Loudspeaker Surround Integral Diaphragm Coating Exhaust

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Current audio systems for vehicle exhausts face challenges due to extreme temperatures and harsh chemical environments, leading to the inability of conventional speakers to withstand conditions within the exhaust system, resulting in the need for external placement.

Innovation Solution

A speaker design utilizing a high-temperature rubber speaker surround and an aramid or glass fiber diaphragm with an overmolding process for excellent adhesion and gas-tightness, eliminating the need for separate coatings and adhesives, allowing speakers to be placed within the exhaust system.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional speakers are placed within the exhaust system, then sound generation performance is improved, but the speaker components deteriorate due to extreme temperatures and chemical exposure

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespeaker durabilityVSAvoidexhaust temperature
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The speaker diaphragm is constructed from multiple layers including heat-resistant materials such as aramid fiber, glass fiber, or carbon fiber combined with conventional speaker materials. This composite structure enables the diaphragm to withstand extreme exhaust temperatures while maintaining acoustic performance, resolving the contradiction between placement location and component durability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The diaphragm material parameters are specifically selected and engineered to withstand temperature ranges up to 140-160°C and resist chemical exposure from exhaust gases. By changing the material composition parameters to include heat-resistant fibers and protective coatings, the speaker can operate reliably within the exhaust system

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If speakers are placed within the exhaust system, then audio system performance is improved, but the device complexity increases due to additional protective measures

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespeaker durabilityVSAvoidspeaker structure
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The protective heat-resistant layers are integrated directly into the diaphragm structure itself rather than being separate protective components. The multi-layer diaphragm combines heat resistance, acoustic functionality, and structural integrity in a single integrated component, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining durability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The diaphragm uses thin film structures made from heat-resistant materials that provide protection against temperature and chemicals while maintaining the flexibility and acoustic properties needed for speaker operation. These thin protective layers add minimal complexity compared to bulky protective housings

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

3Temperature

If conventional rubber surrounds are used, then manufacturing ease is maintained, but the speaker cannot withstand high temperatures

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetemperature resistanceVSAvoidsurround manufacturing
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The speaker surround is constructed from composite materials including heat-resistant rubber compounds, silicone rubber, or fluorinated elastomers that can withstand temperatures up to 140-160°C. These materials maintain the elastic properties needed for speaker operation while providing thermal resistance, balancing manufacturing feasibility with temperature durability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

4Reliability

If separate coatings and adhesives are used for gas-tightness and adhesion, then manufacturing precision is improved, but device complexity and production costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvegas-tightnessVSAvoidmanufacturing process
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The diaphragm structure integrates multiple functions into single components: the heat-resistant material layers provide both structural integrity and gas-tightness, while the layered construction itself provides adhesion between components. This integration eliminates the need for separate coating and adhesive applications, reducing manufacturing complexity while maintaining reliability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP3634010B1Loudspeaker having a surround that is integrally formed with a coating of the diaphragm
Publication Date: 2024.08.28 PSS BELGIUM
  • EP3634010B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3634010B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3634010B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

Speakers for locating in a vehicle exhaust system having a speaker surround that is formed from a rubber compounded using a polyacrylate polymer. Speakers having a speaker surround that is integral with a coating that covers or substantially covers at least one surface of the diaphragm.