Speaker Hat Outward Sound Propagation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional hats with speakers are designed to direct sound downward towards the wearer, making it difficult for others around the wearer to hear the sound, and are not suited for broadcasting audio to the environment.

Innovation Solution

A hat structure with a speaker positioned on the rear side of the crown, allowing sound to propagate outwardly, along with a control board and power source, and user input switches to control the sound playback.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If the speaker is positioned to direct sound downward towards the wearer, then the listening quality for the user is enhanced, but the sound cannot be heard by persons around the wearer

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelistening qualityVSAvoidsound propagation direction

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The speaker is repositioned from the traditional downward-facing orientation to an outward-facing orientation on the rear side of the crown. This inversion of the sound propagation direction allows the sound to be broadcast to the environment and persons around the wearer, rather than being directed inward toward the wearer's ear.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

2Measurement precision

If the speaker directs sound inward towards the user, then the user can hear the sound clearly, but the hat is not suited for broadcasting audio to the environment

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesound clarityVSAvoidaudio broadcasting capability

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The speaker orientation is inverted from inward-facing to outward-facing, transforming the hat's function from private listening to public broadcasting. The speaker is positioned on the rear side of the crown with its sound propagation direction pointed away from the inside area of the crown, enabling environmental audio broadcasting while the user can still control the playback through control switches on the bill.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

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

Enables sound to be clearly heard by persons around the wearer, enhancing the listening experience for others and allowing for environmental audio broadcasting.

Implementation Method 1

a speaker located on the crown and defining a direction of sound propagation outwardly from the rear side of the crown, the speaker being in communication with the control board

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectroacoustic transduction:

Data Source

PatentUS8875317B2Speaker hat

Publication Date: 2014.11.04 JACOBS EUGENE

AI summary

The present disclosure provides a hat structure comprising a crown and various electronics. The electronics include a speaker located on the crown and defining a direction of sound propagation outwardly from a rear side of the crown. The speaker is configured to play a sound in the direction of sound propagation in response to a user input to a control switch. A hat structure of such a configuration may provide sound more clearly to the environment surrounding a user or wearer of the hat structure.