Segmented Voice Coil Actuator for Linear Force and Lower Power
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional loudspeakers face challenges in efficiently converting electrical energy into mechanical energy due to the limitations of traditional voice coil designs, which result in high power consumption and potential for overheating.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a voice coil actuator with multiple segments, each separately controlled by an amplifier and a position sensor, allows for optimized current distribution based on the position of the voice coil within the magnetic field, achieving linear force per unit current throughout the range of motion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If conventional voice coil designs are used, then the structure is simple, but power consumption is high and overheating occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The voice coil is divided into multiple segments (first voice coil segment, second voice coil segment, etc.) that can be independently controlled. This segmentation allows selective activation of only the segments needed to produce the desired force, significantly reducing overall power consumption while avoiding overheating of the entire coil assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
Different segments of the voice coil are positioned at different locations within the magnetic field, allowing each segment to contribute differently to force generation. This local differentiation enables optimized current distribution where only segments in effective positions are activated, reducing total power consumption.
2Force
If a single voice coil is used, then the control system is simple, but force linearity across the range of motion is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The voice coil assembly is segmented into multiple independently controllable sections. By selectively activating specific segments based on the desired direction and magnitude of force, the system achieves linear force control across the entire range of motion, as each segment can be precisely controlled to contribute the appropriate force component.
Solution Approach 2:
The control system dynamically selects which voice coil segments to activate based on real-time positioning and force requirements. This dynamic segmentation and selective activation enables linear force control throughout the range of motion, overcoming the limitations of fixed single-coil designs.
3Speed
If lightweight voice coil materials are used, then high-frequency reproduction is improved, but the coil becomes delicate and prone to overheating
Solution Approach 1:
The voice coil is divided into multiple segments that can be independently controlled. This allows the system to use only the minimum necessary current to achieve the desired motion, reducing heat generation in lightweight coil materials while maintaining their high-frequency response advantages.
Solution Approach 2:
By selectively activating only the segments needed for current motion requirements, the system maintains continuous efficient operation without unnecessary heat generation, preserving both the lightweight advantages and reliability of the coil structure.
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 solution reduces power consumption by up to three times compared to conventional over-hung voice coil designs, while maintaining efficiency and minimizing heating, thus enabling longer battery life or increased sound pressure levels.
Implementation Method 1
a voice coil actuator that includes a moving voice coil assembly having a plurality of segments... produces a linear force per unit current throughout the range of motion
Implementation Method 2
The segment current applied to each voice coil segment is independently controlled by an amplifier based upon the position of the moving voice coil assembly
Data Source
AI summary
Voice coil actuators and loudspeakers containing same. The voice coil actuators include moving voice coil assemblies that have multiple segments. Each segment of a moving voice coil assembly is separately controlled by an amplifier, one channel of an amplifier, and combinations thereof utilized in combination with a position sensor that senses the position of the moving voice coil assembly. By this arrangement, the voice coil actuators produce a linear force per unit current throughout the range of motion while obtaining the benefits and advantages associated with both over-hung and under-hung voice coil actuator designs.