One-Piece Powered Speaker Enclosure Pneumatic Bass Coupling

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Solution Overview

Problem

Compact audio systems struggle to reproduce bass frequencies effectively due to limited amplifier power, distortion, and small speaker size, leading to a divide between bulky high-fidelity systems and mediocre compact systems that cannot maintain quality listening at high sound levels.

Innovation Solution

An amplified acoustic enclosure with two loudspeakers, one for midrange and bass frequencies and another for bass frequencies, connected pneumatically with distinct amplification channels, where the frequency response of the rear loudspeaker is attenuated above 60 Hz to reduce distortion and enhance sound level, and an internal class D amplifier with separate channels for each loudspeaker to manage frequency ranges and power efficiently.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If long-excursion drivers are used in sealed enclosures to improve bass reproduction, then theoretical power handling is improved, but acoustic efficiency drops significantly with small-diameter drivers

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower handlingVSAvoidacoustic efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a passive radiator as an intermediary element that converts mechanical energy from the active driver into additional acoustic output. The passive radiator diaphragm is driven by air pressure changes in the sealed enclosure rather than a voice coil, allowing it to extend bass response without requiring additional amplifier power or sacrificing acoustic efficiency

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent utilizes pneumatic principles by creating a sealed enclosure where air pressure changes drive the passive radiator diaphragm. The air acts as a pneumatic coupling between the active and passive drivers, transferring energy efficiently without mechanical contact or electrical components

Inventive Principle:
Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

2Loss of energy

If ported speaker systems are used to improve low-frequency acoustic performance, then bass response is improved, but distortion increases significantly at high power levels

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveacoustic performanceVSAvoiddistortion
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The passive radiator serves as an intermediary that smooths out the distortion problems inherent in ported systems. By using air pressure as the driving mechanism rather than a voice coil subjected to magnetic field limitations, the passive radiator can move larger excursions without the distortion that plagues traditional ported speakers at high power levels

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the operating parameters of the bass reproduction system by using a passive radiator driven by pneumatic pressure rather than electromagnetic force. This parameter change allows for larger diaphragm excursions and higher acoustic output without the distortion that occurs in conventional ported systems

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Loss of energy

If passive radiators are used to double speaker radiation in lower frequencies, then sound level in bass range is increased, but the system cannot withstand high sound levels without distortion

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesound levelVSAvoiddistortion
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the active driver and passive radiator into a unified system where both drivers work together in phase. The active driver generates the initial acoustic energy and the passive radiator amplifies it, creating a synergistic effect that increases sound level while maintaining low distortion through their pneumatic coupling

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The pneumatic coupling between the active and passive drivers creates a natural feedback mechanism. The air pressure changes generated by the active driver automatically drive the passive radiator in a controlled manner, providing inherent distortion reduction through this pneumatic feedback loop

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

4Volume of moving object

If compact speaker systems are used to reduce size, then portability is improved, but bass reproduction quality deteriorates due to limited amplifier power and small speaker size

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespeaker sizeVSAvoidbass reproduction quality
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a nested configuration where the passive radiator is positioned within or adjacent to the active driver assembly. This nesting allows the compact system to accommodate two functional drivers without significantly increasing overall size, enabling improved bass reproduction while maintaining portability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The passive radiator acts as an intermediary that allows compact systems to achieve better bass reproduction without requiring proportionally larger amplifiers or drivers. By using the pneumatic coupling mechanism, the system can extend bass response within a compact form factor

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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

Significantly reduces distortion in low frequencies, increases sound level in the bass range without altering midrange intelligibility, and maintains power resistance, achieving compensation of up to 5db below 100 Hz and low distortion, while optimizing amplifier feedback and power usage.

Implementation Method 1

a sealed compartment pneumatically connecting the two loudspeakers, wherein the diaphragm of the rear loudspeaker acts as a passive radiator

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAcoustic pressure transmission: Sound

Implementation Method 2

the diaphragm of the rear loudspeaker acts as a passive radiator

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPassive radiation: Sound

Data Source

PatentEP3596938B1One-piece device for a powered speaker enclosure
Publication Date: 2022.05.11 CC LAB
  • EP3596938B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3596938B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3596938B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

The present invention relates to a one-piece device for a powered speaker enclosure. According to the invention, the powered speaker enclosure comprises in particular: two central loudspeakers intended to reproduce low frequencies, one located at the front and the other located close to and behind the latter, pneumatically connected to each other in a sealed compartment, at least one vent not communicating pneumatically with the sealed compartment and connecting the inner portion of the enclosure to the outer portion thereof, wherein each of the two loudspeakers (1) and (2), intended to reproduce low frequencies, is powered by separate amplification channels (3) and (3'), each having their respective frequency band.