Waveguide Exit Structure for Single-Handed Portable Audio Grip
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing portable audio systems lack a convenient and ergonomic design for grasping and handling, as they do not have a dedicated feature to facilitate easy manipulation with a single hand, which can lead to difficulties in portability and usability.
Innovation Solution
A portable audio system with a housing featuring a textured acoustic exit on its back surface, designed to function as a handle, allowing easy grasping with multiple fingers while the thumb can rest on the top or front surface, combined with a rotating docking cradle for versatile connectivity options.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a portable audio system is designed without a dedicated grasping feature, then the housing structure remains simple, but the ease of operation deteriorates due to difficulty in single-handed handling
Solution Approach 1:
The acoustic exit is designed to serve dual purposes: its primary function of radiating acoustic energy is maintained, while simultaneously it provides a grasping function for single-handed handling. This multi-functionality resolves the contradiction by adding no extra components while improving ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The acoustic exit is positioned at a specific location on the housing (opposite the driving means) and given a particular geometry that creates a grasping-friendly opening. This localized modification provides the grasping function without requiring changes to the entire housing structure, thus maintaining simplicity while improving operability.
2Ease of operation
If the acoustic exit is positioned away from the front surface, then the grasping capability is improved, but the acoustic radiation efficiency may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The acoustic exit is positioned on the housing surface opposite the driving means, utilizing the three-dimensional space of the housing to create an optimal grasping geometry without compromising the acoustic path. The waveguide structure maintains acoustic efficiency while the exit positioning provides ergonomic grasping capability.
3Ease of operation
If a textured surface is added to the acoustic exit, then the gripping security is improved, but the manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The textured surface is applied only to the acoustic exit region where gripping occurs, rather than the entire housing. This localized texturing provides enhanced gripping security while minimizing the impact on manufacturing complexity, as only a specific area requires the additional surface treatment.
Data Source
Figure 1A
Figure 1B
Figure 1C
AI summary
An apparatus includes a housing. A waveguide is located within the housing.. The waveguide includes a first subsection that bends around a first axis and has a first cross-sectional area with an aspect ratio that is substantially different from unity. A second subsection bends around a second axis that is non-parallel to the first- axis and includes a' second cross-sectional area with an aspect ratio that is substantially different from unity. A third subsection acoustically couples the first subsection to the second subsection. The third subsection includes a third cross-sectional, area with an aspect ratio that varies between the first aspect ratio and the second aspect ratio. The waveguide exit has a shape that facilitates the grasping of the housing with a plurality of fingers from a single human hand.