Rotatable Audio Cable Coupling with Rolling-Element Bearing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing audio cable designs for musical instruments with mercury-based electrical rotary interfaces face issues with transport regulations, durability, and reliability due to lack of environmental protection and orientation dependency, leading to audio dropout and distortion.

Innovation Solution

A rotatable coupling apparatus with a stator and rotor housed in protective stainless steel or aluminum components, utilizing a rolling-element bearing and snap rings to provide continuous electrical connection and withstand physical shocks, while allowing axial rotation and preventing twisting of the cable.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a mercury-based electrical rotary interface is used to provide continuous connection between audio cable portions, then electrical continuity is achieved, but the cable becomes subject to transport regulations prohibiting mercury, and reliability decreases due to orientation dependency

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaudio signal continuityVSAvoidtransport regulation compliance

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes the mercury conductor from the electrical rotary interface and replaces it with a mercury-free conductive material. This extraction of the harmful substance eliminates transport regulation issues while maintaining the core function of providing continuous electrical connection between rotating cable portions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the physical state and composition parameters of the conductive material from liquid mercury to a solid mercury-free conductive material. This parameter change eliminates orientation dependency and gravitational constraints, allowing the interface to function reliably in any position while complying with transport regulations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If a mercury-based electrical rotary interface is used without additional protective housings, then device complexity is reduced, but durability decreases due to lack of impact and tugging protection

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotection against impact and tuggingVSAvoidstructure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the electrical rotary interface with protective stator and rotor housings into a single integrated assembly. The housings serve dual functions: protecting the interface from impact and tugging forces, and providing structural support for the electrical connection components, thereby reducing overall device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The protective housings are designed with impact-resistant materials and structural features that cushion and absorb external forces before they reach the delicate electrical rotary interface. This beforehand protection prevents damage from impacts and tugging while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

3Adaptability or versatility

If a mercury-based electrical rotary interface operates in non-vertical orientations, then operational flexibility increases, but reliability decreases due to audio dropout and distortion

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoperational orientation flexibilityVSAvoidaudio signal stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the gravity-dependent liquid mercury conductor with a solid mercury-free conductive material that maintains electrical contact through mechanical pressure and elastic deformation rather than gravitational flow. This substitution eliminates orientation dependency, allowing reliable operation in any position while maintaining audio signal stability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses composite material structures in the electrical rotary interface, combining conductive materials with elastic and pressure-resistant properties. This composite approach enables the interface to maintain reliable electrical contact through mechanical means independent of gravitational orientation, providing both adaptability and reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

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 solution enhances durability and reliability by ensuring continuous audio signal transmission, resisting physical shocks and impacts, and complying with transport regulations by eliminating mercury usage, thus preventing audio dropout and distortion.

Implementation Method 1

a rolling-element bearing with an inner race and an outer race, wherein the protective rotor housing is journaled in the inner race and the outer race is journaled in the protective stator housing

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRolling contact: Ball Bearing

Data Source

PatentUS10038291B2Apparatus for providing a rotatable coupling between audio cables

Publication Date: 2018.07.31 ORANGE MUSIC ELECTRONIC COMPANY

AI summary

A rotatable coupling for audio cables is shown having a stator and a rotor divining an electrical rotary interface (301) for providing continuous connection between audio cables. A protective stator housing (304) retains the stator and a protective rotor housing (305) retains the rotor. A rolling-element bearing (306) with an inner race and an outer race allows the protective housings to axially rotate.