Asymmetric Horn Waveguide for Even Surround Speaker Coverage

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing speaker configurations in large venues like cinemas fail to provide even spectrum coverage across all seating areas, with symmetrical horns and standard waveguides compromising sensitivity and coverage patterns, especially with immersive audio systems.

Innovation Solution

A speaker system featuring an asymmetrical horn waveguide acoustically coupled to a conical driver, housed in a spherical enclosure, and mounted using a three-axis rigging system to optimize sound projection angles and coverage patterns.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If symmetrical or conical horns are used in height speakers, then the speaker structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the spectrum coverage is uneven and sensitivity is compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespeaker structure simplicityVSAvoidspectrum coverage evenness
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies asymmetry by designing a horn waveguide with non-uniform cross-sectional dimensions along its length. Specifically, the horn has different expansion rates in the vertical and horizontal directions, creating an asymmetric geometry that optimizes sound wave propagation. This asymmetric horn structure enables more even spectrum coverage across all frequencies while maintaining high sensitivity, resolving the contradiction between manufacturing simplicity and performance reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #4Asymmetry

2Ease of manufacture

If standard waveguides are used, then the manufacturing process is straightforward, but coverage is compromised by putting energy where it is not needed or putting sections of the cinema out of the coverage area

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewaveguide manufacturing simplicityVSAvoidcoverage area optimization
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by varying the cross-sectional dimensions of the horn waveguide at different locations along its length. The horn has a throat section with smaller dimensions that transitions to a mouth section with larger dimensions, with each section optimized for its specific function. This localized optimization of geometric parameters enables precise control over sound energy distribution, ensuring coverage is directed exactly where needed in the cinema space while maintaining manufacturing feasibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Adaptability or versatility

If high Q horns are used, then the coverage area is optimized, but sensitivity is reduced by putting energy where it is not needed

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecoverage area optimizationVSAvoidspeaker sensitivity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by designing a horn waveguide with continuously varying cross-sectional dimensions rather than uniform or stepped geometry. The horn's dimensions change progressively along its length, creating a dynamic transition that optimizes acoustic impedance matching at each stage. This dynamic geometric progression enables the horn to maintain high sensitivity by efficiently transferring acoustic energy while simultaneously optimizing coverage area, resolving the contradiction between energy utilization and coverage optimization.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

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 system provides maximum audio spectrum coverage by adjusting projection angles to ensure even sound dispersion across the entire listening environment, enhancing audio quality for all listeners.

Implementation Method 1

a horn waveguide acoustically coupled to the driver to form a horn speaker... provides maximum audio spectrum coverage by adjusting projection angles to ensure even sound dispersion

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAcoustic wave propagation: Sound

Data Source

PatentUS12356144B2Asymmetrical high-frequency waveguide, 3-axis rigging, and spherical enclosure for surround speakers
Publication Date: 2025.07.08 DOLBY LABORATORIES LICENSING CORP
  • US12356144B2 patent drawing
  • US12356144B2 patent drawing
  • US12356144B2 patent drawing

AI summary

Embodiments are described for a high-frequency waveguide that improves the performance of large-scale surround sound and immersive audio environments. A horn waveguide is configured to be asymmetric about one of a vertical axis and horizontal axis of the waveguide to form an asymmetric horn waveguide. A spherical enclosure surrounds the asymmetric horn waveguide to form a horn speaker, and a three-axis mounting system is configured to fix the horn speaker to one of a wall or ceiling surface of the venue, wherein the mounting system facilitates rotating the horn speaker to a location that provides maximum coverage of the venue within the passband of the asymmetric horn waveguide.