Rotationally Symmetric Speaker Array with Logarithmic Transducer Rings
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional speaker arrays require frequent manual adjustments to maintain sound directionality, leading to a poor user experience due to their non-rotationally symmetric design, which complicates placement and orientation within a listening area.
Innovation Solution
A rotationally symmetric speaker array with multiple rings of transducers of different types, where the transducers are arranged to maintain horizontal symmetry and have overlapping frequency ranges, allowing for automatic orientation and beam pattern generation without physical adjustments, using logarithmic spacing to optimize transducer placement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If transducers are arranged on a single plane or surface, then the speaker array has a simple structure, but frequent manual adjustments are required to maintain sound directionality
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies curvature by arranging transducers on multiple surfaces including the top, bottom, front, back, and side surfaces of the speaker array enclosure. This three-dimensional curved arrangement creates rotational symmetry, allowing the array to maintain consistent sound directionality regardless of orientation, thereby eliminating the need for frequent manual adjustments while preserving structural simplicity
2Adaptability or versatility
If the speaker array is designed with rotationally symmetric transducer arrangement, then adaptation to any placement is enabled, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements universality by designing the speaker array with rotationally symmetric transducer arrangement that functions effectively in any orientation or placement position. The same transducer configuration serves multiple purposes: it maintains sound directionality, provides consistent frequency coverage, and adapts to various listening environments without requiring reconfiguration, thereby achieving high adaptability without proportionally increasing complexity
3Reliability
If multiple types of transducers with overlapping frequency ranges are used, then consistent frequency coverage is achieved, but the quantity of transducers increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by strategically assigning different transducer types to specific spatial locations and frequency ranges. Each transducer is optimized for its specific location and frequency band, with overlapping ranges ensuring consistent coverage. This localized optimization allows the system to achieve reliable frequency coverage while minimizing the total number of transducers needed, as each transducer performs its specific function efficiently
Data Source
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AI summary
A multi-way speaker array is disclosed that includes rings of transducers of different types. The rings of transducers may encircle the cabinet of the speaker array such that the speaker array is rotationally symmetric. The distance between rings of transducers may be based on a logarithmic scale. By separating rings of transducers using logarithmic spacing, denser transducer spacing at short wavelengths is achieved while limiting the number of transducers needed for longer wavelengths by spacing them in larger and larger logarithmic increments. Transducers with overlapping frequency ranges may be used in the speaker array to avoid initial dips or shortfalls in directivity for corresponding beam patterns.