Semi-Solid Balanced Audio Cable Air Void Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Audio cables face signal velocity impairments due to dielectric material effects, leading to phase distortion and 'smearing' of audio signals, as the propagation velocity varies significantly across the audible frequency range, and existing solutions like polyethylene foam cables do not maximize signal velocity effectively.
Innovation Solution
The use of narrow gauge conductors with a non-conductive thread or bead to reduce dielectric material surrounding the conductor, creating an air void that maximizes signal velocity by minimizing dielectric effects, while maintaining structural support and positioning through spiraling wrapping, thereby ensuring both low and high-frequency signals travel through the entire conductor.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If polyethylene foam is used as dielectric material surrounding the conductor, then structural support is provided, but signal propagation velocity is reduced to approximately 80% of maximum due to dielectric effects
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses air (a porous/void material) instead of solid polyethylene foam as the dielectric surrounding the conductor. By eliminating solid dielectric material and replacing it with air voids, the dielectric constant is minimized, allowing signal propagation velocity to approach nearly 100% of the theoretical maximum while still maintaining conductor positioning through a non-conductive thread or bead.
2Speed
If air is used as dielectric material to maximize signal velocity, then propagation velocity approaches 100% of maximum, but conductors require rigid fixation to avoid short circuits and geometry variations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by using a non-conductive thread or bead only at specific locations where conductor positioning is needed, rather than surrounding the entire conductor with rigid structural material. This localized approach provides necessary mechanical support to prevent short circuits and geometry variations while minimizing dielectric effects, allowing air to fill the remaining space for maximum signal velocity.
3Quantity of substance
If large diameter copper conductor is used, then low frequency signals travel through entire conductor depth, but high frequency signals travel only through thin outer layer causing skin effect
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the parameter of conductor diameter to a small gauge (sub-millimeter radius) that is comparable to the skin depth at high frequencies. This parameter change ensures that both low and high frequency signals utilize the full depth of the conductor, eliminating skin effect while maintaining adequate current carrying capacity for audio signals.
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 results in high propagation velocity across the audible band with reduced self-inductance and capacitance, minimizing audible phase distortion and 'smearing', with propagation velocity approaching nearly 100% of the theoretical maximum and capacitance reduced to less than 12 pF/foot.
Implementation Method 1
Dielectric material around a conductor will affect the propagation velocity of signals in the conductor... the velocity factor VF or ratio of the velocity of the signal in the conductor to the velocity of a signal in vacuum... is the reciprocal of the square root of the dielectric constant of the material
Implementation Method 2
Because the strength of a magnetic field around a conductor is inversely proportional to the square of the distance from the conductor, a polyethylene foam dielectric material creates a gradient of dielectric effect that is strongest immediately adjacent to the conductor
Implementation Method 3
narrow gauge conductors may be used to reduce skin effect by ensuring that high frequency signals utilize the full depth of the conductor
Data Source
AI summary
Audio cables including a conductor spirally wrapped in a non-conductive thread to centrally position the conductor within a channel comprising mostly air include a first conductor having a first diameter, and a non-conductive thread spirally wrapped around the center conductor, the non-conductive thread having a second diameter. A first jacket surrounds the center conductor and thread, having an inner diameter approximately equal to the first diameter plus twice the second diameter. A second conductor surrounds the first jacket and/or the center conductor and thread. In many implementations, the first diameter is less than the second diameter. A radially symmetric filler comprising a plurality of arms may form a corresponding plurality of channels.