Speaker Light Guide Assembly That Preserves Acoustic Output
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing illumination systems for vehicles and consumer products often obstruct sound output and degrade acoustic performance, lacking integration with speaker assemblies while providing customizable and aesthetically pleasing illumination.
Innovation Solution
A light guide assembly for speaker assemblies featuring a translucent light guide with downward posts, removably connected light boxes containing programmable LEDs, and a low-profile design to minimize interference with sound waves, allowing coordinated illumination with speaker operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If illumination components are added to speaker assemblies, then visual appeal and aesthetics are enhanced, but sound output may be obstructed and acoustic performance degraded
Solution Approach 1:
The light guide assembly is segmented into separate functional zones: illumination-generating sections at the ends and a central acoustic passage in the middle. This segmentation allows light to be emitted from the ends while sound passes freely through the central portion, resolving the contradiction between illumination and sound output.
Solution Approach 2:
Different portions of the light guide assembly have different functional properties: the end portions are designed for light emission with translucent or transparent material, while the central portion is designed for acoustic transmission with openings or translucent material. This local differentiation allows each zone to optimize its specific function without interfering with the other.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a light guide assembly is integrated with speaker assembly, then coordinated illumination with speaker operation is achieved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The light guide assembly serves multiple functions: it generates illumination, transmits sound, and can be controlled to coordinate with speaker operation. The same structural components (light guide body, end portions) serve both optical and acoustic functions, reducing overall system complexity despite the coordinated control capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The illumination system and speaker assembly are merged into a single integrated unit where the light guide assembly is positioned to overlay the speaker assembly. This merging allows coordinated control while sharing common mounting structures and control systems, managing the complexity through integration rather than separate systems.
3Ease of operation
If light boxes are removably connected to light guide, then ease of installation and maintenance is improved, but connection reliability may be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The connection between light boxes and light guide transitions from static permanent attachment to dynamic removable connection. This allows the system to adapt between ease of installation/maintenance (when removed) and operational reliability (when connected), with the connection state changing based on operational needs rather than being fixed.
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
Preserves sound quality and provides customizable illumination without obstructing sound output, offering a modular and aesthetically pleasing solution for vehicles and consumer products.
Implementation Method 1
each light box having a light source disposed therein for illuminating the light guide
Implementation Method 2
a light guide including an elongated body having end portions with a central portion therebetween
Implementation Method 3
The light guide includes prisms on the body to control light emitted from the light guide
Implementation Method 4
The light guide includes prisms on the body to control light emitted from the light guide
Implementation Method 5
The posts include mask elements including one of mirror plating or opaque end caps to prevent light leakage from the end portions of the light guide
Data Source
AI summary
A light guide assembly for use with a speaker assembly includes a light guide including an elongated body having end portions with a central portion therebetween, the body having a post depending downwardly from each end portion. The light guide assembly further includes light boxes removably connectable to the posts, each light box having a light source disposed therein for illuminating the light guide, wherein illumination of the light guide by the light source is controlled in coordination with an operation of the speaker assembly.