Speaker System With Varying Rib Spacing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing loudspeaker systems face challenges in simplifying manufacturing processes while enhancing acoustic properties, particularly in achieving fuller and warmer sound with improved low-frequency response and increased sound volume.
Innovation Solution
A loudspeaker system comprising two identical, essentially flat soundboards connected by ribs that increase in spacing along their longitudinal axis, with bridges designed without sound passage openings, allowing for phase-shifted excitation devices and varying rib spacing to optimize frequency excitation, and additional elements like frame members and tensioning elements for stability and sound transmission.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a single soundboard with an excitation device at a nodal vibration point is used, then the manufacturing is simpler, but the acoustic properties are less improved
Solution Approach 1:
The soundboard is divided into multiple individual elements (5) arranged side by side, allowing separate manufacturing and assembly. This segmentation enables simpler manufacturing of individual components while achieving improved acoustic properties through their combined operation with bridges (4) positioned between them.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple individual soundboard elements are merged together with bridges positioned between them to form a unified soundboard structure. This combining of separate manufactured elements creates enhanced acoustic properties while maintaining the manufacturing simplicity of individual components.
2Ease of manufacture
If uniform rib spacing is used across the soundboard, then the manufacturing is easier, but the frequency excitation is not optimized
Solution Approach 1:
The rib spacing is varied locally across different regions of the soundboard. Closer rib spacing in certain areas optimizes excitation for specific frequency ranges, while wider spacing in other areas optimizes for different frequencies. This local variation in rib spacing allows the soundboard to be tuned for comprehensive frequency coverage while maintaining relatively simple manufacturing processes.
3Reliability
If the bridge has sound passage openings, then the sound transmission is improved, but the structural stability is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The bridge is designed as a solid structure without sound passage openings, relying on its material properties and connection to individual soundboard elements to transmit sound effectively. This solid bridge design maintains structural stability while still achieving good sound transmission through its coupling with the vibrating soundboard elements.
4Device complexity
If a single soundboard is used, then the device complexity is lower, but the sound volume and low-frequency response are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The soundboard is segmented into multiple individual elements (5) that can be manufactured separately and assembled together. This segmentation allows for a more complex overall structure that improves sound volume and low-frequency response, while each individual element remains relatively simple to manufacture.
Solution Approach 2:
The soundboard is constructed as a composite structure combining multiple individual elements (5) with bridges (4) positioned between them. This composite construction enhances the acoustic properties including sound volume and low-frequency response, while allowing each component to be manufactured using standard processes.
5Manufacturing precision
If excitation devices are positioned at nodal vibration points determined by measurement, then the manufacturing precision is reduced, but the acoustic performance is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The soundboard is divided into individual elements with bridges positioned between them, providing predetermined locations for excitation devices. This segmentation allows excitation devices to be positioned at optimal locations determined by the bridge structure rather than requiring precise measurement of nodal points, maintaining manufacturing precision while improving acoustic performance.
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
The system achieves improved acoustic performance by enhancing low-frequency response, increasing sound volume, and allowing for customizable sound patterns through rib spacing and phase-shifted excitation, while maintaining stability and preventing overresonance.
Implementation Method 1
The vibration excitation of each planar soundboard is effected by the respective excitation device
Implementation Method 2
a loudspeaker system comprising two soundboards arranged opposite each other and connected to one another
Implementation Method 3
The ribs cause the soundboard to curve outwards transversely to the longitudinal axis
Implementation Method 4
The ribs contribute to the curvature of the soundboard and create tension within it
Implementation Method 5
the excitation device on one soundboard can be driven with a phase shift relative to the excitation device on the opposite soundboard
Implementation Method 6
This can further increase the sound volume, as potential interference can be avoided
Implementation Method 7
The increasing spacing of the ribs along the longitudinal or symmetry axis of each soundboard, from top to bottom, creates different areas on the soundboard that are more resonant at various frequencies
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to a loudspeaker system (1) comprising two soundboards (2) arranged opposite each other and connected to each other, wherein each soundboard (2) has an outwardly facing front (V) and an inwardly facing rear (R), wherein each soundboard (2) is planar, wherein ribs (6) extending transversely to the axis of symmetry or longitudinal axis (11) are arranged on the rear (R) of each soundboard (2), extending substantially across the width of the soundboard (2), wherein each soundboard (2) is curved outwards transversely to the longitudinal axis (11) by means of the ribs (6), wherein the distance between the ribs (6) increases in the longitudinal direction of the soundboard (2), wherein each soundboard (2) has a strut (4) provided on each soundboard (2), the struts (4) being positioned opposite each other on the soundboards (2).and - wherein at least one excitation device (10) is arranged on the rear side (R) of the surface of the respective bridge (4) facing the opposite soundboard (2), wherein the bridge (4) is designed to be free of sound passage openings.