Omnidirectional Speaker Layout With Vibration-Isolated Subwoofer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional speakers are often directional, leading to dead spots in rooms and require large arrays for uniform audio distribution, and can suffer from vibratory excursions like buzzing due to subwoofer vibrations, necessitating improvements in design for better performance and user experience.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates multiple mid to high-frequency drivers in a cylindrical housing with radial distribution, beamforming techniques, and a subwoofer attached with elastomeric grommets to minimize vibrations, along with a touch-based user interface with LED lighting for enhanced interaction and heat dissipation through strategic component placement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If conventional directional speakers are used, then the speaker structure is simple, but dead spots are created in the room and uniform audio distribution cannot be achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The speaker system is segmented into multiple independent audio drivers distributed around the housing perimeter, with each driver contributing to omnidirectional sound coverage. This segmentation allows uniform audio distribution without requiring a complex distributed array of separate speaker units throughout the room.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from conventional single-direction or limited-direction speaker arrangements to a three-dimensional omnidirectional configuration. Audio drivers are positioned around the entire perimeter of the housing, radiating sound in 360 degrees horizontally and vertically, eliminating dead spots without increasing overall system complexity.
2Manufacturing precision
If a large array of speakers is distributed around a room to achieve uniform audio performance, then audio distribution uniformity is improved, but device complexity and space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple audio drivers that would traditionally be distributed as separate speaker units throughout a room are merged into a single integrated housing. The drivers are positioned around the perimeter of one housing unit, combining the functionality of multiple distributed speakers into one compact device, thereby achieving uniform audio distribution without increasing device complexity or space requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The single housing unit performs the function of multiple distributed speakers simultaneously. By incorporating drivers that radiate sound in all directions around the housing, one universal device replaces the need for multiple specialized speaker positions, simplifying the overall system configuration while maintaining uniform audio coverage.
3Manufacturing precision
If subwoofer volume and frequency are increased for better audio performance, then audio quality is improved, but vibratory excursions and buzzing increase
Solution Approach 1:
An elastomeric grommet is introduced as an intermediary element between the subwoofer and the housing. This grommet acts as a vibration isolation medium, absorbing and dampening vibratory excursions generated by the subwoofer during high-volume and high-frequency operation, thereby preventing buzzing and structural vibration while maintaining audio quality.
Solution Approach 2:
The vibratory energy generated by the subwoofer, which would normally be harmful causing buzzing and motion, is converted into a beneficial damping effect. The elastomeric grommet absorbs these vibrations and transforms them into heat through internal friction, eliminating the harmful buzzing while preserving the audio output.
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 configuration reduces speaker size, improves audio distribution, minimizes vibrations, and enhances user interaction with uniform sound coverage and reduced buzzing, while maintaining high-quality audio performance.
Implementation Method 1
a subwoofer attached with elastomeric grommets to minimize vibrations
Implementation Method 2
elastomeric grommets to minimize vibrations
Implementation Method 3
The user interface can include an array of light sources, such as light emitting diodes (LEDs)
Implementation Method 4
a diffuser plate disposed between the light sources and an exterior surface of the touch pad
Implementation Method 5
beamforming techniques
Data Source
Figure 1
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Figure 2B
AI summary
This disclosure relates to speakers and more specifically to an array speaker for distributing music uniformly across a room. A number of audio drivers can be radially distributed within a speaker housing so that an output of the drivers is distributed evenly throughout the room. In some embodiments, the exit geometry of the audio drivers can be configured to bounce off a surface supporting the array speaker to improve the distribution of music throughout the room. The array speaker can include a number of vibration isolation elements distributed within a housing of the array speaker. The vibration isolation elements can be configured reduce the strength of forces generated by a subwoofer of the array speaker.