Surface Acoustic Transducer with Segmented Housing for Enhanced Excursion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Surface acoustic transducers face limitations in producing high-quality sound due to limited mechanical excursion, resulting in poor frequency response and sensitivity to external forces, such as a person leaning against a surface to which the transducer is attached, leading to distortion.
Innovation Solution
A structurally unique surface acoustic transducer design featuring a voice coil assembly with a spider and higher wattage voice coil, housed within a transducer and external housing that allows for increased excursion and mechanical damping, minimizing distortion while maintaining sound quality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a traditional surface acoustic transducer is attached to a surface, then the transducer can produce sound, but the mechanical excursion is limited resulting in poor frequency response
Solution Approach 1:
The transducer is divided into separate functional components: a voice coil assembly housed within a transducer housing, which is then mounted in an external housing. This segmentation allows the voice coil assembly to be optimized for excursion while the external housing provides structural support and protection, resolving the contradiction between limited excursion and poor frequency response.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from a conventional planar mounting approach to a three-dimensional housing structure that accommodates increased voice coil excursion. The external housing provides additional spatial dimension for the voice coil assembly to move without compromising structural integrity, enabling richer bass response while maintaining stability.
2Reliability
If a surface acoustic transducer is attached to a surface, then sound can be produced, but the transducer is sensitive to external forces such as a person leaning against the surface
Solution Approach 1:
The external housing is designed with shock-absorbing features and a compliant mounting system that cushions the transducer against external forces before they can cause damage or distortion. This protective structure absorbs impacts from objects or persons contacting the surface, maintaining sound quality stability under adverse conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The housing structure utilizes composite materials combining rigid and compliant properties. The external housing provides rigid structural support while incorporating compliant elements that allow controlled movement under external force, preventing distortion while protecting the voice coil assembly. This composite approach resolves the contradiction between stability and sensitivity to external forces.
3Reliability
If the voice coil assembly is allowed to have larger excursion, then richer sound range is achieved, but the transducer becomes more susceptible to distortion from external forces
Solution Approach 1:
By separating the voice coil assembly from the main structural housing, the invention allows the voice coil to achieve larger excursion for richer sound range while the external housing maintains structural stability. The housing acts as a stable frame that accommodates the moving voice coil assembly without being distorted by external forces.
Solution Approach 2:
The housing structure incorporates protective elements that cushion the voice coil assembly against external forces before they can cause distortion. This allows the voice coil to move freely for enhanced bass response while the housing absorbs and dissipates external impacts, maintaining structural stability during large excursions.
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 enhances sound quality by providing a richer sound range and mitigating external interference, ensuring consistent performance even when subjected to external forces.
Implementation Method 1
a surface acoustic transducer operates by attachment to a surface, such as an existing panel or wall made of various materials, and directing vibrations directly onto the surface in order to create sound
Implementation Method 2
a spider in conjunction with a higher wattage voice coil, in order to allow for a richer sound range provided by the surface acoustic transducer
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides for a surface acoustic transducer optimally structured to produce sound within an aircraft cabin by vibrating the interior cabin walls. Specifically, the surface acoustic transducer comprises a primary assembly comprising a voice coil assembly having a voice coil former and wire, and a transducer housing for retaining said primary assembly and a magnet therein such in movable relations. The present surface acoustic transducer may further include a spider structured to provide an improved excursion. An external housing may additionally be provided comprising a rigid retaining wall for protecting the surface acoustic transducer from potential externally applied forces and a malleable excursion cover allowing for an excursion of the primary assembly thereof.