Vehicle Seat Speaker Grill Rigid Support Attachment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing speaker grills in vehicle seats often suffer from reduced mechanical stability and cosmetic appeal when attached to non-rigid materials like fabric or soft foam, leading to potential sagging and misalignment with the acoustic path.
Innovation Solution
A speaker grill design that attaches to a substantially rigid portion of the vehicle seat using a structural feature, such as a recessed or projected portion, to enhance stability and alignment, allowing for customization and improved aesthetic appearance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the speaker grill is attached to non-rigid materials like fabric or soft foam, then the attachment is easier to implement, but the mechanical stability and cosmetic appeal are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a rigid support structure as an intermediary element between the speaker grill and the non-rigid seat materials. This rigid support serves as a mediator that provides a stable attachment surface for the grill while being integrated into the seat assembly, thus resolving the contradiction between ease of attachment and mechanical stability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from attaching the grill directly to the surface layer (2D attachment) by introducing a rigid support structure that extends into the depth of the seat assembly (3D structure). This dimensional change provides structural stability while maintaining the attachment functionality
2Ease of manufacture
If the speaker grill is attached to non-rigid materials like fabric or soft foam, then the attachment process is simpler, but cosmetic appeal and alignment are worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The rigid support structure acts as a precision intermediary that provides a stable, non-deformable attachment surface. This ensures that the speaker grill maintains accurate alignment with the acoustic path and opening, preventing misalignment issues that would occur with direct attachment to soft, deformable materials
Solution Approach 2:
The rigid support structure is pre-installed and integrated into the seat assembly before the speaker grill is attached. This prior preparation ensures that the attachment surface is already positioned correctly and provides stable alignment references, preventing sagging and misalignment that would occur with direct attachment to soft materials
3Adaptability or versatility
If the speaker grill is made removable for customization, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic attachment system where the speaker grill can be easily attached and removed from the rigid support structure. This dynamic capability allows for customization and adaptation while using simple mechanical attachment features that do not significantly increase device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent divides the speaker assembly into separate modular components: the speaker grill, the rigid support structure, and the seat assembly. This segmentation allows the grill to be independently attached or removed for customization purposes while maintaining a relatively simple overall device structure through standardized attachment interfaces
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 provides improved mechanical stability and cosmetic appeal by securely attaching the grill to a rigid support, reducing sagging and ensuring accurate alignment with the acoustic path, while allowing for removable customization.
Implementation Method 1
a base that includes perforations to allow acoustic energy from the speakers to pass through the grill
Data Source
Figure 1A
Figure 1B
Figure 1C
AI summary
The technology described in this document is embodied in a speaker grill configured to be attached to a speaker system disposed in a portion of a vehicle seat. The speaker grill includes a base that includes perforations to allow acoustic energy from the speakers to pass through the grill, a sidewall extending from the base such that the sidewall and the base define a cavity, and a structural feature configured to allow the speaker grill to be to be attached to a substantially rigid portion of the vehicle seat. The speaker grill is attached in an acoustic path of the speaker system, and is removable from the substantially rigid portion of the vehicle seat following attachment.