Articulating Speaker Assembly for Aircraft Audio

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional loudspeaker assemblies for aircraft are hindered by size, weight, and shape constraints, which compromise sound quality and payload capacity, as they struggle to provide high fidelity audio within the limited space and weight requirements of aircraft.

Innovation Solution

An articulating speaker assembly with pivotally connected midrange members and a central high frequency driver, allowing for adjustable positioning and profile changes to fit various aircraft configurations without compromising sound quality, featuring a rotating spacer and locking mechanism for secure alignment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional loudspeaker assemblies are used to provide high fidelity sound, then sound quality is improved, but weight and size increase adversely affecting aircraft range and payload

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesound qualityVSAvoidweight

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The speaker assembly is divided into multiple enclosure sections (first enclosure, second enclosure, third enclosure) that can be independently configured. Each enclosure houses specific drivers (woofers, midrange drivers, tweeters) and can be selectively positioned to create different profiles, allowing optimization of sound quality while reducing overall weight and size for aircraft installation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The speaker assembly incorporates movable and reconfigurable components including the articulating arm mechanism that allows the assembly to pivot and adjust its position. The enclosure sections can be selectively positioned to change the profile of the assembly, enabling dynamic adaptation to different aircraft configurations and space constraints while maintaining high fidelity sound output.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If conventional loudspeaker assemblies are used to provide high fidelity sound, then sound quality is improved, but size increases consuming limited aircraft space

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesound qualityVSAvoidsize

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The speaker assembly is divided into multiple enclosure sections (first enclosure, second enclosure, third enclosure) that can be independently configured. Each enclosure houses specific drivers (woofers, midrange drivers, tweeters) and can be selectively positioned to create different profiles, allowing optimization of sound quality while reducing overall weight and size for aircraft installation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The speaker assembly utilizes an articulating arm mechanism that enables movement in multiple dimensions, allowing the assembly to pivot and adjust its position relative to the aircraft wall. This multi-dimensional positioning capability allows the assembly to fit into limited space configurations while maintaining the volume and quality necessary for high fidelity sound reproduction.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Ease of manufacture

If fixed profile speaker assemblies are used, then manufacturing is simplified, but adaptability to different aircraft shapes and configurations is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanufacturing simplicityVSAvoidadaptability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The speaker assembly incorporates movable and reconfigurable components including the articulating arm mechanism that allows the assembly to pivot and adjust its position. The enclosure sections can be selectively positioned to change the profile of the assembly, enabling dynamic adaptation to different aircraft configurations and space constraints while maintaining high fidelity sound output.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The speaker assembly is designed with universal adaptability features including the articulating arm mechanism and reconfigurable enclosure sections that allow a single assembly design to be installed in various aircraft types and configurations. The assembly can be positioned at different angles and orientations, making it suitable for different wall configurations and space constraints across various aircraft models.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS9008337B2Articulating speaker assembly providing for pivotal adjustment of connected first and second midrange members

Publication Date: 2015.04.14 TRACY DENNIS A

AI summary

An articulating speaker assembly includes a first member pivotally connected to a second member for selectively changing the profile of the speaker assembly. A central driver is positioned between the first member and the second member. The first member includes a first enclosure with a cavity shaped and dimensioned for receiving a first driver, the first driver being secured within the first enclosure. The second member includes a second enclosure with a cavity shaped and dimensioned for receiving a second driver, the second driver being secured within the second enclosure. Each of the first member and the second member includes a central driver aperture and the central driver is mounted within the central driver apertures of the first member and the second member.