Chair comprising a low frequency speaker
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Integrating speakers into listening environments, such as vehicles, is challenging due to issues like unwanted noise from vibrations and suboptimal acoustic performance when speakers are positioned poorly. Additionally, some users find structure-borne sound, or tactile feedback, unpleasant.
Innovation Solution
A chair with a low frequency speaker that can be coupled and decoupled via a coupling mechanism to control tactile feedback. The speaker emits sound between 20 Hz and 200 Hz and is positioned in the backrest or seating area, allowing for optimized sound output and vibration transmission.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the low frequency speaker is coupled to the chair to provide tactile feedback, then the listening experience is enhanced, but unwanted noise and vibrations are generated
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling mechanism allows the speaker to dynamically switch between coupled and decoupled states, enabling tactile feedback when needed while eliminating unwanted vibrations when not needed, thus resolving the contradiction between enhanced listening experience and unwanted noise generation
Solution Approach 2:
The harmful vibrations are extracted from the system by decoupling the speaker from the chair structure through the coupling mechanism, separating the useful tactile feedback function from the harmful unwanted noise
2Ease of manufacture
If the speaker is positioned in the chair for easy integration, then installation is simplified, but acoustic performance suffers due to unfavorable positioning
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling mechanism acts as an intermediary between the speaker and the chair structure, allowing the speaker to be positioned in an acoustically optimal location while maintaining easy integration through the mediating coupling device that enables both coupled and decoupled states
3Manufacturing precision
If structure-borne sound is provided to enhance sound experience, then acoustic performance is improved, but some users perceive it as unpleasant
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adapts to user preferences by allowing switching between coupled and decoupled states, enabling structure-borne sound provision when users find it pleasant while eliminating it when perceived as unpleasant, thus resolving the contradiction between acoustic performance and user comfort
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 provides a satisfying listening experience by allowing users to control tactile feedback, enhancing the sound experience with balanced structure-borne sound, and optimizing acoustic performance by adjusting the coupling mechanism.
Implementation Method 1
the low frequency speaker is coupled to the chair via at least one acoustical path such that vibrations are transmitted from the low frequency speaker to the chair via each of the at least one acoustical path, wherein the vibrations can be perceived as tactile feedback by a user seated on the chair
Data Source
AI summary
A chair includes a seating area and a backrest, wherein the seating area is arranged at a lower end of the backrest, a low frequency speaker configured to emit sound at frequencies of between 20 Hz and 200 Hz, and a coupling mechanism, wherein the coupling mechanism is configured to change between at least two different states, wherein, in a first state, the low frequency speaker is coupled to the chair via at least one acoustical path such that vibrations are transmitted from the low frequency speaker to the chair via each of the at least one acoustical path, wherein the vibrations can be perceived as tactile feedback by a user seated on the chair, and, in a second state, each of the at least one acoustical path is interrupted such that no or almost no vibrations are transmitted from the low frequency speaker to the chair.