Rolling-Spring Microphone Mount for Low-Frequency Vibration Isolation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional microphone isolation mounts face challenges in providing omnidirectional isolation while maintaining structural support, often resulting in high resonant frequencies and inadequate damping, leading to instability and ineffective absorption of non-sonic vibrations.
Innovation Solution
The proposed isolation mount features a base and mounting assembly with a suspension element comprising a rolling spring that forms an arc aligned with the microphone's address axis, providing a mass-spring-damper system with inherent damping and a low resonant frequency, allowing for effective absorption and dissipation of non-sonic vibrations across multiple axes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional elastic cords are used as suspension springs to provide omnidirectional isolation, then the microphone can be supported and isolated from vibrations, but the resonant frequency increases and the mount becomes unstable
Solution Approach 1:
The suspension system is divided into multiple cord elements arranged in specific geometric patterns (triangular, tetrahedral configurations). Each cord segment handles specific directional forces, allowing the system to maintain low resonant frequency while providing stable omnidirectional isolation through distributed support points.
Solution Approach 2:
The cords are strategically positioned to provide different levels of isolation and support in different spatial directions. The mounting bracket incorporates localized damping elements at specific positions to enhance energy dissipation in critical areas while maintaining overall system stability.
2Strength
If the suspension cords are made stiff to prevent microphone wobble, then structural support is improved, but the resonant frequency increases and isolation effectiveness decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The suspension system utilizes dynamic cord arrangements that can adapt their effective stiffness based on vibration frequency and direction. The geometric configuration allows the cords to engage at optimal angles during vibration events, providing maximum isolation effectiveness while maintaining adequate structural support for the microphone.
Solution Approach 2:
The mounting system combines elastic cord materials with damping materials (such as rubber or polymer elements) to create a composite suspension system. This composite structure provides both the structural support needed to prevent wobble and the energy dissipation capabilities required for effective vibration isolation at low resonant frequencies.
3Ease of manufacture
If conventional suspension springs are used, then the microphone can be mounted, but inherent damping is insufficient causing prolonged oscillation after shock forces
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting bracket incorporates damping elements and energy-dissipating features that are pre-positioned to counteract shock forces before they can cause prolonged oscillation. The cord arrangement and bracket geometry are designed to convert kinetic energy from impact into heat through controlled deformation and friction, reducing oscillation duration.
Solution Approach 2:
The system utilizes materials and geometric configurations that change their mechanical parameters (stiffness, damping coefficient) in response to applied forces. During normal operation, the cords maintain low stiffness for effective isolation, while during shock events, the damping elements engage to increase energy dissipation, thereby reducing oscillation duration without affecting ease of manufacture.
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 design enhances the microphone's stability and isolation capabilities by reducing the detection of non-sonic vibrations as sound, offering improved compliance and energy absorption without sacrificing structural support, thus providing better performance in low-frequency vibration isolation.
Implementation Method 1
the suspension element functions as the spring to absorb non-sonic vibrations
Implementation Method 2
there are one or more damping elements that release, or dissipate, the absorbed kinetic energy of said non-sonic vibrations (typically as heat)
Implementation Method 3
the rolling spring is arranged to form an arc having an opening substantially aligned to the address axis of the microphone
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates generally to microphone mounts and more particularly to an isolation mount for a microphone having an address axis. The isolation mount may include a base configured to attach to an object, a mounting assembly adapted to securely receive the microphone, and a suspension element extending between the base and the mounting assembly. The suspension element may include a first end affixed to the base, a second end affixed to the mounting assembly and a rolling spring extending therebetween, wherein the rolling spring is arranged to form an arc having an opening substantially aligned to the address axis of the microphone. Advantageously, the isolation mount may be configured to have a lowered resonant frequency, to provide a high level of compliance in at least one direction, and to provide a greater degree of energy absorption.