Ported Headphone Driver with Tunable Mass Port Plug
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional headphones have fixed audio drivers that cannot be easily removed or customized, limiting their acoustic performance and sound pressure level profiles, which are dependent on the ear-cup housing and speaker assembly design.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a mass port plug with a configurable acoustic aperture into the audio driver, allowing for adjustable sound pressure level profiles by altering the cross-sectional area and length of the aperture, enabling customizable acoustic response without altering the ear-cup housing or speaker assembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional headphones use fixed audio drivers permanently installed in the ear-cup housing, then the manufacturing process is simplified and device complexity is reduced, but the acoustic performance and sound pressure level profiles cannot be customized or adjusted
Solution Approach 1:
The audio driver assembly is segmented into a modular unit that can be independently removed from the ear-cup housing. The driver assembly includes the audio driver, speaker assembly, and ear-cup housing as an integrated module that can be detached and replaced, allowing different driver assemblies with different acoustic characteristics to be used with the same ear-cup housing.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from a static, fixed configuration to a dynamic, adjustable configuration. The modular driver assembly can be removed and replaced to change acoustic characteristics, and the foam material can be adjusted or removed to modify the seal and acoustic response, enabling the same hardware platform to adapt to different acoustic performance requirements.
2Ease of operation
If the audio driver is permanently soldered to the ear-cup housing, then manufacturing precision and assembly reliability are improved, but the ability to remove or customize the driver is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The electrical connection system is segmented into modular components. The audio driver assembly includes integrated wiring and connectors that allow for reliable electrical connections without permanent soldering to the housing. The driver assembly can be disconnected and reconnected to the ear-cup housing through connector interfaces that maintain electrical continuity while enabling removal and replacement.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the ear-cup housing and speaker assembly are designed for a selected audio driver, then the acoustic performance is optimized for that specific driver, but the same driver assembly cannot be used with different ear-cup housing configurations
Solution Approach 1:
The driver assembly is designed as a universal module that can be used with multiple different ear-cup housing configurations. The standardized interface and mounting mechanism allow the same driver assembly to be installed in various housing types while maintaining acoustic performance. The foam material and sealing elements are designed to adapt to different housing geometries.
Solution Approach 2:
The acoustic performance is optimized through adjustable parameters rather than fixed design constraints. The foam material density, thickness, and configuration can be varied to optimize the seal and acoustic response for different housing configurations. The port plug configuration can be adjusted to modify the acoustic characteristics while using the same driver assembly.
4Ease of operation
If foam or soft material is provided on the ear-cup housing to abut against the ear, then the comfort and seal are improved, but the acoustic performance becomes dependent on the specific housing design and cannot be easily adjusted
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing system transitions from a fixed foam material to a dynamic, adjustable configuration. The foam material can be compressed, adjusted, or removed to modify the seal between the ear-cup housing and the user's ear. This allows the acoustic characteristics to be adjusted by changing the seal quality without requiring complex mechanical adjustment mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The user can manually adjust the foam material or sealing elements to optimize the acoustic seal and comfort. The system allows self-adjustment of the acoustic characteristics through simple user actions such as compressing or repositioning the foam material, eliminating the need for complex automated adjustment mechanisms.
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 solution allows for tailored sound pressure level profiles in headphones, enhancing acoustic performance by selectively tuning the audio driver's response, particularly in low-frequency ranges, and enabling standardized driver assemblies to fit various ear-cup housing configurations, offering greater design flexibility for manufacturers.
Implementation Method 1
one of a magnet and a coil is carried on a back side of the diaphragm, and another of the magnet and the coil is carried by the driver housing behind the diaphragm. The magnet and coil are magnetically coupled with one another such that electrical current flowing through the coil generates a magnetic force acting on the diaphragm
Implementation Method 2
The acoustic aperture is configured to cause the audio driver to exhibit a selected detectable sound pressure level (SPL) profile
Data Source
AI summary
Headphones may include an ear-cup housing and an audio driver disposed at least partially within the ear-cup housing. The audio driver may include a driver housing, a diaphragm suspended from the driver housing, one of a magnet and a coil carried on a back side of the diaphragm, and another of the magnet and the coil carried by the driver housing behind the diaphragm, the magnet and coil magnetically coupled with one another such that electrical current flowing through the coil generates a magnetic force acting on the diaphragm through the magnet or coil carried on the back side of the diaphragm. A port may extend through a surface of the driver housing directly between an acoustical cavity within the driver housing and an exterior of the ear-cup housing without communicating acoustically with a volume of space outside the driver housing and within the ear-cup housing.