Vehicle Pillar Loudspeaker Arrangement for Cargo Space
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional vehicle sound systems face challenges due to the complexity of wiring and reduced cargo space caused by the placement of box speakers and woofers in discrete locations, which limits the availability of space for passengers and cargo.
Innovation Solution
The solution involves integrating low-frequency speakers, such as sub-woofers, into the vehicle pillars and middle- or high-frequency speakers into the door trim panels, eliminating the need for box speakers in doors and trunk, thereby simplifying wiring and maximizing cargo space by using boxless or reduced-size speakers that can be mounted within the vehicle's structural elements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If box speakers and woofers are placed in discrete locations throughout the vehicle interior, then audio quality is improved, but wiring complexity and manufacturing complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple speakers (woofers and mid-range speakers) into integrated assemblies mounted within door structures. This merging reduces the number of separate cable harnesses needed and simplifies wiring by consolidating multiple audio components into unified mounting locations rather than discrete placements throughout the vehicle.
2Reliability
If box speakers and woofers are placed in discrete locations throughout the vehicle interior, then audio quality is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates multiple speaker components into consolidated assemblies that can be manufactured as unified units and installed as single components during vehicle assembly. This merging reduces the number of separate installation steps and simplifies the manufacturing process compared to installing multiple discrete speakers at different locations.
3Reliability
If woofers are placed in the trunk compartment, then low-frequency audio output is improved, but cargo space is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the woofer from the trunk compartment and relocates it to integrated door assemblies. This extraction removes the space-consuming element from the cargo area, thereby preserving trunk cargo space while maintaining the low-frequency audio output capability through the door-mounted speaker configuration.
4Reliability
If box speakers are integrated into door structures, then audio quality is improved, but cargo area space is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent positions speakers at the upper portions of door structures, utilizing space that does not interfere with the lower cargo area. This local placement strategy allows audio components to be integrated into the door structure while preserving the functional cargo space in the lower portion of the door, effectively separating the audio function from the storage function spatially.
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 wiring complexity, increases cargo space by eliminating the need for trunk-mounted woofers and door-mounted box speakers, while maintaining or enhancing audio quality through improved bass response and aesthetics by integrating speakers into the vehicle's structure.
Implementation Method 1
The electrostatic transducer includes a thin, flat diaphragm suspended between two rigid, electrically conductive stators... Sound is generated by a force that is exerted on the diaphragm in accordance with an applied electrostatic field
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments include a loudspeaker arrangement in a vehicle comprising a plurality of loudspeakers positioned in a pillar of the vehicle. The pillar is coupled to at least one vehicle door frame and extends from a vehicle roof to a vehicle floor, and at least one of the plurality of loudspeakers is a low-frequency loudspeaker. In some embodiments, the pillar is a B-pillar of the vehicle, and/or the low-frequency loudspeaker is a sub-woofer. Other embodiments include a vehicle comprising at least one door frame, a pillar coupled to the at least one door frame and extending from a vehicle roof to a vehicle floor, and a low-frequency loudspeaker mounted in the pillar. In some embodiments, the vehicle further includes at least one boxless loudspeaker mounted in the pillar, and each of the at least one boxless loudspeaker is an electrostatic loudspeaker.