Panel Speaker Mode Switching for Rear-Seat Audibility
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Solution Overview
Problem
Occupants in rear seats of a vehicle have difficulty hearing sound from a panel speaker due to road noise and distance, especially when the speaker is installed in the front of the vehicle.
Innovation Solution
A sound device that controls a panel speaker with multiple vibration actuators, allowing for both stereo and monaural modes, where the mode is adjusted based on the presence of occupants in rear seats, the opening angle of the speaker, and vehicle speed to enhance sound delivery.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If a panel speaker is installed on the dashboard in the front of the vehicle, then occupants on the front-row seat can hear sound at sufficient volume, but occupants on rear-row seats have difficulty hearing the sound due to distance and road noise
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by switching between stereo mode and monaural mode based on vehicle speed. When vehicle speed exceeds a threshold (indicating road noise conditions), the system transitions to monaural mode where multiple vibration actuators are driven by the same sound signal to increase sound pressure. This dynamic adaptation resolves the contradiction by adjusting the sound output mode according to environmental conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of sound signal distribution to vibration actuators. In stereo mode, different sound signals are applied to different actuators for spatial audio效果. In monaural mode (activated under road noise conditions), the same sound signal is applied to all actuators simultaneously, increasing overall sound pressure and enabling rear occupants to hear clearly despite noise interference.
2Reliability
If a panel speaker is installed on the dashboard in the front of the vehicle, then the stereo play function provides good sound quality for front-row occupants, but rear-row occupants experience insufficient sound delivery
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically switches between stereo and monaural modes based on detected conditions (vehicle speed, opening angle). This dynamic adjustment ensures reliable sound delivery to rear occupants by activating monaural mode when distance attenuation and road noise make stereo mode insufficient, while maintaining stereo mode for front-row occupants under favorable conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The panel speaker system achieves multi-functionality by serving both front-row and rear-row occupants effectively. Through the controller's ability to select between stereo mode (optimized for front-row with spatial audio) and monaural mode (optimized for rear-row with increased sound pressure), a single panel speaker installation provides reliable sound delivery to all occupants regardless of seating position.
3Illumination intensity
If monaural mode is used to increase sound pressure for rear occupants, then sound delivery to rear seats is improved, but stereo sound quality is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically selects between stereo mode and monaural mode based on real-time conditions (vehicle speed, opening angle, occupancy detection). Stereo mode is used when conditions favor spatial audio (low speed, front-row occupancy), providing high sound quality. Monaural mode is activated when conditions require increased sound pressure (high speed, rear-row occupancy), ensuring audible sound delivery. This dynamic switching resolves the contradiction by applying the appropriate mode contextually.
Solution Approach 2:
The controller changes the parameter of sound signal distribution to vibration actuators based on operational conditions. In stereo mode, different audio channels are assigned to different actuators for spatial separation. In monaural mode, the same audio signal is distributed to all actuators simultaneously, increasing sound pressure. This parameter change enables the system to prioritize either sound quality or sound pressure depending on the listening context.
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
Ensures that occupants in rear seats can hear sound clearly by increasing sound pressure in monaural mode when necessary, providing clear audio regardless of noise interference.
Implementation Method 1
a panel speaker that outputs a sound by vibrating a display screen (display panel)
Data Source
AI summary
A sound device for controlling a panel speaker configured to output sound by vibrating a single panel with a plurality of vibration actuators, the sound device includes a controller configured to select a stereo mode in which each of the plurality of vibration actuators is vibrated by a sound signal of each channel included in a content, and a monaural mode in which the plurality of vibration actuators are vibrated by a same sound signal.