Adaptive Acoustic Horn for Compact Decoder Boxes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current decoder boxes with integrated speakers are often bulky, offer disappointing acoustic reproduction, and are costly due to their complex design and high production costs.
Innovation Solution
The integration of a generic acoustic enclosure with an adaptive acoustic horn that adjusts shape and dimensions to match the external envelope, allowing for efficient sound guidance without modifying the box, and the use of a modular design to accommodate different functionalities and designs while reducing production costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If set-top boxes integrate speakers directly into the box, then the equipment size is reduced, but the acoustic reproduction performance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The speaker system is segmented into distinct functional components: the loudspeaker driver mounted on the box, the acoustic horn as a separate sound-guiding structure, and the external envelope with holes. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently while maintaining compact overall dimensions.
Solution Approach 2:
The acoustic horn acts as an intermediary element between the loudspeaker membrane and the external envelope holes. It guides and directs the sound waves produced by the loudspeaker toward the holes in the external envelope, improving acoustic reproduction performance without increasing equipment size.
2Ease of manufacture
If set-top boxes integrate speakers into the box, then production cost is reduced, but acoustic reproduction performance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The acoustic horn is designed with universal applicability to work with different loudspeaker types (tweeters, woofers, mid-frequency speakers) and different external envelope configurations. This multi-functionality allows the same horn design to be used across various product models, reducing production costs while maintaining high acoustic reproduction performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The acoustic horn's geometry parameters (shape, dimensions, orientation) are optimized to transform the sound waves from the loudspeaker into directed acoustic output through the external envelope holes. By carefully controlling these parameters, the system achieves superior acoustic performance without requiring complex or expensive manufacturing processes.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the external envelope shape is modified for different designs, then adaptability is improved, but the acoustic enclosure requires modification
Solution Approach 1:
The acoustic horn is extracted as a separate, modular component from the acoustic enclosure box. This allows the box to remain a simple, generic acoustic enclosure that can be universally used, while the horn and external envelope are configured separately to achieve different design shapes and acoustic configurations without modifying the basic enclosure.
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 enhances acoustic performance, reduces equipment size, and lowers production costs by enabling the reuse of the acoustic enclosure across various designs and applications, resulting in a compact, high-performance decoder box.
Implementation Method 1
the internal lateral surface guides outwards via the set of at least one hole of the outer casing of the sounds produced by the loudspeaker
Data Source
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AI summary
Acoustic horn (75) arranged to be fixed between a speaker enclosure (23) and an outer casing (70), the horn having a shape and/or dimensions which depend on the outer casing, the acoustic horn being arranged so that, when the acoustic horn, the enclosure and the outer casing are assembled, its lower face is in contact with the enclosure so that the lower edge surrounds a loudspeaker diaphragm, and its upper face is in contact with the outer casing so that at least one hole in the outer casing is within a surface delimited by the upper edge, the horn being thus arranged so that its inner lateral surface guides outwards through at least one hole in the outer casing sounds produced by the loudspeaker.