Smart Speaker Faceplate with Aligned Grille and Sensor Openings
Solution Overview
Problem
Smart speakers face challenges in combining effective sound transmission with local environment sensing due to the large size of speaker elements, which occupy significant space and cause electromagnetic interference, hindering the performance of indirect input sensors.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating an environmental sensing faceplate subassembly with a grille and a circuit board placed in the path of sound transmission, featuring openings that align with the grille to enhance sound transmission while allowing indirect input sensors to access the local environment, thereby improving sensing capabilities and reducing electromagnetic interference.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the speaker element is made large to provide effective sound transmission, then sound transmission quality is improved, but the space occupied by the speaker element increases and electromagnetic interference is caused, hindering sensor performance
Solution Approach 1:
The faceplate is segmented into multiple functional regions: a grille portion with openings for sound transmission, a sensor portion with openings for sensor access, and a display portion. This segmentation allows the speaker element to be smaller while maintaining sound quality, as the grille openings provide acoustic access without requiring a large speaker enclosure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes the faceplate surface area (two-dimensional space) to accommodate multiple functions through openings and regions, rather than expanding the speaker element volume. The grille and sensor openings are distributed across the faceplate surface, enabling sound transmission and sensing without increasing the speaker element size.
2Reliability
If the speaker element is made large to provide effective sound transmission, then sound transmission quality is improved, but electromagnetic interference is caused, hindering sensor performance
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor functions are extracted from the interior of the speaker enclosure and placed in the faceplate, where they can access the external environment through dedicated openings. This separation allows sensors to operate independently from the electromagnetic field generated by the speaker element, reducing electromagnetic interference while maintaining sound transmission quality.
Solution Approach 2:
The faceplate acts as an intermediary structure that provides separate access paths for sound and sensors. The grille openings transmit sound waves to the speaker element while the sensor openings allow sensors to detect environmental conditions without being exposed to the electromagnetic field of the speaker element.
3Measurement precision
If the circuit board is placed behind the grille in the path of sound transmission, then sensor access to the local environment is improved, but sound transmission may be blocked
Solution Approach 1:
The circuit board is designed with a porous or perforated structure containing multiple openings that align with the grille openings. This porous design allows sound waves to pass through the circuit board to reach the speaker element while providing mounting surfaces for sensors to detect environmental conditions through the same openings.
Solution Approach 2:
The circuit board serves multiple functions: it provides structural support for mounting sensors, allows sound transmission through its openings, and provides electrical connections for the sensor array. This multi-functionality resolves the contradiction by enabling both sensor access and sound transmission through the same component.
Data Source
AI summary
In one embodiment a sound generating system comprises: a housing; a speaker located at least partially inside the housing; and an interactive faceplate subassembly comprising:a front surface, wherein a portion of the front surface contains a first plurality of openings forming a speaker grille; a display operable to display through a first portion of the front surface; the display disposed behind the front surface of the interactive faceplate subassembly and coupled to a second surface having a second plurality of openings, and wherein at least one of the openings in the second plurality of openings aligns with one or more of the openings in the first plurality of openings, thereby promoting improved sound transmission from the speaker.