Pivoting Tablet Audio Speaker in Protective Cover
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Solution Overview
Problem
Tablet computers face limitations in producing high-quality sound due to their small form factor design, and there is a need for improved audio devices and protective cases that enhance portability and audio experience.
Innovation Solution
The development of audio devices integrated into protective covers with a tablet-shaped rigid housing, featuring a pivotally mounted flat speaker, magnets for secure attachment, and airflow patterns to enhance sound emission, along with protective covers that include hinged flaps and magnets for secure positioning and audio signal processing units.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Weight of moving object
If tablet computers use small form factor design, then portability is improved, but audio quality deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the protective cover and audio device into a single integrated unit. The cover houses a speaker system with multiple drivers (woofers and tweeters) arranged in a compact configuration, allowing high-quality audio output while maintaining the portability benefits of a thin tablet design.
Solution Approach 2:
The audio device is nested within the protective cover structure. The speaker components are arranged in a nested configuration where tweeters are positioned above woofers, and the entire audio system is housed within the cover's thickness, maximizing space utilization in the limited form factor.
2Ease of manufacture
If protective covers include integrated audio devices, then audio quality is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The protective cover serves multiple functions simultaneously: it protects the tablet screen, provides magnetic attachment to the device, and houses a complete audio system with speaker drivers, tweeters, and acoustic chambers. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate accessories.
Solution Approach 2:
The audio system is segmented into distinct functional components (woofers for bass, tweeters for high frequencies, acoustic chambers for resonance) that are independently optimized but integrated within the cover. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function efficiently while maintaining overall system compactness.
3Ease of operation
If speaker is pivotally mounted to allow angle adjustment, then ease of operation is improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The speaker assembly is pivotally mounted to allow dynamic adjustment of the speaker angle relative to the cover and tablet. This dynamic positioning enables users to optimize audio direction for different usage scenarios (e.g., viewing angles, listening positions) while the pivot mechanism is designed to maintain consistent acoustic performance across the range of motion.
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 solution provides improved audio quality and portability by securely attaching tablet computers at desired angles, allowing for better sound emission and reception, while also serving as protective covers that enhance the user experience.
Implementation Method 1
The means for joining the housing to a tablet computer may include a plurality of magnets disposed on the top surface
Implementation Method 2
The speaker may be configured to emit sound toward the bottom surface in the closed position
Implementation Method 3
the bottom surface of the housing may include hole patterns, perforations and/or the like, and allow an air flow between the recess and the bottom surface of the housing
Data Source
AI summary
Aspects of the present invention may provide audio devices, which may be included in protective covers, suited for use with tablet computers and the like. Embodiments may include audio devices including a substantially tablet-shaped rigid housing. The housing may include a top surface, a bottom surface, and a recess in the top surface. A relatively flat audio speaker may be received in the recess of the housing, and may be pivotally mounted to the housing such that a free end of the speaker is movable between a closed position and an open position.