Vehicle Audio Speaker Directivity and Delay Synchronization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle audio systems fail to achieve desired sound localization for front passenger seats due to the proximity of speakers, leading to compromised sound quality and inability to synchronize sound arrival times.
Innovation Solution
The system employs strategically positioned speakers with narrower directivity and a delay processing unit to adjust audio signal timing, ensuring synchronized sound arrival for both driver and front passenger seats, and includes additional speakers and switching units for rear seats to achieve comprehensive sound localization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the second speaker is installed close to the front passenger's seat to achieve compact layout, then the device complexity is reduced, but the sound quality and sound localization for the front passenger seat deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by giving different directivity characteristics to different speakers. Specifically, the second speaker (DL) has narrower directivity compared to the first speaker (DR), which is optimized for directing sound precisely to the driver's seat while minimizing sound spread to the front passenger area. This localized optimization of speaker characteristics resolves the contradiction by maintaining compact layout while preserving sound localization quality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the directivity parameter of the second speaker to be narrower than that of the first speaker. This parameter modification allows the second speaker to project sound more focally toward the driver's seat, preventing sound from spreading to the front passenger seat. By adjusting this acoustic parameter, the system achieves both compact speaker placement and accurate sound localization.
2Manufacturing precision
If speakers are positioned to face their respective seats for optimal sound delivery, then the sound quality for each seat is improved, but the sound spread to other seats increases, affecting sound localization
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by assigning different directivity characteristics to different speakers based on their specific functions. The first speaker (DR) has wider directivity to cover the driver's area, while the second speaker (DL) has narrower directivity to precisely target the driver's seat without spreading sound to the front passenger seat. This localized differentiation resolves the contradiction between sound quality and sound spread.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the potential harmful effect of sound spread into a benefit by using the narrower directivity of the second speaker to precisely control sound projection. Instead of allowing sound to spread uncontrollably to adjacent seats, the narrowed directivity focuses sound energy exactly where needed (driver's seat), transforming what could be a harmful interference into a precise sound delivery mechanism that enhances overall sound localization.
3Device complexity
If audio signals are delivered without delay processing to maintain simplicity, then the device complexity is reduced, but the sound arrival time synchronization between seats deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by introducing delay processing for the first speaker (DR) relative to the second speaker (DL). This advance timing adjustment compensates for the different distances sound travels to reach the driver's seat from each speaker. By pre-delivering the signal to the farther speaker, the system achieves synchronized sound arrival at the driver's ears, resolving the contradiction between processing complexity and time synchronization.
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
This configuration enables superior sound localization for all seats, reducing sound spread and enhancing the stereo soundstage experience, allowing occupants to enjoy balanced and synchronized audio.
Implementation Method 1
a second driver's seat speaker that is disposed at a side of a front passenger's seat in a vehicle width direction relative to the first driver's seat speaker in front of the driver's seat, that faces towards the driver's seat, and that has a narrower directivity than the first driver's seat speaker
Implementation Method 2
a delay processing unit that causes an audio signal, which is output to whichever of the first driver's seat speaker or the second driver's seat speaker is closest to the driver's seat, to be delayed relative to an audio signal that is output to whichever of the first driver's seat speaker of the second driver's seat speaker is furthest from the driver's seat
Data Source
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AI summary
A vehicle audio system includes a first driver's seat speaker that is disposed in front of a driver's seat, a second driver's seat speaker that is disposed at a side of a front passenger's seat in a vehicle width direction relative to the first driver's seat speaker, and that has a narrower directivity than the first driver's seat speaker, a first front passenger's seat speaker that is disposed in front of a front passenger's seat, a second front passenger's seat speaker that is disposed at a side of the driver's seat in a vehicle width direction relative to the first front passenger's seat speaker, and that has a narrower directivity than the first front passenger's seat speaker, and a delay processing unit that causes an audio signal output to the speaker out of the first driver's seat speaker and the second driver's seat speaker that is closest to the driver's seat to be delayed relative to an audio signal output to the speaker that is furthest from the driver's seat, and also causes an audio signal output to the speaker out of the first front passenger's seat speaker and the second front passenger's seat speaker that is closest to the front passenger's seat to be delayed relative to an audio signal output to the speaker that is furthest from the front passenger's seat.