In-Vehicle Speaker with Movable Reflector for Sun Visor Obstruction
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Solution Overview
Problem
In-vehicle audio devices struggle to transmit high-quality sound due to the directional limitations of sound frequencies, where low-frequency sounds are predominantly transmitted, and high-frequency sounds are not effectively reached by listeners, especially when the sun visor's orientation changes, limiting the use of materials and reliability in in-vehicle devices.
Innovation Solution
The in-vehicle device incorporates a speaker unit with multiple openings directed at different angles and a reflector unit that can change the sound direction using a mechanical unit, ensuring sound is output from unblocked openings and reflected towards the listener regardless of the sun visor's orientation, utilizing materials like plastic, iron, or aluminum for effective sound transmission.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If sound is emitted in a fixed direction from the speaker unit, then the device structure is simple, but high-frequency sound cannot reach listeners when the sun visor orientation changes
Solution Approach 1:
The reflector unit is made movable relative to the speaker unit through a mechanical unit, allowing the sound reflection direction to be dynamically adjusted according to the sun visor's orientation. This dynamic adjustment enables high-frequency sound to reach listeners effectively while maintaining a relatively simple overall device structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The sound transmission path is divided into two segments: direct sound from the speaker unit and reflected sound from the reflector unit. This segmentation allows the system to overcome the limitation of fixed-direction sound emission by providing multiple sound paths, improving adaptability without significantly increasing complexity.
2Reliability
If the reflector unit is made movable to change sound direction, then sound can reach listeners effectively, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The mechanical unit that moves the reflector unit is integrated with the existing sun visor structure, combining the orientation adjustment function with the sound direction control. This merging approach ensures reliable sound transmission to listeners while minimizing the increase in device complexity by reusing existing mechanical components.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple openings are provided in different directions, then sound transmission is improved, but the device complexity and material requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The reflector unit acts as an intermediary that redirects sound from the speaker unit to the listener. Instead of providing multiple speaker openings in different directions, the single speaker unit combined with the movable reflector achieves similar adaptability, simplifying manufacturing while maintaining sound transmission effectiveness.
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 ensures high-quality sound transmission to occupants by adjusting the sound direction and orientation, maintaining reliability and quality across varying sun visor positions, even when traditional paths are obstructed.
Implementation Method 1
a reflector unit configured to reflect the sound in a second direction different from the first direction
Data Source
AI summary
An in-vehicle device is installed in a moving body. The in-vehicle device includes: a speaker unit configured to emit sound in a first direction; a reflector unit configured to reflect the sound in a second direction different from the first direction; and a mechanical unit configured to change the second direction.