Vehicle Speaker Layout Using Absorption and Windshield Reflection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle speaker systems struggle with unstable sound localization and image positioning due to signal cancellation and direct sound delivery, resulting in inconsistent sound fields for occupants, particularly affecting the driver and passenger seats.
Innovation Solution
Incorporation of sound-absorbing materials in front of speakers to control emission angles, combined with reflective surfaces like windshields to direct sound to desired directions, creating virtual speakers outside the reflecting plate, thereby enhancing sound localization and forming stable sound fields in front of occupants.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If speakers are arranged on the left and right in front of the vehicle interior to form forward localization, then the sense of forward localization is enhanced, but the sound field does not exist in front of occupants sitting on the driver's seat and the passenger's seat
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes the windshield as a reflective surface to create a virtual sound source in a different spatial dimension (above the dashboard), thereby extending sound field coverage to areas previously unreachable by direct speaker placement alone
2Illumination intensity
If a center speaker is arranged between the left and right speakers to output L+R signal, then a sound field is formed in front of each of the driver's seat and the passenger's seat, but the sound field is unstable due to variations in localization depending on music to be reproduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a sound-absorbing part as an intermediary element between the speaker and the environment, which passively controls sound emission angles and stabilizes the sound field without requiring complex active signal processing
3Illumination intensity
If speakers are arranged on the upper surface of the dashboard, then forward localization is achieved, but the sound image is localized at a position lower than the face of a listener
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs the windshield reflection to project the sound image to a higher virtual position above the dashboard, matching the listener's face level, thereby eliminating the need for physically mounting speakers at elevated positions
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a virtual copy of the sound source through windshield reflection, positioning the perceived sound image at the desired location without physically relocating the actual speaker
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
Accurately localizes sound images in front of vehicle occupants, providing individualized and stable sound fields with depth and preventing sound mixing between adjacent seats, improving the overall audio experience.
Implementation Method 1
a sound-absorbing part arranged in front of the speaker and configured to control an emission angle of a sound emitted from the speaker. The sound-absorbing part includes a sound-absorbing material and absorbs a sound emitted from the speaker in an unnecessary direction.
Implementation Method 2
a reflecting part configured to reflect a sound after passing through the sound-absorbing part to direct the sound in a desired direction
Data Source
AI summary
For example, a sound reproducing device that is installed in a vehicle interior and realizes directional control is provided. The sound reproducing device includes a speaker, and a sound-absorbing part arranged in front of the speaker and configured to control an emission angle of a sound emitted from the speaker. The sound-absorbing part includes a sound-absorbing material and absorbs a sound emitted from the speaker in an unnecessary direction. The sound reproducing device further includes a reflecting part includes a reflecting plate with a glass-shape, reflects a sound after passing through the sound-absorbing part and direct the sound in a desired direction, and the sound reproducing device forms a sound field that allows the sound from the speaker to be perceived as a sound coming from a virtual speaker arranged outside the reflecting plate.