Asymmetrical Coverage Horn Waveguide Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional loudspeaker systems struggle to provide asymmetrical sound coverage, especially in wall-mounted configurations where manual adjustment is limited due to narrow depth, resulting in inefficient sound distribution in complex listening environments.
Innovation Solution
A speaker system with a housing that supports a driver arranged to project sound at an offset angle, featuring a waveguide with segments at different angles to create an asymmetrical sound pattern, allowing for customized sound distribution in both horizontal and vertical planes, even in constrained spaces like walls and ceilings.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a conventional symmetrical horn is used, then the sound coverage is uniform in all directions, but it cannot provide asymmetrical sound distribution needed for targeted listening areas
Solution Approach 1:
The waveguide is designed with asymmetrical geometry where the first waveguide portion has a different cross-sectional area than the second waveguide portion. This asymmetry creates different acoustic impedances in different directions, enabling the horn to project sound preferentially toward a targeted listening area while reducing sound in other directions, thus resolving the contradiction between adaptability and efficiency
2Volume of moving object
If speakers are mounted in walls with narrow depth, then installation space is saved, but manual rotation to adjust coverage pattern becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of relying on rotational adjustment, the invention uses an asymmetrical waveguide design that provides the desired asymmetrical coverage pattern in a fixed installation. The asymmetrical geometry of the waveguide portions creates directional sound projection without requiring the speaker to be rotated, thus resolving the contradiction between compact depth and adjustment capability
3Area of stationary object
If sound is projected uniformly in all directions, then coverage area is maximized, but sound interference with room objects increases
Solution Approach 1:
The waveguide is designed with locally different properties: the first waveguide portion has a smaller cross-sectional area while the second has a larger cross-sectional area. This local variation in geometry creates directional control of sound energy, concentrating sound in the desired direction toward the listening area while reducing sound in other directions, thus resolving the contradiction between coverage area and sound interference
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 solution enables precise and efficient asymmetrical sound coverage, enhancing audio systems' ability to direct sound towards specific areas while minimizing interference with room objects, improving overall sound quality and flexibility in installation.
Implementation Method 1
The waveguide extends from the throat to the mouth to define a cavity extending along the first axis. The waveguide comprises: a first segment formed at a first angle relative to the longitudinal axis, and a second segment formed at a second angle relative to the longitudinal axis.
Data Source
AI summary
A speaker system is provided with a housing adapted to mount to a support. A driver is supported by the housing and arranged to project sound about a first axis extending at an offset angle relative to a longitudinal axis extending from the housing. A waveguide extends from the driver to define a cavity extending along the first axis. The waveguide includes a first segment formed at a first angle relative to the longitudinal axis, and a second segment formed at a second angle relative to the longitudinal axis, wherein the second segment is arranged opposite the first segment and the second angle is greater than the first angle to collectively provide an asymmetrical sound pattern in a first plane.