Acoustic Transducer Connector with Universal Joint for Dimensional Stability

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Solution Overview

Problem

The vibrated body in acoustic transducers, such as soundboards, undergoes dimensional changes due to temperature and humidity, leading to potential interference between the movable unit and the magnetic-path forming portion, which can cause operation failure and prevent proper vibration transmission.

Innovation Solution

An installation structure for acoustic transducers that includes a magnetic-path forming portion, a movable unit with an electromagnetic coupling portion, and a displacement permitting mechanism, allowing the connector to displace within a predetermined range while maintaining electromagnetic coupling and vibration transmission, even when the vibrated body undergoes dimensional changes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the vibrated body is fixed rigidly to maintain stable electromagnetic coupling, then electromagnetic coupling is maintained, but the vibrated body cannot accommodate dimensional changes due to temperature and humidity

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelectromagnetic coupling stabilityVSAvoidadaptability to dimensional changes
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The connector is designed with a universal joint that allows dynamic adjustment of the rod member's orientation. When the soundboard undergoes dimensional changes, the universal joint enables the rod member to tilt and rotate, maintaining the electromagnetic coupling between the movable unit and magnetic-path forming portion while accommodating the dimensional changes of the soundboard.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The connector allows changes in the orientation parameters of the rod member through the universal joint mechanism. This enables the system to adapt to dimensional changes in the soundboard by adjusting the angle and position of the rod member, thereby maintaining functional coupling despite parameter changes in the soundboard's dimensions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Adaptability or versatility

If the connector is allowed to displace to accommodate dimensional changes, then adaptability is improved, but electromagnetic coupling may be lost

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadaptability to dimensional changesVSAvoidelectromagnetic coupling stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The universal joint provides dynamic adaptation by allowing the rod member to tilt and rotate within certain limits. This dynamic mechanism ensures that even when the soundboard dimensions change, the connector can adjust its orientation to maintain the electromagnetic coupling between the movable unit and magnetic-path forming portion.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The universal joint introduces rotational degrees of freedom, allowing the rod member to adjust its orientation in multiple dimensions. This dimensional flexibility enables the connector to accommodate soundboard dimensional changes while maintaining the functional coupling required for electromagnetic interaction.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Productivity

If a rigid connection is used between the movable unit and soundboard, then vibration transmission is efficient, but operation failure occurs when dimensional changes cause physical interference

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevibration transmission efficiencyVSAvoidoperation continuity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The universal joint creates a dynamic connection that maintains efficient vibration transmission while accommodating dimensional changes. The joint allows the rod member to adjust its orientation, preventing physical interference between the movable unit and magnetic-path forming portion, thereby ensuring continuous operation without sacrificing vibration transmission efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The universal joint acts as a compensatory mechanism that beforehand accommodates potential dimensional changes of the soundboard. By allowing tilting and rotation, it prevents physical interference and operation failure before they can occur, ensuring continuous reliable operation.

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

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 solution ensures that the acoustic transducer can maintain its vibrating function despite dimensional changes in the vibrated body, ensuring continuous sound generation by allowing the displacement permitting mechanism to adjust and maintain proper electromagnetic coupling.

Implementation Method 1

a movable unit (100) having an electromagnetic coupling portion (EM, 511, 512, 513) electromagnetically coupled to the magnetic-path forming portion, the movable unit being configured to vibrate in the first direction when the electromagnetic coupling portion is driven by the magnetic-path forming portion in response to a drive signal based on the audio signal

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentEP2950302B1Vibration exciter attachment structure
Publication Date: 2018.02.28 YAMAHA CORP
  • EP2950302B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2950302B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2950302B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The vibrating function of an acoustic transducer with respect to a vibrated body to be vibrated is maintained even when the vibrated body undergoes a dimensional change in a direction intersecting a vibration direction in which a movable unit vibrates. The movable unit 100 of the acoustic transducer 50 includes an electromagnetic coupling portion EM and a rod member 101. When a drive signal is input to a voice coil 513, the electromagnetic coupling portion is driven by a magnetic-path forming portion 52 forming a magnetic path, so that the movable unit vibrates in a Z direction. A second-end-portion connector 110 connects a second end portion 101b of the rod member 101 fixedly to a soundboard 7, so as to transmit vibration of the movable unit to the soundboard 7. A displacement permitting mechanism is provided at at least one of: an attachment portion which attaches the magnetic-path forming portion 52 to a back post 9; the movable unit 100; and the second-end-portion connector 110, whereby electromagnetic coupling between the magnetic-path forming portion 52 and the electromagnetic coupling portion EM is maintained and the vibration of the movable unit 100 is transmitted to the soundboard 7 even when the second-end-portion connector 110 is displaced with respect to the back post 9 within a predetermined range in the horizontal direction.