Loudspeaker Acoustic Waveguide Shape Adaptation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing loudspeaker designs struggle to dynamically adjust sound directivity to suit different environments and listening positions, limiting their adaptability and sound quality.
Innovation Solution
A flexible acoustic waveguide that can change its shape mechanically or electromagnetically to adjust the directivity of sound, using adjustable elements and an adjustment device to control the position of the speaker plate within the loudspeaker box, allowing for customizable sound patterns based on environmental conditions or user input.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a fixed acoustic waveguide design is used, then the manufacturing complexity is reduced, but the adaptability to different listening positions and environments deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The waveguide incorporates movable elements including a positioning element that enables dynamic adjustment of the acoustic interface position, and adjustable elements that allow dynamic modification of the waveguide shape. This transforms the static waveguide into a dynamic system that can adapt to different listening positions and environmental conditions, resolving the contradiction between adaptability and structural simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The waveguide is divided into multiple segments including rigid parts and adjustable elements. This segmentation allows independent adjustment of different portions of the waveguide structure, enabling flexible configuration changes without requiring complete redesign of the entire waveguide system.
2Adaptability or versatility
If movable elements and adjustment devices are added to the waveguide, then the adaptability and directivity control are improved, but the device complexity and manufacturing difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The positioning element serves multiple functions: it positions the acoustic interface, adjusts the waveguide shape, and controls the directivity pattern. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated components for each adjustment function, thereby limiting the increase in overall device complexity despite adding adjustment capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The adjustment device is configured to automatically or semi-automatically adjust the waveguide shape and acoustic interface position based on detected listening positions or environmental conditions, reducing the need for complex manual adjustment mechanisms and enabling adaptive directivity control with simplified hardware.
3Manufacturing precision
If the acoustic interface position is fixed, then the manufacturing precision requirements are reduced, but the sound quality and spatial reproduction deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The acoustic interface position is made dynamically adjustable through the positioning element, which can relocate the interface to optimize sound projection for different listening positions. This dynamic positioning capability improves spatial reproduction quality without requiring extremely high manufacturing precision for a fixed position, as the system can be adjusted after manufacturing.
Solution Approach 2:
The waveguide is pre-configured with adjustable elements and positioning mechanisms that enable subsequent optimization of the acoustic interface position. This preliminary preparation allows the system to achieve high spatial reproduction quality through post-manufacturing adjustment rather than requiring extreme manufacturing precision.
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
Enables flexible adaptation of sound directivity to optimize listening experiences by focusing sound at specific positions, enhancing both spatial reproduction and adaptability to various settings.
Implementation Method 1
The flexible acoustic waveguide may be made of a flexible material and/or comprise adjustable elements, and may be configured to change its shape, for example by the action of one or more actuators
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2a~2b
Figure 3
AI summary
A loudspeaker comprising an acoustic waveguide (210), the acoustic waveguide (210) being configured to change its shape in order to change the directivity of sound emitted by the loudspeaker