Directivity Pattern Control Waveguide for Speaker Drivers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current speaker systems for home entertainment lack effective control over directivity in both vertical and horizontal axes, particularly at mid-to-high frequencies, and are limited in maximum sound pressure level and flexibility in design.
Innovation Solution
A directivity pattern control waveguide system that combines a waveguide with multiple beamforming drivers, allowing for adjustable vertical and horizontal directivity through physical placement and passive crossover design, enhancing power handling and reducing distortion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a single driver with a waveguide is used, then the directivity control is limited to a fixed pattern, but the device complexity is low
Solution Approach 1:
The single driver system is segmented into multiple drivers (tweeter and mid-range drivers) arranged in a vertical array. Each driver can be independently controlled through passive crossover networks, enabling separate adjustment of vertical and horizontal directivity patterns without requiring complex active electronic control systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from controlling directivity in a single plane to controlling directivity in multiple dimensions (vertical and horizontal axes simultaneously). The waveguide geometry is designed with different dimensions for vertical and horizontal control, allowing independent adjustment of dispersion patterns in both directions.
2Power
If a single driver with waveguide is used, then the maximum sound pressure level is limited, but the distortion is lower
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple drivers (tweeter and mid-range drivers) are merged into a single integrated waveguide structure. The drivers work together in unison, with their combined acoustic output channeled through the waveguide, thereby increasing the maximum sound pressure level while maintaining the low-distortion characteristics of waveguide-based systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The passive crossover network dynamically routes different frequency ranges to appropriate drivers based on the input signal. This allows each driver to operate within its optimal frequency range, maximizing power handling capability while minimizing distortion across the entire audible spectrum.
3Reliability
If multiple drivers are added for beamforming, then the sensitivity and power increase, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The passive crossover network serves multiple functions simultaneously: it divides frequency ranges for different drivers, controls the phase relationships for beamforming, and adjusts the amplitude distribution for optimal directivity patterns. This multi-functionality increases sensitivity and power handling without requiring complex active electronic control systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adjusts physical parameters of the multi-driver array, including the vertical spacing between drivers, the horizontal positioning relative to the waveguide throat, and the acoustic path lengths. These parameter changes enable beamforming and directivity control while maintaining a relatively simple overall device structure.
4Adaptability or versatility
If the waveguide shape is optimized for directivity, then the directivity control improves, but the frequency response tuning becomes limited
Solution Approach 1:
The frequency response control is segmented across multiple drivers, each optimized for specific frequency ranges. The tweeter handles high frequencies while the mid-range driver handles lower frequencies, allowing each driver-waveguide combination to be independently tuned for optimal performance in its designated frequency band.
Solution Approach 2:
The passive crossover network provides dynamic frequency routing that adapts to different input signals. This allows the system to maintain optimized frequency response across varying operating conditions while preserving the directivity control benefits of the waveguide geometry.
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 provides improved control over directivity patterns, increased sensitivity, reduced distortion, and lower heat generation, resulting in wider imaging and near-imperceptible distortion with effortless dynamics.
Implementation Method 1
The first driver propagates sound toward the first driver aperture. The second driver propagates sound toward the second driver aperture. The third driver propagates sound toward the third driver aperture.
Implementation Method 2
a waveguide portion having a waveguide surface contiguous with the planar surface
Implementation Method 3
The multi-driver array can be arranged in a vertical placement and allow for horizontal and vertical directivities to be adjusted as needed
Data Source
AI summary
A directivity pattern control (DPC) waveguide for a speaker is disclosed. The DPC waveguide comprises a body and first, second, and third drivers secured to the body. The body comprises a substantially planar portion having a planar surface, a waveguide portion having a waveguide surface contiguous with the flat surface, a first driver aperture at least substantially formed by the planar portion, a second driver aperture at least substantially formed by the planar portion, and a third driver aperture formed by the waveguide portion. The first driver propagates sound toward the first driver aperture, the second driver propagates sound toward the second driver aperture, and the third driver propagates sound toward the third driver aperture. The third driver is in a plane along an axis different than a plane for the first driver and the second driver. Also disclosed is a speaker including the DPC waveguide.