Rotational Diaphragm Audio Transducer to Mitigate Breakup
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional loudspeaker drivers suffer from unwanted mechanical resonance, known as diaphragm breakup, which affects performance and sound quality.
Innovation Solution
The audio transducer design features a diaphragm suspension system that rotatably mounts the diaphragm relative to the transducer base structure, with a primary axis of rotation located in a plane perpendicular to the coronal plane of the diaphragm and containing a predetermined node axis, and a transducing mechanism operatively coupled to the diaphragm to transduce between audio signals and sound pressure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a flexible membrane diaphragm is linearly coupled to a rigid housing, then the driver forms a resonant system, but unwanted mechanical resonance (diaphragm breakup) occurs at certain frequencies
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the diaphragm from its conventional linear coupling to the housing and repositions it on a rotating hub, separating the diaphragm's acoustic function from the housing's structural support function. This extraction eliminates the resonant coupling between the flexible diaphragm and rigid housing that causes diaphragm breakup.
Solution Approach 2:
A rotating hub acts as an intermediary component between the diaphragm and the housing. The hub provides rigid structural support while allowing the diaphragm to rotate freely, mediating between the need for structural strength and the need to eliminate mechanical resonance.
2Object-generated harmful factors
If rotational-action loudspeakers use a rigid approach to diaphragm and suspension, then unwanted resonances are pushed beyond the listener's hearing range, but the design complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of trying to dampen or control resonances through complex suspension systems, the patent inverts the approach by using a rigid rotating hub that naturally pushes resonances beyond the audible range. The solution simplifies the suspension to basic bearings while achieving resonance control through the rotational mechanism itself.
3Object-generated harmful factors
If the diaphragm is rotatably mounted with the primary axis of rotation perpendicular to the coronal plane and containing the node axis, then diaphragm breakup is mitigated, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The rotating hub design allows the diaphragm to self-align during rotation, with the nodal point naturally serving as the rotation center. This self-aligning characteristic reduces the need for precise pre-positioning of the rotation axis, as the system automatically compensates for minor misalignments through its rotational motion.
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 effectively mitigates unwanted resonances, enhancing the performance and sound quality of the audio transducer by optimizing the diaphragm's motion and coupling with the transducing mechanism.
Implementation Method 1
a transducing mechanism operatively coupled to the diaphragm to transduce between audio signals and sound pressure
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to various rotational action audio transducer embodiments having a diaphragm structure including a single or multiple diaphragms. A diaphragm suspension rotatably mounts the diaphragm structure to a base structure. In some embodiments, the diaphragm suspension may be made from soft and/or damped materials. In some embodiments, the location of an axis of rotation of the diaphragm is determined based on a node axis of the diaphragm. A transducing mechanism of the audio transducer cooperates with the moving diaphragm to transduce sound. The mechanism may comprise a moving magnet design in some embodiments, or a moving coil design in others.