Speaker Frame Locking Mechanism for Jam-Free Assembly

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing loudspeaker connection systems face challenges in stability and fluidity during assembly and disassembly, leading to potential jamming and requiring manual effort for locking and unlocking, which complicates the assembly process of large loudspeaker arrays.

Innovation Solution

A loudspeaker frame with a connection device featuring a locking system comprising two legs, a slider with guide elements, elastic members, and a selector screw, along with a locking rod and actuator, allowing for automatic assembly and disassembly by moving the slider and selector screw between locked and armed configurations, ensuring secure and fluid connection.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a locking system with slider is used to connect loudspeaker enclosures, then the connection can be secured, but the locking system may jam or derail during assembly and disassembly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnection securityVSAvoidassembly fluidity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

Guide elements are introduced as intermediary components between the slider and the locking system structure. These guide elements constrain the slider's movement path, preventing derailment while maintaining smooth operation during assembly and disassembly

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The guide elements are designed to preemptively prevent jamming by maintaining proper alignment and spacing of the slider throughout its travel range, eliminating the risk of malfunction before it can occur

Inventive Principle:
Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

2Ease of operation

If manual locking and unlocking operations are required, then the locking system can be controlled, but the assembly process becomes complex and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelocking controlVSAvoidassembly speed
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The locking system is designed to automatically perform locking and unlocking operations through the movement of the slider. The elastic member provides self-return functionality, and the locking rod automatically engages or disengages based on slider position, eliminating the need for manual intervention and significantly improving assembly speed

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Adaptability or versatility

If the slider is allowed to move freely between positions, then the locking system is flexible, but the slider may derail from its sliding zone

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveslider movement flexibilityVSAvoidlocking system stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

Guide elements serve as intermediary structures that define the slider's movement path. These elements allow the slider to move freely between locked and unlocked positions while simultaneously preventing derailment by constraining the slider within its designated sliding zone

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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

Facilitates simple, reliable, and automated assembly of loudspeaker enclosures, allowing a single operator to automatically lock or unlock the speakers, improving the consistency and fluidity of the sliding mechanism and ensuring secure locking, thus streamlining the assembly process.

Implementation Method 1

a first elastic member connected to said slider and configured to automatically return the slider from the high position to the low position

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElastic recovery: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

a second elastic member connected to the selector screw and configured to automatically return the selector screw from the extended position to the returned position

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElastic recovery: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP3675511B1Frame for speaker system comprising a device for connecting to another speaker system and speaker system comprising such a frame
Publication Date: 2021.06.16 NEXO
  • EP3675511B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3675511B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3675511B1 patent drawingFigure 3a

AI summary

An acoustic enclosure frame (2) comprising a connection device (21) for connecting to another acoustic enclosure, the connection device (21) having an eyelet (210) and a locking system (3), the locking system (3) having a front tab (31a) and a rear tab (31b), a slider (32) disposed between the two tabs (31a; 31b) and configured to slide between a raised position and a lowered position under the action of a first elastic element connected to the slider (32), and an actuator (38) configured to assume a pulled position and a pushed position. The locking system (3) being configured to assume a locked position and an armed position, the locking system (3) transitioning from the locked position to the armed position by movement of the actuator (38) and from the armed position to the locked position by movement of the slider (32) from the lower position to the raised position.