Speaker Box Drip-Proof Wall for Water Intrusion Protection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional speaker apparatuses with bass reflex ports are prone to short circuits and failures due to water droplet intrusion, especially in outdoor or indoor environments with rain or running water, which can damage the electric circuit device receiving high-voltage sound signals.

Innovation Solution

A speaker apparatus design featuring a speaker box with a drip-proof wall that isolates the electric circuit device from the bass reflex port, preventing water intrusion and maintaining sound quality by placing the drip-proof wall behind the speaker to create a protected space and keep resonance frequency low.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a bass reflex port is provided in the speaker box to enhance bass sound properties, then sound quality is improved, but water droplets can intrude through the port into the speaker box causing short circuits

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprotection against water intrusionVSAvoidwater droplet intrusion
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The speaker box interior is segmented into two separate spaces by the drip-proof wall: a first space for the speaker and a second space for the electric circuit device. The bass reflex port opens into the first space, allowing it to maintain its acoustic function while the drip-proof wall prevents water droplets from reaching the electric circuit device in the second space.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The drip-proof wall acts as an intermediary barrier between the bass reflex port (which must remain open for acoustic function) and the electric circuit device (which must be protected from water). This intermediate structure allows the bass reflex port to function while blocking water droplets from reaching the circuit device.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Device complexity

If the electric circuit device is placed in the speaker box, then device integration is improved, but water droplets can cause short circuits in the electric circuit device

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveintegration of electric circuit deviceVSAvoidprotection of electric circuit device
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The speaker box is divided into distinct functional zones using the drip-proof wall. The electric circuit device is placed in the second space (protected zone) separated from the bass reflex port opening, achieving both integration within the speaker box and protection from water intrusion.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The drip-proof wall serves as a protective intermediary structure that allows the electric circuit device to be integrated into the speaker box while maintaining isolation from water droplets that enter through the bass reflex port.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If a drip-proof wall is added to prevent water intrusion, then protection against short circuits is improved, but speaker box structure becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprotection against short circuitVSAvoidspeaker box structure
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The drip-proof wall is merged with the bass reflex port structure, forming an integrated component where the wall and port work together as a unified structure. This reduces the number of separate parts and simplifies manufacturing while maintaining the protective function.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The drip-proof wall structure serves multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as a protective barrier against water droplets, defines the acoustic chamber boundaries, and provides structural support for the bass reflex port. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional separate components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 effectively prevents short circuits and failures caused by water droplets while maintaining satisfactory sound properties, particularly bass sound quality, by isolating the electric circuit device from water intrusion through the bass reflex port and providing a drip-proof wall that is integral with the speaker box.

Implementation Method 1

a bass reflex port (22, 23) formed integrally with the speaker box or installed on the speaker box such that one end of the bass reflex port is open outside the speaker box while the other end is open inside the speaker box

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectResonance: Resonance

Data Source

PatentEP2672725B1Speaker apparatus and speaker box
Publication Date: 2017.09.27 YAMAHA CORP
  • EP2672725B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2672725B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2672725B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A speaker apparatus comprises a speaker box SB in which a speaker 51 (or 52) is placed, as well as a bass reflex port 22 (or 23), an electric circuit device 40 and a drip-proof wall 16 placed in the speaker box SB. One end of the bass reflex port 22 is open outside the speaker box SB while other end of the bass reflex port 22 is open in the speaker box SB. The drip-proof wall 16 isolates the electric circuit device 40 from the other end of the bass reflex port 22 so that the speaker apparatus can prevent water droplets intruding into the speaker box SB through the bass reflex ports 22 from reaching the electric circuit device 40.