Speaker Enclosure with Reduced Internal Pressure for Low Frequency Response
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing audio recording and reproduction systems face challenges in achieving distorted sounds for amplified electric musical instruments without producing high sound pressure levels, which can be disruptive and damaging to microphones and speakers.
Innovation Solution
The use of a speaker system with a reduced internal pressure enclosure and a pressure compensation system, which allows the speaker to operate at high output power levels while maintaining low sound pressure levels, enabling the reproduction of a wide range of frequencies including low audio frequencies.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If amplifiers are overdriven to achieve distorted sounds, then the desired distorted sound quality is improved, but the sound pressure level becomes excessively high and disruptive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an acoustic isolation enclosure as an intermediary between the amplifier and the surrounding environment. This enclosure contains the high sound pressure levels generated by overdriven amplifiers, preventing them from propagating to the external environment where they would be disruptive. The enclosure acts as a mediator that allows the amplifier to operate at high power levels for desired sound quality while isolating the harmful high sound pressure levels from affecting the recording environment and nearby individuals
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the harmful high sound pressure levels generated by overdriven amplifiers into a beneficial contained acoustic environment. By enclosing the amplifier, the previously harmful high sound pressure levels become a controlled feature within the enclosure, allowing for effective acoustic coupling between the amplifier speaker and the recording microphone while preventing external disruption. The harmful high SPL is transformed into a useful contained acoustic field
2Manufacturing precision
If high sound pressure levels are used for amplified instrument recording, then the desired distorted sound is achieved, but acoustic isolation becomes complex and costly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the acoustic isolation system into a self-contained enclosure unit that houses the amplifier. This segmented approach creates a modular acoustic isolation solution that can be easily integrated into recording environments. The enclosure separates the amplifier's acoustic field from the external environment, providing effective isolation without requiring complex distributed acoustic treatment throughout the recording space
Solution Approach 2:
The acoustic isolation enclosure serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides acoustic isolation to prevent sound leakage, contains the high sound pressure levels for effective microphone coupling, and creates a controlled acoustic environment for consistent recording quality. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate acoustic treatment systems, reducing overall system complexity
3Manufacturing precision
If high sound pressure levels are used for recording, then distorted sound quality is improved, but microphone damage risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The acoustic isolation enclosure serves as an intermediary that enables safe microphone coupling to high power amplifiers. By containing the amplifier within the enclosure and controlling the acoustic field within this bounded space, the system allows microphones to be positioned close to the speaker for effective coupling while protecting them from exposure to excessively high sound pressure levels that would occur in uncontained environments
4Weight of moving object
If smaller speakers are used to improve portability, then the system becomes easier to transport, but the ability to reproduce low frequencies is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical limitation of speaker size with an acoustic field control approach. Instead of relying on large speaker cones to generate low frequencies, the system uses the enclosed acoustic environment to enhance and extend the low frequency response of smaller speakers. The enclosure's acoustic properties substitute for the mechanical mass and surface area that would traditionally be needed to reproduce low frequencies effectively
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 solution allows for the recording and reproduction of high power levels of sound at low sound pressure levels, enhancing low frequency response and minimizing resonant frequencies and phase cancellation issues, thereby enabling smaller speakers to reproduce lower frequencies than conventional systems.
Implementation Method 1
The pressure compensation system is configured to generate an electromagnetic force to counteract the force applied to the front side of the speaker cone as a result of the pressure differential
Implementation Method 2
The speaker system with a reduced internal pressure enclosure and a pressure compensation system, which allows the speaker to operate at high output power levels while maintaining low sound pressure levels
Data Source
AI summary
Techniques are provided for generating sound using a speaker mounted to an enclosure (e.g., speaker cabinet) wherein a gas pressure level (e.g., air pressure level) inside the enclosure is lower than an ambient air pressure level outside the enclosure. The reduced gas pressure level within the enclosure provides an environment with a reduced pressure level at a back side of a speaker cone of the speaker, which enhances a low frequency response for a given speaker size, while also minimizing resonant frequencies and phase cancellation issues which could otherwise occur with conventional speaker systems in which acoustic sound waves are generated at the back side of the speaker cone. A pressure compensation system is utilized counteract a force applied to the front side of the speaker cone as a result of the gas pressure level inside the enclosure being lower than the ambient air pressure level outside the enclosure.