Swivel Tweeter Mechanism for Coaxial Speaker Phase Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Prior art adjustable tweeters face challenges in maintaining sound fidelity due to changes in phase and amplitude interactions between the tweeter and woofer as the tweeter is swiveled, leading to diffraction issues and acoustic byproducts like hissing or whistling, and mechanical instability, making it difficult to design a high-performance crossover network.
Innovation Solution
The center of rotation is placed at the surface of the tweeter instead of its base, maintaining a constant acoustic center relative to the woofer, and using a spring mechanism and ring/stop configuration to stabilize the tweeter's position and limit its range of motion, while a barrier means minimizes airflow through the tweeter assembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the tweeter is placed in the audio field of the woofer to enable adjustable high frequency sound direction, then the user can direct sound flow toward the sweet spot, but the tweeter interferes with the fidelity of the woofer
Solution Approach 1:
The tweeter is positioned on the axis of the woofer diaphragm, utilizing the radial dimension rather than placing it in the audio field. This axial placement allows the tweeter to be integrated without interfering with the woofer's sound reproduction, as the tweeter's sound field does not interact with the woofer's acoustic path.
Solution Approach 2:
The coaxial configuration allows both the woofer and tweeter to share the same spatial axis, enabling the system to achieve both adjustable directionality and maintained fidelity. The adjustable mechanism allows the tweeter assembly to be positioned optimally for different listening scenarios while maintaining acoustic integrity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the center of rotation is placed at the base of the tweeter for efficient manufacture and substantial angular movement, then the tweeter can achieve wide range of motion, but the acoustic center of the tweeter changes with position causing phase and amplitude relationship changes
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of rotating the tweeter about its base (radial rotation), the invention positions the tweeter on the woofer's axis and rotates it about this central axis. This changes the rotation dimension from radial to axial, maintaining a constant acoustic center relative to the woofer while still achieving adjustable sound direction.
Solution Approach 2:
The rotation mechanism is designed to rotate the entire tweeter assembly about the central axis rather than rotating the tweeter diaphragm itself. This localized rotation of the assembly keeps the tweeter's acoustic center fixed relative to the woofer, maintaining consistent phase and amplitude relationships.
3Ease of operation
If the tweeter is swiveled to adjust position, then the tweeter can be directed toward the sweet spot, but the tweeter body moves closer to and further from the woofer diaphragm affecting acoustic loading and sound radiation pattern
Solution Approach 1:
The tweeter is positioned on the axis of the woofer diaphragm rather than in its audio field, and rotation occurs about this central axis. This dimensional change ensures that during rotation, the tweeter's distance from the woofer diaphragm remains constant, maintaining consistent acoustic loading and sound radiation pattern.
Solution Approach 2:
By positioning the tweeter on the axis and rotating about this axis, the system maintains an equipotential acoustic environment where the distance and acoustic relationship between the tweeter and woofer diaphragm remain constant throughout the range of motion, eliminating variations in acoustic loading.
4Object-affected harmful factors
If adjustable components are used in the speaker, then the tweeter can be positioned to reduce sound reflection, but dynamic changes in obstruction create diffraction and make compensation more complicated
Solution Approach 1:
The invention provides a fixed axial position for the tweeter on the woofer's axis, creating a stable and predictable acoustic environment. This fixed positioning eliminates the dynamic obstruction changes that cause diffraction, as the tweeter's relationship to the woofer diaphragm remains constant regardless of rotation position.
Solution Approach 2:
By moving the tweeter from the radial audio field to the axial position on the woofer's axis, the invention changes the geometric relationship between components. This axial positioning reduces diffraction effects and creates a more stable acoustic field that is easier to compensate for.
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 allows for optimized crossover design across multiple tweeter positions, reduces diffraction, and eliminates undesirable airflow, resulting in improved audio fidelity and stability of sound reproduction.
Implementation Method 1
using a spring mechanism and ring/stop configuration to stabilize the tweeter's position and limit its range of motion
Implementation Method 2
the basic premise of such transducers is the movement of air or gas through a medium driven by a coil and a magnet. An electrical signal modulated by an audio signal changes the position of the coil about a magnet and drives the medium to move the air
Data Source
AI summary
An audio transducer assembly configured for positioning with respect to a mounting surface, said assembly employing a tweeter in a directionally adjustable body which swivels radially and axially for positioning and directing the tweeter in a desired direction. By keeping the center of rotation at or near the center of the surface of the tweeter, the adjustment of the tweeter does not significantly offset its body in the X or Y direction through its range of motion. Such configuration allows for compensation of the distortion caused by placing the tweeter in the middle of a woofer in a speaker having multiple transducers in a single assembly.