Variable Shape Speaker Surround With Segmented Ribs
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing speaker surrounds lack sufficient stiffening to maintain linear force/displacement behavior at low and medium amplitudes and are prone to instability due to buckling at high displacements.
Innovation Solution
A generally circular surround device with a hollow center and a combination of outwardly and inwardly facing ribs, designed to provide increased stiffness and stability, featuring specific dimensions and configurations for the ribs and planar portions to enhance displacement limits and reduce buckling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a conventional speaker surround is used, then the speaker can operate at low and medium amplitudes, but the surround lacks sufficient stiffness and becomes unstable due to buckling at high displacements
Solution Approach 1:
The surround is segmented into multiple functional zones: a linear displacement range zone at the center and a limited displacement range zone at the periphery containing ribs. This segmentation allows different portions of the surround to perform different functions - the center provides linear movement while the ribbed periphery provides stiffness and prevents buckling at high displacements
Solution Approach 2:
The ribs are strategically positioned only in the limited displacement range zone at the periphery of the surround, not uniformly across the entire surround. This local quality approach provides increased stiffness where needed (at the edges) while maintaining linear displacement behavior in the center zone, resolving the contradiction between stiffness and stability
2Length of moving object
If the surround allows large displacement range, then the speaker has greater movement capability, but the surround becomes prone to buckling and instability
Solution Approach 1:
The surround's displacement range is segmented into two distinct zones: a central linear displacement range zone that allows large movements, and a peripheral limited displacement range zone with ribs that prevents buckling. This segmentation enables the speaker to achieve large overall displacement while maintaining reliability through the ribbed support structure
Solution Approach 2:
The ribs are positioned in advance in the limited displacement range zone to preemptively prevent buckling before it can occur during high displacement operations. This preliminary anti-action ensures reliability is maintained even when the speaker operates at the limits of its displacement range
3Stability of the object's composition
If the surround is made stiffer to prevent buckling, then stability improves, but the linear force/displacement behavior at low and medium amplitudes deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The ribs providing stiffness are located only in the peripheral limited displacement range zone, not in the central linear displacement range zone. This local quality distribution ensures that the center maintains its linear force/displacement behavior for low and medium amplitudes while the periphery provides the stiffness needed to prevent buckling and maintain stability
Solution Approach 2:
The surround is divided into functional zones with different mechanical properties: the central zone maintains compliance for linear behavior, while the peripheral ribbed zone provides stiffness for stability. This segmentation resolves the contradiction by allowing both linear behavior and stability to coexist in different locations
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 surround device achieves increased stiffness and reduced instability, maintaining linear force/displacement behavior across varying amplitudes and preventing buckling at high displacements, while allowing symmetrical movement in desired directions.
Implementation Method 1
A generally circular surround device with a hollow center and a combination of outwardly and inwardly facing ribs, designed to provide increased stiffness and stability
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides methods and systems for a surround device that includes a generally circular arcuate portion that contains a first side and a second side, a first planar portion extends from the first side and a second planar portion extends from the second side, a plurality of outwardly facing ribs are disposed on the first side, and a plurality of inwardly facing ribs are disposed on the second side.