Speaker Assemblies With Diffraction Slots For Wide Dispersion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional loudspeakers with narrow dispersion patterns fail to effectively distribute sound waves across a wide area, leading to uneven sound distribution and interference issues.
Innovation Solution
The use of dual speaker drivers with diffraction baffles, where each baffle features a diffraction slot that directs acoustic pressure waves away from the driver, with the slot's width equal to the wavelength of a target frequency, and a throat region that maintains wavefront surface area, resulting in a wider dispersion pattern greater than 120 degrees.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If conventional loudspeakers use narrow dispersion patterns, then the speaker design can be simpler and more compact, but the sound distribution becomes uneven and limited to small areas
Solution Approach 1:
The baffle is segmented into multiple sections with different diffraction slot configurations. Each section handles specific frequency ranges or directional patterns, allowing the system to achieve wide dispersion without requiring a completely redesigned complex structure. The segmentation of the baffle face into distinct functional zones enables targeted sound distribution.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from conventional point-source or narrow-beam sound projection to three-dimensional omnidirectional sound distribution. By arranging diffraction slots in specific geometric patterns across the baffle surface and using throat regions that radiate sound in multiple directions, the system achieves dispersion in horizontal, vertical, and radial dimensions simultaneously.
2Ease of operation
If diffraction slots are designed with width equal to wavelength of target frequency, then dispersion pattern widens to greater than 120 degrees, but the baffle area required increases
Solution Approach 1:
Different regions of the baffle are assigned different slot widths and orientations optimized for specific functions. Central regions may have slots configured for broadside radiation while edge regions handle end-fire patterns. This local optimization allows each portion of the baffle to contribute efficiently to the overall dispersion without requiring uniform expansion of the entire baffle surface.
Solution Approach 2:
The diffraction slot structure is nested within the baffle in a space-efficient manner. Throat regions are positioned to nest within the baffle depth, and multiple slot patterns are arranged in nested or overlapping configurations that maximize dispersion effectiveness while minimizing the projected surface area of the baffle.
3Reliability
If multiple speaker drivers are used to achieve wide dispersion, then sound quality and frequency coverage improve, but the device complexity and size increase
Solution Approach 1:
Each speaker driver is designed to serve multiple functions: it acts as both a direct radiator for certain frequency ranges and as a source for diffraction-based radiation through the baffle slots for other ranges. The same driver cone and surround structure contribute to both near-field and far-field sound patterns, eliminating the need for separate drivers for different radiation mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the direct radiation function and diffraction radiation function into a unified speaker system. The baffle structure integrates with the speaker driver assembly such that the driver serves as the input source for both direct sound projection and slot diffraction patterns, combining multiple radiation pathways into a single cohesive unit rather than requiring separate driver assemblies.
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 quality by achieving greater than 120-degree dispersion, improving audio distribution and reducing interference, while also allowing for a more compact speaker design by optimizing horn flare dimensions and phase plug placement.
Implementation Method 1
each diffraction baffle includes a baffle face having a diffraction slot positioned over the corresponding speaker driver and each diffraction baffle is affixed to and sealed to the corresponding speaker driver such that substantially all acoustic pressure produced from the front of the driver passes through the diffraction slot
Implementation Method 2
the throat region narrows in a vertical dimension towards its opposite end
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods for speaker assemblies with wide dispersion patterns are disclosed. In one embodiment, a speaker assembly includes at least two speaker drivers and a diffraction baffle affixed to each speaker driver, where each diffraction baffle includes a baffle face having a diffraction slot positioned over the driver and each diffraction baffle is affixed to and sealed to the driver, the area across each diffraction slot is less than the surface area of the driver, each diffraction slot provides a path for substantially all of the acoustic pressure waves produced by the speaker driver to propagate away from the driver and the acoustic pressure waves are within a frequency range determined by the characteristics of the driver, and the width of each diffraction slot in the horizontal direction is equal to the wavelength of a predetermined target frequency.