Retractable Array Microphone Frame for Ceiling Shadow Elimination
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing array microphone devices face challenges during attachment operations, as the main body front surface often comes into contact with temporary placement surfaces, leading to potential stains or damage. Additionally, the protruding design can result in unsightly shadows on ceilings and compromised appearance.
Innovation Solution
The array microphone device is designed to be placed at an opening portion of a system ceiling instead of a ceiling panel, featuring a device main body with a retractable main body front surface. This is achieved through a frame fixed to the device main body, which supports the device by retracting the main body front surface upward relative to the panel front surface, preventing contact with temporary placement surfaces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the main body front surface is projected downward relative to the panel front surface, then the attachment operation can be performed, but the main body front surface comes into contact with the temporary placement surface causing stains or damage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the main body front surface retractable rather than fixed. The frame allows the main body to be dynamically adjusted between a retracted state (when not in use) and a projected state (during attachment operation). This dynamic adjustment resolves the contradiction by preventing contact with temporary placement surfaces during storage while enabling easy attachment operation when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the device into distinct functional components: the frame, the main body, and the retractable mechanism. By separating the main body from the fixed frame structure, the main body can be independently moved and retracted. This segmentation allows the main body to be protected from damage during storage while still enabling attachment operations when projected.
2Ease of operation
If the main body front surface projects downward, then attachment operation is enabled, but the ceiling appearance is deteriorated due to shadows
Solution Approach 1:
The retractable design allows the main body to be dynamically positioned. When retracted, the main body front surface is flush with or above the panel front surface, eliminating shadows and maintaining ceiling appearance. When projected during attachment, it enables easy operation. This dynamic positioning resolves the contradiction between operational ease and aesthetic appearance.
3Shape
If the main body front surface is retracted relative to the panel front surface, then the ceiling appearance is maintained, but the directional characteristics of sound collection may be impaired
Solution Approach 1:
The retractable mechanism allows the main body to be dynamically adjusted between retracted and projected positions. When retracted, the main body front surface is flush with the panel front surface, maintaining ceiling appearance. The frame structure is designed to accommodate this retraction while preserving the acoustic characteristics, as the microphone array remains properly positioned relative to the ceiling plane.
4Ease of operation
If the main body front surface is projected, then attachment operation can be performed, but a shadow is generated on the ceiling deteriorating the appearance
Solution Approach 1:
The dynamic retractable design allows the main body to be positioned flush with the ceiling surface when not in use, eliminating shadow generation. During attachment operations, it can be projected to enable easy handling. This dynamic adjustment resolves the contradiction between operational ease and aesthetic appearance by eliminating shadows during storage and operation.
Data Source
AI summary
An array microphone device is disposed at an opening portion of a system ceiling instead of a first ceiling panel. The first ceiling panel is disposed at the opening portion of a grid body in the system ceiling. The array microphone device includes a device main body housing an array microphone; and a frame fixed to the device main body and is disposed at the opening portion. The frame disposed at the opening portion supports the device main body by retracting a main body front surface of the device main body upward in a vertical direction relative to a panel front surface of a second ceiling panel which is a surface on a lower side in the vertical direction. The second ceiling panel constitutes the system ceiling and is disposed at another opening portion of the system ceiling.