Ultrasonic Speaker Control for Variable Shock Wave Range
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle presence notification systems using speaker arrays cannot adjust the output range of notification sounds, limiting their ability to adapt to different situations such as varying distances or environments.
Innovation Solution
A speaker system that includes an ultrasonic speaker, a speaker driver, and a shock wave distance changer, which adjusts the distance at which a sound wave becomes a shock wave by altering the initial sound pressure and/or carrier frequency, thereby changing the directional characteristics and output range of the sound.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of moving object
If the distance until shock wave formation is increased to narrow directional characteristics, then sound can be transmitted to distant areas, but the output range becomes limited and cannot adapt to wide-area notification needs
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the initial sound pressure and carrier frequency based on detected surrounding situations (urban/suburban areas, day/night conditions, vehicle speed). By making the shock wave formation distance variable rather than fixed, the speaker array can adapt its directional characteristics to match different notification scenarios, resolving the contradiction between distant transmission and wide-area coverage needs
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes physical parameters (initial sound pressure, carrier frequency) to control the shock wave formation distance. By adjusting these parameters according to surrounding conditions, the system can switch between narrow directional patterns for distant areas and wide patterns for nearby areas, enabling versatile output range adaptation
2Ease of operation
If the initial sound pressure is increased to generate shock wave at shorter distance for wide directional characteristics, then sound distributes widely, but the sound intensity may be insufficient for distant notification
Solution Approach 1:
The system adjusts the initial sound pressure parameter based on surrounding situations. In urban areas where wide notification is needed, higher initial sound pressure creates shock waves at shorter distances for wide distribution. In suburban areas where distant notification is needed, lower initial sound pressure allows shock waves to form at longer distances, maintaining intensity while extending range
3Quantity of substance
If the carrier frequency is increased to shorten shock wave formation distance, then directional characteristics widen, but the sound may not reach distant areas effectively
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the carrier frequency based on detected surrounding conditions. By varying the carrier frequency, the system controls the number of propagation cycles before shock wave formation, thereby controlling the shock wave formation distance. This enables the system to achieve both wide directional characteristics and effective distant notification as needed
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 output range of the sound by changing the directional characteristics, allowing for wider or narrower sound distribution based on the surrounding situation, enhancing notification effectiveness in various environments.
Implementation Method 1
a sound wave output from the ultrasonic speaker
Implementation Method 2
difference tones between two kinds of carrier waves are repeatedly generated and synthesized during the time until the shock wave forms, these difference tones become virtual sound sources
Implementation Method 3
change a distance at which a sound wave output from the ultrasonic speaker becomes a shock wave after propagating through air
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A~2C
Figure 3A~3B
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.