Portable Record Player with Stationary Disc and Spiral Read Head
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional record players are large, heavy, and difficult to move, and they require constant rotation speeds to play vinyl records correctly, which limits their portability and adaptability to different record sizes and groove spacings.
Innovation Solution
A portable record player system that includes a needle assembly capable of pivoting, a light gate to measure pivot angle, a motor and wheels for spiral movement around a record, a microprocessor to calculate target linear travel speed based on turn angle and groove spacing, and a wireless transmitter to play audio data.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conventional record player uses a stationary turntable with constant rotation speed, then it can play vinyl records correctly, but it becomes large, heavy, and difficult to move
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of rotating the record (conventional turntable), the patent inverts the approach by keeping the record stationary and moving the record player body in a spiral path around the record. The needle assembly reads the grooves while the entire player traverses the record surface, eliminating the need for a heavy rotating turntable mechanism
Solution Approach 2:
The record player uses dynamic speed adjustment based on real-time detection of groove spacing. The microprocessor controls the motor to vary the linear travel speed of the record player body according to detected groove densities, replacing the conventional constant rotational speed mechanism with a dynamic, adaptive linear motion system
2Stability of the object's composition
If a record player uses constant rotation speed, then it can maintain stable playback, but it cannot adapt to different record sizes and groove spacings
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses a light gate to detect groove spacing and provides feedback to the microprocessor. The microprocessor processes this feedback information and adjusts the linear travel speed accordingly, creating a closed-loop control system that adapts to different groove densities while maintaining stable playback
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the operational parameter from constant rotational speed to variable linear travel speed. By detecting groove spacing and adjusting the linear speed of the record player body, the system adapts to different record types and groove densities, replacing the fixed parameter approach with a dynamic parameter adjustment mechanism
3Adaptability or versatility
If a portable record player travels at variable speeds, then it can adapt to different groove spacings, but it requires complex speed control mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical speed control mechanisms with electronic detection and control. A light gate detects groove spacing, and a microprocessor electronically controls the motor speed, substituting mechanical linkages and governors with electronic sensing and digital control algorithms
4Reliability
If a record player uses a stationary needle on a rotating record, then it achieves stable audio reading, but it lacks portability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the conventional arrangement by keeping the record stationary and moving the record player with the needle assembly. This inversion maintains stable audio reading through controlled linear motion while achieving portability by eliminating the heavy rotating turntable mechanism
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 playback of vinyl records at intended speeds without the need for a turntable, allowing for portable and adaptable playback of different record sizes and groove densities, while transmitting audio wirelessly.
Implementation Method 1
a light gate operable to variably block emitted light proportional to a pivot angle of the needle assembly
Implementation Method 2
a light sensor capable of measuring light intensity from the light emitter
Implementation Method 3
a gyroscope and a wireless transmitter capable of transmitting audio data
Implementation Method 4
a motor and a set of wheels enabling the record player body to travel around a stationary phonographic record
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods discussed herein are related to read data stored on phonographic records. In various examples, systems and methods may describe a needle assembly able to pivot with respect to a record player body, and include a gate able to block light transmitted from a light emitter. The record player may include a motor and a set of wheels such that it can travel around a stationary phonographic record, and a microcontroller capable of determining a target linear travel speed of the record player and receive and transmit data from the phonographic record.