Flush-Mounted Flat Panel Loudspeaker With Alignment Tabs
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Flat panel loudspeakers are challenging to mount flush in surfaces like plastered or drywall-lined walls, especially with drywall, as jointing tape can make them difficult to conceal, and existing solutions require skilled installation.
Innovation Solution
A flat panel loudspeaker design featuring a planar resonant panel with an exciter and a support frame, along with tabs that extend from the support frame to ensure the panel remains flush with the mounting surface, preventing further insertion and allowing secure mounting without specialized expertise.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If flat panel loudspeaker is mounted in drywall-lined wall, then mounting is simplified, but jointing tape stands proud and makes speaker visible
Solution Approach 1:
The recess is formed in advance during drywall installation, before the loudspeaker is mounted. This preliminary preparation of the mounting cavity allows the speaker to be installed flush without requiring post-installation modifications or additional plastering work to conceal it.
2Manufacturing precision
If traditional mounting methods are used, then skilled labor is required for precise installation, but installation time and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The recess structure is designed to guide and self-align the loudspeaker during installation. The physical constraints of the recess automatically ensure proper positioning and flush mounting without requiring the installer to have specialized skills or perform complex alignment procedures.
3Ease of manufacture
If multiple plaster layers are applied to conceal speaker, then speaker becomes invisible, but installation complexity and material usage increase
Solution Approach 1:
The recess is prepared in advance to provide the exact depth needed for flush mounting, eliminating the requirement for multiple layers of plaster to achieve concealment. The speaker is hidden by the architectural feature itself rather than by additive finishing materials.
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
Ensures the loudspeaker is installed flush and invisible, maintaining acceptable audio performance, and can be easily mounted by non-experts, reducing the need for skilled labor and minimizing plaster layers required for concealment.
Implementation Method 1
an exciter coupled to the rear surface of the resonant panel to cause the resonant panel to vibrate on operation of the exciter, to generate sound
Data Source
AI summary
A flat panel loudspeaker includes a planar resonant panel insertable into an opening in the mounting surface and including a front surface and a rear surface. The front surface faces outward in the mounting surface. The loudspeaker also includes an exciter coupled to the rear surface of the planar resonant panel and a support frame for mounting in the mounting surface. The rear surface of the planar resonant panel is fixed thereto around substantially the whole of the outer boundary of the planar resonant panel. The outer boundary of the planar resonant panel is fixed relative to the mounting surface. The loudspeaker further includes at least one tab configured to extend away from the support frame and be substantially flush with the front surface of the planar resonant panel, which is substantially flush with the mounting surface when the tab is against the mounting surface.