Ultrasonic Speaker Range Switching via Shock Wave Distance Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing speaker systems, such as vehicle presence notification apparatuses, cannot switch the output range of notification sounds in response to changing situations, limiting their adaptability to different environments and vehicle speeds.
Innovation Solution
A speaker system that includes an ultrasonic speaker, a speaker driver, and a shock wave distance changer. The shock wave distance changer alters the distance at which a sound wave becomes a shock wave by adjusting the initial sound pressure and/or carrier frequency of the sound wave, allowing the directional characteristics and output range of the sound to be switched.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the distance traveled until shock wave forms is increased, then the directional characteristics become narrow and sound is focused in a specific direction, but the output range of sound is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the shock wave formation distance adjustable rather than fixed. The control unit dynamically changes the initial sound pressure and/or carrier frequency based on the vehicle's traveling speed, allowing the system to switch between narrow directional characteristics at high speeds and wide directional characteristics at low speeds. This dynamic adjustment resolves the contradiction by enabling the system to adapt its output range and directional properties according to operational conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs parameter changes by modifying the initial sound pressure and carrier frequency of the ultrasonic speaker to control the shock wave formation distance. By changing these parameters, the system can adjust whether the shock wave forms at a short or long distance, thereby switching between wide and narrow directional characteristics. This parameter-based control enables versatile adaptation to different output range requirements without increasing device complexity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the distance traveled until shock wave forms is decreased, then the directional characteristics become wide and sound is diffused in spherical shape, but the sound cannot reach distant areas effectively
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses dynamic control to adjust the shock wave formation distance based on real-time traveling speed conditions. When the vehicle travels at low speed, the control unit sets parameters that cause shock wave formation at a short distance, producing wide directional characteristics for local notification. When traveling at high speed, it adjusts parameters to form shock waves at longer distances, extending the sound reach. This dynamic adaptation resolves the contradiction between wide directional characteristics and distant sound reach.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the initial sound pressure and/or carrier frequency parameters to control where the shock wave forms in space. By adjusting these parameters, the system can make the shock wave form at short distances (for wide diffusion) or long distances (for distant reach). This parameter control mechanism enables the system to overcome the limitation of fixed directional characteristics and achieve both wide coverage and distant penetration as needed.
3Device complexity
If the initial sound pressure is increased to extend sound reach, then the shock wave forms at shorter distance, but the directional characteristics become too wide for focused notification
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by coordinating adjustments of both initial sound pressure and carrier frequency. When high sound reach is needed, the system increases initial sound pressure while also adjusting carrier frequency to ensure the shock wave forms at the desired distance, maintaining appropriate directional characteristics. This coordinated parameter adjustment resolves the contradiction between extended sound reach and focused directional characteristics, allowing the system to achieve both goals simultaneously based on operational requirements.
4Device complexity
If the carrier frequency is increased to extend shock wave formation distance, then the directional characteristics become narrow, but the sound may not be audible or effective for notification
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses parameter changes by adjusting both carrier frequency and initial sound pressure in coordination. When extending shock wave formation distance is needed, the system increases carrier frequency while also adjusting initial sound pressure to maintain notification effectiveness. This coordinated adjustment ensures that the ultrasonic parameters produce shock waves at the desired distance while the resulting audible difference tones remain effective for vehicle presence notification, resolving the contradiction between extended formation distance and notification effectiveness.
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 system effectively switches the directional characteristics of the sound from narrow to wide, or vice versa, based on the surrounding situations or vehicle speed, enabling the sound to be heard by pedestrians in both close and distant areas, thus enhancing notification effectiveness.
Implementation Method 1
a shock wave distance changer configured to change a distance at which a sound wave output from the ultrasonic speaker becomes a shock wave after propagating through air
Implementation Method 2
since difference tones between two kinds of carrier waves are repeatedly generated and synthesized during the time until the shock wave forms
Implementation Method 3
A shock wave is generated by a cumulative increase in collapse of a sound wave's waveform as propagation of each cycle is repeated
Data Source
AI summary
A speaker system includes an output sound generator configured to generate a sound to be output, an ultrasonic speaker, a speaker driver configured to drive the ultrasonic speaker and output a sound generated by the output sound generator, and a shock wave distance changer configured to change a distance at which a sound wave output from the ultrasonic speaker becomes a shock wave after propagating through air.