Air-Pulse Speaker Using Ultrasonic Valve for Compact High SPL

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional speakers face challenges in covering the entire audio frequency band from 20 Hz to 20 KHz while maintaining high sound pressure levels, requiring large radiating surfaces and enclosures, making it difficult to design compact sound-producing devices.

Innovation Solution

An air-pulse generating device with a membrane structure and valve structure forms a chamber where air waves vibrate at an operating frequency, and the valve performs synchronous open-and-close movements to connect the chamber with the outside, enhancing sound pressure levels and efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stress or pressure

If conventional speakers use large radiating surfaces and back enclosures to achieve high sound pressure levels, then sound pressure level is improved, but device size increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesound pressure levelVSAvoidback enclosure volume

Core Design Contradiction:

Stress or pressureVSVolume of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the conventional mechanical speaker system (driving diaphragm, back enclosure, acoustic suspension) with an air-pulse generating system that uses a membrane structure to create ultrasonic air pulses. This substitution eliminates the need for large back enclosures while achieving high sound pressure levels through the ultrasonic air pulse generation mechanism.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs periodic air pulses generated by the membrane structure vibrating at ultrasonic frequencies. By creating a series of periodic air pulses instead of continuous acoustic pressure, the system achieves high sound pressure levels in a compact form factor, resolving the contradiction between sound pressure level and enclosure volume.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

2Adaptability or versatility

If conventional speakers use large radiating surfaces to cover the entire audio frequency band, then frequency coverage is improved, but device area increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefrequency coverage rangeVSAvoidradiating surface area

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the conventional radiating surface mechanism with an air-pulse generation mechanism. The membrane structure generates ultrasonic air pulses that can cover the audio frequency band without requiring large physical radiating surfaces, thus achieving broad frequency coverage in a compact area.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the operating parameters by using ultrasonic frequency air pulses instead of conventional acoustic frequencies. This parameter change allows the system to achieve broad frequency coverage through pulse amplitude modulation and frequency modulation techniques without increasing the physical radiating surface area.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Stress or pressure

If conventional speakers increase enclosure volume to achieve high sound pressure levels, then sound pressure level is improved, but power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesound pressure levelVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Stress or pressureVSUse of energy by stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses periodic ultrasonic air pulses instead of continuous acoustic pressure generation. By delivering energy in short, high-intensity pulses rather than continuous operation, the system achieves high sound pressure levels with reduced overall power consumption, resolving the contradiction between sound pressure level and power consumption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the operational parameters by using ultrasonic frequencies and pulse-amplitude modulation. This allows efficient energy transfer to the air medium, achieving high sound pressure levels with lower power consumption compared to conventional continuous acoustic pressure generation systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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 device achieves improved sound pressure levels and power efficiency by creating air pulses at ultrasonic rates, allowing for compact sound production without the need for large enclosures, thus overcoming the limitations of conventional speakers.

Implementation Method 1

an air wave vibrating at an operating frequency is formed within the chamber

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectUltrasonic vibration: Ultrasonic Vibration

Implementation Method 2

the valve structure is configured to be actuated to perform an open-and-close movement to form at least one opening

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectValve actuation: Valve

Data Source

PatentUS11758335B2Air-pulse generating device and sound producing method thereof

Publication Date: 2023.09.12 XMEMS LABS INC

AI summary

An air-pulse generating device includes a membrane structure, a valve structure, and a cover structure. A chamber is formed between the membrane structure, the valve structure and the cover structure. An air wave vibrating at an operating frequency is formed within the chamber. The valve structure is configured to be actuated to perform an open-and-close movement to form at least one opening. The at least one opening connects air inside the chamber with air outside the chamber. The open-and-close movement is synchronous with the operating frequency.