Loudspeaker Horn Array Curved Waveguides Directivity Control

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing loudspeaker array configurations face challenges in controlling high-frequency directivity due to the size and spacing of radiating elements, leading to multiple lobes and irregular frequency responses, particularly when elements are densely packed or dramatically bent.

Innovation Solution

The configuration of transducers and waveguides in a loudspeaker array, where transducers are arranged in adjacent groups on opposing sides of a vertical axis with curved channel waveguides that are symmetrically angled, allowing for a more compact design and minimizing reflections, thereby optimizing the number of transducers and waveguides per length while maintaining control over directivity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If radiating elements are densely packed to increase the number of elements per length, then control over high-frequency directivity is improved, but spatial granularity in the directivity increases and reflections occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontrol over high-frequency directivityVSAvoidspatial granularity and reflections

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The waveguides are dramatically bent (curved) to position radiating elements in different planes, achieving dense packing while the curvature is designed to minimize reflections. This curved configuration allows elements to be closely spaced without creating the spatial granularity and reflection issues that would occur with straight-waveguide configurations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent positions radiating elements in three-dimensional space by bending waveguides, transitioning from a simple linear arrangement to a multi-planar configuration. This dimensional change allows dense packing of elements while maintaining proper spacing relationships that prevent harmful reflections and spatial granularity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Quantity of substance

If waveguides are dramatically bent to position elements in different planes, then the number of radiating elements per length is increased, but reflections produce severe irregularity of frequency response

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenumber of radiating elements per lengthVSAvoidfrequency response regularity

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The waveguides are dramatically bent (curved) to position radiating elements in different planes, achieving dense packing while the curvature is designed to minimize reflections. This curved configuration allows elements to be closely spaced without creating the spatial granularity and reflection issues that would occur with straight-waveguide configurations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

3Length of moving object

If the array length is reduced by decreasing element size and spacing, then high-frequency directivity control is improved, but the number of elements that can be packed is limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvearray lengthVSAvoidcontrol over high-frequency directivity

Core Design Contradiction:

Length of moving objectVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent positions radiating elements in three-dimensional space by bending waveguides, transitioning from a simple linear arrangement to a multi-planar configuration. This dimensional change allows dense packing of elements while maintaining proper spacing relationships that prevent harmful reflections and spatial granularity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

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 configuration results in improved control over high-frequency directivity, reducing spatial granularity and minimizing reflections, allowing for a more compact and efficient loudspeaker array with enhanced sound distribution and reduced irregularities in the frequency response.

Implementation Method 1

channel waveguides, each channel waveguide coupled to a different transducer of the plurality of transducers

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAcoustic wave propagation: Sound

Implementation Method 2

minimizing reflections, thereby optimizing the number of transducers and waveguides per length

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAcoustic reflection: Reflection

Data Source

PatentEP3515091B1Loudspeaker horn array

Publication Date: 2023.11.15 HARMAN INT IND INC

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AI summary

Embodiments are disclosed for loudspeaker arrays that maximize a number of transducers and associated channel waveguides for a given length of the arrays. In one example, a loudspeaker array includes a plurality of transducers arranged in adjacent groups on opposing sides of a vertical axis of the loudspeaker array, and a plurality of channel waveguides, each channel waveguide coupled to a different transducer of the plurality of transducers, outlets of each channel waveguide being center aligned with one another along the vertical axis of the loudspeaker array. In the example, at least two inlets of the plurality of channel waveguides are substantially aligned along a horizontal plane, the horizontal plane being perpendicular to the vertical axis.