External Speaker Assembly for Thin Audio Devices
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Solution Overview
Problem
The increasing trend of smart apparatuses towards lighter and thinner designs restricts the space available for acoustic chambers, resulting in poor bass effects and acoustic quality due to insufficient space for loudspeaker sound production.
Innovation Solution
An external speaker assembly that connects externally to the audio device, utilizing a sealed cavity with increased space to enhance the bass effect and acoustic quality by housing a speaker unit and driving circuit, which can expand the acoustic chamber beyond the device's internal limitations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of moving object
If the smart apparatus is made thinner and lighter, then the portability and design are improved, but the space for acoustic chamber is reduced resulting in poor bass effects
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extends the acoustic chamber space from the two-dimensional plane of the thin device body into the third dimension by adding an external speaker assembly that protrudes outward. This dimensional extension allows the acoustic chamber volume to increase without increasing the device's footprint or thickness, effectively resolving the contradiction between thin profile and sufficient acoustic space.
Solution Approach 2:
The speaker system is segmented into two parts: a compact speaker unit integrated into the thin device body, and an expandable external speaker assembly that provides the additional acoustic chamber space. This segmentation allows the device to maintain its thin profile while offering the option to expand acoustic volume when needed.
2Volume of stationary object
If more space is allocated for acoustic chamber to achieve heavy bass effects, then the bass quality is improved, but the device volume and weight increase
Solution Approach 1:
The external speaker assembly utilizes space in the directional dimension (extending outward from the device) rather than increasing the device's overall volume envelope. This allows the acoustic chamber volume to increase while the device's compact form factor is preserved.
Solution Approach 2:
The speaker assembly is designed to be detachable and configurable, allowing users to dynamically adjust the acoustic chamber volume based on their needs. When the external assembly is attached, bass performance is enhanced; when detached, the device maintains its compact size without the additional volume.
3Volume of stationary object
If a larger acoustic chamber is provided for better sound quality, then the bass effect is improved, but the device becomes heavier
Solution Approach 1:
The weight of the additional acoustic chamber is segmented and separated from the main device body, placed in a detachable external speaker assembly. This allows users to carry only the additional weight when they need enhanced bass performance, rather than always carrying the extra weight.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts its weight configuration based on usage requirements. The external speaker assembly with the larger acoustic chamber can be attached when bass performance is needed and removed when portability is prioritized, making the weight increase conditional rather than constant.
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 allows for improved bass effects and richer sound quality by increasing the low-frequency resonance frequency from 900Hz to 400Hz, making sounds thicker and stronger, overcoming the limitations of thin device profiles.
Implementation Method 1
When the external speaker assembly is connected to the audio device, a sealed cavity may be formed by the housing of the external speaker assembly and a rear cover of the audio device. The speaker unit and the driving circuit may be received in the sealed cavity. The bass effect of the loudspeaking sounds and the acoustic quality may be improved.
Implementation Method 2
increasing the low-frequency resonance frequency from 900Hz to 400Hz, making sounds thicker and stronger
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
AI summary
An external speaker assembly and an audio apparatus are disclosed. The external speaker assembly comprises a housing, a speaker unit and a driving circuit; the external speaker assembly is detachably connected to an audio device; when the external speaker assembly is connected to the audio device, a sealed cavity is formed by the housing and a rear cover of the audio device; the speaker unit and the driving circuit are received in the sealed cavity; the driving circuit is configured to connect to the audio device, and receive an audio signal from the audio device to drive the speaker unit to produce sounds.