Backrest Speaker Upward Acoustic Directivity

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional seats with integrated speakers fail to provide consistent acoustic output to a range of users and seating positions due to speakers being directed at a nominal ear position, which may not accommodate varying occupant heights effectively.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating a loudspeaker assembly into the seat backrest with acoustic directivity angled upward, positioned to cover at least 80% to 97% of the population's expected ear positions, ensuring consistent frequency response across different occupant positions by adjusting the loudspeaker's angle and placement relative to the seat's structure.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If speakers are directed at a nominal ear position, then installation is simple, but acoustic output consistency across different users and seating positions deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvespeaker installation simplicityVSAvoidacoustic output consistency

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the acoustic directivity parameter of the speaker from horizontal (nominal ear position) to upward-angled (targeting higher ear positions). This parameter modification allows the speaker to accommodate a broader range of occupant heights and seating positions, thereby improving acoustic output consistency across different users while maintaining the simplicity of installation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Device complexity

If speakers are positioned for nominal ear position, then device complexity is low, but adaptability to different occupant heights deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvespeaker configuration complexityVSAvoidaccommodation of varying ear positions

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by directing the speaker's acoustic output upward at a specific angle toward the higher ear positions of most occupants, rather than horizontally at a nominal position. This localized directional adjustment allows the single speaker configuration to effectively serve a broader range of occupant heights and positions without increasing device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

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 provides a consistent and improved acoustic performance across a range of occupants, maintaining high-frequency consistency and reducing mid-frequency and low-frequency variations, while accommodating varying ear positions without the need for complex integration or additional reinforcements.

Implementation Method 1

a loudspeaker assembly associated with the backrest portion and having an acoustic directivity angled upward above a nominal ear position of an occupant

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAcoustic directivity: Acoustics

Data Source

PatentUS11647327B2Backrest speakers

Publication Date: 2023.05.09 BOSE CORP

AI summary

Various implementations include seats and related loudspeaker assemblies. In particular cases, a seat includes: a seat headrest portion; a seat backrest portion; and a loudspeaker assembly associated with the backrest portion. The loudspeaker assembly can have an acoustic directivity angled upward above a nominal ear position of an occupant.