Rotational Audio Transducer Hinge System
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional loudspeaker drivers and microphones suffer from mechanical resonance issues due to diaphragm and suspension design, affecting sound quality and transducing performance, with limited research on improving rotational action loudspeaker performance.
Innovation Solution
An audio transducer design featuring a diaphragm coupled to a transducer base structure via a hinge system with multiple hinge joints, each with convexly curved contact surfaces and a biasing mechanism, to minimize resonance and enhance diaphragm excursion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a flexible diaphragm is coupled to a rigid housing via suspension and mounting systems, then the driver can be constructed with standard components, but mechanical resonance occurs affecting sound quality
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the traditional suspension and mounting systems that cause mechanical resonance. The diaphragm is directly coupled to the housing without intermediate suspension elements, extracting the harmful resonant components from the system while maintaining constructability.
Solution Approach 2:
The diaphragm and housing are merged into a more integrated structure where the diaphragm is directly coupled to the rigid housing. This eliminates the separate suspension system that generates resonance, combining functions while reducing harmful mechanical interactions.
2Device complexity
If standard flexible rubber surround and spider suspension are used, then the driver assembly is simplified, but diaphragm fundamental resonance frequency increases and excursion is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes the spider suspension and rubber surround from the driver assembly. This elimination of standard suspension components removes the limitations on diaphragm excursion and prevents the increase in fundamental resonance frequency that these components cause.
3Volume of moving object
If rotational-action loudspeaker design is used, then compact form factor is achieved, but resonance modes and limited diaphragm excursion affect performance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the traditional suspension system from rotational-action loudspeaker design. By eliminating the spider and surround components, the harmful resonance modes are removed while preserving the compact rotational design and enabling greater diaphragm excursion.
4Ease of manufacture
If conventional hinge design is used, then the audio transducer can be constructed, but inconsistent physical contact between hinge elements degrades performance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies convex curvature to the contact surfaces of the hinge elements. This curved geometry ensures consistent physical contact between hinge elements during operation, improving reliability while maintaining ease of construction through a simple geometric modification.
Data Source
AI summary
A hinge system having at least three hinge joints, consisting each of a hinge element and an associated contact member. The contact surface of the hinge element of each hinge joint moves relative to the contact surface of the associated contact member to enable rotatable oscillation of the hinge joint about a common axis of rotation during operation. The contact surface of each contact member is convexly curved and the hinge joints comprise convex surfaces facing in different directions to enhance operation of the hinge system. Multiple convex surfaces are preferably formed on a relatively rigid component to reduce manufacturing complexity and improve operation. The hinge system is particularly suited for audio transducer applications, but may also be used in other applications, such as in other electromechanical devices.