Adjustable Speaker Back Box Shims for Wall-Thickness Variation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing speaker mounting systems fail to accommodate variations in wall thickness, leading to uneven speaker placement and potential sound leakage, as they do not adjust for differences in drywall or sheetrock thickness.
Innovation Solution
A speaker enclosure with a finite volume that fits between wall studs, featuring adjustable shims to match varying wall thicknesses, ensuring flat speaker placement and minimizing sound leakage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a unitary frame body is used for speaker mounting, then the mounting structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but it cannot accommodate variations in drywall or sheetrock thickness
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting structure is divided into separate components: a frame body and interchangeable shims. The shims are separate segments that can be selected and inserted to accommodate different wall thicknesses, allowing the system to adapt to variations while maintaining a simple overall structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The mounting structure becomes dynamically adjustable through the insertion of different shim thicknesses. The shims can be changed based on the specific wall thickness requirements, transforming a static frame body into a dynamic, adaptable mounting system.
2Device complexity
If the speaker enclosure does not adjust for wall thickness variations, then the structure remains simple, but the speaker placement becomes uneven and sound leakage occurs
Solution Approach 1:
Shims serve as intermediary elements between the frame body and the wall. These intermediate components compensate for thickness variations and ensure uniform speaker placement, preventing sound leakage without complicating the overall structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The system addresses wall thickness variations by changing the parameter of shim thickness. Different thickness values of shims are selected to match specific wall conditions, ensuring precise speaker placement and eliminating sound leakage while maintaining structural simplicity.
3Adaptability or versatility
If adjustable shims are added to accommodate wall thickness variations, then wall thickness adaptability improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The shims serve multiple functions: they accommodate wall thickness variations, ensure uniform speaker placement, prevent sound leakage, and maintain aesthetic appearance. This multi-functionality justifies the added complexity by delivering multiple benefits from a single component addition.
Solution Approach 2:
The shims are designed as simple, inexpensive components that can be easily inserted and removed. Their simplicity and low cost mean that the added complexity is minimal, and the shims can be quickly replaced if needed without significant impact on the overall system.
Data Source
AI summary
A speaker back box that provides an enclosure with a finite internal volume that is configured to retain a speaker behind an outer surface of a wall. The enclosure is sized with a depth to fit between opposing sides of a wall surface and width that is sized to fit between vertical studs. The box has side flanges that are configured for securing the box on studs and behind a drywall or sheetrock facing. The box has a recess for securing shims that provide a planar surface that can be adjusted with one or more shims to make the outer surface parallel with the finished wall surface. This allows the speaker back box to accommodate a variety of surface finishes from simple painting to tile or rock face. The finite internal volume allows the box to be tuned to mounted speakers and minimizes sound pressure inside the wall.