Loudspeaker Sound Guide Openings for Wider Spatial Audio
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Solution Overview
Problem
Miniaturized and integrated speakers, such as wireless speakers and sound bars, struggle to provide a wide sound stage without requiring additional speakers or space, limiting the auditory experience.
Innovation Solution
A loudspeaker design featuring a sound guide with varying cross-sectional area and openings that increase in size and density along its longitudinal direction, enhancing directivity and spatial image through sound wave guidance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If additional speakers or sound structures are used to expand the sound field, then the sound stage width is improved, but the device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The sound guide is divided into multiple sections along its longitudinal direction, with each section containing multiple openings of different sizes. This segmentation allows different frequency ranges and propagation directions to be controlled by different opening sections, achieving expanded sound stage coverage without additional speakers
Solution Approach 2:
The sound guide extends in the longitudinal direction with openings distributed along its length, utilizing the longitudinal dimension to create spatial sound distribution. Sound waves propagate through openings at different positions to reach walls and ceilings at different angles, expanding the sound stage in three-dimensional space without adding more speaker units
2Power
If the cross-sectional area of the sound guide is increased to improve sound output, then the sound energy is improved, but the device size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cross-sectional area of the sound guide varies dynamically along its longitudinal direction, being larger near the vibration member to accommodate high energy sound waves and gradually decreasing toward the open end. This dynamic sizing optimizes sound energy transmission while minimizing the overall volume of the sound guide structure
Solution Approach 2:
Different sections of the sound guide have different cross-sectional areas tailored to their specific functions: the section near the vibration member has larger area for high energy output, while distal sections have smaller areas. This local optimization ensures adequate sound energy transmission without requiring uniformly large dimensions throughout the entire structure
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple rows of openings are added to enhance sound distribution, then the spatial image is improved, but the manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The openings in different rows are arranged asymmetrically with different patterns and spacing intervals. First row openings have different spacing than second row openings, creating diverse sound wave propagation paths that enhance spatial image quality while the asymmetric design simplifies manufacturing by avoiding the need for perfectly symmetric multi-row structures
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 design provides a richer spatial image and auditory illusion by directing sound waves in specific directions, including diagonal and upward directions, without needing additional speakers or space.
Implementation Method 1
a vibration member configured to generate sound waves; and a sound guide having a first end connected to the vibration member, an open second end
Implementation Method 2
The sound waves emitted toward the interior wall surface may be reflected by the wall and reach the user, and the user may thus have an auditory illusion as the sound waves come from his/her side
Data Source
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AI summary
A sound outputting apparatus is provided. The sound outputting apparatus includes: a main body; and a loudspeaker accommodated in the main body. The loudspeaker includes: a vibration member configured to generate sound waves; and a sound guide having a first end connected to the vibration member, a second end having an open structure, a first surface between the first end and the second end, and a plurality of openings formed through the first surface along a longitudinal direction of the sound guide. The plurality of openings increase in size as distance from the vibration member increases.