Dual Transducer Waterproof Speaker for Air and Water Sound Coupling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current speakers are not capable of seamlessly transmitting clear sound both above and below water surfaces due to differences in sound propagation and impedance between air and water, with no existing system effectively providing a seamless transition.
Innovation Solution
A fully integrated, waterproof speaker system with dual transducers optimized for omni-directional sound delivery in both environments, featuring a top transducer for air coupling and a bottom transducer for water coupling, along with built-in amplification, sensors, and wireless music streaming via Bluetooth or Wi-Fi, and integrated lighting.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single transducer is used in the speaker, then the device complexity is reduced, but the sound transmission efficiency in both air and water environments deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The speaker is divided into two separate transducer units: an air transducer positioned at the top for above-water sound transmission and a water transducer positioned at the bottom for underwater sound transmission. This segmentation allows each transducer to be optimized for its specific medium, resolving the contradiction between device simplicity and sound transmission efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
Different transducers with different acoustic properties are placed at different locations within the speaker housing. The air transducer is optimized for air coupling while the water transducer is optimized for water coupling, creating local quality variations that enable effective sound transmission in both environments simultaneously.
2Power
If the speaker is designed for air sound transmission, then the sound production resistance is low, but the sound transmission to water deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The audio output is segmented into two independent channels: one for air transmission and one for water transmission. This allows the speaker to maintain low resistance sound production in air while simultaneously providing effective sound transmission to water through the dedicated water transducer.
Solution Approach 2:
The sealed housing acts as an intermediary medium that isolates the air transducer from water while allowing the water transducer to couple with water. This intermediary structure enables both air and water sound transmission without direct interference between the two systems.
3Reliability
If the speaker is designed for underwater sound transmission, then the sound production is omni-directional, but the sound transmission to air deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The audio system is segmented into separate transducer units, each optimized for its target medium. The water transducer provides omni-directional underwater sound transmission while the air transducer handles above-water sound transmission, eliminating the trade-off between underwater omni-directionality and air transmission efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The water transducer is positioned at the bottom of the housing to provide omni-directional underwater sound transmission, while the air transducer is positioned at the top for above-water transmission. Each location has optimized acoustic properties for its specific function, resolving the contradiction between underwater omni-directionality and air transmission ease.
4Device complexity
If no transducer optimization is applied, then the device complexity is low, but the sound transmission clarity above and below water deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
Each transducer is locally optimized for its specific function: the air transducer is tuned for air coupling with directional sound production, while the water transducer is tuned for water coupling with omni-directional sound production. This local optimization achieves clear sound transmission in both environments without requiring complex system-wide optimization.
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
Enables efficient and effective omni-directional sound transmission above and below water surfaces, ensuring a seamless audio experience with self-righting capability and optional features like pool alarms and multi-device linking.
Implementation Method 1
A transducer which is optimized to couple sound to the air is positioned on top of a speaker
Implementation Method 2
another transducer optimized to couple sound below the water is located on the bottom of the speaker
Implementation Method 3
The speaker is watertight and waterproof and is completely sealed
Data Source
AI summary
A fully integrated, smart, under/over water speaker system has two dedicated transducers which deliver sound directly to underwater and above water environments. A transducer which is optimized to couple sound to the air is positioned on top of a speaker and another transducer optimized to couple sound below the water is located on the bottom of the speaker. The speaker is watertight and waterproof and is completely sealed and self-righting when thrown into the water. It is wireless, has built-in integrated amplification, communication sensors and signal data processing, and is battery powered. Music streaming can be provided via wireless methods such as Bluetooth or Wi-Fi, along with solid state storage. Integrated RGV lighting which beats to the music can be optional both above and under the water.