Flat Speaker With Optical Energy Converter
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional electroacoustic devices require mains electricity or batteries, limiting their flexibility, energy efficiency, and environmental sustainability, especially in applications where continuous power is not readily available.
Innovation Solution
An electroacoustic apparatus with an integrated optical energy converter, such as a photovoltaic material, that converts optical energy into electrical power to drive a flat speaker and signal generator, eliminating the need for mains electricity or batteries and enabling mass production through roll-to-roll processing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional electroacoustic devices use mains electricity or batteries, then they can operate continuously, but their flexibility and portability are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the electroacoustic device with an optical energy converter (photovoltaic material) into a single integrated unit. This merging allows the device to generate its own power from optical energy, eliminating the need for separate power sources like batteries or mains electricity, thereby achieving both continuous operation and enhanced flexibility
Solution Approach 2:
The optical energy converter enables the electroacoustic device to be self-powered by converting optical energy directly into electrical energy to drive the speaker and signal generator. This self-service capability removes the dependency on external power sources or replaceable batteries, solving the contradiction between continuous operation and flexibility
2Loss of energy
If conventional electroacoustic devices use batteries, then they can operate independently, but energy efficiency and environmental sustainability are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the chemical energy storage system (batteries) with an optical energy conversion system. The photovoltaic material converts optical energy directly into electrical energy through the photovoltaic effect, eliminating the energy loss associated with battery charging and discharging cycles, thereby achieving superior energy efficiency while maintaining independence from power infrastructure
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the energy conversion parameter from chemical energy storage (batteries) to optical energy conversion (photovoltaic effect). This parameter change enables direct conversion of optical energy to electrical energy, improving energy efficiency by eliminating the intermediate chemical energy storage step and reducing overall energy loss
3Stability of the object's composition
If conventional electroacoustic devices are made rigid to ensure structural stability, then they maintain structural integrity, but flexibility and conformability are lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs flexible substrates and thin-film structures for the electroacoustic device. The speaker diaphragm, electrode layers, and encapsulation are all designed using flexible materials that can conform to various shapes while maintaining structural integrity. This allows the device to be bent, folded, or conformal to surfaces without compromising its functional stability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses composite material structures combining flexible substrates with functional layers (electrode, diaphragm, encapsulation). These composite structures provide both structural stability for functional operation and flexibility for conformable deployment, resolving the contradiction between rigidity and adaptability
4Ease of manufacture
If conventional electroacoustic devices are manufactured using traditional methods, then they achieve good manufacturing precision, but production complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the electroacoustic device into modular functional layers (substrate, electrode, diaphragm, encapsulation) that can be manufactured separately using standardized processes and then assembled. This segmentation enables mass production through roll-to-roll processing while maintaining precision through controlled layer deposition and assembly, reducing overall manufacturing complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent designs the device with universal manufacturing processes that can produce multiple functional layers using the same fabrication lines and materials. The flexible substrate and thin-film structures are compatible with existing semiconductor and display manufacturing infrastructure, enabling mass production with high precision without requiring specialized equipment or complex assembly procedures
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 apparatus achieves energy efficiency and reduced carbon footprint by utilizing optical energy conversion, allowing for flexible, thin, and lightweight designs that can be mass fabricated, making it suitable for diverse applications and enhancing user convenience.
Implementation Method 1
an optical energy converter for converting optical energy into electrical power
Data Source
AI summary
An electroacoustic apparatus with an optical energy conversion function is provided. The electroacoustic apparatus includes an optical energy converter for converting optical energy into electrical power. The electroacoustic apparatus further includes a signal generator and a flat speaker. The signal generator receives a signal from a sound source and generates a sound signal according to the received signal. The signal generator sends the sound signal to the flat speaker, and the flat speaker makes a sound according to the sound signal. Aforementioned operations are all performed by using the electrical power generated by the optical energy converter or a power stored therein.