Loudspeaker Passive Radiators with Inclined Partitions

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing loudspeaker systems face challenges in predicting the perceived quality of sound reproduction due to complex interactions between sound waves and enclosure designs, leading to inaccuracies and variations in sound perception across different listeners and environments.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of an enclosure design with internal partitions and passive radiators, where inclined partitions within the enclosure compress and expand sound waves, mitigating system resonance and providing additional resistance to the driver diaphragm, resulting in enhanced bass extension and reduced resonance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If a sealed acoustic suspension enclosure is used, then bass response is extended and efficiency is improved, but system resonance increases and sound accuracy deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebass response extensionVSAvoidsound accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The enclosure interior is divided into multiple compartments using partitions. This segmentation separates the acoustic space into distinct regions, allowing different acoustic treatments in different zones while maintaining overall sealed enclosure benefits for bass extension while reducing unwanted resonances through spatial separation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Passive radiators are introduced as intermediary elements that convert internal acoustic pressure into controlled sound output. These passive radiators act as mediators between the sealed enclosure's acoustic suspension and the external sound field, translating pressure changes into accurate bass reproduction while filtering out unwanted resonance frequencies.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If a bass reflex or tuned port enclosure is used, then bass efficiency is improved, but system resonance and distortion increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebass efficiencyVSAvoidsystem resonance

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The traditional tuned port is replaced by passive radiators that extract the bass reinforcement function from the port system. This removes the harmful resonance and distortion associated with tuned ports while retaining the beneficial bass efficiency through the passive radiator's controlled acoustic coupling.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The mechanical port system is replaced with a passive radiator system that uses acoustic pressure-driven diaphragm motion instead of air flow through a port. This substitution eliminates the mechanical resonance and distortion of the port while achieving similar or improved bass efficiency through the compliant passive radiator diaphragm.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Productivity

If passive radiators are added to a sealed enclosure, then bass extension is enhanced and resonance is reduced, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebass extensionVSAvoidenclosure structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The passive radiators serve multiple functions simultaneously: they extend bass response, reduce system resonance, and provide controlled acoustic coupling without requiring active electronic components or complex tuning mechanisms. This multi-functionality achieves multiple performance goals while adding minimal structural complexity compared to alternative solutions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 produces cleaner, more accurate sound by reducing system resonance and allowing for greater bass extension with a smaller enclosure, improving the overall sound quality and presentation of lower frequencies.

Implementation Method 1

inclined partitions within the enclosure compress and expand sound waves

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAcoustic wave compression and expansion: Compression

Implementation Method 2

The sound waves in the enclosure drive the back side of the passive radiator diaphragm. The front side of the passive radiator creates sound waves into the listening environment.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAcoustic radiation pressure: Acoustic Radiation Pressure

Implementation Method 3

A sealed acoustic suspension enclosure uses the air in the enclosure to generate spring resistance against the diaphragm of the acoustic transducer.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 4

The driver has a diaphragm driven by a voice coil and magnet, sometimes called a motor, to move the ambient air outside the enclosure, creating sound waves.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetic force: Lorentz Force

Data Source

PatentUS10645486B1Loudspeaker system with passive radiators

Publication Date: 2020.05.05 ROGERSOUND LABS LLC

AI summary

A loudspeaker system is described that includes passive radiators in opposite side panels adjacent to and on either side of a front panel speaker driver. A first front partition within the enclosure is attached to the enclosure at a first attachment point between the speaker driver and the first passive radiator and extends into the enclosure at an angle from the front panel. A second front partition within the enclosure is attached to the enclosure at a second attachment point between the speaker driver and the second passive radiator and also extends into the enclosure at an angle from the front panel.