Hanging Speaker System Cancellation Reduction
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional speaker systems experience unwanted wave cancellation due to out-of-phase crossover frequency soundwaves when low-range and higher-range speakers are spaced apart, leading to suboptimal acoustics and aesthetic issues in listening areas.
Innovation Solution
A hanging speaker system comprising speaker assemblies with a cylindrical housing, a hanging component, an input circuit, a low-range speaker, and a higher-range speaker, where the speakers are positioned to minimize crossover frequency interference by projecting soundwaves through a carefully designed port channel and baffle system, allowing for balanced sound distribution and concealment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If low-range and higher-range speakers are spaced apart in conventional speaker systems, then each speaker can be positioned independently for optimal performance, but out-of-phase crossover frequency soundwaves cause wave cancellation and suboptimal acoustics
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the low-range speaker and higher-range speaker into a single integrated speaker assembly, positioning them in close proximity rather than spacing them apart. This integration allows the speakers to work together as a unified acoustic source, eliminating the wave cancellation effects that occur when speakers are spaced apart, while still maintaining independent optimization of each speaker's performance characteristics.
2Ease of operation
If speakers are positioned on floors, countertops, or walls in conventional systems, then speakers can be easily installed and accessed, but this displaces other fixtures, distracts from ambient atmosphere, and creates suboptimal acoustics
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions the speaker system from traditional horizontal positioning (on floors, countertops, or walls) to vertical suspension from the ceiling. This dimensional change allows speakers to be positioned in three-dimensional space above the listening area, optimizing acoustic coverage and eliminating interference with floor and wall fixtures while maintaining ease of installation through the hanging assembly.
3Ease of manufacture
If speakers are positioned conventionally, then installation is straightforward, but the speaker fixtures become conspicuous and distract from the intended ambience of the listening area
Solution Approach 1:
By suspending speakers from the ceiling in vertical hanging assemblies, the system moves speakers out of the traditional horizontal planes where they would be visible and distracting. The ceiling-mounted position conceals the speakers within the architectural space, making them less conspicuous while maintaining straightforward installation through the hanging mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The speaker housing incorporates aesthetic considerations into its local design qualities, with finishes and configurations that blend with the ceiling environment. This allows the functional speaker components to maintain simple installation while achieving visual integration with the surrounding architecture, reducing their conspicuousness.
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 system effectively reduces crossover frequency cancellation, providing balanced sound coverage to most regions of the listening area while being aesthetically concealed, thus enhancing both acoustic performance and ambient appeal.
Implementation Method 1
The upper chamber is acoustically shaped for projecting low frequency soundwaves generated by the low-range speaker down to the lower chamber
Implementation Method 2
The inner chamber is acoustically shaped for projecting higher frequency soundwaves
Data Source
AI summary
A speaker system broadly comprises a plurality of speaker assemblies each including a speaker housing, an input circuit, a low range speaker, and a higher-range speaker. The input circuit receives audio signals from a sound system or other controller and actively or passively sends the audio signals to the speakers. The low-range speaker is positioned in the upper section and the higher-range speaker is positioned in the lower section. Each speaker assembly is configured to be suspended from an elevated structure and spaced from the other speaker assemblies within a listening area with each speaker assembly generating low frequency soundwaves and higher-frequency soundwaves. This reduces or eliminates out-of-phase crossover frequency wave cancellation effects within the listening area. The speaker housings are compact while allowing the low-range speaker and higher-range speaker to effectively produce and project desired soundwaves from the suspended speaker housing into the listening area.