Stepped Speaker Assembly for Compact Sound Radiation

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

The challenge of integrating high-quality sound output in compact electronic devices while maintaining device size and functionality has not been adequately addressed.

Innovation Solution

A speaker assembly with a diaphragm, a first speaker cover, a sound space, and a supporting structure with a step structure to enhance sound radiation and minimize interference, allowing for efficient sound projection without increasing device dimensions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the speaker assembly is designed to provide high-quality sound output, then sound quality is improved, but device size increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesound qualityVSAvoiddevice size
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent utilizes the thickness direction (Z-axis) of the device to create a stepped supporting structure with multiple levels. This vertical dimensionality allows the sound space to be efficiently organized without increasing the device's planar footprint, thereby maintaining compact device size while providing sufficient volume for high-quality sound output.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The supporting structure is divided into multiple steps with different heights, creating segmented sound spaces. This segmentation allows for optimized acoustic chamber volumes and configurations that enhance sound quality while keeping the overall assembly compact. Each step creates a distinct acoustic zone that contributes to the overall sound performance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Volume of moving object

If the speaker assembly is compacted to reduce device size, then device size is reduced, but sound radiation efficiency deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice sizeVSAvoidsound radiation efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

By extending the supporting structure in the thickness direction to create multiple stepped levels, the patent achieves efficient sound radiation within a compact footprint. The stepped configuration optimizes the acoustic path and sound space utilization, maintaining high sound radiation efficiency without increasing the device's planar dimensions.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The supporting structure features localized stepped regions with varying heights positioned strategically around the sound space. This local quality variation optimizes sound radiation characteristics in specific areas while keeping the overall device compact. The different step heights create optimized acoustic zones that enhance sound projection efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Ease of manufacture

If the supporting structure is simplified to reduce manufacturing complexity, then ease of manufacture is improved, but sound space configuration deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanufacturing complexityVSAvoidsound space configuration
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The supporting structure is designed as a segmented stepped configuration that, while geometrically complex, can be manufactured as an integrated component using conventional molding or machining processes. The segmentation into standardized step patterns facilitates manufacturing while achieving the desired sound space configuration for optimal acoustic performance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

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 speaker assembly provides improved sound quality and efficiency in compact electronic devices by optimizing sound radiation and reducing interference, enhancing user experience.

Implementation Method 1

the step structure may reflect a portion of the sound output from the speaker toward the first speaker hole

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSound reflection: Reflection

Implementation Method 2

a speaker including a diaphragm... configured to radiate a sound to an outside of the electronic device

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectroacoustic transduction:

Data Source

PatentEP4694201A1Speaker assembly and electronic device comprising same
Publication Date: 2026.02.11 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD
  • EP4694201A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4694201A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4694201A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, an electronic device can be provided. The electronic device may comprise: a housing including a first speaker hole; and a speaker assembly which is arranged in the housing and which emits sound to the outside of the electronic device through the first speaker hole. The speaker assembly includes: a speaker including a diaphragm; a first speaker cover which faces the diaphragm and which is spaced apart from the diaphragm; an acoustic space formed between the diaphragm and the speaker cover; a first support structure including a first portion surrounding a portion of the acoustic space; and a stepped structure which is arranged to be adjacent to an area in which a part of the first portion of the first support structure and the first speaker cover are in contact with each other and which is spaced apart from the speaker module.