Modular Speaker With Internal Passive Resonators for High SPL
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing speakers face a trade-off between compact size and high sound performance, with larger air volumes and membrane displacement enhancing sound pressure level (SPL) but making them susceptible to shocks and impractical for small designs.
Innovation Solution
A modular speaker design featuring a cylindrical cabinet with internal passive resonators and a supporting frame, allowing for a compact size while maintaining high SPL, and interchangeable modules for versatility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If the air volume inside the cabinet is increased to enhance sound performance, then the SPL parameter is improved, but the speaker size becomes larger
Solution Approach 1:
The patent places passive resonators with vibrating membranes inside the cabinet's internal volume, nesting additional acoustic components within the existing structure. This allows the system to generate enhanced sound pressure levels through internal resonance mechanisms without increasing the external dimensions of the speaker cabinet.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from relying solely on external cabinet volume to utilizing internal three-dimensional space by positioning passive resonators at different locations within the cabinet. This spatial arrangement creates multiple acoustic pathways and resonance chambers that improve SPL performance without expanding the speaker's external footprint.
2Power
If the displacement of vibrating membranes is increased to enhance sound performance, then the SPL parameter is improved, but the speaker becomes more susceptible to shocks
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the vibrating membranes from the traditional position on the external cabinet surface and relocates them to the interior of the cabinet. This separation isolates the high-displacement components from external shock sources, allowing the membranes to achieve greater displacement for improved SPL while the cabinet structure absorbs and protects against external impacts.
Solution Approach 2:
By placing the vibrating membranes inside the protected cabinet environment rather than on the external surface, the cabinet structure acts as a cushioning barrier against shocks and physical damage. This preemptive protection allows the membranes to operate with higher displacement amplitudes without being vulnerable to external mechanical shocks.
3Power
If the vibrating membranes are placed on the outer cabinet to enhance sound performance, then the SPL parameter is improved, but the speaker becomes more susceptible to shocks
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the vibrating membranes from the external cabinet surface and relocates them to the interior of the cabinet. This separation isolates the high-displacement components from external shock sources, allowing the membranes to achieve greater displacement for improved SPL while the cabinet structure absorbs and protects against external impacts.
Solution Approach 2:
The cabinet interior acts as an intermediary protective environment between the vibrating membranes and external shock sources. By mediating the interaction between the membranes and the external environment, the cabinet structure allows the membranes to operate at high displacement levels while filtering out harmful shock effects.
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 modular speaker achieves high sound performance with reduced size and enhanced versatility through interchangeable modules and a unique internal air volume configuration, minimizing unwanted vibrations and shock susceptibility.
Implementation Method 1
The passive resonators are configured to vibrate in response to a change in the air pressure of the internal volume so as to produce the sound
Implementation Method 2
The sound transducer is acoustically connected to the first air volume, so that the sound transducer determines a vibrating air pressure on the first and second passive resonators
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3A~3C
AI summary
A speaker (20) comprises a cabinet (21) extending along a longitudinal axis (X) between a first and a second end (21a, 21b). The cabinet (21) includes a side wall surrounding an internal volume and provided with an opening to place the internal volume in communication with an outside environment. The speaker (20) also comprises a sound transducer (22) and a connection circuit (23) configured to receive a signal and to transmit the signal to the sound transducer (22). The speaker (20) also comprises a first and a second passive resonator (24, 25) each comprising a vibrating panel (24a, 25a). The vibrating panels (24a, 25a) are positioned in the internal volume, with respective first faces facing each other and respective second faces opposite the first faces. The internal volume includes a first, closed air volume (V1) delimited by an inside surface of the cabinet (21) and by the second faces of the vibrating panels (24a, 25a). The internal volume also includes a second air volume (V2), delimited by the first faces of the vibrating panels (24a, 25a) and open towards the outside environment through the opening.