Transparent Vehicle Window Loudspeaker Integration

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current vehicle interior designs require separate components for displays, controls, and speakers, leading to increased parts, weight, and space requirements, and a desire for advanced system integration to enhance user experience.

Innovation Solution

A loudspeaker arrangement that integrates a transparent diaphragm and actuator into a vehicle's window glass, allowing the diaphragm to vibrate and generate sound while the glass acts as a sound reflector or insulator, with the option to include additional features like lighting, display functions, and camera capabilities, and wireless communication for easy installation and maintenance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If speakers are integrated into the headliner or provided over video display screens, then system integration is advanced and parts are reduced, but weight and space requirements still exist and user experience can be further improved

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem integrationVSAvoidweight

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the speaker diaphragm with the window glass itself, making the glass serve dual purposes as both a structural/window component and a sound-generating element. This eliminates the need for separate speaker housings and mounting structures, thereby reducing overall weight while achieving complete system integration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The window glass is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: it serves as the window pane for visibility, as the speaker diaphragm for sound generation, and as a mounting surface for the transducer. This multi-functionality reduces the total number of components needed in the vehicle interior.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Ease of manufacture

If separate components are used for displays, controls, and speakers, then each component can be optimized independently, but parts quantity, weight, and space requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecomponent optimizationVSAvoidparts

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple previously separate components into a single integrated assembly: the window glass, speaker diaphragm, and transducer mounting surface are merged into one unit. This reduces the quantity of parts from multiple separate components to a single integrated component while maintaining the ability to optimize each functional element during the design phase.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Device complexity

If the window glass is used directly as a speaker, then maximum integration is achieved, but the glass may not be free to vibrate and generate sound effectively

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveintegrationVSAvoidsound generation

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the window glass assembly into distinct functional zones: a first region where the glass is directly coupled to the transducer for active sound generation, and a second region where the glass remains free from direct transducer coupling to vibrate naturally. This segmentation allows the glass to function both as a structural component and as an effective sound-generating diaphragm.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies different coupling characteristics to different regions of the same glass pane. The first region has direct transducer coupling for controlled sound generation, while the second region has free vibration characteristics for natural sound radiation. This local differentiation of properties optimizes both integration and sound generation effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

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 integration reduces parts and weight, optimizes space, provides a unique user experience, and allows for customizable sound propagation and display functions, while maintaining ease of servicing and upgrading.

Implementation Method 1

an actuator, such as a transducer, coupled to the diaphragm, wherein movement of the transducer causes vibration of the diaphragm to generate sound

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetic transduction: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 2

the window glass may be a sound reflector towards the interior of the vehicle

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSound reflection: Reflection

Implementation Method 3

the window glass may be a sound insulator towards the outside

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSound insulation: Absorption (physical)

Data Source

PatentUS20220396207A1Loudspeaker Arrangement of a Vehicle

Publication Date: 2022.12.15 INTERNATIONAL AUTOMOTIVE COMPONENTS GROUP NORTH AMERICA INC

AI summary

A loudspeaker arrangement of a vehicle, comprises a speaker including an at least partially transparent diaphragm and a transducer coupled to the diaphragm, wherein movement of the transducer causes vibration of the diaphragm to generate sound by vibration of the diaphragm, the diaphragm having a front face directed towards an interior of the vehicle and an opposite rear face; and a carrier configured to support the diaphragm by supporting the diaphragm at its edges relative to a window glass of the vehicle such that the rear face of the diaphragm faces and is spaced from the window glass.