Unified Speaker Driver With Shared Magnet And Time Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional speaker drivers require multiple components and separate magnetic circuits to cover both high and low-frequency ranges, leading to increased size and complexity, while compromising sound quality.
Innovation Solution
A unified speaker driver design that incorporates both a woofer and a tweeter, utilizing two magnetic circuits sharing a single magnet and magnetically permeable components, with a geometrical separating feature on the top plate to focus magnetic flux and improve time alignment between the voice coils.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If separate magnetic circuits with multiple magnets are used for woofer and tweeter, then magnetic field strength and sound quality are improved, but device size and component complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines two separate magnetic circuits into a unified structure where a single magnet serves both the woofer and tweeter. The magnet is positioned centrally with two voice coils (woofer voice coil and tweeter voice coil) wound around different portions of the same magnet, eliminating the need for separate magnets while maintaining distinct magnetic circuits for each driver.
Solution Approach 2:
The single magnet performs multiple functions by serving as the magnetic source for both the woofer and tweeter. The magnet is designed with different winding portions that allow it to generate appropriate magnetic fields for both low-frequency and high-frequency drivers simultaneously, making one component universal for both functions.
2Reliability
If separate magnetic circuits with multiple magnets are used for woofer and tweeter, then magnetic field control is improved, but manufacturing cost and assembly complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the manufacturing and assembly processes by using a single magnet that requires only one assembly operation, compared to aligning and securing multiple separate magnets. The unified magnetic circuit structure reduces the number of parts to be handled during assembly while maintaining the ability to control magnetic fields for both drivers.
3Device complexity
If a single magnet is shared by both magnetic circuits, then device size and component count are reduced, but magnetic flux distribution control becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating distinct magnetic circuit paths within the unified structure. The woofer voice coil and tweeter voice coil are wound around different portions of the magnet with specific geometries, allowing each portion to optimize magnetic flux distribution for its respective driver. The magnet may have different radial thicknesses or winding configurations at different locations to control flux locally.
Solution Approach 2:
The single magnet is effectively segmented into functional zones through different voice coil winding portions. Each winding portion interacts with a specific region of the magnet, creating separated magnetic circuits within the unified structure. This segmentation allows independent optimization of magnetic flux for woofer and tweeter while using a single magnet component.
4Reliability
If voice coils are horizontally aligned, then time alignment between woofer and tweeter is improved, but vertical space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from vertical stacking to horizontal alignment of voice coils along the radial dimension of the magnet. The woofer voice coil and tweeter voice coil are positioned at different radial distances from the center, with their middle points horizontally aligned. This dimensional change achieves time alignment while utilizing the radial space of the magnet rather than requiring additional vertical height.
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 design reduces component count, increases magnet efficiency, simplifies assembly, and maintains sound quality by aligning the middle points of the woofer and tweeter voice coils, allowing for a compact, cost-effective solution suitable for loudspeakers and headphones.
Implementation Method 1
As electric current is fed to the voice coil, according to Fleming's left-hand rule, another magnetic field is created, vibrating the voice coil either in the same direction or opposed to the magnetic field generated by the magnetic circuit. Accompanying this, the diaphragm connected to the voice coil is driven to reproduce sound.
Implementation Method 2
In order to focus the magnetic flux passing through each magnetic circuit, the top plate includes a geometrical separating feature, which separates between a first plate portion and a second plate portion.
Data Source
AI summary
The disclosed technology relates to speaker drivers and micro-drivers, and more particularly to speaker drivers that include a woofer and a tweeter driven by a first and a second magnetic circuit, respectively, both magnetic circuits sharing a single magnet.