Elastic Panel Modal Control With Optimized Actuator Placement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sound control systems using force actuators to excite or depress structural vibrations face challenges in producing sound without unwanted distortions, requiring complex electronics and increasing costs due to the need for precise weighting functions to manage actuator positions relative to nodal lines.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a panel with dynamic force actuators positioned to significantly actuate a selected mode while minimizing excitation of other modes, using a common signal source and modal crossover network to ensure equal force application across actuators, thereby simplifying the control of sound radiation and reducing costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If force actuators are positioned relative to nodal lines with weighting functions to control multiple modes simultaneously, then selective modal control is achieved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the weighting function calculation from the electronic control system and relocates it to the actuator positioning design phase. By pre-calculating optimal actuator positions based on modal analysis of nodal lines, the system eliminates the need for complex real-time electronic weighting functions, reducing device complexity while maintaining modal control precision
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary modal analysis and actuator positioning optimization during the design phase, before manufacturing. The actuator positions are pre-determined to naturally achieve the desired modal control without requiring complex electronic weighting, thereby simplifying the final device while maintaining control precision
2Object-generated harmful factors
If actuator array is configured to excite specific bending modes for desirable sound radiation, then sound quality is improved, but manufacturing cost and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the complex electronic signal processing requirements and relocates the control function to the physical actuator positioning. By placing actuators at predetermined locations based on modal analysis, the system achieves desirable sound radiation without requiring complex electronic weighting functions, thereby reducing manufacturing cost while maintaining sound quality
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces expensive complex electronic control systems with simpler, more cost-effective actuator positioning solutions. The predetermined actuator locations provide the necessary modal control at a lower manufacturing cost, making the system more economically viable
3Manufacturing precision
If additional electronics are added to implement weighting functions for arbitrary actuator layouts, then modal control precision is maintained, but reliability decreases and cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the weighting function implementation from the electronic control system and embeds it in the mechanical actuator positioning design. This eliminates additional electronics that would reduce reliability, while maintaining modal control precision through optimized actuator locations determined by modal analysis
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 system effectively radiates sound in a selected frequency band with minimal distortion by optimizing actuator placement, eliminating the need for complex weighting functions and reducing manufacturing costs, while ensuring efficient sound radiation from the panel.
Implementation Method 1
the dynamic force produced by the plurality of force actuators upon the panel generates a radiation of sound from the panel in a selected frequency band
Implementation Method 2
the panel possesses one or more vibrational resonant modes; significantly actuate a selected panel mode in a given frequency range
Data Source
AI summary
A method, system and devices to selectively control modal vibrations in an elastic panel with a number of force actuators distributed throughout the surface of the elastic panel to excite/depress the response of one or more vibrational resonant modes included in a prescribed subset. The force actuators are disposed such that prescribed modal excitation/depression may be realized when the actuators are driven by a common source signal.