Segmented Electroacoustic Transducer for Frequency Adaptability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current electroacoustic transducers are inefficient as they only utilize a portion of available resources, leading to unnecessary sound energy loss and suboptimal signal transmission and reception due to their limited resonant frequency capabilities.
Innovation Solution
An electroacoustic converter with multiple electrically insulated contacts that can be excited to different oscillation modes using signals with distinct time profiles, allowing for efficient conversion of acoustic signals to electrical signals and precise control of vibration behavior.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a single electroacoustic transducer with one resonant frequency is used, then the device complexity is low, but the adaptability to different frequencies is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The electroacoustic transducer is segmented into multiple independent electrode regions (first electrode region, second electrode region, third electrode region) that can be independently controlled. Each region can be excited at different frequencies, allowing the transducer to handle multiple resonant frequencies simultaneously or selectively, thus improving frequency adaptability without requiring multiple separate transducers.
Solution Approach 2:
A single electroacoustic transducer structure is designed to perform multiple functions by enabling different electrode regions to operate at different frequencies. The transducer can function as a multi-frequency resonator, capable of transmitting and receiving acoustic signals across a broader frequency range, effectively replacing what would traditionally require multiple specialized transducers.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple electroacoustic transducers with different resonant frequencies are used, then the frequency coverage is improved, but the area of unused membrane draws sound energy out of the sound field
Solution Approach 1:
The membrane is divided into multiple electrode regions that can be independently activated. When a specific frequency is required, only the corresponding electrode region is excited, while other regions remain inactive. This prevents unused membrane areas from drawing sound energy out of the sound field, reducing energy loss while maintaining broad frequency coverage capability.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the membrane are assigned different functional characteristics through separate electrode control. Each region can be optimized for specific frequency ranges, and only the locally required region is activated at any given time, ensuring efficient energy utilization without the drawbacks of having the entire membrane actively engaged.
3Productivity
If only part of the available resources (vibrating reeds) are used in reed frequency meters, then the device simplicity is maintained, but the resource utilization efficiency is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The transducer is divided into multiple independently controllable electrode regions, allowing selective activation of only the regions needed for the current operating frequency. This enables efficient resource utilization by keeping inactive regions dormant rather than having them passively present but unused, thereby improving productivity without significantly increasing operational complexity.
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 approach enhances signal-to-noise ratio, sensitivity, and efficiency in both transmitting and receiving acoustic signals, particularly in ultrasonic applications, by optimizing vibration modes and reducing noise from internal resistance.
Implementation Method 1
An electroacoustic converter 2 which has at least two first contacts 3a, 3b, 3c, 3d which are electrically insulated from one another and via which different areas of the electroacoustic converter 2 can be excited to oscillate
Implementation Method 2
several oscillating tongues are attached to an acoustically rigid oscillation coupling element, which each reach their oscillation maximum at different excitation frequencies
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to a device (1) for transmitting and/or receiving acoustic signals. This device (1) comprises an electroacoustic transducer (2) having at least two electrically isolated first contacts (3a, 3b, 3c, 3d) via which different areas of the electroacoustic transducer (2) can be excited to oscillation, wherein the device (1) is configured such that, when acoustic signals are transmitted, an electrical signal is applied to each of the first contacts (3a, 3b, 3c, 3d), wherein the applied electrical signals have different temporal profiles, and/or when acoustic signals are received, an electrical signal is tapped from each of the first contacts (3a, 3b, 3c, 3d) in order to determine the oscillation of the electroacoustic transducer from the different temporal profiles of the tapped electrical signals.