Offset Baffles for Acoustic Signal Synchronization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Achieving a flat frequency response across the audible range in speakers is challenging due to cost and practical constraints, often resulting in attenuation at specific frequencies or frequency bands.
Innovation Solution
The speaker design features an enclosure with offset upper and lower baffles, creating a vent that synchronizes the arrival times of low-frequency and high-frequency acoustic signals by displacing the transducers in multiple directions, enhancing frequency response without significant cost increases.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional speaker enclosures with aligned transducers are used, then manufacturing is simpler and cost is lower, but frequency response is attenuated at certain frequencies due to unsynchronized acoustic signal arrival times
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies asymmetry by offsetting the upper and lower baffles relative to each other, creating an asymmetric enclosure structure. This asymmetric configuration positions the acoustic origins of the low-frequency and high-frequency transducers such that their acoustic signals arrive simultaneously at the listening position, thereby achieving a flat frequency response without requiring complex electronic timing adjustments
Solution Approach 2:
The patent moves the transducer assembly in a direction perpendicular to the acoustic propagation direction (vertical offset between upper and lower baffles) to achieve temporal synchronization of acoustic signals. This dimensional adjustment allows control of arrival time without affecting the forward acoustic path, resolving the frequency response issue through spatial reconfiguration
2Reliability
If transducers are positioned to synchronize acoustic signal arrival times, then frequency response improves, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the spatial parameters of the enclosure by introducing specific offset distances between the upper and lower baffles. These offset parameters (first offset and second offset) are designed to position the acoustic origins appropriately, transforming the synchronization problem into a geometric configuration that can be manufactured with standard tolerances
3Loss of time
If offset baffles are used to adjust acoustic origin positions, then acoustic signal arrival time synchronization is achieved, but enclosure manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the enclosure into distinct upper and lower baffle portions with specific offset relationships. This segmentation allows each baffle to be manufactured and positioned independently, with the offset configuration built into the assembly process rather than requiring post-manufacturing adjustment, thereby maintaining ease of manufacture while achieving time synchronization
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
This design achieves synchronized acoustic signal arrival times, resulting in a nearly ideal flat frequency response across the audible range, enhancing sound fidelity and overcoming previous attenuation issues.
Implementation Method 1
The low-frequency transducer is mounted to the lower portion and is configured to generate a first acoustic signal within a first frequency range
Implementation Method 2
The high-frequency transducer is mounted to the upper portion and is configured to generate a second acoustic signal within a second frequency range
Implementation Method 3
The upper portion and the lower portion are configured such that a first acoustic signal arrival time and a second acoustic signal arrival time are synchronized in a listening area
Data Source
AI summary
Offset baffles are provided in a speaker for acoustic signal arrival synchronization. The speaker includes an enclosure. The enclosure includes a first side positioned at an angle with respect to a horizontal axis or plane. The first side includes an upper portion and a lower portion. The upper portion and the lower portion are offset from one another by a first offset in a first direction and a second offset in a second direction. The first offset in the first direction and the second offset in the second direction define a vent extending across a width of the first side. The vent is positioned above a low-frequency transducer and below a high-frequency transducer. The low-frequency transducer is mounted to the lower portion and generates a first acoustic signal within a first frequency range. The high-frequency transducer is mounted to the upper portion and generates a second acoustic signal within a second frequency range. The low-frequency transducer and the high-frequency transducer are displaced by the first offset in the first direction and the second offset in the second direction to adjust a low-frequency transducer acoustic origin position and a high-frequency transducer acoustic origin position. The upper portion and the lower portion configured such that a first acoustic signal arrival time and a second acoustic signal arrival time are synchronized in a listening area