Display Speaker Waveguide for Destructive Interference Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing display devices with slim designs face sound quality degradation due to destructive interference from speakers with elongated shafts, which affect response characteristics.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating a waveguide with path change members, such as slits or extensions, to adjust frequency bands and extend sound paths, reducing interference and improving acoustic characteristics.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Length of stationary object

If a speaker with an elongated shaft is used in a slim display device, then the overall device thickness is minimized, but sound quality degradation occurs due to destructive interference

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedisplay device thicknessVSAvoidsound quality degradation
Core Design Contradiction:
Length of stationary objectVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

A waveguide structure is introduced as an intermediary component between the speaker and the display device front surface. The waveguide includes a throat tube connected to the speaker and a guide tube extending toward the front, with path change members (slits or extensions) that modify sound wave propagation. This intermediary structure enables proper sound wave guidance and interference control while accommodating the slim design constraints.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The path change members (slits or extensions) in the waveguide alter the physical parameters of sound wave propagation by changing the effective path length and wavefront shape. This modifies the phase and frequency characteristics of the sound waves, transforming the destructive interference pattern into a more favorable distribution that maintains sound quality in the slim device configuration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Length of stationary object

If the speaker shaft length is reduced to achieve slim design, then device thickness is minimized, but response characteristics and frequency response become degraded

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespeaker shaft lengthVSAvoidresponse characteristics
Core Design Contradiction:
Length of stationary objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of extending the speaker shaft in the thickness direction (one dimension), the waveguide extends the sound transmission path in a different spatial dimension, utilizing the lateral space within the display device. The guide tube and path change members create an extended acoustic pathway that compensates for the reduced speaker shaft length without increasing device thickness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Object-affected harmful factors

If a waveguide with path change members is added, then sound quality and frequency response are improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinterference reductionVSAvoidwaveguide structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The waveguide is segmented into functional components: a throat tube connected to the speaker, a guide tube extending toward the front, and path change members (slits or extensions) positioned at specific locations. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function while maintaining overall simplicity and manufacturability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

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 enhances sound quality by minimizing interference, providing even frequency response across a wide range without significant degradation, particularly avoiding frequencies easily recognized by users.

Implementation Method 1

sound quality degradation due to destructive interference from speakers with elongated shafts

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDestructive interference: Interference

Implementation Method 2

configured to receive the sound generated from the speaker through one end of the guide tube and output the received sound

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSound wave propagation: Sound

Implementation Method 3

a waveguide disposed between the speaker and the guide tube, in which the waveguide may include a throat tube configured to connect the speaker and the guide tube

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAcoustic wave guidance: Waveguide

Data Source

PatentEP4718866A2Sound output device and display device including same
Publication Date: 2026.04.01 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD
  • EP4718866A2 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4718866A2 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4718866A2 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A sound output device according to the present disclosure comprises: a speaker for generating sound; a guide tube which is formed in a hollow tube shape, and which receives the sound generated by the speaker through one end thereof and outputs same; and a waveguide arranged between the speaker and the guide tube, wherein the waveguide connects the speaker with the guide tube, and includes a throat tube formed in a hollow tube shape, and at least one path change member for adjusting the preset frequency band of the sound during the transmission of the sound generated by the speaker to the guide tube.