Directional Vehicle Audio Arrays Using Phase-Filtered Speaker Elements
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing audio systems in vehicles fail to effectively isolate audio signals for each seat position, leading to interference and suboptimal audio experience due to the lack of directional control over sound radiation patterns.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of directional loudspeaker arrays with multiple acoustic energy sources and signal processing techniques that manipulate the magnitude and phase of audio signals to achieve desired radiation patterns, ensuring higher audio levels at intended positions while minimizing leakage to other seats.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If conventional audio systems are used in vehicles, then the system structure is simple, but audio signals cannot be effectively isolated for each seat position, leading to interference between seats
Solution Approach 1:
The audio system is segmented into multiple independent speaker arrays, with each array assigned to a specific seat position. Each speaker array independently processes and radiates audio signals for its designated seat, preventing cross-seat interference. This segmentation allows each seat to have dedicated audio control while maintaining system modularity.
Solution Approach 2:
Each speaker array is optimized with local quality characteristics tailored to its specific seat position. The speaker elements within each array are configured to radiate sound primarily toward the intended seat, creating localized audio zones. This local optimization ensures high audio quality for each seat while minimizing spill-over to adjacent seats.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If directional control is added to audio signals, then audio isolation between seats is improved, but the signal processing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Directional control is built into the speaker arrays through preliminary design and configuration. The speaker elements are pre-positioned and pre-configured to provide directional radiation patterns, so that when audio signals are applied, directional isolation is achieved automatically without requiring complex real-time signal processing. This preliminary structuring reduces the computational burden during operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces complex electronic signal processing mechanisms with a mechanically optimized speaker array configuration. By carefully positioning and orienting speaker elements to naturally direct sound toward specific seats, the system achieves directional control through physical geometry rather than relying solely on complex digital signal processing algorithms.
3Manufacturing precision
If multiple speaker elements are used in arrays, then directional radiation is achieved, but the manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple speaker elements within each array are merged into a unified directional radiation system. The speaker elements are positioned and configured to work together as a single directional unit, with their combined output creating the desired radiation pattern. This merging approach simplifies the manufacturing process by treating the array as an integrated component rather than separate elements requiring precise individual alignment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent achieves directional control by transitioning from omnidirectional single-speaker configurations to multi-element arrays arranged in specific spatial dimensions. By adding spatial dimensionality through structured arrays of multiple elements, the system achieves precise directional radiation patterns while maintaining manufacturing feasibility through standardized array configurations.
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 solution significantly reduces audio interference between seat positions, allowing each occupant to enjoy their desired audio source with minimal disturbance from other seats, enhancing the overall audio experience by optimizing sound radiation patterns.
Implementation Method 1
Each respective filter processes magnitude and phase of the common audio signal independently of each other respective filter to thereby define a directional audio radiation from the at least one array
Implementation Method 2
manipulate the magnitude and phase of audio signals to achieve desired radiation patterns, ensuring higher audio levels at intended positions while minimizing leakage to other seats
Data Source
AI summary
An audio system for a vehicle has at least one source of audio signals. At least one array of speaker elements is located at each seat position that radiates within a range of bass frequencies. For each at least one array, the speaker elements receive a common audio signal, and a respective filter is disposed between the common audio signal and each of the speaker elements. Each respective filter processes magnitude and phase of the common audio signal independently of each other respective filter to thereby define a directional audio radiation from the at least one array.