Curved Transducer Array for Constant Beamwidth Loudspeakers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing loudspeakers produce sound fields with varying radiation patterns and spectral content across frequencies, leading to distortion and interference in enclosed or partially enclosed spaces, which is undesirable for applications requiring consistent sound quality.
Innovation Solution
A transducer system with a plurality of transducer units arranged on a curve, connected without resistor networks, and driven at two amplitude levels to maintain a constant beamwidth across a frequency range, ensuring consistent sound distribution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a typical loudspeaker is used, then the sound field is generated, but the radiation pattern varies with frequency causing distortion and interference
Solution Approach 1:
The loudspeaker system is divided into multiple independent transducer units arranged in an array. Each transducer unit operates independently with its own amplifier channel, allowing individual control of radiation patterns. This segmentation enables the system to maintain consistent omnidirectional radiation across frequency by coordinating multiple units rather than relying on a single transducer with varying characteristics.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts the amplitude and phase of each transducer unit based on frequency content. By varying the excitation signals to each transducer unit in real-time, the system maintains a consistent omnidirectional radiation pattern across the frequency range, preventing the distortion and interference caused by static radiation patterns.
2Ease of operation
If resistor networks are used to attenuate signals to transducer units, then amplitude control is achieved, but system efficiency is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces passive resistor-based amplitude attenuation with active electronic control through separate amplifier channels for each transducer unit. This substitution allows precise amplitude control through electronic gain adjustment rather than resistive dissipation, significantly improving system efficiency by minimizing energy loss while maintaining the ability to independently control the radiation pattern.
3Ease of operation
If multiple amplifier channels are used for each transducer unit, then precise amplitude control is achieved, but system cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements amplitude control for each transducer unit but uses a pragmatic approach where the full complexity of independent amplification is applied only where necessary to achieve the constant beamwidth objective. The system uses multiple amplifier channels to provide precise control over the transducer array elements, but this complexity is justified only insofar as it enables the specific function of maintaining constant radiation patterns across frequency.
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 system achieves a substantially constant beamwidth and directivity, reducing sound field distortions and interference, providing uniform sound quality across different locations.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of transducer units, each transducer unit connected to said input for receiving an electric signal and converting said electric signal to sound
Data Source
AI summary
A constant beamwidth loudspeaker A constant beamwidth loudspeaker having a plurality of transducer units/drivers. The transducers are combined in series and parallel for approximating a constant beam-width/directivity without attenuating any of the transducers with resistor components. The transducers are arranged on a circular arc.