Compact Speaker Vibration Isolation and Bass Response
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing compact smart speakers face challenges in maintaining high-quality audio playback while minimizing vibrations that can cause noise or movement on supporting surfaces, and they often damage surfaces due to multiple small contact points.
Innovation Solution
A compact electronic smart speaker design featuring a large planar foot with a suspension system that distributes weight evenly and isolates vibrations, using a passive radiator array for improved bass response and an annular sound channel for omnidirectional sound, along with a conical inner sidewall and acoustic fabric for aesthetic and functional enhancement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If multiple small feet are used for support, then the speaker can be compact and stable, but the supporting surface is damaged due to concentrated contact points
Solution Approach 1:
The foot assembly is segmented into multiple components: a planar foot for surface contact, a suspension system with isolator elements, and a housing structure. This segmentation allows the weight distribution function to be separated from the vibration isolation function, enabling both surface protection and vibration reduction to be achieved simultaneously through coordinated action of the segmented components.
2Volume of moving object
If a compact speaker design is used, then the footprint is small, but vibration isolation and noise reduction become difficult to achieve
Solution Approach 1:
The suspension system and isolator elements are nested within the foot assembly housing, which is itself integrated into the compact speaker body. This nested arrangement allows vibration isolation mechanisms to be incorporated into the compact design without significantly increasing the external footprint, as the isolation components are contained within the existing structural envelope.
Solution Approach 2:
The isolator elements in the suspension system utilize flexible materials and thin-film structures that provide effective vibration isolation within minimal space. These flexible components can deform to absorb vibrations while occupying little volume, enabling compact speaker design with effective vibration noise reduction.
3Reliability
If passive radiator array is used, then bass response is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The passive radiator array is merged with the active driver assembly, where the passive radiators are positioned in close proximity to the active driver and share common magnetic and acoustic structures. This merging reduces the overall complexity compared to having separate passive radiator modules, while still achieving improved bass response through the combined acoustic output of the driver array.
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 design ensures high-quality audio playback with reduced vibration transmission, minimizing noise and surface damage, while maintaining a compact form factor and aesthetically pleasing appearance.
Implementation Method 1
The foot can include a suspension system that isolates vibrations generated by the speaker, reducing the amount of vibrations that transfer through the foot to the supporting surface
Implementation Method 2
a passive radiator array including first and second passive radiators disposed within the interior cavity, spaced apart from each other in an opposing relationship and aligned to project sound through the first and second sound channels
Implementation Method 3
An active driver can be disposed in the device housing and configured to generate sound in response to an electrical signal
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A
Figure 2B~2D
AI summary
An electronic speaker (200) comprising: a device housing (210, 220, 230) defining an interior cavity (205) and including a sidewall (222) extending around the interior cavity (205) between an upper portion (214) and a lower portion (232) of the device housing; first and second sound channels (730) formed at opposing locations along the sidewall, each of the first and second sound channels comprising a plurality of openings formed through the sidewall; a passive radiator array (228) comprising first and second passive radiators disposed within the interior cavity (205), spaced apart from each other in an opposing relationship and aligned to project sound through the first and second sound channels; an active driver (234) disposed in the device housing and configured to generate sound in response to an electrical signal, the active driver comprising driver housing (237) disposed at least partially between the first and second passive radiators, a magnet disposed within the driver housing, a voice coil and a diaphragm facing downwards towards the lower surface of the device housing; and an annular sound channel (238) disposed along the bottom portion of the device housing adjacent to the diaphragm of the active driver.