Slit Shaped Waveguide for TV Sound Directivity
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Solution Overview
Problem
The placement of speakers at the back of frameless or minimal bezel TVs compromises sound clarity due to early reflections of sound waves, which can vary based on the TV's location and user positioning.
Innovation Solution
A sound source with a slit-shaped waveguide is integrated into the display device, featuring a driver that generates pressurized air, a chamber that directs this air to a slit-shaped exit, and an array of such exits to optimize sound wave parameters and directivity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of moving object
If speakers are placed at the back of frameless or minimal bezel TVs to maintain thin design, then the device thickness is reduced, but sound clarity deteriorates due to early reflections of sound waves
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a waveguide as an intermediary component between the speaker driver and the sound emission point. The waveguide directs sound waves through a controlled path to a front-facing or side-facing exit, preventing early reflections while maintaining the thin TV design. The waveguide acts as a mediator that transforms the sound propagation path without requiring thick speaker housing.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs slit-shaped waveguide exits that extend in a specific dimension (length much greater than width), creating a directional sound emission pattern. This dimensional change in the exit geometry allows sound to be projected forward or to the side rather than backward, eliminating early reflections while keeping the TV thin.
2Length of moving object
If speakers are placed at the back of TVs, then the thin design is maintained, but sound wave directivity deteriorates due to early reflections varying with TV and user location
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements adjustable waveguide configurations that can dynamically change the direction and pattern of sound emission. The waveguide system can adapt its acoustic output based on viewing angles and listening positions, providing optimized directivity for different user scenarios while maintaining the thin TV profile.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent divides the sound emission function into multiple slit-shaped waveguide exits positioned at different locations and orientations. This segmentation allows different portions of the waveguide array to serve different directional purposes, collectively providing adaptable sound directivity across various viewing and listening positions.
3Length of moving object
If traditional speakers are used in thin TVs, then the device thickness is reduced, but sound clarity and quality deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes acoustic pressure wave propagation through the waveguide structure, leveraging pneumatic principles to transmit sound energy efficiently from the driver through the thin waveguide to the exit. This pneumatic approach allows high-quality sound transmission without requiring thick speaker enclosures, as the sound waves are channeled through the waveguide's internal pressure dynamics.
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 enhances sound clarity and directivity, allowing for improved audio quality without compromising the thin design of the display device, and can adjust sound based on multimedia content, environment, or user feedback.
Implementation Method 1
a driver configured to receive audio signal current and generate pressurized air
Implementation Method 2
a slit shaped exit coupled to the chamber and configured to receive the pressurized air from the chamber and to emit sound waves
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed herein are system, apparatus, article of manufacture, method and/or computer program product embodiments, and/or combinations and sub-combinations thereof, for a sound source with an array of slit shaped waveguide exits. An example embodiment of the sound source includes one or more drivers configured to receive an audio signal current and to generate pressurized air. The sound source further includes one or more chambers coupled to the one or more drivers and configured to direct the pressurized air from the one or more drivers. The sound source further includes an array of two or more slit shaped exits coupled to the one or more chambers and configured to receive the pressurized air from the one or more chambers and to emit sound waves. The directivity of the sound waves is controlled.