Vehicle Interior Panel Audio Using Vibrating Trim Surfaces

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional sound generating apparatuses for vehicles face limitations in producing realistic or stereo multichannel sounds due to the size and space constraints of coil-type speakers, which restrict the number of speakers that can be used.

Innovation Solution

The use of vehicle interior materials as sound vibration plates, where sound generating devices, such as coil or piezoelectric type, are integrated to vibrate these materials, allowing for the output of sounds or stereo sounds through the vehicle's interior or glass windows.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the number of speakers is increased to output stereo sound, then sound quality is improved, but device complexity and space requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesound qualityVSAvoidnumber of speakers

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the sound generation function with the vehicle interior material by integrating a sound generating device directly into the interior panel. The interior material itself becomes the vibration plate, combining structural and acoustic functions into a single integrated component, thereby achieving stereo sound without adding separate speaker units.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The vehicle interior material serves multiple functions: it maintains its original role as an interior panel while simultaneously functioning as a sound vibration plate. This multi-functionality allows the same component to provide both structural integrity and acoustic output, eliminating the need for dedicated speaker components in traditional configurations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If coil-type speakers are used to output sound, then sound generation is achieved, but space constraints limit the number of speakers

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesound output capabilityVSAvoidspace for speakers

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The sound generating device is merged with the vehicle interior material structure. The interior panel becomes the vibration plate, eliminating the need for separate speaker enclosures and mounting spaces. This integration allows sound generation within the existing interior space without requiring additional volume.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The vehicle interior material acts as a flexible vibration plate that can be directly actuated by the sound generating device. This thin-film approach replaces bulky coil-type speakers with a more compact configuration where the interior panel itself vibrates to produce sound, significantly reducing the space required for sound generation components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

3Reliability

If vehicle interior material is used as vibration plate, then sound characteristics in low-pitched bands are improved, but manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesound characteristicsVSAvoidintegration of sound generating device

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The sound generating device is integrated into the vehicle interior material during the manufacturing process. The interior panel is designed with embedded sound generating components, allowing the vibration plate function to be built-in rather than added as a separate assembly step. This integration approach improves low-pitched sound characteristics while managing manufacturing complexity through unified production.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 approach enhances sound quality by utilizing the vehicle's interior materials as large-area vibration plates, improving sound characteristics, particularly in low-pitched sound bands, and allows for the production of realistic and stereo multichannel sounds without the need for additional speakers.

Implementation Method 1

a sound generating device to be covered by a vehicle interior material of a vehicle, the sound generating device is configured to vibrate the vehicle interior material

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectVibration: Vibration

Implementation Method 2

the vibration plate may include a piezoelectric element

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPiezoelectric effect: Piezoelectric Effect

Data Source

PatentUS11950035B2Sound generating apparatus for vehicles and vehicle including the same

Publication Date: 2024.04.02 LG DISPLAY CO LTD

AI summary

A sound generating apparatus for vehicles may include a sound generating device to be covered by a vehicle interior material of a vehicle. The sound generating device may be configured to vibrate the vehicle interior material. A vehicle including the sound generating apparatus for vehicles may include a vehicle interior material, covering a vehicle structure, and at least one sound generating apparatus disposed at the vehicle interior material. The vehicle interior material may vibrate according to a vibration of the sound generating apparatus to output a sound.