Single Magnet Planar-Magnetic Transducer Slot Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current planar-magnetic transducer designs face challenges with precise consistency of component placement, leading to inconsistent alignment of the electrically conductive trace relative to the magnetic field, resulting in surface phase distortions and torqueing of the diaphragm, particularly noticeable in thinner diaphragms used for improved transducer response and efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A planar-magnetic transducer design featuring a one-piece magnet with slots, where the electrically conductive trace is precisely positioned relative to the slots to minimize torqueing, ensuring consistent magnetic field distribution and alignment across multiple transducers, thereby reducing phase distortions and enhancing manufacturability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If multiple magnets are used in planar-magnetic transducer designs, then the magnetic field can be sufficient to drive the diaphragm, but the component placement consistency becomes difficult to control, leading to misalignment of the conductive trace relative to the magnetic field
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple separate magnets into a single integrated magnet structure. This consolidation maintains the necessary magnetic field strength while eliminating the placement variability inherent in assembling multiple separate components, thereby achieving both sufficient magnetic force and consistent manufacturing precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The single magnet is segmented by incorporating slots that divide the magnetic material into separate magnetic portions. This segmentation allows the magnet to function as multiple independent magnetic sources while being manufactured as one piece, ensuring consistent placement and reducing alignment errors.
2Power
If the conductive trace is positioned to maximize electromagnetic interaction, then transducer efficiency improves, but phase distortions and torqueing of the diaphragm increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by positioning the conductive trace specifically over the slots of the magnet rather than uniformly across the entire magnet surface. This localized placement optimizes the electromagnetic interaction at the slot positions while minimizing the harmful effects in other regions, achieving improved efficiency without excessive phase distortions.
Solution Approach 2:
The slots in the magnet act as intermediaries that mediate between the magnetic field and the conductive trace. By placing the trace over the slots, the magnetic field is channeled through these intermediary structures to create a more uniform and controlled electromagnetic interaction, reducing torqueing and phase distortions while maintaining efficiency.
3Power
If thinner diaphragms are used to improve transducer response and efficiency, then acoustic performance improves, but the diaphragm becomes more susceptible to torqueing and phase distortions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary anti-action by designing the magnet with slots that pre-position the magnetic field to counteract torqueing forces before they can affect the thin diaphragm. The slot configuration creates a magnetic field distribution that inherently resists the torqueing effect, protecting the thin diaphragm from distortion during operation.
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
The design achieves minimized phase distortions and repeatable manufacturability by using a one-piece magnet with slots to provide a consistent magnetic field, allowing for precise placement of the conductive trace, resulting in improved acoustic performance and efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
Current flowing through the voice coil interacts with a magnetic field produced by magnets placed on either side of the membrane, causing the membrane to vibrate
Implementation Method 2
Current flowing through the voice coil interacts with a magnetic field produced by magnets placed on either side of the membrane, causing the membrane to vibrate
Data Source
AI summary
Planar-magnetic transducers and headphone speakers are provided. The transducer includes a magnet, a diaphragm and an electrically conductive trace. The magnet is formed from a continuous piece of magnetic material. The magnet includes a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface. The magnet includes at least one slot extending through the magnet from the first surface to the second surface. The diaphragm is mechanically coupled to a frame and disposed at a predetermined distance from the first surface of the magnet via the frame. The trace is coupled to the diaphragm. The trace is arranged in a predetermined pattern and at a predetermined position relative to the at least one slot of the magnet.