Coaxial Speaker Housing and Diffuser for Sound Radiation Alignment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing speaker devices often suffer from a lack of sound connection and deterioration of sound quality due to differing sound radiation directions for different frequency bands, leading to suboptimal acoustic reproduction.

Innovation Solution

The speaker device incorporates a cylindrical housing with a light transmitting member and a second acoustic reproduction unit featuring a truncated cone-shaped cabinet, where the housing and speaker unit are arranged coaxially to ensure consistent sound radiation directions across frequency bands, utilizing vibrating elements and a diffuser to enhance sound distribution and quality.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If different frequency bands are radiated in different directions, then each band can be optimized for its specific characteristics, but sound connection deteriorates and sound quality decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesound qualityVSAvoidsound connection
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by directing different frequency bands in different directions through specifically designed acoustic structures. High-frequency sounds are radiated upward while low-frequency sounds are radiated downward, allowing each frequency band to be optimized for its characteristics while maintaining overall sound quality through coordinated directional radiation patterns.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent resolves the contradiction by adding a vertical dimension to sound radiation, radiating sounds in both upward and downward directions simultaneously. This dimensional approach allows different frequency bands to be directed appropriately while maintaining sound connection through the unified vertical radiation architecture.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Reliability

If sound is radiated downward toward the placement surface, then low-frequency coverage can be improved, but the placement surface causes acoustic dullness and reduces sound quality

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelow-frequency coverageVSAvoidacoustic dullness from placement surface
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a reflective plate as an intermediary element positioned between the acoustic reproduction unit and the placement surface. This reflective plate redirects low-frequency sounds that would otherwise contact the placement surface, preventing acoustic dullness while maintaining effective low-frequency radiation. The reflective plate acts as a mediator that preserves beneficial low-frequency coverage while eliminating harmful surface interactions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 ensures improved sound quality by aligning sound radiation directions, maximizing acoustic energy and minimizing the influence of the placement surface on reproduced sound, resulting in enhanced sound pressure levels and reduced acoustic dullness.

Implementation Method 1

a vibration exciter 111 that causes the housing 11 to vibrate

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectVibration: Vibration

Implementation Method 2

a light transmitting member 11L that transmits light

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight transmission: Light

Data Source

PatentEP3902282B1Sound reproduction device
Publication Date: 2024.05.15 SONY GROUP CORP
  • EP3902282B1 patent drawingFigure 1A~1B
  • EP3902282B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3902282B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Provided is an acoustic reproduction device including: a first acoustic reproduction unit; and a second acoustic reproduction unit, in which the first acoustic reproduction unit includes: a housing having a cylindrical shape; and a vibration exciter that vibrates an end surface of one end of the housing, the second acoustic reproduction unit includes: a speaker unit; and a diffuser that changes a radiation direction of sound reproduced by the speaker unit, the housing, the speaker unit, and the diffuser are arranged so as to be substantially coaxial with a predetermined axis, and the diffuser causes a radiation direction of sound reproduced by the speaker unit and a radiation direction of sound from the first acoustic reproduction unit to be substantially a same.