structure to fulfill both protective and acoustic roles, improving sound quality without increasing device size.
2Volume of moving object
If the speaker size is decreased, then the device compactness is improved, but the mass movement capability deteriorates, reducing sound quality particularly in the lower frequency range
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the lightweight speaker components (voice coil, magnet assembly) with the existing enclosure structure. The enclosure itself becomes the moving mass, leveraging the device's own structural mass for sound production rather than requiring separate heavy speaker components.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from moving a small concentrated speaker diaphragm to moving the entire enclosure surface area. This dimensional expansion from a small local surface to a large global surface allows significantly greater total mass movement capability while maintaining the same or smaller overall device footprint.
3Volume of moving object
If air volume for speaker vibration is reduced in smaller devices, then the device compactness is improved, but the audible response and volume level deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the air vibration function with the external environment. Instead of requiring a sealed air chamber within the device, the enclosure surface vibrates against the external air, utilizing the unlimited air volume outside the device for sound production.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the air volume requirement from the internal device space and relocates it to the external environment. The enclosure acts as the interface, vibrating the external air rather than requiring internal air chambers, thereby freeing up internal space while maintaining adequate air volume for sound production.
4Reliability
If a traditional diaphragm-based speaker is used, then sound production is achieved, but air openings are required which compromise the sealed appearance and refinement of the device
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the sound production function with the external enclosure surface. The enclosure itself becomes the diaphragm, eliminating the need for separate air openings, grilles, or meshes that would compromise the sealed appearance. Sound radiates directly from the enclosure surface to the external environment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the air opening requirement entirely from the device design. By using the external enclosure surface as the vibrating element, the system eliminates the need for any openings in the device housing, allowing for a completely sealed and refined appearance while maintaining full sound production capability.
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 system enhances sound volume and quality by vibrating the enclosure or supporting surface, producing louder and clearer audio without the need for air openings, enabling electronic devices to be sealed and maintaining a refined appearance.
Implementation Method 1
an audio transducer including a magnet and an electromagnetic coil. The electromagnetic coil may be energized to move the magnet or the electromagnetic coil, depending on the embodiment
Implementation Method 2
The magnet or electromagnetic coil may be attached to or may vibrate a surface, such as an enclosure of an electronic device, in order to produce audible sound waves
Data Source
AI summary
An electronic device having an enclosure including an upper panel and a bottom panel operably connected to the upper panel. A transducer is operably connected to the enclosure and the transducer is configured to mechanically vibrate the enclosure. The transducer includes a magnet, an electromagnetic coil and a retention element maintaining a relationship between the magnet and the electromagnetic coil.