Tactile Transducer with Trapezoidal Metal Loop for Bass Reproduction
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Personal media playing systems, such as MP3 players and smartphones, fail to adequately reproduce low frequency bass components due to their small size and design, resulting in an incomplete sensory experience for users, as they primarily rely on earphones and small speakers that cannot transmit infrasound or deep bass effectively.
Innovation Solution
A vibrating transducer comprising a flat metal loop with a solenoid and magnets attached to a trapezoidal shape with continuously varying width sides, allowing it to vibrate over a range of frequencies and transmit low frequency signals directly to the body, enhancing the musical experience by simulating bass through physical vibrations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If conventional earphones and small speakers are used in personal media playing systems, then the device size remains small and portable, but the low frequency bass components are lost and infrasound cannot be transmitted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a tactile transducer as an intermediary device that converts audio signals into mechanical vibrations transmitted through the body. This mediator bridges the gap between small portable devices and the perception of low frequencies, allowing users to feel bass and infrasound through bone conduction and body vibration without requiring large speakers
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the conventional acoustic mechanical system (large speakers moving air to create sound waves) with a direct mechanical vibration system. The tactile transducer applies mechanical vibrations directly to the user's body, substituting the need for large acoustic structures while achieving the same perceptual effect of bass reproduction
2Reliability
If large bass speakers (sub woofers) are used to reproduce low frequencies, then bass reproduction quality improves, but the device becomes large and bulky
Solution Approach 1:
The tactile transducer serves as a compact intermediary that delivers bass reproduction quality comparable to large sub woofers but in a portable form factor. It translates audio signals into body-perceptible vibrations, eliminating the need for large acoustic structures while maintaining high-fidelity bass reproduction
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the fundamental parameter of sound transmission from acoustic waves in air to mechanical vibrations through solid contact. This parameter change allows the system to achieve deep bass reproduction without the volume constraints of conventional speaker systems, enabling high-quality bass in portable devices
3Reliability
If vibrating devices are attached to shoes or body to provide bass illusion, then the sensory experience is enhanced, but the fidelity of electrical to mechanical signal conversion is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the transducer design to maintain high signal conversion fidelity across a wide frequency range. By carefully controlling the mechanical properties of the transducer and its coupling to the body, the system preserves the accuracy of the original audio signal while still providing enhanced tactile sensation, avoiding the distortion problems of earlier vibrating devices
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs dynamic signal processing that adapts to different frequencies and amplitudes. The system adjusts the mechanical response characteristics in real-time to match the input audio signal, ensuring high fidelity reproduction across the entire frequency spectrum while maintaining enhanced sensory impact
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 transducer provides an enhanced sensory experience by accurately reproducing low frequency signals and overtones, enriching the listening experience with deeper bass and rhythm, even when used with conventional earphones or small speakers, without the need for modifying existing media items.
Implementation Method 1
a solenoid fixed to a first parallel side of the quadrilateral, and fixed magnets attached to an opposite parallel side of the quadrilateral to bring the fixed magnets into proximity with the solenoid
Implementation Method 2
The transducer provides an enhanced sensory experience by accurately reproducing low frequency signals and overtones
Implementation Method 3
allowing it to vibrate over a range of frequencies and transmit low frequency signals directly to the body
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
A transducer comprising: a flat strip of metal formed into a closed metal loop with two substantially parallel sides and rounded corners, a solenoid fixed to a surface on a first parallel side, and fixed magnets attached to an opposite parallel side of the trapezoidal shape to bring the fixed magnets into proximity with the solenoid, wherein at least one lateral side of the trapezoidal shape coupling said parallel sides has a continuously varying width, resulting in the transducer being able to resonate with high fidelity over a range of frequencies in response to reception of a signal comprising varying frequencies.