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
Engineering 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
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.
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
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.
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
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.
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
Data Source
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.


