Earmuff Speaker Plate Chamber Design for Acoustic Quality
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Solution Overview
Problem
Headphone designs typically face a compromise between sound attenuation and speaker performance, with high-end options being too expensive and standard options offering inadequate sound quality, while balancing both qualities effectively within a moderate price range remains a challenge.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates a speaker plate with a recessed portion and holes forming a chamber, paired with a foam ring and sound attenuating foam to create a sealed environment that enhances speaker performance without compromising sound attenuation, using a 30-35 mm mylar film speaker and reticulated polyurethane foam to control airflow and isolate the chamber from the ambient environment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a more expensive speaker is used to improve speaker performance, then sound quality is improved, but the price point becomes too expensive for average consumers
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical parameters of the earcup enclosure by introducing a sealed chamber with specific volume and acoustic properties. This modifies the acoustic environment in which the speaker operates, allowing a standard speaker to achieve high-end performance through environmental optimization rather than hardware upgrades.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary acoustic chamber between the speaker and the ear canal. This chamber acts as a mediator that shapes and enhances the sound output, allowing the speaker to deliver high-quality audio without requiring expensive speaker components themselves.
2Ease of manufacture
If a standard less expensive speaker is used with standard sound attenuation, then the price point remains affordable, but the sound quality is inadequate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent fundamentally changes the acoustic parameters of the earcup by creating a sealed chamber with controlled volume, opening configurations, and acoustic damping materials. This transforms the earcup from a simple enclosure into an acoustically optimized chamber that enhances speaker performance across the frequency spectrum.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite acoustic structures combining different types of foam materials (acoustic damping foam, reticulated foam) with the rigid earcup structure. This composite approach creates a multi-functional enclosure that provides both structural integrity and acoustic enhancement, allowing standard speakers to perform at high-end levels.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If sound attenuation material is added to improve hearing protection, then sound attenuation is improved, but speaker performance may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the earcup into distinct functional zones: a sealed acoustic chamber for speaker performance, regions with acoustic damping materials for sound attenuation, and opening configurations for airflow control. This segmentation allows each region to optimize its specific function without compromising the other.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different material properties to different locations within the earcup. The chamber containing the speaker uses rigid, acoustically reflective surfaces to enhance sound output, while surrounding regions use absorptive foam materials to provide hearing protection. This local differentiation of material properties resolves the contradiction between the two functions.
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 configuration improves speaker performance across a range of frequencies, providing sound quality comparable to high-end models at a lower price point without negatively impacting sound attenuation, as demonstrated by test data showing better performance than similar competitor models and comparable quality to higher-end products.
Implementation Method 1
a non-reticulated moulded foam; wherein the moulded foam isolates the chamber and the hollow cavity space so there is substantially no air flow with an outside ambient surrounding environment
Implementation Method 2
a reticulated foam ring, having a hollow cavity space
Implementation Method 3
the plurality of holes allow air flow between the chamber and the hollow cavity space
Implementation Method 4
a speaker having a diaphragm
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments relate to earmuffs with speakers, and attempt to improve speaker acoustic quality without negatively impacting sound attenuation of the earmuffs. Embodiments may comprise a speaker plate located behind a speaker unit, and typically the speaker plate comprises a recessed portion with a plurality of holes. When the speaker plate is in place behind the speaker unit, it may cause the speaker to be more accurate across a broad range of frequencies without negatively impacting sound attenuation.