Vented Speaker Assembly for In-Phase Interior and Exterior Audio

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing loudspeaker systems struggle to maintain acoustic radiation efficiency at low frequencies without compromising performance in mid and high frequency ranges, particularly when located outside a vehicle enclosure, often resulting in out-of-phase audio output between the vehicle interior and exterior.

Innovation Solution

The use of a pressure vessel with active and passive acoustic radiators, along with acoustic channels and filters, to create in-phase acoustic emissions within and outside the vehicle, combined with enclosure designs that enhance spectral fidelity and include features like semi-permeable membranes to prevent water ingress.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Power

If a loudspeaker system uses a vented enclosure design to improve low-frequency acoustic radiation efficiency, then low-frequency performance is enhanced, but the phase relationship between interior and exterior audio output becomes inconsistent

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveacoustic radiation efficiency at low frequenciesVSAvoidphase consistency of audio output
Core Design Contradiction:
PowerVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The enclosure is divided into multiple chambers (first chamber with active radiator, second chamber with passive radiator) to separate the acoustic paths for interior and exterior output, allowing independent optimization of each path while maintaining overall system coherence

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A passive acoustic radiator is introduced as an intermediary element that couples the interior and exterior acoustic fields, mediating the phase relationship between them and enabling synchronized output without direct mechanical connection

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Power

If an active acoustic radiator is disposed outside the vehicle enclosure to improve exterior audio output, then exterior acoustic radiation is enhanced, but water ingress risk to the radiator increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveexterior acoustic radiation efficiencyVSAvoidwater ingress protection
Core Design Contradiction:
PowerVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

A semi-permeable membrane is used to seal the exterior port, providing flexible protection against water ingress while maintaining acoustic transmission properties for low-frequency sound waves

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The passive acoustic radiator acts as an intermediary that allows the active radiator to operate in a protected environment while still achieving exterior sound radiation through the sealed port

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If the pressure vessel maintains a controlled environment to protect the active acoustic radiator, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprotection of active acoustic radiatorVSAvoidenclosure structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The pressure vessel combines multiple functions into a single integrated structure: environmental protection, acoustic chamber, and mounting structure for the active radiator, reducing overall system complexity despite enhanced protection capabilities

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

Achieves improved acoustic radiation efficiency at low frequencies while maintaining in-phase audio output in both the vehicle interior and exterior, enhancing the overall audio experience and addressing water ingress prevention.

Implementation Method 1

The active acoustic radiator normally comprises a magnetic circuit and a moveable diaphragm

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic interaction: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 2

The acoustic channel can radiate acoustic emissions into the interior of the vehicle enclosure that are in-phase with the acoustic emissions generated by the active acoustic radiator

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAcoustic wave transmission: Sound

Implementation Method 3

The vent can connect the interior of the pressure vessel to the environment outside both the pressure vessel and the vehicle enclosure

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAcoustic radiation: Sound

Implementation Method 4

include features like semi-permeable membranes to prevent water ingress

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSemi-permeable membrane filtration: Semipermeable Membrane

Data Source

PatentEP4708911A1Vented speaker assembly
Publication Date: 2026.03.11 ALPS ALPINE CO LTD
  • EP4708911A1 patent drawingFigure 1~4
  • EP4708911A1 patent drawingFigure 5~8
  • EP4708911A1 patent drawingFigure 9

AI summary

A loudspeaker system may include a pressure vessel, an active acoustic radiator, an acoustic channel, and a vent. The pressure vessel can be disposed outside a vehicle enclosure. The pressure vessel can be configured to maintain a controlled environment different from an environment outside both the pressure vessel and the vehicle enclosure. The active acoustic radiator can be disposed within the pressure vessel and may radiate acoustic emissions outside the vehicle enclosure. The active acoustic radiator comprising magnetic circuit, a moveable diaphragm, and a voice coil. The acoustic channel can fluidly connect an interior of the pressure vessel with an interior of the vehicle enclosure. The acoustic channel can radiate acoustic emissions into the interior of the vehicle enclosure that are substantially in-phase with the acoustic emissions generated outside the vehicle by the active acoustic radiator within a range of operating frequencies. The vent can connect the interior of the pressure vessel to the environment outside both the pressure vessel and the vehicle enclosure. The resulting system provides efficient sound generation both inside and outside of a vehicle interior, without the efficiency or sound fidelity compromises of prior systems.