Loudspeaker Horn Contoured Surface Coverage Pattern Control
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional loudspeaker horns often have limited control over the coverage pattern of sound waves in multiple planes, leading to distortion and inefficiencies in sound radiation, as the shape of the horn is directly linked to the coverage pattern, restricting flexibility in design and potentially causing frequency response anomalies.
Innovation Solution
A loudspeaker horn design featuring a contoured surface with predetermined surface irregularities allows for independent definition of the coverage pattern in multiple planes, decoupling the horn shape from the coverage pattern, enabling a predefined sound direction and pattern without regard to the horn's geometric shape, and reducing diffraction by smooth transitions between sections.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the horn shape is directly linked to the coverage pattern, then the coverage pattern can be controlled, but the design flexibility is restricted and frequency response anomalies occur
Solution Approach 1:
The horn is divided into multiple sections with different geometric parameters (cross-sectional area, perimeter, shape factors). Each section can be independently designed to control specific aspects of the coverage pattern, allowing the coverage pattern to be defined by parameters rather than being strictly tied to the overall horn shape. This segmentation enables independent optimization of coverage control and design flexibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses dimensionless shape factors (such as k1, k2, k3 parameters) to describe horn geometry and coverage patterns. By changing these parameters independently, one can control the coverage pattern without being constrained by the physical horn shape. This parameter-based approach decouples the relationship between horn geometry and coverage pattern, providing both control and flexibility.
2Ease of operation
If the horn shape is changed to achieve different coverage patterns, then coverage control is possible, but the horn geometry becomes complex and manufacturing difficulty increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of changing the physical horn shape to achieve different coverage patterns, the invention changes the coverage pattern by adjusting dimensionless shape factors and geometric parameters. The horn can maintain a simple, manufacturable geometry while achieving variable coverage patterns through parameter adjustment, significantly reducing manufacturing complexity.
3Ease of operation
If the horn surfaces constrain and control acoustic energy radiation, then sound directionality is achieved, but internal reflections and diffraction increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention uses smoothly curved horn surfaces with optimized radius of curvature at different sections. The curved surfaces guide acoustic energy smoothly without sharp edges or discontinuities, reducing diffraction and internal reflections while maintaining sound directionality. The continuous curvature ensures acoustic waves propagate smoothly through the horn structure.
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 design achieves a predefined coverage pattern in various planes, reducing frequency response anomalies and internal reflections, and allowing for improved sound directivity and frequency response by defining horn geometry from the central axis outward, independent of the horn's shape and entrance/mouth geometry.
Implementation Method 1
The loudspeaker horn surfaces that constrain and control the radiation of acoustic energy are commonly referred to as an acoustic waveguide
Implementation Method 2
reducing diffraction by smooth transitions between sections
Implementation Method 3
reducing frequency response anomalies and internal reflections
Data Source
AI summary
A horn for use with a loudspeaker may include an entrance disposed at a first axial end of the horn and configured to receive a driver. A mouth may be disposed at a second axial end of the horn opposite the entrance. A contoured surface may extend between the entrance and the mouth. A cross sectional shape of a coverage pattern of audible sound emitted by the loudspeaker coupled with the horn may be independent of a shape of the entrance and a shape of the mouth.