Polygonal Speaker Diaphragm with Corner Supports for Bass

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional speakers in mobile devices and hearing aids face challenges in achieving high-quality bass reproduction while being reduced in size, as the reduced size restricts the movement of wires supporting the diaphragm, limiting bass reproduction and making it difficult to achieve both size reduction and high-quality sound.

Innovation Solution

A speaker design featuring a polygonal-shaped housing with movable supports in the corner regions, which are elastic and integrally formed with the diaphragm, allowing for vibration and improved bass characteristics, along with a magnetic circuit and voice coil configuration that minimizes sound leakage and enhances sound emission.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Volume of moving object

If the speaker size is reduced to fit mobile phones and hearing aids, then the device size is reduced, but the bass characteristic deteriorates due to restricted wire movement

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespeaker sizeVSAvoidbass characteristic
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The support structure is segmented from a continuous edge into discrete wires positioned at corner regions. This segmentation allows the wires to be optimized independently for both structural support and vibration freedom, enabling bass reproduction in a compact speaker design.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The support structure transitions from a two-dimensional edge (continuous annular support) to a zero-dimensional point support (discrete wires at corners). This dimensional reduction provides more freedom for diaphragm vibration while maintaining structural integrity, improving bass characteristic in small speakers.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Volume of moving object

If the edge width is narrowed to reduce speaker size, then the speaker size is reduced, but the stiffness of the edge is increased, degrading bass characteristic

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespeaker sizeVSAvoidedge stiffness
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The continuous edge is extracted and replaced with discrete wires at corner regions. This removal of the rigid annular edge eliminates the stiffness problem while maintaining necessary structural support, allowing the diaphragm to vibrate freely for bass reproduction in compact speakers.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The support structure changes from a rigid continuous edge to flexible discrete wires. This parameter change in structural configuration reduces stiffness while maintaining support function, enabling improved bass characteristic in reduced-size speakers.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If wires are extended longer to allow diaphragm movement, then bass reproduction is improved, but the speaker size increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebass reproductionVSAvoidspeaker size
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The support wires are positioned asymmetrically at corner regions rather than uniformly distributed. This asymmetric placement allows optimal wire length for bass reproduction while minimizing the overall speaker footprint, as corner positioning provides mechanical advantage with shorter wire lengths.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #4Asymmetry

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 design enables wideband reproduction with improved bass characteristics, suitable for size reduction, and reduces manufacturing costs by minimizing components, while ensuring efficient sound emission and high-quality sound output.

Implementation Method 1

a voice coil (11) inserted in the magnetic gap (132) When an electric signal is inputted from an outside into the voice coil (11), the voice coil (11) receives a magnetic force in a magnetic gap (132)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic force: Lorentz Force

Implementation Method 2

the center of the coil bobbin 10 is held by the magnetic fluid 13

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMagnetic force: Magnetism

Data Source

PatentEP2432252B1Speaker and portable electronic device
Publication Date: 2016.05.25 PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO LTD
  • EP2432252B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2432252B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2432252B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

A speaker and the like, which is capable of wideband reproduction by improving the bass characteristic, and which is suitable for size reduction, is provided. A housing (110) includes one main surface (111) having a polygonal shape, and an opening portion (112) in the one main surface. A diaphragm (120) is disposed in the opening portion so as to cover the one main surface, except for corner regions (115a, 115b, 115c, and 115d) which are areas in the vicinity of respective vertices of a polygonal shape of the one main surface. A driving unit (130) causes the diaphragm to vibrate so as to generate a sound corresponding to a signal inputted from an outside. A plurality of movable supports (140a, 140b, 140c, and 140d) is disposed in the respective corner regions, for supporting the diaphragm by joining the housing and the diaphragm such that the diaphragm is vibratable.