Speaker Vibration Isolation in Smart Speaker Acoustic Chamber

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing electronic devices, such as smart speakers and docking stations, face challenges in providing comfortable and reliable user interaction, especially in kitchen environments, due to issues with audio quality, intelligibility, and vibration-induced noise interference.

Innovation Solution

The design includes a cylindrical main body with elevated speaker drivers oriented towards the ground, a detachable back support for user devices, and vibration-isolating features like a mid-chamber and silicone feet, which enhance audio quality and protect against liquids, while isolating microphones from speaker vibrations to improve voice command detection.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If speaker drivers are oriented towards the ground to improve audio quality and intelligibility, then audio performance is improved, but vibration-induced noise interference increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaudio qualityVSAvoidvibration-induced noise
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The device is divided into functionally independent modules: the main body containing speaker drivers oriented towards the ground for optimal audio projection, and a separately detachable back support for user devices. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function without compromising the other.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The back support is extracted as a detachable component rather than being permanently integrated into the main body. This extraction allows the main body to focus on audio performance with ground-oriented speaker drivers while the back support provides stable user device placement independently.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Reliability

If the main body is elevated from the ground to protect against liquids and improve audio projection, then reliability and audio quality are improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveliquid protectionVSAvoidstructural complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The back support is designed as a dynamic, detachable component that can be attached or removed based on user needs. When attached, it provides stable support for user devices; when removed, it simplifies the overall structure and reduces complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The back support extends in a different spatial dimension (upwards from the main body) rather than increasing the footprint or complexity within the main body structure. This dimensional approach allows elevation and liquid protection without proportionally increasing overall device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Adaptability or versatility

If a detachable back support is added to hold user devices, then versatility and ease of operation are improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuser device compatibilityVSAvoidstructural complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The back support is designed as a universal component that can accommodate various user devices (smartphones, tablets, etc.) of different sizes and weights. This multi-functional design allows a single component to serve multiple purposes without requiring device-specific adaptations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The detachable nature of the back support provides dynamic adaptability - users can attach it when needing user device support and remove it when not needed, allowing the device to adapt its functionality and complexity level based on real-time requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

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 user interaction by improving audio quality and intelligibility, increasing comfort and reliability of voice control, even in noisy kitchen settings, by reducing vibration-induced noise and protecting against liquids.

Implementation Method 1

The one or more feet may be configured to hold the main body elevated at an elevation distance from the ground... by holding the main body elevated from the ground, the main body may be protected from liquids on the ground in an efficient and reliable manner

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectVibration isolation: Damping

Implementation Method 2

The one or more speaker drivers are preferably oriented at least partially towards the ground. In particular, the one or more speaker drivers may be arranged such that a main emission direction of an audio signal that is emitted by the one or more speaker drivers is oriented towards the ground

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAcoustic emission: Sound

Implementation Method 3

The electronic device comprises one or more means for at least partially isolating the one or more microphones from vibrations of the acoustic chamber (caused during rendering of an audio signal by the one or more speaker drivers)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectVibration isolation: Damping

Data Source

PatentEP4142303A1Electronic device with a microphone and a speaker
Publication Date: 2023.03.01 BOSCH SIEMENS HAUSGERATE GMBH
  • EP4142303A1 patent drawingFigure 1a
  • EP4142303A1 patent drawingFigure 1b~1c
  • EP4142303A1 patent drawingFigure 2a~2b

AI summary

An electronic device (100), in particular a docking station (100) and/or a smart speaker, is described, wherein the electronic device (100) comprises a main body (106) which comprises an acoustic chamber (201) with one or more speaker drivers (108, 107) for rendering an audio signal. The main body (106) further comprises one or more microphones (110) configured to capture a microphone signal. In addition, the electronic device (100) comprises one or more means for at least partially isolating the one or more microphones (110) from vibrations of the acoustic chamber (201).