Speaker Slit Diffraction for Wide Sweet Spot in Thin Displays
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Solution Overview
Problem
As electronic devices become thinner, the quality of sound output by down-firing front speakers and back-firing woofers in flat panel displays deteriorates due to high directivity of middle-pitched and high-pitched sounds, resulting in a narrow 'sweet spot' where optimal audio is experienced.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a speaker apparatus with a first speaker emitting higher-frequency sound through slits and a second speaker emitting lower-frequency sound, both with thicknesses less than the sound wavelength, to create a wider sweet spot by optimizing sound directivity and outputting sound via slits that adjust based on user position or image display.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of stationary object
If down-firing front speaker and back-firing woofer are installed in thin digital TV, then device thickness is reduced, but sound quality deteriorates due to narrow sweet spot
Solution Approach 1:
The audio system is segmented into multiple independent speakers (down-firing front speaker, back-firing woofer, and additional speakers) distributed at different locations and orientations within the thin device structure. Each speaker handles specific frequency ranges and directional requirements, allowing the system to maintain sound quality while accommodating thin device constraints
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes three-dimensional sound distribution by employing speakers oriented in different directions (down-firing, back-firing) and positioned at multiple locations. This spatial arrangement creates a wider sweet spot by distributing sound energy across multiple dimensions, compensating for the limitations imposed by thin device thickness
2Measurement precision
If middle-pitched sound and high-pitched sound are output with high directivity, then sound clarity is improved, but sweet spot becomes narrow
Solution Approach 1:
The audio spectrum is segmented into different frequency ranges handled by specialized speakers (woofer for low frequencies, front speaker for middle and high frequencies). Multiple speakers are deployed to cover different spatial zones, ensuring that high-directivity sounds maintain clarity while their coverage areas are expanded through distributed positioning
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines outputs from multiple speakers to create a composite sound field. By merging sound waves from different locations and directions, the system maintains the clarity benefits of high-directivity middle and high-pitched sounds while expanding the overall sweet spot width through constructive interference and spatial distribution
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 enhances sound quality by forming a wider sweet spot, allowing for a more expansive area where stereo audio is experienced as intended, with high-pitched sounds directed to create elevation and localization effects.
Implementation Method 1
Each slit may have a thickness that is less than the wavelength of sound emitted
Implementation Method 2
a flat panel speaker configured to output sound at a location on the image displayed on the display at which the sound is generated using bending waves
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus including a first speaker configured to output higher-frequency sound from among sound of a channel via at least one slit, and a second speaker configured to output lower-frequency sound from among the sound of the channel via at least one other slit. The at least one slit may have a thickness that is less than a wavelength of sound emitted.