Curved Vertical Stack Acoustic Sources for Wavefront Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sound diffusion systems face challenges in achieving homogeneous sound intensity and quality across an audience due to interference from multiple acoustic sources, complexity in installation, and the presence of parasitic lobes, which are difficult to control and costly.
Innovation Solution
A sound diffusion device with a curved vertical stack of high-frequency acoustic sources having a non-constant, frozen physical curvature, combined with electronic control of sound emission, forms a continuous wave front and minimizes parasitic lobes, reducing installation time and cost.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If multiple acoustic sources are multiplied to achieve homogeneous sound coverage, then sound intensity and coverage are improved, but interference sound fields and parasitic lobes appear
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies a curved vertical stack arrangement of acoustic sources instead of a linear arrangement. This curvature allows the sound waves to propagate more uniformly across the audience area, reducing interference patterns and parasitic lobes while maintaining homogeneous sound coverage. The curved geometry fundamentally changes how the sound sources interact acoustically.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses different spacing between acoustic sources at different positions along the curved stack. The spacing is optimized locally at each position to control the phase and amplitude relationships between sources, thereby minimizing interference while maximizing sound coverage. This non-uniform spacing creates optimal local conditions for sound propagation throughout the entire array.
2Illumination intensity
If line source speakers are used to improve sound intensity and eliminate interference, then sound coverage is improved, but device complexity and installation time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the sound diffusion system into modular acoustic sources that can be independently controlled and positioned. Each source element is a separate unit that can be optimized individually, allowing for easier manufacturing and installation compared to a monolithic line source design. The segmented approach maintains the benefits of a curved array while reducing overall system complexity.
3Adaptability or versatility
If modular speakers with variable angles are used to adapt to different audiences, then adaptability is improved, but installation time and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs electronically adjustable acoustic sources that can dynamically change their radiation pattern and orientation through electronic control rather than physical repositioning. This allows the system to adapt to different audience configurations and venue requirements without requiring physical adjustment mechanisms or complex installation procedures. The dynamic electronic control provides versatility while maintaining simple installation.
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 quick, cost-effective, and efficient sound distribution system that ensures homogeneous sound intensity and quality across diverse audience configurations, minimizing parasitic lobes and installation complexity.
Implementation Method 1
The contributions of each of the acoustic sources would add up correctly if all the acoustic sources were arranged at the same point
Implementation Method 2
a curved vertical stack of high-frequency acoustic sources having a non-constant, frozen physical curvature, combined with electronic control of sound emission, forms a continuous wave front
Data Source
Figure 1a~1b
Figure 2
Figure 3a~3b
AI summary
The present invention relates to a device (300) for playing audio comprising a single enclosure (310) and, in this single enclosure (310), at least two superposed high-frequency acoustic sources (320) and a plurality of superposed medium-frequency and/or low-frequency sources (330) placed to the left and/or to the right of the high-frequency acoustic sources (320), the high-frequency acoustic sources (320) being individually coupled to a waveguide (340) so as to generate a vertical wavefront having a set non-constant curvature. Such a device (300) makes it possible to minimise the discontinuities between the acoustic sources, allowing high-quality audio to be played (no parasitic lobes), to considerably decrease weight and cost of manufacture, and also a rapid installation requiring no angular adjustment of each of the acoustic sources with respect to one another, contrary to current devices.