Neck Speaker Sound Direction Control via Asymmetric Drivers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional neck speakers localize sound at the center of the head, leading to discomfort and fatigue, and struggle to maintain volume and sound quality due to variations in the relative positions of the speaker and ear, with sound leakage being a further issue.
Innovation Solution
A neck speaker apparatus with a pair of speaker boxes attached to a curved band, where speaker units are positioned to direct sound inward or outward, and a sound guiding unit converts the radiation direction of sound to improve sound efficiency and reduce leakage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the volume of sound emitted from the speaker is increased to improve listening efficiency, then the reproduction sound becomes more powerful, but sound leakage to the surroundings increases and other people can hear the sound
Solution Approach 1:
The speaker units are arranged asymmetrically with different orientations - one speaker directs sound inward toward the ear and the other directs sound outward. This asymmetric configuration creates a sound field that is concentrated toward the listener's ear while naturally limiting sound propagation in other directions, thereby improving listening efficiency without increasing sound leakage
Solution Approach 2:
Each speaker unit is designed to provide sound in a specific local direction - one speaker targets the ear directly while the other projects sound outward. This local quality approach ensures that high-volume sound is delivered precisely where needed (at the ear) while preventing unwanted sound propagation to the surroundings, resolving the contradiction between listening efficiency and sound leakage
2Productivity
If the aperture of the speaker apparatus is increased to improve sound output, then the reproduction sound becomes more powerful, but the weight and area occupied by the speaker increase
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of increasing the aperture (area) of individual speakers, the invention utilizes the spatial dimension by arranging two speakers at different positions and orientations. One speaker is positioned to direct sound inward while the other directs sound outward, creating a three-dimensional sound field that delivers powerful sound output without requiring larger individual speaker apertures, thereby maintaining lightweight construction
3Productivity
If the aperture of the speaker apparatus is increased to improve sound output, then the reproduction sound becomes more powerful, but the area occupied by the speaker increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention transitions from a two-dimensional area-based approach to a three-dimensional spatial approach. By positioning speakers at different locations and orientations in space, the system achieves powerful sound output through volumetric sound field creation rather than relying on large individual speaker surfaces, thereby maintaining a compact footprint
4Productivity
If speakers are positioned to direct sound inward toward the ear, then listening efficiency improves, but sound leakage control becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The asymmetric arrangement of speaker orientations is the key to resolving this contradiction. One speaker is angled inward to maximize sound delivery to the ear, while the other speaker is angled outward to act as a barrier and limit sound propagation in other directions. This asymmetric configuration achieves both high listening efficiency and effective sound leakage control simultaneously
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 solution reduces sound localization at the head, enhances sound quality and volume, minimizes sound leakage, and stabilizes sound characteristics despite variations in ear positions, providing a more comfortable and efficient listening experience.
Implementation Method 1
a sound guiding unit that converts a radiation direction of a sound reproduced from each of the speaker units
Data Source
AI summary
There is provided a speaker apparatus that includes a pair of speaker boxes attached on both ends of an attached band having a curved surface, the pair of speaker boxes substantially facing each other, a pair of speaker units attached on one surface of the respective speaker boxes in such a way that an axial direction is directed inward or outward and a sound guiding unit that converts a radiation direction of a sound reproduced from each of the speaker units.