Miniature Speaker Air Passage Between Suspensions

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional ultra-small speakers face a trade-off between miniaturization and acoustic efficiency, as increasing acoustic efficiency often requires larger speaker sizes, and the air passage needed for sound radiation complicates miniaturization, leading to differences in sound pressure and efficiency between multiple speaker units.

Innovation Solution

The speaker design incorporates a first and second unit with diaphragms supported by multiple suspensions, where air passages are provided between these suspensions to channel sound from the second unit, allowing for miniaturization without enlarging the external dimensions, and includes an acoustic port for sound radiation, with distinct sound holes and air chambers to optimize resonance frequencies.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Volume of moving object

If the air passage is provided in the outer periphery of the first chassis to channel sound from the second speaker unit, then sound radiation is achieved, but the external dimensions of the first chassis become large

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespeaker sizeVSAvoidair passage configuration
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent repositions the air passage from the outer periphery of the first chassis to the space between the first and second speaker units in the axial direction. This dimensional relocation allows the air passage to channel sound without increasing the external dimensions of the first chassis, thereby resolving the contradiction between sound radiation functionality and compact speaker size.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Use of energy by moving object

If two speaker units are arranged in series to improve acoustic efficiency, then power consumption is reduced, but the speaker size increases due to the air passage requirements

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower consumptionVSAvoidspeaker size
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the air passage function with the space between the two speaker units. By utilizing the existing inter-unit space for sound channeling, the design achieves acoustic efficiency benefits of dual speaker units while avoiding additional volume increase, thus resolving the contradiction between energy efficiency and compact size.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Volume of moving object

If the surface area of the first diaphragm is made smaller to fit within the second speaker unit dimensions, then miniaturization is achieved, but sound pressure difference occurs between the two speakers

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespeaker sizeVSAvoidsound pressure uniformity
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by providing sound channels specifically for the second speaker unit's sound to pass through, allowing the first diaphragm to be smaller while maintaining balanced sound pressure. The localized sound channeling compensates for the size difference, enabling miniaturization without sacrificing sound pressure uniformity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

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 configuration enables high-efficiency sound reproduction with improved acoustic performance, allowing for both miniaturization and reduced power consumption, while maintaining or enhancing sound quality, including low-frequency reproduction.

Implementation Method 1

a plurality of suspensions which support an outer periphery of the first diaphragm at mutually different positions, and wherein at least one air passage for channeling sound outputted from the second unit to the outside is provided between the suspensions

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAcoustic radiation: Sound

Implementation Method 2

a first diaphragm which vibrates back and forth to radiate sound

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectVibration: Vibration

Implementation Method 3

distinct sound holes and air chambers to optimize resonance frequencies

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAcoustic resonance: Resonance

Implementation Method 4

The second speaker unit 2 has the same structure as the first speaker unit 1... a voice coil 8 which is fixed to the diaphragm 6, and a magnetic circuit unit. The magnetic circuit unit includes a yoke 9, a magnet 10, and a plate 11

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic force: Lorentz Force

Data Source

PatentEP2549776B1Speaker, hearing aid, earphone, and portable terminal device
Publication Date: 2015.05.06 PANASONIC HOLDINGS CORP
  • EP2549776B1 patent drawingFigure 1(a)~1(b)
  • EP2549776B1 patent drawingFigure 2(a)~2(b)
  • EP2549776B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A speaker capable of suppressing deterioration of acoustic efficiency while allowing miniaturization of the speaker includes a first unit (20) and a second unit (21) each of which outputs sound. The first unit (20) includes: a diaphragm (25) which vibrates back and forth to radiate sound; and plural suspensions (26a, 26b, 26c, 26d) which support, at different positions, an outer periphery of the diaphragm (25). At least one of air passages (35a, 35b) for channeling sound from the second unit (21) to the outside is provided between the plural suspensions (26a, 26b, 26c, 26d).