Vertical Vehicle Audio Module with Passive Radiators
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Solution Overview
Problem
Vehicle audio systems face challenges in optimizing speaker placement due to cabin geometry, leading to 'hotspots' and nulls in acoustic radiation, mechanical vibrations, and exposure to environmental factors, which affect sound quality and durability.
Innovation Solution
An elongated sealed enclosure with two acoustic drivers and a bass augmenting device, including passive radiators, is designed to be pre-assembled and mounted vertically in the vehicle cabin, allowing for efficient acoustic energy distribution and reduced wiring needs, with circuitry to manage frequency radiation and minimize nulls.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple separate speakers are installed in different locations, then sound coverage can be improved, but device complexity and wiring requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple acoustic drivers (full-range drivers and passive radiators) into a single integrated module with shared enclosure and wiring. This merging approach maintains comprehensive sound coverage while reducing wiring complexity by consolidating multiple separate speaker installations into one unified assembly that can be installed in a single location.
Solution Approach 2:
The single speaker module performs multiple functions by integrating full-range drivers for mid and high frequencies and passive radiators for bass frequencies within one enclosure. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate speakers in different locations while maintaining comprehensive acoustic coverage.
2Reliability
If speakers are positioned in optimal locations for acoustic performance, then sound quality improves, but installation complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple acoustic functions into a single pre-assembled module that maintains optimal acoustic characteristics while simplifying installation. The integrated design with shared enclosure and wiring reduces installation complexity compared to positioning multiple separate speakers in optimized locations throughout the vehicle.
3Device complexity
If acoustic drivers are placed close together, then wiring and installation are simplified, but acoustic nulls and hotspots increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the acoustic spectrum by assigning different frequency ranges to different driver types within the same enclosure. Full-range drivers handle mid and high frequencies while passive radiators handle bass frequencies, allowing close physical placement without creating acoustic nulls or hotspots because each driver type operates in its optimized frequency range.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by giving different parts of the enclosure different functions - full-range drivers for certain frequency ranges and passive radiators for bass frequencies. This functional segmentation allows close placement of drivers while maintaining acoustic uniformity through frequency-based specialization.
4Reliability
If a large enclosure volume is used for bass radiation, then bass performance improves, but the device occupies more space
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses passive radiators as intermediaries to achieve bass radiation without requiring large enclosure volumes. The passive radiators are driven indirectly by the full-range drivers through acoustic pressure within the sealed enclosure, enabling effective bass reproduction in a compact space without the need for large bass reflex ports or extensive internal volume.
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 solution provides improved sound distribution and reduced mechanical issues by eliminating the need for crossover networks and separate speakers, enhancing sound quality and simplifying installation with fewer wiring connections.
Implementation Method 1
The passive radiators mounted in openings in the acoustic enclosure so that in operation, the inertial forces of the passive radiator diaphragms cancel
Data Source
AI summary
An audio module for use in a vehicle cabin. An elongated substantially sealed enclosure has two ends in the lengthwise direction. A first acoustic driver is mounted in the enclosure near one end of the enclosure for radiating acoustic energy from the end of the enclosure. A second acoustic driver is mounted in the enclosure near a second end of the enclosure for radiating acoustic energy from the second end of the enclosure. The audio module includes a bass augmenting device for radiating low frequency acoustic energy from the enclosure. The audio module is constructed and arranged to be pre-assembled so that the audio module can be installed in the vehicle as a single assembly. The audio module is configured to be mounted to the vehicle so that the lengthwise direction is substantially vertical with the first end of the enclosure higher than the second end of the enclosure.