Curved Acoustic Horn Structure for Compact Speaker Sound Diffusion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Speakers with curved external surfaces face challenges in achieving good sound quality and compactness due to acoustic resonances and complex assembly issues with cylindrical guide pipes for loudspeakers.
Innovation Solution
Integrate an acoustic horn with elliptical holes and a contoured edge into the sound box, positioning loudspeakers close to the surface to reduce resonances and improve sound diffusion, using a single-piece design for enhanced rigidity and assembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Shape
If cylindrical guide pipes are used for loudspeakers in speakers with curved surfaces, then the loudspeakers can be positioned back relative to the external surface, but acoustic resonances occur inside the guide pipes and sound diffusion homogeneity is unsatisfactory
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies curvature by designing the guide structure as an acoustic horn with a curved profile instead of a cylindrical shape. The horn's curved geometry follows the external contour of the speaker, eliminating acoustic resonances while maintaining the aesthetic curved surfaces. This resolves the contradiction by showing that curved guide structures can achieve both aesthetic requirements and acoustic performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the geometric parameters of the guide structure from a simple cylindrical shape to a horn-shaped profile with varying cross-sectional area. This parameter change eliminates standing waves and resonances that occur in cylindrical pipes, thereby improving sound quality while preserving the curved external appearance of the speaker.
2Shape
If multiple cylindrical guide pipes are assembled for several loudspeakers, then each loudspeaker can be positioned back, but the assembly becomes complex and compactness is difficult to ensure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple separate cylindrical guide pipes into a single integrated acoustic horn structure. This unified horn accommodates multiple loudspeakers within its curved profile, significantly simplifying the assembly process while maintaining the curved external aesthetic and ensuring compactness of the overall speaker design.
Solution Approach 2:
The acoustic horn serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides the curved aesthetic appearance, acts as the guide structure for multiple loudspeakers, ensures compact assembly, and eliminates acoustic resonances. This multi-functionality resolves the complexity issue by replacing multiple specialized components with one universal structure.
3Shape
If loudspeakers are moved back relative to the curved external surface, then the curved shape is maintained, but the setback distance is large requiring complex guiding devices
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a curved horn profile that gradually transitions from the loudspeaker diaphragm to the external curved surface. This curved geometry allows the loudspeakers to be positioned closer to the external surface while maintaining the aesthetic curved appearance, thereby reducing the setback distance and eliminating the need for complex guiding devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a one-dimensional cylindrical guide pipe to a three-dimensional horn structure with varying cross-sectional area. This dimensional change allows the guide structure to accommodate the curved surface requirements while minimizing the setback distance through optimized horn geometry that gradually expands toward the external surface.
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 acoustic horn design improves sound quality by reducing resonances and enhancing sound diffusion, while increasing rigidity and compactness, with a more homogeneous sound distribution and simplified assembly.
Implementation Method 1
the cylindrical shape of the guide pipe does not enable to ensure a good quality of sound rendering because of the acoustic resonances taking place inside the guide pipe
Implementation Method 2
the homogeneity of the diffusion of sound is unsatisfactory
Data Source
AI summary
An acoustic horn, arranged to be integrated into a sound box by forming a recess in a face of the sound box, includes a bottom, in which at least two elliptical holes are formed, in each of which a diaphragm of a loudspeaker integrated into the sound box can extend; and an edge including an upper surface defining a contour of the edge and intended to extend on the face of the sound box, and an inner side wall which connects the bottom of the acoustic horn to the upper surface of the edge, the edge partially running along each elliptical hole such that its contour has curved portions matching the shape of the elliptical holes.