Narrow-Aperture Waveguide Speaker for Thin Display Directionality
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Solution Overview
Problem
Modern flat panel displays face challenges in integrating high-quality speakers due to their thin form factor, which limits the ability to produce satisfactory low frequency content and directional sound quality, and existing speaker packaging is cumbersome and speakers are not optimal for high fidelity audio systems.
Innovation Solution
A speaker comprising a waveguide with a narrow aperture and a method of assembly of such an audio speaker, which contact with a waveguide with a waveguide with a waveguide, which is attached to the transducer, which is attached to the transducer, which is attached to the transducer, which is attached to the waveguide with a waveguide with a waveguide with a waveguide with a waveguide with a waveguide.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If speakers are integrated into thin flat panel displays, then the display design is improved and bezel area is reduced, but the speaker quality deteriorates due to insufficient acoustic back-volume and inability to produce satisfactory low frequency content
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from traditional forward-firing speakers to upward-firing speakers that direct sound vertically toward the listener. This dimensional change allows the speaker to achieve adequate acoustic performance within the constrained thickness of modern flat panel displays by utilizing the vertical space above the display rather than requiring horizontal bezel area or internal acoustic volume.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a waveguide as an intermediary component between the speaker driver and the listener. The waveguide shapes and directs the sound waves upward, mediating the acoustic path to achieve directional sound projection without requiring the speaker to physically point toward the listener or require significant internal acoustic volume.
2Area of stationary object
If speakers are mounted on the back or underside of the display, then the front design is improved with minimal bezel, but the sound directionality deteriorates because speakers do not fire directly towards the listener
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the firing direction from horizontal (forward or backward) to vertical (upward). This dimensional change allows back-mounted speakers to project sound toward the listener positioned in front of the display, overcoming the directionality problem of traditional back-mounted speakers while maintaining minimal bezel design.
Solution Approach 2:
The waveguide serves as an intermediary that redirects sound waves from the backward-mounted speaker position upward toward the listener. It modifies the acoustic path to achieve proper sound directionality without requiring the speaker to be physically repositioned to the front of the display.
3Reliability
If traditional forward firing speakers are used, then the sound quality is improved with direct sound projection, but the device complexity increases due to larger speaker cones and voice coils that cannot fit in thin displays
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses upward-firing speakers with waveguides instead of traditional forward-firing speakers. This dimensional change allows the use of smaller, thinner speaker drivers that can be accommodated within thin display profiles while still achieving adequate sound quality through the waveguide's sound-shaping capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The waveguide acts as an intermediary that compensates for the smaller driver size. By shaping and directing the sound waves, the waveguide enables smaller, simpler speaker structures to produce sound quality comparable to or better than traditional larger forward-firing speakers.
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 speaker is able to produce high-quality sound waves that are directed towards the listener, minimizing the negative effect on the industrial design of modern display panels by preventing visual clutter and enhancing audio playback quality.
Implementation Method 1
A transducer of the speaker radiates sound through the waveguide and outwards from the rear of the display panel and around an edge of the display panel to form soundwaves radiating directly or nearly directly to a listener positioned in front of the display panel
Implementation Method 2
The waveguide includes fins that control the directivity of soundwaves exiting the waveguide and around the edge of the display panel
Data Source
Figure 1A
Figure 1B
Figure 2
AI summary
A speaker having a narrow aperture waveguide for transmitting sound from the rear side of a flat display panel. A transducer of the speaker radiates sound through the waveguide and outwards from the rear of the display panel and around an edge of the display panel to form soundwaves radiating directly or nearly directly to a listener positioned in front of the display panel. The waveguide includes fins that control the directivity of soundwaves exiting the waveguide and around the edge of the display panel.