Stacked Air Motion Transformer Passive Radiator
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional passive radiator devices require large surface area and transmit significant mechanical vibrations, leading to distortion and limited mounting options due to their single moving diaphragm design and large linear travel requirements.
Innovation Solution
A stacked, 'air motion transformer'-like construction with multiple parallel moving diaphragm sections and optional magnetic suspension elements, utilizing trapped air masses as part of the moving mass to reduce distortion and external vibrations, while allowing for smaller form factor and adjustable resonant characteristics.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If a conventional passive radiator uses a single large moving diaphragm to provide low-frequency sound, then low-frequency sound output is improved, but the surface area occupied on the loudspeaker cabinet increases
Solution Approach 1:
The single large moving diaphragm is segmented into multiple smaller diaphragms (first, second, and third diaphragms) that are coupled together. Each diaphragm has an area of less than 0.1 square meters, and they work in unison to produce low-frequency sound, thereby reducing the surface area requirement while maintaining acoustic output.
Solution Approach 2:
The multiple diaphragms are nested or stacked in a compact arrangement where they share common suspension structures and mounting points. This nested configuration allows the diaphragms to occupy minimal cabinet surface area while collectively providing the necessary moving mass and surface area for low-frequency sound production.
2Length of moving object
If a conventional passive radiator allows large linear travel of the moving diaphragm to extend low-frequency response, then low-frequency response extension is improved, but distortion increases due to rocking and non-linear motion
Solution Approach 1:
The suspension system is designed with compliant elements that dynamically adapt to the motion of multiple diaphragms. The coupled diaphragms move in a coordinated manner with reduced individual excursion requirements, maintaining linear motion characteristics even at extended low frequencies, thereby reducing distortion from rocking and non-linear motion.
3Weight of moving object
If a conventional passive radiator is constructed with large moving mass to achieve desired resonant frequency, then resonant frequency characteristics are improved, but mechanical vibration transmitted to the cabinet increases
Solution Approach 1:
The total moving mass is segmented across multiple smaller diaphragms that are coupled together. This segmentation allows the mass to be distributed in a way that reduces mechanical vibration transmission to the cabinet while maintaining the desired resonant frequency characteristics for low-frequency response extension.
Solution Approach 2:
The coupled diaphragm structure acts as an intermediary between the acoustic pressure inside the cabinet and the cabinet itself. The multiple diaphragms with shared suspension absorb and distribute mechanical vibrations, reducing the transmission of harmful vibrations to the cabinet structure while maintaining effective low-frequency sound production.
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 solution results in a low-distortion, high-sound-pressure passive radiator with reduced external vibrations and a smaller form factor, capable of mounting on smaller loudspeaker cabinets with lower total cost.
Implementation Method 1
the resonant motion of a suspended, movable panel or surface which has the appropriate mass and spring constant properties to correctly interact with the desired low frequencies of sound waves
Implementation Method 2
magnetic sections may be attached to the various moving components of the passive radiator device which may provide part or all of the suspension of the moving components
Implementation Method 3
magnetic sections may be attached to the various moving components of the passive radiator device which may provide part or all of the suspension of the moving components, and which may also act to limit over-excursion of the moving components at high output levels
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides an improved passive radiator device by utilizing a stacked construction in which there exist two or more generally parallel and separate movable diaphragm sections, in which the relative motion of adjacent diaphragm sections will either move toward each other, or away from each other, as air pressure or sound waves emanating from the interior of a loudspeaker cabinet impinges upon the interior air openings of the present invention.