Flexible Waveguide Band for Wearable Audio
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Solution Overview
Problem
Wearable personal audio devices are often inflexible and cannot be adjusted to fit the user's preferred shape, limiting comfort and customization.
Innovation Solution
A flexible waveguide band comprising a spine and vertebrae with waveguide channels, encased in potting material, allowing for adjustment and retention of user-defined shapes, with acoustic pods for sound delivery.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If a rigid structure is used for wearable audio devices, then structural stability is improved, but flexibility and adaptability to user shape deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The waveguide structure is divided into multiple discrete vertebrae segments that can be independently positioned and adjusted. Each vertebra contains waveguide channels and can be spaced apart using spacers, allowing the overall structure to be bent and shaped while maintaining structural integrity of individual components. This segmentation enables the device to adapt to different user anatomies while preserving structural stability through the modular design.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a flexible outer shell or casing that envelops the rigid vertebrae components. This flexible envelope allows the structured vertebrae to be bent and conform to the user's neck or body shape while the internal vertebrae maintain their structural integrity. The flexible shell acts as a mediator between the rigid internal structure and the external anatomical contours.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the waveguide structure is made flexible to accommodate user shape, then adaptability is improved, but structural stability and sound quality may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the waveguide into discrete vertebrae units connected by spacers, the structure achieves flexibility at the joints while maintaining structural stability within each vertebra. The modular design allows bending and shaping without compromising the integrity of individual waveguide channels, enabling adaptability to user shape while preserving structural stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The waveguide vertebrae utilize composite construction combining rigid materials for structural stability with flexible connecting elements or coatings. This composite approach allows each vertebra to maintain its shape and acoustic properties while the overall assembly can be configured into different shapes through the flexible connections between vertebrae.
3Reliability
If multiple vertebrae with waveguide channels are used, then sound delivery capability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The waveguide is segmented into multiple vertebrae, each containing integrated waveguide channels. This segmentation distributes the sound delivery function across multiple units, improving reliability through redundancy and distributed acoustic pathways. The modular vertebrae can be independently manufactured and assembled, which actually simplifies the manufacturing process despite increasing the number of components.
Solution Approach 2:
Each vertebra combines multiple functions into a single component: structural support, waveguide channel housing, and acoustic pathway definition. By merging these functions into integrated vertebrae units rather than separate components, the overall device complexity is reduced despite having multiple vertebrae. The spacers are also designed to perform multiple functions including spacing, alignment, and potential acoustic sealing.
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 a customizable, comfortable fit around the neck or shoulders, maintaining sound quality and user-defined shape through adjustable and flexible design.
Implementation Method 1
The two acoustic pods may each comprise at least one acoustic driver that radiates sound waves into the waveguide channels
Data Source
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AI summary
A flexible waveguide band is provided for that may be worn by a user around their neck, for example. The flexible waveguide band includes a spine, such as a pliable rod; a plurality of vertebrae mounted on the spine, with each vertebra including at least one waveguide channel guide; and an encapsulating potting material. The flexible waveguide band may also be attached to an acoustic pod, including an acoustic driver that may radiate sound waves into said waveguide channels and exit via a sound outlet opening in the flexible band.