Acoustic Waveguide With Bent Channels For Coherent High-Frequency Sound Distribution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing acoustic waveguides face challenges in distributing high-frequency sound waves effectively across the front of a speaker, particularly due to the small wavelength of high-frequency sounds, which makes it difficult to achieve the required spacing between speakers for optimal sound distribution.
Innovation Solution
The acoustic waveguide is designed with a configuration of sound channels that direct high-frequency sound waves from a driver through a housing with outlet apertures, ensuring a coherent wavefront and allowing multiple waveguides to be arrayed for a cylindrically shaped wavefront, enhancing sound distribution and projection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If multiple smaller speakers are used to achieve similar acoustic results to a large speaker, then the speaker size is reduced, but the spacing between speakers becomes difficult to achieve for high frequency sounds due to small wavelength
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides a single large speaker into multiple smaller speakers arranged in an array. Each smaller speaker acts as an independent acoustic source, and their combined output produces the desired acoustic field. This segmentation allows the system to achieve the acoustic performance of a large speaker while using compact individual units that can be practically spaced apart.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a single-point acoustic source to a distributed array of sources arranged in specific geometric configurations (linear arrays, planar arrays, three-dimensional arrays). By adding spatial dimensions to the speaker arrangement, the system achieves coherent wavefronts and controlled sound distribution without requiring extremely small spacing between individual speakers.
2Reliability
If the spacing between high frequency speakers is reduced to match the small wavelength, then the sound distribution improves, but the physical distance between speakers becomes impractically small
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs curved or flared waveguide structures that shape the acoustic wavefronts as they propagate from each speaker element. These curved geometries help maintain coherent wavefronts over longer distances, allowing speakers to be spaced further apart while still achieving reliable sound distribution. The curved surfaces guide the sound waves to constructively interfere in the desired directions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the acoustic parameters by using waveguides with varying cross-sectional areas, flare angles, and internal geometries. These parameter changes allow the system to maintain coherent wavefronts and control sound distribution patterns without requiring the speakers to be spaced at distances matching the wavelength, thereby resolving the contradiction between reliable sound distribution and practical speaker spacing.
3Reliability
If existing acoustic waveguides are used to transmit high frequency audio sounds, then transmission is improved, but the distribution of sound waves across the front of the speaker is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the waveguide output into multiple separate acoustic sources arranged in arrays. Instead of a single waveguide outlet, multiple outlets are distributed across the speaker front, increasing the effective sound distribution area. Each outlet acts as an independent source, and their collective output covers a broader spatial area while maintaining high-frequency transmission quality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extends the waveguide concept from a single-point outlet to distributed arrays of outlets arranged in linear, planar, or three-dimensional configurations. This dimensional expansion increases the sound distribution area across the speaker front, allowing high-frequency sounds to be transmitted effectively while covering a broader spatial area for improved sound distribution.
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 improves sound distribution and projection by ensuring that high-frequency sound waves exit the waveguide in a coherent, planar, and uniform wave configuration, addressing the challenge of small wavelength and enhancing the overall sound quality.
Implementation Method 1
sound channels that direct the sound waves produced by the speaker drivers through the sound channels and out of a front, distal end of the acoustic waveguide
Implementation Method 2
the sound paths have equal acoustic lengths, such that all of the high-frequency sound waves simultaneously entering the inlet aperture from the driver will exit the respective outlet apertures substantially simultaneously to produce the coherent wave front
Data Source
AI summary
An acoustic waveguide in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present technology that comprises a housing having a proximal end with an inlet aperture and a distal end with an outlet aperture, and a mounting flange positioned at the proximal end and configured to acoustically couple a driver to inlet aperture. A plurality of sound channels extend through the housing and acoustically couple the inlet aperture to the outlet aperture. Each sound channel at least partially defining a sound path has an acoustic length, wherein at least one of the sound paths of the plurality of sound channels has a bend angle that exceeds 180 degrees.