Asymmetrical Loudspeaker Waveguide for Automotive Audio Directivity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing loudspeaker assemblies in automotive applications lack effective directivity control and efficiency, particularly in shaping sound fields to focus audio towards vehicle occupants while minimizing sound transmission to unnecessary areas.
Innovation Solution
A loudspeaker assembly with an asymmetrical waveguide that includes a creased flare and continuous blend, allowing for customizable trim shapes without affecting performance, and incorporates a grille to enhance off-axis audio performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a waveguide is used to shape sound field and control directivity, then audio transmission towards vehicle occupants is improved, but sound dispersion to unnecessary areas cannot be minimized
Solution Approach 1:
The waveguide employs an asymmetrical geometry design where the front surface differs from the rear surface, allowing independent optimization of sound projection towards occupants while controlling dispersion to unnecessary areas. The asymmetrical shape enables different acoustic functions at different locations of the waveguide structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The waveguide incorporates locally varied surface characteristics including creased flare regions and continuous blend regions. These local variations in surface geometry create specific acoustic zones that control sound behavior in different directions, enabling focused audio transmission while minimizing unwanted dispersion in specific areas.
2Adaptability or versatility
If waveguide geometry is customized for specific trim shapes, then integration with vehicle interior is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The waveguide is designed as a separable component that can be independently manufactured and then integrated with different vehicle trim pieces. This segmentation allows the waveguide to maintain a standardized acoustic structure while adapting to various trim shapes through separate mounting, reducing manufacturing complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The waveguide employs a universal mounting interface and standardized acoustic structure that can be integrated with multiple different trim shapes. This multi-functional design allows the same waveguide component to serve various vehicle interior configurations without requiring custom manufacturing for each trim variation.
3Productivity
If waveguide focuses sound towards occupants, then audio efficiency is improved, but sound transmission to necessary areas may be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The waveguide creates dynamic sound distribution patterns that adapt to the acoustic environment. The creased flare and continuous blend geometries produce varying degrees of sound focus and dispersion at different frequencies and angles, optimizing both efficiency and coverage across the audible spectrum.
Solution Approach 2:
The waveguide utilizes changes in surface geometry parameters including flare angles, curvature radii, and surface area distributions to control sound propagation. By carefully adjusting these geometric parameters, the waveguide achieves optimal balance between focused transmission for efficiency and adequate dispersion for coverage.
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 waveguide and grille combination improves audio directivity and efficiency, ensuring focused sound transmission to vehicle occupants and reducing unwanted sound dispersion, while maintaining consistent frequency response across different seating positions.
Implementation Method 1
The waveguide being configured to control a directivity of the audio output
Implementation Method 2
the waveguide may be used to either narrow or widen the sound field of audio transmitted from the loudspeaker
Data Source
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AI summary
In at least one embodiment, a loudspeaker assembly is provided. The loudspeaker assembly includes a loudspeaker and a waveguide. The loudspeaker includes a diaphragm to transmit an audio output. The waveguide being asymmetrical and at least partially surrounding the diaphragm. The waveguide being configured to control a directivity of the audio output.