Instrument Cluster Glass Speaker Structure for Sound Image Localization
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional vehicle instrument clusters face challenges in sound image localization due to the directional difference between visual and auditory information, leading to driver confusion as the speaker is typically installed at the rear, separate from the sound system, resulting in a mismatch between the direction of visual display and sound warning signals.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle instrument cluster with a vibration speaker structure where the inner glass serves as a speaker diaphragm, utilizing exciters mounted on the rear surface to vibrate the inner glass, which is supported by a suspension system to maintain front-rear movement and block vibration energy transfer to the outer glass, ensuring sound is directed centrally on the screen, aligning with visual information display.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a speaker is installed on the rear surface of the vehicle to be separated from the sound system, then the speaker can be independently positioned, but the direction of sound output becomes different from the direction of visual display information
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the speaker system with the visual display by installing exciters on the rear surface of the cover glass that vibrates in unison with the display content. This integration ensures that sound originates from the same spatial location as the visual information, eliminating the directional mismatch between audio and visual cues while maintaining manufacturing simplicity through unified assembly.
2Loss of information
If the inner glass vibrates to produce sound, then sound image can be localized at the center of the screen, but vibration energy may be transferred to the outer glass causing unwanted resonance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a suspension system as an intermediary between the inner glass (which vibrates to produce sound) and the outer glass. This suspension acts as a vibration isolator that allows the inner glass to vibrate freely for sound production while preventing excessive vibration energy from transferring to the outer glass, thereby avoiding unwanted resonance and maintaining clear sound image localization.
3Loss of information
If the cover glass is used as a speaker diaphragm, then sound and visual information directions are synchronized, but the structural complexity of the cover glass increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the cover glass into two separate layers: an inner glass that serves as the speaker diaphragm with exciters attached, and an outer glass that provides protective and aesthetic functions. This segmentation allows the inner glass to be optimized for vibration and sound production while the outer glass maintains structural integrity and appearance, thereby achieving directional synchronization without excessive structural complexity.
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 design enhances driver situational awareness by synchronizing the direction of image and sound information, providing an improved environment for recognizing vehicle operation conditions through synchronized auditory and visual cues.
Implementation Method 1
an exciter disposed on a rear surface of the inner glass and configured to vibrate the inner glass in a front-rear direction
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle instrument cluster having a vibration speaker structure including a frame accommodating a component configured to display vehicle operation information therein and having an open front surface, a cover glass including an outer glass having a hollow shape surrounding an outer edge of the front surface of the frame and an inner glass surrounding a center of the front surface of the frame and positioned to be spaced apart from the outer glass, an exciter disposed on a rear surface of the inner glass and configured to vibrate the inner glass, and a suspension disposed between and connected to the outer glass and the inner glass spaced apart from each other.