Waterproof Audio System With Surface Transducers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional speakers are not suitable for use in wet environments as they can be damaged by exposure to water and often require protective enclosures that inhibit sound quality or are ineffective in preventing damage.
Innovation Solution
A waterproof audio reproduction device with a sealed case containing control electronics, surface transducers, and a battery, allowing wireless audio signal reception and remote control through Bluetooth or a magnetized stylus, while also providing storage for personal items.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional speakers are used in wet environments, then music can be played, but the speakers are damaged by water exposure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a waterproof seal comprising a flexible membrane that encloses the speaker and electronic components. This flexible shell creates a protective barrier between the water-resistant components and the wet environment, allowing the speaker to be used in pools, beaches, and rain without damage while maintaining acoustic performance.
2Reliability
If speakers are placed in protective enclosures, then water protection is achieved, but sound quality is inhibited or degraded
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible membrane seal is specifically designed to be acoustically transparent, allowing sound waves to pass through while blocking water. This enables the enclosure to provide waterproof protection without significantly degrading sound quality, maintaining high-fidelity audio reproduction.
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible membrane acts as an intermediary element between the internal acoustic environment and the external wet environment. It transmits acoustic energy while preventing water penetration, thus mediating between the conflicting requirements of waterproofing and sound quality.
3Ease of operation
If control electronics and battery are placed inside the sealed enclosure, then remote operation is enabled, but the enclosure must remain sealed to protect against water
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a waterproof seal with integrated control interfaces that act as intermediaries. Users can control playback and volume from outside the sealed enclosure through the waterproof membrane or through controlled openings that maintain seal integrity, enabling remote operation without compromising the protective enclosure.
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
Enables high-quality sound reproduction in wet conditions, protects personal items, and allows remote operation without opening the enclosure, ensuring durability and convenience.
Implementation Method 1
At least one surface transducer, and preferably two surface transducers, are electrically connected to the control electronics and operatively attached to an internal surface of the case, wherein the surface transducers are capable of receiving the audio signal from the audio device and causing vibration of the internal surface in response to the audio signal
Implementation Method 2
a seal between the base and the lid sufficient to prevent water from entering the internal volume when the lid is closed onto the base
Implementation Method 3
The case also includes an energy storage device, such as a battery, electrically connected to the control electronics
Implementation Method 4
the case includes external icons corresponding to playback and volume control. More preferably, a magnetic stylus holder is mounted to an external surface of the case for holding the magnetic stylus
Data Source
AI summary
A portable and waterproof audio reproduction device is provided, comprising a case having a base and a lid defining an internal volume, and further including a seal between the base and the lid sufficient to prevent water from entering the internal volume when the lid is closed onto the base. The case includes control electronics within the internal volume, wherein the control electronics are adapted to receive an audio signal from an audio device located either inside the case or outside the case. The case also includes a battery, electrically connected to the control electronics. Surface transducers are electrically connected to the control electronics and operatively attached to an internal surface of the case, wherein the surface transducers are capable of receiving the audio signal from the audio device and causing vibration of the internal surface in response to the audio signal.