Headrest Shaker Placement for Synchronized Seat Vibration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sound systems in seats, particularly in the automotive industry, struggle with inefficient vibration control and synchronization of vibrations with audio, leading to varying user experiences due to the placement and design of shakers.
Innovation Solution
Positioning a shaker in the headrest near a bass loudspeaker in the seat, aligning its movement axis with the loudspeaker, and using digital signal processing to characterize and control vibrations through adaptive filters to enhance synchronization and adjust vibration levels.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If shakers are integrated directly in the foam of a seat or connected to the lower parts of the seat frame, then the seat structure is simplified and easier to manufacture, but the vibration sensation becomes very local or requires a very performant shaker to move the whole seat assembly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a mechanical linkage system consisting of a connecting rod and pivot points as intermediaries between the shaker and the seat. The shaker is mounted on the seat frame but connects to the seat bottom through a rod that pivots at both ends, creating a mechanical transmission path that translates shaker motion into coordinated vibration of multiple seat components without requiring the shaker to directly move the entire seat assembly.
2Ease of operation
If shakers are positioned to produce strong vibrations, then the tactile audio experience is enhanced, but the vibrations may become annoying over time depending on the magnitude and listener preference
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic control of vibration characteristics through multiple parameters: the mechanical linkage system allows dynamic adjustment of vibration transmission paths, the audio signal processing dynamically adjusts vibration magnitude and timing based on audio content, and the system adapts to user preferences over time. This dynamic approach enables the vibration intensity and character to vary with the audio signal and user feedback, preventing constant high-magnitude vibrations that become annoying.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates feedback mechanisms where user responses to vibration levels are monitored and used to adjust subsequent vibration output. The audio signal processing dynamically modulates shaker activation based on the audio content and perceived user preference, reducing vibration magnitude when it becomes annoying while maintaining tactile enhancement when appropriate.
3Ease of operation
If multiple shakers are used to cover different frequency ranges, then the vibration control and audio synchronization is improved, but the device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes shakers multi-functional by designing them to handle multiple frequency ranges through electronic control rather than requiring separate physical shakers for different frequency bands. The same shaker unit is activated by different audio signals for different frequency ranges, and the mechanical linkage system enables a single shaker to produce coordinated vibrations across multiple seat components, reducing the total number of shakers needed while maintaining comprehensive frequency coverage.
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 approach achieves synchronized and natural vibration perception with audio, allowing for personalized vibration control and enhanced user experience by aligning vibrations with audio frequencies, and can emulate or cancel vibrations produced by the loudspeaker.
Implementation Method 1
The current passing through the voice coil produces a magnetic field which interacts with the magnetic field of the magnet
Implementation Method 2
Shakers are used to make the person in the chair experience the vibrations from the low frequencies in the sound signal
Implementation Method 3
The adaptive filter is arranged for receiving an audio signal representing audio to be reproduced and for generating a vibration control signal
Data Source
AI summary
A method for positioning a shaker in a seat includes a headrest and a backrest. The headrest has a bass loudspeaker. The shaker is positioned in the headrest. The seat is typically a seat in a motor vehicle or a seat in a theatre or a massage chair or an entertainment chair.